How to write a software developer resume?

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"It is not enough to do your best: you must KNOW what to do, and THEN do your best."
-W.Edwards Deming

You may be doing your best in trying to achieve your dream job, but do you really know what you are doing is the right thing?

You must understand and analyze the situation before leaping into a conclusion.

Likewise, you need to understand the importance of a resume and learn how to perfectly curate it before sending it out for targeted job applications.

Listed below is a summary of our Software Developer Resume 2022 Blog:

  • Every resume has its unique identity and you need to write your name as the header to maintain yours.
  • Suitable keywords should be used to customize your resumes according to the targeted job profile that you are applying for.
  • Provide only the required personal information in your resume for the recruiters to get in touch with you.
  • Provide an overview of your resume by composing a resume summary/objective to highlight your career achievements.

As a software developer, you possess the ability to design, identify, install, and test certain software systems.

Learn how to communicate these abilities to the recruiters through the perfect software developer resume format to make them recognize you as a suitable applicant and shortlist you for the targeted job profile.

Your professional experience, educational qualification, internships, certifications, etc. are all important factors that also contribute to determining your software developers salary.

By the end of this blog, you will be able to write a job-winning resume while learning:

. . . All so you can get the job that you want!

Our Online Resume Builder is stocked with a huge library of examples and a perfect software developer resume template.

All you have to do is to pick the most suitable pre-filled resume template and fill it with your own details.

Software Developer Resume Sample

To start with, let us take a look at our software developer resume template to know what an ideal software developer resume format should look like:

5+ years experienced Software Developer adept at engineering user-centric solutions to drive breakthrough efficiency and enhance client experience. Efficient in extensive techno-managerial experience for executing mission-critical projects. Proficient in Database Administration & Software Development and Lifecycle Management. Highly skilled in translating business requirements into technical solutions to ensure safe and high quality service. Armed with practical knowledge of Amazon EC2, S3, Simple DB, RDS, Elastic Load Balancing, SQS, and other services in the AWS cloud infrastructure such as IAAS, PAAS and SAAS.
• Configuring & Installing Management • Table Space Management • Strategy & Enterprise Implementation • Product & Application Development • Test Plans Design • SQL Programs Support • Service Oriented Architecture • Software Development Lifecycle • Client Relationship Management
  • DB/RDBMS: SQLPlus, Oracle 11g/12c, MySQL, DBCA, OEM, RAC/RMAN, TOAD, Expdp/Impdp, Tkprof, Statspack, AWR/AWS
  • Cloud: Amazon EC2/EBS/VPC, Simple Storage Service, Amazon Machine Images, Elastic Map Reduces, Ansible
  • Languages: SQL, UNIX, OOPS Concept, Asp.NET, C#.Net
  • OS & Misc.: Windows NT/2000, Linux (Red Hat 5/6), Window 8.1, SVN, GIT, Word, PPT, Excel, etc.
  • Testing Tools: Apache JMeter, SQL LoadRunner, iOS Driver
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Configuring & Installing Management
  • Supervised data file objects & sizing, monitoring database usage/growth, and executed standby database
  • Configured & installed Oracle 9i/10g/11g/12c and upgraded it from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.4 (currently upgrading to 11.2.0.3)
  • Maintained logins, DB yield & development for table space management, indexes, user profiles, storage parameters, etc.
Web Application & Development
  • Developed & maintained web-based applications, project documentation with SDLC development standards
  • Executed SQL programs to support the table creation, stored procedures, functions, views, etc. to achieve SLA targets
  • Provided Oracle DBA expertise on system performance, capacity planning, maintenance of patching & installation
System Testing & Reports
  • Executed and designed test plans for multiple projects while maintaining high quality via requirements traceability
  • Reported and resolved defects or issues in the bug tracking system to meet project deadlines & objectives
  • Reconciled financial records from multiple sources to ensure adherence of data quality as per reporting standards
  • Identified and investigated project issues to recommend alternatives for system identification, analysis and resolution
EDUCATION
  • Top 5 percentile of the class
  • IBM Bluemix Cloud RoadShow & Training | IBM Developer Connect | ‘13- '14
  • Dell EMC Oracle DBA Training | DELL EMC Forum | ‘12
  • White Board Foundation Certified | Skill Speed Institute (SSI) | ‘11

What is a Software Developer Resume & why do you need it?


