When you’re trying to get your first programming job, it’s important to show what you have done outside school or work. Employers want to see that you enjoy coding enough to do it in your free time, too. Here’s what you should include:

• Describe any personal or open-source projects you’ve worked on. Use simple terms to explain their purpose and what tools or languages you used.
• Include contributions to coding forums or online communities. This shows you are active in the tech community and are always learning.

Even if these projects were small, they demonstrate real-world experience. Make sure to explain them clearly and how they relate to the job you want.

In the programming industry, knowing the right language is crucial. Customize your resume to each job application by matching the coding languages and software listed in the job description. Detail your proficiency and practical experience in each.

In the 'Skills' section, also remember to include software development methodologies you’re familiar with, like Agile or DevOps, to show you understand the full spectrum of a software's lifecycle.

When aiming to land an entry-level programmer job, you need to go beyond just listing your academic qualifications and theoretical knowledge. Highlight any hands-on experience with relevant software or coding languages, even if it was part of a classroom project, an internship, or a personal hobby.

Employers are also interested in transferable skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. If you've partaken in coding challenges or hackathons, mention these to demonstrate your aptitude for finding creative and effective solutions.

When you're starting out as a programmer, specific examples of your work can help you stand out. Use descriptions to show your coding skills. Here's how:

• For any programming projects, include a short summary that explains the project's goal and the technologies used. This lets hiring managers see your ability to apply coding skills to real problems.
• Discuss your role in group projects and the impact you had. Use terms like 'collaborated' or 'contributed' to describe your teamwork.

Make sure to:

• Keep descriptions short but informative. One or two sentences for each project should be enough.
• Focus on projects relevant to the job you want. If the job needs someone good at making websites, show web development projects.

To get a job as an entry level programmer, your resume should show you can do the work. Look at the job post. Use the same words they use when you talk about your skills. Show you've used these skills before.

• List programming languages you know like Java or Python if they're mentioned in the job ad.
• Show projects where you used software development skills to make something useful.
• If your last job was not as a programmer, talk about how you solved problems with computers or code.

As you put together your resume, it's important to show any leadership roles or promotions you've had. Even in entry-level positions, these details can set you apart. Think about projects or tasks where you took the lead or were recognized for your work.

Here are some examples of how you might display this experience:

• Led a team project for a university class, resulting in a top grade and praise from the professor.
• Selected to train new members in a college club or during an internship because of your programming skills and ability to guide others.

Remember, any role where you were responsible for guiding others or making decisions can count. If you were promoted, even in a part-time job, it shows that you are trusted and have strong work qualities. For example:

• Promoted from customer service representative to lead technician at a retail electronics store within six months.
• Earned the position of project manager for a senior project, overseeing the work of four peers.

When you're applying as an entry-level programmer, the verbs you choose can make a strong impact. Use words that show you're an active and involved candidate. Remember, you want to make it easy for hiring managers to see your potential.

Before you list your experiences, think about how to describe them with good verbs that relate to programming and problem-solving. These verbs should show your direct involvement in projects and your ability to deliver results.

• To demonstrate your coding skills, use verbs like developed, programmed, engineered, crafted, and composed.
• To showcase your problem-solving abilities, use diagnosed, resolved, debugged, analyzed, and repaired.
• For teamwork and collaboration, include verbs such as collaborated, contributed, coordinated, interfaced, and integrated.
• To show initiative, choose initiated, implemented, launched, innovated, and established.
• For demonstrating ongoing learning and adaptability, opt for mastered, expanded, adapted, learned, and updated.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Assisted, Develop, Working, Troubleshoot, Implemented.

When crafting your resume as an entry-level programmer, it's important to showcase the right technical skills that will catch the eye of hiring managers. Here are some skills you should consider including:

• Java
• C++
• Python
• SQL
• JavaScript
• HTML/CSS
• Git
• Linux
• Agile methodology
• RESTful APIs

You don't need to know all these skills, but include those you are good at. If you have experience with specific frameworks or libraries like React or Angular, add these too. Place them in a skills section for easy reading. Remember, hiring managers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for these keywords, so having them listed can help get your resume noticed.

Next, think about the role you want. If you're aiming for web development, make sure to show strong HTML, CSS, and JavaScript abilities. For back-end roles, emphasize your knowledge of SQL and server-side languages. Always tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, and you'll stand a better chance of getting that interview.

As a hiring manager, I look for evidence of how you've made a real difference in your projects. You can show this by using metrics in your resume. Think about the times you've improved a process or saved time.

Consider these examples:

• If you optimized an algorithm, estimate the percentage increase in efficiency. For instance, 'Optimized sorting algorithm to enhance performance by 20%.'
• When you worked on a project, calculate how much faster the task is now completed. You might say, 'Contributed to a team project that reduced data processing time by 30%.'

Even as an entry-level programmer, you might have examples from internships, academic projects, or personal work. If you created a program or script that saved time, think about how many hours it saved per week or month. If you reduced errors or bugs, estimate by what percentage the incidents decreased. Use statements like 'Developed a script that saved 5 hours per week in data entry' or 'Reduced software bugs by 15% through thorough testing.'

By showing these kinds of metrics, you make it easy for employers to see your value. It's not just about the code you write; it's about the results your work produces.

If you are applying to small companies or startups, highlight your ability to take on multiple roles. Mention any experience you have with a variety of programming languages and tools. For example, you could say, "Skilled in Python, JavaScript, and troubleshooting networking issues."

Small companies like Basecamp or Buffer value flexibility. Show that you are eager to learn and adapt. You might add, "Proven ability to quickly learn new technologies and software."