Crafting a standout resume as a Software Engineer means showcasing your technical expertise and project successes.
Our guide is here to help you pinpoint your achievements and flesh them out in the most compelling way.
Check out our Software Engineer resume example below for a blueprint to a resume that’s sure to grab attention.
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Software Engineer Resume Example
This Software Engineer resume example demonstrates the ideal format and content for your application.
Its professional layout ensures that recruiters can quickly and efficiently digest the information.
Follow our detailed guide below to craft your own stand out Software Engineer resume.
Software Engineer resume structure & format
Resume structure
The importance of a well-structured resume cannot be overstated for Software Engineer positions.
For a resume that stands out to recruiters, structure it with these key sections:
- Contact details: Your full name and contact options.
- Resume summary: A succinct summary showcasing your expertise and skills.
- Core skills: A list of skills essential for Software Engineer jobs, presented in bullet points.
- Work experience: Your job history, with the most recent roles first.
- Education: Your formal education and any relevant training.
- Additional info: Optional section for highlighting unique skills or interests that relate to Software Engineer.
How to format your Software Engineer resume
A well-formatted resume catches the eye of recruiters and makes it simple for them to review it.
Follow these resume format guidelines to ensure your resume is both attractive and easy to navigate.
- Resume length: Keep your resume between 1 to 2 pages long because recruiters see tons of resumes every day and only have limited time to read each one.
- Font & colour scheme: Use a simple font which is easy to read and avoid elaborate ones which might make reading difficult. Go for black-text-on-white background, but feel free to add a splash of colour in the design to help your resume stand out.
- Page layout: Ensure your page is divided into clear sections with bold headings or borders, as this enables readers to quickly pinpoint the information they’re interested in.
- Break text up: Make use of bullet points and short paragraphs to breakup text, simplifying the info for busy recruiters to digest.
- Photos: Photos are not mandatory in Australia but you can add a small headshot to the top if you like.
Quick tip: Achieving a professional look for your resume can be difficult and time-consuming. If you want to create an attractive resume quickly, try our Resume Builder and use one of our eye-catching professional resume templates.
Contact Details
Seeing who you are and how you can be contacted is essential for potential employers, so it’s critical that your contact details section is both clear and accurate.
Include these four crucial elements at the top of your resume, but ensure they don’t take up excessive space:
- Your name and professional title: Choose a title that aligns with your career objectives, such as IT Support Specialist or Video Editor.
- Email address: Use a professional email address (e.g. aaron.davis.work@gmail.com). Avoid using old or informal emails like big.boy.aaron@gmail.com.
- Phone number: Provide your mobile number for easy accessibility. Make sure to double-check that the number is correct.
- Location: Specify the broader area where you are seeking employment, such as Cairns, Perth etc.
Optionally, you may consider adding the following details:
- Webpage links: Include links to professional sites like LinkedIn or your personal portfolio, ensuring they are current and professionally relevant.
- Photograph: While not typically required, a professional photograph may be advantageous in creative fields. If you decide to use one, ensure it is compact on the page, and professional in appearance.
Refrain from adding personal data such as your date of birth, full address, or gender. These are not necessary for recruitment decisions and simply clutter your resume.
Software Engineer Resume Summary
Your summary is short but powerful paragraph which sits at the top of your resume, providing a sales-pitch on your suitability for the job.
To grab the attention of busy recruiters and get them excited about your resume, use these tips:
- Keep it short: Hiring managers won’t have time to read an essay-sized summary when dealing with hundreds of applications – keep it between 3 to 5 sentences.
- Tailor to target jobs: To stand out, align your summary closely with the skills and keywords found in your target job adverts, increasing the likelihood that recruiters will recognise your fit for the role.
- Avoid using cliches: Avoid falling into the trap of labeling yourself as a “go-getter” or a “people person” – these phrases are overused and lack substance for employers.
Software Engineer resume summary example
What to include in your Software Engineer resume summary
- Summary of your experience: Give an overview of the types of jobs that you’ve done, companies you’ve worked for, and how much experience you have.
- Relevant skills: Highlight your most valuable skills, focusing on job-specific skills for Software Engineer jobs.
