dev-engineering

Entry Level Java Developer

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Emily Wong

Entry Level Java Developer

[email protected] | +1 (555) 987-6543 | linkedin.com/in/emily-wong-java-dev | github.com/EmilyJavaDev | emilywong.dev | San Francisco, CA

Professional Summary

Entry level Java developer with hands-on experience building Spring Boot APIs, writing automated tests, and supporting backend services in Agile teams. Developed REST endpoints, improved database query performance, and used Git, Jenkins, Docker, and AWS in coursework, internship, and junior developer roles. Brings strong object-oriented programming fundamentals and practical project experience for backend software engineering roles.

Skills

Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, SQL, Git, Jenkins, Docker, AWS

Work Experience

Entry Level Java Developer

01/2024

Tech Company Inc

San Francisco, CA

Built and maintained Spring Boot REST endpoints for account and reporting workflows used by more than 5,000 daily users.

Added JUnit and integration tests for core API paths, helping catch defects earlier before release.

Optimized SQL queries and Hibernate mappings to reduce slow API responses during peak usage.

Supported migration of a monolithic feature into smaller services, making deployments easier to test and release.

Junior Software Developer

12/2022 - 12/2023

Previous Company

San Francisco, CA

Triaged production defects with senior engineers and documented fixes to reduce repeat incidents.

Collaborated with product, UX, and QA teammates to deliver features across 3 customer-facing projects.

Software Engineering Intern

06/2021 - 08/2021

Internship Company

San Francisco, CA

Built a Java microservice prototype during internship using REST controllers, service classes, and repository patterns.

Participated in code reviews and applied feedback on readability, error handling, and test coverage.

Projects

Personal Finance Tracker

github.com/EmilyJavaDev/personal-finance-tracker

Developed a personal finance tracker with Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, and SQL to organize monthly expenses and savings goals. Added category filters, validation, and repository tests to show practical backend fundamentals.

JAMStack Portfolio Website

github.com/EmilyJavaDev/portfolio-website

Built a developer portfolio with Next.js and Tailwind CSS to present Java projects, technical notes, and GitHub activity in one searchable site.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

09/2022 - 05/2026

Tech University

San Francisco, CA

Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming with Java, Database Systems, Software Engineering Principles. GPA: 3.8.

Certifications

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

05/2026

Oracle Corporation

Validates core Java syntax, object-oriented programming concepts, exception handling, and standard API knowledge.

Scrum Master Certification

10/2025

Project Management Institute (PMI)

Covers Scrum roles, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and collaboration practices used in Agile software teams.

Why This Template Works

This resume format works well for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) because it is structured to highlight key technical skills and relevant experience for an Entry Level Java Developer role. The use of action verbs and quantifiable achievements in the summary and work history sections ensures that applicant tracking systems can easily extract important data points, such as proficiency in specific programming languages and contributions to project success. Additionally, by including links to professional profiles like LinkedIn and GitHub, this format provides hiring managers with additional context on an applicant’s capabilities and expertise.

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How to Write This Resume

How to Write This Resume

Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.

01

Contact

Contact

First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)

General Guidelines

Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.

Avoid This

Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Don't use unprofessional email addresses.

Real Examples

See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.

Don't

Emily Wong 123 Random St, Apt 456 San Francisco, CA 94107 [email protected] github.com/emilyjava divorced, 26 years old

Do

Emily Wong San Francisco, CA (555) 987-6543 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/emily-wong-java-dev | github.com/EmilyJavaDev

Quick Tips

  • Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
  • Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
  • Double-check your phone number and email for typos
  • Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
  • Include GitHub link for developer roles

02

Summary

Summary

Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].

General Guidelines

A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.

Avoid This

Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.

Real Examples

Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.

Don't

Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for an Entry Level Java Developer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.

Do

Entry level Java developer with hands-on experience building Spring Boot APIs, writing automated tests, and supporting backend services in Agile teams. Developed REST endpoints, improved database query performance, and used Git, Jenkins, Docker, and AWS in coursework, internship, and junior developer roles.

Quick Tips

  • Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
  • Keep it under 5 lines for readability
  • Use strong action verbs to start sentences
  • Tailor the summary to match the job description

03

Skills

Skills

Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: [List] Soft Skills - [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]

General Guidelines

Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.

Avoid This

Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Do not include outdated technologies unless specifically required.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills

Don't

Skills: Java, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Angular, React, Node.js, Hibernate, Docker, Jenkins

Do

Languages: Java, SQL Frameworks: Spring Boot, Hibernate Tools: Git, Jenkins, AWS

Quick Tips

  • Prioritize Java, Spring Boot, SQL, Git, testing, and tools mentioned in the job description.
  • Keep soft skills out of the skills list unless the posting explicitly asks for them; show teamwork and communication in experience bullets.
  • Only list tools you can explain in an interview with a real class, project, or task.
  • Group skills by category so recruiters can scan your backend stack quickly.

04

Experience

Experience

Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...

General Guidelines

This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.

Avoid This

Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences

Don't

Tasked with writing code to fix bugs in the application.

Do

Resolved critical production issues, reducing downtime by 50%.

Don't

Worked on a new feature that improved user experience.

Do

Collaborated with UX designers and QA testers to launch a major new feature, increasing user engagement metrics by 25%.

Quick Tips

  • Start each bullet point with an action verb like 'Developed', 'Implemented', or 'Optimized'.
  • Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., 'Reduced system downtime by 40%', 'Improved API response time by 30%').
  • Include context and results for clarity, showing how your actions benefited the company.
  • Highlight any work that shows leadership or project management skills.

05

Education

Education

Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)

General Guidelines

List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.

Avoid This

Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations

Don't

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Tech University, San Francisco, CA September 2015 – December 2019 - Coursework: Introduction to Computer Science, Data Structures, Advanced Java Programming, Web Development with HTML/CSS/JavaScript

Do

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science | Tech University, San Francisco, CA September 2022 – May 2026 - Relevant Coursework: Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming with Java, Database Systems, Software Engineering Principles

Quick Tips

  • List your education starting from the most recent or highest degree obtained.
  • Highlight any honors or awards that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
  • Include GPA only if it is above a 3.5 or if you graduated recently; otherwise omit this information.
  • Focus on courses and projects directly related to software engineering and Java development.

06

Projects

Projects

Project Name | Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you built and its purpose - Highlight a specific technical challenge you solved - Link to GitHub or live demo if available

General Guidelines

Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to the GitHub repo or live demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant technologies for the target role.

Avoid This

Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you built and why it matters.

Real Examples

Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects

Don't

Developed a basic calculator app in Java using Swing GUI.

Do

Built a personal finance tracker application using Java and Spring Boot to manage monthly expenses and savings goals. The project utilized Hibernate for database interactions, improving the user's ability to track financial health effectively.

Quick Tips

  • Focus on projects that showcase your problem-solving skills and technical capabilities.
  • Provide a clear description of each project’s purpose and how it was beneficial.
  • Highlight any unique challenges you overcame during development.
  • Link to live demos or GitHub repositories whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.

Include Java, Spring Boot, SQL, Git, testing, internships, academic projects, and links to GitHub or a portfolio. Show how you used each skill instead of only listing tools.

Use coursework, internships, open-source contributions, and personal projects to show practical backend work. Write bullets that explain the feature, technology, and result.

Yes. Choose projects with clear backend logic, database work, tests, or deployed demos. Briefly explain what you built and what technical problem you solved.

Oracle Java and Spring certifications can help, but they work best when paired with projects, internships, and interview-ready knowledge of Java fundamentals.

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