Computer Science Resume Sample

It’s no secret that computer science is one of the most in-demand majors in the job market. On average, graduates with computer science degrees have better employment rates, and an average starting salary of $71,500.

So finding the perfect job should be easy, right? Well… not exactly.

For recent graduates entering the workforce (or computer science students looking for an internship), finding the right position can be tough — especially if you don’t have any professional experience under your belt.

So if you want to nail down the perfect gig, these three tried-and-true tips will help you write the perfect computer science resume and give you the edge you need.

1. Lead with a Strong Resume Objective

If you’re currently enrolled in college or a recent graduate, you’re likely applying to jobs with little or no experience. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is a succinct, convincing resume objective.

There’s a lot of misinformation about how to write a good computer science resume objective. Despite what some say, a resume objective should NOT be a statement about what YOU hope to gain from the position you’re applying to. Instead, it should be a quick summary of your skills and what you bring to the company.

For recent graduates or those seeking internships, a good objective should list:

• a title (if you have one) or a valuable character trait (if you don’t)
• your objective
• any relevant experience
• valuable skills you bring to the table

Here’s the resume objective our applicant wrote to kickstart their computer science resume:

Your resume objective should give the hiring manager a quick, informative overview of your abilities, and convince them to give your resume the time it deserves.

2. Emphasize Your Skills

If you are a recent computer science graduate (especially one without any professional experience), clearly listing your skills is the most important thing you can do on your resume.

You want potential employers to see the specific ways you’ve put your skills to use in the past, so that they have a good idea of the value you’d bring if hired.

When showcasing skills on your resume, be sure to follow these three rules:

• Be specific. Instead of saying “skilled at programming,” mention the exact programming languages you’re comfortable using
• Demonstrate past experience by describing how you’ve put your skills to use, whether that’s in the classroom or at work
• Add specific skills to key parts of your resume — especially your experience section and resume objective

3. Change “Work Experience” to “Relevant Experience”

Even if you don’t have a lot of professional experience to add to your resume, chances are you’ve accomplished things either in your free time or the classroom that showcase your abilities.

Listing this experience can be a fantastic way to demonstrate to employers that you have what it takes to hit the ground running. Simply change your “work experience” section to “relevant experience.”

Write this section the same way you would write about your professional experience by adding relevant bullet points and describing your accomplishments. If you’re not sure what to add, consider listing the following types of valuable computer science experience:

• Freelance work. Ever pick up side work, even if it’s just some simple front-end coding? Explain what you did and how you learned from it.
• Personal projects. If you’ve ever built something in your spare time — even just for fun — be sure to elaborate on your experience.
• Schoolwork. There’s a good chance you completed a school project you can talk about that demonstrates your abilities.

The Next Step

By following these key computer science resume tips, you can edge out the competition and land your ideal job or internship.

If you don’t love our applicant’s resume template, check out our full slate of resume templates and pick the one that works for you. Because many computer scientists use LaTeX to create a resume, check out our collection of LaTeX resume templates.

And if you’re looking to make your job search even easier, have a look at our simple-to-use resume builder and craft the ideal resume in just a few short minutes.