Resume for Freshers Software Engineer: ATS Templates & Sample
By BuildATS Team · Published · 8 min read
Your Resume Should Sound Like YOU.
Most B.Tech, BCA and MCA freshers download the same generic template, change the name and start applying. Recruiters at TCS, Infosys and startups then read hundreds of identical resumes with vague objectives and no real projects or skills that set one candidate apart.
This page will help you build a resume for freshers software engineer roles that stands out for the right reasons. You'll get ATS-friendly templates, one complete sample resume to adapt, and a clear list of what to include when you have no work experience.
Never held a job? That's fine. Internships, college projects, hackathons and GitHub work all count as experience when you present them well. Start by picking a template below.
Resume Templates for Software Engineer Freshers
Choose the layout that fits where you're applying, then fill it with your own projects and skills. All four templates use simple fonts and text-based layouts that ATS software can read easily, and each one downloads as a PDF.
Classic ATS Template
A single-column layout with standard headings like Skills, Projects and Education. Best for: mass applications on Naukri and LinkedIn, and service companies such as TCS, Wipro and Accenture, where an ATS often screens resumes first.
Project-First Template
This template puts your projects above education, so recruiters see what you've built before your marks. Best for: BCA or B.Tech freshers with solid GitHub work, or anyone applying to product startups.
Modern Tech Template
A clean design with a dedicated skills block and links to your GitHub, LeetCode and portfolio. It looks fresh but stays ATS-readable, with no images, charts or skill bars. Best for: freshers who want a polished look that ATS software can still read.
Campus Placement Template
This template places your CGPA, 10th and 12th marks and certifications near the top. Best for: on-campus drives, because many companies shortlist candidates using academic cut-offs in the first round.
Sample Resume for a Software Engineer Fresher
Here is a complete sample you can use as a reference. It follows a project-first order, which suits most B.Tech CSE freshers applying for developer roles.
ANANYA REDDY Hyderabad, Telangana | +91 98XXX XXXXX | ananya.reddytest@email.com linkedin.com/in/ananyatest | github.com/ananyareddy
PROFILE SUMMARY Final-year B.Tech CSE student who built a MERN-stack expense tracker used by 200+ classmates. Comfortable with Java, DSA and REST APIs, and looking for an entry-level software engineer role where I can build and ship real features.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Languages: Java, Python, JavaScript
- Web: React, Node.js, Express, Spring Boot (basics)
- Database: MySQL, MongoDB
- Tools: Git, Postman, VS Code
- Concepts: OOP, DSA, DBMS, REST APIs
PROJECTS
SplitSmart: Group Expense Tracker | MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js
- Built an expense-splitting app with JWT login and monthly summaries, used by 200+ students across hostel groups
- Reduced dashboard load time from about 3 seconds to under 1 second by adding pagination and indexing MongoDB queries
- Wrote and tested 15 REST API endpoints using Postman
CampusBook: Library Seat Booking System | Java, Spring Boot, MySQL
- Developed a time-slot booking system for 120 library seats, piloted for 4 weeks in the college library
- Designed a normalised 6-table MySQL schema and used transactions to prevent double bookings
INTERNSHIP
Web Development Intern | [Startup Name], Hyderabad (Remote) | May 2024 – June 2024
- Converted 8 Figma screens into responsive React components for a client's food-ordering website
- Fixed 20+ UI bugs logged in Jira, improving the mobile layout on 3 key pages
EDUCATION
- B.Tech, Computer Science and Engineering, [College Name], Hyderabad (JNTUH), 2021–2025 | CGPA: 8.1/10
- Class 12 (MPC), [Junior College], Hyderabad, 2021 | 92.4%
- Class 10, [School Name], Hyderabad, 2019 | 94%
CERTIFICATIONS
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (2024)
- NPTEL: Programming in Java, Elite (2023)
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Finalist, college 24-hour hackathon 2024 (top 10 of 80 teams)
- Solved 350+ problems on LeetCode, mostly in Java
Use this as a structure, not a script. Recruiters quickly spot copied sample lines, and interviewers will ask you to explain every project you list. Replace Ananya's projects, numbers and skills with your own work. Use only figures you can back up, even if they are smaller.
What to Include in a Fresher Resume for Software Engineer Roles
Each section should earn its place. Here's what to put in each one when you don't have full-time experience yet.
| Section | What to write as a fresher |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, city, phone, email, LinkedIn, GitHub |
| Summary/Objective | 2–3 lines on your degree, best project and target role |
| Skills | Languages, frameworks, databases, tools, CS concepts |
| Projects | Title, tech stack, 2–3 bullets with results |
| Internships | Role, company, duration, what you built |
| Education | Degree, college, CGPA, 12th and 10th marks |
| Certifications | NPTEL, AWS, HackerRank or similar |
| Achievements | Hackathons, coding contests, LeetCode count |
| Extras (optional) | Open-source work, tech club roles |
Recommended order: Header → Summary → Skills → Projects → Internships → Education → Certifications.
