How to Write a Computer Science CV

The tech sector presents a wealth of diverse career opportunities, particularly in fields like finance, healthcare, and entertainment. Its influence is undeniable, as professionals in this arena contribute to groundbreaking advancements and innovations. 

Whether you find yourself developing hardware, analysing data insights, or implementing cutting-edge computing techniques, you’ll be constantly expanding your technological expertise. However, navigating the myriad of job options can be daunting.

Crafting an ATS-friendly CV is essential to ensure your CV stands out to hiring managers and recruiters. This guide will walk you through effectively highlighting your achievements, skills, relevant projects, and comprehensive work history. Let’s dive in!

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Computer science CV example 

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Michael selected the Harvard template to clearly showcase his skills, education, and personal details along the left side while providing ample space for his work experience, certifications, and personal profile.

Refer to the matching computer science cover letter example of this CV!

What to include in a computer science CV? 

When writing a good CV, it's important to focus on the key sections that give a clear picture of your skills, experience, and achievements.

You can also add extra sections like projects you've worked on, additional certificates, hobbies or interests. By showcasing these sections effectively, you're showing how valuable you are as a potential candidate. Your CV demonstrates how you've excelled in making technological advancements and solving problems in the field.

1. Personal statement for a computer science CV

Many employers care about both your skills and your personality. A personal profile is often overlooked on scientific or IT CVs. Make yours stand out by including a strong statement that highlights your work style and key soft skills. For more examples, refer to how to write a personal profile.

Refer to the academic CV or PhD CV example for more guidance.

Refer to the undergraduate CV example for more tips!

Refer to the internship CV example for more guidance.

2. Computer science skills to include on a CV 

Similar to other professions, listing skills on your computer engineer CV is a balancing act between soft and technical abilities. Be sure to inject plenty of soft skills naturally and effectively into your personal profile, while covering harder, more technical proficiencies in their own sections elsewhere.

Examples of soft skills of a computer programmer:

• Communication 

• Problem-solving

• Teamwork

• Data analysis

• Critical thinking.

Examples of hard skills needed for computer science:

• Technical writing

• Computer architecture 

• Programming

• Database management

• Software engineering principles

Learn more about which IT skills to add to your CV.

3. Work experience on a computer science CV 

When you talk about your work experience, we recommend using reverse chronological order. Start from the most recent and work backwards. Include the company name, when you worked there, and location. 

Write a short paragraph to give an overall idea of what you did and how you improved in that role. After that, use bullet points to highlight at least two achievements. Learn more on how to write work experience on a CV.

Junior Software Developer| NextTech Innovations, Manchester | 2021 - Present

Contribute actively to new product and feature specification, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of user needs and market trends. Orchestrate the independent and collaborative design and development of diverse products, adeptly handling architectural and detailed coding aspects. Maintain close cooperation with test and support teams, assuring consistent product quality.

• Lead five architectural and system design projects, delivering functional and efficient products that meet stringent quality standards.

• Collaborated seamlessly with multiple teams, ensuring a streamlined product shipping process and increasing end-to-end workflow productivity by 15%.

Software Engineer | Tech Dynamics, London | Summer 2020 - 2021

Engaged in full-stack web development, orchestrating seamless software and hardware deployments, and effectively administrating diverse infrastructure systems. Devised automation strategies enhancing platform efficiency and conducted system-wide improvements.

• Implemented innovative efficiency enhancements across platforms, reducing software deployment time by 20%, boosting operational agility.

• Successfully executed 98% of system deployments within the stipulated timeline, contributing to the team's high-performance record and project success.

Entr-level software engineer | Mira, London | 2019

Engaged in a comprehensive role spanning the entire solution lifecycle, from inception to enhancement of existing ones. Collaborated closely with developers and engineers, contributing to cross-functional teams. Beyond regular responsibilities, actively participated in extracurricular projects, such as hackathons, amplifying networking and experience-building endeavors.

• Demonstrated keen intellectual curiosity and analytical acumen, consistently offering innovative problem-solving techniques.

• Delved into projects outside of the day-to-day, showcasing versatility and dedication to skill and knowledge enrichment.

Computer science CV with no work experience

It may be the case that you are just beginning your journey as either a student, working part-time or changing career. It is likely you won’t have much of a work history to put on your CV. In that case, take the time to attend additional courses or bootcamps to generate valuable experience and develop contacts.

Learn more on how to write a CV with no experience.