To be recognized as a suitable professional by a recruiter, you need to communicate your skills to them through your senior software developer resume.

Most recruiters use the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to pick the most suitable applicant by filtering through resumes.

Now, your job is to make sure that you rank high on the ATS and get into the radar of the recruiters who can give you the shortlist to get closer to your software developer job.

It is possible only if you make use of the keywords used by the recruiters in the job listing of the profile that you are applying for. So make sure that you include all those relevant keywords that highlight your skills as a software developer.

Doing so will not only make you rank high on the ATS but also take you a step closer to landing your dream job.

Hiration's tips on dos and don'ts while writing a resume can help you curate the perfect resume.

Software Developer Resume Sections


Every resume consists of some specific sections that allow you to communicate the different aspects of your details and pieces of information to the recruiters.

Here is a list of all the traditional standard section that needs to be framed in every resume for any job profile that you are applying for:

  • Header
  • Personal Information
  • Profile Title
  • Summary/Objective
  • Key Skills
  • Professional Experience
  • Education

The following mentioned sections can be framed when you need to enhance your resume or if explicitly required to curate:

  • Certifications (if any)
  • Additional Information (if any)
  • Awards & Recognitions (if any)

You can also read more about the importance of different resume sections on Hiration's 2022 Guide to sections in a resume.

Raise your chances of getting shortlisted for the job of your dreams by making use of our huge library of pre-filled resume templates that you can personalize to suit your specific requirements.

How to write your Software Developer Resume


There are three stages of writing the perfect resume which you need to religiously follow to curate your senior software developer resume.

The following sections give you an insight into the different stages of resume writing so make sure that you go through them thoroughly.

  • Stage 1: Master Software Developer Resume
  • Stage 2: First Draft of Software Developer Resume
  • Stage 3: Final Draft of Software Developer Resume

Master Software Developer Resume

The first step before you start framing the first draft of your software developer resume format is to create the master resume.

Create a master folder wherein you can list down all the details and pieces of information related to your professional experience, education, certification, internship, contact details, etc.

Your master resume can be used as the master folder to store all the details that would be required to fill in your resume so make sure that you do not miss out on any details.

Some information may not be required in your current resume but list them anyway because it can be used in your future resume updates.

Doing so can help you save time and also make sure that you do not miss out on any important points which you may need to mention in your resume.

First Draft of Software Developer Resume

The first draft of your resume requires you to compose the outlines of your resume so that you do not skip any important section in your resume.

In the second stage of resume writing, you need to compose the following sections:

  • Header
  • Personal Information
  • Profile Title
  • Professional Experience
  • Education
  • Certifications (if any)
  • Awards & Recognition (if any)
  • Additional Information (if any)

Always make sure that you frame every standard section in your resume and include the optional sections whenever required to enhance the impact of your junior software developer resume.

Final Draft of Software Developer Resume

In the final stage of writing your resume, you need to compose two important sections that have been listed below:

  • Key Skills: This section can help you justify your skills. Simply scan through your professional experience section and pick your core skills and objectively highlight them out in the “key skills” section of your resume. Frame this section as the last second step of resume-writing.

  • Summary/Objective: this section can help you give an overview of your resume. Compose a resume summary if you have over 3 years of professional experience and compose an objective if you have no or very less work experience. This section should be framed as the last step of resume-writing.

Software Developer Resume: Header


The one thing that can help the recruiters keep track of your senior software developer resume without hassle is your resume header.

Follow the below-mentioned points to frame the perfect resume header:

  • It should be written in the topmost section of your resume.
  • It should be written in the largest font in the range of 16-20 font size.
  • Leave a single space between your first and last name.
  • In case you have a middle name, write only the initial of your middle name followed by a period and place it between your first and last name.

Learn the art of framing a professional resume header from Hiration’s 2022 Guide To Writing The Perfect Resume Header.

Look at the resume header sample given below to understand how an ideal resume header is framed:

Software-Developer-Resume-Header

Our Online Resume Builder can help you stand out among any other average resume for the recruiters to shortlist you for the targeted job profile.

