What is the difference between a software engineer and software developer resume?

They are often interchangeable. "Engineer" tends to imply more system design and architecture depth. Use whichever title matches the job posting you are applying to.

Should a software developer include a portfolio link?

Yes — always. A live portfolio or GitHub link lets hiring managers see real code and deployed work, which is often the deciding factor at the screening stage.

How many projects should be on a developer resume?

Three to five relevant projects is ideal. Prioritize projects that demonstrate the exact skills the target role requires.

Do I need a CS degree as a software developer?

Not necessarily. Many employers value demonstrable skills and a strong portfolio over formal degrees. Bootcamp graduates and self-taught developers are hired regularly.

How do I list Agile experience on a developer resume?

Mention it in your skills section and weave it into experience bullets: "Contributed to two-week sprint cycles delivering features to 10K+ users."

Technology

Software Developer Resume Writing Guide

Whether you are a web developer, mobile developer, or generalist programmer, your resume should make relevant experience easy to find, whether reviewed by a person or processed by software. This template offers a suggested structure: a concise summary, a scannable tech stack, and experience bullets that lead with impact rather than responsibilities.

View example sections

Software Developer Resume Template preview

Who should use this template

Web, mobile, and desktop application developers
Junior developers applying for their first professional role
Freelance developers moving into full-time employment

Key skills for your software developer resume

Include these keywords in your skills section to match what recruiters and ATS systems look for in software developer resume template applications.

JavaScript / TypeScriptReact / Vue / AngularNode.js / ExpressPython / PHPHTML5 & CSS3SQL & MongoDBGit & GitHubAgile / ScrumREST APIsTesting (Jest, Cypress)

Resume example sections

Structure your resume with these sections in order for the best results with recruiters and ATS software.

1Professional Summary
2Technical Skills
3Work Experience
4Projects
5Education

Professional Summary Example

Software developer with 3 years of experience building responsive web applications using JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Delivered 8 client projects on time and within budget as a freelance developer before joining in-house product teams.

Work Experience Bullet Examples

Developed a React-based customer portal used by 15,000 monthly active users, achieving 98% uptime.
Integrated third-party payment API (Stripe) reducing checkout abandonment by 23%.
Refactored legacy PHP codebase to modern Python Django, reducing bug count by 40%.

ATS optimization tips

Spell out framework names in full: "React.js", "Node.js", "Vue.js" as they appear in job descriptions.

Include version control tools explicitly: "Git", "GitHub", "Bitbucket".

Save as a plain .docx or PDF (not a scanned image) so text is machine-readable.

Mirror keywords from the job description verbatim — spelling counts.

Common resume mistakes to avoid

Listing "programming" as a skill without naming specific languages.

Not including URLs to deployed projects or portfolio sites.

Listing job duties instead of achievements with measurable results.

Including a photo, date of birth, or other personal details not relevant in the US/UK.

Ready to build your technology resume?

Use this free ATS-friendly software developer resume template as your foundation and fill in each section with your own achievements.

View template sections ATS Resume Guide

Frequently asked questions — software developer resume template

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