4. Education and qualifications for a computer science CV

Filling out the education section of your CV shows the qualifications you gained while becoming a skilled and knowledgeable computer scientist. This is where your formal learning adds to your technical and personal skills and work background.

Keep these tips in mind to make your education section shine:

• Begin with your highest level of education and work backwards, listing the institution's name, qualification earned and date of completion.

• Mention any relevant certifications.

• Highlight any academic honours or awards received during your studies.

• If you have limited work experience, draw inspiration from an undergraduate CV example or consider using a skills-based CV format.

• Keep the education section concise; a brief line for each certification is sufficient to capture the essential details.

If you have worked on any relevant projects - even hobby projects or hackathons - these are always worth mentioning on a tech-based CV. Examples of relevant projects could include:

• Hackathon

• Coding project

• Bootcamp

• Capstone project

When listing education, be sure to use the following structure, with your most recent qualification at the top:

Qualification or program name, Issuing authority or institution, Country, Date

Examples of education

Master of Science in Computer Science, Imperial College London, UK, 2017

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Manchester, UK, 2014

5. Courses and certificates to boost your computer science CV

It’s always a good idea to boost your CV by enriching it with supplementary courses and certificates. Explore online courses tailored to various roles, enhancing your skill set and employability. Consider enrolling in courses like:

• Data Science Fundamentals

• Web Development Essentials

• Cybersecurity Basics

You can also explore the various certificates available including:

• Machine Learning Specialisation

• Cloud Computing Proficiency

• Project Management Fundamentals

These additional credentials demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and further solidify your qualifications for diverse career paths.

Key takeaways 

• Tailor your CV: Customise your CV for each role you apply to, aligning skills and experiences with the job requirements to stand out effectively.

• Create a strong personal profile: Develop a concise and impactful personal profile showcasing your skills, experience, and unique attributes to capture the recruiter's attention.

• Highlight work experience: Clearly outline your work history using reverse chronological order, presenting responsibilities, achievements, and quantifiable results for a comprehensive understanding of your contributions.

• Showcase skills: Highlight both technical and soft skills in your CV, demonstrating your ability to contribute effectively in various aspects of the role.

• Additional certificates and training: Strengthen your CV with extra certifications and training courses that emphasise your commitment to continuous learning.

Next steps?

Iron out any creases using our intuitive CV builder with 20+ CV templates and professional designs to choose from. To accompany your CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service. Draw inspiration from our CV examples to save time, emphasise important sections and make it easier for hiring managers to grasp your unique professional offer even quicker.

FAQ 

What can you do with a computer science degree? 

This degree opens doors to roles like software development, data analysis, cybersecurity and IT management across industries. Directly related to computer science, roles include but are not limited to:

• Web Developer

• Systems Engineer

• Data Scientist

• Machine Learning Specialist

• Software Engineer

• Cybersecurity Analyst

• Network Engineer

• Cloud Operations Manager

If you're just starting your journey or looking for a role with broader responsibilities, consider positions such as:

• IT Support & Helpdesk Manager

• Product Manager

• IT Educator

Is a computer science degree worth it in 2024?

The simple answer is yes! Not only are there diverse career opportunities available across many industries but there is also high earning potential and job security. However, it's also important to consider what your own personal interests and career aspirations are.

What is the difference between computer science and computer engineering? 

Computer science focuses on algorithms, software and theory, while computer engineering integrates hardware and software design for systems and devices.

What is a typical UK CV format for computer science? 

A typical CV includes personal details, a summary, work history, education, skills, and certificates, with optional sections for projects and interests.

What are some computer science jobs without programming? 

This field offers roles in project management, consulting, technical writing and data analysis that require less programming.

What is the average salary for a computer science graduate in the UK? 

The average salary for a graduate in the UK is around £30,000 to £35,000 per year. However, some computer scientists can earn upwards of £50,000 depending on the skill set and industry. For more tips, check out the biggest industries in the UK today.

What are some computer science related hobbies that would be beneficial to include on a CV?

Including computer science-related hobbies on your CV can showcase your passion and skills in the field. Here are some examples:

1. Coding projects: Building personal apps, websites, or games demonstrates creativity and technical skills.

2. Open-source contributions: Shows collaboration and experience in real-world development.

3. Cybersecurity challenges: Participating in capture-the-flag (CTF) events or ethical hacking.

4. Tech blogging/vlogging: Writing about programming, trends, or tutorials displays communication skills and expertise.

5. Hardware hobbies: Tinkering with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or robotics.

6. Algorithm competitions: Solving coding challenges or competing on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.