Arc Talent Career Blog

Programming Project Ideas: 22+ Top Side Projects for Software Engineers

best coding programming project ideas for software developers to add to a resume or portfolio

Coding projects help you grow as a software developer AND look great on a resume. Here are some great programming project ideas to consider.

Becoming a great software engineer is a lifelong journey. Landing that first job is just the first step. To get the most out of your qualifications, it’s essential to constantly hone and polish the critical technical skills needed to succeed in this highly competitive space.

It’s not often that any software engineer finds an abundance of free time to spend indulging themselves . However, there are moments when the pace of work may be slower and there is time for personal development.

When this is the case, there are many fun programming projects to choose from that can either push your knowledge and skills to greater heights or allow you to explore new, different technologies. The best of these projects will have both elements of exploration and learning.

Many people start their careers as software engineers with unrealistic expectations. It’s unusual for any junior software engineer to work with cutting-edge technologies or be involved in highly complicated projects. Often, the day-to-day tasks are menial and deal with legacy software and applications. This can lead to frustration and boredom. 

More importantly, if freshly minted software engineers are not constantly broadening their knowledge base and staying abreast of changing technologies, they risk falling behind their peers and limiting their career options.

One of the best ways to make your resume stand out from the crowd and increase your attractiveness to potential employers is to have completed several software engineering projects on the side. These programming side projects are especially valuable to junior software engineers and interns. 

Looking for programming project ideas? Our guide will offer creative suggestions and coding assignments that can help you apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios

Looking to hire the best remote developers? Explore  HireAI to see how you can:

⚡️ Get instant candidate matches without searching ⚡️ Identify top applicants from our network of 300,000+ devs with no manual screening ⚡️ Hire 4x faster with vetted candidates (qualified and interview-ready)

Try HireAI and hire top developers now →

What Are Programming Side Projects?

These are any software development projects or software project ideas that are pursued on your own time for personal development or recreation.

The most effective side projects will show off your programming skills and make you more valuable to recruiters and employers looking for talented software engineers. For instance, Overcode can provide resources for projects, offering a wealth of knowledge and tools for software engineers.

A great option is to have whichever of the programming project ideas you choose be specific to the industry you are working in or align it with the sector you wish to break into.

Having a few side projects on your resume demonstrates to recruiters and hiring managers the critical ability to follow through on a task. It also shows a commitment to continuous learning and personal development. 

Let’s look at a few excellent programming project ideas that you can start today to develop your skills as a software engineer.

Read More : How to List Programming Languages on a Resume

Fun Coding Project Ideas

These programming projects for beginners are light but cover some novel ideas. Several of these software ideas will allow you to work with exciting APIs and will have you doing everything from logging sensor data to finding new backgrounds for your desktop. If you ever find yourself needing assistance or guidance with any of these projects, consider seeking programming assignment help to ensure a smooth learning experience. When working with third party APIs, it can be helpful to leverage third party API integration services that can smoothly handle the integration and ensure proper implementation.

Temperature Logger

A simple Raspberry Pi can be connected to an intelligent temperature sensor. The data can then be exported from your home or office to a database or an updated CSV file.

The data can then be manipulated or displayed in the manner you choose. There are options for reporting and tracking, depending on what you want to achieve with the temperature logger.

The suggested implementation for this side project is a Raspberry Pi, a temperature sensor, and a web app.

Daily Desktop Background

This is as simple as the description. It’s pretty easy to build a piece of software that searches for a new image and then applies it to your desktop. 

This can be refreshed every day or at an interval of your choosing. Images can then be pulled from a specific set or searched more widely on the internet.

The suggested implementation here is the appropriate scripting language for your OS and the Unsplash API.

Read More : 10 Hard and Soft Skills to Put On a Resume for Software Developer Jobs

Personal Development App

Here you can build an application that sends you a short video or interactive document each day on a subject that you find interesting or intriguing. It can be programmed to send you anything from a Wikipedia page to a YouTube video.

This can be accomplished with a simple web or mobile application.

Slack is a popular app used by teams across the world to communicate effectively with one another and share documents.

If you use it in your day-to-day at the office, a great idea is to build a slack bot to help you and your colleagues with some aspects of daily workflow that can be automated.

The bot can be configured to do anything from ordering coffee for a meeting to serving as a reminder for that next important presentation. 

Your imagination is the limiting factor. Building an engaging, innovative Slack bot is one of the best ways to show off your programming skills in new ways at the office.

The suggested implementation for a Slack Bot is to use the Slack API.

Read More : How to Format a Resume for Software Developer Jobs

New Music Suggestion Tool

Creating a piece of software that tracks the music and songs you are listening to and then generates suggestions is one of the best coding project ideas for software developers who love their music.

Luckily, the Spotify API has all the tools you need to harvest what you have previously listened to and then create a playlist with that information. 

It’s a fun way to learn more about the Spotify API and be exposed to new music you may not have had the chance to listen to without the automated recommendation of the new tool you have built.

The suggestion here is to build a wrapper for the Spotify API. The specifics of the recommendation engine are up to you and your personal preferences.

Pixel Art Generator

If you want to master a new programming language or deepen your understanding of a language you are already familiar with, a pixel art generator is one of the best computer science projects to help achieve that.

This tool can be built to sample an input image and then output pixel art using that data. Generating the pixel art using CSS is a good way to improve your front-end development skills.

Spoiler Blocker

There’s nothing worse than having to constantly avoid spoilers for your new favorite show or movie. Just steering clear of awkward conversations is often not enough, as it can be difficult to avoid accidentally seeing something that ruins your experience.

An extension to your browser that obscures all mentions of the show or movie you’re interested in seeing for the first time is an easy, fun way to sharpen your skills.

You can make this entertaining by programming the extension to replace all the references you want to be removed with something striking or funny. 

Read More : When Can You Stop Calling Yourself a “Junior” Software Developer?

Movie Showtime Tool

If you have a favorite cinema, building a tool that delivers information about new movies you want to see is one of the most valuable and fun software engineering project ideas you can have.

It’s also one of the easiest ways to learn more about machine learning, as you can use training data based on your history to teach the tool more about your specific preferences. You could even create a bespoke algorithm that considers trusted reviews and critics’ scores when making new movie suggestions.

The suggested implementation for a movie showtime tool is to build a web or mobile app incorporating notifications via email or text message.

level up your remote career as a software developer with Arc

Arc is a radically different remote job search platform where companies apply to you. We feature developers directly to tech companies and startups and help you land a remote job in 14 days. Sign up here .

Personal Programming Project Ideas

These ideas for software projects are centered around quality-of-life improvements that can be achieved with a bit of imagination and ingenuity. 

They have real-world applications and will allow you to learn, have fun, and use your skills to make some of the more mundane aspects of daily life more enjoyable.

Weather Notifier

We’ve all been caught unprepared for cold or wet weather.

Leaving our trusty umbrella at home can be a thing of the past if we have a tool that notifies us each day of the forecast for our area. 

Building a simple mobile app that harvests local weather data and then delivers it to us via a notification means that there’s no need to get caught out in the rain again. 

Read More : Software Developer vs Engineer vs Programmer (& More Related Titles)

Collection Manager

Many of us love to collect all sorts of items we find interesting, some valuable, others only so in a personal way. Over time, it can be a challenge to stay on top of everything we have added to our collections over the years.

It is quite easy to build a mobile tool or app that keeps track of everything in our collection. 

You can decide what aspects of the individual pieces should be noted. The collection manager can be configured to record the value of an object, the date it was acquired, the location where it is stored, and much more. For ensuring secure access to sensitive collection data, integrating an IAM (Identity and Access Management) solution is crucial. An IAM solution centralizes access controls, enabling configurable permissions so users only see appropriate information. Implementing robust identity and access controls via an IAM system provides an additional layer of security over precious collection data assets.

Tax Liability Forecaster

This is particularly relevant if you are a freelance software engineer.

Staying on top of your tax liabilities can be challenging when dealing with multiple clients, invoicing, and a demanding workload.

Building a simple web application that predicts how much tax you must pay at the end of your assessment period will give you a valuable tool and an exciting programming side project to add to your resume.

Read More : 8 Questions to Ask Recruiters Before Committing to the Dev Hiring Process

Email Newsletter Tool

Most of us are bombarded with a relentless avalanche of email newsletters every day. It can be hard to find the time to go through them all to find the information that is most relevant and useful.

They ruin our inboxes with unnecessary clutter and can be a pain to deal with repeatedly.

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as just unsubscribing to these newsletters, as they often contain specific information relevant to our careers or interests.

Scripts connected to a mail server can be used to build a tool that takes all the information in the newsletters received weekly and delivers the vital information to us as a summary.

This is a beautiful way to save time and add a unique coding side project to your resume.

Deal Finder

We all have wishlist items that we have our eyes on. When it comes to high-value purchases, it can often be a challenge to find the best deal available to us when purchasing what we want.

A web application with built-in mobile notifications to let us know when the product or service we want is available and at a competitive price is a valuable and interesting intermediate-level coding project.

A good example is a web scraper that interrogates the product page in question and then notifies us when it’s on sale or has been re-stocked.

Read More : How to Set Your Freelance Rate as a Software Developer

Expense Tracker

It’s often hard to track the small daily expenses that can significantly impact our financial health. A great way to take back control of your finances and build an interesting software development side project is to create an expense tracker specific to your needs.

It can be as complicated or as simple as you desire. 

There are options to track expenses over days, weeks, or months and to have it generate automated reports to keep you up to speed on your financial health.

If you want to build a full-blown, professional expense tracker, you may consider partnering with a software development agency . These specialized firms can handle building the expense tracker to your specifications, freeing you to focus on other aspects of your business or idea.

Restaurant Finder

Whether it’s zipping out for a quick meal when you’re too tired to cook or finding that perfect venue for a special occasion, a handy mobile app that finds and recommends new restaurants is one of the best software engineering project ideas — useful to use, fun to create, and a perfect programming project to highlight on a resume or developer cover letter !

You can decide what aspects of a restaurant the tool should consider when making a new recommendation. This can be anything from trusted reviews to its location. 

