Computer science is about designing software, dealing with the architecture of large computer systems, and developing models for the interaction between people and software. The scope of this field is quite diverse. Computer scientists perform various tasks during the work process, so it’s impossible to call this job boring.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, pegs the average
computer scientist
at $131,490 per year and $63.22 per hour.
Before starting a career in computer science, you need to craft a resume that works. Here, you can find a computer science resume example with a detailed description of each section. We will tell you how to format a resume, how to present the information effectively, and how to make your resume stand out.
How to Format a Computer Science Resume
Three basic types of resumes involve reverse-chronological, functional, and combination ones. Among them, a reverse-chronological computer science resume format is the best choice. It shows your best points at the top of the document. In this case, the layout of the resume works for you.
One more point is to follow general requirements. Forget about long sentences, “creative” fonts, and long lists. Be precise and add only relevant information. Also, use legible fonts, white spaces between sections, headings/subheadings, and bullet points for lists. You can see in detail in our resume sample how formatting affects the perception of the information.
Explore more resume examples developed by our career experts in different fields. Here you can find resume templates crafted by our professional services:
You will also have access to an updated list of resumes for different professions and industries: from customer service to engineering. Stay tuned and check for updates each week.
Resume Objective & Resume Summary
The computer science resume objective and summary are both important to impress the employer. This section aims to promote yourself as the most fitting candidate before the interview itself, summarize your strong points, and highlight your achievements.
Still, there is a slight difference between objective and summary. A resume summary fits more for an experienced worker to tell about training or qualification, previous experience, and achievements. The resume objective is for entry-level specialists to tell about key skills, career goals, and experience (if the candidate has it).
Resume Summary [Examples]
Look through these computer science resume samples to differentiate the effective way of presenting the information. The first resume sample is provided by our career expert.
Right Resume Example ✅
Dedicated and enthusiastic computer scientists with 4+ years of experience in human-computer interaction. Searching for the opportunity to apply coding, leadership, and analytical skills as the head of the project dedicated to Android application in education. Created and developed 3 Android apps for student-teacher interaction (available in Google Play Store).
Wrong Resume Example ❌
I am a computer scientist with a lot of experience. I want to be a mentor of your new project dedicated to Android applications.
Resume Objective [Examples]
The computer science resume objective presented here refers to the resume example by an entry-level specialist.
Right Resume Example ✅
Enthusiastic, creative, and energetic freelance computer science specialist skilled in high math, coding, and problem-solving. Seeking to apply my knowledge of cross-platforming coding to create and improve Google systems.
Wrong Resume Example ❌
I have no experience in this field. But I am very enthusiastic and ready to learn everything new. As a student, I had a great interest in coding.
You can use the first example to format the objective section. Adhere to this way of presenting information to correspond to the requirements of hiring managers.
Resume Examples [Experience]
The experience section is the central part of your resume. The first step is to organize it in the reverse-chronological order. The hiring manager should see your last place of work at the top of the list. Also, mention not only the company but also where it is situated. Finally, add the period of time you worked there.
Do not forget to mention your duties and achievements. There should be the results of your work as the so-called quantitative proof of your competence. In the computer science sample presented above, you can see how to organize this data appropriately.
Entry Level Computer Science Resume [Experience]
If you are an entry-level specialist and lack experience, it does not mean that this section should be empty. In a resume for computer science with no experience, we recommend starting with education. This way, you show that you are qualified enough for this position.
In case you have not worked in this field yet, recollect all practical experience you ever had in your life. Instead of responsibilities, you can state volunteering or consulting experience. Also, participation in conferences or practical parts of the project is worth mentioning.
Entry Level Computer Science [Sample]
Our career experts provided two computer science resume examples by entry-level specialists. The candidate was the fitting one in the first case, while the recruiter just skipped this resume in the second one.
Right Resume Example ✅
Freelance Software Developer
June 2015-April 2018
- created and tested 2 Android apps for food companies;
- Updated the website for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Worked under the project dedicated to human-computer interaction in the local school.