- Qualifications: Add a brief mention of any qualifications that are relevant to Software Engineer jobs, to show that you are qualified for the role.
- Benefits of hiring you: Employers want to know what value you will bring them, whether it’s increasing their revenue or helping them to complete projects ahead of schedule.
Quick tip: Choose from hundreds of pre-written summaries across all industries, and add one to your resume with one-click in our Resume Builder. All written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset and style.
Core skills section
Make your resume more noticeable with a dedicated core skills section.
Use bullet points to highlight the skills most in demand for Software Engineer positions, and keep descriptions brief, ideally under four words, for easy scanning by busy hiring managers.
Skills for your Software Engineer resume
Programming Proficiency – Writing efficient, maintainable, and robust code in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++.
Database Management – Designing, implementing, and maintaining databases, with strong knowledge of SQL and experience with database technologies like PostgreSQL or MongoDB.
Front-end Development – Building user interfaces and web layouts using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular.
Back-end Development – Creating and maintaining the server-side logic, APIs, and database interaction of web applications using technologies like Node.js or Ruby on Rails.
Version Control – Utilising tools like Git to manage code changes, collaborate with other developers, and maintain a history of project iterations.
Cloud Computing – Deploying and managing applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, including services like EC2, S3, or Kubernetes.
DevOps Practices – Implementing continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to automate the software release process.
Software Testing – Writing and executing test cases using various testing methodologies, including unit, integration, and functional testing, to ensure software quality.
Agile Methodologies – Applying Agile principles and practices, such as Scrum or Kanban, to manage software development projects efficiently.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals – Protecting applications from threats by implementing security measures, understanding encryption, and staying current with security best practices.
Quick tip: Our Resume Builder contains thousands of in-demand skills for every profession that can be added to your resume in seconds – saving you time and greatly improving your chances of landing job interviews and getting hired.
Work experience section
Your work experience section is your chance to show employers what value you can bring to them.
List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, focusing on your last 3-5 years of experience.
Structuring your jobs
To help recruiters understand your past roles, organise each position in the following manner.
Outline
Introduce each job with a concise 1 to 2 line outline that covers the employer’s business, your role within the structure, and the key goals of your position.
Key responsibilities
Outline your primary duties in 5-8 bullet points, focusing on essential skills, tools, and expertise.
Ensure each point is succinct, indicating your interactions within the company and your contributions to its success.
Key achievements
Lastly, prove impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements that you made within the role.
Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.
For example, you might have increased company profits, improved processes, or helped a customer to achieve their goals.
Add numbers to quantify your achievements if you can.
Example job for Software Engineer resume
Outline
Lead the software development team at multinational e-commerce company, creating, developing, and maintaining e-commerce platforms for a wide variety of retail clients with a net portfolio of AU$450 million.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop scalable and maintainable software solutions using Java and Spring Boot
- Identify and resolve technical issues and bugs and deploy updates
- Implement and contribute to CI/CD pipelines for new products and software updates to produce high quality and fast-turnover products updates
- Use Agile methodology to successfully and efficiently manage projects
Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our Resume Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.
Education section
Include your education near the bottom of your resume.
List your academic qualifications in bullet points, focusing on those most applicable to Software Engineer positions.
If you possess considerable experience, you can keep this brief, however if you have less experience you should provide detailed insights into how your education has prepared you for the position.
This section can include:
- University degrees
- Industry specific qualifications for Software Engineer jobs
- Vocational education and training (VET) diplomas
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE)
Additional information (optional)
Consider placing an additional info section at the bottom of your resume for extracurricular details that might make you more attractive to employers.
This section can showcase hobbies, awards, publications, or a catalogue of technical skills.
Ensure anything you list here is relevant to your job or notably remarkable.
Refrain from mentioning generic hobbies such as watching TV or hanging out with friends, as they do not enhance your professional profile.
While writing an exceptional Software Engineer resume is demanding, the steps outlined above should guide you in crafting a document that engages recruiters and brings in many interview requests.
It is crucial to proofread your resume thoroughly and tailor it for each application to ensure you are seen as a fitting candidate.
Good luck with your job search!