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Your Java developer resume must stand out, because there are close to 4 million software developers in the US alone, with an average job offer attracting 250+ candidates.

If it resembles spaghetti code too closely, you definitely should write a new one. Otherwise, you may end up with an infinite loop of applying for jobs and never hearing back.

Worry not, I am here to help you write a perfect resume for a Java developer. Let's begin!

This guide will show you: 

  • A Java developer resume better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
  • How to write a Java developer resume that will land you more interviews.
  • Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a Java full stack developer resume.
  • How to prepare the best Java developer resume job description section on a resume to get any job you want.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.

Considering other dev jobs? We’ve got you covered:

Java Developer Resume Example

Greg Capps
Java Developer
(208) 123-4567
gregcapps@email.com
linkedin.com/in/greg.capps

Summary

Certified Java Developer with over 5 years of experience developing apps for various industries. Seeking to help TechVantage Solutions increase efficiency and reduce operating costs by leveraging Java, Spring Boot, and Hibernate skills. Reduced processing time by 20% at Innovix Industries by developing a new Java API.

Experience

Senior Java Developer
Innovix Industries, Nampa, ID
June 2016–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Leading a team of five developers to maintain and update legacy Java applications.
  • Mentoring and creating workshops for a team of five developers.
  • Developing server-side components using Spring Boot and Hibernate.
  • Implementing automated testing using JUnit and Mockito.

Key Achievement:

  • Developed a new Java API that improved server performance and reduced processing time by 20%.

Java Developer
Apex Systems, Boise, ID
June 2014–May 2016
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Assisted in the development of Java enterprise applications.
  • Worked on bug fixes, performance enhancements, and user interface updates.
  • Conducted regular code reviews.

Key Achievement:

  • Developed a web application that improved customer experience and increased sales by 25%.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Boise State University, Boise, ID
August 2010–May 2014
Relevant Extracurricular Activities

  • Member of the Boise State University Programming Club.
  • Member of the National Honor Society.

Academic Achievements

  • Awarded Most Valuable Player in Programming Competition, 2012.
  • Ranked Top 5 Student for Computer Science, 2014.

Skills

  • Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate
  • JUnit, Mockito
  • SQL, MongoDB
  • Agile, Scrum
  • Team Leadership
  • Problem-Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Communication

Certifications

  • Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer, 2014
  • Spring Professional Certification, Pivotal, 2016

Languages

  • English—Native
  • Spanish—Intermediate

Interests

  • Participating in Hackathons (Won 1st place in local Hackathon 2019).
  • Blogging about Java and coding on a personal website.

1. Select the Right Format for Your Java Developer Resume

Here’s the thing:

The best choice for any kind of Java developer resume is—

The reverse-chronological resume format.

Why?

Well, you know—

It’s the go-to format for your Java developer resume if you want to focus the recruiter’s attention on your work history, achievements, and relevant skills—the Big Three that lands Java developer jobs.

Plus—

Your Java developer resume will come across as clear, concise, and successfully encapsulating the complex nature of your job in a visually pleasing manner.

Just like a Java-powered solution should.

If you’re a career changer you might also want to consider a combination resume.

When writing your resume for Java developer jobs remember:

  • White space is your friend—both when coding and writing a resume.
  • Pick a resume-friendly font.
  • Write simple headings.

Export your Java developer resume to a PDF file to keep it in shape on any computer system and mobile device.

Now—

We’re ready to move on to the first section of your resume.

Still confused about the best format for your Java developer resume? Head straight to: Best Resume Format: Which to Choose?

2. Write a Java Developer Resume Objective or a Java Developer Resume Summary

Listen:

The way your Java developer resume starts sets the tone for everything that follows. So—

A lackluster opening paragraph will effectively dampen the hiring manager’s enthusiasm.

You don’t want this.

You want to beat the other 250+ candidates.

How?

Knock them out with a Java developer resume objective or summary to remember.

Here’s a quick look at the difference between a resume objective and resume summary.

  • Java developer resume objective focuses on your skills and shows why you’re a perfect fit. Such opening statements are best for those with limited professional experience.
  • Java developer resume summary summarizes your relevant work experience and greatest achievements. It is ideal for those with a few years of Java development under their belt.

