Software Engineer CV Example & Writing Guide

Unlock your full professional potential in Ireland's vibrant tech scene with a software engineer CV that highlights your skills and career strengths. 

With our comprehensive CV guide, software engineer CV examples, and expert CV builder we’ll equip you with the tools and insights you need to craft a software engineer CV that tells your unique career story. 

Launch your software engineering career with a CV that gets you noticed and hired faster. 

How to write a software engineer CV:

To make sure your CV stands out from the stack and lands you that interview, here's a breakdown of the essential elements to include: 

• The CV header
• The CV professional summary
• The employment history section
• The skills section
• The education section

Want your CV to grab the attention of recruiters? Here's how to make it happen:

• Quantify your accomplishments with numbers and metrics to demonstrate the value you brought to previous projects
• Ensure your software engineer CV focuses on the technical skills that employers are looking for
• Choose a CV layout that is clean, well-formatted, and easy to read
• Tailor your CV for each job application to demonstrate your specific expertise and alignment with the role's requirements

Choose the best CV format for software engineers

Your software engineer CV should highlight your unique skills and experience. While reverse chronological is the most common CV format, you can explore alternatives like functional or combination CVs if you have career gaps or limited work experience. 

Choosing the right format can significantly impact how recruiters perceive your qualifications and increase your chances of landing an interview. 

Consider what aspects of your career you want to highlight most and select the format that best supports that goal.

Include important contact information

Your CV header is usually the first thing recruiters see, so let’s make it shine!

To capture the attention of employers, be sure to include the following details:

• Full Name & Title: List your full name and the specific software engineering role you're applying for.
• Professional Email: Use an email address, avoiding informal or unprofessional email addresses.
• Phone Number: Provide a current phone number with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location: Include your city/town. If you're open to relocating, state that clearly, e.g., "Galway, Open to Relocation."
• Online Links: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile, especially if it showcases your software engineering experience and connections. You can also include links to any online portfolios or your GitHub profile if it showcases your projects or coding samples.

Include a compelling professional profile

Your professional profile is a concise and compelling introduction to your software engineering career. 

In just a few sentences, highlight your technical strengths, your passion for software development, and your career goals. 

For example: “Highly motivated software engineer with a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative software solutions. Expertise in Java, Spring Boot, and Agile methodologies.”

Discuss your professional experience

When discussing your experience as a software engineer, highlight your technical accomplishments. Instead of just listing tasks and technologies you used, showcase the impact you've made and the value you've delivered.

In your work experience section, highlight how you leveraged your skills to overcome challenges, improve software performance, or contribute to the overall success of a project.

For example, instead of:

• "Developed software applications."
• "Worked with agile methodologies."
• "Used various programming languages."

Try:

• "Led the development of a new feature for a popular e-commerce platform that streamlined the checkout process and resulted in a 15% increase in sales conversions."
• "Successfully implemented agile methodologies within a team of 10 developers.”
• "Leveraged expertise in Python and machine learning to develop a predictive model that improved customer retention rates by 20%."

Discuss relevant software engineer skills 

The skills section of your software engineer CV is your opportunity to showcase the diverse technical toolkit you possess. 

Focus on listing a strong command of computer skills, programming languages, software development methodologies, and the technologies that drive modern software solutions.

Beyond technical skills, don't forget to showcase the soft skills crucial for effective collaboration and communication within a software development team. These skills could include:

Detail your education & relevant certifications

Discuss your academic journey in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or diploma. 

Don't forget to highlight relevant coursework or specialisations demonstrating your in-depth knowledge in engineering, computer science, or data structures and algorithms.

This section is also the perfect place to showcase the following elements: 

• Certifications: Discuss any software engineering certifications you've earned, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect.
• Continuous Learning: Highlight your commitment to staying ahead of the curve by mentioning any relevant workshops, conferences, or online courses you've completed.
• Memberships: Mention memberships in professional organisations like the Irish Computer Society (ICS) to further demonstrate your dedication to the field.

Select the right CV layout for a software engineer CV

As a software engineer, your CV is a professional presentation of your skills and experience. Choose a professional or modern design that allows your qualifications to shine through.

A subtle dash of colour can add visual appeal, but avoid anything too flashy or distracting. 

Ensure your CV is well-structured, with clear headings and ample white space. 

Remember, the focus should be on the content, not the aesthetics. 

Software engineer text-only CV example

It takes more than just coding skills to stand out to potential employers. Your software engineer CV needs to tell a story of your accomplishments and how you've made a real impact. 

Our online CV builder and software engineer template can help you craft a strong CV that showcases your unique value and gets you noticed by top employers. Kickstart your software engineer career today!