How to write a good CV as a Software Developer

If you’re looking for a job as a software developer in the UK, you’ll need a strong CV that showcases your technical abilities and greatest achievements.

However, knowing what experience and skills to include and how to highlight them can be tricky. To help you through the writing process, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to write a good CV as a software developer.

Structuring your CV

Not sure what a well-structured CV looks like? Follow these five steps to create a software developer CV that both looks professional and contains all the information employers look for:

1. Choose an appropriate CV format

Depending on the amount of relevant experience you have, you should choose either a chronological or a skills-based CV format.

If you’re not sure which format is best for you, go for a chronological resume. This format suits most jobseekers because it lists your relevant experience from most recent to least recent. Even if you’re applying for an entry-level position and haven’t worked in software development before, you can list internships, volunteer work, and other relevant experience.

However, if you have had long periods of unemployment, or some of the work you've done doesn’t qualify as relevant work experience for the software developer job you’re applying for, go for a skills-based CV format. 

A skills-based CV is exactly what it sounds like; it focuses on the skills you've gained throughout your career that make you a qualified candidate.

2. Write an eye-catching personal statement

Placed at the top of your CV, your personal statement is a short paragraph or bulleted list that gives employers an overview of your professional and educational background.

Because your personal statement is the first thing a hiring manager sees when they read your CV, it’s also your first chance to make a good impression. Take advantage of this opportunity by spotlighting your most relevant skills and achievements.

Here’s how to showcase your software development skills in your personal statement:

• Mention what tools you’re familiar with - remember, your personal statement should be kept brief, so only include tools relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

• Include one or two of your greatest achievements - for example, talk about a big project you worked on that saved your previous company both time and money.

• Highlight your years of experience - one of the basic requirements of the job is to have a certain amount of experience in the field, you should immediately show that you meet this requirement to catch the employer’s attention.

Keep in mind that the person looking over your CV might not be familiar with technical jargon. While you should use industry-specific terms throughout your CV and when writing a cover letter for the position, avoid using overly technical language when it’s not necessary.

3. Highlight achievements in your experience section

A common mistake applicants make when applying for jobs is using generic and vague terms like ‘responsible for’ and ‘tasked with’ when describing their work experience. 

The problem with listing your roles like this is that it doesn’t make you seem proactive or describe how successful you were in your role. You might’ve been responsible for fifteen tasks, but how will employers know that you were good at your job? 

So, what words should you use? Here are a few examples of strong action verbs that will make you come across as a competent and accomplished software developer:

• Organized

• Maximized

• Facilitated

• Devised

• Coordinated

• Delegated

• Overhauled

• Exceeded

• Developed

• Spearheaded

Another effective way to describe accomplishments on your software developer CV is to use numbers and percentages to make your bullet points more impactful. 

Compare these two examples:

• “Tested several in-progress apps”
• “Performed monthly tests for 3 in-progress apps, including feature verification and debugging”

The second example is more convincing because it’s more specific. Besides making your claims appear more credible, adding numbers to your CV demonstrates that you’re results-oriented.

4. Spotlight your technical abilities in your skills section

The skills section of a CV is usually a bulleted list of hard and soft skills relevant to the role. However, as someone working in a field that requires a wide range of technical skills, you should consider grouping your skills by category instead of just listing them all together.

Use these four categories when creating your skills section:

• Operating systems

• Coding languages

• Frameworks

• Tools

Be careful about adding skills you haven't fully mastered. For example, if you're fluent in Python and Java but just started learning C++, think twice before you include C++ on your CV. 

Your programming skills will be tested at some point during the hiring process. If it turns out that you’ve exaggerated one of your abilities, it can cause employers to doubt whether you really possess the other skills listed.

However, under certain circumstances, adding programming skills that you're not yet entirely familiar with might be appropriate. For example, if the job description mentions that experience with C++ is a bonus, informing employers that you're currently learning the language can set you apart from the competition.

Some career advice websites offer CV Templates that allow you to rate your skills from one to five. If you can’t find a template that suits your taste, rank your level of expertise from beginner to advanced and put it in brackets next to the relevant skills to indicate how experienced you are. 

Here’s an example:

• Coding languages: Java (Advanced), Python (Advanced), C++ (Beginner)

Listing your skills this way prevents your CV from looking cluttered, while making it easy for employers to quickly check if you have the skills they’re looking for.

5. Create a separate section for projects

Make sure to create a separate section for projects so that they are not drowned out in the rest of the CV. 

If you’ve done a lot of freelance work on the side, consider creating a separate section for projects on your CV. This allows you to showcase skills you’ve honed outside of a workplace setting.

