Month: February 2025

A developer CV should be clear and concise. It gives a potential employer an overview of your work experience and the skills you can use in the IT field. But how do you write it in a way that will help you land your dream job? We’ve put together all the key information and a clear guide to help you do just that.

How to write a programmer CV?

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a document that introduces you to a potential employer and makes a first impression. You should therefore take the time to prepare it and include all relevant information about yourself.

The CV should be polished but concise. Provide recruiters with basic information about yourself, your education, work experience and skills. You can also briefly describe your interests or hobbies, but don’t go into too much detail.

Less is more. Write only what is really relevant. Avoid ‘waffle’ and unnecessary information that could spoil the first impression. If you want to elaborate, include a covering letter with your CV.

What format should I choose for my CV as a developer?

Before you start writing, find out what an IT CV should look like. The design should be simple, with a white background and black font. The most suitable fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri or Cambria in size 12. Section headings can be slightly larger.

If you write your CV in Word, set your margins to 1 to 1.5 cm and your line spacing to 1.15 to 1.5 cm. You can leave larger spaces between paragraphs so that the document doesn’t look cluttered and is easy to read. You can also create your CV in a graphic editor such as Canva. Just choose a template and overwrite the details. Alternatively, you can start with a blank canvas and create your programming CV yourself.

When you have completed your CV, save it as a PDF. This format ensures that sentences, paragraphs and headings stay in place regardless of the device on which the document is opened.

What structure should I choose when writing an IT CV?

To keep your IT CV clear, follow one of three basic structures:

1. Chronological structure

This is the most common structure and is suitable not only for IT but also for many other fields. It is based on your work experience, which is given the most space. Other sections, such as education or skills, are more concise.

The chronological structure is the best choice for a developer or IT specialist. When creating it, stick to the following division:

• bio (optional),
• personal and contact details,
• work experience (describe it in no more than two or three sentences),
• education (indicate school, course and period of study)
• skills (list only),
• optional sections such as interests, hobbies, etc.

2. Professional structure

In English, this type of CV is also called a skills-based CV. It aims to highlight your skills and strengths, leaving your work experience in the background. It is ideal for recent graduates or those with large gaps in their work history.

The professional structure consists of the following parts:

• bio (optional),
• personal and contact details,
• skills (choose a few main ones and describe them in detail),
• education (state briefly),
• work experience (describe briefly and concisely),
• optional sections.

3. Combined structure

The combined structure combines a chronological and a professional structure. This means that skills and work experience are given equal weight.

The combined structure includes:

• bio (optional)
• personal and contact details,
• relevant skills,
• work experience,
• education,
• optional sections.

What to include in an IT developer CV?

An IT CV should contain a few basic sections, which can be supplemented with additional optional sections. These include:

Short bio

A short bio is not a required part of a developer’s CV, but it is a handy introduction that quickly gives recruiters important information about you. Since not everyone writes one, it can make you stand out.

The bio should be short, to the point and clear. It is usually 3 to 6 sentences long, and can look like this:

“I am an experienced developer who loves new technologies and is interested in software development. I specialize in website and mobile app development, with expert-level Python and JavaScript skills. I have more than 10 years of experience as a Java developer, I take pride in details, I am reliable and I like to work in a team.”

The bio should match the requirements of the advert. Emphasize the strengths that potential employers are looking for so that you stand out at first glance.

Personal and contact details

This section is an essential part of any programmer’s CV. This is where you list your:

• first and last name,
• date of birth,
• address,
• phone number,
• e-mail,
• social media/web link.

Social networking sites are optional. However, if you are active on LinkedIn, be sure to include it – recruiters can learn more about you from it.

Work experience

In this section you can show a potential employer that you have enough experience to get the job.

In your CV, start with your job title, followed by the company you worked for, your dates of employment and a brief description of what you were responsible for. Keep the job description brief and clear.

Example:

Java Developer
msg life Slovakia
2020 – 2024

– development and programming of computer and mobile applications,
– website development,
– design and implementation of software components,
– cooperation with software testers and project architects,
– application of agile software management methods.

