Crafting a resume fresh from college can be tough. This guide has examples and tips for new software engineering graduates. Learn what hiring managers seek. Find how to highlight coding projects and internships. Make your skills stand out. Get ready to land your first tech job.
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Here's what we see in the strongest resumes for new graduates in software engineering.
Showcasing Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show clear impact with numbers. They include
Matching Skills With Job Descriptions: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned in the job description. Some popular ones are
Understanding Industry Trends: You need to know current trends. For example, if machine learning is popular, show your experience with
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As a new graduate software engineer, your educational qualifications will be a vital part of your resume. You should ideally place this section directly after your resume summary. This immediately emphasizes your recent academic achievements and the technical skills gained from your degree.
Ensure you give specific details such as the name of your degree, the institution attended, location, and the year of graduation. If you had a strong GPA or any significant achievements (e.g., awards or project works) in your academic studies, it would be beneficial to include them.
In the software engineering industry, the ability to work with different programming languages significantly strengthens your profile. Carefully review the job description to understand which languages the employer is particularly interested in.
Make sure to highlight your proficiency in these languages in your Skills section. You could also illustrate your capabilities through specific projects or assignments you undertook during your studies. Remember, demonstrating your practical application of these languages will make you stand out to hiring managers.
In most scenarios, especially for entry-level positions, a one-page resume is most effective. This concise length allows hiring managers to quickly understand your qualifications, skills, and potential for the software engineer role.
Use space wisely and only include relevant information. Remember, this is your professional introduction to potential employers. Avoid overly detailed descriptions of your course projects or listing all your course modules unless they are exceptionally relevant to the job you're applying for.
Modern software engineering involves not just coding but also understanding and following different software development methodologies like Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall. Highlight your familiarity or experience with such methodologies as it indicates your knowledge about the larger context of software development.
If you've been part of a software development project in your academics that followed a specific methodology, don't forget to mention this in your project descriptions. It will give practical evidence of your understanding, setting you apart from other candidates.
When you apply for a software engineer role as a new grad, your resume may first be read by software, not a person. These systems, called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), filter resumes before a hiring manager sees them. To pass this test, you need to write your resume in a way that the ATS can read it easily.
Here are two key tips to help your application get noticed:
When you apply for software engineer jobs as a new grad, show you know what employers want. Think about the skills that are most important in the job description and use them in your resume. This makes it clear you're a good fit.
Many new grads applying to become software engineers make the simple mistake of not tailoring their resumes to show skills relevant to software development. Every job is unique, even in this field. You must read the job description and make sure your resume reflects the skills and experiences the employer is looking for.
A resume might list very good skills. But are they the right ones? You may be proud of your teamwork or leadership skills, but if you're applying for a technical role, employers want to see more. They need to see your skills in languages like Python, Java, or SQL, and your understanding of software engineering principles. Make sure your education section isn't just a list of classes. Include projects or coursework where you used the skills needed for the job you want.
When you're crafting your resume as a new graduate looking to become a software engineer, choose action verbs that clearly show your contributions. These verbs can highlight your role in projects and the impact you've made, even if your experience mostly comes from academic and personal projects.
Remember, you want to give the hiring manager a clear picture of what you've done and how you've taken initiative or solved problems. This can set you apart from other candidates.
Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Made, Improved, Organized, Delivered, Increase.
Highlight what you've achieved, not just what tasks you've done. As a new grad entering the software engineering field, you need to stand out by showing how you've made a real impact in your projects, whether during internships, university projects, or personal endeavors. Remember, actions speak louder than job descriptions.
Focus on measurable results and enhancements you've brought to the table. For instance, instead of 'Wrote code for a web app,' you can improve this by specifying the result: '
By presenting your experiences in terms of achievements, you provide clear evidence of your capabilities and the value you’ll bring as a software engineer to a new team.
As a hiring manager, I've seen that your skill set is crucial. Here are the skills you should show:
Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This makes it easier for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to see your skills match the job. Not all skills may apply to you. Choose what fits the software engineer role you want. For example, if you aim to work on web applications, focus on web development skills.
Remember, this just guides you. You don't need every skill listed. Show what you know well. In your job history or projects, give examples of how you used these skills. This shows you can apply them in real work.
As a hiring manager, I know the value of seeing evidence of leadership and promotions on a resume. You need to show any roles or projects where you had to guide a team or make important decisions. This is crucial for a new grad software engineer, as it shows potential beyond technical skills.
Think about times when you were responsible for a project or task. Even if you weren't officially the 'leader', showing that you can handle responsibility is key. For example:
As a recent graduate seeking a software engineering role, it's important to show any leadership roles or growth in your experience. Even if you're not sure, think about times you guided others or took charge of a project.
Remember, leadership isn't just about titles. It can be about moments when you stepped up to solve problems or help your peers. Consider times you:
As a new software engineer, showing the value of your work through numbers can set you apart. Numbers help hiring managers see your potential impact. Here's how to do it:
Numbers give a clear picture of your skills. They turn abstract achievements into concrete evidence. Use them to highlight your growth and contribution to projects.
Even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, make a good estimate. Talk about it with your mentors or peers if you need help. Remember, your goal is to give a strong picture of your impact as an engineer.
When crafting your resume, it's important to show any leadership roles or promotions. These details can set you apart as a candidate with initiative and growth potential.
Think about your past experiences, even if you're just starting your career. Did you lead a project in school or at an internship? Maybe you were a team lead in a group assignment or helped onboard new students in a club. These examples show your ability to take charge and contribute in a meaningful way.
Remember, even small acts of leadership can demonstrate your readiness for greater responsibilities. If you've ever stepped up when needed or improved a process, make sure to include that in your resume.