The stuff you learned at school was obsolete the moment you got there. The competition is infinite. Solution? As always, a tutorial on the internet.
You can debug code like a pro, but when it comes to writing your entry-level software engineer resume, it feels like you’re navigating through spaghetti code.
While seasoned engineers have been coding since dial-up, your challenge is to prove you belong. Your resume is your API—your way to communicate your skills to employers. Let’s ensure your resume gets a thumbs-up, not a 404.
In this guide:
Here’s an entry-level software engineer resume sample that works smoothly like Python, not clunky and confusing like Scala.
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4673 Coleman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 93632
760-793-6887
JodiABolden@gmail.us
linkedin.com/jodiabolden
github.com/jodi404
Problem-solving junior software engineer with 1+ year of experience, and a track record of meaningful contributions in Java and C# to 6 large-scale commercial projects. Consistently and efficiently support a team of 12 senior engineers, mainly focusing on testing, bugs, vulnerabilities and updating. Looking to leverage gained experience in a more senior role with more demanding challenges at Freesoft.
Work Experience
Junior Software Engineer
Space Net, Fullerton
January 2020—Present
Software Engineer Intern
Maxisoft, Fullerton
August 2018—December 2019
Education
BS in Computer Science (2019)
4.0 GPA
University of California, Los Angeles
Relevant Coursework: ASP.NET Core 3.1, ASP.NET MVC 3-5, C#, Visual Basic, F#, C++.
Achievements:
Skills
Languages
Let’s start troubleshooting your own entry level software engineer resume:
You can have the best, most informative and valuable app in the world. Nobody will touch it if it doesn’t have an attractive and intuitive UX. Things should be where the user expects them to be.
You can write good code in Notepad. A resume for entry level software engineers requires a little more sophistication.
Follow these simple rules to make sure everything presents properly on all devices:
Write an address on your resume only when the job offer asks you to or the employer is looking for local candidates specifically.
Imagine you had to work magic with five lines of code. Fortunately, the English language is more magical than any coding language in terms of persuading people to hire you. You only have 6 seconds of attention on your resume. That’s why you need to write a concise resume profile.
Set out your ambition in a resume objective. If you don’t have internships or work experience, pick private projects and achievements from school and college to talk about. You can also give some space to your certifications, which you should definitely look into to beef up your resume.
Starting your resume with a career objective comes much easier once you have finished the rest of your resume and you know what you want to compile into your 6 second kernel.
Expert Hint: A good LinkedIn profile can go a very long way. If someone goes to that extent to find out more about you, make sure you reward them with something interesting, so they reward you with that job. Check out our LinkedIn career advice.
BLS reports that the demand for software engineers will not slow down any time soon, and will keep growing at 21% for the next decade. How can you get ahead of the competition?
First of all, you must tailor your resume for each application. Prioritize those technologies and aspects of the job that the job ad places an emphasis on. Use resume power words such as modified, streamlined, updated to show your impact. Chances are, they’ll be using ATS software on your resume that will scan it for these keywords, too. So make sure you offer them an ATS-friendly resume.
Second of all, you must quantify your impact whenever possible. Record a range of 5-10 different bullet points that show you understand the extent of the job. Check out this job description from one of our modern resume templates:
Junior Software Engineer
Space Net, Fullerton
January 2020—Present
Remember: internships on a resume count as work experience. The same applies to volunteering. But if you have zero professional experience whatsoever, you can simply skip this section and move straight to your list of skills for a resume.
If you are writing a resume with no experience, avoid general phrases such as computer skills—instead list the software that you know in detail.
Hard skills are in 99% of situations more important than soft skills. Don't neglect them. When creating your skills section include more hard skills rather than soft ones.
Expert Hint: Listing all your skills and stacks is cool, but can you really make it work? Especially fresh out of school? Add your best projects to a GitHub profile and include it in your resume.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
The more education you collect on your entry level software engineer resume, the less relevant your formal education will be, and the shorter this section. After all, processing power doubled during the time you were at school.
For now, list your school, degree name, graduation date, and the GPA, if it’s good.
If this is your very first job or you’re writing a college graduate resume, compensate for your lack of experience with relevant coursework or achievements / awards sections. List the courses and grades that most fit what’s going to be required of you in the new position.
Here’s how to list education on your resume:
Education
BS in Computer Science (2019)
4.0 GPA
University of California, Los Angeles, United States
Relevant Coursework: ASP.NET Core 3.1, ASP.NET MVC 3-5, C#, Visual Basic, F#, C++.
Achievements:
Any bandwidth remaining? Feel free to import some bonus resume sections. Just remember to keep it relevant to the position you’re applying to. Your certifications can play a huge role here, and that’s an avenue of development to consider if you lack personal projects.
You can also choose from these sections:
Just see how different these two entry level software engineer resume examples are:
Skills
Languages
Other Info
One final step. You need a software engineer cover letter. About half of managers won’t read your resume without a cover letter attached.
Expert Hint: Certifications are a foolproof way to get your resume pinged back to interview. Database certifications crop up more often as requirements in job offers, according to Business News Daily. Oracle and IBM certifications are still very significant. Make sure you check out our guide to putting certifications on a resume once you have them.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
To patch your entry level software engineer resume to the newest version:
Got questions on how to write a great resume for entry level software engineer jobs? Did our entry level software engineer resume sample help? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.
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Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.
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