The computer and information technology field is growing at a fast rate of 13% since 2016, which is more than the average growth rate of all occupations.
Computer science is an exciting field that combines various technical skills making it one of the most sought-after majors in the job market. A resume for cs should have all the required skills for the graduate to be highly valued by potential employers.
Computer science graduates can choose from various specialized areas allowing them to have a computer science career in any industry they like. While a computer science degree is an outstanding achievement, it does not mean that getting a job will be easy. You will need a computer science resume that stands out from other job seekers.
Let’s look at some of the tips you can use to write a computer science resume example that gets you your dream job.
What to Include in a Computer Science Resume
If you want to write the best computer science resume, you need to ensure it has all the relevant information. It is always best to tailor every computer science resume to the job you are applying for in my experience.
The skills you have always seem to be the most important, even though some computer science jobs will require a computer science degree.
Some of the information you need to add in your computer science resume includes:
It is crucial to use the right resume format when writing your computer science resume. If you are not sure about the acceptable formats, you can check a computer science resume sample to get an idea. The average hiring manager takes less than ten seconds to go through your computer science resume, so it needs to grab their attention.
There are three computer science resume formats you can use, which include:
Reverse-chronological resume format
This resume focuses on the candidates' professional achievements and work experience. You start with listing the most current computer science job, then the previous ones follow below. If you are a computer science specialist with consistent work history and the required technical skills, this format works best.
It is also important to note that this is the most preferred format by most recruiters.
Functional resume format
A functional resume focuses on the skills of the candidate instead of their experience. It showcases transferable skills that you may have from previous jobs.
This format is perfect for a recent graduate who does not have a lot of work experience.
Candidates who are changing their careers and don't have relevant experience directly related to the computer science job can also use this format.
Combination resume
The combination resume blends the best features of a functional resume and a reverse-chronological resume format.
This resume is excellent for a computer science professional with a ton of relevant experience and a computer science student looking for a computer science internship.
Create an Eye-Catching Summary or Objective
A computer science resume summary gives you a chance to brand yourself to potential employers as you quickly and effectively highlight your strengths, experience, and relevant skills. It should compel the hiring manager to read the rest of your computer science resume.
The resume summary is written as a short paragraph and should have quantifiable data that shows the recruiter the actual results you achieved at your previous job. A computer science summary works best for a computer science professional with many years of experience.
A good computer science resume objective should emphasize what you will bring to the company and not what you hope to gain. A resume objective works well for a recent graduate or a person changing their career and doesn't have a lot of relevant experience.
You can include a relevant school project that you did, a computer science internship you completed at a reputable tech company, or a competition you participated in that is relevant to the job.
Summary Example for Computer Science Resume
Here is a right and wrong example of a summary
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Creative and innovative computer science specialist with 10+ years of experience. Increased the efficiency of data visualization tools by 18% at my previous job. Seeking to share my coding skills and web development skills as a software developer at Kenton Limited.
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I am a computer scientist with experience in Javascript, Python, C++, and SQL. I can also solve problems and have outstanding leadership and communication skills.
Objective Example for Computer Science Resume
Here is a right and wrong example of a computer science resume objective .
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Enthusiastic, energetic computer science graduate with proven skills in software development. Seeking to solve problems as an entry-level computer science graduate at Chapter Limited. Led a team of five members to develop a mobile app called Ambutap that is now in use in the market. Also took first place in the Best Coding Competition in March 2018.
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Entry-level computer science enthusiast with experience in coding. Looking for a company where I will grow my machine learning skills and learn new programming languages.
Tips to Make Your Work Experience Stand Out
The work experience section on your computer science resume shows the hiring manager you have what it takes to do the job. Every computer science resume example usually has this section because it is a crucial part of your computer science resume. Check out our resume examples .
You will need to read through the job descriptions of all the computer science jobs you want to apply for and tailor your resume to fit each job description.
Start with your most recent job and list at least five achievements and job responsibilities. I have always found that it is best to leave out a job with no relevant experience to the job you are applying for.
If you are starting as a computer scientist and don't have experience, you can add internships or personal projects relevant to the job in your work experience section.
You can also contribute to open source projects on a platform like GitHub and gain experience that potential employers can quickly validate.
Best Skills to Include in Computer Science Resume
The perfect computer science resume template will always have a skills section. Check out our resume templates .
Whether you have computer science experience or not, you should list your skills in your cv. I always go through the job description and prioritize the skills that are required.
