Software Engineer Resume: Examples, Tips, and More for 2024

Software engineers use their knowledge of programming languages and systems architecture to build software and applications for digital devices, such as mobile phones and personal computers. Today, software Engineers are increasingly important as more and more industries undergo digital transformations.  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for software developers – including engineers – is projected to grow by 26 percent between 2022 and 2032, resulting in about 153,900 new job openings each year throughout [1]. That’s significantly higher than the projected number of new jobs for all occupations in the country, which the BLS puts at just 3 percent during the same period. 

Yet, just because software engineers are in high demand doesn’t mean that you should apply to job openings without preparing first. Many software engineering jobs can be competitive, so it’s important to put your best foot forward when applying for a new job. And, crafting a great resume is one of the best ways to do it. 

In this article, you’ll find three different examples of resumes for software engineer positions of varying levels. Afterward, you’ll explore tips to improve your resume and explore flexible online courses that can even help you expand your skill set today. 

Software engineer resume examples

Your resume is an opportunity for you to showcase your experience, achievements, and expertise to potential employers. What you choose to show employers will differ based on the precise software engineer job you’re applying to.  

Here, we break down three different resumes for software engineers, including one for interns, one for entry-level job seekers, and one for senior-level positions. Plus, to help you craft the best possible resume, you'll also find software engineer resume templates and examples for each job.

Software engineer intern resume

Internships can be a great way for students and recent graduates to explore what it’s like to be a software engineer in the real world. Typically lasting only a few months, internships can be found at large, established tech companies like Google or Microsoft or at smaller start-ups that may only have a handful of employees. 

Usually, companies want internship applicants to highlight their interest in the position or company, their knowledge of the field through relevant coursework, and any achievements or skills that are relevant to the position.

As an intern, your resume doesn’t need to be filled with years of experience but should instead clearly demonstrate your interest in developing into a future software engineer and what you’ve done so far to develop toward your goal.

Software engineer intern resume example

Why it works

This resume is simple, professional, and clearly demonstrates the applicant's preparedness for an internship as a software engineer. 

The statement of purpose at the top outlines their personal objectives, while their related coursework indicates they’ve taken classes that can prepare them for the role. Ana also haad some related experience as a research assistant in college and a tutor in high school. Best of all, they demonstrated their impact as a tutor by noting their student raised their grades by one letter. 

They’re also smart about what to include. Ana highlighted their education at the top, emphasized their technical and people skills at the bottom, and even described activities they’ve done that are relevant to the position. Ultimately, while they don’t have extensive professional experience, it’s clear that Ana demonstrated interest in the field and has done a lot to one day become a professional in the field. 

Read more: How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 5 Tips

Entry-level software engineer resume 

Entry-level software engineer positions provide a great opportunity for early career professionals or job switchers to gain experience in the field. Typically, employers don’t expect applicants to entry-level software engineer jobs to possess extensive previous work experience, but they do usually expect job applicants to have knowledge of certain programming languages, experience working with teams, and a degree in computer science or a related field. 

If you’re creating a resume for an entry-level software engineer position, read the job posting to identify the experience and skills you possess that overlap with the position. Highlight these on your resume. In some cases, you may not have direct experience in the field, but you may have a related experience that allows you to highlight your transferable skills. 

Finally, don’t be afraid to apply to entry-level jobs with extensive “job requirements,” as these usually just describe the ideal applicant rather than the most realistic one. In fact, many employers are still happy to hire those without the “perfect” background. 

Entry-level software engineer resume example

Why it works

This junior software engineer resume guides the employer clearly through the job applicant’s purpose for applying, their related work experience, and their qualifications for the role. Unlike the internship resume, this one puts the education section lower because Adam has work experience that is directly related to the position that they want to highlight for their potential employer. 

Although the applicant doesn’t have extensive work experience, they have worked on personal projects and even participated in activities that relate to the role. Finally, they emphasize relevant skills at the bottom so that hiring managers can quickly identify what they bring to the table. All of these factors ensure that the resume plainly explains Adam’s overall preparedness for an entry-level software engineer job. 

Read more: The Job Seeker’s Guide to Entry-Level Software Engineer Jobs

Senior software engineer resume 

Once you’ve gained some real-world experience as a software engineer, you’ll be ready to apply to senior software engineering positions. Typically, these positions involve more responsibility and may even require you to oversee the work of other engineers. 

Typically, employers like to see job applications demonstrating previous work experience that aligns with the role and showcases that the applicant has a comprehensive understanding of programming languages and software best practices, and is comfortable taking on leadership roles. When reviewing your resume, they’ll be looking to see that you have the people skills, technical skills, and experience required to take on a position that requires additional responsibility, such as leading key projects and mentoring more junior engineers. 

