
20+ Entry Level Resume Examples, Templates & Tips
A complete guide to writing a resume for an entry-level job. 20+ examples and tips from our experts. Use our entry-level resume sample.
Writing an entry-level software engineer resume doesn't have to feel like an infinitive while loop. Make your resume bug-free with our expert advice.
Entry-level software engineers, also known as junior software developers, work with more senior software engineers to develop, test, and maintain software applications. It’s your doorway to become the next best software engineer this side of AI. But that door is clogged shut with hundreds of other applicants that want it just as much.
So how do you stand any kind of chance with odds like that?
By a classic workaround solution: write a perfect entry-level software engineer resume that’ll have other resume giving nothing but a sluggish browser experience.
We’ll show you how.
Read on and you’ll see a professional entry-level software resume example you can adjust and make yours. Plus, you’ll learn an easy formula for writing a resume for entry-level software developer jobs that will land you 10x more interviews than any other resume you’ve written in the past.
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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.
Applying for an internship? Check out our Software Engineering Intern Resume Sample & Guide.
For other examples, take a look at our other technical engineering related resume guides:
Patricia Shaw
Entry-Level Software Developer
patricia.zety.shaw@gmail.com
267-279-2329
Motivated software engineering graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology with 6 months experience in software development. IEEE Computer Society Merwin Scholarship winner in 2018. Seeking to use proven skills in JavaScript and project management via JIRA to meet business needs at GFC Inc.
2016-2019, B.Sc. in Software Engineering
Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Entry-Level Software Developer
Fryction Inc.
March-Oct 2018
Now, this is how to write a job-winning entry level software engineer resume:
You’re a software engineer— you create software from scratch and make it work. You know that without the proper structuring, you’re just waiting for an “oops, an error has occurred and we need to shut down” to happen. Don’t let that happen to your resume.
Here’s how to format an entry-level software engineer resume:
Here’s a quick outline of what your resume should include from start to finish:
Want an expert hack on resume writing? Don’t start off with the top.
Instead, write out the sections that you can complete quickly and with little effort, such as your education section and job experience. Later loop back to the top with a firm grasp of your potential and worth.
So without further ado, let’s move to your work history section.
Read more: How to Format a Resume
According to the BLS, software engineer jobs are expected to grow much faster than average (21%!) for the next decade. With great job growth comes great competition. And let’s face it, there are going to be candidates more experienced or skilled than you at any level in the game.
So how do you make sure that your work experience section gives the hiring manager that nice tingly sensation even if you’re only an entry-level candidate?
We’ll show you.
Here’s the best method for creating an entry-level software engineer resume description of your job history:
Enough theory. Let’s run this and see what happens—
Right |
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Software Engineer Intern Index September 2018–May 2019 Key Responsibilities
Key Achievement
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Wrong |
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Software Engineer Intern Index September 2018–May 2019 Responsibilities
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You don’t need an error message to see that the bad resume example needs a major update. Could you imagine how software would run with code that vague? That right example though. You can be sure that the hiring manager will <mark> that up with a smile.
But hold on a nanosecond, what if I don’t have any job experience in software engineering or any at all? Don’t get your terabytes all in a twist. You can still show the hiring manager that you’ve got the skills and potential needed to give you a shot.
Right |
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Freelance Software Engineer June 2019–present
Key achievement:
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Wrong |
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The right example shows that little experience can still go a long way if demonstrated properly. The skills and drive needed for an entry-level software engineer are there and the recruiter will surely give that candidate a call.
The wrong example? <del>
Pro Tip: If you’re really a super noob in the experience department, mention GitHub projects you’ve been involved in to show that you weren’t slacking.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Read more: Writing an Amazing Resume Job Description
For most entry-level candidates, their education section will be the most solid part of their resume. In fact, it can be the section that gets you that dream interview. You might be thinking that it’s “just a degree”, it probably means little when compared to candidates with work experience.
Not true.
