Ultimate Guide to Writing Software Engineering Bullet Points

Resumes
software engineer writing resume

Navigating the world of resume writing can be daunting, especially when you're aiming for internships, entry-mid level, or early Senior Software Engineering roles. After reviewing countless resumes, I’ve noticed common pitfalls and repeated advice. So, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you craft a standout resume that grabs attention for all the right reasons.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is tailored for those applying for internships, entry to mid-level, and early Senior Software Engineering roles in the US and Canada. If you’re a late Senior or Staff engineer, your resume needs might differ significantly.

Choose the Right Template

Your resume template should be:

  • ATS-Friendly and Skimmable: Ensure your resume is easily parsed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and can be quickly skimmed by recruiters and hiring managers. Canyon's resume builder ensures ATS friendly resumes.
  • Single Column Layout: This format is clean, easy to read from top to bottom, and seamlessly processed by ATS.
  • Minimalistic Design: Say no to icons and images; focus solely on your skills and experience.
  • Clear Sections and Bullet Points: Prioritize skimmability with clear section separations and bullet points to present your skills efficiently.

Remember, your resume doesn’t need to be flashy. It's your technical prowess that counts. Always export and submit your resume as a PDF.

Structuring Your Resume

New Grads / Entry Level

  • Education
  • Experience
  • Projects
  • Skills

Mid-Senior Level

  • Experience
  • Projects
  • Education
  • Skills

Crafting Impactful Bullet Points

Your bullet points should:

  • Highlight the technical work you’ve done.
  • Show domains you’ve been exposed to (e.g., building UI, SDKs, web services).
  • Detail technical challenges you overcame.
  • Demonstrate the impact of your work.

Examples of Strong Bullet Points:

  • Backend Development: “Developed a back end web service to handle user authentication using JWT, which reduced complaints about dropped sessions by 14%.”
  • Mobile Application: “Led the development of a React-Native application, enhancing user engagement with a GraphQL API for local restaurant orders.”
  • Data Pipelines: “Crafted a data pipelines platform with Kafka streams, improving developer experience and reducing congestion by 24% during peak hours.”

Tips:

  • Specificity is Key: Avoid vague language; detail your contributions and the outcomes.
  • Highlight Challenges and Solutions: Show your problem-solving skills and innovation.
  • Avoid Common Fluff: Skip mentioning routine tasks like attending meetings or using version control.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

List your skills in a comma-separated format, and consider organizing them into sub-categories like "Languages" and "Frameworks." Skip proficiency ratings; they are subjective and can vary widely in interpretation.

Make Projects Relevant

Your projects should be more than school assignments or generic tutorials. Highlight real, impactful projects that solve problems and are actively maintained.

Streamline Your Education Section

Keep it simple: degree name, university, location, and graduation date. Include your GPA if you’re applying for internships; otherwise, it’s optional for entry level and unnecessary for mid-level roles.

Conclusion

In summary, use a clean template, focus on your technical capabilities, and avoid vague buzzwords. Make it easy for hiring managers to see exactly what you’ve achieved and why you’re a good fit for their team.

Hiring managers, tech recruiters, and interviewers, I welcome you to share additional tips or suggest edits in the comments. Check out Canyon and lets help build stronger resumes together!