Provide only relevant information that recruiters are likely to be interested in and that confirms that you are the ideal candidate. For example, if you have more personal projects in your portfolio, you can list your website or project URL on GitHub.

Education and certificates

You don’t need to write too much about your education. Just mention the school, the subject or course you studied and the time you studied it. If you have space, describe what you studied in one or two sentences.

You can also include courses, certificates or awards in this section.

Skills

Education is followed by soft skills and hard skills, which are key skills for employers. They are often more important than education itself.

Soft skills that you can list as a developer and are in demand on the job market can be:

• teamwork,
• communication skills,
• creativity,
• patience,
• detail orientation,
• the ability to solve complicated problems,
• responsibility,
• openness to learn new things.

Hard skills:

• proficiency in programming languages (Python, Java, C#, PHP, Ruby, Node.js, HTML, CSS, JavaScript),
• OS management (Windows XP, MacOS, iOS),
• software development,
• knowledge of algorithms and data structures,
• mathematical and computational skills,
• machine learning and the use of AI,
• cloud computing.

Optional sections – interests and other information

If your IT CV isn’t too long, you can also add optional sections such as leisure activities you enjoy. You can link these activities directly to the job posting.

For example, if a company is looking for someone who can think outside the box, mention the creative activities you do. This will show that you can look at things from a different perspective and come up with unconventional solutions.

IT developer CV template

A template can help you write an IT CV where you simply fill in your details, save it and send it to the potential employer. There are many templates available today.

You can create a universal CV on Profesia.sk. If you’re looking for something different, try Canva, which offers both basic and advanced templates. You can also find inspiration in our article.

Attachments to IT developer CV

You can attach three basic types of attachments to your IT CV:

• Motivation letter – allows you to describe some of your work experience and skills. It also shows why you are interested in the job and why you are the best candidate.
• Cover letter – serves as an introduction to the CV. You can use it to give recruiters a brief introduction to who you are and what your strengths are. It is sent either as a separate document or directly in the body of the email.
• References – provide evidence of your qualities and skills through testimonials from previous bosses, managers or others in a position of responsibility.

What to avoid when writing a developer CV?

Avoid these unnecessary mistakes when writing a developer CV:

• Changing fonts – once you’ve chosen a font, use it consistently throughout your document. If you want to set off certain sections, increase the size of the text or use a bold font.
• Too much colour – IT recruiters expect a simple and clear CV, not a document full of colour that can look chaotic. So don’t go overboard with colours. It’s best to use a white background and black font.
• Irrelevant information – read carefully what the employer is looking for in a candidate and tailor your CV accordingly. For IT roles, emphasize your technical skills and relevant education.
• Typos and mistakes – grammar errors or missing letters look unprofessional and indicate that you haven’t taken enough time to prepare your CV. Employers may get the impression that you are similarly sloppy with the code text. Always have someone else proofread the finished document.
• Versatility – Every job is unique and requires different skills or knowledge. It is therefore important to read the advert carefully and tailor your CV to the employer’s requirements. For example, highlight the skills the company is looking for in candidates.

Get your dream job with an IT CV

Writing an IT CV follows a few basic rules. If you follow them, you can be sure to produce a quality document that will help you get an interview and land your dream job. Get inspired by our tips and start working on a clear, concise and easy-to-read CV today!

How to write a CV? A question asked by many people looking for a new job. The CV is a key document that can make or break your chances of getting a job. It gives potential employers a better insight into you and your work experience. So don’t underestimate its importance and invest enough time and energy in it.

What is a CV?

A resume, often referred to as a curriculum vitae (CV), is a document that contains your personal and professional information. It usually includes :

• first and last name,
• address,
• contact details (phone, e-mail),
• Information about your education (school and university, courses, certificates),
• professional experience (previous positions held and dates),
• skills and competences (language, technical and other skills relevant to the job)
• other information (volunteer activities, awards, interests and other details that might interest a potential employer).

A well-written CV is your calling card, so make sure it is clear, concise and free of grammar errors.

The main purpose of a CV is to introduce you to a potential employer and show them your experience in the field. It is usually short and contains only the most important milestones in your life. This is why it is often accompanied by a motivation or cover letter.