Most recruiters use an ATS system to filter through applications, and adding the skills on the job description ensures your computer science resume is not filtered out. However, you should not add skills that you have no experience with.
There are many technical skills required for a computer science job. The skills will depend on the position you are applying for since there are many different jobs in the computer science field.
Let’s look at some computer science skills you should consider adding to your resume, as seen in almost every computer science resume sample.
Machine learning
Software development
Software engineering
Mathematics
Data analysis
Statistics
Coding
Problem-solving
Leadership
Communication
Critical thinking
Attention to detail
Creativity
Time management
Most cs jobs prioritize the hard skills, but soft skills are just as necessary and should not be omitted from the computer science resume.
Hard skills are computer science resume skills that relate to specific training and technical knowledge. Examples include:
Web development
Machine learning
Networks
Software engineering
Discrete mathematics
Soft skills are more of the personality traits of an individual. Examples are:
This applies to a computer science student resume as well as a computer science professional resume. Remember that you should only list the languages you know because the hiring manager will probably give you a test or ask you about it.
It would help if you also considered adding the languages that are best suited for the job you are applying for.
Example
Knowledgeable and innovative web developer with three years of experience in android apps development. Excels at Java, PHP, and C++ for small-scale projects. Interested in sharing my skills and experience at JL Inc.
These programming languages are usually added in the skills section. However, you can also add them to other sections of your computer science resume.
Let's look at some examples of these languages that can help you land your dream job as a computer scientist.
JavaScript
Python
C++
C#
SQL
IOS
PHP
Display Your Certifications
Certifications on your resume can help you stand out and get your dream job.
However, you will need to include the certificates relevant to the job you are applying for; otherwise, they might not add any value to your computer science resume.
We now have access to many technical certifications, but it's essential to focus on the ones that will boost your computer science resume and make it more relevant.
Example
Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Associate(CCNA) - Cisco systems
Oracle Java Certification - Oracle University
As we said before, there are many certifications in the market, so you need to find the ones that best suit your computer science specialization.
Some of the certifications you can consider in your computer science resume include:
Cisco Certified Network Professional
Cisco Certified Design Professional
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
Professional Software Developer Certification
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Tips for Entry-Level Computer Science Resume
If you are starting your computer science career, you can still have a great computer science resume.
Computer science students looking for an internship may feel intimidated to send their computer science internship resume because they don't have experience. The good news is that you always have experience and only need to dig deep to find it.
The personal projects and school projects relevant to computer science count as experience and should be included in your computer science student resume.
If you've completed your undergraduate degree in computer science, your entry-level computer science resume can also stand out.
Mention relevant courses and internships on your computer science resume.
A good computer science resume template can also help you structure your computer science resume in a way that makes it stand out to a recruiter.
If you are finding it hard to land your first computer science job, you can add to your experience by doing personal projects and building your portfolio. You can also work as a freelancer on different sites and gain some experience in various areas.
Volunteering at a well-known company is also a great way to gain relevant experience that will set you apart from other candidates.
Key Takeaways
Having the best sample computer science resume or the perfect cover letter template as your guide does not mean creating your cs resume will be easy.
Here are some of the tips you should remember to ensure your computer science resume stands out.
Ensure that your computer science resume objective or summary grabs the attention of the hiring manager. Let it be short and precise but have all the crucial points to encourage the recruiter to read the rest of your computer science resume.
Make your experience section as impressive as possible. Please don't send a computer science resume without experience, whether you are a computer science student or a professional because it's a sure way to get your resume dismissed.
Constantly tailor your resume to the job description and job title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a computer science job without a degree?
Computer science jobs prioritize hard skills and relevant experience more than educational qualifications, but some companies will require a degree as a qualification.
Does data entry look good for computer science resumes?
You can incorporate data entry in your computer science resume to back up soft skills such as attention to detail and accuracy. If you worked at a tech company or in the computer science field, it might give you an edge over other candidates who have not worked in this field.
Do computer science resumes need letters of intent?
Yes. A cover letter or letter of intent is a requirement for most computer science jobs. It is always advisable to send one even if it is not required as this can set you apart from other job seekers.
How long should a computer science resume be?
Your computer science resume should be one page long. Most recruiters take less than ten seconds to skim through your resume, and some dismiss anything that is more than a page.
How to get a computer science internship with no experience?
You can get a computer science internship by sending your computer science internship resume to the recruiter. If you don't know how to write a computer science resume, you can use a computer science resume template to write an appealing resume. Also, ensure that you include relevant personal and school projects in your resume to increase your chances of landing the computer science internship.
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