Software Developer Resume: Personal Information


The personal information section of your resume is an important section that can help you provide the recruiters with your contact details and current location.

Here is a list of what an ideal personal information section should contain:

  • Contact Number
  • Email Address
  • Current Location
Hiration pro tip:
Try to avoid discussing details of your marital status, religious affiliation, or political inclination in your resume unless explicitly asked for. Most countries have forbidden it by law to mention these things as it may lead to biased hiring.

Contact Number

In any likely case that your resume is shortlisted by the recruiters for the targeted job, they need your contact number to get in touch with you.

In some cases, they may want to interview you over the phone or confirm with you before scheduling any face-to-face interview.

So you need to provide your active phone number in your resume so that you do not miss out on any possible calls from the recruiters to get closer to your dream job.

Your mobile number can be mentioned in the below-given format:

  • Mention the ISD code of your country as a prefix before your phone number
  • Add a plus sign (+) before the ISD code
  • Eg: +1 83404 58303

Email Address

Another convenient means of communication between you and the recruiters is via emails.

You need to provide your email address in your resume for the recruiters to easily get in touch with you as it is fast and efficient.

Always provide your official email address that has your real name to maintain a professional approach.

And strictly avoid giving out those email IDs that have fancy names as it can present you as an unprofessional applicant.

Current Location

While providing your current location in your senior software developer resume, you need to keep the following points in mind:

  • Do not give out unnecessary details that are not required by the recruiters. Information such as the name of your street, your house number, and the name of your locality.
  • In case you are looking for a job in your own country, mention your city and state of residence. On the contrary, if you are looking for a job outside your country, simply give mention of your city and country of residence as it is more than enough.

Before you start listing out your personal details in your resume, make sure to go through the hiring guideline of the organization or company that you are applying for a job.

To learn more about this section, read Hiration's 2022 Guide to composing your contact information.

Refer to the software developer resume sample given below to understand what ideal personal information section should ideally look like:

Software-Developer-Resume-Personal-Information

Software Developer Resume: Profile Title


There is a vast number of job profiles in the job industry and your profile title helps you maintain your professional identity in a resume.

It communicates the below-given facts to the recruiter:

  • Your current designation.
  • Your functional industry.
  • Your level of seniority in your line of work.

Apply the below-mentioned guidelines to professionally write your profile title:

  • Use the second-largest text in your resume after your resume header.
  • Frame it in the ideal font range of 14-16 font size.

Exaggerating your profile title is a big no because it will pass off as intentionally cheating the recruiter. And it may jeopardize your job application.

So always make sure that you provide only the accurate profile title to make the recruiters recognize your professional status.

Refer to our software developer resume example to see how an ideal profile title is framed:

Software-Developer-Resume-Profile-Title

Upload it on our tool and get an in-depth and constructive analysis of your junior software developer resume with our AI-powered Resume Review Service.

Software Developer Resume: Professional Experience


The professional experience section is like the heart of your resume which plays a major role in communicating you as a professional to the recruiters.

The three important factors that need to be implemented in your professional experience section are given below:

  • STAR Format
  • Frame Points
  • Bucketing & Bolding

STAR Format

The STAR format is important as it can help you give the recruiters an insight into the significant details of your work experience in the best way.

STAR stands for the following points:

  • S stands for the situation/context/backdrop of your contributions to an organization.
  • T stands for the actual task that was assigned to you as part of your role and responsibility.
  • A stands for your action taken by you as a strategy to execute the assigned task.
  • R stands for the result or outcome of your action in the form of an achievement figure.

The-STAR-Format-6

Providing achievement figures can effectively work in your favor as it highlights your specific contributions and achievements for the recruiters to recognize you as a suitable applicant.

Framing Points

To communicate your work experience to the recruiters, you need to frame every statement that describes your professional activities.

Let us look at the two software developer resume examples that can help you have a better understanding of the importance of framing points and how it can be implemented:

Software Developer Resume Example 1

"I effectively supervised data file objects and sizing to monitor database usage and growth. Installed Oracle 9i/10g/11g/12c and successfully upgraded it from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.4. Maintained DB yield and development for table space management, storage parameters, user profiles, and all the other necessary factors. Developed web-based applications and documentation of programs with the required SDLC development standards. Achieved the required SLA targets by executing SQL programs to support all the aspects of the functions, views, table creation, stored procedures, etc. Provided Oracle DBA expertise on system performance for capacity maintenance of installation and patching."

