Senior Software Engineer CV Examples and Tips

As a senior software engineer, the perfect CV for a senior software engineer job is going to be skills-heavy and project-heavy. Any time you see the word “senior” in a job title, it’s typically because it implies that you’ve been at this for a very long time. The best CV for a senior software engineer showcases all of the specific experience you have that lets a hiring manager know that you’re right for the job.

Any time you look at senior software engineer CV examples, the structure will at least partially depend on your CV format. Senior software engineers should choose the chronological format, as it emphasises work history. Here are the elements of your CV you should focus on.

 

Your CV header should contain your contact information, including your phone number, email  and professional links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

 

Personal statement and CV summary

Next is your personal statement or CV summary. It’s also referred to as the professional statement. This goes over your most important skills and achievements, giving a hiring manager an overview of your CV while enticing them to give you an interview. It helps employers get a feel for who you are before they read the whole CV.

 

Here are a few engineering-related skills to consider for this section:

• Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, XML, PHP, JSON)
• Frameworks (MySQL, ASP.NET, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Sencha)
• Agile and Scrum methodologies
• API
• Front-end and backend management
• Troubleshooting and debugging
• Mentoring other software developers
• Project management
• Operating systems (Microsoft, Linux, MacOS, Android)
• Quality assurance
• Managing user interface
• Application development
• SQL Server, Oracle

Your software skills are a significant portion of what makes you qualified for a job as a senior software engineer. Remember, however, that hard skills alone won’t be enough to get you the job. Soft skills which are related to how you approach work and interact with co-workers, such as collaboration, attention to detail, and teamwork, are also crucial.

 

Next is your work experience section. This will probably be the most significant portion of the CV, since you will likely have an extensive work history as a senior software engineer. Just remember that for each job you’ve had, write 2-4 bullet points highlighting your most significant achievements. Also include the company name, your job title, and dates of employment.

 

Education

Last is your education section. Not only can you put your university experience in this section, but you can also add any important qualifications and certifications here, such as a software engineering master certification or Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD).

Here are some additional tips to help you write your professional CV:

 

Do:

• Emphasise your work experience. Every senior software engineer CV needs to show that you have extensive experience as a software engineer.
• Include more than 10 years of experience if the job description specifically asks for it. In most jobs, more than 10 years of experience isn’t necessary, but some jobs might call for it.
• Ensure your CV works well with an applicant tracking system (ATS). Graphs and other non-text based components will be rejected by an ATS scan. Save these for the interview.

Don’t:

• Overuse jargon in your CV. Even though you’re applying for a highly technical job, don’t assume the recruiter understands the jargon.
• Include every certification you’ve ever received. At this point, you probably have a lot of them, so only list your most important and relevant certifications.