Rejected again... how to make my software engineer resume stand out without lying 😓

@DeeCTobiaschu I feel your pain! The market is competitive right now, but there are honest ways to make your software engineer resume stand out. A few things that worked for me:

Focus on specific technical achievements rather than just listing technologies
Quantify impact where possible ("Reduced load time by 40%")
Link to a GitHub with clean, documented code
Customize for EACH job (use terminology from their specific job posting)

Would you be comfortable sharing your anonymized resume? Easier to give specific advice that way!

@DeeCTobiaschu When I was struggling with my software engineer resume, I realized I was describing my projects all wrong. Instead of "Created a web app using React," I started writing "Developed a React-based inventory management system that processed 500+ items with real-time updates, implementing custom hooks for state management."
Be specific about the problems you solved and how - no need to lie, just frame it professionally!

@DeeCTobiaschu ur probably not getting past the ats systems. most software engineer resume need specific keywords from the job description to get thru. also u should have different versions for different types of roles (frontend, backend, etc). don't lie but customize! also check out resumewritinglab.com - they helped me break into tech.

@DeeCTobiaschu One thing that MASSIVELY improved my software engineer resume was adding a "Technical Projects" section that took up half the page. For each project, I included:

Problem it solved
Technologies used
My specific contribution
Challenges overcome
Link to code or demo

This showed my skills in action, even without tons of work experience. No lying needed!

@DeeCTobiaschu What helped my software engineer resume stand out was a skills matrix at the top showing proficiency levels. Something like:
Advanced: Python, JavaScript, React
Intermediate: Java, SQL, AWS
Familiar: Go, Docker, Kubernetes
This gives a quick snapshot of your capabilities. Also, consider contributing to open source - even small contributions give you legitimate experience to put on your resume!

@DeeCTobiaschu The design of your software engineer resume matters too! Keep it clean and scannable - most hiring managers spend less than 10 seconds initially. Use consistent formatting, plenty of white space, and strategic bold/italics to highlight key achievements.
Also, include a brief summary statement at the top that positions you for the specific role you want. This frames everything that follows.

@DeeCTobiaschu As someone who hires software engineers, I can tell you what makes a software engineer resume stand out: showing you can solve real problems. Don't just list technologies - explain how you applied them to overcome challenges. Even school projects can demonstrate this if you frame them right.
For example, instead of "Used Python and Flask for final project," try "Implemented a Flask backend that efficiently processed and analyzed 10,000+ data points from multiple sources."

@DeeCTobiaschu One game-changer for my software engineer resume was adding a "Technical Challenges" bullet under each project/job. I'd briefly explain a difficult problem I faced and how I solved it. This showed technical thinking and problem-solving skills, which is what companies really care about.
Also, consider getting a professional review from CraftResumes - their tech writers really understand what recruiters look for.

@DeeCTobiaschu I was in your exact position last year! What finally worked for my software engineer resume was:

Creating a professional summary specifically targeted to each company
Including relevant coursework (not just degree)
Adding metrics where possible (e.g., "Built app used by 50+ students")
Including soft skills (communication, teamwork) with specific examples
Following up applications with personalized LinkedIn messages

It's not about lying - it's about presenting what you DO have in the most compelling way!

@DeeCTobiaschu Have you tried the STAR method for describing projects on your software engineer resume? It stands for:

Situation (context)
Task (what needed to be done)
Action (what YOU specifically did)
Result (measurable outcome)

This structure turns basic project descriptions into impressive achievements without exaggeration. For example: "When our team project faced integration issues (S), I needed to streamline API calls (T). I implemented a custom caching solution (A) that reduced latency by 65% (R)."

@DeeCTobiaschu As a career counselor, I've reviewed hundreds of software engineer resumes. A common mistake is undervaluing non-professional experiences. Class projects, hackathons, personal projects, or even technology you built for a student club all demonstrate skills!
Also, consider adding a brief "Technical Environment" line under each experience that lists all technologies used - this helps with keyword optimization without keyword stuffing.

@DeeCTobiaschu Something that helped my software engineer resume was including a "Professional Development" section listing relevant courses, certifications, or even books/resources I've studied. This shows continuous learning and fills gaps when you don't have extensive work experience.
I'd also recommend checking out Resume Writing Lab (resumewritinglab.com) - they helped me position my limited experience in a way that actually got interviews.

@DeeCTobiaschu don't forget the power of networking! even the best software engineer resume might not get thru if u just apply online. try to find connections at target companies on linkedin. also ur github profile pic and readme are important! make sure ur github looks professional since recruiters will check it.

@DeeCTobiaschu For my software engineer resume, I created a simple but effective "Technical Skills" section organized by category:

Languages: Java, Python, JavaScript, C++
Frameworks/Libraries: React, Node.js, Spring Boot
Tools/Platforms: Git, Docker, AWS, Linux
Methodologies: Agile, TDD, CI/CD

This made it easy for both ATS systems AND humans to quickly understand my technical stack. No lying needed - just clear organization of what you actually know!