How to Write a Software Engineer Resume (With Examples)

Using their knowledge of engineering and IT, software engineers contribute to the entire production process of a particular program and its maintenance. If you're applying for software engineer jobs, it's a good idea to create a strong resume that can demonstrate your skills. Learning how to write a resume that conveys all your most notable skills and experience can help you find a job.

In this article, we define what a resume for software engineering is, explore the primary duties these professionals have, detail how to write a resume for this position and provide a helpful example that you can use for inspiration when writing your own.

What is a software engineer resume?

A software engineer's resume is a document that a candidate may submit when applying for a job. It's typically one or two pages long and contains contact information, skills and relevant work experience that make them a suitable candidate for the job. You may submit your software engineer resume with a cover letter, on its own or with a job application.

A software engineer is a specific type of engineer who develops particular computer programs. They may create different software for use by a business or the general public. They may also test, troubleshoot and redesign existing types of software. A software engineer is typically a highly skilled profession, so many employers expect strong resumes that document all the required attributes.

Related: What Does a Software Engineer Do? (Plus How to Become One)

How to create a resume for software engineer

Here are some steps to create a resume for a software engineer:

1. Include contact information

At the top of the page, mention your full name and contact information. You may prefer to write your full name as opposed to any nickname to make your contact information clear during the hiring process. Write your address, phone number and email address below your name so that your contact information is concise. Ensure this information is accurate and up to date so prospective employers can contact you.

2. Write a personal summary

A personal summary is typically one to three sentences describing yourself and why you're an excellent candidate for the software engineer position. For example, you could mention an engineering bachelor's or master's that you have or note some work experience. It's best to use positive words in this introduction, such as 'passionate' or 'experienced.'

3. Add your work experience

After your summary, you can list your work experience in more detail. If you've already worked in a software engineering role, you can write about this here. Mention the job title, and the years you worked there and provide an overview of the relevant skills and experience it gave you. If it's your first software engineering role, but you also have experience in IT or engineering jobs, you could write about these first.

Employees mention their three most relevant or recent jobs on their resumes. If you've had over three jobs, write about the ones that you feel are most related to the job. If you've had fewer than three jobs, you can write about the jobs you have had and also mention any volunteering or work experience.

Related: The 8 Main Types of Engineering Industries (With Roles)

4. Include your education and qualifications

The next section of your CV is education. Here, you can discuss relevant secondary and tertiary qualifications that you feel make you a suitable candidate for the software engineer position. Candidates usually mention their most recent qualifications first. If you have a master's in software engineering, you can benefit from listing this first and highlighting any relevant modules. Then you can write about your bachelor's degree in the same format and list your secondary school qualifications last, highlighting any good grades in relevant courses like mathematics, English, science and IT.

5. Highlight your skills

The next section documents some of your skills. Be sure to include a mix of both soft and technical skills and refer to the job description to see which keywords the prospective employer includes, so you can match your skills to their needs. Some examples include:

Technical skills

Fluency in one or several specific coding languages is essential for software engineering roles. For example, C++ and Javascript are technical coding skills employers look for in candidates. You can also mention any other certifications that you've achieved outside of school or university, like an online short course.

Soft skills

Some soft skills that are beneficial for software engineers are:

• Problem-solving: Software engineers often solve problems during the design and production of their products.

• Communication: Software engineers may speak to other professionals, including other engineers, people on the IT team and professionals outside of the engineering or IT departments. They may speak in technical and non-technical terms.

• Attention to detail: A big part of a software engineer's job is checking programs with strong attention to detail to ensure there are no problems with them.

• Logic: Sometimes, a software engineer may use logic skills to analyse whether a certain solution is sensible or workable.

You might state how previous jobs have given you experience in some of these skills, even if they don't directly relate to software engineering. These are transferable skills. For example, if you worked in a restaurant, you may mention how the experience gave you communication and problem-solving skills, which you can take with you in your job as an engineer.

Related: Writing a Resume with No Experience

6. Add your hobbies and interests

This is an optional section and is usually for candidates who may not have a vast amount of experience. If this is your first job, you may wish to include a section about any relevant hobbies that you feel make you a suitable candidate for the role. For example, you might include that you were part of an IT society at university, as this applies to software engineering and may have provided you with useful transferable skills and knowledge.

Related: What to Include in a Resume

Tips for creating your resume for software engineering

Here are some tips for writing your resume for software engineering:

• Tailor your resume: Although you may apply to similar positions across companies, each role may be slightly different and including the most relevant information can help you get the job.

• Keep it simple: Using simple layouts can make your resume easier to read and applicant tracking systems can better process it. This can ensure that any important information is easy to read.

• Highlight the most important information: Write the information that you want to feature first. Then create your resume around this information, ensuring that it's in an easy-to-read place.

• Be concise: Most resumes are effective if they are just one page long. If you have a lot of experience, you may make it two pages, but keeping it concise can be more effective.

• Update it regularly: Make sure your most recent experience and information are on your resume and delete anything that may be outdated.

Related: Q&A: How Long Should a Resume Be?

Software engineering resume example

Here's an example of a software engineer's resume:

Jessica Brown
Perth WA
6007
0496 833 742
jessica.brown@email.com

Summary

Enthusiastic software engineer with a master's degree and one year of practical work experience. Extensive education in all parts of software engineering, including coding, developing and troubleshooting.

Work experience

Junior software engineer | October 2020–November 2021
Perth Bank | Rockingham, WA

• Worked with senior software engineers to provide support as needed

• Focused on troubleshooting existing software and fixing bugs

• Organised digital filing systems to keep records neat and protected

IT support | December 2015–August 2020
Beehive Coffee Company | Fremantle, WA

• Worked in an IT support role for a medium-sized company

• Helped other staff members with IT problems

• Installed new software

• Protected the network against cyber-attacks

Sales assistant
Vista Fashion, Cottesloe, April 2013–November 2015

• Worked part-time at a busy clothing store

• Learned how to communicate with my colleagues and customers daily

Education
Master in Software Engineering (Grade A)
Perth University, graduated 2020

• Learned the necessary skills to succeed in a software engineering career

• Studied a range of modules, including coding in different languages and cyber security

Bachelor in Engineering (Grade B)
Perth University, graduated 2018

• Learned the basics of different types of engineering, including software engineering

• Successfully created different types of software

• Worked on several projects that gave me a good idea of what being a software engineer entails

Skills

• Fluency in several coding languages, including Java and C++

• Technical engineering knowledge

• Communication skills

• Problem-solving capabilities

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.