The average annual salary for a software eng
ineer
in the US is over $100,000 per year (accord
ing to
Indeed). That's nearly double the national average, a fact that is both impressive and reflective of the tough work that software eng
ineers do.
In addition to be
ing well-versed
in a plethora of programm
ing languages, software eng
ineers and developers have to be self-motivated, oftentimes collaborative, and whizz with technology. They have to be comfortable:
Adapt
ing to new technologies and tools to ensure software functionality and reliability;Review
ing code and creat
ing software solutions; andCommunicat
ing effectively to completed
projects on time and to a high quality.
They need to be able to demonstrate these skills on their software eng
ineer
resumes. Are you not sure how to do that?
From entry level software eng
ineer
resumes to junior and senior software eng
ineers, this article will cover how to write an amaz
ing software eng
ineer
resume,
includ
ing how to
list essential eng
ineer
ing skills (
includ
ing vital soft skills) with
in and outside your work experience. We'll also share 5 software eng
ineer
resume examples you can use as templates for whatever your software eng
ineer
ing needs.Table of Contents:
What Do Software Eng
ineers Do?
How to Write a Software Eng
ineer
Resume
Tips for Writ
ing a Software Eng
ineer
Resume
5 Software Eng
ineer
Resume Examples
Conclusion
What Do Software Eng
ineers Do?
But first, what do software eng
ineers do? And what's the difference between a software eng
ineer and a software developer? Better yet, what's the difference between a software eng
ineer
resume and a software developer
resume?
Let's start nice and easy with a revelation: software eng
ineers are not the same as software developers. But they're very similar.
Software eng
ineers cover the broader aspects of software development, focus
ing on design, system
integration, test
ing, scalability, and ma
intenance. Software developers, on the other hand, focuses on creation, like writ
ing, debugg
ing, and test
ing code for software programs and applications.
In short, the focus is much more narrow, which of course has to be specified and reflected
in your software eng
ineer OR software developer
resume.How to Write a Software Eng
ineer
Resume
A
resume profile is made up of a
resume header,
resume summary, and a
resume objective, as well as your personal
information (name, email address, and location, at the very m
inimum). When writ
ing a
resume header for a software eng
ineer, applicants need to focus on the most essential
information they want a hir
ing manager to know.
Here are some examples of software eng
ineer
resume headers, depend
ing on the specialization:Software eng
ineer
resume header #1Entry Level Software Eng
ineerSoftware eng
ineer
resume header #2Certified AWS Software Developer With 5 Years ExperienceSoftware eng
ineer
resume header #3Motivated Junior Software Developer
Next, we're discuss
ing how to write a
resume summary for a software eng
ineer. This is a short paragraph that summarizes your background and the key po
ints of your
resume, often showcas
ing your ma
in achievements and skills. Aside from the
resume header, the
resume summary is the first th
ing hir
ing managers read when they come upon your software eng
ineer
ing
resume so it's important that it's as attention-grabb
ing as possible. Let's look at some examples:
Examples of
resume summary for software eng
ineers:Software eng
ineer
resume summary #1Certified developer with a strong foundation
in software development and a passion for creat
ing Android applications. Proficient
in Java, Kotl
in, Python, and C++, with a proven track record
in apply
ing problem solv
ing skills to improve user engagement and retention. Software eng
ineer
resume summary #2Motivated and resourceful Software Eng
ineer
Intern with a passion for cod
ing, programm
ing, and creat
ing powerful software solutions. Possesses a detailed understand
ing of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and C+++. Software eng
ineer
resume summary #1Experienced junior software eng
ineer with over 5 years of experience deliver
ing
innovative software solutions to achieve software dom
inance. Proven track record
in cross-functional collaboration, implement
ing APIs and optimiz
ing data structures.Lastly, we've got the
resume objective. For
interns, freshers, and entry-level applicants, this is a key part of your software eng
ineer
resume that draws attention to your strengths and motivations for apply
ing. It can be omitted for experienced professionals, like junior and senior software eng
ineers. Software eng
ineer
resume objective #1I am excited to grow my technical skills
in a remote
internship.Software eng
ineer
resume objective #2Seek
ing an entry-level software developer position to leverage technical background.Software eng
ineer
resume objective #3Eager to apply creative problem-solv
ing skills to exceed targets
in a challeng
ing software eng
ineer
ing role.How to Discuss Your Work ExperienceWhether you're an entry-level software eng
ineer, a junior software eng
ineer a senior software eng
ineer, and any of the variations
in between, the work experience section is your most important section on a software eng
ineer
resume.
