8 Computer Science Resume Examples & Writing Guide
Use our professionally crafted computer science resume examples and expert writing guide to build a standout resume that gets you to the next stage of the hiring process. Also, be sure to write a strong computer science cover letter to complete your application.
Need more inspiration? Check out our other resume samples for every industry.
Computer science resume template (text format)
Our resume templates provide the perfect structure — just add this content to start building your resume.
Computer science resume template (text format)
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: your.email@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7891
Address: Street, City, State
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
RESUME OBJECTIVE
Dedicated computer science professional with [number] years of experience. Seeking to leverage my experience in [relevant abilities] to fill the [Job Title] position. Hold a [degree/diploma/certification] in [Degree/Diploma/Certification Title]. Skilled at [2–3 relevant skills]. A [adjective #1] and [adjective #2] worker aiming to contribute to the success of [Company Name].
EDUCATION
GPA: 3.X/4.0 (optional)
Latin honors (if applicable)
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Include a bulleted list of your achievements as a computer science professional
- Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “develop” or “manage”) to grab attention
- Use the present tense for your current role, unless describing a completed project or initiative
- Use hard numbers when possible to quantify your accomplishments as a computer science professional
- Mention how you’ve used some of the technical skills listed in your skills section to demonstrate your mastery of these abilities
- List relevant accomplishments from your previous role as a computer science professional
- Assuming you’re no longer working in this role, use past tense verbs to describe your work
- Include 3–6 bullet points for each tech-related role, both your current one and previous ones
- Skip the pronoun “I” and begin directly with a verb
- Although you’ll usually list work experience, feel free to include tech-relevant internships as well as any volunteer work and extracurricular activities if you lack formal work experience
SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS
- List skills and certifications relevant to the tech job you’re applying for
- Look at the job description for ideas of the skills the employer wants and that are common in the tech sector
- Emphasize computer science-related hard skills and technical skills in this section
- Be as specific as possible by including names of tools, equipment, and software you’ve mastered that are used in the field of computer science
Computer science resume examples for different jobs and experience levels
Check out the following expert-crafted resume samples to use as references when writing your own resume.
Computer science student resume
Creating a compelling resume is crucial for computer science students seeking internships or entry-level positions in the tech industry.
Computer science student example highlights
- Relevant experience: The resume showcases valuable hands-on experiences through projects and competitions. These experiences directly align with the student’s expertise in cybersecurity and demonstrate practical application of their skills.
- Certifications: This student showcases their certifications on their resume, which shows that they’re serious about computer science and choose to learn more outside the classroom.
Computer science internship resume
Securing an internship is an essential step for computer science students looking to gain practical experience and stand out in the competitive job market. In order to impress recruiters, you’ll need an effective computer science intern resume like this one:
Computer science intern example highlights
- Relevant coursework: The candidate highlights relevant coursework on their resume to demonstrate a solid academic foundation in core computer science concepts and skills relevant to many internship roles.
- Passion and motivation: The opening statement highlights the candidate’s keen interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with a strong motivation to gain practical experience through a summer internship.
CSE student resume
Whether you’re seeking an internship or your first full-time role in the tech industry, this example will show you how to highlight your skills, experience, and education effectively:
CSE student example highlights
- Hard numbers: The candidate is good at quantifying achievements on their resume. These metrics provide tangible evidence of the candidate’s contributions and impact in their previous roles, which enhances their credibility and increases their chances of getting hired.
- Skills and certifications: Including additional skills and certifications demonstrates the candidate’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Computer science major resume
In the competitive tech industry, a well-crafted resume is necessary to effectively showcase your expertise, accomplishments, and potential contributions to the company you’re applying to.
Computer science major example highlights
- Clear objective: The resume includes a concise resume objective that outlines the candidate’s key experience, skills, and career goals.
- Project highlights: The projects section highlights significant achievements and outcomes of relevant projects, showcasing the candidate’s ability to tackle real-world problems and deliver tangible results.
Computer science graduate resume
The following example demonstrates how to effectively showcase technical skills, internship experience, and relevant projects on a resume:
Computer science graduate example highlights
- Provides context: The candidate discusses how they have applied their skills in their experience section, which allows hiring managers to get a sense of the scope of their abilities.
- Internship experience: The resume’s internship section provides detailed examples of the candidate’s hands-on experience with data analysis, machine learning, and collaborative problem-solving within a professional setting.
Computer science resume for a candidate with no experience
Even if you lack formal experience, a well-structured resume allows you to effectively highlight your achievements, independent projects, and technical skills:
Computer science resume (no experience) example highlights
- Clear structure: This resume’s layout is well-organized, with clearly defined sections for objective, projects, education, certifications, and additional skills, making it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to scan quickly.
- Demonstrated technical proficiency: Despite no formal work experience, the candidate demonstrates proficiency in multiple programming languages and technologies in their projects, certifications, and additional skills sections.
