Computer Science No Experience Resume Examples [+4 Samples]

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While the pandemic has impacted many other industries, the tech industry is still booming. As people look for new ways to work, communicate and share their lives with others, computer science has thrived in a post-Covid world. If you have the skills to build systems, software, websites or networks, a career in computer science could be just right for you.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a great outlook for computer science. The median salary for software developers reached $109,020 per year in 2021, and the rate of job growth hit a staggering 25% – much higher than the typical growth rate for other industries.

Of course, the promising state of the computer science field means that everyone wants in! Despite the field’s impressive job growth, you may find that the hiring process – particularly at larger firms with higher-profile names – is intensely competitive. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to constructing a resume for your first job in computer science.

We’ve written up example resume segments, advice on what to do (and on what not to do!), and suggestions for how to make your resume even stronger. Read on, and you’ll be building your first resume in no time!

What is Computer Science?

Computer science, as a field, encompasses any job that works on the design, development and construction of software, systems, and anything else related to computing. Unlike the field of IT, which focuses on repairing and troubleshooting computer systems and networks, computer science is all about making something new. If you can combine creative thought with technical prowess, this could be the field for you.

Jobs in the computer science field include:

• Software engineering
• Software development
• Web development
• Network architecture
• Computer programming
• Hardware engineering

In general, career progression in computer science means assuming more leadership responsibilities. If you have a knack for management, you could thrive in a more senior role – one which could eventually see you determining which projects your team works on. And if management isn’t for you, you could aim to build a career that takes you to some of the biggest and most well-known companies in the world.

Computer science jobs usually demand a level of coding knowledge, though the exact requirements will vary from role to role (and company to company). You will also need to be a team player, able to collaborate with others and communicate complex information effectively. And you’ll need to be able to work to a brief, with a scrupulous level of attention to detail, in order to maximize your clients’ satisfaction with your work.

Most jobs in computer science require at least a relevant bachelor’s degree. Depending on the company you want to work for, a master’s degree may also give you a competitive advantage. However, larger tech companies hire for computer science roles based primarily on talent – so if you can prove your ability to do the work, it may not count against you if you don’t have a suitable educational background.

How to Write a Computer Science Resume

If you want to work in computer science, but you don’t have any past experience, your resume needs to hit two important beats. The first is that you have the qualifications – and, potentially, the certifications – required for the role you want. The second is that you have all the skills you will need to succeed in the role.

Of course, writing a resume when you don’t have much directly-relevant work experience can be intimidating. But in roles like software development or systems design, your professional experience may actually be less important than your skills. Companies like Google and Meta have stated in the past that they are more interested in your ability to do the work than in your work history – and they’re some of the biggest names in the industry!

In general, this means you should make sure that your skills and qualifications are at the heart of your resume. But remember that there are other ways to acquire experience than getting a job. In a field like computer science, developing and building your own personal projects can count as relevant experience – it shows that you’re able to execute a project from beginning to end, and that you can take the initiative to produce something of your own.

As a rule, a computer science resume written by someone with limited work experience should contain the following:

• A summary
• Your education
• Any experience you have, including any personal projects you’ve worked on
• Your skills, including any certifications or licenses you have

The Best Format for a Computer Science Resume

Your format dictates what hiring managers will notice first when they look at your resume. When choosing your professionally-designed computer science resume template from our selection, keep that in mind, and think about what your potential employer needs to see from you. Computer science, as a field, is driven by the skills you have – like the coding languages and software packages you know how to use – so you may wish to consider a format that leads with your skills.

This is particularly true for people with limited work experience in the field, since the section detailing your experience may not be the strongest. Later in your career, once you’ve worked more extensively in computer science, you may benefit from choosing a format that balances your skills with your past work experience.

You should also remember that many hiring managers use an applicant tracking system (or ATS) to sort through the resumes they receive for each position. This helps companies streamline the hiring process – but it means that if your resume doesn’t get past the ATS software, it may never be seen by a real person. The software looks for specific keywords based on the job description, so if you don’t keep that in mind, you run the risk of losing the role before the hiring process has even begun.

ATS software may also be confused by overly-intricate resume formats. Thankfully, all of VisualCV’s resume templates are built to beat ATS software. When you use one of our templates, you can be confident that your resume’s layout won’t confuse the software and undermine your chances of success.

3 Computer Science Resume Examples

Your summary is usually what opens your resume, and it’s one of the first things a recruiter will see about you. It’s a short and concise summation of your very best qualities. It should reflect the requirements set out in the job description, too – so you won’t be able to get away with using the same summary for every job application!

As you won’t have much work experience, your summary should focus on your skills and your educational achievements. Later in your career, you can refocus your summary on your past experience – and, of course, the skills and qualities that experience proves that you have. 3 summary examples:

• Software developer with a BEng in Computing from Imperial College, London. Proficient in C++, JavaScript and CSS. Looking to take the first step into a career in computing.
• Web designer with a 3.8 GPA from Stanford University. Proficient in HTML/CSS and JavaScript, with experience in Adobe and Microsoft software suites. Professional, dynamic, and driven to achieve the highest standards.
• Newly-graduated programmer with a 3.7 GPA. Extensive personal experience in building mobile and web-based apps. Proficient in Python, HTML/CSS, Kotlin and JavaScript.

How Not to Write a Computer Science Resume Summary

Remember, your summary needs to be clear and to the point, with a direct focus on what you have to offer in the role you want. It needs to show a recruiter at a glance why you meet the requirements for the job. Don’t get too wordy or too personal – if you want to tell the story of why you want the job, you can do it in your cover letter.

