CV software developer

The different parts of the software developer CV

A software developer CV is more than a list of past jobs or technical skills. It’s a powerful document that tells the story of a candidate’s experience, knowledge, and personality in the world of technology. A clear structure, relevant information, and well-chosen keywords are essential to catch the attention of recruiters. The goal is to present every part of the CV in a way that shows both technical expertise and the ability to work in real-life development environments. From the opening lines to the last detail, each section must be written with care to reflect the developer’s value and motivation.

The about section

The “About” section is usually placed at the top of the CV. It acts as a short personal introduction and summary. It helps recruiters understand in a few lines who the person is and what they’re looking for. This section should be honest, direct, and reflect both technical experience and career goals. It’s not a place to repeat information from other sections, but rather to capture attention quickly with a personal voice.

This short paragraph introduces the candidate’s identity, experience, and main skills. It also shows their motivation to evolve and contribute to a new team.

The skills section

The skills section is where developers can list the technologies they use. It should be well organized, usually in groups such as languages, frameworks, tools, and databases. This structure makes it easier for recruiters to quickly spot the tools required for the job.

This kind of list shows the breadth and depth of technical knowledge. It also gives a clear picture of what the candidate is comfortable working with. Highlighting tools like Docker and AWS is useful, as many modern companies expect developers to understand cloud services and DevOps basics.

The languages section

The “Languages” section shows the candidate’s ability to communicate in different languages. This is especially important in international teams or companies with global customers. Even for software developers, being able to work in a second language is a valuable skill.

This format is simple but effective. It uses common European levels (A1 to C2) that are often recognized by recruiters. In tech teams that are often multilingual, being able to communicate clearly in English or another common language is a real asset.

The interests section

This section may seem optional, but it can say a lot about a person. It shows what inspires the candidate outside of work and sometimes even relates back to technical interests. It’s also a chance to appear more human, which can be important in companies where team fit matters. Including relevant interests is one of the often-overlooked tips to write a CV that feels more personal and well-rounded.

These interests show both technical curiosity and problem-solving enjoyment. Mentioning open-source activity shows that the candidate likes to collaborate with the developer community. Hobbies like chess also reflect structured thinking, which is valued in coding roles.

The professional experience section

This is often the most detailed part of the CV. It shows real-life projects, the tools used, and the results achieved. Each job listed should include the job title, company name, location, dates, and bullet points describing what the developer worked on. Bullet points should include action verbs and try to quantify results when possible.

These examples are clear and focused on concrete tasks and achievements. Each one tells what the person did, how they did it, and what the result was. Using real numbers (like “30% improvement”) gives more credibility and impact to the experience.

The education section

Education is often the last section on the CV. It gives the reader a sense of theoretical background and formal learning. It’s good to include the name of the institution, the degree, the dates, and sometimes a few key subjects or projects, especially if they are relevant to the role.

This example shows both academic success and practical experience during studies. The final year project adds value because it involved real coding and tools relevant to the market. Including certifications can also help show that the developer is actively learning and improving.

Is it useful to include GitHub or portfolio links?

Yes, including your GitHub or online portfolio is very useful on a software developer CV. Recruiters want to see real examples of your work, especially your code quality, project structure, and how you collaborate using version control. A well-organized GitHub with readable repositories, documentation, and commits shows your technical level. If you have a portfolio website, make sure it is professional, easy to navigate, and displays your projects, skills, and contact information clearly. Adding links to live demos or deployed applications also boosts your profile and gives proof of your hands-on experience.

How do I make my CV stand out for software engineering jobs?

To make your CV stand out, focus on clarity, results, and relevance. Use a clean design and highlight key skills related to the job. Use action verbs like developed, optimized, or implemented to describe your experience. Add metrics or outcomes (e.g., reduced load time by 40%) to show your impact. Customize your CV for each job by including keywords from the job description. Include links to GitHub or projects to show real work. A short but strong personal summary at the top can also help recruiters quickly understand your value.

How do I format a CV for a software developer role?

A software developer CV should be clear, structured, and easy to scan. Use headings like About, Skills, Experience, and Education. Keep the design simple, with consistent fonts and spacing. Use bullet points to list your tasks and tools for each job. Place technical skills at the top or side for quick access. Always list programming languages, frameworks, and tools clearly. Use reverse chronological order for experience. Keep the CV to one or two pages. Finally, include links to projects, certifications, or portfolios that support your skills.

Should I include personal projects or only professional experience?

Including personal projects on your CV is very important, especially if you have limited professional experience or want to show passion and initiative. Personal projects show how you apply skills outside of work, experiment with new technologies, and build real applications. If well described, they can be as valuable as job experience. Mention the tech stack, the goal of the project, and what you personally contributed. Add a link to the GitHub repository or live version. Recruiters appreciate developers who are self-motivated and continue learning through side projects.