That's because it's your chance to show hir
ing managers exactly what skills and achievements you have that make you a stellar candidate.
In the case of software eng
ineer
ing, this section requires an obvious need to focus on technical skills, even for software eng
ineer
ing managers, as well as communication, self-motivation, adaptability, and time management.
These skills can be demonstrated through a variety of different work or academic experiences, such as personal
projects (especially successful software
projects), relevant coursework, and
internship experience at tech companies - essentially anyth
ing that can prove your technical expertise.
So, how can you
include all these skills while mak
ing your
resume read well? For starters, you can follow this guide:
Take keywords from the job description. The first step to properly discuss your work experience is to take keywords from the job description and
input them
into the description of your work or academic experience(s). This may seem like copy
ing to the untra
ined eye, but it's actually one of the best ways to ensure that your software eng
ineer
resume gets noticed. Recruiters are look
ing for candidates who match the JD (job description); what better way to make yourself the perfect match than by
integrat
ing the ideal skills? That said, remember to only
include skills that you actually possess and that are mentioned
in the JD.Add numbers. Don't forget to add figures to quantify your achievements, as this gives extra evidence of your skills. However, it's not the end of the world if you can't f
ind out how much was
increased or reduced by your actions; there are plenty of other ways to
include numbers
in this section. You may also wish to consider address
ing the specific number of
projects completed, the degree of accuracy, or the super-high rat
ing from feedback surveys. These are other easy ways to quantify your results.Use action words to describe experiences.
Resumes are all about tout
ing what you did, not what was done to you. Ensure you appear confident and professional by writ
ing
in an active voice and us
ing active verbs.Here are 20 sample
resume action words you can use
in your software eng
ineer
resume:
ManagedLedOptimizedCollaboratedDeveloped
Created
IntegratedTestedConductedDesigned
Eng
ineeredEnsuredMa
inta
inedProvidedProgrammed
ConfiguredImplementedModifiedTroubleshootEnhanced
Now let's check out these
resume examples:Software eng
ineer work experience example #1Software Developer, ABCTech, US March 2018 - Present-Implemented automated test
ing protocols that reduced test
ing time by 30% dur
ing
internship and detected 95% of bugs
in f
inal software releases.
Junior Software Developer, Facebook, UK Sept. 2020 - Present-Collaborated with senior eng
ineers to design new features for Facebook us
ing Java, contribut
ing to a 30%
increase
in user engagement and satisfaction on feedback surveys.
F
inal Course Project: WeatherApp (2020)-Developed an Android application that provided Columbia students with real-time weather updates us
ing Kotl
in and Retrofit, achiev
ing over 1,000 downloads and a 4.5 average of customer satisfaction.
How to
List Your Education
Degree programs that get your foot
in the door for software eng
ineer
ing positions
include Computer Science, Software Eng
ineer
ing, Maths, and (Electrical) Eng
ineer
ing, however hav
ing a degree is not always compulsory for these positions. That's because hir
ing managers are often more
interested
in what you can actually do and have done - not what a piece of paper says.
It's therefore
in your best
interests, for university students and graduates, to mention relevant coursework
in your education section, especially if you're an
intern, fresher, or entry level software eng
ineer applicant. More experienced applicants can omit this but should always
include their place of study, duration of study, and degree achieved (i.e. Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD).
Below are a few examples show
ing how to
list your education on a software eng
ineer
resume.
BSc Eng
ineer
ing, University of Roehampton, UK Oct. 2015 - July 2018 B.S. Computer Science, University of California Berkeley, CA Sept. 2018 - June 2022MSc Software Eng
ineer
ing, University of College London, UK Oct. 2022 - July 2023What Key Software Eng
ineer Skills to Add
Whether you're an
intern or software eng
ineer
ing manager, you need an extensive array of technical skills to propel you
in the
industry. And it really goes without say
ing that the focus needs to be on programm
ing languages.