Wrong Resume Example ❌
I have no experience in software development. But I am a very enthusiastic and skilled person. I hope that this position will provide me with a priceless experience.
The second resume example shows what is forbidden to write in the resume for the entry-level specialist who wants to get a job in any sphere.
Education Section: What to Include
Some job seekers suppose that it is useless to mention education in the resume. Of course, experience matters, but education is also essential. The recruiter should see that you have an appropriate qualification and necessary training. Also, show that college was not boring and demonstrate you gained essential experience during your studies.
In your computer science resume, begin with the degree type and then move to university, its location, and year of completion. Furthermore, you can add some achievements or favorite classes to underline your strong points and preferences.
Computer Science Resume Examples [Education]
Most of the computer science resume samples provide the standard scheme of formatting the education section. And it’s important to follow basic computer science requirements for the resume. Still, you can add some additional data to this section.
Right Resume Example ✅
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Computer Science
Stanford University, California
Completion: 2015
- GPA 3.95
- Favorite course: Machine Learning for Better Data Management
- Projects: participated in the research dedicated to the human-computer interaction in the field of education
- Created podcasts for students about coding in “simple words”
Wrong Resume Example ❌
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Computer Science
Stanford University, California
Completion: 2015
GPA: 2.8
Note that you should indicate your GPA only if it is 3.0 or higher.
Skills on a Resume for a Computer Science
To craft a winning resume, you should include only relevant skills. One more useful tip is to keep a balance between hard and soft skills. Do not focus not only on the professional skills you obtained during studying and working at the previous position. In any career field, you will need interpersonal skills to interact with your manager and other workers in a team.
There is a list of the computer science resume skills the hiring manager is willing to see.
Hard Skills:
- high math;
- logic;
- coding;
- data structures;
- machine learning.
Soft Skills:
- problem-solving;
- leadership;
- critical thinking;
- communication;
- collaboration.
Professional Skills:
- JavaScript;
- C, C++;
- Python;
- SQL;
- Ruby/Rails.
Check our computer science resume samples to see how to organize this section effectively. Do not forget to use bullet points instead of long sentences.
Computer Science Resume Examples [Skills]
As in other computer science resume samples, this section of the resume should follow basic formatting requirements. You can split this block into two parts (hard skills and soft skills) or just make one bullet points list.
Right Resume Example ✅
KEY SKILLS
- High Math
- Logic
- Coding
- JavaScript
- C, C++
- Python
- SQL
- Problem-Solving
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
Wrong Resume Example ❌
I have a lot of skills that will be useful for this position. Coding and math are my strong points. Also, I am a friendly person and can communicate almost with everyone.
You can also check other professional resume examples for computer science to see different ways of formatting and structuring this block.
Other Sections
It is important to follow the order of sections on resume for computer science to keep it neat and well-organized. But you can also add extra sections if you want to make your resume stand out.
In the additional resume sections, you can mention volunteering experience, projects, interests and passions, and so on. The only rule is to include relevant data. If your hobbies are not related to your job, do not place them in the resume.
Computer Science Resume Examples [Other Sections]
See the example of a professional computer science resume to find some ideas on what to write in other sections.
Right Resume Example ✅
OTHER SECTIONS
Languages:
Spanish and French (fluent).
Volunteering:
- created podcasts, workshops, and tech talks for students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Conferences:
- participated in the CoMeSySo conference (April 2020) as a speaker.
Wrong Resume Example ❌
I am fond of art, and this year, I will be a volunteer in a local gallery.
Check other resume for computer science jobs as well to see various options for other sections.
Wrapping Up
Now you know all the secrets of a perfect resume. Here you can find the key tips on how to write a computer science resume that works:
- be precise and add only relevant information;
- adhere to basic formatting recommendations;
- forget about long sentences and use bullet point lists instead;
- choose a career summary if you are an experienced candidate and an objective if you are an entry-level specialist;
- remember to add the education - it is of the same importance as the experience.
We hope that the article provided you with all the essential data to craft a winning resume. In case you want some extra help or have any additional resume questions, our resume editing service is always ready to provide useful advice and professional assistance.
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