Software engineer resume sample
A recruiter may spend under a minute on your resume. A hiring engineer will read more closely, so you need to serve both. Put your title and stack near the top, then show your best work first. The outline below is illustrative, with [brackets] where your facts go.
[Your Name] | [City or Remote] | [email] | [GitHub link] | [LinkedIn link]
SUMMARY: Software developer with [number] years building [type of product] in [main language]. Comfortable with APIs, testing and working in small agile teams.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Languages: [..]. Frameworks: [..]. Data: [..]. Cloud and tools: [..].
EXPERIENCE: Software Developer, [Company], [dates]. Built [feature] using [tools], which [real result].
PROJECTS: [Project name] ([link]): [one line on what it does and the tools used].
EDUCATION: [Degree], [School], [year]
More samples by job type live in our resume examples hub, and IT-focused wording is in IT resume examples.
Software developer resume skills section
Grouping makes your stack easy to scan. Here is a pattern you can copy.
| Group | Example entries (use only what you know) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C#, Go, SQL |
| Frameworks | React, Node.js, Django, Spring, .NET |
| Data | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis |
| Cloud and DevOps | AWS, Azure, Docker, Git, CI/CD pipelines |
| Practices | Unit testing, code review, REST APIs, agile |
Project bullets with metrics for developers
Use the pattern: action, tool, result. Only include numbers you can defend in an interview. If you cannot measure something, say what changed in plain words.
| Weak bullet | Stronger bullet (replace [brackets] with your real numbers) |
|---|---|
| Worked on the backend of the app. | Built [number] REST endpoints in [language and framework] that handle [type of request] for [number] users. |
| Fixed bugs and improved speed. | Cut page load time from [old time] to [new time] by caching [what] and removing [what]. |
| Wrote tests. | Added unit and integration tests that raised coverage from [old]% to [new]% on the [service name]. |
| Used agile methods. | Delivered [number] features across [number] sprints in a team of [number], with code review on every merge. |
For stronger opening words, browse action verbs for a resume.
Resume format for software engineers
Keep the format plain. Applicant tracking systems read text in order, and engineers tend to value clean, factual layouts.
- Use one column, standard headings (Experience, Projects, Education) and a common font.
- List experience newest first, with company, title and dates on every role.
- Put projects above education if you are early in your career.
- Link to GitHub or a portfolio as plain text so it survives copy and paste.
- Save as a PDF. Mira Resume downloads resumes as PDF files.
Choose a layout from our resume templates, then test it with the ATS checker.
Web developer and programmer resume examples
The same base resume can be tuned for different titles. Change the summary and the order of skills, not the facts.
| Target title | Lead with | Show in projects |
|---|---|---|
| Web developer | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a front-end framework | Live sites, accessibility, page speed |
| Backend developer | Language, APIs, databases, testing | Services, data models, reliability |
| Programmer | Core language, algorithms, tools | Scripts, tools, automation you built |
| Full stack developer | Front end plus back end plus deployment | One project that spans all layers |
Student or new graduate?
Read the computer science resume guide for coursework, internships and project layout. If you are applying to engineering teams, a short engineering cover letter can help too.
Software developer resume FAQs
What should a software developer resume include?
Include a short summary, a skills section grouped by type, work experience with results, and two or three projects with links. Add education and any certificates. Developers are judged on what they built, so every job and project should say what you made, the tools you used, and what changed because of it.
How do I list programming languages on a resume?
Group them in a Technical Skills section, for example Languages, Frameworks, Databases and Tools. Put the ones the job asks for first. Only list what you could talk about in an interview. A short, honest list beats a long list where half the items are things you touched once.
How long should a software engineer resume be?
One page is right for most developers with under about eight years of experience. Senior engineers with many roles can use two pages. Cut older, unrelated jobs and keep the bullets that show impact. Recruiters skim, so make the top half of page one count.
Should I include GitHub projects on my resume?
Yes, if the code is something you are happy for others to read. Link to two or three projects with a clear README. Describe each one in a line: what it does, the tools used and anything measurable, such as users or tests. Do not link to empty or unfinished repositories.
How do I write a software developer resume with no experience?
Lead with projects, internships, open source work, hackathons or freelance jobs. Describe what you built and how you built it. Put education and skills near the top. If you are a student or new graduate, our computer science resume guide covers the layout in more detail.
What ATS keywords do software engineering jobs look for?
Look at the job post. Common ones are the language and framework names, cloud tools, testing, version control and words like API, CI/CD, agile or microservices. Use the exact spelling the post uses, such as JavaScript instead of JS, and only include tools you truly know.
Do I need a cover letter for a software engineer role?
Often it is optional, so read the post. A short letter can help if you are changing fields, moving countries, or want to explain a gap. Keep it to a few lines about one project and why you want this team. If the application says a letter is required, send one.
Related developer guides
- Senior software engineer resumeScope, system design and leadership bullets.
- IT resume examplesHelp desk, systems and other IT roles.
- Computer science resumeFor students and new graduates.
- Project manager resumeMoving into delivery or technical project work.
- Resume builderStart from a template and edit online.