Do You Need a Resume Objective?

For non-entry-level positions, you won’t usually need a resume objective. But if you don’t have much work experience, you should consider including an objective to accompany your resume summary.

Not sure what the difference is? In short, a summary is a brief description of the qualities and skills that make you the right choice for the job you want. An objective is an even briefer statement about your career goals, such as the industry or type of role you want to work in. Computer Science Resume Objective Example:

• Programmer with a BEng in Computing, seeking to build a new career in video game design.

How to Describe Your Experience on Your Computer Science Resume

If you don’t have much past work experience, this section of your resume might feel daunting. But remember, experience doesn’t always come from paid work! If you’ve ever volunteered, interned, or worked on computing projects in your own time, you may have acquired some relevant experience for a computer science job.

You can and should include any non-work experience on your resume, provided it’s relevant to the job. If in doubt, double-check the job description. Does your experience prove that you have any of the skills or qualities the role requires?

Describe Your Experience Effectively

When writing about your experience, whatever it looks like, make sure you write about it in a way that reflects the work you put into obtaining it. Write about what you accomplished while carrying out each task. Wherever possible, think about the results you got, and make sure you point them out.

This is because recruiters will be looking for hard facts about your past successes. If you can show solid evidence that your work got results in previous positions, recruiters will be more ready to believe that you can get those results again. Computer Science Resume Experience Example: Volunteer Web Designer, West End Animal Shelter | 2018

• Liaised with the client to identify their needs; collaborated to design a website that would meet those needs
• Produced a functional and well-branded website using HTML/CSS, within the deadline established by the client
• Worked with the client to update and maintain the website, adding new content and functionality as requested

How Not to Describe Your Experience

How to List Skills on Your Computer Science Resume

Usually, when you’re listing your skills on your resume, the job description for the role you want will act as a useful guide. It will typically contain a list of the skills you’ll need to demonstrate. But it’s worth remembering that there are some skills that recruiters will expect you to have by default – and they may not be listed as part of the job posting.

For general information about skills on your resume, check out our resume skills guide here!

Top Computer Science Resume Skills in Demand

Hard Skills for Computer Science	Soft Skills for Computer Science
Technology skills	Communication
Coding Skills	Creativity
Software development knowledge	Attention to detail
Analytical skills	Time management
Technical writing	Organization
Mathematical skills	Collaboration
Planning skills	Leadership
Problem-solving	Training and coaching skills

Professional Certifications in Computer Science

The right certification can help your resume stand out. Certifications show hiring managers that you take your work seriously, and that you’re willing to put in extra effort to give your career a boost. They also act as proof of your skills, so if you don’t have much experience, they can give you a real edge.

Here are some of the most common computer science certifications!

AWS Certified Developer

This certification is offered by Amazon, and allows you to prove your expertise with their cloud computing infrastructure, AWS. You’ll need to have at least a year of experience working with AWS-based apps before you can take this certification – but Amazon provides all the training materials for free.

CIW Web Development Professional

This certification consists of two courses – one focused on JavaScript, the other focused on database technologies. While it will specifically allow you to demonstrate your skills in the field of web development, it’s a wide-ranging and well-respected set of qualifications.

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect

Azure is Microsoft’s cloud computing service, and it’s extremely widely used. This certification will allow you to prove that you know the software inside and out. Specifically, it will show hiring managers that you can build cloud and hybrid applications using Azure.

The Most Important Soft Skills for Your Computer Science Resume

Obviously, hard skills are vital in computer science – but hiring managers are likely to be interested in your soft skills, too. These skills will give you an advantage in every aspect of your working life. And if you don’t have much work experience, soft skills offer further proof that you’re equipped to take on the role you want.

Here are some of the most important soft skills to include on your computer science resume!

Communication

Can you explain complex information in a way that people can understand? If so, you have a vital skill that will set you up for success in computer science. Whether you’re talking to clients or colleagues, you’ll need to distill complicated concepts into accessible explanations – strong communication skills will give you the edge you need.

Creativity

If you think computing is all about hard numbers and code, think again! Particularly in design-focused roles, you’ll need to be able to think outside the box in order to produce fresh and cutting-edge work. Plus, a little creativity can give you a big advantage when it comes to solving problems on the job.

Attention to detail

Anyone who works with code will tell you that the devil really is in the details. If you want to succeed in computer science, you’ll need to pay close attention to the finer points of your work. A high level of attention to detail will help you limit errors, work more efficiently, and avoid disappointing your clients.

Computer Science Salaries

Computer science is a booming field, and salaries tend to skew high. But exactly how much can you expect to make if you work in this industry?

Your salary will vary depending on your experience level, the exact role you work in, and the amount of time you’ve worked in that role. But in general, Indeed reports salaries ranging from $71,668 to $165,673 for computer scientists. And these figures are backed up by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, who report an average 2021 salary of $109,020 in the field of software development.

Final Thoughts

Computer science encompasses a wide range of roles, skills and specializations. Whatever you want to do with technology, this field will offer a way for you to do it. And with jobs growing at an amazing rate, we have every confidence that you will find your dream job in no time!

As always, VisualCV has your back from the beginning to the end of your application process. With a VisualCV Pro membership, you can customize every aspect of your resume and show the best version of yourself to recruiters. Don’t compromise – give yourself the head start you deserve on your way to your career goals.