You should also consider address
ing your soft skills. While they may not be the first th
ing that comes to m
ind when you th
ink of the word 'Eng
ineer
ing', soft skills can be just as important as technical skills, especially when it comes to managerial positions. Th
ink communication skills (verbal and oral), time management, project management, self-motivation, and collaboration as your 6 key skills to mention. Hard SkillsOperat
ing SystemsFront-end Development (e.g. Bootstrap, AngularJS)Software Test
ing and Quality Assurance (QA)Cod
ing and Programm
ing Languages (e.g. Python, C, C++, Java, Go, PHP, Swift, Kotl
in, Ruby)
Integration Test
ingUser Experience (UX) DesignSoftware Development Methodologies (e.g. Scrum/Agile Methodologies)Troubleshoot
ingMach
ine Learn
ingAlgorithmsData StructuresOOP (Object-Oriented Programm
ing)Web Development (e.g. Javascript, HTML/CSS, React)Cloud Comput
ing (e.g. Amazon Web Services, Azure, Google Cloud, Jenk
ins, Prometheus)Operat
ing Systems (e.g. W
indows, L
inux, macOS, Android)Database Management (e.g. SQL, Oracle)Git/GithubCommunication Tools (e.g. Zoom, Asana, Slack)Soft SkillsCommunication Skills
Interpersonal CommunicationProblem Solv
ing SkillsCustomer ServiceTeamworkLeadershipCollaborationAdaptabilityCritical Th
ink
ingProject ManagementTime ManagementMentor
ingSelf-MotivationResilienceAnalysisCreativityOrganizationAttention to Detail
💡 PRO TIP: You shouldn't
list every s
ingle skill known to (wo)man on your software eng
ineer
resume; only
list the skills you possess AND the ones that correspond to the job description.How to
List Your Certifications
Although we've established that a degree isn't an entirely necessary part of the application - at least
in the case of software developers - your software eng
ineer
resume or software developer
resume will be more impressive if you've got evidence of skills, like with a certification.
While we won't
list all the certifications available, here are a few ideas on relevant certifications and how to
list them
in your
resume:
Professional Software Developer Certification, IEEE Computer Society (March 2023)AWS Certified Developer, Amazon Web Services (Feb 2024)Associate Android Developer Certification, Google (Jan 2020)
Should You Add an Additional Section?
If your software developer
resume is look
ing a little bare, spruce it up with an additional section that discusses your hobbies, awards, or extracurricular activities. While there is still an obvious technical focus for software eng
ineer
ing
resumes, these sections can help hir
ing managers know the real you by delv
ing
into your
interests and passions.
It's also a big tick
in your favor if you happen to spend your free time participat
ing
in hackathons and cod
ing challenges, or volunteer
ing as a cod
ing coach. Tips for Writ
ing a Software Eng
ineer
Resume1) Beat ATS by us
ing Cake's
resume builder.
ATS, or Applicant Track
ing Systems, searches for keywords
in applications. While they're a considerable asset to HR departments with their powerful track
ing skills, they can be a pa
in for applicants who use onl
ine
resume templates, as ATS don't recognise columns, graphics, tables, and images.
Thankfully, if you're us
ing Cake's
resume templates, you don't have to worry, as all of Cake's templates are ATS-compliant and will help you beat the bot. Tak
ing keywords from the job description and add
ing them to your software eng
ineer
resume is also a sure-fire way to ensure your
resume passes the test.
2) Attach a Cake Portfolio.
Don't just leave it to chance that the hir
ing managers may like the sound of your
resume - show them what you can do! Demonstrate the skills and achievements mentioned
in your work experience with a tailored portfolio built with Cake that showcases your knowledge of programm
ing languages, plus how these programm
ing skills have created epic
projects with epic results. 💡 PRO TIP: Whether your
projects are personal or academic, make sure to share previous work that highlights your skills
in the best possible way.
Use the right
resume format.
As you'll see later with the
resume examples, there are different
resume formats to choose from and the best format for a software eng
ineer
resume may not be the one you th
ink.
Where
interns, freshers, and entry-level software eng
ineers are encouraged to use the skills-based
resume format (also known as functional format), experienced software eng
ineers are
instead recommended to utilize the (reverse) chronological
resume format. This is a great choice for software eng
ineers that can demonstrate career progression and consistent work experience.
Don't forget your cover letter.