Projects come before education because they show you can actually build software, and that is what tech recruiters look for first. Thousands of applicants share your degree, but nobody else has your projects. The main exception is a campus drive with CGPA cut-offs.
Leave out:
- Photo, date of birth and father's name
- Full home address (your city is enough)
- A long declaration at the end
- Skill-rating bars or stars
List only skills you can explain. If you write "Docker" or "Spring Boot", expect the technical round to ask about it.
How to Make Your Software Engineer Resume Sound Like You (and Pass ATS)
Recruiters skim hundreds of fresher resumes in a placement season. Specific, honest lines make yours memorable, and the right keywords help ATS software match you to the job.
Swap vague lines for specific ones:
- ❌ Weak: "Worked on a website project."
- ✅ Strong: "Built a React and Node.js college events portal with login and registration, used by 3 departments."
Mirror the job description. If a posting asks for Java, Spring Boot and SQL, use those exact terms wherever they genuinely apply, in your skills and project bullets. Don't repeat them ten times. Service companies like TCS and Infosys usually focus on fundamentals and certifications. Product startups care more about what you've actually built, so lead with what each one values.
Add links that work. Include GitHub repos with clear README files, a portfolio, and your LeetCode or HackerRank profile. Tap every link on your phone before you hit "Apply".
Handle common worries honestly:
- Backlogs: Show your final CGPA once they're cleared. If a form asks about backlog history, answer truthfully.
- Gap year: Add one line on what you did, such as a course, exam preparation or a project.
- Non-CS degree (BCA, B.Sc, Diploma): Put projects and skills first so your work shows what you can do.
Formatting basics:
- Keep it to one page.
- Use a standard font like Calibri or Arial.
- Avoid tables in the resume body.
- Save it as Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf.
Build Your Software Engineer Fresher Resume in Minutes
You now have the templates, a complete sample and a clear checklist. Here's how to use them:
- Pick a template from above that suits where you're applying.
- Adapt the sample with your own projects, internship and skills.
- Tailor it for each job by matching keywords from the job description.
- Download it as a PDF and test every link before you apply.
Stuck on wording? BuildATS can draft your summary and project bullets from the details you enter. You then edit them so the resume still sounds like you. Its fresher-friendly templates are also designed to be ATS-friendly.
Whether you're preparing for campus placements or off-campus drives, an honest, well-built resume for freshers software engineer roles is a strong first step. Create one good version today, then improve it after every application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to add hobbies to my software engineer resume?
Only if they add something relevant and you still have space on one page. Hobbies such as competitive programming, open-source contributions, writing a tech blog or chess can show problem-solving and curiosity. Skip generic ones like 'listening to music' or 'travelling'. Your projects, skills and internships should always get priority over a hobbies line.
How long should a fresher software engineer's resume be?
Keep it to one page. Recruiters at TCS, Infosys or a startup usually scan each resume quickly, so a single focused page with your skills, two or three strong projects, internships and education works best. Consider a second page only if you have substantial internships or open-source work that genuinely adds value.
How can I make my fresher software engineer resume stand out?
Show proof of what you have built. Write project bullets with action verbs, the tech stack and modest numbers, for example 'Built a React expense tracker used by 200+ classmates'. Add working links to GitHub repos with README files, a portfolio and your LeetCode or HackerRank profile. Then tailor your summary and skills to match keywords from each job description.
What sections should my freshers' software engineer resume have?
Include a header with contact details and LinkedIn and GitHub links, a short profile summary, technical skills, projects, internships, education and certifications. Add achievements such as hackathons or coding contest ranks if you have them. For most tech roles, place projects above education so recruiters see your practical work first.
Should I mention CGPA and backlogs on my software engineer fresher resume?
Yes, mention your CGPA, along with 10th and 12th marks, because many campus placement drives filter on academic cut-offs. You do not need to list backlogs on the resume itself, but answer honestly if an application form or recruiter asks. Eligibility rules for backlogs vary by company, so check each drive's criteria and focus your resume on skills and projects.
Can I use the same resume for TCS, Infosys and product startups?
You can keep one base resume, but tailor it for each type of employer. For service companies like TCS, Infosys and Wipro, highlight your CGPA, core concepts such as OOP, DBMS and DSA, and certifications. For product startups, lead with projects, GitHub work and the exact tech stack mentioned in the job description, such as React, Node.js or Spring Boot.