Use your education to your advantage by demonstrating that you didn’t just go to classes and get a degree like some out-of-date robot. First list the dates you studied, the name of the school, and the degree you acquired (including majors and minors). Next, dive deeper into academic career and find school examples that prove you have the skills the employer is looking for.
Right |
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2015-2018 University of Idaho B.Sc., Software Engineering
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Here are some more experience points that will help you level up your entry-level software engineering education section:
Pro Tip: If you’re writing a recent college grad resume or have very little professional experience as a junior software developer consider putting your education section above your work experience section. This will help show your greatest strengths first.
Read more: How to Put Your Education on a Resume
Time pressure is an obvious challenge in software engineering. It’s the same with recruiting. Hiring managers don’t have time to go ctrl+f your skills. In fact, they actually use software to do that for them—the applicant tracking system (ATS). It’s what sorts candidates into the “have”s and “have not”s.
You know as well as anyone that software is not open to discussion and second opinions, so you need to know how to add resume keywords that’ll make you light up the system. Here’s how to do just that:
Here are some of the most common entry-level software engineering skills for your resume:
So what would that look like on your resume? Here’s an example:
Pro Tip: If you feel your skills are lacking or just want to one up the competition, scour the internet for the multitude of free IT courses available. EdX and Udemy are a couple of examples, but be sure to check out open courses online offered by big name schools too. In the ever evolving world of tech, stay up to date.
Read more: Skills for Jobs in Any Sector
Employers are constantly scratching their heads over how to help software developers be more productive. Show them that you can make that challenge so much simpler by highlighting different extras that make you stand out from the copy-paste crowd and show you have what it takes to get the job done.
Pull out the unique elements out of your array of experience and add them as extra sections in your entry-level software engineering resume:
Have a look at this example to get your creative code up and running:
Certifications
Activities
Affiliations
Languages
Pro Tip: Have a bunch of extra courses or certifications in IT and software development? Add them in a separate section in your resume, so they don’t get lost like a random comma in JavaScript.
Read more: What to Include on a Resume
Okay, we’re getting close to the closing tag of your resume. This may be the last part you’re going to write, but it’ll definitely be one of the most important—the resume profile.
A resume profile is as known as a resume summary or a resume objective. It’s a concise paragraph that you put at the top of your resume to explain why you’re the candidate for the role. You can kind of think of it like an elevator pitch for your job application.
As an entry-level software developer, pick the resume objective since it’s job is to bring your skills and knowledge to the forefront to show you’re a valuable hire. Here’s how to write your resume objective:
Here are a few examples of entry level software engineer resume objective to show you the ropes:
Right |
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Creative software engineering graduate with great time management skills and knowledge of virtual reality and gaming graphics. Developed several survival gaming apps as well as assisted in the creation of localization apps for the visually impaired. |
Wrong |
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I just graduated with a degree in software engineering and I’m looking to get my foot in the door of a large tech firm. Hard working and quick learner. |
That wrong example—the computer says no. That right example, on the other hand, demonstrates to the hiring manager that they are in for a great UX.
Read more: How to Start a Resume
This shouldn’t be breaking news—cover letters are still necessary, even for an entry-level software engineer. According to HR statistics, more than 50% of hiring managers won’t even give your application the time of day without a cover letter.
Write your entry-level software engineer cover letter using the following tips:
You’re not writing the history of coding, make sure your cover letter length is just right.
Pro Tip: Don’t include remuneration expectations in your cover letter unless you’re asked too. The recruiter may treat it as malware.
Read more:How to Write a Software Engineer Cover Letter
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Here’s how to write an entry-level software developer resume that will be redirecting all the others:
That’s it! Now you’ve got a download of everything you need to write a perfect entry-level software engineer resume.
Do you have tips or thoughts about making a killer entry-level software engineer resume? Let us know down in the comments below!
A complete guide to writing a resume for an entry-level job. 20+ examples and tips from our experts. Use our entry-level resume sample.
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