How To Write a CV For a Software Engineer (With Example)

Published On - May 24, 2025

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In today’s competitive tech industry, a well-crafted CV can make the difference between landing your dream software engineering job and being overlooked in the application pile. A strong CV should not only showcase your technical skills and experience but also demonstrate your ability to solve problems, collaborate with teams, and continually learn.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned coder, understanding how to tailor your CV to different roles and companies is key. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing an impressive software engineering CV, along with a clear example.

1. Start with a Strong Personal Summary

Your personal summary should be a snapshot of your skills, experience, and goals. Keep it concise—2 to 4 lines maximum.

Example:
“Enthusiastic software engineer with 4+ years of experience in full-stack development. Passionate about building scalable web applications and improving user experience with clean, maintainable code.”

2. Highlight Your Technical Skills

This is where you list the programming languages, tools, and technologies you’re proficient in. Organize them in relevant categories for clarity.

  • Languages: JavaScript, Python, Java, C++
  • Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django, Spring Boot
  • Tools & Platforms: Git, Docker, AWS, Jenkins
  • Databases: MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL

Balance listing your skills with actual examples of how you’ve used them in projects or work experiences.

3. Outline Your Work Experience

Employers want to see the impact you’ve made. For each job, include:

  • Job title and company name
  • Dates of employment
  • Brief description of your responsibilities
  • Key achievements in bullet points

Example:

Software Engineer – TechNova Inc.
January 2020 – Present

  • Developed and maintained features for a customer-facing financial dashboard using React and Node.js.
  • Improved API response time by 30% through optimization techniques and code refactoring.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless mobile integration.

4. Emphasize Education & Certifications

If you have a degree in Computer Science or a related field, highlight it. Mention relevant coursework or academic projects that showcase your initiative and creativity.

Also list certifications such as:

  • AWS Certified Developer
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

5. Showcase Projects and Contributions

This section is particularly important if you’re early in your career or if you’ve made significant contributions to open-source projects.

Example:

Personal Project: RecipeFinder App
Built a full-stack application using React, Node.js, and MongoDB that allows users to search and save unique recipe combinations. Integrated Spoonacular API for real-time recipe data.

Include GitHub links or live demos to support your claims.

6. Add Soft Skills and Interests (Optional)

While coding ability is crucial, companies also look for cultural fit and collaboration. You can briefly mention:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies
  • Participation in hackathons or tech meetups

Adding hobbies can highlight a well-rounded personality (e.g., chess, hiking, or game development).

7. Formatting Tips and Best Practices

Hiring managers typically spend less than 10 seconds reviewing a CV. Here’s how to make yours scannable and compelling:

  • Keep it to 1-2 pages, especially if you have under 10 years of experience.
  • Use clean, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri.
  • Use bullet points to break up text and improve readability.
  • Tailor your CV for each job application by including relevant keywords from the job description.

Example CV Template

John Doe | johndoe@email.com | github.com/johndoe | LinkedIn: johndoe

Summary:
Full-stack developer with 3+ years of experience working on cloud applications using JavaScript and AWS.

Technical Skills:
Languages: JavaScript, Python
Frameworks: React, Node.js
Tools: Git, Jenkins, AWS

Experience:
Software Engineer – ABC Tech (2021 – Present)
• Built monitoring dashboard using React and REST APIs
• Improved database performance with query optimization

Education:
B.Sc. in Computer Science – University of Example (2017 - 2021)

Final Thoughts

Crafting a strong software engineer CV requires a mix of technical clarity and storytelling. Focus on what you’ve built, solved, or improved. Each line should add value and move the needle for the recruiter reading it.

Remember: Your CV is your first impression. Make it count.