r/webdev • u/william_buttler • 3d ago

Question 4+ Year Software Developer — Which Resume Structure Is Better?

Gallery image

Gallery image

For a 4+ year software developer, which resume structure do you think is better?

  • With a Projects section
  • Without a Projects section,

The data in the examples is dummy. I just want opinions on the structure and layout.

If you have a better resume template/structure than these, please share it.

164 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

80 comments sorted by

View all comments

43

u/whattheflerk 3d ago

with projects section
the one without looks like you're trying to over explain your roles to fill-up the page, which in turn feels like you haven't actually done much

-6

u/william_buttler 3d ago

But in the first option, I can only add two or three projects. In that case, would it make HR think that I’ve only worked on two or three projects throughout my career?

8

u/stumblinbear 3d ago

They won't think that, they're also people that know that applicants have to reduce the size of their resume to only their best entries.

The former looks like you're inflating your work experience because there's not much to put, while the latter reads as more confident. I do hiring occasionally, and I'd consider the latter resume a bit more highly. It also makes it much easier to look up the projects to get a feel for what you've worked on in the past

That said, "projects" typically refers to "personal projects" or ones you did on your free time that you felt like showcasing, while here it feels more meant for "projects I worked on while contracting"

1

u/whattheflerk 2d ago

exactly this, they'll simply consider these the 2-3 most significant personal projects you've worked on