Entry-level computer science resume
As an entry-level candidate, your resume serves as your initial introduction to employers, offering them a glimpse into your skills, qualifications, and potential as a budding professional. Reference the example below when writing your own resume:
Entry-level computer science resume example highlights
- Clear career focus: The candidate demonstrates a clear focus on cybersecurity, aligning their experience, projects, and skills with their career aspirations. Potential employers always appreciate when entry-level candidates show a sense of direction and purpose.
- Details project experience: The candidate includes relevant projects on their resume, demonstrating hands-on experience with cybersecurity concepts and technologies and showcasing their job-relevant skills.
How to write a computer science resume
Computer science is one of the most in-demand majors on the job market. However, to land your dream job, you’ll need a resume that sets you apart from other applicants.
Whether you have years of experience or are just entering the workforce, these three tips will help you write a computer science resume that gives you the edge you need to get invited in for an interview.
1. Lead with a strong resume objective
One of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is a succinct, convincing resume objective. This applies to experienced computer scientists and recent graduates alike.
Instead of focusing on what you hope to gain from the position you’re applying for, your resume objective should give hiring managers a quick summary of your qualifications and what you can accomplish professionally.
A good computer science resume objective includes:
- Your title (“computer science student” or “computer science graduate” is also acceptable)
- Years of experience (if any)
- Degrees and certifications
- Relevant skills
- A statement explaining how you plan on using your skills and experience to benefit the company
Here are some examples:
Resume objective for a recent computer science graduate
Recent Computer Science graduate with one year of hands-on experience building and testing applications for Android, iOS, and Windows. Experienced in 5+ programming languages, particularly Java and Python. Seeking to use my backend development experience in an entry-level position at Whisker Software.
Computer science resume objective for an experienced candidate
Experienced software engineer with 5+ years of hands-on experience in full-stack development, specializing in backend technologies such as Node.js and database management with SQL. Committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive business growth and enhance user experiences in dynamic, collaborative environments.
Computer science resume objective for a career changer
Accomplished project manager transitioning to a career in computer science, bringing a strong foundation in leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Currently pursuing a degree in computer science with a focus on machine learning and AI, with a goal of applying analytical skills and domain knowledge to develop innovative tech solutions.
2. Emphasize your technical skills
In your skills section, make a list of your hard skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Here’s a list of some of the most in-demand skills in the computer science field:
Programming languages | Database management | Software development |
---|---|---|
Python | SQL | Object-oriented programming |
Java | NoSQL | Functional programming |
C/C++ | Database design | Design patterns |
Scala | Query optimization | Software architecture |
PHP | ACID principles | Agile methodologies |
TypeScript | Data warehousing | Version control |
Perl | Data modeling tools | DevOps practices |
R | Indexing strategies | Test-driven development |
It’s not enough to just list skills in your skills section. In your work experience section bullet points, describe how you’ve put your skills to use, whether that’s in the classroom or at work.
Here’s a good example:
- Developed interactive user interfaces and dynamic web applications using Vue.js, enhancing user experience and engagement by implementing responsive design principles and efficient state management
3. Write an achievements-oriented experience section
Rather than read a long list of responsibilities you held at your last job, employers want to know what you achieved in previous roles.
Additionally, to make your experience section even more compelling, back up your claims with hard numbers where possible.
Take a look at these two examples:
- Contributed to a full revamp of the flagship app’s homepage
- Used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to contribute to a full revamp of the flagship app’s homepage, leading to a 16% increase in click rates
While the first example does highlight an achievement, the second example is more effective because it specifies both which programming languages were used to update the webpage, and how much the click rate increased as a result.
Here are some common quantifiable metrics for computer science resumes:
- Website traffic or user engagement
- App store ratings and reviews
- Bug fix rate
- Page load time optimization
- User conversion rate
- Project downloads or installs
- Database query performance
- Algorithm efficiency
- Security vulnerabilities mitigated
- Test coverage
- Code review feedback incorporation
- API response time
- Memory usage optimization
- Deployment frequency
How to write a computer science student resume (with no experience)
Even if you don’t have a lot of professional experience to add to your resume, chances are you’ve got other achievements that belong in your resume’s experience section.
For an entry-level computer science resume, write this section the same way you would write about your professional experience by adding relevant bullet points and quantifying your accomplishments. If you’re not sure what to add, consider listing the following types of computer science experience:
- Freelance work – If you’ve been involved in short-term freelance projects, you should include them on your resume. Explain who you worked for, what you did, and how you learned from it.
- Personal projects – If you’ve ever worked on a programming project in your spare time, be sure to elaborate on it.
- Schoolwork – Highlight school projects or relevant coursework that demonstrates your abilities.
- Internships – If you haven’t accumulated any professional experience yet, list your internships in your computer science resume’s experience section.
Even with no experience, you can strengthen your resume with a well-written cover letter. Study the job description to decide whether a computer science cover letter or a software engineer cover letter is right for your application.
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