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, then you can integrate the option to automate making a reservation and then have it added to your calendar.

Read More : How to Build a Software Engineer Portfolio

What’s for Lunch?

Software engineers are busy people who often do not have the space or inclination to spend their valuable time deciding where to get lunch for the day.

Using CLI, a web app, or a mobile app to make great lunch recommendations will free up your time and take the guesswork out of what to eat daily.

You can decide what the tool should consider when making a suggestion. It can be configured to assess your specific preferences, restaurant reviews, or simply how much time it will take to be delivered to the office.

You can also explore HireAI to skip the line and:

⚡️ Get instant candidate matches without searching ⚡️ Identify top applicants from our network of 250,000+ devs with no manual screening ⚡️ Hire 4x faster with vetted candidates (qualified and interview-ready)

Advanced Programming Projects Using AI

AI is becoming more prevalent across all areas of software engineering. Getting to grips with the skills and knowledge required to stay competitive in this space is vital to our continued success as software engineers. Exploring new technological horizons, such as developing AI software , can lead to innovative solutions that enhance daily life.

Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find a side project that incorporates elements of artificial intelligence. 

Spam Email Classification Tool

This is one of the more advanced programming projects, perfect for mid-level software engineers and data scientists. Building your own spam email classification tool can deepen your understanding of a programming language you are familiar with or help you master a new one.

Here you will build a tool that can decide whether an email is spam or not based on the content of the email alone.

Several data sets are available for you to test the effectiveness of your new tool. 

This is one of the best intermediate programming project ideas for any software engineer looking to explore the technologies that underpin artificial intelligence. 

Read More : Getting Your First Freelance Developer Gig: On Clients, Pricing & More

Unbeatable Tic-Tac-Toe

There is a well-defined strategy for this Tic-Tac-Toe that can be programmed into an engine that will produce at least a draw each time the game is played.

The suggested implementation here is for a simple CLI program and makes for a brilliant first side project for software engineers interested in artificial intelligence.

Specific Chatbots

Software engineers like you are working hard to develop chatbots that respond naturally and believably. This is incredibly difficult as most people quickly notice when the chatbot’s responses are not sophisticated enough to be believably human.

To narrow the scope of what the chatbot is expected to respond to, train it in a unique area in which you already have knowledge. 

This is an excellent software side project that incorporates artificial intelligence with your interests. 

They can require significant investments in terms of time and work. Keeping the scope narrow means that the task of creating a lifelike AI chatbot can be tackled in the limited spare time you have.

Chess Grandmaster

Chess is one of the most challenging games to master for any person. The best players in the world spend a lifetime studying the game and playing against strong opponents to sharpen their skills and improve their results.

The recommended implementation is to leverage a Universal Chess Interface compatible GUI with artificial intelligence to create the software to take on the challenge of a human opponent.

If you’re brand new to chess and artificial intelligence, then a simple way to get acquainted with the game is to concentrate on the movement and strategy of a single chess piece in your engine.

Read More : How to be Productive at Home as a Remote Developer

Games and Simulation-Based Software Project Ideas

Almost all software engineers share a fascination with game development and simulations. It can, however, be hard to gain experience in this field for those engineers wishing to pursue a career in this specialization. 

Having a few advanced programming projects on your resume will help considerably when applying for that perfect position that you’ve had your eye on.

These ideas are not overly complicated and will allow you to learn the basics of game development without taking on too much workload or study.

Interactive Fiction

If you don’t want to consider the graphical elements of game development, creating a text-based interactive game is one of the best avenues for software engineers wishing to learn the basics.

Using the CLI is the recommended implementation for this project that will undoubtedly get those creative juices flowing.

Read More : Here Are 43 of the Best Online Developer Communities to Join

Random Name Generator

This project combines game development and machine learning to produce software that creates unique names based on an algorithm.

The generator utilizes a supplied data set to train itself via machine learning to produce a unique, random name for your favorite new character or place.

You can add additional rules to the software to include specific phrases, details, or attributes to the output. This can be achieved using the CLI and a mobile or desktop application. When embarking on your programming projects, ensure their success by utilizing reliable mobile app testing services .

In this project, we will be harnessing the power of procedural generation. This artificial intelligence concept is becoming more prevalent as games increase in scope and complexity.

This can be implemented with a browser-based application. The software you will engineer will be able to create a new map based on a specific small input that has limited data. This advanced programming project touches on several technologies that are just beginning to emerge. 

Building an automated map maker will allow you to learn more about machine learning, artificial intelligence, and procedural generation. These are valuable skills you will need to transition to a career in game development.

Read More : 5 Ways to Stand Out & Get Noticed in Your Current Development Job

Final Thoughts

Being a successful software engineer means a commitment to lifelong learning and personal development. 

As important as software engineering education , qualifications, and certifications are, some of the most valuable and practical skills of software engineering can be self-taught by doing programming projects that are practical and technologically appropriate to your career.

Recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals are faced with the challenge of trying to differentiate between candidates with similar skills and experience.

You can stand out from the crowd if your resume demonstrates a history of continuous learning.

Finding new and exciting programming project ideas to work on in your free time is one of the best ways to show potential employers you have the drive and curiosity to succeed in a constantly evolving industry.

Incredibly, what you do and learn on these projects can also be of immense practical value to your work or personal life. 

Selecting any of the projects we have spoken about in this guide is a brilliant first step to that career change or promotion you’ve had your eye on.

programming project ideas for resume

The Arc team publishes insightful articles and thought leadership pieces related to software engineering careers and remote work. From helping entry-level developers land their first junior role to assisting remote workers struggling with working from home to guiding mid-level programmers as they seek a leadership position, Arc covers it all and more!

Further reading

programming project ideas for resume

Here Are 43 of the Best Online Developer Communities to Join in 2024

How to Move Into a More Senior Role as a Software Developer leader management or leadership position

Ready to Take On a Senior Role or Leadership Position as a Developer?

How to know when you can consider yourself a senior software developer or engineer

Here’s When You Can TRULY Call Yourself a “Senior” Software Developer

how to improve analytical skills for developers

Key Analytical Skills for Developers (& How to Continually Improve Them)

how to improve time management skills for remote workers and managing time effectively as a software developer

Time Management Skills for Developers: Best Tips, Tools, and Strategies

Do I Need a Software Engineering Degree for Software Development Jobs?

Software Engineer Degree: Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Programming Projects for Resume: Tips & Examples

Avatar image

In This Guide:

What is a programming project, should i list programming projects on my resume, what skill should you use in your programming projects, how to add programming projects to your resume, programming projects to include on your resume, tips and tricks for your programming project, takeaways: programming projects for resume.

Resume image 1

Quick Answer: Including programming projects on your resume is a great way to show off your skills and stand out to potential employers. A programming project can be anything you've created using programming languages, such as apps, websites, or engines. It should be relevant, realistic, and complete. To add a programming project to your resume, include its name, duration, tools and technologies used, and a few bullet points about what you learned and achieved. GitHub is a good platform to share and store your code. Choose a project that showcases skills related to the job you are applying for.

You are new to the programming world and searching for your career start?

Or you are an old dog in the profession and looking to spice up your resume?

Either way, the most effective thing you can list on your resume are your programming projects.

And not just list them as names.

Anyone can write on their resume that they invented Facebook.

But if you can’t prove it, you lose your chances of getting the job.

In this article we are going to cover anything you need to know about including your programming project on your resume, including:

  • What is a programming project?
  • Do you need programming projects on your resume?
  • How to add programming projects to your resume?

We also have some great programming project ideas for you to take advantage of.

And we are going to leave you off with some great tips and tricks .

If you have some general doubts about your resume’s strength, you should take the time to learn How to Make Your Resume Stand Out .

But if you are hard on learning how to include your programming projects on your resume, stick around.

Simply put, it is everything you have created using programming languages.

It can be an app, a website, or engines that you created yourself.

Their main purpose is usually to show off your skills as a programmer and make your job-search process easier.

If you want to take one step further, you can even make your programming project to be specific to the industry you are applying for.

You should always aim at your project being relevant, realistic and complete.

Presenting such a project on your resume shows your potential employer that you are capable of finishing a task.

The IT industry, at least for now, seems like an evergrowing one.

And as it grows, the entrance level lowers more and more.

Nowadays everyone who has the basic skills and knowledge, thanks to computer science courses or self-learning, has the opportunity to join the IT sector.

That makes the competition for a job position quite difficult.

You need to show the hiring manager that you are the right person for the job.

One of the best ways to do that is via programming projects.

And here is why.

Show Your Skills

First of all, you need to show what you can do.

Saying you are excellent at programming in Java is one thing, but showing it is what can really improve your chances.

Showing a working application, using that language shows both your knowledge and your skill level in the area.

Show Your Passion

Showing you are passionate about something always works in your favor.

And nothing says passion like creating something in your free time .

Creating a complete and working programming project in your free time can really show you love what you do.

The employer would definitely appreciate that effort, as it shows you really invest your time and soul in the process.

Show You Are Eager to Learn

Nothing shows your ability and devotion to learning like creating a programming project.

Especially if you are at the beginning of your journey.

No matter how good you are and how fast you learn, you will meet great obstacles while creating a programming project.

And that is the moment you really start learning because solving problems is the best teacher.

So, by presenting your complete and working project, it shows that you are devoted and instead of giving up, you learned a lot along the way.

You might be asking yourself if experienced programmers need to present their programming projects as well.

The answer is yes.

Personal projects are also a great asset to have on your resume.

The more experience you have as a programmer, the more complex your programming project will be.

But never leave it out, as long as it is relevant to the job position you are applying for.

Deciding what skills to show on a programming project depends entirely on the job position you want.

Before starting to code, think about what kind of programming you would like to do.

There is a significant difference if you want to be a Front-End Developer, Back-End Developer or Web Developer.

You are going to need a different skillset for each.

Once you decide on that, you need to browse through some job listings.

That’s usually the best place to learn what technical skills are required by each company.

Don’t try to include the whole list of skills in your programming project, it will probably not work as you wished.

