Programmer Resume—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

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:

• A programmer resume sample better than most.
• How to write a resume for programmer jobs they’ll notice.
• How to compose the perfect programmer job description for resumes.
• Why you can’t just list programming skills (and what to do instead).

 Create a job-winning resume with little effort. Hack your way through ATS software with our 18 beautiful templates—give our builder a try!

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Programmer Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

The programming job market is shrinking. But other coding jobs are growing fast. See these computer programming resume guides:

• Computer Science Resume Sample & Guide
• Software Engineer Developer Sample & Guide
• Web Developer Resume Sample & Guide
• UX Designer / UI Developer Resume Sample & Guide
• Web Designer Resume Sample & Guide
• DevOps Resume Sample & Guide

Hunting a programming internship? See our guide: Internship Resume Sample & Guide

Trying to put programmer on a resume? Coming into programming from another job? Try this guide: Resume for a Career Change

Here’s how to write a programmer resume that works:

1. Choose a Professional Programmer Resume Format

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:

Programmer Resume Format

• Make a 1-page resume with 1-inch margins.
• Write with a respected resume font like Didot or Cambria in 10–12pt.
• Add resume sections like Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Leave negative space so you don’t overload recruiters’ eyes.
• Save it as a PDF resume. They translate well to all machines.

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.

2. Write a Programmer Resume Objective or Summary

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:

1. An adjective (prolific, energetic)
2. The word “programmer”
3. Years of experience (1+, 5+)
4. Who/how you want to help (deliver efficient programming for OddPointer)
5. Best programmer moments (Cut testing time by 20%...)
6. A couple job skills (testing, onboarding...).

These programmer resume examples show the requirements:

Programmer Resume Summary—Example

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:

Entry-Level Programmer Resume Objective

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. 

3. Optimize Your Programmer Job Description

What skills belong in a programmer resume?

See this list:

Programmer Resume Skills

But be careful.

Don’t list them all. Employers see through that like ninja comments.

To write a programmer job description for resumes:

1. Find resume skills in the advertisement.
2. They’re your resume keywords. Put them in your programming resume.
3. Show how you used them to create results.

See the first of these software programmer resume samples:

Say the job ad wants these programmer skills: Java, testing, collaboration, training.

Programmer Job Description for Resume [Sample]

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:

Entry-Level Programmer Resume Job Description [Sample]

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.

4. Pack More Into Your Education Section

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:

Programmer Resume Example—Education

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. 

5. Add More to Your Programmer Resume

Let’s move you to a higher class.

Don’t just list your work history and education.

Add extra features to keep them reading.

Try 1–2 of these:

• Associations (ACM, AAAI, AWC, etc.)
• Groups, clubs, meetups
• Certifications (MCSD, AWS, Oracle Apex, etc.)
• Conferences (PyCon, Microsoft Ignite, etc.)
• Publications
• Projects
• Volunteer work
• Freelance work
• Your portfolio
• Foreign languages
• Hobbies or additional activities
• Sports

This sample programmer analyst resume does it right:

Programmer Resume—Extra Sections

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.

Add a Portfolio to Your Programming Resume

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.

Key Points

Here’s how to write a programmer resume:

• Use the programmer resume template up top. It’s the right framework to make them notice you.
• Don’t just list programmer skills. Java or Python might look good. But use accomplishments to prove you used them well.
• Add numbers like percentages or dollar figures. Numbers add weight to your skills and accomplishments.
• Include “added” resume sections with conferences or projects. Those add-ons will drive home your skills.

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!