Software Engineer Resume Guide: Get More Interviews in 2025
Learn how to write a software engineer resume that gets past ATS systems and lands interviews at top tech companies.
75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. This guide shows you how to create an ATS-friendly resume that also impresses hiring managers and leads to interviews.
Resume Structure
Essential sections (in order):
- Contact Info: Name, email, phone, LinkedIn, GitHub
- Summary (optional): 2-3 sentences for senior roles
- Skills: Technical skills, frameworks, tools
- Experience: Reverse chronological, achievements-focused
- Projects: Relevant side projects or open source
- Education: Degree, certifications
Writing Effective Bullet Points
Use the formula: Action Verb + What You Did + Result/Impact. Quantify whenever possible. Focus on achievements, not responsibilities.
Good vs. Bad examples:
- Bad: "Responsible for maintaining backend services"
- Good: "Reduced API latency by 40% by implementing Redis caching, handling 1M+ daily requests"
- Bad: "Worked on React application"
- Good: "Built customer dashboard with React, increasing user engagement by 25%"
ATS Optimization
ATS-friendly formatting:
- Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Avoid tables, columns, graphics, and headers/footers
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Save as PDF unless specifically asked for .doc
- Include keywords from the job description
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Resume mistakes that hurt your chances:
- Too long (keep to 1-2 pages)
- Generic objective statements
- Listing every technology you touched
- Typos and grammatical errors
- Missing contact information or broken links
- Focusing on duties instead of achievements
Use our free Resume ATS Checker to analyze your resume for ATS compatibility and get specific improvement suggestions.
Practice with AI Mock Interviews
Put your knowledge to the test with our AI interviewer.