What you should do is pick those which you are most confident in and which supplement your other experience.

Listing your programming projects is not an easy task either.

We already gave you the first hint - they should be relevant to the job you are applying for.

Apart from that, there are a few things that programming projects on your resume should have:

  • Name of the Programming Project
  • How Long it Lasted
  • Tools and Technologies Used

Also it would be really good if you include a few bullet points about what you did and what you learned in the process.

Don’t forget to also include any achievements and awards that you might have because of your programming project.

When it comes to placement, you have two main options.

The first option you have is including it in the Work Experience Section .

That’s a good option if you are writing a resume for an internship or you don’t yet have much experience in the area.

That would shift the focus from your lack of professional experience and would show that you have the skills needed.

However, if you have some sufficient work experience, you would want to add your projects to an Additional Work Experience Section.

If you seem to have some empty space on your resume, you can afford to mention some less relevant programming projects as well.

Knowing additional frameworks and languages is always an advantage and impresses potential employers.

If you feel it would be appropriate, you can include some of your programming skills in your Skills Section as well.

In theory everything sounds easy.

But one of the most difficult tasks is to figure out what your programming project will be.

That’s entirely up to you, but we’ve got some great ideas for you.

Building a website is one of the easiest programming projects you can create.

But you should not underestimate it though.

If you want to show off your skills for creating websites, it may be just the right time for you.

More and more companies nowadays decide to take the step to digital transformation.

With that increasing demand for web developers, it gets harder to stand out in front of the crowd.

But before diving into the real projects, you should create your own website, as a training ground.

This way you can practice your coding skills and prepare your online portfolio.

While creating a website you can choose one of two fields to develop yourself into - web development or web design.

Some might argue that web designers don’t really need any coding skills thanks to pre-made templates.

But it is undeniable that a web designer with coding skills in front-end development is irresistible to hiring managers.

So no matter what you choose, the basic understanding of CSS and JavaScript is rather important.

For front-end web development, we can recommend you to use GitHub and Sublime Text to practice your coding skills .

If you want to take it one step further and train your HTML and CSS skills in real time, you can try Chrome Developer tools.

If you really want to perfect every aspect of your website, you can include:

  • Important Elements for Web Development
  • Accessibility
  • Customized Graphics
  • Login Authentication
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

You can also decide between your website being one-page or multi-page one.

All these details can really show the hiring manager that you are adaptable and ready to learn new aspects of web development.

Adding a game to your programming projects list can really impress hiring managers.

Such a programming project can show hiring managers that you are capable of developing both front-end and back-end coding.

It also shows that you have an understanding of logic, data structures and algorithms.

The technologies you can use vary a lot, so you have a wide range to choose from, depending on the game in mind.

It can use any of these, and many more:

  • Visual Studio

A Messaging Application

A messaging application can catch the hiring manager’s eye for many reasons.

Such a programming project can show your ability to create software that transfers data instantly from one device to another.

Furthermore, messaging apps usually require you to use API, which shows some more additional skills.

Once you have the basics of your messaging app, you can go wild.

You can include various different things, instead of just texting.

Some ideas you can use to spice your app up are:

  • Functionality to add emoticons to the text
  • Functionality to upload images
  • Functionality to play games with your friends

A Copycat Application

If you run out of ideas of what your programming project to be, you can always create a copycat application.

What a copycat app refers to is recreating an app that is already created by somebody else.

That has its advantages too, though.

The main skill it shows the hiring manager is that you can emulate an app or program.

This gets even more impressive if the app is complex or requires advanced skills.

As always, we are not going to leave you without any tips .

There are just a few things you need to keep in mind.

Don’t worry, we are going to go through them all one by one.

Use appropriate keywords to describe your programming projects

Sometimes creating an extraordinary programming project is not enough to get you an interview, especially if the company is using ATS.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System and is a software that preselects resumes, depending on predetermined keywords.

So make sure you check out the job listing and use any relevant keywords you can find to describe your programming project.

Show off Your Relevant Skills

You might have a great variety of skills and knowledge, but you should know how to use it in your favor.

You don’t want to use 10 different programming languages for 10 different projects that you want to show your potential employer.

That wouldn’t really work in your favor.

It would seem like you don’t know what your strengths are, and you are just trying everything.

Also keep in mind that most cool projects we see everywhere are usually created by whole teams, and you are just one person.

You should compare your programming project idea to your limits and find the perfect middle.

So, all in all, know your strength and know your limits.

Make Your Code Accessible

You need to make sure that your potential employer can see the code behind your project.

That’s the only way they can really judge your skills .

The most used platform for that purpose is GitHub.

It is a great place to store your code, share it with other programmers and ask more experienced professionals for feedback.

And most importantly, it shows one more skill to your potential employer, as work with GitHub and similar platforms is a great asset in your job hunt.

We are all done.

Now you know when and how to use your programming project on your resume.

You are now ready to take the best out of them and really impress the hiring manager.

Don’t forget our tips and tricks, and make the best out of them.

Check out our programming projects ideas once again and get you your next interview in no time.

Author image

  • Resume Guides

500 Irish Created A Resume For Saint Patrick. Here It Is!

The ultimate guide to creating a startup resume, how to spot toxic work culture at the interview: 17 signs to watch out for, when you should (and not) add dean's list on your resume, how to answer "what motivates you" interview question (with examples), how to harness social media to find your dream job.

  • Create Resume
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Preferences
  • Resume Examples
  • Resume Templates
  • AI Resume Builder
  • Resume Summary Generator
  • Resume Formats
  • Resume Checker
  • Resume Skills
  • How to Write a Resume
  • Modern Resume Templates
  • Simple Resume Templates
  • Cover Letter Builder
  • Cover Letter Examples
  • Cover Letter Templates
  • Cover Letter Formats
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • Cover Letter Guides
  • Job Interview Guides
  • Job Interview Questions
  • Career Resources
  • Meet our customers
  • Career resources
  • English (UK)
  • French (FR)
  • German (DE)
  • Spanish (ES)
  • Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

15+ Programming Projects for Resume to Show Your Coding Skills

Are you trying to get your first programming job to set foot in the fast-growing IT sector? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned programmer hustling to get a placement in your dream fortune 500 company?

15+ Programming Projects for Resume to Show Your Coding Skills

Write your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed resume templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

programming project ideas for resume

If you have been trying for some time, you might have already realized there’s a missing part on your resume: programming projects.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you should know about selecting and listing programming projects for your resume .

This includes:

  • 15+ programming project examples: code, no-code, and low-code.
  • How to list them on your resume: the right way.
  • How to get hired even when there’re no active vacancies in the company.
  • Tips to land your dream job faster with your programming projects.

A programming resume needs a modern resume template that blows away the hiring manager with its simplicity of design. We have listed many resume templates that suit programmers’ profiles which you can try for FREE.

programming projects for resume

Why Do You Need to List Coding Projects On Your Resume?

Your work experience on the resume would speak about your skills and achievements. The problem is that everyone has worked somewhere in IT and the technical skills they have mastered are almost the same.

Then there’s you with a portfolio of outstanding personal projects that are highly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

I would love to be that hiring manager to make an on-the-spot hiring decision.

There’re reasons to list projects on your resume for both entry-level and experienced programmers. Here are a few of them 👇.

When you are new

When you’re applying for your first programming job or internship, you can’t keep your experience section empty. A great way to fill up your resume is with your personal programming projects.

The best time to start is while you are still studying. Start early.

In a Career Transition

If you’re an experienced network engineer or a web developer and trying to change your career into a software development job, your previous experience though they are technical would not impress a hiring manager.

Taking some quality time to develop a few programming projects that showcase your skills would be ideal rather than explaining your coding skills in an interview.

It’s also a great way for you to assess the technical requirements and skills for the new job.

Shows your passion

Even if you are an experienced candidate, having worked on a couple of personal projects would come in handy – it shows your passion for the task as opposed to most people coding just for the paycheck and not having a real interest in their work.

More Exposure

A personal programming project gives you more exposure to technical and non-technical aspects of development.

At work, you only get to handle a part of a project and you won’t have time to think about the rest. You’ll be working with a team of developers, designers, copywriters, and even with marketing teams.

Now, in your personal project, you’ll take charge of everything – and that will give you a sound understanding of how each function interrelates to develop a final product.

15+ Coding Projects You Could List on Your Resume

This list consists of projects that you can complete by yourself. However, the area of specialization, skill requirement, and time consumption would be different for each project. Choose what is relevant to you before you start.

We have listed 15 categories of best programming projects to list in your resume where you will find many project ideas under each of them.

1. A website

Creating a website would be a great project if you’re interested in web development.

The simplest project you could start with is a blog or a personal portfolio.

You could use any content management system (CMS) to build your website – you could use Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress. The most cost-effective option is WordPress as it’s completely free. You’ll only have to spend on the domain, hosting, and any third-party plugins if necessary.

The basic programming skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript would come in handy to create a personalized web experience.

If you create a personal portfolio, you could easily demonstrate the other programming projects on the website so that it will be easier to send it to the recruiters. Make sure the website you create is mobile responsive.

If you’re particularly looking for a career in web development, creating a basic e-commerce website would add a lot of value.

In this project, you’ll use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn product integration techniques, add to cart, check out, and payment gateway integration.

Also, consider creating a listing website for real estate, used car selling website, or garage sales, which could even turn out to be a side hustle if you could bring in some traffic.

Games are a great way to showcase your understanding of basic logic and algorithms.

Based on your interest and requirement, the type of games you should be creating would be different.

If you’re planning to apply for a major game development firm, that won’t be enough. Then you should use C++, Python, and JavaScript to create more complex games – you could start with a Chess game or Snake game.

Though creating more sophisticated games with 3D characters and storylines takes more time and resources, if you’re interested, you could create one with a game engine software like Unity, CryEngine, Godot, or Unreal Engine may be as a group project.

programming projects for resume

3. A mobile application

If you’re interested in developing mobile applications for Android and iOS, having a couple of projects on your portfolio would be important.

You could showcase your technical skill in Java with Android app creation and Swift is a robust open-source programming language created by Apple to develop iOS applications.

