How to write an applications developer CV (with example)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 1 December 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Creating a professional CV can be important when searching for an applications developer position. Employers often use this document to determine candidates' expertise and experience level. If you're looking for a job as an app developer, learning how to write an effective CV can help you communicate your core competencies to potential employers and convince them to hire you. In this article, we describe what an applications developer is and provide a step-by-step guide to help you write an applications developer CV, including a template and sample.

What is an applications developer?

Applications developers are IT professionals who design, test, deploy and maintain software apps for desktops or mobile devices. They can work independently as freelancers or with user experience (UX) designers, writers and art directors in app development companies. These experts can develop software for different organisations, such as mobile gaming companies, utility service providers, educational institutions, government agencies, financial firms and online stores. Their tasks often depend on a project's deliverables and the company's budget. Typically, they handle an application's entire life cycle, from planning to systems analysis, design, development and testing, integration, deployment and maintenance.

An applications developer can specialise in creating apps for desktops or mobile devices and each has different requirements. Here are a few of the daily duties of an app developer:

analysing existing apps' performance
attending client meetings
source code testing
customising apps to meet client specifications
creating user interfaces
enhancing apps' UX
debugging codes
interpreting project requirements and designing software solutions for them
optimising apps' push notifications
updating executives on app development teams' progress
deploying and maintaining apps
updating existing apps to meet client needs or address emerging trends
collecting consumer feedback
helping clients understand and navigate apps

How to write an applications developer CV

A well-written applications developer CV can help distinguish you from other candidates and get a potential employer's attention. Here are eight steps on how to write one:

1. Review the job description and specifications

Employers often publish a detailed job description when advertising an app developer opening to help candidates understand the position's tasks, responsibilities and expectations. They can also specify the required education, skills and experience levels for the job. If you can't find this information on an organisation's career page, you can contact its human resources department. Review the job description carefully and customise your CV accordingly. For example, if the specifications include programming proficiency as one of the required skills, ensure you include this in the work experience, professional summary and skills sections of your CV.

Optimising your CV with keywords from job descriptions has several benefits. It can improve your chances of passing the applicant tracking system, an artificial intelligence-enabled program that hiring managers may use to determine if your CV matches a position's requirements. They often use it to help ease their workload for job openings that attract many candidates. Customising your CV for each job application can also help demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

2. Find a suitable template

Creating a CV using an existing template might be easier than creating a new one for each application. Templates can provide guidance on what to include in your CV and how to format it. Some programs provide free templates with examples. Find one that suits your preferred document structure and allows you to add all the credentials you wish to include. You can also customise it by adding sections.

3. Write a CV header

The header typically appears at the top of a CV and introduces the candidate. You can use bold or larger fonts for this section to draw attention to it. Include your name, phone number and email address so that hiring managers know who the CV belongs to and how to contact you in case they require clarification about your CV or would like to invite you to an interview. You can also add your professional title, certification or degree to help distinguish you from other candidates.

4. Write a professional summary

A professional summary can highlight your experience, skills, career goals and achievements and typically consists of two or three sentences. You can use this section to outline why you're a suitable candidate for the position you're applying for and briefly outline your experience and key strengths as an app developer. Many potential employers review this section first and a well-written professional summary can motivate them to review the rest of your CV. Use keywords to demonstrate your awareness of the position's requirements. You can also include descriptive words and numbers to quantify your experience and achievements.

Ensure this section is short and direct. Here are some things you can include in your professional summary:

an overview of your work ethic
your key strengths
your core app development competencies
your relevant awards and recognitions
the number of years you've worked in the app development industry
why you wish to work for the organisation
your relevant personal traits
how you learned about the position
your career goals and how they fit with the company's goals
why you're looking for a new role

5. Detail your work experience

Employers typically look for app development candidates who have industry experience in addition to theoretical knowledge. Create a work experience section to list your past roles and highlight your responsibilities and key achievements for each. Ensure that every position you include is relevant to app development. If you've never worked as an app developer, you can list other jobs and duties you've had that relate to the field. For example, if you were a software tester, you can include this to demonstrate your knowledge of coding.

For each position, include the company's name, your employment dates, responsibilities and achievements. Here are some examples of relevant work experiences for app developers:

designing, developing, implementing and maintaining software solutions
approving apps for licencing
writing, testing and debugging software program codes
evaluating and improving existing apps
guiding clients on app navigation
solving software glitches

6. Outline relevant skills

If the position's job description has specific skill requirements, ensure they appear first in your skills section. You can consider the following app development skills to add to your CV:

coding proficiency
attention to detail
effective communication
problem solving
multitasking
prioritisation
diagramming and presentation
computer literacy

7. Highlight your educational qualifications

A career in app development may require a degree in a software-related course, such as software engineering or computer science. List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order and include your degree and the institution's name. You can also mention your graduation date for qualifications you've received in the last five years.

8. List your certifications

Including relevant certifications in your CV can show your proficiency in specific areas. App developers may require certifications in coding, cybersecurity, software lifecycle development and networking. Here are some examples of relevant certifications:

Certified Scrum Master
IBM Certified Application Developer—DB29
Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
Certified Software Development Professional

Applications developer CV template

CVs for app development jobs often have a similar format. Here's a sample template you can use:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Skills

Education

[Degree and subject] | [Name of school or university]

[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

App developer sample CV

Here's a sample CV to help you write your own:

Justine Rudd, Microsoft Certified Application Developer
+44 (0) 79770 086001 | justinerudd@email.com | Oxford

Professional Summary

Highly motivated app developer with expertise in programming and code testing and over five years of industry experience. Recipient of BP App Developers Ltd. 2021 Employee of the Year Award.

Experience

App developer | February 2021 – Current
BP App Developers Ltd. | Salford

evaluate existing applications
test source codes
optimise push notifications
customise app specifications
attend client meetings

Software engineer | December 2016 – January 2021
Top Tech Ltd. | London

designed and implemented software
researched user needs
updated clients on projects' progress