Junior Java Developer Resume: Sample & Guide

So you’re looking to get into Java development.

You might have just graduated from college, or maybe you’re a career changer.

You might be completely new, or maybe you designed a few apps on the side.

Doesn’t matter.

Not unless your junior Java developer resume is laced front to back with elegant structure and is completely free of bugs and endless loops.

Read on, and you’ll find out how to make that happen.

This guide will show you:

• A junior Java developer resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a junior Java developer resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a junior Java developer resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a junior Java developer to get any job you want.

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Junior Java Developer Resume Sample

This is how you write a junior Java developer resume:

1. Format Your Junior Java Developer Resume Perfectly

Junior Java developers create business and web applications for platforms, collaborating with senior employees to write and implement Java code and perform unit-testing. Your junior Java developer resume has to show you have both the know-how and the soft skills to make this happen. 

The problem, however, is that recruiters are ruthless and if they can’t look upon your resume and get what they need straight away—

You get stamped with a big, fat “No”. This is all the more likely seeing as in the United States (and likely the whole wide world), software dev jobs are not going anywhere, and are growing at a much faster rate than average. 

To avoid that, you need to create a resume that has an immaculate structure, just like your code.

Follow these steps to a proper resume layout:

• Start off by placing a resume header at the top and adding contact information to your resume. 
• Pick the chronological resume format. It puts your newest job at the top, so the recruiter won’t have to claw through your entire resume to get to the good parts.
• Separate your resume sections with plenty of white space and distinct headings. Use one-inch margins on your resume. 
• Use a clear font. Avoid clutter and above all, make sure your resume is reader-friendly.
• Lastly, save the resume file as a PDF (unless specifically told not to do so) to keep everything intact.

Remember that you have limited space to work with. How many pages should a resume be, anyway? It’s a matter that’s up for discussion for seasoned pros, but for entry-level resumes, you should never go over one page. 

Read more: What Should a Resume Look Like: Examples and Tips

2. Craft a Junior Java Developer Resume Summary or Objective

Each great resume has a short, personal, introductory statement at the top. It’s called a resume profile.

Think of it as an elevator pitch, except instead of selling an idea, you’re selling yourself.

How do you go about writing it? Well, first you have to decide between writing a resume summary or a resume objective.

If you’re applying for junior roles, then chances are you don’t have a lot of experience (either in Java development or at all). A resume objective is the best choice for juniors and for career-change resumes. 

Your objective should focus on highlighting your transferable skills and emphasizing how your knowledge would work in a Java framework. You can also mention a relevant academic achievement, or a measurable accomplishment from another role that helps to prove your skills in development. 

In case you’re interested (or for future reference!), a resume summary condenses your work history into 3–4 sentences. It’s the resume profile of choice for candidates who have at least 2 years’ worth of experience and definitely include your most impressive achievements in order to score.

Read more: Best Resume Introduction Examples

3. Compile a Junior Java Developer Experience Section

Hiring managers with 300+ resumes on their desks cannot afford to waste time focusing on imperfect candidates. The work experience section is the part of your resume that can decide your fate in a flash. Let me show you how to do it right.

Prepare a list of your past jobs. Include only the most relevant ones, thus tailoring your resume to the particular job.

Using the reverse chronological order, place the most recent one at the top. For each one, provide the company name, job title, and tenure. Then, list up to 5 or 6 of those achievements and duties in a bullet list (less as you go back in time).

Here are a few other key things to keep in mind:

• Quantify your professional achievements by adding numbers. “Wrote code” and “Performed routine debugging” doesn’t sound as good as “Analyzed files to facilitate problem resolution, decreasing downtime by 25%”.
• Use action verbs. They help to keep the reader engaged and interested.

Writing your resume this way avoids rejection by the Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, which should be one of your main goals.

Is your experience more JavaScript than Java? Not much to show for yourself in this section? Consider moving the education portion up and the professional history down. Remember, the golden rule of resume writing is putting the important elements higher up.