Start with simple mobile applications such as a calculator, To-Do-List, Daily Planner, or a task management software and eventually move into more complex programming projects such as a listing app, messaging app, or a simple mobile shopping app.

Be creative. Think about a concept that you’ll throw your money to make an impulsive purchase decision on your app store or play store. If you as a user value it, there’ll probably be many people who think it is useful.

Check on platforms like Quora and Reddit to learn what people talk about in terms of their needs. Create an application to solve such a problem.

Top firms need top talent who make creative developments with their technical skills.

4. A data analysis model or data forecasting model

Data analysis or data forecasting models are not generic applications. Thee are very specific to a problem an organization or a project face.

Therefore, the solution is also a unique one.

You’ll be able to showcase your understanding of basic statistics, data structures, math, logic, and machine learning algorithms in coding such a program.

Python, C, and C++ are excellent programming languages to develop data models – data analysts will use SQL to communicate with the database.

5. A chatbot

Chatbots are widely used on corporate websites, mobile applications, and social media pages to save time on repetitive communication.

If you’re to create a chatbot, you need to collect the right data to feed into the AI and test them to train it.

You can use any popular programming language including Python Java, and PHP to create one.

Choosing a suitable algorithm would be important here. Some of the popular algorithms used to create chatbots are Markov chains, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Support Vector Machines, and Decision Trees.

These are projects with great commercial significance and the hiring manager would love to explore more about you.

API stands for Application Programming Interface – which enables two software components to communicate with each other to perform a task.

Here’re a few example programs you could create with APIs:

  • A social media post scheduling tool
  • Weather reporting mobile app
  • A hotel or flight booking website
  • Car ride booking website connected to the map

You could create an API using any language that can interface with SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) – Java, PHP, and Python are mostly used.

7. An AI-powered software

What if you could create something so exciting like Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri, or Cortana?

You could showcase your programming skills, artificial intelligence knowledge, and data processing skills in a single project.

However, this could be quite complex. So if you’re an experienced candidate trying to get a placement in one of the fortune 500 companies or applying directly to an AI-based programming job, you should try this.

You could create a self-driving toy car, a virtual assistant, or an AI-based marketing automation software. The right project could even make you an entrepreneur and you’ll no longer need your resume.

SaaS (Software as a Service) is a way of delivering applications over the internet instead of the conventional installation method. Most applications are delivered either free of charge or at a monthly subscription which the user can cancel at any time.

There’re hundreds of Billion Dollar businesses that have emerged in SaaS in many industries such as healthcare, fitness, technology, communication, design, and many more .

These are some of the popular examples:

  • Adobe creative cloud

Especially if you’re applying to work for a SaaS platform, having a simple yet creative SaaS in your portfolio would be an advantage.

You could even use JavaScript or SQL to develop your SaaS, but Python would be a great choice because of its flexibility in many use cases.

9. A payment gateway

Though this will be a quite challenging project to take up, it surely will stand out your application from the rest of the developers.

Python would be the go-to language for developing a payment gateway while you’ll get experience in different APIs and web security features – such as two-factor authentication and fraud detection systems.

10. A simple robot

Use Python, C, and C++ to code a robot.

Robots are being popular for the last half a century and the developments are still going on to create use cases to effectively utilize robotics technology.

You don’t have to create a complex robot that can drive a vehicle or go shopping with your grandparents.

Create a simple project that showcases your programming skills and mechanical systems knowledge. You’ll get hands-on experience using motors, motion sensors, cameras, and a whole lot of hardware.

Consider creating:

  • A stair climber
  • A line follower
  • A floor cleaner
  • A robotic arm

11. A simple simulation

You could build an interesting computer simulation project. Every simulation doesn’t have to be visual and some could give a numerical or textual output depending on the project.

You could use JavaScript, Python, or C++ to code the simulation.

12. Web scraping

Web scraping is the process of extracting content and data from a website. This is particularly an illegal practice to do it for a publically unavailable domain.

But if you do it right: the legal way, it would have tremendous applications for companies to collect important data efficiently from other websites on the internet.

Python is the most popular language for web scraping. Its large collection of libraries such as Numpy, Matlplotlib, and Pandas provides faster web scraping and data manipulation techniques.

13. A simple blockchain project

A blockchain is a digital ledger of transactions that is publicly distributed across its entire network making it impossible to cheat, hack, or change.

As blockchain is becoming popular and powerful with web 3.0, having a project under your wing would be highly valuable.

Here’re some of the projects you could consider creating:

  • A cryptocurrency wallet or a blockchain wallet
  • Digital asset marketplace (DAM)
  • A fake product identification system
  • A peer-to-peer ridesharing platform
  • A blockchain-based simple voting system

Solidity is the most stable programming language used for blockchain developments while other coding languages such as Java, Python, C++, and Ruby can also be used.

programming projects for resume

14. A simple NFT project

This is a type of blockchain project that is widely popular these days with many use cases and most employers are requesting candidates to have a basic understanding of the technology.

NFT (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain. These tokens can not be replicated making them easier to buy, sell, and transfer without fraud.

Though you could create an NFT without any coding, try creating it from scratch to take full technical advantage of it in your portfolio. Coding the solidity smart contract, deploying it onto the Mainnet, and setting the NFT price would get you through an important earning curve.

You’ll need the skills in Metamask, Solidity, Hardhat, Pinata, and Alchemy for the project.

15. A no code or low code project

The world is going in the direction of no-code and low-code developments. If you’re a programming specialist, you’re part of a team that facilitates this change.

But if you’re a beginner in IT, you could create some low-code and no-code projects to showcase your creative thinking and logical problem-solving approach.

Here’re some example projects you could create without coding:

  • Websites: most CMSs allow to build websites with just drag and drop functions
  • Mobile apps: simple task manager, weather app

How to Find Relevant Programming Projects to Work On?

All these projects need skills in different programming languages and most importantly TIME. You can’t do all these and you don’t have to before applying for a job.

As a programmer, you might have already decided your path – the type of work you’re looking for – and the type of company. If you haven’t decided yet, it’s time to do that.

Search your ideal job description on LinkedIn and see the type of coding skills they’re looking for.

Go to your ideal company website and crawl through it to find out the company’s vision, mission, and future strategic direction. Study their plan for the next 10 years – and their views on new technologies.

With these, you’ll have a pretty good understanding of what projects you should focus on.

Get Paid for Your Projects

When you decide which projects you’re going to execute, without jumping straight into coding, see whether you know anyone in your network who would need this.

You can post about the project on LinkedIn stating that you’re looking for a sponsor or a client for the project.

For example, if you decide to build an e-commerce website, build it for a real business. Give the client a great price that they can’t get from outside.

This is important for three reasons:

  • You can cover your cost and the value of your time.
  • You don’t have to keep paying for the domain and hosting for years.
  • A live project example is worth more in an interview than a mere sample.

Tips to Land Your Dream Job with Your Coding Projects

This is an approach in which you could get a placement in a firm even if they don’t have active vacancies right now.

This is also called Permissionless Apprenticeship.

The best platform to execute this is LinkedIn.

Connect with the technical managers, hiring managers, and C-level executives of the company you want to get a job in.

Find an immediate solution or improvement you could make to their software, system, or product.

Create a sample of the work and post that on LinkedIn mentioning the managers who are connected.

Showcase where they can improve instead of criticizing their existing systems.

There’s a higher chance you’ll get a placement for a job, internship, or even a chance to implement a one-time freelance project in the company.

How to List Programming Projects on Your Resume Masterfully

When writing your projects on the resume, use a consistent format. Make a separate section on your resume after your main experience and education sections – name it "Personal Projects", "Programming Projects", or "Coding Projects".

As you send your resume in digital format, include links to your projects.

Here’s the format we suggest to write your projects:

  • Name of the project and timeline
  • Project description
  • Client (if available)
  • Programming languages used
  • Challenges faced/ results achieved
  • Link to the project
  • Link to the source code

Pick the information you’re going to write based on the project and the space availability.

A SaaS product that turns a blog post into a video

Python and JavaScript

API integration

www.bevideo.com

A free version is currently live with 1200 monthly users

programming projects for resume

Where Else to List Your Projects on the Resume?

You could list some of your projects in the other sections of your resume if you find them related to the position you’re applying for.

Add the link to your portfolio website that you created in your header. That is your project which consists of detailed information about all other projects you carried out.

Professional Summary

If one of your projects is directly related to the position you’re applying for, you could include that in the professional summary.

Professional summaries introduce candidates and their key achievements to hiring managers – show them that you’re a perfect fit for the job by including the most relevant project from your portfolio.

A passionate web developer with 2 years of experience working with WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and Joomla and with advanced HTML and CSS knowledge seeks to join Apex Holdings as a web developer. One of the e-commerce websites I developed for a fitness supplement company made $2M in sales in the last year.

Include any achievements or accomplishments related to your project in your professional summary.

Cover Letter

A cover letter should consist of 3 or 4 short paragraphs describing your key skills and experience. Use one paragraph to briefly describe your key project experience related to the job.

Show the hiring manager that you're already familiar with the work you'll be doing.

Check out our resume builder to create a perfect cover letter .

Should I write a separate section for personal coding projects on my resume?

If you are an entry-level candidate without any previous experience in the industry, you could list your personal projects under your main experience section. This way, you can utilize more space in your resume to showcase your projects in detail.

However, if you’re an experienced candidate with years of experience, you should have a separate section after your experience and education to list your personal projects.

How to write coding projects in progress on the resume?

If you have started a programming project and are still on your way to completing it, you could list that on your resume. In this, you should state after the project name that the project is in progress. Also, note an expected completion date.

Create your resume with the best templates

programming project ideas for resume

Create your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed cover letter templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

programming project ideas for resume

Sample letters to download

Banking Resume Template

Advice for getting a job

Instructions.

10 Programming projects to boost your resume

Personal programing projects may get you your next job.

But they're not right for everybody.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about using programming projects in your resume to help you get a job.

Table of contents

How to tell if coding projects will help your resume.