Entry Level Java Developer Resume Objective—Example

right
Skilled and well-organized computer science graduate with a BS from UCLA (GPA 3.9). Eager to join Inflitrix as a junior Java developer to help design game-changing e-commerce solutions. Developed a custom-made e-commerce cart module on RESTful. 3-month Java development internship experience at Oracle.
wrong
A recent graduate with a degree in computer science. Would love to join the team at your company to develop his professional skills in a thriving environment. Outgoing and friendly.

The first candidate knows how to show off their skills.

They start with strong character traits, give an overview of their education, and academic achievements. They call the employer by name and say what they can offer. And finally, they mention two of their biggest achievements.

Plus—

Almost everything is backed by numbers.

The other candidate’s objective lacks all these elements. It looks like a generic blurb anyone could write and send anywhere.

Senior Java Developer Resume Summary—Example

right
Enthusiastic and well-organized Java developer with 3+ years of experience. Eager to join Infiltrix to bring in top-class Java development and problem-solving skills. In previous roles reduced app memory consumption by 30%, and decreased startup time for Java-powered apps by 70%.
wrong
Experienced Java developer wishing to join your company in the role of a Senior Java Developer. Enthusiastic and motivated.

The wrong example doesn’t say much. It even fails at showing the candidate’s enthusiasm and motivation—they didn’t even mention the company they’re applying to by name.

Now—

Here’s a short, foolproof formula to nail your Java developer resume summary:

  1. Start with adjectives describing your strong traits.
  2. Show your track-record.
  3. Specify your experience and/or skills.
  4. Demonstrate your biggest achievement(s).
  5. Back whatever possible with numbers.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Need more advice? Our dedicated guides will show you how to write your Java developer resume objective or summary step by step:

3. Create The Best Java Developer Job Description for a Resume

Think of your Java developer resume in terms of a resource library the recruiter has access to.

Which section do you think is the most valuable?

You’re right—

It’s your professional experience.

We’ll make sure your Java developer resume job description delivers like Guava.

First—

Browse through available senior or junior Java developer jobs. Find one that matches your qualifications and level of experience.

It may look something like that:

  • Performs more comprehensive analysis and design for program changes to gain and to transfer knowledge of application changes. Reviews and prepares documents. Writes design documents (e.g. SRS, SDD).
  • Defines development tasks and provides time estimates to aid in scheduling. May assign and coordinate tasks of others. Monitors progress against task estimates to provide status. Acts as a focal point to communicate department project activities and status.
  • Applies application specific technical skills to independently produce deliverables (i.e. specifications, program changes, unit test scripts, documentation, etc.).
  • Acquires and utilizes more in-depth business knowledge to support the applications.
  • Recognizes code, process, and/or standard inefficiencies and makes suggestions for improvement, if applicable.
  • Performs unit test plans to ensure all code changes meet requirements / specifications.
  • Complies with and contributes to standards and procedures to ensure development consistency (e.g. programming standards, change management, version control).

The yellow highlights indicate the skills the employer expects to see on the candidates’ Java developer resumes.

So—

These are the Java developer resume skills you need to focus on.

The trick is to describe your Java developer skills in the language of the job posting.

Like so:

Java Developer Job Description—Example

right

Java Developer
April 2017–January 2019
DaCoderZ, Los Angeles, CA

  • Analyzed and designed program changes. Reviewed and updated requirements documentation, wrote design documents (PRD, FRD, UIRD, TRD, SRS, and SDD).
  • Applied relevant technical skills to deliver specifications, program changes, unit test scripts, and documentation.
  • Planned, documented, and executed tests to ensure code changes meet requirements and specifications.
  • Supported programming changes during quality assurance, user acceptance testing, and post implementation.

This is how it works:

The vast majority of large companies use ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems). In fact, 98% of Fortune 500 Companies use them.

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) helps recruiters sift through the deluge of Java developer resumes they receive.

The idea behind the ATS is pretty simple and ingenious at the same time.

In short—

They parse resumes in search of keywords. The same keywords that were used in the original job posting.

This is why your Java developer resume job description section must use the language from the job ad.

If it doesn’t, the ATS will deem your coding experience irrelevant. Of all people, Java developers should know the importance of keywords.

But this is not all.

Once your Java developer resume passes the ATS test, it will end up on a recruiter’s computer screen.

Now it must impress the recruiter too.

Here’s what to do:

Remember:

Numbers speak louder than words.

If you find it hard to quantify each and every Java developer resume bullet, fret not.

Do this—

Pick out up to three achievements you’re proud of and put them in a separate key achievements subsection right under your responsibilities.