Nowadays, CVs are mostly in electronic form, and there are many templates and ready-made forms that make them much easier to prepare.

We recommend:

There are several tools that can make the process of creating a CV easier. For example, if you don’t want to start from scratch in a text editor like Word and want to create an attractive document, try Canva. It has a number of interesting templates to choose from. However, if you are looking for something simple and minimalist, a template from Profesia.sk will suffice.

How to write a good CV for a job?

Want to know how to write a CV that will impress employers and increase your chances of landing your dream job? Many people make the mistake of creating cluttered documents with lots of graphic elements, unconventional fonts, and multiple colour combinations. However, this is often not the best solution.

A quality CV should be:

• simple,
• short,
• concise,
• transparent.

Give information about yourself in bullet points, using just a few words or short sentences. Avoid long sentences or paragraphs. Recruiters usually scan them and don’t have time to read them in detail.

What about the design? The best solution is a white background with black text, ideally in Times New Roman size 12. The exception is in creative fields where original design is expected. Again, keep it simple and avoid overly graphic elements.

What to include in your CV?

A CV is made up of several parts, each containing different types of information. To make sure you don’t miss anything, follow the structure below.

1. Personal data

A CV starts with your personal details, which should include:

• first and last name,
• address,
• phone number,
• email address,
• date of birth (if you want to include it)

You can also add a photo to your CV to make it more personal. However, avoid selfies or other unprofessional photos. Portraits against a monochrome background are ideal.

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You can also add your LinkedIn profile to these details. There, the recruiter will also find additional information that didn’t fit on your CV, your activity, case studies, portfolio or other content you create or share on this professional social network. At the same time, you can network and look for jobs on LinkedIn. For more info on why be on LinkedIn, read our article, What is the LinkedIn platform and why have a LinkedIn profile?

2. Work experience

This is one of the most important sections, so pay close attention to it. List your experience in reverse chronological order, i.e. the most recent job should be listed first.

Indicate in this section:

• the title of the position,
• the period from when you started to when you left (only the month in which you started and ended your employment),
• the full name of the company,
• a brief description of the job (please give only the main duties).

We recommend:

If you have had many jobs during your career, detail the last three or four positions. Mention the others only briefly so that the CV is not too long. You can provide more detailed information during the interview.

3. Education

As with work experience, this section should be written in reverse chronological order. List your highest level of education first (e.g. university), followed by lower levels (e.g. high school).

State:

• the name of the school,
• period of study,
• the field or programme of study (if relevant).

You can also use this section to list courses, training and certificates you have completed. This will show your employer that you are active and learning beyond your formal education. Be concise and include information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

5. Knowledge

This part of your CV is designed to show recruiters that, in addition to the theoretical knowledge you have acquired at school, you also have practical skills that can be used in the job. For example, you could include knowledge of:

• operating systems,
• various programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Photoshop, Canva),
• typing,
• programming languages.

For each skill, indicate the level, e.g. expert, advanced or beginner.

Language skills form a separate category, often separated by a subheading or a horizontal line. For each language, be sure to indicate the standardized level of proficiency – from A1 (beginner) to C2 (expert). As with all sections, it’s definitely not worth getting confused! At the interview, employers will usually switch to English and check your language skills in person.

6. Interests

This section is optional, but it can spice up your CV and add a personal touch. It makes the document seem more human. However, only list hobbies that are relevant, appropriate or otherwise related to the job.

In this section you can include:

• the sports you play,
• creative activities such as drawing or taking photos,
• interest in culture,
• travelling and discovering new places.

Be careful not to give overly personal or inappropriate information.

7. Driving licence

Important information, especially for jobs that involve regular travel. You only need to indicate your licence group (e.g. B). No other details are usually required.

8. Additional information

At the end of your CV, you can briefly mention the qualities and skills that distinguish you. For example, focus on qualities that might be important to an employer:

• ability to work under stress,
• flexibility and adaptability,
• a love of challenges,
• meeting deadlines.

This information should complete the picture of you as a reliable and capable candidate.