The cover letter is an often overlooked part of applications, even though it can be the dealbreaker for hir
ing managers review
ing software eng
ineer
resumes. While the
resume provides an important snapshot
into you and your experiences, the cover letter expla
ins how all of that will benefit the position.
In other words, a software eng
ineer cover letter offers valuable
insights
into your personal style, motivation, and suitability for the role.5 Software Eng
ineer
Resume Examples
Curious what a good software eng
ineer
resume looks like? Look no further than these 5
resume examples, which can substitute as a software eng
ineer
resume template for your application.
Software Eng
ineer
Intern
Resume Example
Martha W
in |Motivated Software Eng
ineer
Internmarthaw
inw
in@gmail.com | +55 555-555 | California, US | cake
resume.portfolio
Motivated and resourceful Software Eng
ineer
Intern with a passion for cod
ing, programm
ing, and creat
ing powerful software solutions. Possesses a detailed understand
ing of 5 programm
ing languages: HTML, CSS, Java, Python, and C++. Excited to grow technical skills
in a remote
internship.SKILLS
Programm
ing
Built a predictive model us
ing Python, focus
ing on data preprocess
ing and model tra
ining, improv
ing prediction accuracy by 18%. Built user-friendly
interface for a web application that was developed us
ing HTML, CSS, and Java to help users track and manage f
inances. Designed an embedded system to automate home appliances us
ing C++ and Python, test
ing code quality and reliability that resulted
in a 27% improvement
in efficiency.
Communication
Presented 10
projects to classmates with clear visuals and verbal communication.Collaborated with classmates to improve user experience,
increase software usability that led to a 10%
increase
in team productivity.
PROJECTS
Academic
Projects: Personal Budget Tracker, Smart Home Automation System, UC Berkely (2022 - Present)
EDUCATION
B.S. Computer Science, University of California Berkeley, CA Sept. 2022 - June 2026Relevant coursework: Data Structures Algorithms; Software Eng
ineer
ing; Operat
ing Systems; Embedded Systems
Fresher Software Eng
ineer
Resume ExampleJackie Jackson - Fresher Software Eng
ineer
Enthusiastic graduate of B.S. Eng
ineer
ing from NCCU, eager to leverage proficiency
in programm
ing to real-world applications. Demonstrated ability
in software test
ing, project management, and optimiz
ing operat
ing systems.
[email protected] | +8869123456 | Taiwan
SKILLS
Program
ing
Implemented automated test
ing protocols that reduced test
ing time by 30% dur
ing
internship and detected 95% of bugs
in f
inal software releases.Developed scripts
in Python for data pars
ing and analysis.Proficient
in Java for backend development and SQL for database management.
Time management
Managed multiple
projects simultaneously, consistently meet
ing deadl
ines.Completed 2 onl
ine courses
in cybersecurity and mach
ine learn
ing alongside degree program.Strategically managed progress on development of a mobile application project, organiz
ing meet
ings across teams with developers and marketers to deliver the app with
in a 3-month timeframe.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Software Eng
ineer
Intern, NCCU, Taiwan
EDUCATION
B.S. Eng
ineer
ing, NCCU, Taiwan (Feb 2020 - Feb 2024)
Relevant Coursework: Mobile Application Development, Database Systems, Software Eng
ineer
ing, UI Design
Entry Level Software Developer
Resume ExampleJohn Desmond -Certified Android
[email protected] | London, UK
Certified developer with a strong foundation
in software development and a passion for creat
ing Android applications. Proficient
in Java, Kotl
in, Python, and C++, with a proven track record
in apply
ing problem solv
ing skills to improve user engagement and retention. Seek
ing an entry level software developer position to leverage technical background.
SKILLS
OPERAT
ING SYSTEMS
Developed an Android application that provided local residents with real-time weather updates us
ing Kotl
in and Retrofit, achiev
ing over 1,000 downloads and a 4.5 average of customer satisfaction.Built an Android e-commerce app us
ing Java, implement
ing user authentication, product
listing, and payment process
ing that
increased user retention by 35% with improved UX design.
ADAPTABILITY
Easily transitioned between different programm
ing languages and technologies to resolve compatibility issues and optimize software performance across W
indows and macOs.Debugged and optimized Android application ensur
ing 98% functionality across 5 Android OS versions and device configurations.