Full Stack Java Developer Resume—Sample

right

Java Developer
April 2017–January 2019
DaCoderZ, Los Angeles, CA

  • Analyzed and designed program changes. Reviewed and updated requirements documentation, wrote design documents (PRD, FRD, UIRD, TRD, SRS, and SDD).
  • Applied relevant technical skills to deliver specifications, program changes, unit test scripts, and documentation.
  • Planned, documented, and executed tests to ensure code changes meet requirements and specifications.
  • Supported programming changes during quality assurance, user acceptance testing, and post implementation.

Key achievements:

  • Achieved a 30% reduction in the app's memory consumption by eliminating duplicate strings via Garbage Collection Logs analysis and refactoring the code.
  • Recognized and improved code inefficiencies that led to a 40% increase in app stability.

Last but not least.

Look at the wrong example to see what your Java developer resume job description should not look like:

wrong

Java Developer

DaCoderZ, Los Angeles, CA

  • Responsible for analyzing and designing program changes and documentation.
  • Responsible for specifications and scripts.
  • Responsible for testing.
  • Responsible for programming changes at all stages.

If your Java developer resume job description looks like that, expect the success equal to:

if a = 0 then
a = 0
end if

Remember, your Java developer resume must always answer a specific job offer.

What to include in the work experience section on an entry-level Java developer resume?

Well—

Don’t leave it empty. Fill it up with relevant examples from your:

1. Internships.

The strength of an entry-level Java developer resume depends on its experience section. Yes, it’s true that internships don’t get you the money. But they get you much more than this—real-life experience. And this is exactly what your future employers will be paying attention to.

2. Previous gigs, freelancing, online presence.

Do you code in your spare time? Do you help others cope with programming challenges? Make sure it doesn’t go unnoticed. Populate your junior Java developer resume experience section with your most prominent successes.

Not sure how to go about creating your entry-level Java developer resume? Read our guide on how to make your First Resume with No Work Experience

Confused about how you can show off your experience? Populate your Java developer resume with Job Description Bullet Points: Samples & Guide

4. Add Java Developer Skills on a Resume

Listen:

If your Java developer resume could only consist of two keywords, these would be:

Super. Catch.

But the truth is—

You need to be more convincing.

Not to worry.

If your Java developer resume job description is done right, you’ve already said quite a lot.

Let’s give your job description one more look:

Java Developer Resume SampleExperience

right

Java Developer

April 2017–January 2019

DaCoderZ, Los Angeles, CA

  • Analyzed and designed program changes. Reviewed and updated requirements documentation, wrote design documents (PRD, FRD, UIRD, TRD, SRS, and SDD).
  • Applied relevant technical skills to deliver specifications, program changes, unit test scripts, and documentation.
  • Planned, documented, and executed tests to ensure code changes meet requirements and specifications.
  • Supported programming changes during quality assurance, user acceptance testing, and post implementation.

Key achievements:

  • Achieved a 30% reduction in the app's memory consumption by eliminating duplicate strings via Garbage Collection Logs analysis and refactoring the code.
  • Recognized and improved code inefficiencies that led to a 40% increase in app stability.

If we get rid of all the fluff and extract all the person’s skills from the above job description, we’ll end up with something like this:

Java Developer Skills—Example

  • Analytical skills
  • Problem-solving
  • Technical documentation preparation (PRD, FRD, UIRD, TRD, SRS, SDD)
  • Technical skills
  • Organization
  • Testing skills
  • Teamwork

See how it works?

The skills the employer is looking for are already in your Java developer resume work experience section.

They’re not listed as bullet points but rather shown in context. And this makes them even more impressive.

But there’s more to it.

Your skills need to gain more prominence on your Java full stack developer resume.

So—

First of all, look at the skills present in your job description and cherry-pick the ones you take pride in.

Second of all, take another look at the job ad to see if the employer lists other skills (technical skills for example) that are crucial to succeeding in the role.

Got them?

Great!

Add them to your list.

Now, put them in a separate key skills section on your Java developer resume. If you like, you can split the section into two. One for soft skills, the other for hard skills.

Pro Tip: List up to 10 skills and go for the ones you’re proficient at. This way you’ll avoid the so-called presenter’s paradox.

