New Grad Software Engineer Resume Example
A strong new-grad SWE resume leads with education, then leans on internships, projects, and coursework - quantified the same way as industry experience. Lead with a brief summary, then 5-8 bullets on projects and internships citing real scale (users, performance, scope), naming languages and frameworks so ATS matches entry-level filters.
Sample Professional Summary
Computer Science graduate (B.S., 3.8 GPA) and former SWE intern seeking an entry-level software engineering role. Built a full-stack web app with 1,200 active users and contributed merged PRs to an open-source project with 8k stars. Strong in Python, Java, and data structures.
Example Bullet Points (projects + internship)
For new grads, projects and internships carry the resume. Quantify them like real work - users, latency, test coverage, scope.
- Built a full-stack study-group app (React + Node + PostgreSQL) that reached 1,200 active users across campus, deployed on AWS.
- During a SWE internship, shipped a customer-facing search feature in Java/Spring that cut average query time from 800ms to 180ms.
- Contributed 6 merged pull requests to an open-source CLI tool (8k GitHub stars), including a bug fix downloaded 40k+ times.
- Implemented a Dijkstra-based route planner in C++ for a class project, optimizing pathfinding on a 10k-node graph to under 50ms.
- Wrote 85% test coverage (Jest) for a hackathon project that won 'Best Technical Implementation' among 60 teams.
- Automated a TA grading script in Python, saving the course staff ~15 hours per week across 300 students.
- Built and trained a CNN image classifier (PyTorch) achieving 94% accuracy on a 10-class dataset for a machine learning course.
Skills List
Lead with languages and CS foundations, then list relevant coursework to strengthen ATS keyword coverage.
- Languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL
- Web: React, Node.js, Express, HTML/CSS, REST APIs
- Tools: Git, Docker, AWS (basics), PostgreSQL, Linux
- CS foundations: data structures, algorithms, object-oriented design, operating systems
- Coursework: Algorithms, Databases, Operating Systems, Machine Learning
What Makes It Work
New grads worry they have nothing to put down - but projects, internships, and open-source quantify just like jobs. '1,200 active users' and '6 merged PRs to an 8k-star repo' are concrete proof of shipping, which is what entry-level recruiters scan for.
Listing GPA (if 3.5+), relevant coursework, and CS fundamentals helps pass ATS keyword filters that target 'data structures', 'algorithms', and core languages. The resume stays one page and prioritizes evidence of building real things over a long skills wall.
| Section order | Why |
|---|---|
| Education first | Your strongest credential as a new grad; include GPA if 3.5+ |
| Experience/Projects next | Quantified proof you ship code |
| Skills last | Supports ATS keyword matching |
ATS Keywords for New Grad SWE
Entry-level filters key on CS fundamentals and core languages. Make sure these literal terms appear.
- Foundations: data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, computer science
- Languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, SQL
- Web/tools: React, Node.js, Git, REST API, SQL, AWS
- Signals: internship, open source, projects, B.S. Computer Science
ResuMax tailors your resume to each role, scores it like a recruiter, and preps you for interviews.
Build a resume like this, freeFrequently asked questions
Should a new grad include GPA?
Include it if 3.5 or higher; many entry-level filters and recruiters look for it. Below 3.5, omit it and let projects and internships carry the resume.
What if I have no internships?
Lead with substantial projects, open-source contributions, hackathons, and research. Quantify each (users, performance, scope). A shipped side project with real users rivals an internship line.
How long should a new grad resume be?
One page, always. Recruiters at high-volume new-grad pipelines scan hundreds of resumes; density and clarity matter more than completeness.
Should I list every course I took?
No - list 4-6 relevant ones (Algorithms, Databases, OS, ML). It supports ATS keywords without cluttering the page.