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Programmer Resume Examples to Help You Build Yours

To be a programmer, you need to have an in-depth understanding of your chosen programming language. How can you make sure that gets across?

Maria Correa Profile
By Maria Correa 4 minute read

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Programmer Resume Example

Programmer Resume Example

Programmer Resume Samples

For many people, being a computer programmer is one of the most interesting jobs out there. To be a computer programmer, you need to have knowledge about software development, programming languages and other important technical skills. Here’s how to use our resume samples to craft your very own computer programmer resume.

What to Highlight in a Programmer Resume

Technical skills are the name of the game when it comes to getting a new job in the programming field. Software engineering is complex, and there’s not necessarily the “perfect way” to get the job done. You may be able to program a specific function hundreds of different ways. As a programmer, it’s up to you to decide the best way to do something while also not breaking any of your preexisting code. Hiring managers want to see someone who’s able to craft these solutions as easily as possible. Using programmer resume examples and these tips, you can create a great resume.

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Programmer Resume Structure

Your resume structure will depend on the resume format that you choose. You can choose the chronological resume which emphasizes work history, the functional resume which emphasizes skills or the combination resume which emphasizes both. Many resume templates start with a chronological resume. Regardless of the resume format you choose, you’re going to include these sections:

 

Header

Your programmer resume header is the top section of the resume. Typically, it includes your full name, phone number, email address and any job networking profile links such as LinkedIn. This placement at the top of your resume ensures that a hiring manager knows how to contact you for an interview if needed.

 

Resume summary/Resume objective

The resume summary or resume objective gives hiring managers a brief overview of your specific skills and work history. It is typically 2-3 sentences highlighting your best points. Since it’s positioned at the top of the resume, it’s a great place to begin showing why you are the right candidate for this programming job.

 

Relevant skills

You’ll generally want to list at least 5-6 relevant skills on your programmer resume. Here are a few of the programming skills that you’re likely to use:

  • EProgramming languages (Python, HTML, JavaScript, SQL, PHP, VisualBasic, Perl)
  • EOperating systems (iOS, Windows, Linux)
  • EWeb development (MySQL, ASP.NET, Oracle)
  • EMethodologies for different languages
  • EKnowledge of data structures
  • EProblem solving skills
  • EDebugging
  • EProject management
  • ETroubleshooting

Of course, in programming, a significant number of the skills are hard skills, not soft skills. Although some soft skills are important, like problem solving skills, the general overwhelming number of skills on your list will revolve around your actual technical knowledge.

 

Work history

If you have previous programming experience, you’ve worked for information technology (IT) or you have other related experience, you will include it in the work history section of your resume. Work history is the best way to showcase that you are qualified, in addition to your certifications. You can optimize your resume by making sure that it includes all relevant previous work experience.

 

Education

Although not all programmers have an extensive education section, always include your top accreditation, such as a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Don’t list your GPA unless requested, but do list any honors you graduated with. Remember, your education doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but it can be a solid addition to your resume.

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Do’s and Don’ts for a Programmer Resume

check sign Do:
  • Use a programmer resume sample to work from when creating your resume. Follow the examples’ lead in how the resume is structured, and which skills and experiences are featured.
  • Concentrate on your skills section. Most of the time, a hiring manager is most interested in the specific skills you bring to the table.
  • Include a “Key Projects” section if you have many projects to showcase. You can include multiple bullet points and include keywords that match requirements in the job description, such as “proficiency in Unreal Engine”.
close sign Don't:
  • Feature super obscure programming languages. These can be an interesting quirk, but they probably won’t help you get a job.
  • Assert that you did everything for a job that you had team members help you with. Instead, explain how you’re good at collaborating on a team.
  • List your work history in chronological order. Instead, use reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first.

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FAQ: Programmer Resumes

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Yes. It’s important to use a cover letter to show the hiring manager why you are the perfect fit for the job. If you’re not sure about how to create a cover letter, just use the ResumeHelp cover letter builder. A good cover letter can elaborate on your skills and experience and make you stand out from candidates who did not write one.

If you don’t have a lot of experience in the field, focus on your relevant skills and training. If you don’t have existing programmer experience, you’ll want to work on projects of your own to impress a hiring manager.

Read the job application carefully, noting the exact wording of the skills they’re looking for in an expert. Then, incorporate those exact keywords into your resume. This is an effective way to get through an applicant tracking system (ATS) more effectively.

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Maria Correa Profile
WRITTEN BY Maria Correa

Maria Correa is a Puerto Rico-based Content Writer with ample background in digital marketing and copywriting. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in English and enjoys making information accessible to others.

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