Use the list below as an additional source of inspiration:

Java Developer Skills for Resume

Java Programming Skills Resume

Technical Skills

Soft Skills

Access Specifiers

Cooperation

Exceptions

Multitasking

Generics

Organization

Java Keywords

Teamwork

OOPs Concepts & Patterns

Conflict resolution

Abstract Classes and Interfaces

Oral communication

Constructors

Written communication

File IO and Serialization

Negotiation

JVM and Memory Management

Presentation

Multithreading, Concurrency

Persuasion

Synchronization

Adaptability

Dependency Injection

Troubleshooting

SQL Queries

Facilitating

Stored Procedures

Giving feedback

Triggers

Mentoring

Cursors

Motivation

JSP / Servlets

Supervising

Web Frameworks (Struts, Spring, Hibernate, Wicket, etc.)

Talent management

Service Oriented Architecture

Interpersonal skills

HTML, CSS, Javascript and JQuery

Perseverance

XML and JSON

Resilience

To make sure the soft and technical skills on your Java developer resume have the most impact:

  • Scatter them throughout your entire Java developer resume. Put them in your opening paragraph, experience section, and a dedicated key skills section.
  • Don’t go overboard in the key skills section. List up to 10 skills you’re best at.
  • Focus entirely on relevant skills. Keep the job listing at hand to see what the employer is looking for in candidates. Your skills cannot be random.
  • Check if you have all the skills of a great Java developer here.

Insights from 11 million resumes crafted with our builder show that:

  • On average, the typical resume for a Java Developer includes 6.9 skills.
  • Skills such as RESTful APIs, object-oriented programming, Spring framework, and Hibernate ORM are top choices for Java Developers.
  • The average resume length for Java Developers is 2.3 pages.

Fuzzy about what technical skills to put on your Java developer resume? Jump right into our guide: Technical Skills List: Examples for Resumes Employers Want

5. Highlight Your Education on Your Java Developer Resume

Here’s the thing:

If you have boatloads of experience, monumental portfolio, your employment history knocks recruiters off their feet, Java has never meant an Indonesian island to you, and you happen not to have a diploma—

Don’t bother.

You’ll get a job anyway.

In all other cases—

Take full advantage of the education section of your Java developer resume to up your chances of getting hired.

Here’s how:

Go beyond simple name-dropping. The school name isn’t enough. Add information on the relevant coursework and extracurricular activities that may contribute to your success in the role.

Here’s an example:

Junior Java Developer Resume—Education

RIGHT

2016

UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

BS in Computer Science

GPA 3.9

Relevant coursework:

  • Computer systems architecture
  • Programming languages
  • Algorithms and complexity
  • Automata theory


All facts. No bull.

Just remember:

The education section on your Java developer resume is particularly important on a Java fresher resume. It’s also quite sensible to pay attention to it on a resume for Java developer with 1-year experience.

But—

As your career progresses, recruiters will shift their attention to your professional achievements.

So, when preparing Java resumes with 5+ years of experience limit yourself to graduation date, school name, and degree earned.

Pro Tip: List your GPA only if it’s upwards of 3.5.

Not sure how to go about the education section of your Java developer resume? Here’s a guide just for you: Job-Winning Resume Education Section [Tips & Examples]

6. Add a Cover Letter to Your Java Developer Resume

Writing a cover letter for a Java developer feels like coding in J2SE 1.2.

Well, not quite.

Because cover letters matter.

A well-written cover letter is hard evidence of your communication skills. Also, it allows you to fill in all the blank spaces on your Java developer resume, and, most importantly, a cover letter—

Introduces you behind your achievements.

To make your Java developer cover letter stand out:

  1. Keep it short and sweet.
  2. Tell the story behind your Java developer resume.
  3. Make sure it’s well organized and clearly written.

Looks simple, right?

But that’s until you sit down to writing it.

Not to worry though.

Our complete guide on how to write a perfect cover letter in 8 simple steps will help you.

In fact, we have a series of guides on:

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.

Key Takeaway

There’s more to writing a Java developer resume than listing your technical skills.

To write a Java developer resume that won’t go unnoticed:

  1. Begin with a snappy Java developer resume objective or summary.
  2. Craft a compelling Java developer job description section.
  3. Format your Java developer resume elegantly.

And—

Get ready for the interview.

Are you writing a Java developer resume for the first time? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned programming pro eager to help the rookies out? We’d love to hear from you, leave your comment below!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

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Maciej Duszyński, CPRW
Maciej is a career expert and Certified Professional Resume Writer with a solid background in the education management industry. He's worked with people at all stages of their career paths: from interns to directors to C-suite members, he now helps you find your dream job.
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