Software Developer Resume Example 2

  • Supervised data file objects & sizing to monitor the database usage and growth
  • Installed Oracle 9i/10g/11g/12c and successfully upgraded it from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.4
  • Maintained DB yield & development for table space management, storage parameters, user profiles, etc
  • Developed web-based applications and documentation of programs with SDLC development standards
  • Achieved SLA targets by executing SQL programs to support the functions, views, table creation, stored procedures, etc
  • Provided Oracle DBA expertise on system performance for capacity maintenance of installation & patching

Framing Points: Analysis

As observed from the above-given software developer resume examples, framed points are clear to read.

Use bullet points to frame every point as shown in example 2. Doing so can not only make it clear to read but help you be specific with your statements.

Avoid lengthy paragraphs (example 1) as it may divert the recruiters' interest from your resume due to its bulky nature. The recruiters may find it overwhelming and may not be interested in going through your resume.

In conclusion, frame every points to hold on to the recruiters' interest in going through your professional experience section and communicate your professional experience.

Bucketing & Bolding

Let us look at another set of software developer resume examples that can help you have a better understanding of the importance of bucketing and bolding and how to apply it in your framed points:

Software Developer Resume Example 1

  • Supervised data file objects & sizing to monitor the database usage and growth
  • Installed Oracle 9i/10g/11g/12c and successfully upgraded it from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.4
  • Maintained DB yield & development for table space management, storage parameters, user profiles, etc
  • Developed web-based applications and documentation of programs with SDLC development standards
  • Achieved SLA targets by executing SQL programs to support the functions, views, table creation, stored procedures, etc
  • Provided Oracle DBA expertise on system performance for capacity maintenance of installation & patching

Software Developer Resume Example 2

Configuring & Installing Management

  • Supervised data file objects & sizing to monitor the database usage and growth
  • Installed Oracle 9i/10g/11g/12c and successfully upgraded it from 10.2.0.1 to 10.2.0.4
  • Maintained DB yield & development for table space management, storage parameters, user profiles, etc

Web Application & Development

  • Developed web-based applications and documentation of programs with SDLC development standards
  • Achieved SLA targets by executing SQL programs to support the functions, views, table creation, stored procedures, etc
  • Provided Oracle DBA expertise on system performance for capacity maintenance of installation & patching

Bucketing & Bolding: Analysis

Both the above-given software developer resume examples are stating the same points but example 2 is more organized as compared to example 1.

Create unique headings (bucketing) and list all the similar points under the relevant buckets.

Once you list down all the similar points, pick the highlights of your career and bold them to make it stand-out.

Doing so can not only make it easier for you to organize your points but also help you highlight all the aspects of your professional achievements and contributions.

Framed points can make your points clear but applying bucketing and bolding can effectively enhance its clarity for the recruiters to recognize your skills.

In conclusion, apply bolding and bucketing to your framed points to make it easier for the recruiters to read and comprehend your professional experience statements.

Learn how to perfect this section by going through Hiration's Blog on how to compose the work experience in your resume.

Given-below is a software developer sample resume showcasing an ideal professional experience section:

Software-Developer-Resume-Professional-Experience

Software Developer Resume: Education


Your education section can help you communicate the software developer degree that you possess.

To begin your career as a software developer the least degree you need to have is a bachelor's degree. A degree in computer science or a related field is required as well.

Make sure that you mention the details of all your educational qualifications in the resume to make the recruiters recognize you as a suitable applicant.

Ideally, the following details of your software developer qualifications should be mentioned in your resume:

  • Name of the school/university you have attended.
  • Name of the courses you have pursued.
  • The location of your school/university.
  • Enrollment and graduation dates in the month & year format.

Refer to Hiration's 2022 Guide on how to list education on your resume to correctly curate the education section.

Apart from the software developer resume examples provided so far, here is our software developer resume sample:

Software-Developer-Resume-Education

Software Developer Resume: Certifications


The competition is fierce in the job world and you need to be the best to stand out among any other average applicant.

If you have any certifications that are related to the job profile that you are applying for, make sure to provide the details.