Read more: Resume Bullet Points: How to Write Them & How Many to Use

4. Debug Your Education on a Junior Java Developer Resume

Lots of people trip up here, and that’s a big mistake. When you’re applying for entry-level positions, the education section often comes to your rescue as a means of showing off your merit.

Start off by providing the name, and location of your school, plus the degree you have or are in the process of getting.

Then, you want to get ahead of the competition by adding extra details, like some of the following:

• GPA on your resume: If it’s high enough, say above 3.5, include it for sure.
• Relevant coursework: This one is potentially big. If you did computer science and were particularly good at Java-related courses, definitely mention that.
• Extracurricular activities: Such as running a club for amateur coders or helping out with a local business’s website management.
• Dean’s list and honors on diploma: Worth bragging about your academic achievements.

If you’re still in college working towards your first degree, include your high school education too. Just the name and location of your high school, plus the year you graduated, will suffice. 

Read more: How to Put Your Degree on a Resume

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.

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5. Showcase Your Java Skills on a Junior Java Developer Resume

Java has evolved plenty in the past few years. With two updates per year, it exponentially increases the number of skills you need to possess in order to keep up with the newly introduced features and expanded functionality.

So, to put it in resume-writing terms—

There’s going to be a lot of pressure on your skills section.

Here’s how to get it done right:

• Build a master list of skills, divided into the categories of soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills.
• Scan the job ad for the most relevant resume keywords. They should tell you exactly what the company is looking for, so they won’t exactly be burying that information and making it an InaccessibleObject.
• When you find a skill they’re after on your master spreadsheet, put it in the skills section!

Below is a sample list to reference when thinking about your skills:

Junior Java Developer Sample Resume Skills

• Java
• HTML, CSS, PHP, J2EE, JQuery, JavaScript
• XML and JSON
• iOS, Android
• Web Frameworks
• Debugging
• Website Development
• Coding
• Preparing Unit Test Cases
• MVC
• JSP, Servlets
• Technical Skills
• Computer Skills
• Analytical Thinking Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Detail-Oriented Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Time Management Skills

Congrats: you’ve just tailored your skills section to the job ad. Make sure you include up to 10 skills in list form, and weave the rest into your work history, objective, and education sections. 

Read more: Picking the Best Skills to Put on a Resume

6. Put Extra Sections onto Your Junior Java Developer Resume

It’s incredibly important to establish yourself as more than just another dispassionate Joe Schmoe in it for the paycheck and cushy do-nothing jobs.

Why?

The supply and demand for software engineer positions is growing exponentially in the U.S.

The same goes for Java, which has become an incredibly dominant force and is the #1 language for DevOps, AI, BigData, and others.

Simply put, you either stand out or fall behind.

You can do the former via extra resume sections that show you have the fire and energy to actually make an impact in the company. Check out these ideas:

• Language skills
• Programming projects
• Certifications and licenses
• Memberships
• Volunteering work and freelance gigs

Read more: What to Put on a Resume

7. Attach a Cover Letter with a Junior Java Developer Resume

A resume with no cover letter is like a website without jQuery these days.

And recruiters agree—with around 45% decidedly rejecting applications without a letter attached, according to our HR stats. 

• Before you begin writing, opt for the right cover letter format.
• Lead off with a cover letter opening that turns heads. Talk yourself up to prove you’re the real deal.
• Expand on what makes you the right choice for the company, and why you chose to apply for a position with them in particular.
• End your cover letter with a call to action.

Pro Tip: After a week has passed, feel free to follow up on your application. Seriously: it’s far more likely to be interpreted as genuine interest rather than nagging, so don’t hesitate!

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:

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And with that, you’re done!

A spectacular resume for a junior Java dev!

Thanks for reading. Do you have any doubts about the education section? Maybe some queries on debugging the skills on your junior Java developer resume? Go ahead and give us a shout in the comments!