Are you a technological whiz kid? If you're looking for your next job or project, you will need a stellar computer science resume. Read our guide to perfect this art.
Published: June 01, 2021 Last Updated: September 11, 2024 Average rating people’ve already rated it
Looking to land your next computer science job? You’ve come to the right place. If you can invent new computing solutions, design new software systems and write new computer languages, then trust us, you can also create a standout computer science resume.
Entry-level Senior-level.jpg)
.jpg)
Tap into your talents for critical thinking, logic and attention to detail, and you should find that writing a one-page resume is a lot easier than writing 100,000 lines of code.
Reach your career goals with Resume.io. We have resume examples and writing guides that cover 500+ professions. Plus, our resume builder makes creating an appealing resume a cinch.
This resume guide and corresponding computer science resume example will cover the following:
Elevator Pitch NewsletterOnce every 2 weeks, our experts gather the best career & resume tips you can read in 15 minutes or less. Straight to your inbox!
By signing up you agree with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Keep an eye on your inbox!Our newsletter is on its way. The best resume & job tips from our career experts will now be sent your inbox every 2 weeks!
Before you get started with your computer science resume, you need to know what to include. Here are the core elements of this document:
Your aim is to stand out from other candidates. That means identifying your unique selling proposition. That is the talent that you have which others may lack. You can use this to differentiate yourself from the competition. When it comes to landing a top job, you need to have a competitive edge. Consider what it is that makes you better than the rest.
Your computer science resume is the ideal place to sell your professional skills. Follow our tips to ensure that you get the process right:
Optimize for the ATS
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) rank incoming resumes by how well they fit the criteria of the role. Often enough, they use keywords that you will find in the job description. So, if you want to make sure that your resume gets past the software, use these words within it.
For example, the computer science job advert may list the following criteria:
Your resume profile summary, when integrating the keywords, could read:
“Analytical computer science graduate with 2 years of experience. In-depth knowledge of Python and Javascript. Adept at identifying complex software issues and solving technical problems.”
To learn more about conquering the ATS, check out our article Resume ATS optimization.
Next up, let’s talk about how you should structure your resume. Some choices in resume formats include reverse chronological, functional, and hybrid (which is a combination of the two).
When choosing the right resume format for you, you need to know what your goals are and how much experience you have.
If you have a fair amount of continuous work experience with reputable employers in your field, you can’t go wrong with listing your past jobs in reverse chronological order (last job first, first job last). This traditional format is useful because it lists your latest and presumably most impressive jobs first.
But a functional resume, which focuses more on your skills than on listing past jobs, is sometimes the best choice for technical occupations. If you simply want to showcase your computer science skills or you are freelance, you should opt for this one.
Check out the resume templates in our resume builder and select the format that best suits your situation. We also have a range of the three formats available as resume examples.
Your resume header is where you share your contact information. You need to make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager to reach you.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to include in your computer science header:
New York, New York
Apt 334, Green Avenue, New York, New York
The summary of your computer science resume, also known as a profile or personal statement, is a short text block under the header in which you highlight your top qualifications for the job you’re seeking and explain why you want this particular job.
It typically addresses the candidate’s experience and skills, while also often using action verbs like “dedicated,” “committed” or “passionate” to describe the enthusiasm you bring to the job.
You can omit the word “I,” as in “I am” or “I have,” since the person reading your resume will know who you’re talking about. Strive for an economy of words, but make the words you choose powerful and compelling.
Don’t simply repeat information found elsewhere on your resume. Instead, demonstrate your unique value proposition by showing the impact you had. For example, “consistently streamlined operational efficiency by implementing business software”.
Since the summary is the most free form of all the resume sections, it may be more difficult for some candidates to write due to writer’s block.
Need inspiration for your summary? Check out our related resumes:
You can find adaptable computer science resume examples summary below:
Entry-level adaptable resume summary/profile exampleRecent computer science graduate with a passion for streamlining business activities. Boasts a keen knowledge of database management systems (DBMS). Understanding of mathematics and programming including Python and JavaScript.
Copy to clipboard Mid-level adaptable resume summary/profile exampleSolutions oriented Computer Scientist with 5+ experience working across all software development phases. Adept in identifying and solving complex computer system and software issues. Passionate about elevating the user experience through thoughtful and innovative work processes.
Copy to clipboard Senior-level adaptable resume summary/profile exampleExperienced computer scientist with over 10 years in the industry, renowned for creating operational software to streamline efficiency. Confident in using Javascript, Python, and SQL frameworks and working across a cross-functional department. Esteemed member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
Copy to clipboardBecause employers value experience so highly, the employment history of your computer science resume is among the most important sections of this document. List your past employers, their locations, and the span you worked there (month/year to month/year. Precise dates are not necessary).
