Achieving the perfect balance between technical expertise and soft skills is a significant CV challenge in the computer science field. Our guide offers tailored advice to help you highlight your programming prowess while also showcasing your collaborative strengths and problem-solving abilities.
- Design and format your professional computer science CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading computer science CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your computer science CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
How complex should the format of your computer science CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your computer science CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a computer science CV
- Technical Skills showcase proficiency in programming and tools which are essential for tech roles.
- Work Experience highlights prior job roles relevant to computing and software development.
- Education & Certifications demonstrate formal training and qualifications in computer science.
- Projects & Portfolio present personal or academic projects that reflect practical skills.
- Professional Summary offers an overview of skills and experience pertinent to the computer science field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight relevant technical skills such as programming languages, software, and tools you’re proficient in, tailoring them to the job you’re applying for.
- Include specific projects or contributions to open source that demonstrate your coding abilities and problem-solving skills.
- Emphasise your understanding and experience with various development methodologies like Agile, Scrum, or DevOps, which are crucial in modern software development environments.
- Detail your experience with databases, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity if applicable, showcasing your niche expertise that aligns with the computer science role.
- Outline your soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability, providing examples of how they've positively impacted your technical work and project outcomes.
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How to present your contact details and job keywords in your computer science CV header
Located at the top of your computer science CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for computer science:
- Senior Data Scientist | Machine Learning Expert | PhD in Computer Science | 8+ Years Experience
- Full Stack Developer | Proficient in JavaScript & Python | AWS Certified | 5 Years Industry Expertise
- Cybersecurity Analyst | Network Security | CISSP Certified | Advanced Threat Mitigation | 10 Years Experience
- Junior Software Engineer | Degree in Computer Science | Skilled in Java & C++ | Agile Methodology Enthusiast
- Cloud Solutions Architect | Azure & Google Cloud | DevOps Practitioner | 12+ Years of Innovation
- AI Research Scientist | Deep Learning | Natural Language Processing | PhD | 4 Years Field Experience
What's the difference between a computer science CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your computer science CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a computer science job:
``` CV objectives for a computer science job:
- To leverage my expertise in Python, Java, and C++ to develop high-quality software solutions, aiming to contribute to the technological advancements of a forward-thinking software company while continuing to grow my skills in a challenging environment.
- Seeking to utilize a solid foundation in machine learning, data analysis, and algorithm design to drive data-driven decision-making and create impactful automation tools in a fast-paced tech startup.
- Aiming to apply my passion for cybersecurity and wealth of experience in network security protocols to enhance the digital security measures of a leading financial institution in the heart of Silicon Valley.
- To employ my knowledge of cloud computing, containerization, and distributed systems to help a global e-commerce brand scale its infrastructure and improve user experience amid rapid company growth.
- Intending to bring programming prowess in full-stack web development, alongside proven project management skills, to deliver responsive and user-centric solutions for a creative digital agency with a vibrant client base.
- Desiring to dedicate my comprehensive background in artificial intelligence and computer vision to the cutting-edge research & development projects of a multinational tech corporation, striving to push the boundaries of technology.
What to add in your computer science CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your computer science CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your computer science CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your computer science CV:
Programming (e.g., Java, Python, C++)
Algorithms and Data Structures
Software Engineering Principles
Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Database Management (SQL, NoSQL)
Operating Systems (Linux, Windows)
Version Control (Git)
Computer Networking
Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Machine Learning and AI
Analytical Thinking
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Teamwork and Collaboration
Adaptability
Continuous Learning
Effective Communication
Time Management
Creativity
Project Management
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your computer science CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your computer science CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your computer science CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
