Software Engineer resume keywords
The skills, tools and related wording that software engineer job postings commonly list, and how to use them honestly. Paste a real job description into the free Resume Job Match tool to see which of them your resume is missing.
Skills to include
- software development
- system design
- code review
- API development
- unit testing
- debugging
- agile development
- database design
Tools and software
- Git
- AWS
- Docker
- SQL
- Python
Related terms: same skill, different wording
Postings and resumes often name the same thing differently. Use the wording from the job you are applying to, wherever it is true for you.
- REST APIs · RESTful services
- unit testing · automated tests
- agile · scrum
How to use these keywords
State the stack and scale of each project: users, requests, latency or reliability gains.
- Add a keyword only if you have the experience. You will be asked about it in the interview.
- Put keywords in bullet points that show the skill in use, not only in a skills list.
- Match the wording of the specific posting, including abbreviations it uses.
See which keywords your resume is missing
Paste the job description and your resume. The free tool lists the keywords the posting asks for, what you already match, and related wording for the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What keywords should a Software Engineer resume include?
Job postings for Software Engineer roles commonly list skills such as software development, system design, code review, API development, unit testing, and tools such as Git, AWS, Docker, SQL. Use only the terms that are true for you, and mirror the exact wording of the posting you are applying to.
Should I put keywords in a skills section or in my bullet points?
Both. A skills section makes terms easy to find, and bullet points show the skill in use, which is more convincing. For a Software Engineer, add each keyword to a bullet that describes what you did and the result.
How do I find the right keywords for a specific Software Engineer job?
Paste the job description and your resume into the free Resume Job Match tool. It lists the keywords the posting asks for, shows which ones your resume already has, and suggests related wording for the ones that are missing.
More for software engineer hiring and job search
Resume keywords for other roles
These lists show terms commonly seen in job postings and are examples, not a guarantee of interviews or hiring outcomes. Always follow the wording of the specific job you apply to, and only list skills, tools and credentials you truly have. Reviewed November 2026. This is general information, not career-coaching or legal advice.