Below each employer, use bullet points to list the main things you did there. Avoid saying “Was responsible for” and say what you actually did. Be specific, using facts and figures wherever possible (percentage growth, dollar figures, number of projects, number of employees overseen). Including results-based points in your work experience will highlight your value.
Here are some examples of results-based bullet points that you may include:
Take a look at the computer science employment history resume sample below:
Adaptable resume employment history exampleSoftware Developer at Xtremez, Los Angeles
October 2019 - Present
Web Development Intern at Nova Inc. , Los Angeles
June 2018 - May 2019
If you are a recent graduate, you might have no direct experience on your resume. However, that doesn’t mean that you should give up. Use your resume to demonstrate the unique skill-set you picked up during your time at college. You might want to focus on any projects you completed while studying or even extracurricular activities that fit the bill.
Additionally, if you’ve completed a computer science related internship, that could increase your chances of landing a job. Be sure to mention specific projects. For example, if you worked on a ‘Weather Forecasting App’ project that connected to an external API, talk about it here.
Note any similar roles in the IT sector. For instance, if you’ve worked on an IT help desk or as an IT specialist, there will be significant overlap.
Draw attention to the transferable skills that you have under your belt. For example, if you have worked in administration, you may have experience of working with customers, communicating well, managing your own time, and organizing various activities.
Employers are interested in what you can do for them, and the skills section of your computer science resume plays a vital role in this. It should list a combination of hard and soft skills, which typically involve the ability to work well with others.
Hard skills might include programming languages and operating systems in which you are an expert. Soft skills might include your talents in communication and management, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with clients, coworkers and other stakeholders. If you speak foreign languages, mention that on your skills list as well.
Our resume builder offers several pre-written key skills to choose from. You can also write in your skills. When you’ve done that, simply set the proficiency level you have.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our computer science resume template.
Key Skills and ProficienciesWherever possible, try to put your skills into context. You can list them as bullet points in your skills section. However, you should weave them throughout the rest of your resume.
For instance, you might talk about how your communication skills helped you to work across different departments. Equally, you may state how you used Python to develop software.
If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to your skills, always refer back to the job description. You should be able to find out what the hiring manager is looking for there.
The education section is where you highlight the training and certifications you have. This is vital in the realms of computer science—you need to prove your worth.
Here’s what you could include on your computer science resume:
Of course, the exact certificates you have will depend on your area of computer science. Make sure that you include all of your relevant training here. Let’s take a look at an example:
Adaptable example for education and certificationsB.S. Computer Science, UCLA, Los Angeles
September 2014 - May 2018
High School Diploma, South Los Angeles, Los Angeles
September 2010 - May 2014
It would be a shame if you wrote the perfect computer science resume and then threw it on a page with a terrible design and an ugly layout. Don’t underestimate the importance of looks in a resume. It doesn’t need to be flashy, but it should have an attractive and professional look.
Design and layout issues include the choice of a font and font size that are easy to read, as well as adequate margins, balanced spacing and an appropriate use of white space that contains nothing at all. Don’t overdo it when it comes to color. Keep things simple.
We recommend that you use a professionally designed resume template where these issues have already been taken care of.
Profile
Solutions oriented Computer Scientist with vast experience working across all software development phases. Adept in identifying and solving complex computer system and software issues. Passionate about elevating the user experience through thoughtful and innovative work processes.
Employment history
Software Developer at Xtremez, Los Angeles
October 2019 - Present
Web Development Intern at Nova Inc. , Los Angeles
June 2018 - May 2019
Skills
Education
B.S. Computer Science, UCLA, Los Angeles
September 2014 - May 2018
High School Diploma, South Los Angeles, Los Angeles
September 2010 - May 2014
The employment outlook is also excellent, with jobs for computer and information research scientists expected to grow in the U.S. by 21% from 2021 through 2031. That compares to an anticipated growth in all occupations of just 5%.
How much can you expect to make? Computer scientists are very well paid, earning an annual median salary in the U.S. in 2023, of $145,080, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Computer science jobs are highly paid and plentiful, and an outstanding resume is your ticket to finding the one that’s right for you. Your resume should contain five essential elements (header, summary, work history, skills and education) and very little else. It should all fit on one page.
You must optimize your resume for ATS software to avoid automatic rejection by a computer bot. Looks matter, so make sure your resume is attractively designed and laid out. We recommend using a professional resume template where the header is already designed.
Use our online resume builder to streamline the application process, making it simple to impress the hiring manager in a matter of minutes.
