Career Change Resume Example (Tips & Samples)
A career change resume sample that gets interviews. Write your resume for career change fast, with expert tips & good + bad examples.
You know how to program, test, and debug. You basically dream in code. But the recruiter doesn’t know you from a spambot. Use this programming resume sample to prove your worth.
Writing a programmer resume is no joke.
There are 1,800 fewer programming jobs each year. In other words?
Your iceberg’s shrinking.
Plus, you’re up against millions of other applicants from all over the world.
It’s terrifying, but—
A well-developed programming resume stands out like Ken Silverman in a mob of luddites.
In this guide:
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Carl Vera
Java Programmer
Personal Info
Phone: 352-895-7805
E-mail: carlzvera@gmail.com
www.carlvera.com
stackoverflow.com/users/338122/carlzvera
linkedin.com/in/carlzvera
twitter.com/carlzvera
Summary
Prolific Java programmer with 4+ years of experience and strong history of RESTful and JSP programming. Seeking to deliver efficient programming for OddPointer. At Laurel Barrie Financial, programmed an average of 10+ native Java apps per year, beating deadlines by 15%. Cut testing time by 20% and onboarded 12 programmers.
Experience
Java Developer
Laurel Barrie Financial, Gainesville, FL
2016–2019
Junior Java Programmer
BadCode Software
2015–2016
Education
BS Computer Science, University of Miami
2010–2014
Java Projects
Investistar
Freelance Project, 2014
Wrote a Java-based Android stock tracker that was downloaded 2,500+ times with a 4.7-star Google Play rating.
Donnie Permuth Plumbing A/R
Freelance Project, 2014
Developed accounts payable system for local plumbing company that saved $30,000 a year in unpaid accounts and saved 5 hours a week.
Vera Player
Freelance Project, 2013
Developed a Java-based media player for Android.
Hard Skills: Java, RESTful, JSP, HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, JSON, C
Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills, collaboration, problem solving, efficiency
The programming job market is shrinking. But other coding jobs are growing fast. See these computer programming resume guides:
Trying to put programmer on a resume? Coming into programming from another job? Try this guide: Resume for a Career Change
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume samples.
Here’s how to write a programmer resume that works:
Question:
What do you think when you see code riddled with simple errors?
Lazy? Rookie?
Well—
Hiring teams think that when they see amateur formatting in a resume for programmers.
So—
Use the reverse-chronological layout to look professional. It serves up the most important facts about you first.
Use these resume formatting tips:
Expert Hint: There are 250,000 programmer jobs in the US. In 10 years, there will be 17,900 less. That’s why you must tailor your resume to the job you want.
It’s a fact:
Employers won’t read your computer programmer resume.
They’ll give it a cursory glance. If you don’t hook their interest fast, you’re cooked.
So—
Start with a career summary or resume objective.
In it, put:
These programmer resume examples show the requirements:
Don’t miss this.
Both programming resume samples mention testing, building apps, and onboarding. But—
The first adds 10+, 15%, 20%, and 12. That’s proof your skills are real.
But what about a resume for programmers with no experience?
See this entry-level programmer resume sample:
Can you spot the error?
The first of those computer programmer resume examples gives details like 2,500+, 4.7-star, and $30K per year.
The second just says, “I can do it, trust me.”
Expert Hint: Programmer salaries run from $50K to $100K. You may need to kiss a lot of frogs. But the prince won’t kiss back for a weak programming resume summary or objective. The key: save your sanity and write it last.
What skills belong in a programmer resume?
See this list:
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
Java | Interpersonal Skills |
JSP | Collaboration |
RESTful | Communication |
JavaScript, JSON | Problem Solving |
HTML5, CSS3, XML | Time Management |
Debugging, Testing | Efficiency |
C, C++, Perl, Visual Basic | Attention to Detail |
Python | Organization |
Pairs Programming | Multi-Tasking |
Sprints, Scrum | Critical Thinking |
But be careful.
Don’t list them all. Employers see through that like ninja comments.
To write a programmer job description for resumes:
See the first of these software programmer resume samples:
Say the job ad wants these programmer skills: Java, testing, collaboration, training.
Experience
Java Developer
Laurel Barrie Financial, Gainesville, FL
2016–2019
There’s a clear winner.
The second of those computer programmer resume examples doesn’t mention Java, testing, collaboration, or training.
The first does. Then it adds 10+, 15%, and other features.
Plus—
That works just as well with entry-level resumes.
What if the job needs these programmer skills: mobile app development, updating legacy code, collaboration, efficiency.
See this entry-level programming resume example:
Java Projects
Investistar
Freelance Project, 2019
Wrote a mobile Android stock tracker app that was downloaded 2,500+ times with a 4.7-star Google Play rating.
Donnie Permuth Plumbing A/R
Freelance Project, 2019
Updated legacy code with new accounts payable system for local plumbing company. Saved $30,000 a year in unpaid accounts and 5 hours a week.
Team Member
Dominoes
2014–2019
Team Member
Dominoes
2014–2019
Wow.
The first computer programmer’s resume example is the full package. The numbers add zing.
Plus—
Note how it adds transferable skills from other jobs.
Expert Hint: Is programming the right job for you? Other coding jobs are growing 12% faster than average. Before you write that programming resume, consider other options.
The bad news?
Everybody went to school.
But your resume education section can’t make you look like everybody.
This game programmer resume sample shows the method:
Education
BS Computer Science, University of Miami
2010–2014
That’s multithreaded.
You’re showing education while you prove your skills.
Expert Hint: Add GPA (3.8 or higher) to your resume education section only if you’re writing an entry-level resume or have less than 2 years of professional experience.
Let’s move you to a higher class.
Don’t just list your work experience and education.
Add extra features to keep them reading.
Try 1–2 of these:
This sample programmer analyst resume does it right:
Portfolio
www.carlvera.com
Certifications
Additional Activities
Conferences
Additional Activities
Not even close.
The first of those software programmer resume examples shows you’re switched on. It touts a few more skills not listed in your other sections.
One last thing—
Your portfolio (or link to your GitHub or StackOverflow page) is key. It gives employers a chance to see what you can really do.
Expert Hint: Do you need to write a cover letter? Yes. A programming resume without one may get read. But why risk it when so many hiring teams insist on them.
Here’s how to write a programmer resume:
Got questions on how to write great resumes for programmer jobs? Not sure how to put programmer on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
A career change resume sample that gets interviews. Write your resume for career change fast, with expert tips & good + bad examples.
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