Computer Science (CS) Resume Template & Examples for 2024

Most computer science resumes aren’t worth the SMTP packets that enclose them. They’re random and generic.

Say the right things in the right order and you’ll turn heads like Sergey Brin or Barbara Liskov.

This guide will show you:

• A computer science resume template better than most.
• How to nail your computer science job description on a resume.
• How to write a CS resume that gets the interview.
• Why choosing the right few computer science resume skills is the #1 hack to get hired.

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Looking for another kind of resume? Have a look at these guides: 

• Android Developer Resume
• Computer Science Internship Resume
• Cybersecurity Resume
• Game Design Resume
• iOS Developer Resume
• IT Support Resume
• Machine Learning Resume
• Programmer Resume
• Software Engineering Resume
• Systems Engineer Resume
• Tableau Developer Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples for any job.

Computer Science Resume Template

Computer Science Specialists manage and maintain computer systems and networks for organizations. They have deep knowledge of computer hardware, software, and networks. They also must be able to diagnose and troubleshoot any issues that may arise within computer systems.

Now, here’s how to write a computer science resume:

1. Pick the Right Computer Science Resume Format

Computer science is a broad term and there are a lot of competitors in terms of finding a new job. That's why your customer science resume needs to stand out. 

How to do it when yuo only have a few seconds (that's the average time a recruiter spends on a resume)? 

You need to go with the best resume format for your CS resume.

What is the best format for a computer science resume?

• Pick the reverse-chronological resume format. It puts your most recent wins up top.
• Use the best resume fonts, 10–14pt, 1-inch margins, white space, big headings.
• Add a portfolio link to your CS resume. If you don’t, some other CS pro will bag your unicorn job.
• Write a one page resume unless you’ve been around longer than Grace Hopper. Less than 5% of Google hirees use longer resumes.
• Create a resume header with name, phone number, email address, social media links. No snail mail, no photo.
• After the header, add a computer science resume objective, then work experience and education. Also, don't forget your computer science skills and programming languages.
• Add resume extras like projects, publications, and additional activities to make jaws drop.

Expert Hint: Use a computer science major resume PDF unless the job ad deprecates them. Why? PDF resumes won’t fubar in transit and they’re machine-readable.

2. Write a Killer Computer Science Resume Objective or Summary

What goes first?

Start with a heart-thumping resume objective (or professional summary for resume). It should tell the hiring manager you know FAT isn’t a weight problem.

Add:

1. An adjective (problem-solving, hard-working, creative)

2. Job title (computer science specialist)

3. Years of experience (1+, 5+)

4. How you’ll help (solve problems)

5. Flashiest achievements (led 4-person team)

These two computer science resume examples give the foo and bar:

Computer Science Resume Summary—Example

Passionate computer science specialist with 3 internships and 15 projects. Seeking to solve problems for Ken C. at Google with proven skills in C# and leadership. At Pralucitronics, commended 5x by managers for efficiency and a solution that eliminated 15,000 lines of code.

Energetic, passionate, hard-working, bright computer science specialist, skilled in C#, C, C++, Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, MySQL, XML. Seeking job where I can really dig into some fun projects and show my stuff.

Congrats, padawan. That first computer science resume sample blows the doors off. The accomplishments and metrics will make employers chew their nails.

What if You’ve Got No Computer Science Experience?

You have achievements. Easter-egg them in your entry-level computer science resume objective.

Entry Level Computer Science Resume Objective—Sample

Well-versed computer science pro with proven skills in software engineering. Seeking to solve problems for Jim D. at MeetGood, Inc. Took 1st place in TopCoder Coding Challenge,January 2017. Led a 20-member volunteer team using C# to develop a 500+ hour multiplayer black-ops type game. Also built a real-time tax forecaster and a spam classifier with Python.

Entry-level computer science enthusiast with a few successful freelance projects accomplished. Willing to develop coding skills in C++, XML, Java, Python in the professional environment.

Pow.

No computer science jobs, but still a professional entry-level computer science resume summary.

Remember: a computer scientist resume objective used to be all about you. You’ll get more notice if you show how you can help.

Expert Hint: Create your computer science student resume objective or resume summary last. That’ll give you all the best components to build with.

3. Write a Perfect Computer Science Resume Job Description

Most don’t know:

A good resume job description picks the right few accomplishments. Once you know how, employers will see you as the next Ken Thompson.

Here’s how:

1. Read the job ad.

2. Highlight the computer science resume skills and duties.

3. Write resume bullets that show you live and breathe those things.

These computer science resume examples show the source code:

Computer Science Resume Job Description—Example

Experience

Pralucitronics
Software Development Intern
May–Aug 2017

• Led 4-person team writing iPhone app and web app for Pralucite, a tool that helps children on the autism spectrum to communicate via pictures.
• Commended 5x by management for development skills.
• Created new code branch that eliminated 15,000 lines of code.

