How to write a Java developer CV (plus two examples)

Updated 30 June 2023

Java developers design and develop software applications or websites using the Java coding language. These professionals can contribute to all stages of the software development process by designing coded functions, testing products' functionality and integrating updates via new code. To establish yourself in this industry, it's essential that you can produce a competitive CV that highlights your past coding experience and skills. In this section, we explain how to write a Java developer CV before providing a useful CV template and two CV examples.

How to write a Java developer CV

The section below provides a step-by-step guide on how to write a Java developer CV:

1. Choose your CV format

The first step that you may take to write an effective CV is to choose your preferred CV format. Depending on your experience using Java, the most appropriate CV format may vary. For example, if you've already built up several years of Java development experience, you may emphasise past jobs to show employers that you could apply your knowledge to coding tasks. Conversely, if you're changing careers mid-life, you can emphasise your education to reassure recruiters that you're sufficiently qualified to work in software development.

2. Include a professional summary

The next step that you may follow is to write a short professional summary. This paragraph summarises your past work experience, key skills, education and professional achievements before outlining their relevance to Java developer jobs. You can also use factual or numerical data to quantify professional achievements, as this provides further evidence of past success.

3. Discuss work experience

In the work experience section, you can list past jobs in reverse chronological order to show clear evidence of past professional development. If you have no previous experience in Java development, you can list former jobs in other industries, explaining how you developed skills related to a Java development career. For example, if you currently work as a customer service representative, you could use problem-solving skills to create viable solutions to customer complaints. You could also apply this skill to Java development tasks, such as removing bugs from old code without harming a website's functionality.

4. Discuss relevant skills

The next step that you may take is to list relevant soft or technical skills. It's essential to highlight Java skills in this section, such as selecting or scaling up pre-coded functions from Java libraries. You might link these skills to routine development tasks, such as creating back-end code or linking databases to customer-facing app functions. You may also discuss several relevant soft skills, such as organisation or problem-solving.

5. List qualifications

In the education section, you can briefly list one or multiple relevant qualifications, such as computer science degrees or coding certifications. For academic qualifications, you might detail the course's name and subject major, along with the name and location of the institution. For professional certifications, you can outline the certification's name and governing body. You can also include either the certification's expiration year or your graduation year.

CV template for Java developers

If you possess at least three years of work experience, you can use the following template to structure your CV:

[First name] [Last name]
[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 [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 major] | [Name of school or university]
[City]

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

CV examples for Java developers

This section contains two examples of CVs written for distinct Java developer roles:

Application developer CV

The section below provides an example CV for application developers who specialise in using Java:

Catherine Holland
07492 123456 |catherineh@email.com | Oxford

Professional Summary

Software developer who specialises in the Java coding language, I'm applying for the technical project manager (Java) role advertised by Smith and Jones Systems Ltd. As a Mobile Application Developer, I've discovered how developers balance technical considerations and client specifications to produce functional and secure applications. I also regularly use Java to build multi-threaded applications that may conduct several tasks at once without exposing user data.

Experience

Mobile Application Developer | February 2017–Current
SoftCorp UK Ltd. | Oxford

use Java to integrate back-end databases with user interfaces
handling application creation projects worth £80 million to the organisation
discussing application functionality requirements with clients
creating embedded databases to store functional data, transactions logs and scalable algorithms
updating back-end security code in response to new digital threats

Junior Application Developer | January 2013–January 2017
DigiSoft Ltd. | Leeds

developed various types of mobile applications, such as digital wallets, games and messaging services
wrote code for basic software functions, such as data retrieval
followed software design briefs

Skills

Java: Selecting pre-coded functions from open-source Java libraries, amending them and integrating them into new software | Linking databases to customer-facing functions | Using Java to write scalable in-app functions

Communication: Explaining project objectives to colleagues | Informing clients if colleagues fall behind schedule

Organisation: Using agile principles to build applications in stages | Using project management tools to monitor colleagues' progress

Leadership: Resolving conflicts between junior Java developers | Avoiding micromanagement by allowing developers to complete coding tasks autonomously

Education
BSc in Computing (Application Development) | University of Yorkshire
Leeds

Full-stack website developer role

This section includes a sample CV for Java developers who wish to become a full-stack website developers:

James King
07619 234 678 | j.king8569@email.com | Ipswich

Professional Summary

An experienced and hardworking professional, I'm applying for the role of Senior Java Full-stack Website Developer, advertised by SoftCorp UK Ltd. For the last three years, I've worked as a Junior Website Developer at SoftBlast, where I contribute to all stages of the software development life cycle under the supervision of a senior colleague. Having delivered a 13% increase in online soft drink orders by increasing the loading speeds of the organisation's website, I now feel prepared to take on specialist responsibilities as a full-stack developer.

Experience

Junior website developer | June 2019–Current
SoftBlast Ltd. | Ipswich

using code to design useful functions for the organisation's commercial website, such as third-party payment options
creating a seamless user experience
auditing new code to detect potential bugs
using Java to create reusable back-end code
creating secure back-end storage systems

Junior website developer trainee | January 2018–June 2019
SoftBlast Ltd. | Ipswich

assisted experienced developers as they created both front-end and back-end website functions
helping senior colleagues to write and update software documentation
helping senior colleagues to design website layouts

Skills

Java: Using test processes to identify defects within website code without using a web browser | Creating secure and efficient website frameworks | Integrating back-end databases with front-end functions outlined in different coding languages, such as HTML

Problem-solving: Identifying bugs in code | Designing targeted code to resolve functionality issues

Communication: Requesting experienced colleagues' input to resolve more technical coding problems

Education

BSc in Computer Science | University of Eastern England
Norwich, Norfolk

Certificate in Java Principles and Practises, National Coding Society - Year completed: 2020

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

Disclaimer: The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

How to write a Java developer CV (plus two examples)