{"id":151,"date":"2021-07-07T09:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T06:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arc.dev\/developer-blog\/?p=151"},"modified":"2024-04-17T11:30:45","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T03:30:45","slug":"computer-science-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arc.dev\/talent-blog\/computer-science-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Computer Science Resume (Resume w\/ CS Background)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A degree in computer science<\/a> can open many doors. But how do you show that off on a computer science resume?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a highly desirable qualification, and it goes a long way towards attracting potential tech employers in the job market. But to truly separate yourself in a competitive employment environment, you\u2019ll first need to put a quality<\/em> computer science resume together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we walk through the various steps, let\u2019s follow the story of Ella, a recent computer science grad student ready to take the tech industry by storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella Hyde just finished her studies at the Computer Science Department of NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (say that three times fast!). She now needs to craft a resume that will help land her dream job in the tech industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s join her as she learns how to write a computer science resume for a position at Microsoft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Write a Computer Science Resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Before Writing Your Resume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you start writing your resume for computer science, consider a few things in preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what do you intend to do with this resume?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, do you want to apply for software developer or engineering jobs at a top startup? A strong CS resume can help you with this, but you need to have a clear goal in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have that goal figured out, look at your history and determine your greatest strengths. This will inform the resume format you adopt. You can choose to format it in reverse-chronological order or functionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most resumes use a reverse-chronological framework, which is the one we recommend. In this resume format, you showcase your work experience, educational background, and other time-based sections in reverse-chronological order. For each, start with your last position and company, and work your way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Ella worked as a software developer for an established tech company during one of her summer vacations. However, she didn\u2019t like the environment because of how overly structured it could get, so she decided startup jobs would be a better fit than software engineering jobs at an established company. If you have a robust work history like our Ella, then go for the chronological resume format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, functional resumes highlight your abilities and critical skills and how you can use these abilities to be an excellent fit for the company you\u2019re applying to. If you have gaps in your work history, are transitioning to a new career, or have changed jobs very often, a functional resume can help you start with the right foot forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After picking the best format, you should always tailor your comp sci resume to each company and vacancy. Go through the job description to identify keywords to use. This shows the company you care and want to become a valuable addition to their particular company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, remember to leave plenty of white space throughout the document to make it easier and more pleasant to read for the reviewer. And, in turn, that helps ensure your resume actually gets read!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More<\/strong>: Here’s How to Format a Software Developer Resume<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Contact Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first part of your computer science resume is where you place your contact details, which is pretty straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with your first and last name. Below that, you can include a branding statement or your current job title. However, only do so if you feel that it is appropriate for the position and company you\u2019re applying for. After this, you can state your address. This is not a necessity for remote positions, but it is helpful for location-relevant ones. For remote jobs, you may want to mention your time zone here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add your mobile number, ensuring you include your country code (you never know where a global company’s HR team might be located!). Record a professional-sounding voicemail greeting in case potential employers need to leave a message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following this, add your email address. This, too, should be professional, being some combination of your first and last name. Don\u2019t include a messy email like fancyangelxoxo124@aol.com<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, provide links to relevant social media profiles, portfolios, or professional websites. It\u2019s especially important to include a GitHub link if you have any developer projects there, so that employers can easily see your code and contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid including any sensitive information, such as your birthday or social security number. Doing so might place you at risk of identity theft or other security threats. Similarly, do not state any political or religious affiliations you might have. Not only is this inappropriate, but it places you at risk of falling afoul of reviewers\u2019 conscious or unconscious biases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s see how Ella approaches her contact details section in the following computer science resume example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ella J. Hyde<\/strong>\nAmbitious Software Engineer, MS in Computer Science\n+1 (555) 321-9871\nhyde.j.ella@gmail.com\ngithub.com\/ellajhyde\/\nlinkedin.com\/in\/ellajhyde\nellajhydeportfolio.com<\/pre>\n\n\n
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3. Introductory Paragraph\/Summary Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your next order of business is to craft an impactful and memorable introductory paragraph. Recruiters spend an average of 7.4<\/a> seconds looking at CVs, so this needs to capture their attention. If it doesn\u2019t, then they won\u2019t read the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your summary statement should be at the top of your CV and should be concise yet comprehensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Write all the relevant points in no more than three to five sentences. Additionally, specifically tailor the statement to the job you\u2019re applying for, directly referencing the company and position in question. Include relevant keywords. These should cover your education, skills, professional experience, and similar areas and reflect the software engineering job advertisement\u2019s wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Including numbers as evidence of your accomplishments is a particularly effective way to demonstrate your value as an employee. For instance, rather than saying you \u201cimproved team efficiency,\u201d specify that you \u201cincreased team efficiency by 56%\u201d where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we can see from Ella\u2019s computer science resume sample, she has a concise and attention-grabbing statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary Statement<\/strong>

Recent computer science graduate (master\u2019s degree) with one year of experience as an intern at Google where I increased team productivity by 13%. Member of the Association for Women in Computing, with a certification from Harvard in Building Interactive Web Applications For Data Analysis<\/em>. Keen on building on computer science background and programming experience to become a valuable Microsoft software developer.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Read More<\/strong>: How to Be a Software Engineer (Complete Guide)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Work Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve caught the recruiter\u2019s attention, it\u2019s time to reel them in further with your work experience. This is the core of your computer science resume and needs to highlight the crowning achievements of your career so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With each entry, put your job title first. Then, under this, write the organization\u2019s name, where you were based, and the dates of your employment. The month and year alone will do. Following this, you should clearly explain your responsibilities and your achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with your introductory paragraph, use numbers to add weight to your accomplishments. Finally, put your most recent role at the top, then list each job before that in turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ella\u2019s first entry should give you a good understanding of how to structure this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work Experience<\/strong>

Software Engineering Intern<\/strong>
Google, San Francisco, CA
January 2020 \u2013 January 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n