Doing so can make the recruiters recognize you as a professional applicant who is certified as a professional who is suitable for the targeted job profile.

The certification section of your resume should contain the following details:

  • Certification course name.
  • Name of the institute of affiliation.
  • Location of the institute of affiliation.
  • Enrollment and completion date of the course in the month & year format.

You can ideally list these points in the format given below:

{Name of certification} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date} (month & year format)

Make sure to go through Hiration's 2022 Guide on listing certifications on a resume to learn how to perfectly frame this section.

Here is a resume sample illustrating how an ideal certifications section can be curated in your resume:

Software-Developer-Resume-Certifications

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Software Developer Resume: Additional Information


In case you speak more than one language, it can be mentioned as additional information in your junior software developer resume.

You can also mention the details of any hobby that reflects on your productive skills and enhance your professional skills as a software developer.

This section can highlight any additional information that is related to the job profile that you are targeting.

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Software Developer Resume Key Sections


Software Developer Resume: Key Skills


The recruiters have a limited time-window to go through your resume and you need to make the best use of this timeline to communicate your software developer skills.

This section can help you rank high on the ATS and to achieve that you need to make use of the significant keywords used by the recruiters.

Scan through the professional experience section of your resume and pick those skills that have been justified in your one-liner points. Once you pick the significant keywords, list them in your key skills section.

It would be easier for the recruiters to recognize your relevant skills as a professional software developer and hence raise your chances of being shortlisted for the targeted job profile.

Read Hiration's 2022 Guide on what skills to put on a resume to learn how to efficiently curate this section.

Refer to our software developer resume sample showcasing the perfect key skills section:

Software-Developer-Resume-Key-Skills

Software Developer Resume Summary


The software developer resume summary is another important section to highlight your professional skills for the recruiters to easily recognize you.

It is an overview of your resume that should be composed as per the following guidelines:

  • A summary should be written at the end to make it easy to decide what to skip and what to frame in your resume summary.
  • You should pick the most significant highlights of your career from your professional experience section.
  • It should include the keywords that have been used by the recruiter in the job listing.
  • A resume summary should be limited to 4 lines only and can be 5 line sand more only when your professional work experience is more than 10 years.
  • A resume summary should be composed only if you have over 3 years of work experience.

Learn how to compose the perfect resume summary from Hiration's 2022 Resume Summary Guide.

Attached below is a sample software developer resume showcasing the ideal summary of your software developer resume summary:

Software-Developer-Resume-Summary

In the meanwhile, you can make resume-writing an effortless affair with Hiration's Online Resume Builder.

Software Developer Resume Objective


A resume objective is also an overview of your resume for software developer that should be composed if you do not have enough work experience to frame a resume summary.

You should compose a resume objective if:

  • you have no work experience.
  • you have very limited work experience of less than 3 years.
  • you are a fresh graduate writing an entry-level resume.

Do not make the mistake of asking what the recruiter can do for you, instead mention what you can do for the recruiter.

Avoid highlighting a shopping list of all that you are expecting from an organization and mention the values you are capable of delivering.

The role of your software developer resume objective is to sell your skills as a professional software developer and to convince the recruiter that you are the most suitable applicant.

Hiration's 2022 Guide on Resume Objectives can help you compose the perfect resume objective.

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Online Resume Builder for Software Developer Resume


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  • Option to save unlimited resumes
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Also, feel free to go to our Online Resume Builder and make use of the pre-filled templates and replace them with your details as per your requirement.

Key Takeaways


  • Make the best use of your resume header to help the recruiters keep track of your resume by writing your name.
  • Avoid mentioning unnecessary details related to your personal information.
  • Provide achievement figures to specify your achievements and contributions to an organization.
  • Frame one-liners to state your professional experience to make it easier for the recruiters to recognize your professional skills.
  • Create unique buckets to list your similar points and bold the highlights of your career.
  • Provide an accurate profile title to make the recruiters recognize the level of your professional experience.
  • Give an overview of your resume by composing a suitable resume summary or objective.

Now that we have reached the end of this blog, make use of all the software developer resume examples and software developer resume samples that we have provided in this blog as it can help you in writing a great resume.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at support@hiration.com and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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