Software Engineer Resume Example

Software Engineer Resume with Writing Guide

Many engineers begin their careers by developing their skills in the classroom. As a result, many entry-level engineering positions require a technical degree and some kind of coursework in electrical, chemical or mechanical engineering.

If you already have an engineering degree, but would like to change industries or career paths, take a look at our article on how to find an engineering job without an engineering degree.
One caveat about that: if you plan on moving within the same industry (e.g. marketing to technology), you might want to include your relevant coursework on your resume.

If you do have an engineering degree, it’s likely that your resume will be full of coursework and technical experience complete with program names and class titles. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to break out the most interesting aspects of your experience into sections on their own.

We recommend you to go through our article “how to write a resume“. We assure you will get the best of your knowledge to build a job-winning Software Engineer Resume or curriculum vitae. In case if you want to know about the types of resume formats used in the current job market. We are happy to give you the full details about the “resume formats” for your next job.

Software Engineer Resume Writing Guide:

Step 1: Get Rid of the Résumé Bloat

There can be any number of reasons why you’ve had a lot of jobs in a short period of time, or that your work history is all over the map. The most likely scenario is that you might not have found your true calling yet. As odd as it might sound, the best thing you can do to get your career back on track is to devote yourself more exclusively to one job per company.

Step 2: Make Your Resume Work for You

In a previous article, we discussed how to write an effective cover letter for a resume, but what about writing the body of the resume itself? Here are some tips for making your resume stand out from the crowd.

Step 3: Know Your Industry

Different industries are going to have different job descriptions. Before you go applying to anything, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Seek out information about which companies are hiring and what kind of jobs they’re hiring for, and then tailor your resume accordingly.

Step 4: Create a Custom Cover Letter for Your Resume

The cover letter is one of the most important parts of a resume because it can make or break your chances of getting an interview. Here’s how to create a cover letter that will get you noticed.

Step 5: Consider a Second Resume for Internships and Entry-Level Jobs

If you’re looking for a new job or internship, here’s some advice for making your resume more attractive to prospective employers.

Step 6: Make Sure You Get the Job Interview

No matter what kind of job you’re applying for, the first step is always getting called in for an interview. Here’s how to ensure your resume gets noticed so that you can impress the hiring manager.

Step 7: Get Ready for the Job Interview

Now that you have the interview, it’s time to make sure you’re ready. Use these tips to help you get the job.

Step 8: Know What the Employer is Looking For

Most companies only hire people who do the same job that they have. If you know what your prospective employer is looking for, you’ll stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips for getting it right.

Step 9: Use Those References to Make Your Resume Realistic and Successful

Every resume needs a job reference or two, but these are not your typical phone numbers and email addresses. Instead, these should be references who can talk about your potential for success on the job. Here’s how to make it all happen.

Step 10: Get a Job in Programming or Software Engineering

Computers and software are here to stay, and so are jobs in this industry. Use these tips to get the job you’ve been looking for.

Step 11: Make Sure Your Resume is Ready for the Interview
It’s not always possible to avoid a job interview, but sometimes you can get around it with a concise and professional resume. Here’s how to ensure your resume is ready for the hiring manager.

Step 12: Don’t Cheat on Your Resume… Unless You Can Get Away With It!

Sometimes being famous can get you a job; sometimes it’s better to be obscure.

Software Engineer Responsibilities:

1. Select and develop computer hardware and software systems to automate routine tasks, minimize redundant effort, and ensure accurate and timely information.
2. Keep abreast of new developments in computer technology.
3. Coordinate with other engineers to plan the most efficient processes and procedures for organization operations.
4. Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional societies.
5. Troubleshoot system problems and service disruptions.
6. Monitor operations to ensure that established quality standards are met, performance goals are achieved, and customers are satisfied.
7. Inspect software created by others for defects and weaknesses in design, code, and documentation .
8. Recommend improvements to current practices or products .
9. May direct the work of others with less experience or education.
10. May supervise computer programmers working on highly complex projects .

