How To Write A Software Developer Resume (Plus Example)

Updated 7 February 2023

A software developer designs and creates new applications and programs for computers. Since this profession can involve technical knowledge and skills, it can be helpful to showcase any industry-specific skills and knowledge you have on your resume when applying for software developer positions. This is because highlighting your technical qualifications can show employers you are prepared for the position and may increase your chances of securing a job. In this article, we explore a list of steps for how to write a software developer resume and provide a template and example that you can use to produce your own.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

How To Write A Software Developer Resume?

Here is a list of steps you can follow when writing your own software developer resume:

1. Start with your contact information

The first section to add to your software developer resume is one that presents your contact information. This can provide hiring managers with ways to contact you, in case they want to set up an interview. You can include details like your name, your phone number, your email address and your city and state in this section. Be sure to use current information, like your most recent location and a professional email address that you check fairly often, so you receive any important communications from potential jobs.

2. Craft a professional summary

After your contact information, write a professional summary. This is a brief paragraph that discusses your most relevant qualifications and experiences. For example, a software developer may write about the types of programming languages they know, the number of years they have worked in software development or the types of professional certifications they have. It can be helpful to keep your professional summary between one and three sentences, as this can allow hiring managers to read it quickly and learn about you right when they open your resume.

3. Discuss your work experience

Next, create a new section to add your professional experience to your resume. This can be one of the most important sections for a software developer, as it can allow jobseekers to emphasise their technical abilities by discussing specific job duties they have completed in the past. For each entry in this section, include the job title you held, the dates you worked there, the employer's name and location and the core job duties you held.

When writing about your job duties, try to use action verbs to introduce each new line. This can give clearer detail about the work you performed and make your resume sound more impactful. For example, instead of writing something like made phone applications, you might use something like, programmed user-friendly applications for mobile devices.

4. List your skills

Another key resume section for software developers is the skills section. This is because highlighting your technical skills in this field can show employers that you are qualified and have the abilities to succeed in the role. For example, you may include skills like UX or UI design, programming languages or web development. You can also use this section to mention your soft skills, which are abilities that can transfer across various positions and industries. Examples of soft skills that can be useful for software developers include attention to detail, communication and collaboration.

5. Include your education

Once you finish listing your skills, make a new section to add your educational background. As many software developers have bachelor's degrees in computer science or a related field, it can be essential to include any degrees you have so employers know you meet their education requirements. For each entry in this section, you can list the degree you earned, the school you earned it from and the year you graduated, if it is within the last three years.

6. Consider adding certifications

Many software developers and people in related technology jobs pursue speciality certifications that bolster their experience and verify their skill levels. For example, you might consider applying for certifications in programming, web design or software development. This can show potential employers that you are dedicated to your field and determined to learn as much as possible about your industry. For each certification you have, add the name of the credential, the organisation that certified you and the year you received or last renewed your certification.

Resume Template For A Software Developer

Here is a template you can use to format your own resume:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification, if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State or Union Territory]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications, and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university]
[City], [State]

Optional
[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Example Resume For A Software Developer

Here is a template you can use to format your own resume:

Padma Lahiri +91-9385-555592 | padmalahiri@email.com | Mumbai

Professional Summary

Experienced Software Developer with over 10 years of experience. Certified in Adobe development and well-versed in various programming languages, with a speciality in UI/UX design.

Work Experience Lead Software Developer | October 2016–Current
Archibald Tech Solutions | Mumbai

Complete over 100 projects in the past seven years to ensure customer satisfaction
Scale up the company's e-commerce capabilities to allow customers to purchase accessories and schedule appointments online
Streamline the UX design for over 50 new applications
Recommend adjustments to our current algorithms to increase engagement online
Collaborate with Web Designers to create new ideas for applications and web services

Software Developer | May 2011–October 2016 Anand Tech | Mumbai

Monitored engagement and algorithms to track and improve customer engagement with our website
Programmed the new website to have improved UX functions
Troubleshoot errors that appear in existing programs

Education
Bachelor of Science in computer science | Valley Tech University
Mumbai

Certifications
Adobe Certified Expert, Adobe–2021

Tips For Writing A Resume As A Software Developer

Here are a few tips that can help you while writing your resume:

Proofread your resume

It can be helpful to review your resume after you complete it. Try reading your sections aloud to ensure you use clear wording and review job descriptions for positions you are interested in to verify that you include relevant experience and skills. You can also ask a friend or colleague to review your resume and offer you feedback.

Use keywords

Keywords are specific terms that appear in a job description that indicate which abilities an employer wants. Including keywords you read in job descriptions on your resume can help show how relevant your experience and skills are to the position you are applying for and may increase your chances of being hired. Including specific keywords may also bolster your chances of your resume passing through an applicant tracking system, which automatically searches for keywords before sending resumes on to the hiring manager for formal review.

Use basic design elements

While it can be tempting to add colour and images to your resume to showcase your personality, it can be more effective to have a clear, concise resume. This can ensure that hiring managers pay attention to your qualifications rather than the appearance of your resume. Use a basic font, like Times New Roman or Arial, and keep your resume in black and white to make it as simple as possible and easy to read.