Senior software engineer resume example

Why it works

This resume for a senior software engineer position works because it very clearly explains the applicant’s previous work experience, their qualifications for the position, and the skills they bring to the job. Unlike the past two resumes, this one has an expanded work experience section, which Charly uses to explain the most relevant duties and responsibilities they performed at their previous positions. 

Furthermore, the applicant demonstrates their impact at their previous positions by specifically stating the number of software systems they developed in their former role (three), how many junior developers they’ve mentored (five), and the positive impact they had on the organization by optimizing existing code (a 65-percent increase). All of this information further reinforces Charly’s preparedness for the position and gives the employer a sense of how the applicant could help them in the future too.

Read more: What Are Leadership Skills, and Why Are They Important?

Software engineer resume tips 

Hiring managers often only look at resumes for seconds. In that span of time, you must effectively highlight that you have the experience, qualifications, and software engineering skills needed to meet the job requirements. That’s a lot to do in a short amount of time, but with some careful planning and intention-setting, it’s possible. 

Here are some tips to help you craft a software engineering resume that stands out from the crowd. 

1. Format it properly. 

Your resume should only span one to two pages and include a header with your contact information, such as your name, job title, phone number, and email address. You should also include sections to describe your work experience, educational background, and skills relevant to the position.

In some cases, you may also include a resume section to highlight any notable accomplishments or certifications, such as IBM’s Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate or Meta’s Back-End Developer Professional Certificate. 

In your work section, list your jobs in reverse chronological order and note your job title, employer, and the length of time that you worked at each position. Describe key responsibilities using three to five bullet points below each title.

Finally, use an easy-to-read font, such as Helvetica or Times New Roman, throughout your resume and cover letter. Use size 11 to 12 front in the body of your resume and slightly larger 14 to 16 size font for each resume section heading. 

Read more: How to Make a Resume: 2024 Resume Writing Guide

2. Tailor it to the job. 

Although many of the positions you will be applying for will undoubtedly have many similarities, they’ll also have important differences that truly matter to employers. Rather than sending out one generic resume, consequently, it’s best to tailor your resume to each job. 

To do it, read through the job posting and identify the duties that overlap with your previous work experience. Next, emphasize that experience on your resume so that hiring managers get a sense of your preparedness for the role. Finally, use the skills section of your resume to highlight any human and technical skills that you possess that are also described in the job listing, such as your leadership abilities or programming skills. 

You should also consider peppering specific keywords found in the job description throughout your cover letter, resume summary, work experience, and skills section. This can be a good way to get your resume noticed by the applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by many recruiters. 

Read more: Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

What skills should you put in your software engineer resume skills section?

The software engineering skills that you put in the skills section of your resume will depend on the position to which you're applying. But, that said, there are some skills you might consider adding to your resume.

Some workplace skills (or "soft skills") that you might consider highlighting include emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and time management. Some technical skills that you might highlight, meanwhile, include data management, familiarity with Agile methodologies, and knowledge of programming languages like Python and C++.

3. Use action words. 

Action words are verbs that describe your previous work experience in impactful terms. Rather than using run-of-the-mill verbs like led or oversaw, consider using more descriptive verbs like designed, managed, or initiated. These kinds of verbs can help hiring managers get a better sense of your impact elsewhere, so they can start to imagine the value you’ll add to your new position. 

Read more: 120 Resume Action Words to Optimize Your Next Job Search

4. Highlight your transferable skills. 

Whether we realize it or not, we use many different skills every day of our lives. When you’re applying for a job in a new field, you might consider highlighting the skills you honed elsewhere that could transfer over to the new role. These are called your transferable skills and can include everything from collaboration and teamwork to project management and statistical analysis.

5. Emphasize your credentials. 

It’s always a good idea to highlight any relevant educational training you may have undergone that has prepared you for a job as a software engineer. This can include any degrees you hold, continuing education courses you may have completed, or relevant certifications. 

Recent graduates who lack related work experience may also choose to highlight their educational training by moving their education section to the top of their resume, below their resume summary. 

Get job-ready with Coursera 

Software engineers are integral to creating the software and applications that power much of the world today. If you’re looking to start a career as a software engineer, consider taking a cost-effective online course on Coursera to build job-relevant skills and prepare for your next job search. 

In IBM’s Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization, you'll build the foundation of your career by gaining hands-on experience with Git, GitHub, Linux, and Python, and learning the fundamentals of Software Engineering in as little as two months.

In the State University of New York’s How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course), you’ll review resume best practices and explore current trends with guidance from a professional career counselor and recruiter, as well as exchange structured feedback with your peers as you work to polish your own resume.