Top 10 Must-have Software Engineer Skills:

1. Proven experience with common computer programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, HTML, CSS and Server-side coding languages (such as ASP.net or PHP).
2. Expertise in database design and implementation (MySQL, SQL Server etc.)
3. Experience in OS X or Linux system administration.
4. Knowledge of C# is a plus for a software engineer job.
5. Track record in writing complex software applications with quality and on time delivery.
6. Experience with Agile methodologies and delivering in scrum / XP mode will be a plus.
7. Hands-on experience with content management systems (Drupal, Web CMS etc.)
8. Experience in test automation using tools like Selenium is a plus
9. Experience in Unix system administration or development is a plus for a software engineer job
10. Hands-on experience in web design with HTML, CSS and JavaScript is a plus for a software engineer job
    Above mentioned are the top 10 must-have software engineer skills from a company based in San Diego, California. Here is the complete list:
    It has been found that there are many soft skills required to become a software engineer versus other fields.

Tips to write a Software Engineer Resume Summary:

1. Provide a brief introduction to yourself and your skills.
2. List your accomplishments demonstrating your experience and abilities.
3. Include an objective statement that reflects your career plans.
4. Include a section for each major position in the past 5 years, listing everything you accomplished in each position. 5. Include a section for classes and certifications from the last five years, listing relevant information about them and what you learned from them
5. Include a section for references. If possible, ask your references to write a letter of reference for you.
6. Include a contact information section to provide an email and phone number so employers can contact you easily
7. Don’t forget to showcase your education by adding a section titled “Education Highlights” [A brief summary of the courses that taught you technical skills]
8. Include an optional section “Additional Skills” [anything else significant].
9. Proofread everything, and have additional friends proofread your resume as well.
10. Make sure to avoid common resume mistakes that can make you look unprofessional, such as spelling errors or inappropriate statements. Tips to write a Software Engineer Resume:
11. Provide a brief introduction to yourself and your skills: Include information about all of the relevant education you’ve received (from classes to certifications to degrees) and your work experience (a brief explanation of each position held, including relevant job duties).
12. List your accomplishments demonstrating your experience and abilities: List tasks or projects you’ve completed, with dates, names of people who asked you to do them, and estimated time spent on each task.
13. Include an objective statement that reflects your career plans: Include a statement of the type of position (entry-level vs. management) and a description of the skills needed for this position.
14. Include a section for each major position in the past 5 years, listing everything you accomplished in each position. Include your responsibilities, and describe how you solved problems and made decisions
15. Include a section for classes and certifications from the last five years, listing relevant information about them and what you learned from them

How to write a Software Engineer Resume with No experience:

A Software Engineer Resume is one of the most important pieces of your job application, and it’s vital that you get it right. Your resume is your ticket to the next round of interviews, so you want it to be a good one!

However, many new software engineers don’t know how to write a resume. It’s not easy to distill everything about yourself into a single document and put it out there for others to judge.

Tips:

1. Get Past the Basics
   Here are some tips to help you get past the basics:
2. Stay on Topic
   Avoid writing about unrelated topics, like:  what you did when you were bored; what’s your favorite sport; or what your favorite movie is.  Your focus should be on the skills and experience that a potential employer would want to read about in a software engineer resume.
3. Stand Out by Being Specific
   Use specific, quantifiable terms like: “Built website with content management system.

How to write a Software Engineer Cover Letter:

A cover letter is a marketing tool to convince a reader that you have the skills and experience needed for the job. This should be one of your first steps in applying for a job, so make it count!

Tips:

1. Customize your cover letter:
   The cover letter should never be a copy and paste email. It is not generic, it is for a specific job opening, so make sure you include the company name, the job title and reference exactly where you found the job posting.
2. Be concise and don’t waste time:
   Most hiring managers receive hundreds of emails for a single position, so make sure your resume is up to par before sending out your application.
   Here’s a tip: try not to write paragraphs whenever possible. Remember that cover letters are the first impression potential employers receive about you, so try to keep it short and to the point.
3. Keep it brief:
   Try to keep your cover letter between 2-3 pages. That way you can highlight any specific skills and experience you have that are not mentioned in your resume without going over the same information.

Key Takeaways:

• Employers are looking for engineers who can propose creative solutions to technical problems and will work well with others on a team.
• Your resume should contain your education, certifications, and work experience.
• Employers will also want to see that you’ve created or contributed to projects in some way.
• If you want a job at a different company, try getting involved with open source projects. This will make your resume stand out from the other candidates and give you experience of working remotely or under pressure from deadlines.

I hope you are ready to create the Software Engineer Resume that helps you to land your dream job?

Build Your Resume Now!