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 Java software developer sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Java software developer resume experience section
Java software developer resume experience: checklist
- Use either chronological or reverse-chronological format when listing your previous jobs;
- Mention only relevant positions that add value to your resume;
- Briefly state the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them;
- Highlight the results from your efforts (for bonus points, add numbers, percentage rates, etc.);
- Forget about buzzwords! Use power verbs instead.
Use the examples below to build your own experience section!
- Developing a web part of SmartVista Integration Platform that delivers the full range of omni channel services for banking.
- Using Java SE 8, Java EE 7, EJB 3.0, Spring Framework, JDBC, JSF 2.1, PrimeFaces, RichFaces, JasperReports, Quartz Scheduler, Apache CXF, Apache POI, Oracle DB, Liquibase, Log4J, JUnit, Mockito Framework, Maven, WebLogic AS, WebSphere AS, Jenkins, GitLab.
- Developing new functional and customization SmartVista for several customers including Ethiopian National Switch, Malawi National Switch, State Bank of Mauritius, Bank of Africa, BankMed(Lebanon) etc.
- Support and fixing bugs which reported via JIRA.
- Developing web services for an integration application WebGate that connects Core Banking Solution (CBS), SmartVista and mobile applications.
- Using Java SE 8, Spring Framework, Hibernate, JMS, WSDL, Apache Camel, Apache Shiro, Bouncy Castle, Log4J, JUnit, Mockito Framework, Maven, Oracle DB, HSQLDB, Liquibase, WebLogic AS, Jenkins, GitLab.
- Developing web services for eWallets, card payments, account payments, bill payments, QR payments, mViSA technology, USSD, IVR, SMS and e-mail notification.
- Developing a web application IPay for different payments consisting of admin and user consoles.
- Using Java SE 8, Spring MVC, Spring Security, Hibernate, Quartz Scheduler, Apache ActiveMQ, Apache CXF, Apache POI, Oracle DB, Liquibase, Vaadin, Jetty, Hazelcast, Log4J, JUnit, Maven, Jenkins, GitLab.
- Redesigned the company's sales and logistics application by migrating an existing PHP website to Java EE - the migration process used: Java Server Faces, PrimeFaces and Spring Security;
- Designed and implemented a multi-tenant web service, creating REST services used by the company's sales and logistic application- the process used: Hibernate and the API JAX-RS;
- Troubleshot and fixed applications from the customer support team in a manufacturing execution system using Java Struts framework;
- Supported the infrastructure team and participated on Wildfly Application Server configuration to prevent possible memory leaks from web applications;
- Wrote, modified and maintained software documentation and specifications.
- Developed robust Java code for web based applications in an microservice architecture.
- Collaborated in team-based, Scrum environment to accomplish objectives by deadlines.
- Reviewed code and debugged errors to improve performance.
- Investigated issues and defects to determine problem root cause and formulate corrective action recommendations.
- Researched new technologies, software packages and hardware products for use in website projects.
- Performed unit testing, system testing and integration testing.
- Wrote BDD scenarios to test whole flows, spanning multiple services.
- Tools/Tech Used : Java 8/11, IntelliJ Idea, JIRA, PostgreSQL, Git, Jenkins, Sonar, BitBucket, SourceTree, RabbitMQ, Cucumber, Camunda, Swagger, Docker, Solr, Postman, Confluence.
- Collaborated in team-based, Agile environment to accomplish objectives by deadlines.
- Developed robust Java code for web based applications using Spring Framework.
- Investigated issues and defects to determine problem root cause and formulate corrective action recommendations.
- Troubleshot various software issues by using debugging processes and coding techniques.
- Tools/Tech used: Java 6/7/8, JSF, Spring, Hibernate, PostgreSQL, Jenkins, Eclipse, Postman, CVS, SVN, JIRA
- Developed robust Java code for a demand-side platform for programmatic advertising.
- Collaborated in team-based environment to accomplish objectives by deadlines.
- Reviewed code and debugged errors to improve performance.
- Investigated issues and defects to determine problem root cause and found possible solutions.
- Performed unit testing, functional testing and integration testing.
- Investigated and integrated a solution for gathering metrics and set up alerts.
- Tools/Tech Used : Java 8/11, IntelliJ Idea, JIRA, PostgreSQL, Git,BitBucket, SourceTree, Swagger, Splunk, Postman, Confluence.
- Collaborated in team-based, Agile environment to accomplish objectives by deadlines.
- Developed robust Java code for web based application for documents management and web application for configuring documents migrations using Spring Framework.
