dev-engineering

Entry-Level Software Engineer

Resume Example

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JORDAN KIM

Entry-Level Software Engineer | Backend APIs, Cloud Projects, and CI/CD

+1 (425) 678-9012

[email protected]

Seattle, WA

linkedin.com/in/jordan-kim

github.com/jordankimdev

jordankim.dev

Skills

JavaScript, Node.js, Python, React, AWS Lambda, Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions

Certifications

AWS Certified Developer - Associate

Associate-level certification covering AWS application development, serverless services, security basics, and deployment workflows.

Google Cloud Professional Developer

Professional certification focused on building, testing, and deploying cloud-native applications on Google Cloud.

Professional Summary

Entry-level software engineer with hands-on experience building backend APIs, serverless workflows, and developer tooling through internships, junior roles, and independent projects. Comfortable working with Node.js, Python, AWS Lambda, Docker, Kubernetes, and GitHub Actions. Known for writing maintainable code, testing API changes, and documenting implementation details so teams can review and deploy work with confidence.

Work Experience

Entry Level Software Engineer

01/2024

Tech Company Inc

San Francisco, CA

Built AWS Lambda services for an internal CRM feature, improving release speed while keeping infrastructure simple for a small engineering team

Developed REST microservices for an e-commerce workflow supporting roughly 5K daily users, with logging and health checks for production monitoring

Configured GitHub Actions workflows for backend services, reducing manual deployment steps and making pull request checks more consistent

Reviewed slow SQL queries with a senior engineer and added indexes that improved key API response times by up to 70%

Junior Software Engineer

10/2023 - 06/2024

Startup Innovations Ltd

Seattle, WA

Built REST API endpoints for a mobile app, using input validation and pagination to support peak traffic of about 500 requests per second

Integrated third-party authentication with secure session handling, reducing custom login code and improving account protection

Intern - Software Engineer

06/2021 - 12/2022

Innovative Tech Solutions

San Francisco, CA

Created Docker development containers so new contributors could run local services with fewer setup issues

Partnered with designers, QA, and engineers to ship beta SaaS features for more than 1K early users

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

09/2018 - 05/2022

University of Washington

Seattle, WA

Projects

Personal Portfolio Website

Built a React portfolio hosted on AWS S3 to present backend, cloud, and API projects with clear documentation and GitHub links.

github.com/jordankimdev/portfolio-website

Serverless Chatbot for Slack

Developed a serverless Slack chatbot with AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB to route common requests and log conversation events.

github.com/jordankimdev/chatbot-slack-serverless

Why This Template Works

This resume format is tailored for Entry Level Software Engineers with a focus on backend development, ensuring that it highlights relevant experience and skills such as serverless architectures and microservices. The inclusion of specific technical keywords (e.g., AWS Lambda, Docker) helps pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS), increasing the likelihood of being noticed by hiring managers. Additionally, the clear structure and professional tone make this resume stand out in a crowded job market.

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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

John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old

Do

John Doe New York, NY (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johndoe | github.com/johndoe | johndoe.dev

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 Software Engineer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.

Do

Entry-Level Software Engineer specializing in cloud-based serverless architecture and microservice design. Designed scalable systems using AWS Lambda, reducing operational costs by 30% on high-traffic platforms. Proficient in Node.js, Docker, Kubernetes, and committed to continuous learning and innovation.

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%") as they are subjective and often misinterpreted. Don't include outdated technologies unless specifically required.

Real Examples

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

Don't

JavaScript, Java (beginner), Python, Docker (basic), Kubernetes (no experience)

Do

Languages: JavaScript, Node.js, Python Frameworks: Express.js, Flask Tools: AWS Lambda, Docker, Kubernetes

Quick Tips

  • List only the programming languages and frameworks that you have hands-on experience with.
  • Prioritize tools relevant to serverless architectures such as AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions.
  • Organize your skills into clear categories like Languages, Frameworks, and Tools for easier readability.
  • Highlight any certifications related to cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Developer) alongside technical skills.

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

Responsible for coding backend services in Node.js at Tech Company Inc, San Francisco, CA (01/2024 – Present)

Do

Developed and maintained backend services in Node.js to support real-time chat functionality, increasing user engagement by 50% since launch

Don't

Worked on a CRM project involving AWS Lambda at Tech Company Inc (01/2024 – Present)

Do

Implemented serverless architecture for new CRM system using AWS Lambda, reducing operational costs by 30%

Quick Tips

  • Use specific and measurable outcomes to highlight your achievements. For example, instead of saying you worked on a project, describe the impact it had.
  • Lead with action verbs such as 'Developed', 'Implemented', or 'Optimized'. This makes your contributions stand out and clearly communicates what you accomplished.
  • Showcase key technologies and tools used in each role to demonstrate your proficiency. Mention any certifications that reinforce these skills.
  • Include metrics when possible, such as the number of users impacted by a project or the percentage increase in efficiency gained through optimization.

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 | University of Example | Anytown, USA September 2015 – May 2019 - Relevant Coursework: Calculus I & II, English Composition, Introduction to Business Studies

Do

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering | University of Washington | Seattle, WA September 2018 – May 2022 - Relevant Coursework: Cloud Computing, Distributed Systems, Database Management

Quick Tips

  • Highlight specific courses or projects that relate directly to the field of software engineering and cloud computing.
  • Mention any academic honors or awards received during your studies if they are relevant to the position you're applying for.
  • Include only recent education details. For older degrees, omit graduation dates to avoid potential age discrimination issues.
  • If your GPA is above 3.5, include it as an indicator of strong academic performance.

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

Created a basic calculator app using JavaScript. It performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations.

Do

Developed a user-friendly financial dashboard using React.js to help users track their expenses and budget allocation efficiently.

Quick Tips

  • Focus on projects that solve real-world problems or have unique features.
  • Include quantifiable results like user numbers or improvements in performance if applicable.
  • Highlight technical challenges and how you overcame them to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
  • Ensure the project is relevant to the role you are applying for by aligning it with required technologies and skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Include a focused summary, technical skills, internships or junior roles, relevant projects, education, and links to GitHub or a portfolio. Show what you built, the tools you used, and the result of your work.

Use project and internship bullets that explain the problem, your technical contribution, and the outcome. Specific tools, testing work, API design, deployment steps, and collaboration details are more useful than broad claims.

Yes, if the repositories are relevant, readable, and show real implementation work. Add a short project description, the main technologies, and a link so recruiters can review the code quickly.

Certifications are optional, but cloud or programming credentials can support your resume when they match the role. They work best alongside projects or work experience that proves you can apply the skills.

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