MeetGood Inc.
Software Engineering Intern
2016–2016

• Developed iPhone and Android apps for MeetGood, a smartphone-based business card replacement using bump technology.
• Debugged 125 code branches in C#, Python, and Java.

Internships, 2016 & 2017

• Worked on programming for webapps and mobile apps.
• Responsible for debugging.
• Handled coding duties and responsibilities in a tech startup.

Why does #1 nuke it from orbit? Those metrics and measured work achievements sell your skills.

Entry-Level Computer Science Resume Example

You can stand out even with no experience on the resume. Do it with projects, like this computer science resume sample:

And focus on your computer science resume skills.

Dodge this bullet:

Don’t use resume skills from online lists. To employers, that’s worse than blindly copy-pasted code.

Instead:

1. Pick the right computer science skills from the job ad.

2. List them in your resume for computer science jobs.

3. Pack your resume bullets with measurable proof.

Job ad wants: (1) efficiency (2) research (3) C#.

Abernathy Wodge Healthcare
Programming Intern
2015–2015

• Developed project that increased (1) efficiency of data virtualization tools by 15%.
• Provided daily (2) research for scrum team members.
• Used (3) C# to write 4 interfaces that analyzed log data.

That computer science resume example hard-codes you to the job. The #’s and % show it’s IRL.

Showcase your skills, but again, avoid long skill lists.

Instead, pick those that are most relevant to the computer science job you’re applying for. Many of these you'll find in the job ad in the form of resume keywords. Add about 4-10 skills, and you're golden. Also, keep your programming languages in a separate section unless you only know one or two of them.

These computer science skills & programming languages are pretty common:

Computer Science Resume Skills

Coding Languages:

• SQL
• JavaScript
• Python
• Java
• C++
• IOS
• C#
• PHP
• Ruby/Rails

Hard Skills:

• Data Structures
• Coding
• Machine Learning
• Web Development
• Security
• Logic
• Open Source Experience
• Math
• Networks

Soft Skills:

• Leadership
• Critical Thinking
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Calm Demeanor
• Inquisitiveness
• Communication
• Enthusiasm
• Diversity of Interest

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Expert Hint: What are the best computer science jobs in America? According to UIC, systems engineer jobs are better than college professor, CPA, PA, and financial analyst positions.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Who knew?

There are two ways to show education on computer science resumes. One gets you hired. The other’s kludge. These computer science resume examples show the wiki:

Computer Science Resume Example—Education

Education

BS in Computer Science, Northwest Christian University
2014–2018

• GPA 3.96
• Magna Cum Laude
• Excelled in open source coding coursework.
• Pursued a passion for C# classes.

Education

BS in Computer Science, Northwest Christian University
2014–2018

• Excelled in history classes
• President of the bodybuilding club

That first computer science resume sample will slashdot you with interview requests.

It proves you had it dialed even as a noob.

Expert Hint: Is your computer science resume experience still initializing? Write a bigger education section. Partition it into projects, groups, and accomplishments.

5. Pack Your Computer Science Resume With These

For superusers:

Most CS resumes are clones. So, you must inject personality in yours to stand out. How?

With resume extras that don’t just say “I’m passionate.” These two computer science resume examples will help you pwn it:

CS Resume Example—Bonus Sections

Portfolio: jillmacateer.com

Activities

• 2016—At hackNY, led 30-member session on machine learning.
• 2017—Planned and organized 4 local computer science networking events.
• 2018—President, TechDisrupt Gaming Organization. Raised attendance by 150%.

Publications

• Article on machine learning linked to by TechCrunch.
• Interviewed on Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast about AI development.

Conferences

• Attended IEEE Computer Vision conference, 2018.
• At Neural Information Processing Systems conference 2017, spoke on panel about pattern recognition.

Additional Activities

• Attend various hackathons and conferences.
• Enjoy playing multiplayer online games.

Those first computer science resume samples prove your DNA is written in C#.

Warning! Put a portfolio link in your computer science entry-level resume. CS employers expect it. Stackoverflow and Git links work too.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Expert Hint: For bonus points, learn how to write a cover letter for computer science jobs. Most employers won’t read them, but almost half insist on them.

Haven't written your cover letter yet? See:

• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter
• IT Cover Letter
• Web Developer Cover Letter

Key Points

To write a great computer science resume:

• Start with the computer science resume template up top. It’ll drive more interviews to your inbox.
• Fit your technical resume to the job like XML to SGML. How? With achievements in your bullets that match the job ad.
• Don’t be basic. Even education on a resume for computer science jobs must show accomplishments that fit.
• Add a portfolio link. It’ll help employers get excited about you and ignore the other candidates.

Got questions on how to write a great resume for computer science jobs? Not sure how to show computer science on a resume? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.

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