  • How to pinpoint the skill to use in your personal projects?
  • 4 qualities interviewers look for in a personal project
  • 4 characteristics to bake into your programming projects to maximize success
  • When is the best time to work on personal coding projects?

10 personal programming projects you can start this weekend

Managing your time, how to present your project online and in your resume, more posts in the career guide.

  • Are there enough functional programming jobs?
  • Where to find functional jobs
  • Where do you find the time to get productive in functional programming?
  • What do you really need to know to be hireable?
  • The 5 hurdles of hirability
  • 10 Programming projects to boost your resume ← you are here
  • Join and build a social network
  • Job application action plan
  • How to leap past 90% of applicants

Put yourself in your interviewer's shoes. Chance are, you are one of hundreds of applicants for this job. The interviewer is tired. They have limited time and energy to spend on each applicant. They probably won't read your resume before the interview.

What are they worried about? Themselves. Their status. How they look to others.

Specifically, they are worried about hiring an unqualified person and looking like a fool.

Your #1 job in the interview is to appear highly qualified for that job. And to do so quickly and clearly, because the interviewer does not have time to check if you really are qualified. I'm not saying you should lie. What you should do is make the truth clear. Your resume needs to highlight interesting facts from your life that make it obvious you would do well in this job.

So that brings us to the question: should you include programming projects in your resume?

Yes, if they clearly and quickly contribute to the picture that you are qualified for the position.

Do any of these people fit your situation? See if you can figure out whether personal projects will help each person.

Jill is a new graduate looking for her first job as a programmer. She has some work experience, but it's mostly helping people fix their websites. It's relevant, but she wants to show that she can code more sophisticated applications so she can work in the finance industry. Are personal Computer Science projects a good idea for Jill?

Yes! Jill has little work experience. Personal coding projects will show:

  • She has the skills
  • She has the motivation
  • She can learn new things
  • She has resolve to finish
  • She has something interesting to talk about during the interview

The next question for Jill is what skill she would like to develop in the project. Then she'll need to choose a project. We'll talk about that in a later section.

For now, let's move on to Bill.

Bill has been working as a software tester for 5 years. He is familiar with software and wants to make the leap to programming for the better pay and more freedom. Will cool programming projects help him make the switch?

Yes! Bill has more experience than Jill, but it's in a different field. An interviewer might wonder whether Bill really was ready. How much training would he need? Personal projects on his resume can help answer that question.

Bill's next question should be to figure out how to translate the job listing he's targeting into skills he can demonstrate. We'll get to that.

But before we do, let's look and Colleen.

Colleen has been working in software for ten years on a successful product. She's now looking to change companies. She basically wants to continue to work in software. She knows the tech stack of her employer, but she's concerned that any new company will have a different stack. Should she do some programming projects to prove that she can learn new things?

No! As an experienced professional programmer, nothing she could do in her spare time would compare to the magnitude of working on the same software for ten years. She should focus on highlighting aspects of that software that could be interesting to an interviewer at her target company. Think about it: you work on an e-commerce system for ten years. How is a tiny blog engine you wrote one afternoon going to compare to that? It won't seem serious and it won't be worth talking about in the interview.

And what about that new tech stack? Read a book, try to set it up, and mention your opinions on it in the interview. Just to be clear, when I say tech stack , I'm talking about the combination of database, operating system, and other services that make up the software. Because they are combinations, there are millions of them. No two companies have exactly the same setup. Companies expect that it will take some time to learn, so if you don't know everything in the stack, that's okay.

Tech stack is one thing, but what about programming language? Or even programming language paradigm? Let's take a look at John.

John is a JavaScript programmer, but after a few years of professional experience, he's feeling like JavaScript is not for him. He's heard lots of exciting things about Clojure and Elm. They fit the way he thinks. He wants to apply for jobs where they use functional programming. Should John do some side CS projects?

Yes! Since he doesn't have professional experience in functional programming, a couple of coding projects showing he can make the paradigm shift will be helpful. Plus, knowing multiple languages will always put you above someone who only knows one.

I hope these examples made it easy to understand how to think about this. The main question is: will this help my interviewer see that I am the right person for this job? Just answer that question for yourself.

If you've determined that you need some personal projects, how do you go about choosing them? There is one more question you should ask before you start designing the project.

What skill should you use in your personal programming projects?

If you're making a career move, you should plan your personal projects with the career move in mind. So how do you do that? The first step is to read the job listing. The job listing often lists technical skills they are looking for. You probably won't be able to do all of them in your coding projects. Pick ones that can supplement your other experience.

When is the best time to work on personal programming projects?

Let me ask you this: when is the best time to learn to cook a new style of food? When you're hungry? For the important dinner with your boyfriend's parents? No.

The best time to learn to cook is when you're not hungry. When the meal is not that important. A lot can go wrong. But the risk is not the most important part of the equation.

Learning something new takes experimentation. It takes time. And it takes a certain amount of leisure. You can't get that leisure when you're under the pressure of an important deadline like a mealtime or because you really need the functionality.

So to answer the question: you should start your personal projects now. Don't wait until you desperately need a job. Take a good look at your career and start building projects that lead that way, on the side, starting now.

4 qualities of a good personal coding project

Remember, your interview er is looking for something to make you stand out. They want to find someone who is unlikely to embarrass them. Here are the things an interviewer is looking for.

  • It uses a relevant skill
  • It is complete
  • It is interesting
  • It is realistic

Let's go through these, shall we?

1. Relevance

This one is pretty obvious, so I put it first to get it out of the way.

The project should use skills that you will need on the job. You should highlight those skills. For instance, if the job says "SQL skills are required", mention that you use Postgres in your project. Did you have to do anything interesting? Did you use an obscure feature? Did you hand-roll your SQL? For a good reason? Put that in the resume.

Relevant is a key term. It doesn't have to be exactly the same skills. For instance, if they use Apache and you've used nginx, that's probably okay. They're both web servers. Just make sure you could justify the difference.

2. Complete

Starting lots of projects and never finishing them is a bad sign to interviewers. Why didn't you finish? Did you give up when it got tough? Are you disorganized? Do you lack focus? Those are the thoughts that are going to spring to the interviewer's mind. Don't put projects on your resume that don't have some kind of completeness.

Let me be clear: software is never done. But software does get deployed. Does your Twitter bot tweet? Does your weather app show the weather? Does your blog serve pages to the public internet? You're looking for something that shows that it works, it serves a purpose, and you didn't give up.

I've hired people in the past myself. The #1 problem I've encountered with bad employees is that they give up too soon. Sticking to it is especially important for programmers. There are many, many challenges in the life of a software project. Showing that you can carry on is really important. Plus, it can make for some interesting stories to talk about in your interview.

Your best bet for completing the project is to make it small . It's so important, we'll go over that soon.

3. Interesting

Remember that the interviewer is tired. They've looked at hundreds of resumes very similar to yours. They've talked to candidates just like you. They want something to help energize them and motivate them to talk to you about your projects. That's why you want to make them interesting.

There are a lot of ways your project could be interesting. One is if it gets really popular. "Developed a library used by 100,000 people". That would be a great line on the resume. Unfortunately, that's not likely to happen. Stay realistic.

Another way is for someone to lend credibility. "Rich Hickey and Jose Valím both personally reviewed the code and publicly praised the craftsmanship." That would be awesome! But also unrealistic.

Your best bet is to go with something whimsical . That will require some explanation, which we'll go over soon.

4. Realistic

Your interviewer wants to know that you can solve real world problems. It's all too easy to avoid problems when building a side project. You could avoid writing a GUI by making a terminal app. You can avoid using a database by writing to files. You can avoid making it fast because it's just one user.

Avoiding problems is a useful skill! But so is bravely facing them and overcoming them. Your interviewer might be impressed by your ability to sidestep issues, but they know their customer-facing application needs a GUI. They use a database. And it needs to be fast. Those features, or a list like it, might be non-negotiable. Have you dealt with those kinds of real-world constraints? Show the interviewer you're capable of facing real-world challenges by making your software realistic.

I think an example would help.

Let's say you build an application to catalogue your reptile pet collection. You start easy: it's just a web server you run locally that stores all of its data in-memory. How can you make this more realistic?

  • Deploy it on the open web
  • Use a database instead of in-memory storage
  • Add a user management system
  • Talk to a 3rd-party API

All of these things force you to face real-world issues. Luckily, these will also coincide with the skills you would like to showcase.

4 characteristics to bake into your personal projects to maximize success

I have a warning: it's easy to overcomplicate these things. Your goal is to present something finished and deployed. If you're trying to learn a new language, or you want to learn some new aspect of it, by all means work on a project. But don't make it something so vital that you can't afford to mess up. You will struggle and maybe wind up hating the language. The best thing to do is something small and whimsical.

Grand adventures start with a bold, but tiny, first step. Hello, World! Is a good first program for a reason. There's so much to learn at first. The build tool, the command to run it, input + output, so much! At the beginning, getting all of that settled is hard enough without dealing with bugs in your program.

Of course, you'll want something slightly bigger than Hello, World! on the command line. But think for a moment: what's the equivalent of Hello, World! for web apps? What's the equivalent for Twitter Bots? That's what you should build first. Deploying something small is much better than never deploying anything. You can always add to it later if you need to.

2. Whimsical

The most impressive early works of artists come out of a very free exploration of a medium. Sure, masters can make even ugly colors look beautiful. But let's face it. At the beginning, we're all bad at that. The reason Hello, World! Is so great is that it captures that frivolous spirit of the artist. What could be more unnecessary than a program that says "Hello"?

The whimsy is what lets you produce something, anything, even if it's worthless. Deploying something that works is better than a failed grand vision that doesn't do anything. Whimsy is what lets you change course when you realize your idea won't work. What's something silly that could work? Whimsy avoids boredom and dead ends. It dodges perfectionism and welcomes serendipity. And after the fact, nobody knows what you had planned to do before you started.

3. Familiar +1

Chances are, you're probably aspiring for a job just outside your skillset. You can use your projects to try out the new stuff you'll need for the job. If you still like it, you'll also have proof that you can work with the tech. However, what you don't want is to bite off more than you can chew. Seriously, build something you know how to build, with one extra thing you've never used.

