INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT and Software Engineering positions are at a much faster than average growth rate, which is 22%. With that said, there are currently 1,847,900 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 409,500 to 2,257,400 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the IT and Software Engineering jobs was $110,140 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $65,210, and the highest 10% more than $170,100.
Our conclusion? The IT and Software Engineering job market is facing competition due to decreasing demand.
Top GIS developer sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Writing a memorable experience section: GIS Developer resume edition
Checklist: ways to make your experience section stand out
- Find balance: use 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Include positions that are relevant to the job you’re applying for;
- Use action verbs when describing your responsibilities and results;
- Highlight your achievements by adding numbers to them (e.g. instead of saying “achieved a steady increase in…”, say “achieved an X% increase in…”);
- Prove that you’re willing to work hard, both individually and in a team.
We’ve gathered the most impressive GIS Developer experience sections from real Enhancv resumes. Check them out for some additional inspiration!
- Created End to End Architecture Using Esri javascript API,ArcGIS in .net and share point environment
- Developed Geo database Module using ArcView, ArcEditor,
- Developed Test scenario for State Parks Portal in Zihar ticketing tool.
- Deployment application in VisualGIS,Visual studio,Oracle database
- Implemented release management process of entire source control of state Parks Portal
- In Depth knowledge in Esri API, ArcGIS, Team foundation server.
- Developed tools for geospatial mapping application product built on JavaScript, JSON and Oracle mapviewer which helped the client to understand how their stores performed at various geography levels, where their competitors existed and sales transfer, customer spotting.
- Configured geospatial mapping applications for clients which helped them in viewing their store across markets, perform geospatial analysis such as viewing and editing store trade areas, spider-maps and running demographic reports which helped them in understanding the market .
- Implemented PL/SQL packages using Oracle 11g for demographic reports, sales forecasting and market cannibalization.
- Utilized GIS data conversion, data manipulation, geocoding and analysis in Alteryx .
- Provided support for bug fixes or enhancements in existing web mapping applications for clients.
- Created GIS dataset for retail competitor location from different sources.
- Implemented and configured SQL packages for performing functionalities like trade area editing, truncating trade areas with own stores.
- I am currently serving as a Senior GIS Developer for MCIT client in Saudi Arabia.
- High value consulting support for ArcGIS technology and recent updates.
- Work effectively with Esri Platforms, Maintenance of ESRI Enterprise System (Portal, Server, Datastore).
- Develop web mapping applications and reprocessing tools to support GIS.
- Understand customer requirements and develop GIS applications to meet business needs.
- Analyze customer issues and provide resolutions.
- Maintain and support application according to changing business requirements.
- Assist in data integrity and quality assurance activities to ensure application stability
- Ensure that application architecture meets business requirements.
- ts.
- I has earlier served as a GIS Developer and Technical Consultant for GIS Center of Al Riyadh Municipality.
- My responsibilities included developing and implementing GIS Applications.
- Additionally, Develop web mapping applications and geo-processing tools to support GIS.
- Understand customer requirements and develop GIS applications to meet business needs.
- Analyze customer issues and provide resolutions.
- Maintain and support applications according to changing business requirements.
- Assist in data integrity and quality assurance activities to ensure application stability.
- Ensure that application architecture meets business requirements, Design, code and integrate applications with database management systems.
- Test applications and perform bug fixes.
- Review of the current environment and identify all aspects of current usage and prepare for the future direction of IT support.
- Working on to establish the enterprise GIS solution on the ESRI'sManaged Cloud Services (AWS) for MDTA that includes setting up GISData store, ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Portal for development, testingand production environments.
- Coordinate with vendors supporting the current GIS tasks to supportvarious business units within MDTA.
- Formatting and performing geo-referencing, and rectifying vector datato project specific needs.
- Automating data transfers of GIS data to and from agencies includingfederal
- Served as a Sr. GIS SME for all GIS and development projects forthe Baltimore County while managing the dedicated GIS team.
- Worked on enhancing, automating and maintaining various GIS tools and utilities for the county such as My neighborhood, Survey Control, Facilities Editor, etc.
- Worked on developing ArcGIS Server's Server Object Extension (SOE) to support the back-end functionality for the permit review application.
- Defined architectural strategies and plans for implementing (On Road Integration, optimization and Navigation) ORION for international sites.
- Lead the tablet team to implement ORION for tablets.
- Worked with location services team to enhance and modify the routing algorithm based on international business rules.
- Developed the framework /application to perform the GIS data transfer between UPS and the external client.
- Worked with TomTom Navigation data to convert into UPS’ native format.
- Worked with historic traffic data to link with UPS streets data for generation of OD cost Matrix.
- Designed JSONs for the SOEs to support various backend functionalities, implemented as RESTful.
- Modified and automated various data transfer processes from various systems to the enterprise database.
- Reviewed the performance of Verizon’s existing GIS applications, came up with the white paper based on GIS best practices for improving performance.
- Developed various tools for FIM application such as: Fiber route tractability and connectivity, Proximity analysis from a given site to closest fiber route, concurrent editing, etc.
- Guided with various aspects of GIS technology and help determine the best tool/technology to get the job done also designed and developed mission critical applications from the view point of BCP (Business Continuity Planning).
- Developed some complicated multi-threaded applications in C#.NET to automate different processes.
- Developed ArcGIS Server extensions using Server Object Extension (SOE) using ArcObjects.
- Served as a GIS SME for all GIS and development projects for the Baltimore County while managing the dedicated GIS team.
- Worked on providing solutions by customizing ArcFM Editor and Viewer using ArcFMObjects.
- Defined architectural strategies and plans for implementing (On Road Integration, optimization and Navigation) ORION for international sites and tablet implementation.
- Worked with location services team to enhance and modify the routing algorithm based on international business rules.
- Provided direction for modeling and implementation to replace Navteq (HERE) data to TomTom Navigation data for a cost saving over Half a million in licensing every year.
- Worked with historic traffic data to link with UPS streets data.
- Reviewed the performance of Verizon’s existing GIS applications, came up with the white paper based on GIS best practices for improving performance.
- Modified and automated various data transfer processes from various systems to the enterprise database at Verizon, Tampa FL.
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as GIS Developer, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action verbs for your GIS developer resume
Recommended reads:
GIS Developer Resume: Crafting a strong skills section
Do this if you want to make your skills section stand out.
- Check the job advert for keywords and add them to your skills section to pass ATS;
- List only skills that are relevant to the position to keep the hiring manager focused;
- Balance between hard, soft, and technical skills;
- Elaborate on some of your strongest skills in other sections of your GIS Developer resume, e.g. the experience section or your resume’s summary.
Top skills for your GIS developer resume
Python
Java
Javascript
GIT
SQL
HTML
Teamwork and communication
Creative problem solving
Analystical thinking
Owning up to errors
Self-learning
Time management
PRO TIP
When describing your experience, don’t go too far from its terminology. Recruiters use ATS systems to filter resumes based on them having certain keywords, so make sure you use at least a few keywords mentioned in the job description.
Recommended reads:
GIS developer resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your GIS Developer Resume Header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your GIS Developer resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
How to write an inspiring GIS developer resume summary
Checklist: Writing a resume summary that makes you stand out
- Keep it short and use well-structured sentences;
- Mention your total years of experience in the field and your #1 achievement;
- Highlight your strengths and relevant skills;
- Add keywords from the company’s website or the job description.
resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary should act as an elevator speech, briefly promoting how you will benefit the employer if hired. Pitch your strengths in the summary and expand on them in your GIS Developer experience section. Give examples like how your work benefited each employer.
Recommended reads:
Making the education section of your GIS developer resume stand out
Education section checklist for your GIS developer resume:
- List your highest education degree: including your major, year of graduation, and the institution you attended;
- Highlight the extracurricular activities that have helped you gain additional expertise;
- Share more about the certifications you’ve got, especially if they are relevant to the job position;
- Entry-level applicants: Mention relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your GIS developer resume

