Have a focused technical skill set.
Focus your skill section on the skills most fundamental to your software architect tasks. This applicant has included skills like ‘integration’ and ‘software architectural design’.
Software architects are the leaders of the development team. They trace a production map for them, so they know what framework to use, the design structure, and the components they will build. In addition, software architects also determine the project’s coding standards.
The first thing a software architect does is evaluate the project’s needs and goals. Then, they estimate what resources, tools, and coding standards are required to build the software. After that, they determine the structure of the program and how components interact with each other. Basically, they transform an idea into an actionable blueprint.
This is a high-level position, so employers expect you to have several years of experience in software engineering. That’s why it is essential to emphasize your professional experience in your resume. Additionally, you may also need advanced training or a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or any related field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software development careers is expected to rise by up to 25 percent, which is faster than most occupations. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to put effort into your resume. Competition is still high, so the best way to break into this field is to have a high-performing resume. Let’s explore some recommendations and resume templates below.
A software architect is a software engineer in charge of designing software systems and programs. You will also be responsible for troubleshooting problems and finding software solutions. You need to have a strong software development background and a strong skill set. Take a look at this strong resume sample.
Software architects make high-level decisions for the software development process. They identify the project’s requirements and create an actionable plan to develop them. This includes designing the structure needed for the software and tools the team will use. That’s why you should highlight skills in your resume, such as systems design and databases.
Senior software architects are experienced professionals that establish high-level standards for the development process (frameworks, coding standards, systems styles, etc.). They also supervise their colleagues and delegate tasks to the development team. A senior software architect must have excellent leadership skills, so that’s something you may want to highlight in your resume.
Considering this is such a specialized role, you should prioritize your technical skills on your resume. Software architects should be highly proficient in programming and most of all understand design patterns and architectural styles. This is a role that also requires a deep understanding of agile principles and DevOps techniques.
Yet, you should know that some employers might be looking for specific technical skills, such as working with a particular programming language or framework. You should explicitly mention the programming tools that you are familiar with. If you need help finding keywords to use in your software architect resume, take a look at our selected skills.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Software Architect job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
If you want to boost your software architect resume, try using bullet points in your work experience. This will streamline your structure. Each bullet point should start with a strong action verb. However, these action verbs must be highly related to your career, and you should use them wisely. Don’t repeat them because it’ll hurt your readability.
Below, you will find our selected list of action verbs for software architects. Notice that each one of them is highly technical and related to your field. This will help you be more descriptive and demonstrate accountability for your achievements.
For more related action verbs, visit Software Engineering Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
If you're a senior-level employee, or you're changing careers to become a Software Architect, it's useful to add a paragraph at the top of your resume highlighting your most impressive accomplishments. This is called a resume summary.
Here's an example of a summary that can be used on a Software Architect resume.
A resume summary is a totally optional section, and in most cases, it's better to leave it out of your resume than include it. For example, if you're a student or mid-level hire, you should not include a summary, and instead use the space to add to your work experience.
To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Software Architect resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Resume Summary Examples for Job Seekers: When To Include One.