CV mistakes – avoid these faux pas

If you want to know how to write a CV that will impress, you need to be aware of the most common mistakes people make when writing a CV. These include:

• Giving irrelevant information – this unnecessarily lengthens the CV and often looks unprofessional. If there are skills or qualities you will not be using in the role, do not include them in the document. Also avoid overly personal details such as marital status or political affiliations.
• Messy design – a CV should look professional. Be minimalist and uncluttered. Avoid cluttered templates, different fonts, multiple colours, etc.
• Typos – always proofread your text to remove grammatical errors and typos. Ideally, have someone else read it too.
• False information – only give true information that you can back up with a diploma, certificate or references from previous jobs.
• Universal CV – each CV is tailored to the specific company and job you are applying for. Don’t send the same document everywhere – it won’t impress the recruiter.
• Too many pages – the ideal length for a CV is between 1 and 3 pages. Don’t stretch the text and focus on the essential information.
• Unprofessional email – An email address is important contact information. If you have an email with a nickname or funny name, create a new one. The best choice is an email in the form of your first and last name.

How to write a university CV?

When applying to university, you often need to include a CV that is different from a normal job CV. Instead of work experience, focus on:

• learning achievements,
• sporting achievements,
• projects,
• extracurricular activities.

List these data in reverse chronological order.

If you have worked somewhere during your studies, you can also mention this work experience, especially if it is related to the field you want to study. If you are applying for a postgraduate degree or other higher ‘scientific’ qualification, you can also include the title of your dissertation.

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References for your university CV can be provided by a teacher, professor, or coach who knows you well. They can mention qualities such as discipline, conscientiousness, activity, skills, e.g., that you are a good presenter or a team player. This can significantly strengthen your application. You can find out how to write references in our article: A sample reference letter from employer: how and when to include a job reference on a resume?

CV attachments

Some information should not be included in the CV as it may increase the length of the document. When CVs are first screened, recruiters can evaluate them very quickly and read the additional information later. For this reason, we only include the basic and most important information in the CV and include additional information such as a covering letter or references separately in appendices. The following attachments are often included with the CV:

Cover letter

The cover letter can be a separate document or part of an email. It serves as an introduction to your CV and any other attachments you are sending. It should be brief and to the point.

Motivation letter

The purpose of a motivation letter is to introduce yourself and explain why you are the right candidate for the job. It gives you space to fill in and expand on some of the information on your CV. It is usually only sent if the company asks for it.

References

You can attach references as a separate document or include them directly in your CV or motivation letter. They should be written by someone from your previous work environment, ideally someone in a senior position such as a manager or boss. Only include references if the employer asks for them or if you think they can help you.

CV formatting

Send your CV in PDF or DOCX format so that it can be easily opened on any device. Use one or two fonts (e.g. Times New Roman) and a font size of 12. You can separate sections with larger or bold subheadings, but don’t go overboard with formatting.

We recommend:

The individual sections of your CV should be clearly divided and organized. You can read more about how to write a structured CV in the article: Structured CV – what it is and what it looks like?

Of course, if you plan to create your CV in Canva or another graphic editor, you can refine the format and design much more to your liking. However, don’t forget to keep a logical structure, use only 1 or 2 fonts, and keep the design minimalistic. For example. write the CV chronologically from the most recent information to the oldest.

Focus primarily on your achievements and strengths that might interest a potential employer.

Classic vs modern CV – which alternative is better?

There are two types of CV, depending on how they are processed:

• The classic CV – a simple, concise and clear CV written mainly in bullet points. This style is used in almost all sectors, such as administration or public services.
• The modern CV – redesigned and more detailed. Particularly suitable for creative fields such as graphic design or marketing.

We have also compared these types of CVs in the article: The classic CV template: How does it differ from the modern one and which is better?

Create a professional CV that’s sure to get you an interview

Now you know how to write a CV. Put this theoretical knowledge into practice and create a CV that will catch the eye of potential employers. As you write, watch out for small mistakes that could make you look unprofessional. Make sure you get the font and design right, but don’t forget the content. This should highlight your achievements and the value you can bring to the company.