What do I mean? If you are familiar with traditional web apps, build a web app, but in a new language. The familiar is the web app, the +1 is the new language. Or build a web app in a language you know, but with a new database. You don't want the project to fail because you hit too many roadblocks. Remember, you can always add more stuff later. Which brings me to ...

4. Expandable

The best place to be is to have a stable, working, deployed project that you can add features to whenever you want to learn a new skill. Maybe you've got a small blog engine that you can add user login to. Or a Re-frame frontend. Or a spellchecker. Or AI categorization. Each of those features is digestible on the weekend. But if you tried to do them all at once, you'd probably never finish. Build your project in pieces. But first, your main goal is to get something small and basic working and deployed.

Okay! With that out of the way, here are ten projects you can keep small and probably do over a weekend. But each can then be a platform for adding to later, if needed. I've also included the skills that each project demonstrates and some possibilities for expansion. Keep in mind that you have a choice for the platform these run on. For instance, your weather app could be a mobile app or a web app.

This is a classic exercise from the early days of the we b. Serve pages out of a database based on the URL.

  • Skills: Database, HTTP server, HTML
  • Expansion: User login, frontend editing, build an API, search, link analysis

2. Twitter Bot

Build a program that submits new status messages to Twitter.

  • Skills: API access (including OAuth), error handling
  • Expansion: Generate Markov statuses, use a database of pre-written tweets, timing, respond to other users' messages

3. Weather App

Use the Forecast.io api to display the weather near you.

  • Skills: API access
  • Expansion: User can interact with weather over time, notify you of bad weather

4. GitHub Notifier

Listen for events from GitHub and notify you.

  • Skills: HTTP server (for post hooks)
  • Expansion: Rules engine for deciding when to notify you, GUI, database for history

5. TODO App

The classic app keeps track of a list of items and their status.

  • Skills: UI work
  • Expansion: Backend (api design), database, social sharing, real-time collaboration

6. Twilio Bot

Twilio is an API for text messages and phone calls. Make a bot you can call that will tell a joke.

  • Expansion: Connect it to TODO list, Connect to GitHub Notifier, Connect to Weather App

7. Meme generator

Basically, put text onto an image!

  • Skills: Graphics, file IO
  • Expansion: Preview, submission to social networks, GUI

8. RSS aggregator

Poll RSS feeds for new articles and make a new feed that combines them.

  • Skills: XML, database
  • Expansion: Frontend (add new feeds, list of article titles), filtering, saving for later, share buttons

9. Food log

Keep track of everything you eat with a simple submission form.

  • Skills: Database
  • Expansion: Show trends, search, filter by date, database of known foods, calorie counting

10. Google Map

Make a website that shows places on a Google Map.

  • Skills: JavaScript interop
  • Expansion: UI to add/remove places, database for saving places

These are just some projects doable in a weekend. Remember to keep them small and whimsical. If you're serious about your functional career, you're going to do better with some support. Sign up for PurelyFunctional.tv and you'll get step-by-step lessons teaching you the skills you need to build real projects to prove you can ship with Functional Programming.

Many people give up on side projects because of lack of time. The reason? They don't manage their time well. Here are some things to maximize your success.

Carve out one 3-hour block on the weekend. Ask your significant other for uninterrupted time. Make sure the kids can't distract you. Leave the house if you have to. The goal is to feel like you've got the mental space to focus 100% on it and achieve success in those 3 hours.

**Plan out a small, achievable goal for those 3 hours. **During the week, make notes about what you plan to achieve. It needs to be small. You want those three hours to result in something tangible, however insignificant it may seem.

For example, your goal may be to start with the Luminus template and deploy it to the web unmodified using a build pipeline. That may seem insignificant, but many issues can pop up. I've gotten stuck with lost passwords to Heroku, a spotty internet connection, and a typo in a config file. You can waste an hour just on those things. You want the margin of error so you are guaranteed to succeed.

Plan out some small extras you can add if you have time. If you don't finish these, it's okay. It's still a success. But you want to be able to play with your project once you've achieved your objective.

Use the time during the week to guarantee success. It may seem like you don't have time, but you probably do have a few minutes here and there. I'm not saying act frantically and non-stop. We need rest and breaks. What I am saying is if y ou're thinking about your weekend project, you should be focusing on success. Don't dream up all the features you could possibly have. I've done that and it only stresses me out that I'll never finish. Instead, use your time to make your project easier and smaller.

Can you eliminate a risky piece of the puzzle? Do it. Can you double check your Heroku credentials ahead of time? Do you have the tools you need installed? Those things will keep the project front of mind and maximize those three hours you've got blocked off.

Remember: the goal is to have a basic platform for adding features to. You'd be surprised how much you can add to a basic, working product. Once you've got the basic platform working and solid, adding a new feature can be as simple as pulling out your laptop and experimenting. If it works, commit it. Otherwise, oh well! The hardest part is getting all the tools set up.

Okay, once you've got something to show, you've got to present it to the world. I like to host my code on GitHub.

GitHub README

And one great thing about GitHub is that it shows the README file front-and-center when you load the repo. That means you can leverage the README to showcase what makes your project special.

Here's the minimum the README should contain:

  • What does the project do?
  • Who is the project for?
  • Why is it different?
  • How do I use it? (installation instructions)
  • How does it work?

Code quality

If you expect someone to read your code, make sure that it's well-formatted and readable. Spend some time renaming functions and consider the reader. What will help them navigate? Where should they start?

In the resume

If you're putting it in your resume, make a new section for Personal Projects. List them similar to how you list your jobs and education. You want one sentence for what it does, a line of technologies that are relevant to the job, and one interesting tidbit. I also like to include a "what I learned" se ntence that lets me highlight me as someone who learns from experience.

For example, here's what I would write for my blog engine I wrote about 7 years ago:

Tiberius - Personal static blog engine Python, Pandoc, Markdown, S3 - 100-line Python script to publish a blog - an exercise in the power of simplicity Taught me to appreciate constraints. Robustness comes from eliminating the unnecessary.

The Personal Projects section needs to go in your resume where it makes the most sense. The most important section should be at the top. If you want to highlight your professional experience, put that at the top. If you want to show your academic achievements, that goes first. But if you think academic and professional are less relevant than your personal projects, move the personal projects to the top.

Python Project Ideas to Improve Your Résumé

Hillary Nyakundi

Every project is an opportunity to learn – to figure out problems and challenges, and to invent and reinvent.

And as a developer, working on projects can improve not only your skills but also your résumé – which can increase your chances of getting that dream job.

Have you ever come across a job description that requires candidates to have a certain numbers of years of experience? I have – actually almost every job advert that I come across. These job descriptions can lower your self-esteem and make you feel underqualified, especially if you're a fresh graduate or just learning to code.

So, what happens when you don't have any work experience in the tech industry and you want to apply for a job? Well, the answer is simple – your portfolio is everything. You just have to use your past projects (and maybe build some new ones) to help you stand out.

In this guide, we will go through how to use experience from your projects to help you with your job applications. Our focus will be on some of the major Python projects that can help boost your résumé in a job environment.

Why Build Projects in Python?

You can use Python in many ways, including software and web development, machine learning, data analytics, and more. Knowing Python is a valuable skill for a coder. But if you're new to coding, it can be difficult to demonstrate your expertise on a résumé when you are applying for jobs.

Completing Python projects that you can clearly describe and that a hiring manager can look at is a great way to showcase your skills

If you aren’t sure how to write a résumé or your résumé needs a complete revamp, there are multiple resources online to help you out:

  • Here's a handy resume template where you can easily input your details and add your Python projects as you complete them
  • Here's a guide on How to Write a Résumé – Practical Guide with Example Résumé

Now, here are some ideas for Python projects that you can showcase on your résumé.

Python Project Ideas

1. server status checker.

A server status checker is a script that will let you monitor if your server is active and running. It can show you how much downtime your server has had and give you regular updates of its performance. It'll also send immediate alerts when server is down.

Some of the tools that come in handy when developing such a script include:

  • Socket - helps with connection to different servers.
  • SSL - required for wrapping the socket connection.
  • Date & Time - Check what time server is active or went down.
  • smtplib - Send email alerts when the server is down.
  • Pickle - Saves the history of the server perfomance.

To give you an idea how to get started with such a project, here's some info to get you started.

2. URL Shortener

A URL shortener is a program that takes long URLs and converts them into shorter ones that users can easily remember. Some of the the most common sites offering such services include Bit.ly and Cuttly.

This is a functional, useful tool that a hiring manager can easily test out in order to verify your Python skills such as use of APIs.

Although there are many such tools out there already, you can build one that offers a specific feature like customizable short URLs.

Almost everyone has come across a long, clunky URL that isn’t user-friendly or easy to remember, so creating a URL shortener shows that you can identify common problems and engineer a solution.

To help you get started with the idea and concept check out this repo here .

3. Content Aggregator

This is a tool that gathers information such as articles, social media posts, videos, images and so on. Then it displays all that information under one page. This means that users don’t have to manually search each website for what they are looking for.

Creating one is another good way to showcase how you can use your Python expertise to create a useful tool. Content aggregators can be used for many purposes, but they essentially search large swaths of the internet to find specific pieces of information.

You could develop a general content aggregator or a more specialized one. For example, you might create a weather aggregator that pulls weather data from several of the top sources in your region to present a comprehensive weather report.

Working on a project like this you should be comforatble with concepts like:

  • Python Basics
  • How to make use of virtual environments
  • Django fundamentals
  • Basics of HTML, CSS and JS

4. Desktop Assistant

When speaking about an assistant, think about Alexa, Siri and Google's virtual assistant. Lately there have been a rise in development of smart assistants, take a look at your favorite website chances are very high it has a bot that answers common question asked regularly.

Some common tasks that can be handled in your local machine with the help of an assistant include:

  • Open and close any application on your system.
  • Search anything on Google, Youtube, Wikipedia and so on
  • Get weather updates for any location asked.
  • Tell current time & date
  • Give calendar reminders on upcoming events.
  • Send email through voice commands.
  • Play or Stop music in our system.
  • Solve any algebraic and mathematical problems.
  • Restart, Sleep or Shut Down the system.

