For more tips on making a CV that works, check out Arc’s Ultimate software engineer resume builder & guide.
Sometimes, such as when you’re re-entering the job market later in your career, it makes more sense to start fresh with a new resume rather than to make updates to an outdated version. There are plenty of sites that offer free resume templates for software developers that make it very easy to showcase your skills and expertise in a clean, professional format.
A template for a software developer resume needs to include space for your hard skills — coding languages and other technical skills — as well as leadership, communication, and other soft skills highly sought-after in senior software developers. Look for a simple resume template that allows you to customize and personalize the content without hassle.
Beware that some sites will put up a paywall when you try to download your customized resume. This guide will break down the best sites for using a free resume template, as well as any surprise restrictions of which you may need to know.
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What To Look For In A Free Resume Template
Resume templates, ideally, should save you time: instead of formatting fonts, margins, headings, and bullet points, you can focus on communicating your skills, talent, and professional experience.
That said, it’s important to do your research to make sure the free template you choose really does save you time.
Choose a site by asking these questions
Is it intuitive and easy to use?
Look for a site that has a drag and drop builder or lets you work directly within the layout. Sites that have you fill out a form and spit out a template that’s not well-designed or aesthetically pleasing may end up being more labor-intensive and frustrating.
Does it have industry-specific templates?
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to fit a software developer’s experience on a template for a sales representative. Make sure that the site you choose has options for different backgrounds. A web developer resume template can be vastly different than one designed for a computer science resume.
Can you import information from LinkedIn or a previous CV?
A great way to save some time is by importing your experience directly from LinkedIn or from a previous version of your resume. However, some sites aren’t great at importing information. You could end up spending more time re-formatting or editing than if you had just worked on original content.
Learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile here.
How many resumes can you create for free?
Some resume template sites only let you download a template once. If you’re applying to multiple positions, and want to change your content to reflect different job descriptions, avoid sites that only permit one download per template.
How many customizable options are there?
You want your resume to reflect your unique candidacy, and not look like a copy-paste job. Make sure the template’s fonts, headings, and footer can be changed to reflect your professional persona.
What file format can you download?
Most recruiters prefer to receive resumes in .pdf or .doc/.docx form. Make sure that the site you choose offers free downloads in those file formats — many simply offer free .txt files, and no recruiter wants that.
Can you make a matching cover letter template?
In almost every case, your software developer resume should be attached to an email along with a software developer cover letter. And, when you do, you don’t want to have two vastly different documents. Make sure your resume’s general styling (font size, colors, header, etc.) matches the tech cover letter you include with it. And, better yet, do they have free cover letter templates?
Some sites on this list may require you to create an account in order to access their templates. Others simply provide downloadable templates that you can change in Microsoft Word (and, sometimes, Google Docs). Check them out below.
Read More: How to Write a Web Developer Resume Sure to Impress the Hiring Manager
8 Best Sites For Developer Resume Templates
These are some of the most popular websites for free resume templates perfect for software developers, engineering leaders, and other tech professionals.
Jobscan
Jobscan specializes in resume templates that are easily read by applicant tracking systems. The interface is exceptionally user-friendly, too. As you work, the screen will show two sections: the first is for filling in the information you wish to include on your resume.
While you work in that section, the builder automatically shows your content in the second section of the screen, which is your final resume. Jobscan offers both free and paid templates; the free templates are ATS-friendly and therefore somewhat limited in how much you can customize.
Canva
Canva is a popular graphic design platform, but it also offers free resume templates specifically for software developers. The tools are relatively user-friendly: you can easily use a pre-defined template and add your information to the assigned fields.
If you want to change the fonts, colors, and other aesthetics, it can get a little more complicated. Canva’s full suite of design tools is available to tailor your resume, meaning you can add shapes, custom images, logos, and more.
Kickresume
Kickresume is free for up to four basic resume templates per month, which is a good way to start with the site to see if it’s the right fit for you — Kickresume also offers software engineering cover letter templates and website templates, which can be useful for software developers.
You can sort resume templates depending on how “conservative” or “creative” you prefer your template to be. If you don’t like any of their pre-set templates, you can use their interactive resume maker, or simply import your resume from LinkedIn.
Resume.com
Like Kickresume, Resume.com has an option to import information from your LinkedIn to make it extremely easy to customize one of their free templates. The interface on this resume builder is set up like a resume, so as you work you can see live how your final product will look.
Resume.com also offers tons of resources for writing a strong resume, including samples and step-by-step instructions for how to write a resume. This site lets you download your resume as a PDF or Word Document for free.
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Resume Builder App
Unlike the other sites on this list, Resume Builder App is a free Android application that offers more than 40 different free resume templates. This highly-rated option guides you through building a resume section by section, giving you the option to rearrange, add, or delete sections however you prefer.
You can download your document for free as a PDF and save your resume on your device or send it via email or text. It’s a great option for software developers who may be applying to jobs on-the-go.
CakeResume
CakeResume offers resume templates specifically for software developers and engineers. Regarding their interface: be aware that selecting the option to convert your profile into a resume will ask you to pay to subscribe to CakeResume.
If you’d prefer not to pay, select the option to build a resume manually from scratch. Then, the resume builder will lead you through a process that looks similar to Microsoft Word. You may need an eye for design to make sure your resume comes out looking great using this simple resume template site.
The Balance
The Balance, which offers resources for small businesses and professionals, has a small library of downloadable free resume templates for software developers. Choose the template that best reflects your experience — the site has templates for database administrators, systems analysts, and experienced programmers — and make the template reflect your skills and experience.
Note that some of these templates may be slightly outdated since The Balance last updated this library in 2019.
Monster.com
If you’re just looking for a quick and simple resume template to customize in a hurry, Monster’s software developer resume sample is a great go-to. Copy and paste the template into a Word document and update the content to reflect your background.
There are no flashy colors, fonts, or design elements, but it does have sections for the information that matters most to a recruiter.
No matter which resume builder you choose, make sure that your resume is free of grammar and spelling errors, weird resume formatting issues when you print, and any distractions that might prevent a recruiter from taking your candidacy seriously.
Read More: How to Make a Resume for IT Jobs That Wins You an Interview
You can also explore HireAI to skip the line and:
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⚡️ Identify top applicants from our network of 350,000+ with no manual screening
⚡️ Hire 4x faster with vetted candidates (qualified and interview-ready)
