How to write a junior developer resume

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How to write a junior developer resume

You’ve finally done it. You’ve learned a couple of programming languages, built a tech stack, and you’re finally ready to start applying for jobs. But first, you’ll need a resume.

Your resume needs to assure employers that you’re a great fit for the role and can handle its responsibilities, whatever they may be. Below, we’ll explain everything you need to include in your junior developer resume to show prospective employers that you’re the best candidate for the job.

What does a junior developer do?

Junior developers typically work on a team with more experienced developers. They get to be a part of exciting new projects, fast-paced companies, and they learn a ton by putting their skills to good use in the real world.

A junior developer’s responsibilities will vary depending on the company they work for, but common duties include building websites, improving existing software, and testing and debugging code. Smaller companies might have junior developers perform tasks that are usually reserved for senior developers but with more oversight.

In larger companies, junior developers go through company-tailored training before jumping into their first project — which is great news if you’re nervous about whether your current skills will be enough.

How do I write a resume for a junior developer position?

Now that you understand what a junior developer does, let’s take a look at what you should include in your resume. But before you get into the nitty-gritty details of format, content, and style, you’ll need to get a few things prepared.

Give yourself enough time

First, give yourself a little breathing room to be in the right headspace before you write. Don’t put it off until the night before applications close for the position you want — give yourself a few hours to put your resume together. After all, if it lands you a fantastic job, isn’t it worth more than an hour of your time?

Gather your reference materials

Second, gather up all the data you’ll need. Save or print the job postings for junior developer positions with the companies you want to work for to reference later.

Find a resume template

Finally, find a few templates that you like and save them for inspiration. There’s nothing wrong with using a template, as long as you tailor it so that it accurately represents you. If you need help finding a template, check out Microsoft Word’s library of resumes or Canva’s offerings online. Now, let’s get into the details.

What skills do you need to be a junior developer?

Answering this question will help you highlight the right skills in your resume. Generally, junior developers need problem-solving, command line, documentation, and communication skills. They’ll also need other, more specific skills, but these vary depending on their role and the company they work for.

For example, a junior front-end developer would want to highlight their proficiency with languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS on their resume. A junior mobile developer would be better off highlighting their familiarity with Java, Kotlin, or Swift.

Be mindful of space while you’re creating your resume. List only the skills you’ll need for the position, as including more than that might be too much for a single page. It could also signal to the hiring manager that you didn’t take the time to tailor your resume for their posting.

Refer to the job postings you saved and take note of recurring keywords. If you see “web development” or “Ruby” or “C++” show up across different postings, sprinkle them strategically into your resume to show you have what it takes for the job.

What should you include in your junior developer resume?

When building your junior developer resume, remember that hiring managers go through dozens of applications, so you’ll want the most important information front and center. Include your contact info near the top. Then, below, add a short section with the skills we discussed above.

In general, you want your resume to be:

  • One page in length
  • Concise by making great use of bullets
  • Easily read by people and scanners
  • Well organized

Below your skills, add your relevant experience. Keep in mind a few rules of thumb for a junior developer resume:

  • Start with your most recent job and move back in time.
  • Include your title, the company, location, and the years you worked there.
  • You don’t need to detail every single job you’ve had. Stick with the most relevant.
  • Explain how the skills you gained from your past jobs pertain to the position.

Lastly, don’t worry if you think you don’t have enough experience. You’re applying for a junior developer position — no one expects you to have years of programming experience. Instead, highlight relevant skills from your last job, along with any courses you’ve completed or certificates you’ve earned that are relevant to the position.

Tailor your learning to match the junior developer job you want

If you’ve already got some of the skills your new job requires but need to brush up on a few things, take a course that’ll help you bridge the gap. Let’s say the job you want requires some knowledge of C++, but you’ve never programmed in that language. Try our Learn C++ course. We’ll teach you the language’s basics, and show you how to use it to build applications. For more skill-building courses, check out our catalog.