- Investigated issues and defects to determine problem root cause and found possible solutions.
- Tools/Tech used: Java 6/7/8, JSF, Spring, Hibernate, PostgreSQL, Eclipse, Postman, CVS, SVN, JIRA
PRO TIP
Include quantitative data throughout your Java Software Developer resume to impress the hiring manager. Real facts and figures that show off your competency as an audit manager go a long way. Did you reduce the costs of audits? Manage a large team? Boosted efficiency? Show off the real numbers!
Action verbs for your Java software developer resume
Recommended reads:
Java software developer resume: the skills section!
How to write a strong Java software developer resume skills section?
- Make sure to include all types of skills - soft, hard, technical;
- Focus on skills that show your expertise in the field;
- Check the job description for keywords and make sure to add them to your resume – this will help you pass ATS;
- Leave room for discussion – elaborate on some of your strongest skills in other sections of your resume
Top skills for your Java software 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
Add a Talent Section to your resume, where you can pick your top 3 soft skills and describe how you used them to complete a project or balance departmental communication.
Java software developer resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your Java software 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
Include a link to your portfolio in your Java Software Developer resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
A career summary for your Java software developer resume
Things to include in your Java software developer resume summary:
- Your total years of experience in the industry;
- 2-3 of your most remarkable achievements so far;
- How your experience relates to the position you’re applying for;
- A very brief description of your strengths.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Read the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.
Recommended reads:
Java software developer resume: the education section
Things to include in your resume's education section:
- Your highest education degree – including course, year of graduation, institution;
- Awards received as part of your education;
- Extracurricular activities that have helped you gain relevant skills;
- Certifications that have helped you master new skills and increase your expertise;
- Entry-level applicants only: relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your Java software developer resume
Become a Junior Java Software Developer
Complete practical and conceptual Java programming course for beginners
Learn Java Programming Crash Course
This Java For Beginners Course Includes Java Basics And Core Java Skills Training To Make You A Software Developer Fast
Java Programming Masterclass covering Java 11 & Java 17
Learn Java In This Course And Become a Computer Programmer. Obtain valuable Core Java Skills And Java Certification
The Complete Java Development Bootcamp
Become an Experienced Java Developer with Just One Course. Fully Updated with 100+ Coding Challenges!
Advanced Java Topics: Java Reflection - Master Class
Create Powerful Java Applications, Algorithms and Libraries using Java Reflection API, Take Full Advantage of the JVM
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Java Software 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.
Choosing the right format for your Java software developer resume
In general, there are three basic formats for your resume:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Some things to consider when choosing the right format for your Java Software Developer resume include the stage of your career, whether you have all the right skills required for the job or are looking for an industry change, and what field you’re looking to grow in.
The reverse-chronological resume format is the most common one. It lets you describe your most recent job and then move backward. This makes it great for people who have around or less than 10 years of experience and are looking to highlight only their work-related skills and qualities.
If you’re just starting your career journey and reverse-chronological resumes sound too demanding, go for the functional resume format. It’s ideal for showcasing your strengths, personal qualities, skills, education, and the courses you’ve taken, without putting too much pressure on experience and expertise.
Don’t worry if neither of these sounds suitable for you – the hybrid or combination resume format will surely match your needs. It’s similar to the reverse-chronological, but with a catchy twist. Combination or hybrid resumes are great for showcasing both your experience and work-related skills and your personal qualities. Add a “What my day looks like” section for enhancing the jaw-dropping experience!
Here are some more things worth remembering when it comes to formatting your Java Software Developer resume:
- Choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts sized 10-12p;
- Match the length of your Java Software Developer resume with your experience – choose a one-page template if you have less than 10 years of experience, and be careful with two-page templates – use them only when applying for executive positions;
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid formatting issues and potential unauthorized editing.
Tired of getting rejected? Check out this article on how to craft a resume that stands out!
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Java Software Developer resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Other sections suitable for your Java software developer resume
Depending on the position and the industry, you can spice your resume up by adding some more sections. They will help the recruiter get a glimpse of who you are as a person, besides all your job-related skills and qualities.
Here are some examples:
How to add creativity to your Java software developer resume
Gone are the days when creative resumes were frowned upon by recruiters!
What’s more, the right amount of creativity will make recruiters remember you and want to learn more about who you are – both as an individual and as a professional.
There are two ways to build a creative resume - add creative sections or go for a more creative design approach in general. Go for whatever suits you, the position, and the industry most!
What makes a great Java software 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.