PROJECTS
Personal Project: WeatherApp, E-commerce App
CERTIFICATION
Associate Android Developer Certification, Google (Jan 2020)
Junior Software Eng
ineer
Resume Example
W
INNIEL
INLE |Junior Software Eng
ineer With 5 Years Experience
Experienced junior software eng
ineer with over 5 years of experience deliver
ing
innovative software solutions to achieve software dom
inance. Proven track record
in cross-functional collaboration, implement
ing APIs and optimiz
ing data structures. Eager to apply creative problem solv
ing skills to exceed targets
in a challeng
ing software eng
ineer
ing role.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Junior Software Eng
ineer, IBM UK (Remote)Nov. 2019 - Present
Developed creative software solutions for M
inutePlus, a CRM platform,
increas
ing user adoption by 20% over 6 months.Collaborated with senior eng
ineers to
integrate new payment gateway
into M
inutePlus, reduc
ing transaction process
ing errors by 10%.Contributed to the implementation of APIs us
ing Node.js, contribut
ing to a 15% reduction
in API response times.
Software Eng
ineer
Intern, IBM UK (Remote)Sept. 2018 - Sept. 2019
Assisted
in develop
ing a mach
ine learn
ing module for sentiment analysis, improv
ing accuracy through optimization of data preprocess
ing techniques.Led troubleshoot
ing and debugg
ing efforts, resolv
ing technical issues with
in SLA timeframes 95% of the time.
EDUCATION
BSc Eng
ineer
ing, University of Roehampton, UKOct. 2015 - July 2018
SKILLS
Creative Problem Solv
ingCollaborationTime ManagementData Structures AlgorithmsMach
ine Learn
ingTroubleshoot
ing
Senior Software Developer
Resume Example
W
INNIEL
INLE |Junior Software Eng
ineer With 5 Years Experience
Experienced junior software eng
ineer with over 5 years of experience deliver
ing
innovative software solutions to achieve software dom
inance. Proven track record
in cross-functional collaboration, implement
ing APIs and optimiz
ing data structures. Eager to apply creative problem solv
ing skills to exceed targets
in a challeng
ing software eng
ineer
ing role.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Junior Software Eng
ineer, IBM UK (Remote) - Nov. 2019 - Present
Developed creative software solutions for M
inutePlus, a CRM platform,
increas
ing user adoption by 20% over 6 months.Collaborated with senior eng
ineers to
integrate new payment gateway
into M
inutePlus, reduc
ing transaction process
ing errors by 10%.Contributed to the implementation of APIs us
ing Node.js, contribut
ing to a 15% reduction
in API response times.
Software Eng
ineer
Intern, IBM UK (Remote) - Sept. 2018 - Sept. 2019
Assisted
in develop
ing a mach
ine learn
ing module for sentiment analysis, improv
ing accuracy through optimization of data preprocess
ing techniques.Led troubleshoot
ing and debugg
ing efforts, resolv
ing technical issues with
in SLA timeframes 95% of the time.
EDUCATION
BSc Eng
ineer
ing, University of Roehampton, UKOct. 2015 - July 2018
SKILLS
Creative Problem Solv
ingCollaborationTime ManagementData Structures AlgorithmsMach
ine Learn
ingTroubleshoot
ing
Conclusion
In this article, we've shown how to describe a software eng
ineer on a
resume by highlight
ing what technical skills and work experience are essential for applications to a software eng
ineer position.
We've covered how the essentials
in technical and soft skills (like programm
ing languages and adaptability) play significant roles
in your application, plus how to make your software eng
ineer
resume pop by tak
ing keywords - like the mentioned skills! - from the JD and putt
ing them
into your application.
Remember, whether you're a fresher or an experienced junior software eng
ineer, you can always use this handy trip.
We've even gone the extra mile and provided you with 5 stellar software developer
resume examples that you can use as templates. If that wasn't enough, Cake has an overflow
ing boatload of resources on the blog for prospective software eng
ineers, mak
ing nail
ing your entire application process from
resume creation to technical
interview a piece of cake.
With Cake, you can create w
inn
ing
resumes for free with our onl
ine
resume builder and also search for software eng
ineer jobs around the globe. Try it out now!— Orig
inally written by Eva O'Mara —