A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Stellar Software Engineer Resume

It isn't easy for software engineers to navigate the current job market. Their skills are in very high demand, but there's also a lot of competition from other developers.

Your software engineer resume could be what helps open doors for you at the next company you're interested in working at. But it'll only work if your resume has the right content.

You can find a ton of articles and free resume templates online, but we're here to tell you what it takes to write a resume that gets you your dream job.

If you're ready to learn how to craft an engineering resume, read on to learn some essential tips.

Show Your Career Trajectory

Hiring managers don't just look for skills on resumes. They're also interested in seeing career progression that makes sense for the role you're applying for.

It isn't uncommon for some devs to try out different jobs. If you're a front end developer applying for backend work, you want your resume to show that you're moving towards a full stack role, not applying for any engineering job you can find.

If you're making a huge career shift, making a comprehensive objective statement in your resume can help. Don't hide the fact that you're trying something new, be open about the fact that you're trying to change careers.

Make It Accomplishments Based

There are going to be dozens of applicants that have the same experience you do. Employers are going to be much more likely to hire someone they know can deliver good results instead of someone that ticks off boxes.

If you want to stand out among the rest, show your potential future employer that you're worth the investment by showcasing your accomplishments.

Did you work on making improvements to an app that boosted use and downloads by 25%? Did the website redesign you helped lead help drop the bounce rate in half? Those accomplishments should be on your resume!

Don't Rely on "Small" Embellishments

Honesty is the best policy in every part of your life, but that's especially true when you're applying to jobs.

Don't make the mistake of lying about some of your skills on your resume. You should be honest about your expertise.

Putting down that you're "highly experienced" in a programming language you don't understand is a double-edged sword. If you end up getting the job in the end, you'd struggle to keep up with the lie you made.

Also, if employers find out that you're lying about certain skills, you've hurt your opportunity to ever apply for another job with the company. You'll be branded a liar and could miss out on some great job opportunities.

Extra: Pay Attention to Your Portfolio

A resume can get your foot in the door, but a solid portfolio is what secures job opportunities. If you want to get your dream job, you'll need to show employers work that demonstrates your expertise.

A portfolio should just be a list of apps and websites you've worked on. Show some hard code, data, and some information about how your work helped your client for the better.

Go Beyond Your Software Engineer Resume

You know how to craft a great software engineer resume, but that's only part of what you'll need to succeed.

Having a good resume is one thing, but having one the experience to back it up is another.

While you're taking the time to write your resume, consider earning some certifications to build it. Check out our post on some in-demand specialties you may want to consider.