In order to build a desktop assistant, you might need some modules to help out. Some of the key ones include: Pyttsx3, Speech Recognition, Twilio, Subprocesses, Wikipedia, and a web browser.

A desktop assistant can perform a single task or a variety of tasks, depending on the complexity of your coding. The more advanced your assistant is, the more impressive it will be to potential employers.

Speaking from experience, this can be a really amazing project to work on. Although I wasn't able to explore more functionalities, check out my idea for a Desktop Assistant and implement more by adding your own ideas for features.

5. Task Automator

A task automator can be similar to a desktop assistant. But it can also be more specialized for specific tasks. To give an idea of how developers utilize Pytho,n here are some of the most common automations:

  • Performing automated market tasks
  • Sending out, replying to, and sorting emails
  • Filling out PDFs and Excel files
  • Converting images, renaming files
  • Performing math equations
  • Calculating exchange rates

You can use Python to do alot of more tasks, too – just think of the tasks you do on daily basis, not only on your computer but at home too. You just have to figure out the correct tools you’ll need, and how to write and run the script.

When we talk of tools, since Python is an open-source language, it means we have a ton of tools at our disposal, as well as many libraries and frameworks to help us get started. Some great tools that can help you out include:

  • Beautiful Soup

A good resource to help out in the automation journey is the amazing book on how to Automate the Boring Stuff with Python . It is a practical guide on how to use various programming tools.

Again, the more unique and advanced your task automator is, the more impressive it will be.

6. Games or Apps

Python has many libraries available to help you build games, as well as cross-platform libraries for creating Android and iOS apps. Some of the common game library include Pygame, Pyglet, Panda3D, Pykyra, Ursina Engine, and many more.

Both games and apps can range from very simple to highly sophisticated, and creating either one can be a great way to display your personality, creativity, and Python skills.

If you want to be able to develop projects on this scope, you will need to make use of some Python modules and libraries. The most common ones include:

  • Kivy - It is the most evaluated module for developing mobile applications using Python.
  • Game development modules like Pygame, PyKyra, Pyglet, PyOpenGL and others.

Some skills you will be able to demonstrate after building this project include: mobile app programming and development, UI/UX, & API

To help you get started with this idea, here is a link to some of the most common games developed with python: Python Games .

7. Algorithmic Trader

Algorithmic or Algo traders can not only showcase your Python skills, but they can also make you money - if you write a good script, that is.

This is a more advanced project that will likely not be suitable for beginner coders. You’ll need to write a script that analyzes past and present stock values, and uses machine learning to predict future values.

Then, your trader will automatically buy or sell shares based on those predictions.

In order to work on such a project, getting comfortable with Python and some of it's major topics like Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming will be necessity. Also knowing how to use external libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy will be helpful.

To help you get started with this knowledge, check out this course, Algorithmic Trading Using Python (and it includes some sample repos as well.

8. Sudoku Solver

A sudoku solver is another project that’s easy for a hiring manager to see and test. While of course the intent of sudoku puzzles is for users to solve them with brainpower, an automated sudoku solver demonstrates your thorough command of Python.

To work on this particular kind of project, being comfortable working with Python algorithms is really essential. These include:

  • list comprehension
  • indexing and how to make use of loops.

9. File Manager

Another good project idea is to code a file manager that renames or organizes files, archives unused files, or otherwise automates tedious file management tasks.

This type of project is fairly easy, and it can be a good way to get started in Python.

Working with files and documents can vary with different projects, so you can build different scripts, like:

  • A script to Auto Move Files ,
  • A script that will enable you to get folder/file sizes ,
  • A script to Delete duplicate files

To develop this kind of project, here are some of the modules you should know and keep in mind:

So there are some ideas to get you started.

Below is a Twitter thread with more projects ideas that you can work on that will help boost your résumé:

When you don't have any work experience in the tech industry, then your portfolio is everything. Here are 20 projects🧵depending on your skills; #100DaysOfCode #DEVCommunity #Developers #coding pic.twitter.com/rRIpSI1iF3 — Hillary Nyakundi (@larymak1) February 21, 2022

How To List Python Projects On Your Résumé

Now that you’ve got some ideas for Python projects to add to your résumé, here’s how to actually list them effectively.

If you are a freelance developer or you are just getting started in the industry, you may find that it’s more effective to use a functional résumé rather than a chronological format.

Functional résumés are more focused on your specific skills and projects rather than your employment history.

To use a functional résumé, replace the work experience section with a projects section. You can break it up further into subsections if you have some professional projects as well as some personal projects.

Give each project a name, list the duration, and include technologies that you used to complete it. Under each entry, use bullet points to describe the project in more detail, outline your specific contributions, and summarize the purpose of the project.

If you have some professional experience as a coder but you also want to list your personal projects, you may wish to stick with a chronological résumé format that lists your work experience at the top, followed by your education, skills, and certifications.

Then, you can include a projects section later on in your résumé to highlight the Python projects that you’ve done outside of work.

You can also reinforce your Python expertise by mentioning it in your résumé summary or objective as well as in your skills section.

Here is a sample to show you how to present a résumé if you're a fresh graduate from school:

Professional-Software-Engineer-Resume

It is important to remember that a project will be more successful if it communicates what it is supposed to communicate.

Whenever you work on one give it your all dedication. If you found one of these project ideas interesting, feel free to give it a try and you'll have a nice new addition to your résumé.

I appreciate your time reading. Enjoy Coding ❤.

Technical Writer ✍️ & Open-Source Enthusiast ❤ || Empowering Developers to Learn & Grow || Committed to Making a Meaningful Contribution to the Tech Community and Beyond.

If you read this far, thank the author to show them you care. Say Thanks

Learn to code for free. freeCodeCamp's open source curriculum has helped more than 40,000 people get jobs as developers. Get started

  • Resume Writing
  • Resume Examples
  • Cover Letter
  • Remote Work
  • Famous Resumes
  • Try Kickresume

9 Great Programming Projects to Significantly Boost Your Tech Career

  • Kaja Jurcisinova , 
  • Updated May 3, 2024 11 min read

In today's fiercely competitive job market, possessing impressive skills is essential for distinguishing yourself from other applicants. If you're pursuing a career in programming, this means continuously improving your coding skills and abilities and demonstrating your knowledge through practical programming projects.

Not only do programming projects showcase your talents , but they also provide valuable experience that can be highlighted on your resume and discussed during interviews.

In this article, we'll explore projects that can significantly boost your job search chances and help you land your dream job .

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a programming or coding project?

How do programming projects add value to your resume, great programming projects to put on your resume, how to add programming projects to your resume, how can i find relevant coding project ideas to work on.

  • When should you add programming projects to your resume?

Programming projects involve designing, developing, and implementing software applications to address particular needs or solve problems.

Whether personal or professional, programming projects can range from simple to complex and involve various programming languages, tools, and technologies.

Regardless, they're a crucial part of one's programming experience, and thus they play a pivotal role in the strength of your software engineering resume .

Programming projects involve applying programming skills and knowledge to create a functional and effective software solution, such as:

  • creating a website or web application
  • developing a mobile app
  • building a game
  • designing a database system
  • or automating repetitive tasks using scripts

Good at coding but not at writing?

No problem, Kickresume AI resume writer has got you covered.

First of all, programming projects are ideal for demonstrating your technical proficiency and illustrating your practical experience to prospective employers.

So, including programming projects on your resume provides an excellent basis to showcase your abilities and can significantly strengthen job applications.

They stand out exceptionally well in the growing age of online job applications , where your projects will appeal to searching software companies.

In the following sections, we'll explore seven programming projects that can help you to stand out from the crowd of job applicants:

Having established the advantages of including programming projects on your resume, let's explore some great project options to impress potential employers:

1. Build a web application using a modern framework

Creating a web application is an effective way to showcase your front–end and back–end programming abilities.

Choose a modern framework , such as React or Angular , and design a user–friendly interface that can manage data and handle server–side logic.

Eye-catching project examples for your resume:

  • An e-commerce platform
  • A social network
  • A productivity tool (e.g. a notetaking application)

Programming languages to showcase: 

2. Develop a mobile app for iOS or Android

In the current market, mobile app development is a highly sought–after skill. Business are looking for great app developers because they know it's a complicated process and that the  cost of developing a mobile app  has gone through the roof. 

To showcase your competency in this area, select an appropriate platform, such as web apps such as iOS or Android, and build a functioning application that demonstrates your design, development, and deployment capabilities.

  • A fitness tracker
  • A meditation app
  • A recipe app

Programming languages to showcase:

  • React Native

3. Participate in an open-source project

Participating in an open–source project is a great way to showcase your team spirit and aptitude for learning.

Select one that aligns with your skills and interests, then add value to-do list by troubleshooting issues, introducing new features, or enhancing documentation.

4. Create a machine-learning model

Exploring the rapidly advancing field of machine learning is a great way to demonstrate your analytical and problem–solving abilities .

Select a dataset, choose an algorithm, and build a model that makes predictions or classifications based on your desired data. 

  • Image recognition
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Predictive maintenance

5. Build a chatbot

Chatbots are quickly becoming the go–to solution in customer service and e–commerce.

Leverage platforms like Dialog Flow or Botpress to create a chatbot, answer common inquiries, and execute simple tasks. 

  • A customer service bot
  • A language learning bot
  • A shopping assistant

6. Create a game

Bring your creativity and programming prowess to life with game development. Utilize a powerful engine such as Unity or Unreal , and craft an immersive experience full of captivating characters, enthralling mechanics, and engaging gameplay.

A great way to make these stand out, even more, is through a game storyline, which you can have AI-generated and build your game around that. These make for great additions to your resume.

  • A puzzle game with a fun storyline!
  • A racing game
  • A first-person shooter game
  • Unreal Engine

7. Develop a data visualization tool

Data visualization is essential in various industries, from finance to healthcare .

