Software Developer CV Example and Writing Guide

A developer CV is read by a recruiter first and an engineer second. Make the stack easy to see, show what you built and what changed because of it, and link to real work such as GitHub or a live project.

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What to include in a software developer CV

  • Group your technical skills by area (languages, frameworks, databases, tools).
  • Describe projects with problem, action and result, with numbers for speed, users or cost.
  • Add links to GitHub, a portfolio or live products.
  • Mirror the technologies named in the job advert, but only those you can discuss.
  • Keep the layout simple so applicant tracking systems can read it.

Sample profile (copy the idea, not the words)

Full-stack developer with 5 years of experience building web applications in PHP, Laravel, MySQL and JavaScript. Delivered an order system that cut manual processing time by 60% and improved page speed to under 2 seconds.

Skills to consider

PHP and Laravel, JavaScript and Vue.js, MySQL, REST APIs, Git and CI/CD, Docker basics.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Long lists of technologies you used once
  • Screenshots, icons or skill bars that hide the text
  • No dates or company names

How to write a software developer CV step by step

  1. Start with your contact details and headline. Write your name, phone, e-mail and city, and a headline such as "Full-Stack Developer (PHP, JavaScript)".
  2. Write a two to three sentence profile. Say who you are, how many years of experience you have and one result you are proud of.
  3. List experience, newest first. For every job give the title, employer, dates and two to four bullet points that show results.
  4. Add education and certificates. Include degree, institute and year. Add licences or short courses that the job needs.
  5. Finish with skills and languages. Choose skills from the job advert that are really yours.
  6. Proofread and export as PDF. A PDF keeps your layout the same on every device.

Software Developer CV: frequently asked questions

Should a developer CV have a skills section?

Yes, but keep it short and honest. Pair it with real project descriptions that show how you used those skills.

How do I write a developer CV with no experience?

Lead with projects, open-source contributions, internships and a GitHub link. Explain what you built and the result.

One page or two?

One page up to about 3 years of experience. Two pages for senior engineers with many relevant projects.

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