This guide shows how to write an entry-level software engineer CV that highlights relevant experience and helps you get interviews. It focuses on practical, specific steps so you can build an entry-level Software Engineer CV with relevant experience even if you have limited professional work history.
Read each section and apply the examples to your own projects and roles.
Building a Software Engineer resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Alex Chen — Software Engineer
Software engineer with 4 years building backend services in Python and Go. Cut API latency 35% on a billing platform serving 120k monthly users.
- Migrated a monolithic billing service to 8 Go microservices on Kubernetes, reducing p95 latency from 420ms to 270ms.
- Added CI pipelines that cut deploy time from 45 minutes to 12 minutes across three teams.
- Built observability dashboards that surfaced error budgets and cut incident triage time by 30%.
- Partnered with product to ship a usage-based pricing module that increased expansion revenue 18% in two quarters.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
Why a clear entry-level software engineer CV matters
Hiring managers in the UK see many CVs that list skills but not impact, and you risk being overlooked if your CV is vague. A clear entry-level software engineer CV shows how you solved problems, what tools you used, and what results you helped achieve, even in university projects or part-time roles.
Demonstrating clear contributions makes it easier for UK recruiters to picture you on their team.
CV structure and order
Use a straightforward layout so reviewers can scan quickly, with contact details and a professional profile at the top, then a short summary, education, technical skills, projects, and experience. In the UK, many CVs begin with a personal profile and key achievements.
Keep sections in that order unless you have a standout internship or project you want to lead with. Use consistent headings and clear spacing to help UK recruiters find what matters.
Contact details, profile, and links
Put your full name, UK phone number, email address, city and post code, and links to GitHub, LinkedIn, or a portfolio at the top. Include a concise personal profile that states your role, for example 'Entry-level Software Engineer' or 'Computer Science graduate, Software Engineer'.
Ensure links are live and your GitHub contains recent, well-documented projects. Some UK employers may check your right-to-work status.
Profile examples for a UK CV
Write a two-sentence profile that highlights your technical focus and one measurable or specific achievement from a project or internship. For example mention the tech stack you used and the problem you solved, such as reducing load time or automating a task.
Keep this section tailored to the role you are applying for and avoid vague claims.
Education: What to include
List your degree, institution, graduation date (DD/MM/YYYY if applicable), and relevant modules when it supports the role you want, such as data structures or operating systems. Include degree classification (for example 2:1) rather than a GPA, unless a UK institution uses a non-standard metric and it is expected.
Add honours or relevant academic awards. If you have significant project work from classes, link those projects in the projects section rather than repeating them here.
Include GCSEs and A-levels if you are early in your career or if they strengthen your application; mention UCAS points if applicable. If you studied at a Russell Group university, highlight it.
Technical skills: How to present them
Group skills by category, for example Programming languages, Frameworks, Tools, and Databases, so readers can scan for specific areas quickly. Place the most relevant skills for the role at the top.
Include tools such as Git, Docker, Jira, CI/CD, testing frameworks, and cloud platforms. Consider a compact 'Key Skills' section at the top that aligns with the job description and link to projects that demonstrate use.
Additional Tips
- 1Prioritise clarity and measurable outcomes; keep the CV to two pages max for most UK employers, and maintain a master CV you can quickly tailor to each role before applying.
- 2Tailor the CV to UK job boards and employer expectations; include a professional profile, skills, projects, and work experience with impact.
- 3Ensure right-to-work status is stated where relevant, and consider omitting a photo; use UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY) and standard naming conventions.