How to tailor your CV for a graduate software engineer job in the UK
Graduate software roles are screened first on the languages and tools in your CV, then on evidence that you have built and shipped something. Recruiters often skim for a language match before they read anything else.
Keywords to look for in the job ad
Check the ad for these words. Use them only where your experience genuinely backs them up.
PythonJavaJavaScriptTypeScriptGitSQLREST APIsunit testingagileproblem solving
What to show
+Name the language and framework next to each project, not in a separate list only.
+Say what the project did and who used it, even if the users were classmates.
+Mention testing, version control or code review if you used them.
A common mistake
Listing every language you have touched. Keep the ones you could discuss in an interview and put the ones the ad names first.
Example bullet, before and after
Before
Worked on a group project building a website.
After
Built a booking website with a three-person team using React and Node.js, with a SQL database and automated tests. [add: how many users or bookings?]
Items in [square brackets] are for you to fill in with real figures. Never add numbers you cannot back up.
Tailor your CV to the real ad
Paste the job ad and your CV. You get a free preview, and you pay £4.99 only if you want the full rewrite, cover letter and keyword checklist.