Software Developer CV Example, Template & Writing Guide
Whether you're writing a graduate software developer CV, junior software developer CV or senior software developer CV, don't let poor UX let you down!
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Getting onto the career ladder is tough. Work experience placements are an ideal way to get started but competition is fierce. Just like a paid job you have to beat all the other candidates vying for the same position.
And just like a paid job you’ll need a CV to convince the employer that you’re the number one choice.
In this article, you’ll learn how to write a CV for work experience that recruiters will love. You'll also see work placement CV examples to show you exactly how it should look. Let’s make a start and get you the work experience you deserve.
Create an effective CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and fill in every section of your CV in a flash using ready-made content and expert tips.
We created the sample on the right using our builder. See other good CV examples like this one.
Need some more help with writing a CV? Check these guides:
Brian Johnson
Ph: 0777 777 7777
Email: bjohnson_lc@gmail.com
Energetic A level student seeking fashion retail work experience. Passionate follower of fashion trends with a particular interest in innovative local designers. Seeking to gain hands-on experience in customer service at Firestarter’s highly acclaimed Brixton boutique.
Education
A-levels: English Language, Art & Design, Digital Media. September 2019–June 2021 (expected graduation date)
Stockwell Academy, London
9 GCSEs including Mathematics and English, September 2017–June 2019
The Westbridge School, London
Work Experience
Volunteer Retail Assistant
Retromax Charity Boutique, Clapham, London
January 2020–Present
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Now you know exactly what to include in a CV for work experience placements. Now for a step-by-step work experience template so you can write your own.
Here’s how to write a CV for work experience:
Your CV header is the very first part of your CV. Sitting right at the top of the page it includes your name and personal details. Here’s how to get it right.
Write your full name, and to make it stand out you can make the font size 6–8 pts bigger than the text in the body of your CV. Include your phone number and your email address, making sure it’s a sensible one based on your name.
And, don’t include a photo, your date of birth, or any other personal information. These create all sorts of potential problems with discrimination, and they’re considered unacceptable in a standard UK curriculum vitae. Also, there's no need to add your home address on a CV.
Brian Johnson
Ph: 0777 777 7777
Email: bjohnson_lc@gmail.com
A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.
Your personal statement is also known as a CV summary. It’s the opening act for your CV for work experience and it should be a compelling introduction to you as a candidate. Here’s how to catch the hiring manager’s eye and make them hungry for more.
It’s simple. All you have to do is answer these simple questions:
Answer them like this. Mention some of the skills, abilities and interests you have that will help you to excel in this work experience placement. Make sure you’re being specific to the opportunity you’re applying for and don’t forget to consider any relevant experience from your education too.
The best way to do it is to refer to the job description for the placement and highlight all the factors it says are desirable. Hiring managers often use it as a way of describing their perfect candidate. Then consider 3–4 of your own qualities and skills that match up with the job description.
Make sure you show energy and enthusiasm too. Showing a keen interest in the employer is a sure way to catch their attention.
Energetic A level student seeking fashion retail work experience. Passionate follower of fashion trends with a particular interest in innovative local designers. Seeking to gain hands-on experience in customer service at Firestarter’s highly acclaimed Brixton boutique.
When you’re writing a CV for work experience chances are you don’t have much, if any, work history to include. Therefore, your education should take precedence. More experienced candidates would put their work experience section after their CV summary, but for a CV for work experience your CV education section should go first. Here’s what to include.
If you’re a school-leaver include the name of the school or college you attended, and your dates of study. Include an expected graduation date if you’re still studying. For A-levels, mention each subject you studied, or are studying. But for GCSE’s you only need mention Maths and English specifically, that’s because achieving a pass in them is considered a bare minimum achievement by many employers.
If you’re a university graduate or still studying then include the name of the university, the degree and your dates of study. Again, using an expected graduation date if you’re still studying. See how to write a student CV.
A-levels: English Language, Art & Design, Digital Media. September 2019–June 2021 (expected graduation date)
Stockwell Academy, London
9 GCSEs including Mathematics and English, September 2017–June 2019
The Westbridge School, London
If you do have any prior experience it’s essential you include it on your CV for work experience. Many candidates have none at all, so it’s a great way of making yourself stand out. Even volunteer experience is perfect, as long as it involves practical experience in a workplace, it’s worth including. Here’s how to do it perfectly.
Include your job title, the name of your employer and the dates you worked there (use ‘Present’ as the end date if you’re still working there). Then write up to six bullet points describing the job.
Start each bullet point with a CV action verb to give it maximum impact. Then use accomplishment statements to add structure. It’s all about measurable achievements over duties. Don’t just say what you did, prove how well you did it.
Volunteer Retail Assistant
Retromax Charity Boutique, Clapham, London
January 2020–Present
In your CV skills section, aim for a mix of abilities. And remember, some skills are important for almost every job. In the case of soft skills, communication skills are king. In the case of hard skills, computer and IT skills are incredibly important. And again, make sure you target your skills to the work placement opportunity you’re applying for.
A bullet point list of 5 skills is perfect for a CV for work experience, and optionally you could add a brief sentence to each explaining how you demonstrate it. E.g. Image editing—advanced user of Adobe Photoshop.
Without a career history, it can be hard to make yourself stand out from all the other candidates. But including additional sections shows you’ve got the optional extras that make you the best choice for the job. Languages, hobbies and interests, projects and awards all make great additions to your CV for work experience.
Hobbies and Interests
For the finishing touch add a cover letter. It’ll make your CV for work experience look even more professional and it’ll certainly impress the hiring manager. Start by using the right cover letter format. Then include a ‘hook’ in your cover letter opening, an impressive achievement to catch the recruiter’s eye.
Next, when writing your cover letter show how your skills and experience will help you shine in the work placement role you’re applying for. Then include a call to action in your cover letter closing, asking to meet with the employer or set up a phone call to discuss the role further.
And for an extra professional touch, use a matching CV cover letter template.
Stick to the following rules for your CV layout. It’s a professional business document and the CV format should reflect that.
And we’re done, now you know how to write a CV for work experience that’ll give you the pick of the best placements.
You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.
Thanks for reading. Writing a CV is tough for everyone, but it’s even more difficult when you’re just starting out. So if you’ve got any questions at all please ask away in the comments section, and we’ll be happy to help.
Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.
About the author
Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.
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Whether you're writing a graduate software developer CV, junior software developer CV or senior software developer CV, don't let poor UX let you down!
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