Software Engineer Resume Example & Tips
A software engineer plays a key role in software design and development. They utilize their skills to aid in the design, development, maintenance and testing of software and the machines that run them.
This field is also in high demand with a growth rate of over 17% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The pay isn’t too shabby either with a median salary of $100,691.
We’ll show you how to put a software engineer resume together with tips and a good example.
Good Software Engineer Resume Example:
(Text Version Below)
Expert Tip
View 200+ more professional resume samples for all industries, along with a guide to writing resumes from our career experts.
Tips for Writing a Software Engineer Resume
1. Lead with a strong resume summary
Every resume should include a summary that tells the employer a bit about your background, experience and skills. Your resume summary should highlight some soft and hard skills as well as tell the employer why you’re the perfect match for the position. Remember to keep the tone friendly and conversational.
2. Use powerful action verbs
Use strong action verbs throughout the resume to capture the attention of a hiring manager and enhance the overall effectiveness of the resume.
Here are some great action verbs to use for a software engineer resume:
- Designed- Developed- Tested- Evaluated
We put together a list of 101 power verbs to use on a resume which you should check out.
3. Keyword optimize your resume
Remember that most employers use ATS software to screen your resume. You need to include relevant industry keywords as well as the major qualifications listed in the job description. For example, if a software engineer listing asks for knowledge of Python and Java, you want to ensure they're listed on your resume.
4. Keep it relevant
Don't list out every skill and coding language you know. Many make the mistake of putting outdated technical skills on a software engineer resume. Include only those skills and experience which are relevant to the position. Always read the job description carefully to ensure you're qualified and that you're including the right information.
Expert Tip
still wondering if your experience is relevant? Consult our guide: What Does Relevant Experience on a Resume Mean?
Text Sample of a Software Engineer Resume:
Software Engineer - Project Manager - Front-End/Back-End Web Developer
Software Development - System Design - Process Improvements
Dynamic, detail-oriented, bilingual Software Engineer with a proven track record for requirements gathering, designing, and developing applications. Excels at learning new technologies and applying them to develop clean and well-structured code. Experienced at working on projects at all stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) from idea to development to delivering the completed product. Promoted to positions of increasing responsibility by exceeding overall performance expectations, outstanding leadership ability, and customer service attitude.
Selected Highlights
§ Skilled at turning complex issues into succinct, cohesive summaries and presentations
§ Outstanding presentation and communication skills
§ Collaborative team player who excels at building high-performance teams
§ Excellent time management
Core Competencies - Skills
§ Application Programming
§ Software Analysis and Design
§ Application & Unit Testing
§ Object-Oriented Technology
§ Database Design/Development
§ Lean/Agile Methodologies
§ Project Management
§ Web Design/Development
§ Process Improvement
Professional Experience
Company Name /City, State** XXXX – Present Job Title
Effectively utilize front-end development with client-side validation, middle-tier development and back-end management.
Successfully meet with clients to discuss projects and gather requirements.
Brainstorm the technical and workflow solutions with clients and developers.
Define development tasks and provide time estimates to aid in scheduling.
Efficiently monitor progress against task estimates to provide status to managers and project stakeholders and to ensure the project is on track for the expected completion date.
Job Title
Company Name /City, State** XXXX – Present Job Title
Translated specifications and/or requirements into code to complete more complex program changes.
Acquired and utilized more in-depth business knowledge to support the applications.
Recognized code, process and/or standard inefficiencies and made suggestions for improvement, if applicable.
Proactively provided documentation to support program changes.
Education
School Name, City, State/Country
Degree Name (Candidate) – Major
Technical Skills
Programming /
Scripting Languages
§ JQuery, Java, JavaScript, TSQL, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, VB Script, Perl, PHP, Python, Unix Shell Scripting
Databases
§ SQL Server, Oracle 11g
Networking API
§ REST
Development Software
§ Win Form – WPF (.NET), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
Additional Credentials
Certifications
§ IEEE Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)
§ Development Associate Engineer Certification
§ Quality and Maintenance Associate Engineer Certification
§ Engineering Management Associate Engineer Certification
Organizations
§ IEEE Computer Society Technical Council on Software Engineering
§ The IAENG Society of Software Engineering (ISSE)
§ Association for Computing Machinery
Volunteering
§ Red Cross / SPCA / Big Brother, Big Sister / YMCA / Shelters