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Learn how to structure a Java developer resume to secure your dream job. Look at Java developer resume samples and use our tools to build a resume in minutes.
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This page of resume examples shows you the critical elements to highlight in your Java developer resume and tips on how to do it.
Check out these well-written resume examples:
Here are four important keys to write a strong Java developer professional resume.
When performing a job search this year, it is critical that you tailor your resume to focus on the job description of the specific position. You can no longer send the same resume with every application thanks to the applicant tracking systems (ATS). The ATS is programmed by hiring managers to match specific keywords from the job description to the resumes of job applicants. A match means that the person is a qualified candidate and should be considered for the next step in the hiring process. Failure to be deemed a match will end the life cycle of your submitted job application. An example of keyword matching would be when a job posting requires you to have “Knowledge of Oracle technologies and a basic understanding of Azure Cloud,” then if you do, say you know Oracle and Azure Cloud on your resume.
As you're writing a resume, think about the reasons a prospective employer would want to hire you. Think bigger than the standard qualifications like skills and experience. Instead, focus on your most impressive accomplishments that other Java developers can’t match. Brag about specific measurable results, using numerical data to clearly highlight achievements so hiring managers say, “Wow!” For example: “Designed, developed, coded and maintained Java software applications for 22 long-term clients continually over a five-year timeframe, used by 300,000 users.”
Java developer resumes typically focus on technical hard skills to perform specific Java developer work responsibilities like “designing and developing Java components using Spring framework to implement transaction management, manage Java objects and integration involving messages, routers, transformations, adapters, service activators and auditing.” However, a Java developer’s soft skills allow you to effectively communicate, multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously with a keen attention to detail.
A hiring manager will be looking for a specific set of high-level technical qualifications on a Java developer resume in addition to your esteemed college degrees. To make it easy for the potential employer to quickly browse your resume for such qualifications, create a separate certifications resume section to prove your technical expertise as an experienced Java developer. If you’re an Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect or hold other developer certifications, make it known on your resume, in your cover letter and on your job application.
Describing your work history can be elevated by using action verbs to make the accomplishments sound more energized. For example, in your resume skills section and resume work experience section, say something like, “Drove world-class design and development using standards and guidelines that support high volumes.”
Java developer action words may include:
You can choose three resume formats when creating a Java developer resume and make an informed decision about which one to use by considering your experience level. Here are the options:
If you have a few notable experiences in the Java developer industry, you should include them in an extensive work history section. Choosing a chronological resume format helps elaborate and focus on your work experience. This format is ideal for a senior Java developer resume.
If you have recently completed training but haven’t yet applied your subject knowledge to a job role or have gaps in your employment history, you may struggle to form a lengthy work experience section. In that case, you will be better off opting for a functional resume format that hones in on your skills, allowing your experience section to be less extensive.
If you are changing careers and have three to nine years of experience, you will want to equally showcase your work history and skills. In this case, you will want to choose a combination resume format.
Now that you have selected your resume format, you can proceed with adding your information to the following resume sections.
Java developers need to demonstrate both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are abilities learned through education and on-the-job work experience, while soft skills are personality-driven traits and interpersonal skills.
Here are some Java developer skills to include in your resume skills section:
The header section is located at the top of your resume. This section gives the hiring manager all the contact information they need to get in touch with you. You will want to include your name, phone number and email address, as well as your city and state. You can also add your professional social media links, like your LinkedIn profile. Consider adding the URLs of web applications you have built in your LinkedIn profile so recruiters can see your level of developer skills.
Including a resume summary or resume objective creates a professional and exciting resume that hiring managers will want to continue reading. This is a short 2-3 sentence paragraph that is dependent on your experience level or what you would like to highlight.
If you are a senior Java developer, a resume summary highlights your biggest accomplishments and achievements that make you the best candidate for the position.
A resume objective is perfect for junior Java developer candidates with little to no work experience but who have big goals, training and subject knowledge that makes them a fit for the position.
Java developer resume summary example:
Java developer resume objective example:
The skills section of your resume provides you with the perfect opportunity to hit keywords and phrases listed in the job description. You should include technical, soft, hard and transferable skills.
Below are some of the common skills that hiring managers are looking for in Java programmers:
Your work history section should detail all the relevant volunteer work and industry experiences. List all your previous jobs in reverse-chronological order will be helpful to the hiring manager, as your most recent experience will be situated at the top of the page. Also, include the companies you worked for, your job title and dates of employment.
Example:
To be a Java developer, you will need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and may have IT certifications that show you’re an oracle database or code optimization expert. Be sure to list all of your education in this resume section with the names of the schools and dates you attended.
Example:
Do:
Don't:
Have questions? We’re here to help.
The goal of writing a Java developer’s resume is to impress the prospective employer to invite you for a job interview. Focus on your experience, whether a paid job, internship, special project or volunteer work, with an emphasis on achievements that demonstrate particular skills from the actual job description of the specific job you’re applying for. Don’t just submit a resume with your job application that doesn’t address the specific demands of the developer role. You want the hiring manager to read your resume noting all of your matching qualifications. When writing your resume, use a Java developer resume sample as your base and simply customize each resume section with your own information.
To list Java on a resume, mention your Java skills and experience in your resume summary or objective, the work history section, the skills section and the education section. Clearly describe the value you offered previous employers to show what experience with Java you can offer the new employer. Wherever possible, list detailed measurable accomplishments, such as “Managed Java frameworks and Java EE application developments among five corporate clients with 25,000+ users.” This will help hiring managers see that your Java expertise, dedication and management skills would be a great addition to the Java developer team.
Whether your core Java development duties were used for developing applications, software or even games, your core skills should be described in your resume summary in addition to a bulleted list in your resume skills section. Also, describe core technical skills in the work experience resume section where you outline your accomplishments for each previous employer by using action words to make the accomplishments sound more energized. Be sure to convey your strong understanding of how Java works, and your experience with core Java concepts such as data types, threads, variables, operators, statements and others.
Tailor the skills you feature on your resume to match the job description of the specific job you’re applying for. Don’t list non-relevant skills that don’t address the specific demands of the position. Include hard skills like JavaScript, HTML/CSS, GitHub and other programming languages. It’s also important to demonstrate soft skills like strong communication, presentation and multitasking. Soft skills give a glimpse into your work style and personality traits. Look at Java developer resume samples and templates on this page for help highlighting your resume skills.
Yes! You should always include a Java developer cover letter in your job application to ensure the hiring manager receives all the required information about you and your professional background. Using a cover letter template will help you with the writing process.
Using a functional resume format and writing a resume objective will help you write a junior Java developer resume without a lot of experience. This is because the structure will focus on your skills instead of a long list of work experience. In addition to playing up your most relevant skills and the fact that you understand the software development lifecycle, highlight your impressive academic achievements (ie., bachelor’s, masters, cum laude, Dean’s List,) volunteer work and internships.
To change your Java developer resume, simply tailor your base resume to match the key responsibilities, and required skills, work experience and education noted in the specific job description. It’s important to highlight the keywords of each job description to show the hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate for that specific Java developer position. Matching keywords will also ensure that you get selected by the applicant tracking system (ATS) that is programmed to select qualified candidates in the hiring process. You can mirror your resume from any Java developer sample resume on this page for a quick start to writing your own resume.
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