10+ Software Engineer Resume Examples | 2025 Format

The average annual salary for a software engineer in the US is over $100,000 per year (according to Indeed). That's nearly double the national average, a fact that is both impressive and reflective of the tough work that software engineers do.

In addition to being well-versed in a plethora of programming languages, software engineers and developers have to be self-motivated, oftentimes collaborative, and whizz with technology. They have to be comfortable:

• Adapting to new technologies and tools to ensure software functionality and reliability;
• Reviewing code and creating software solutions; and
• Communicating effectively to completed projects on time and to a high quality.

They need to be able to demonstrate these skills on their software engineer resumes. Are you not sure how to do that?

From entry level software engineer resumes to junior and senior software engineers, this article will cover how to write an amazing software engineer resume, including how to list essential engineering skills (including vital soft skills) within and outside your work experience. We'll also share 5 software engineer resume examples you can use as templates for whatever your software engineering needs.

What Do Software Engineers Do?

But first, what do software engineers do? And what's the difference between a software engineer and a software developer? Better yet, what's the difference between a software engineer resume and a software developer resume?

Let's start nice and easy with a revelation: software engineers are not the same as software developers. But they're very similar.

Software engineers cover the broader aspects of software development, focusing on design, system integration, testing, scalability, and maintenance. Software developers, on the other hand, focuses on creation, like writing, debugging, and testing 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 engineer OR software developer resume.

How to Write a Software Engineer 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 minimum). When writing a resume header for a software engineer, applicants need to focus on the most essential information they want a hiring manager to know.

Here are some examples of software engineer resume headers, depending on the specialization:

Next, we're discussing how to write a resume summary for a software engineer. This is a short paragraph that summarizes your background and the key points of your resume, often showcasing your main achievements and skills. Aside from the resume header, the resume summary is the first thing hiring managers read when they come upon your software engineering resume so it's important that it's as attention-grabbing as possible. Let's look at some examples:

Examples of resume summary for software engineers:

Lastly, we've got the resume objective. For interns, freshers, and entry-level applicants, this is a key part of your software engineer resume that draws attention to your strengths and motivations for applying. It can be omitted for experienced professionals, like junior and senior software engineers.

How to Discuss Your Work Experience

Whether you're an entry-level software engineer, a junior software engineer a senior software engineer, and any of the variations in between, the work experience section is your most important section on a software engineer resume.

That's because it's your chance to show hiring managers exactly what skills and achievements you have that make you a stellar candidate. In the case of software engineering, this section requires an obvious need to focus on technical skills, even for software engineering 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 anything that can prove your technical expertise.

So, how can you include all these skills while making 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 copying to the untrained eye, but it's actually one of the best ways to ensure that your software engineer resume gets noticed. Recruiters are looking for candidates who match the JD (job description); what better way to make yourself the perfect match than by integrating 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 find 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 addressing the specific number of projects completed, the degree of accuracy, or the super-high rating from feedback surveys. These are other easy ways to quantify your results.
• Use action words to describe experiences. Resumes are all about touting what you did, not what was done to you. Ensure you appear confident and professional by writing in an active voice and using active verbs.Here are 20 sample resume action words you can use in your software engineer resume:

Now let's check out these resume examples:

How to List Your Education

Degree programs that get your foot in the door for software engineering positions include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Maths, and (Electrical) Engineering, however having a degree is not always compulsory for these positions. That's because hiring 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 engineer 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 showing how to list your education on a software engineer resume.

• BSc Engineering, University of Roehampton, UK Oct. 2015 - July 2018
• B.S. Computer Science, University of California Berkeley, CA Sept. 2018 - June 2022
• MSc Software Engineering, University of College London, UK Oct. 2022 - July 2023

What Key Software Engineer Skills to Add

Whether you're an intern or software engineering manager, you need an extensive array of technical skills to propel you in the industry. And it really goes without saying that the focus needs to be on programming languages.

You should also consider addressing your soft skills. While they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word 'Engineering', soft skills can be just as important as technical skills, especially when it comes to managerial positions. Think communication skills (verbal and oral), time management, project management, self-motivation, and collaboration as your 6 key skills to mention.

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 engineer 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 looking 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 engineering resumes, these sections can help hiring managers know the real you by delving into your interests and passions.

It's also a big tick in your favor if you happen to spend your free time participating in hackathons and coding challenges, or volunteering as a coding coach.

Tips for Writing a Software Engineer Resume

1) Beat ATS by using Cake's resume builder.

ATS, or Applicant Tracking Systems, searches for keywords in applications. While they're a considerable asset to HR departments with their powerful tracking skills, they can be a pain for applicants who use online resume templates, as ATS don't recognise columns, graphics, tables, and images.

Thankfully, if you're using 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. Taking keywords from the job description and adding them to your software engineer 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 hiring 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 programming languages, plus how these programming skills have created epic projects with epic results.

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 engineer resume may not be the one you think.

Where interns, freshers, and entry-level software engineers are encouraged to use the skills-based resume format (also known as functional format), experienced software engineers are instead recommended to utilize the (reverse) chronological resume format. This is a great choice for software engineers 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 hiring managers reviewing software engineer resumes. While the resume provides an important snapshot into you and your experiences, the cover letter explains how all of that will benefit the position.

In other words, a software engineer cover letter offers valuable insights into your personal style, motivation, and suitability for the role.

5 Software Engineer Resume Examples

Curious what a good software engineer resume looks like? Look no further than these 5 resume examples, which can substitute as a software engineer resume template for your application.

Software Engineer Intern Resume Example

Fresher Software Engineer Resume Example

Entry Level Software Developer Resume Example

Junior Software Engineer Resume Example

Senior Software Developer Resume Example

Conclusion

In this article, we've shown how to describe a software engineer on a resume by highlighting what technical skills and work experience are essential for applications to a software engineer position.

We've covered how the essentials in technical and soft skills (like programming languages and adaptability) play significant roles in your application, plus how to make your software engineer resume pop by taking keywords - like the mentioned skills! - from the JD and putting them into your application.

Remember, whether you're a fresher or an experienced junior software engineer, 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 overflowing boatload of resources on the blog for prospective software engineers, making nailing your entire application process from resume creation to technical interview a piece of cake.

With Cake, you can create winning resumes for free with our online resume builder and also search for software engineer jobs around the globe. Try it out now!

— Originally written by Eva O'Mara —