Software engineering resumes have specific expectations that differ from other industries. Hiring managers and technical recruiters scan hundreds of resumes per week. Here's how to make yours stand out while staying ATS-friendly.
Start With a Strong Header
Keep it simple: name, email, phone, LinkedIn URL, GitHub URL (if active), and location (city and state only). No headshot, no address, no "References available upon request."
Write a Targeted Summary (2-3 Lines)
Skip the objective statement. Write a summary that matches the role you're applying for:
Weak: "Passionate software engineer looking for opportunities to grow."
Strong: "Backend engineer with 5 years building distributed systems at scale. Reduced API latency by 40% at Series B fintech. Proficient in Go, Python, PostgreSQL, and Kubernetes."
The strong version tells the recruiter exactly what you do, proves impact, and includes searchable keywords.
Structure Your Experience With the STAR Method
For each role, include 3-5 bullet points. Each bullet should follow this pattern:
Action verb + What you did + Measurable result
Avoid vague bullets like "Worked on backend systems" or "Responsible for code reviews."
Technical Skills Section: Be Specific
Organize skills by category:
Don't list every technology you've touched. Focus on what's relevant to the role and what you can speak to confidently in an interview.
Projects Section (For Junior Engineers)
If you have fewer than 3 years of experience, include 1-2 significant projects:
Education
For senior engineers (5+ years), education goes at the bottom — just degree, school, and year. For junior engineers, include relevant coursework, GPA if above 3.5, and any honors.
Common Mistakes
Formatting Tips for ATS
Use a clean, single-column layout. No tables, no graphics, no multi-column designs. Standard section headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education. Save as PDF. Use Plancv's ATS simulator to verify your resume parses correctly before submitting.
Final Check
Before sending any application, ask yourself: does every bullet point demonstrate impact? Can a non-technical recruiter understand what I did? Does the resume match at least 70% of the keywords in the job description?
If the answer to all three is yes, you're ready to submit.