Software Developer CV Example & Writing Guide

Want to build a software developer CV that gets you noticed by top tech companies? Our comprehensive software developer CV guide, along with our powerful CV builder, is your key to unlocking the next level in your software development career. 

We'll equip you with the strategies and tools to showcase your coding expertise, project impact, and unique value proposition, making you an irresistible candidate for any software development role.

How to write a software developer CV

A strong software developer CV should include the following key sections:

• The CV header
• The CV personal statement
• The employment history section
• The skills section
• The education section

To make your CV shine in the eyes of tech recruiters and hiring managers, remember to:

1. Highlight your technical expertise. Go beyond listing skills and quantify your accomplishments, using metrics and numbers to showcase the impact of your work.
2. Demonstrate problem-solving skills. Describe how you've tackled challenges and contributed to solutions in your software development projects or previous roles.
3. Tailor your CV to the specific job. Customise your CV to align with the requirements and keywords mentioned in the job description.
4. Showcase your passion for technology, outlining projects, open-source contributions, hackathon participation, or tech blogs to demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.

By following these guidelines, you'll create a CV that effectively communicates your value as a software developer and increases your chances of securing an interview.

How to choose the best software developer CV format 

As a software developer, choosing the right CV format can be crucial to landing your dream job role. While the traditional reverse chronological format can be a good option, consider opting for a functional or combination CV if you have limited job experience. This approach can often be more effective in catching the eye of recruiters and the ATS.

Include essential contact details

In the header of your software developer CV, make it easy for recruiters and potential employers to see your key information at a glance by including the following details:

• Full Name & Title: Clearly state your full name.
• Contact Details: Provide a professional email address and phone number.
• Online Presence: Include links to your online portfolio, GitHub profile, or personal website to showcase your work.
• Location: While optional, you can include your city and county, especially if you're targeting roles in a specific location.

Avoid including unnecessary or irrelevant personal details like your PPS number, marital status, or ethnicity.

Include an engaging personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to grab the attention of tech recruiters and showcase your passion for software development. In a few concise sentences, highlight your key skills, experience, and career goals. Instead of just listing skills, demonstrate your enthusiasm for building innovative solutions and contributing to impactful software projects.

For example: “Dublin-based front-end developer with 3+ years of experience crafting engaging and user-friendly web experiences. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React, with a strong understanding of UI/UX principles. Passionate about building accessible and innovative websites that inspire and educate users.”

For more help crafting your software developer personal statement, check out our related CV examples: freelancer CV example, front-end developer CV example, graphic designer CV example, IT manager CV example and our programmer CV example.

 

Discuss your software developer experience

When describing your software development experience, focus on showcasing your technical accomplishments and the impact you've made. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, highlight specific achievements demonstrating your problem-solving skills, coding proficiency, and ability to deliver results.

For example, instead of:

• "Developed features for web applications"
• "Wrote unit tests and debugged code"
• "Participated in agile development sprints"

Try these outcome-focused examples:

• "Developed a key feature for a mobile banking app that improved user transaction speed by 20% and reduced error rates by 15%"
• "Refactored legacy code, resulting in a 30% improvement in application performance and a 50% reduction in technical debt"
• "Led the development and implementation of a new CI/CD pipeline, automating the build and deployment process and reducing release cycles by 25%"

These revised examples illustrate how highlighting your problem-solving skills can significantly enhance your software developer CV. 

Include relevant software development skills

In the skills section of your software developer CV, showcase a well-rounded skill set by including both hard and soft skills. Clearly list your technical proficiencies, such as programming languages, frameworks, or computer skills.

In addition, highlight essential interpersonal skills that demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and thrive in a team environment.

These skills include:

Detail your education & relevant certifications

In the education section of your software developer CV, showcase the qualifications and knowledge that make you a strong candidate. Consider including:

• Education: Clearly outline your academic qualifications, including the institution, dates of attendance, specialisations, and any honours or distinctions.
• Certifications: Highlight any relevant certifications that demonstrate your skills. This could include industry-recognised certifications, like AWS Certified Developer, technology-specific certifications or certifications related to specific methodologies, such as Certified Scrum Master. 
• Awards: If you've received any awards or accolades related to your academic performance or software development skills, include them in this section. This could include scholarships, competition wins, or recognition for outstanding projects.

Select the best CV layout and design for a software developer CV

When designing your software developer CV, choose a professional or modern template highlighting your technical skills. Use a template with a clear font, ample white space, and a well-organised structure with distinct sections for your software development skills, experience, and projects. 

Software developer text-only CV example

Make a powerful first impression with a CV that stands out from the competition. Our expert-approved CV builder equips you with the tools and templates to create a compelling CV that highlights your technical prowess and helps you secure your next software developer role.