Tech CV: What Developers Need to Know
The Ultimate Guide for Developer Resumes
What you'll learn in this article
As a developer, you face unique challenges when creating your CV. Your technical skills, projects, and experience must be presented in a way that's understandable to both technical and non-technical hiring managers. This comprehensive guide shows you how to create a CV that perfectly showcases your expertise.
- Optimally structure and present technical skills
- Effectively showcase projects and code examples
- Balance technical details with understandability
- ATS optimization for tech positions
- Consider industry-specific requirements
Your technical skills are your capital - present them strategically.
The presentation of your technical skills often determines the first impression. Hiring managers scan tech CVs for relevant technologies and frameworks. Thoughtful structuring makes all the difference.
Programming Languages
List programming languages by experience level.
- Use level indicators: Expert, Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner
- Sort by relevance to the target position
- Provide brief context for lesser-known languages
- Mention years of experience for main languages
Example:
Python (5+ years, Expert) | JavaScript/TypeScript (4 years, Advanced) | Go (1 year, Intermediate) | Rust (Learning, Beginner)Frameworks & Libraries
Show your experience with relevant tools and frameworks.
- Group by technology stack (Frontend, Backend, Mobile)
- Mention version specifications for important frameworks
- Link frameworks to concrete project experiences
- Keep the list current and relevant
Example:
Frontend: React 18, Vue.js 3, Angular 15 | Backend: Node.js, Django, Spring Boot | Mobile: React Native, FlutterTools & Platforms
Document your experience with development tools and platforms.
- Categorize: Development, DevOps, Databases, Cloud
- Mention specific experience with cloud providers
- Include CI/CD experience and container technologies
- List database experience with SQL and NoSQL
Example:
Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), Azure, Google Cloud | DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, GitHub Actions | Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, RedisSoft Skills for Developers
Technical skills alone aren't enough - show your collaboration abilities.
- Emphasize teamwork and communication skills
- Mention experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies
- Show leadership experience (Code Reviews, Mentoring)
- Document problem-solving abilities
Example:
Agile Development, Code Review Leadership, Technical Mentoring, Cross-functional Collaboration, Problem-SolvingYour projects are proof of your abilities - show impact and results.
For developers, projects are often more meaningful than job titles. Strategic project presentation shows not only your technical skills but also your ability to solve business problems.
Optimal Project Structure
Project Title and Role
Use a descriptive title and clearly define your role.
E-Commerce Platform Redesign - Lead Frontend DeveloperTechnology Stack
List all technologies used in one line.
React, TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS, DockerProblem Statement
Briefly describe the business problem or challenge.
Legacy system with 45% cart abandonment rate needed modern UXSolution and Your Role
Explain your specific contribution to the solution.
Developed responsive React frontend with optimized checkout flowMeasurable Impact
Quantify results whenever possible.
Reduced cart abandonment by 30%, increased conversion rate by 25%Different Project Types
Professional Projects
Projects from your professional career
- Focus on business impact and teamwork
- Mention project size and timeline
- Show leadership and mentoring experience
- Document collaboration with other departments
Open Source Contributions
Contributions to open-source projects
- Link to GitHub/GitLab profiles
- Mention popular repositories or own projects
- Show community engagement (Issues, PRs, Discussions)
- Document maintainer experience if applicable
Personal/Side Projects
Own projects and experimental developments
- Choose projects that show relevant skills
- Explain the motivation behind the project
- Show complete ownership (Design to Deployment)
- Mention user feedback or adoption
Learning Projects
Projects for learning new technologies
- Show learning willingness and experimentation
- Document the learning process and insights
- Compare different approaches or technologies
- Mention best practices you applied
Show your development as a developer and your growing responsibility.
Your professional experience as a developer should show clear progression - both in technical expertise and in responsibility and leadership. Structure each position strategically.
Optimize Job Titles
Use industry-standard titles and expand them when necessary.
More specific and modern
More professional and respectful
Technology-specific and focused
Achievement Formulas for Developers
Use these proven formulas for impactful descriptions.
Solve typical problems and pitfalls in the tech industry.
Developer CVs have specific challenges. From presenting complex projects to balancing technical details with understandability - here are the solutions.
Too Technical Language
Your CV is full of jargon that non-technical HR staff don't understand.
Solution:Translate technical terms into business impact. Example: 'Implemented microservices architecture' becomes 'Modernized system architecture enabling 50% better performance'.
Tip:Use the 'grandmother rule': Would your grandmother understand why this is important?
Project Overload
You have too many projects and don't know which to mention.
Solution:Choose 3-5 best projects that show different skills. Quality over quantity. Focus on projects with measurable impact.
Tip:Create a 'master CV' with all projects, then select the most relevant ones for each application.
Outdated Technologies
Your experience is mainly in legacy technologies.
Solution:Show active learning through online courses, personal projects, or contributions. Mention migration experience from old to new.
Tip:Emphasize transferable skills: Problem-solving, architecture thinking, code quality apply to all technologies.
Short Job Duration
You have many short employments or freelance projects.
Solution:Group freelance projects under 'Freelance Software Developer (2022-2024)' and list top clients. Emphasize versatility and adaptability.
Tip:Explain short employments proactively: Startup environment, project completion, strategic career decisions.
Missing Soft Skills
Your CV only shows technical abilities, no interpersonal skills.
Solution:Integrate soft skills into project descriptions: 'Mentored junior developers', 'Collaborated with UX team', 'Presented technical solutions to stakeholders'.
Tip:Code reviews, pair programming, and technical writing are soft skills - mention them!
GitHub vs. CV
Uncertainty about how much of your GitHub profile belongs in the CV.
Solution:CV = Highlights and business impact. GitHub = Technical deep-dive. Link to GitHub but don't repeat everything.
Tip:Mention in CV: GitHub URL, top repositories (Stars/Forks), and contribution highlights.
Different tech sectors have different expectations - know the differences.
A CV for a FinTech startup differs from one for a gaming studio or a bank. Understand the specific requirements of different tech industries.
Startups
Characteristics:
- Emphasize flexibility and versatility
- Show ownership and end-to-end responsibility
- Fast learning ability and adaptability
- Experience with MVP development and iterative processes
Key Skills:
Full-Stack Development, Rapid Prototyping, Lean Methodologies, Scrappy Solutions
Avoid:
Excessive focus on processes and documentation
Enterprise/Large Companies
Characteristics:
- Focus on stability and scalability
- Experience with enterprise technologies
- Compliance and security awareness
- Team collaboration and process understanding
Key Skills:
Enterprise Frameworks, Architecture Patterns, Security Best Practices, Documentation
Avoid:
Experimental technologies without business context
FinTech/Banking
Characteristics:
- Security and compliance focus
- Experience with financial systems
- Regulatory understanding
- High availability and disaster recovery
Key Skills:
Payment Systems, Encryption, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Modeling
Avoid:
Unreliable or experimental solutions
Gaming/Entertainment
Characteristics:
- Emphasize performance optimization
- Show creative problem-solving
- User experience and engagement
- Cross-platform experience
Key Skills:
Game Engines, Performance Optimization, Graphics Programming, User Analytics
Avoid:
Overly dry, business-oriented language
Your Tech CV as Career Catalyst
A strategically built tech CV is more than just a list of your skills - it's your personal pitch that shows why you're the right developer for the respective position. Invest time in optimization, because in the fast-paced tech industry, the right words can make the difference between an interview and a rejection.
- Keep your CV updated - new technologies develop quickly
- Test different versions for different positions
- Use metrics and numbers to quantify your impact
- Link to your GitHub, portfolio, or relevant projects
- Have your CV reviewed by other developers