Programmer Resume Example

How to write a programmer resume

Employers always need capable computer programmers to build applications and debug software.

But getting a job in this competitive field isn’t easy. To make a positive first impression on employers, you’ll need a strong resume that highlights your skills and which programming languages you can use.

Follow these four tips to help you write a great programmer resume.

Highlight your programmer resume skills

Computer programming is highly technical. To impress hiring managers, you need to jampack your resume skills section with your most valuable qualifications.

Be specific about the coding languages you’re proficient in and your relevant technical skills. You should also add how long you’ve been using those languages and skills. The timeframe you provide sets your resume apart from others who have the same skillset but less hands-on experience.

If you’re not sure what skills to put on your resume, check out this list of popular programmer skills to help you get started:

• GUI
• Scripting
• OOAD and RAD
• SAS
• Perl
• Python
• Go
• Cobol
• jQuery
• MongoDB
• Swift
• Java
• Linux
• Oracle SQL
• UltraEdit
• C++, C#
• Apple iOS, MacOS, Windows XP
• XML, HTML
• Critical Thinking
• Quality control
• Analytical skills

A bonus tip for listing programmer skills on a resume is to group them by type. Having a bullet point dedicated to languages, operating systems, and tools will help make your resume easier to read.

Create a programming projects section

If you have less professional experience, adding a dedicated programming projects section to your resume is a great way to make yourself stand out. In fact, adding this information has become the industry standard for programmers with less professional experience.

The projects you choose to list here should be tailored to the position you want.

For example, if you want to become a programmer for a design firm, highlight the creative projects you’ve worked on. On the other hand, if you’re applying to a traditional tech firm, list your most technically impressive projects.

If you’re still in school, add projects you completed either for classes or in your spare time. Even if you’ve only worked on minor projects, this still shows you have room to grow and take initiative.

Here’s an example of what a projects section looks like on a programmer resume:

Programmer Resume Projects Section

PROJECTS

Quicksilver Booking | Developer

Description: A mobile hotel booking solution for iOS. Pulls and compares the best hotel prices in a geographical area.
Used: Swift, Javascript, C++

• Worked across the development lifecycle to build and maintain code, eliminating 150 unique bugs.
• Developed dynamic components for the app and created a new landing page that streamlined customer experience.
• Built a new feature using Swift to automatically compare competing discount offers.

Add hard numbers to your achievements

Since programming is highly technical work, your success is often measured in data. One of the best ways to show employers what you’re capable of is by providing exact numbers demonstrating your achievements.

Did you develop a program that saved X amount of dollars? Did you implement a strategy that saved X amount of turnaround time? Or increase accuracy by a certain percentage?

How many projects did you complete at your last job? Did you manage a team? If so, how many people?

There are many ways to turn your experience into hard numbers that concretely illustrate your output and value to a potential employer.

Example:

Implemented a new processing system, reducing turnaround time by 12%.

Open with a strong programmer resume summary

A good programmer resume summary is essential to getting noticed by busy hiring managers.

A resume summary is a short paragraph describing your key qualifications and skills.

In this competitive field, hiring managers will be reading countless resumes from candidates with similar skill sets. A well-written resume summary helps you stand out from the competition and immediately get noticed.

Here’s an example of a strong programmer resume summary:

IT Professional with 9+ years of experience in developing web, batch, and business intelligence solutions for diverse industry clients. Highly instrumental in all phases of the SDLC, with expertise in algorithms and data structures. Successful in developing bespoke solutions, optimizing business procedures, processes, and productivity.

Make a strong programmer resume

Now that you know how to write a great computer programmer resume, it’s time to get to work. But starting a resume from scratch isn’t easy. If you need to save some time, try downloading a basic resume template to jumpstart the process and help you format your resume properly.