ArcPy for Python Developers using ArcGIS Pro
GIS is hot - take your python skills to new levels and greatly increase your career options.

Introduction to web programming for GIS applications
Understanding web programming fundamentals focused on geospatial applications using Leaflet, Turf.js, and PostGIS

Web GIS development course
Basic Web GIS development for non programmer

Display and analyze GIS data on the web with Leaflet
Client side mapping applications with the open source javascript libraries Leaflet.js and Turf.js

AWS Certified Developer Associate Exam Training DVA-C01
Pass your AWS Certified Developer Exam with this AWS Developer Training | AWS Certified Developer Practice Test included
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a GIS Developer. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
GIS developer resume: formatting tips & tricks
Which came first: the hen or the egg? This question reminds us of the thing our resume experts hear most often in their job – which comes first: the content or the format? Well, we advise you to pick the format first and then go on with drafting your resume’s content.
And how do you choose a resume format? Well, based on your applicant profile. In general, there are three basic resume formats for you to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Let’s look at each one of them in more detail:
The reverse-chronological resume format is quite straightforward. Here, you describe all your previous jobs in a reverse-chronological form, meaning your latest job comes first. This resume format is great for people with lots of experience and skills who don’t have any career gaps.
If you are a recent graduate or don’t really have much experience in the industry you’re applying for, go for the functional skills-based resume format. This format focuses on skills and character traits, rather than experience. It makes the hiring manager realize you’re the perfect fit for the role without putting too much emphasis on your work history.
And if you’re looking for something a bit more intriguing and exciting, check out the hybrid resume format. It’s a combination of the reverse-chronological and functional skills-based formats, which makes it great for all types of job-seekers. The hybrid resume allows you to showcase both your professional experience and your skills, education, and additional qualifications. If you’re feeling creative, add a separate section about your typical day or life philosophy.
Our top style and layout resume format tips:
- Go for a standard 12p resume font;
- Choose 1-inch resume margins for a professional and easy-to-read feel;
- ry your best to fit your resume in a one-page template. If you’re a professional with over 10 years of relevant experience, having a two-page resume is also fine;
- Make sure to save your resume as PDF – this will help you avoid unwanted editing and formatting issues.
Read this: How to make your resume stand out
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft GIS Developer resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections that’ll look good on your GIS Developer resume
Do you want to move beyond the traditional skills, education, and experience section? Easy-peasy!
Just choose one or two additional sections to help recruiters get a fuller picture of who you are, both as a person and as a professional:
Adding a splash of creativity to your GIS developer resume
Boring resumes are no longer an option if you’re looking to impress recruiters.
And no matter whether you’re looking to give your old resume a new life or want to start building a new one from scratch, being at least moderately creative is always a good idea. Do this by adding a ‘favorite books’ section or even a pie chart of what your typical day looks like.
What makes a great GIS developer resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.