When listing projects on your CV, include the following information:

• Name of the client or project

• Brief description of the project

• Languages and tools used

If you have several years of experience in the field and have completed a large number of projects, there's no need to include them all. Instead, check the job description to see what specific software development skills the employer is looking for, and pick a few projects to highlight that demonstrate that you possess these skills.

Recent computer science graduates scanning job boards for entry-level positions can also benefit from having a projects section on their CVs. 

If you lack work experience, go into detail about school or hackathon projects you worked on and the skills you developed; as a result, add context to your abilities. This can help convince employers that although you lack professional experience, you have the skills necessary to do the job.

Creating an ATS-friendly CV

Some jobs get hundreds of applications that the HR department has to go through. This can be a long and arduous task. For this reason, recruiters now use ATS (applicant tracking systems) to reduce the number of CVs they have to look at. This software filters out applicants that don’t meet the basic requirements of the job.

To make sure your CV gets past ATS, tailor it to each position and company you apply for. Carefully look at the skills, qualifications and experience listed in the job posting and include them throughout your CV. ATS scans your CV for keywords specified by the employer, so by incorporating these keywords throughout your CV, you reduce the risk of it getting automatically rejected.

Visual elements

First impressions matter, and you want your CV to be eye-catching. However, there’s a right and a wrong way to do it. Here’s how to make a convincing CV that leaves a good impression on employers:

1. Pick an appropriate colour

Your CV doesn’t have to be black and white to look professional. Adding a pop of colour can make your CV stand out among the rest. But, this doesn’t mean all colours are suitable. Avoid neon green and hot pink and opt for muted colours like dark green or burgundy. 

There are some instances where using more vivid colours can be appropriate. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a creative field like photography or social media.

2. Select the right font

When it comes to writing your CV, the font you pick can determine whether an employer skims your application or reads it all the way through. Fancy fonts make your CV difficult to read, so stick to traditional fonts like Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or Cambria. 

3. Don’t use graphics on your CV

As much as you want to stand out, graphics should be avoided on your CV. The problem with graphics is that ATS (applicant tracking systems) can’t read them, meaning your CV might get rejected before it ever reaches the employer’s desk. 

Final steps

Once you’ve finished writing your software developer CV and completed the three final steps below, you’re ready to submit your application.

1. Proofread your CV

Before you submit your application, proofread your CV thoroughly at least once. Even better, ask a friend or family member to go over it as well. This will allow you to catch and correct any grammar mistakes or inconsistent font sizes. Even minor spelling errors can impact your chances of landing the job, especially if you’re applying for an entry-level position or there’s another candidate with similar qualifications as you.

2. Use the correct file format

It would be a shame if you wrote a great CV and then saved it in a format the recruiter couldn’t open. Check if the job advert specifies which file format you should use. If not, save your CV as either a PDF or DOCX document.

3. Combine your CV with a compelling cover letter

Unless the job you're applying for explicitly asks that applicants only forward their CVs, pair yours with a cover letter. Not submitting a cover letter is a missed opportunity to provide employers with additional information that shows why you’re an ideal candidate for the role. 

While your CV focuses on your skills and experience, a cover letter gives you more freedom to discuss why you’re interested in the position and why you’d be a good fit for the company culture.

Do’s and Don'ts

To recap, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you write a strong CV that highlights your best qualities as a software developer:

Do

• Showcase your software developer skills throughout your CV, not just in your skills section.

• Use hard numbers to describe your achievements in your work experience section. How many projects did you work on? How long did they take to finish?

• Begin your CV bullet points with action verbs like "implemented," "developed," and "created" instead of saying you were "responsible for" different tasks.

• Make your CV ATS-friendly.

Don’t

• Write a long list of job duties rather than focus on specific accomplishments.

• List every language or tool you’ve ever used; only list the ones you’re actually familiar with.

• Include information that isn’t relevant to the position you’re applying for. It’s better to keep your CV short and to the point than to delve into detail about skills or experience that won’t help you in your new role.

• Use distracting design elements like intricate fonts, graphics, or bright colours.

Software developer CV example

Here are two examples to illustrate the right and wrong way to write a software developer CV:

Good example

Bad example

The first example has a compelling personal statement focusing on the candidate’s strengths, as well as an experience section that offers several detailed examples of how the candidate applied their software development skills in the past.

The second example, on the other hand, is generic, contains a lot of blank space, and offers little insight into the candidate’s relevant skills.

 

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Ida Pettersson is a Content Writer who enjoys supporting jobseekers as they plan their next career moves. She graduated from New College of Florida with a double major in Philosophy/Chinese Language and Culture. In her spare time, Ida enjoys hiking, reading, and gardening.