This project will showcase your aptitude for data analysis and effective communication of insights by selecting a dataset, choosing an appropriate visualization tool, and crafting a dashboard that conveys the information in an intelligible manner.

  • A stock market dashboard
  • A health data tracker
  • A weather visualization tool

8. Build a website scraper

Data analysts and researchers must possess the ability to scrape web data.

Develop a web scraper that can extract and store website information into databases – showcasing your proficiency in working with APIs, HTML parsing, web scraping, and data manipulation.

  • A news aggregator
  • A product price tracker
  • A job search tool
  • BeautifulSoup

9. Develop a blockchain application

Develop a blockchain application to showcase your expertise in cryptography, distributed systems, artificial intelligence, and smart contracts.

Select a platform such as Ethereum to create an app demonstrating your capacity to create secure, decentralized applications.

  • A digital identity platform
  • A supply chain management system
  • A decentralized marketplace
  • Hyperledger

As we established, including programming projects on your resume can help you stand out to potential employers, highlighting your abilities and prior experience.

What’s more, it’s great for determining your suitability for a role. 

To get you started, here are some tips to get your first quick wins and start beefing up your resume:

1. Choose relevant projects

When building your resume, choose projects that demonstrate the skills required for the role you're applying to. For instance, if you're vying for a front–end developer job, make sure to showcase any work with relevant frameworks such as React or Angular. Leave out those projects that aren't related to this particular position.

2. Highlight key skills

When outlining your projects on your resume, emphasize the key competencies you honed while working on them, including programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Also, include any applicable certifications or courses that you took, or coding bootcamps that you attended.

3. Provide details

When discussing your projects, explain the issue you addressed, your approach to solving it, and the results . This will help employers appreciate the scope of your project and its effect. For instance, if you developed a mobile app, mention who it was aimed at, what features were included, and any user feedback you obtained. 

4. Use metrics

When you can, use metrics to illustrate your work's impact, enabling employers to quickly grasp the value you bring. For instance, if you undertook a website redesign, say how much traffic and revenue increased after it was completed.

5. Include links

Make sure to link your project on GitHub or other online repositories to allow the employer to observe your work in action. Include a video or demo presentation of the project's features for them to gain insight into your thought process and grasp the significance of what you achieved. 

There’s a plethora of places where you can find material and coding projects for beginners to begin your journey of deepening your tech stack.

However, for inexperienced beginner programmers, it can be slightly overwhelming in figuring out where to start.

Here are some excellent places where you can look:

  • Look for open-source projects . Contributing to open–source projects is a great way for new developers to gain valuable experience. Popular platforms such as GitHub and GitLab have plenty of opportunities for you to explore.
  • Participate in hackathons . Hackathons are an excellent opportunity for programmers to collaborate and create projects in an accelerated period. In addition, it's a fantastic way to network with peers and provides the perfect platform to gain new skills. 
  • Browse job platforms . Job boards are a way to find freelance and contract programming opportunities that suit your skill set. Take the time to browse through the listings and apply for projects that match your qualifications! 
  • Network with other programmers . Maximize your potential by networking with other programmers. Attend programming events and meetups, or contact them on social media to stay informed about new projects and opportunities. To get a solid start, platforms such as Algomonster have great online communities and forums that have tons of programmers with experience that are dedicated to helping each other.
  • Create your projects . Bring your programming projects to life and demonstrate your talents, leadership skills, and creativity! First, identify tasks that you find appealing or which aim to solve a problem you're facing, then start developing. You'll discover how much this will enhance your abilities and ignite your imagination. 

When should you add programming projects to your resume ?

Featuring your work on your resume will, more often than not, vastly improve your chances of landing a new job.

But it’s key to know when you should be shining the spotlight on your projects even brighter.

Knowing it can significantly improve your chances of standing out to employers at the right places and times. Here's how to go about it:

1. When you're just starting your career

If you're applying for your inaugural programming job or internship and need the experience on your resume , showcasing your programming projects is a great way to build it.

It's never too early to start – even while you're still studying, adding programming projects to your resume can help demonstrate your skills and experience to potential employers. This is especially true for graduates with limited work experience.

2. When you're transitioning to a new career

If you're making a career switch from, for example, network engineering or web development to software development , your prior technical expertise may not be enough to impress the hiring manager.

A great way to demonstrate your technical skills is by developing programming projects that showcase them; this approach also helps you assess the technical requirements and skills needed for the new job.

3. When you want to demonstrate passion and interest

As an experienced candidate, showcasing personal projects can help to illustrate your enthusiasm for programming. This sets you apart from those simply coding for a salary and lacking genuine interest in their craft. 

4. When you want to show possession of varied skills

Working on personal programming projects allows you to experience both the technical and non–technical sides of development. In contrast, you may only be responsible for one part of the project professionally, leaving little time for broader considerations. 

However, with a personal project, you'll have complete control over all aspects beginner coding project – from coding and design to user testing – enabling you to understand how each function interrelates to produce the final product.

5. W hen the projects are relevant to the job

By showcasing the related programming projects you've worked on, your resume will effectively demonstrate your expertise and experience in this field.

If you possess such experience, include the specifics (such as the scope, technologies , and outcome of programming projects) on your resume to give potential employers a clear picture of real-world projects using your capabilities and experience. This will help them decide if you're suitable for the job.

6. When you're applying for a technical role

Naturally, including programming projects on your resume when applying for a technical role can showcase your technical abilities and background to prospective employers.

FAQ: Programming projects and job search

Proficiency in programming languages, familiarity with data structures and algorithms, and mastery of development tools like Git, Docker, and Kubernetes are all essential skills for successful programming projects. Additionally, many coding projects on cloud computing platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure require familiarity with data structures and algorithms. Strong problem–solving and debugging capabilities are also essential for completing programming projects.

Some programmers may have more time to work on other programming languages or projects during weekends or after regular work hours, while others must balance their programming work with other responsibilities. Ultimately, the optimum time to program varies depending on individual preferences, work schedules, and project requirements.

When tackling programming projects solo, it's essential to avoid over–engineering the application. Instead, focus on creating and deploying a functional program that can be completed without exhaustion. To reach this goal, starting small and building something expandable is advised.  Starting small is the key to success – a basic to–do app can jumpstart momentum for programming project ideas and serve as a foundation for bigger projects. It's better to have something finished than nothing at all.

Yes, anyone can easily learn the projects in this article and learn to put out their own projects within a short amount of time, provided they dedicate the time to learning and practicing.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

Related Posts

How to find and get a job fast 8 proven tips from an hr expert, how to create a personal website that will help you find a job.

  • 11 min read

Share this article

Join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

  • Knowledge Base
  • Free Resume Templates
  • Resume Builder
  • Resume Examples
  • Free Resume Review

How to add programming projects on resume?

Whether you are a fresher or have years of experience, adding programming projects gives you an edge over other applicants and helps you enhance your resume, and boost the chances of being noticed by top companies in the IT sector.

The competition is tough.

You likely are one of the candidates in the crowd of hundreds, or maybe thousands of applicants, applying for the same job you are interested in.

According to LinkedIn.com, 6 seconds is the average time spent reading a resume . Therefore, your resume must highlight what the recruiter is looking for at the first instance so that h/she is intrigued to read your resume further.

In this article, we will walk you through the following essential details:

  • Why do you need programming projects for your resume?
  • What are the key guidelines you must follow while choosing programming projects for your resume?
  • What are some programming projects that you can consider working on to enhance your resume?
  • How to showcase your programming projects on your resume?
  • What is the list of things that your should never do to get your resume shortlisted?

Why Do You Need Programming Projects for Your Resume?

The IT field is not only dynamic but also competitive. The companies are in the hunt for a candidate who is already skilled and experience. Hence it gets difficult for the newbie to set their foot in the door.

Your educational qualifications coupled with your interest & skills are not enough to grab the job opportunity. You have to stand out in the crowd and prove your expertise and competency.

The best way to demonstrate your capability in coding is to have personal projects on your resume. What is better than showcasing the live example of your skills and expertise?

In front of the interviewer, don't be hesitant to talk about the stumbling blocks you encountered while working on your personal coding projects and how did you overcome the same during the interview.

Also Read: How to make a resume with no work experience?

What are the Advantages of having Programming Projects on your Resume?

  • Demonstrate your technical skills:

On one hand, you are simply writing that you are skilled at a few programming languages in the skills section your resume, and on the other, if you have projects where you have utilized the same programming languages, tell me what is going to make a good impression on the recruiter?

  • Showcase your interest:

Working on personal projects requires extra effort. Not everyone wants to do it. If you are ready to work on a few programming projects during your free time, it shows how passionate you are about your work.

  • Exhibit your learning attitude:

Having personal projects provides a competitive by showcasing your willingness to learn. It works equally well for both beginners and experienced programming professionals resumes. Only the level of the project differs.

Programming-Projects-for-resume_Advantages

Key Guidelines to Follow While Choosing Programming Projects for Your Resume?

If you have never made any programming projects in your life till now, don't worry, there's always a first time for everything. Learning something new may sometimes feel like a harrowing process and requires a lot of experimentation and failure.

But the most important question is how interested are you in making the project successful and give everything you can?

How should you choose your personal projects?

Always choose to work on a project that applies to the job profile you are interested in. Read the job descriptions carefully and identify the skills that are important for the organization.

Pick the projects where you can utilize those skills, maybe not all, but the ones that can supplement your experience and qualification.

For example , if the job listing reads out "JavaScript is required," then you should consider working on a project where you can use JavaScript programming language skills and justify your knowledge.

Choose a programming project that is relevant, interesting, and realistic. The interviewer has probably interviewed and reviewed the resumes of hundreds of candidates just like you.

Focus on solving real-world problems by using your skills, and that will help you show the interviewers your positive outlook towards life to solving problems that avoiding it.

What Are Some Programming Projects That You Can Consider Working On to Enhance Your Resume?

Here's why you should conider building a website:

  • If you are a novice, building a website is the best place to start with.
  • A basic understanding of the functionality of HTML , CSS , and JavaScript is suffice for website designing and development.

With the rising internet users, many businesses are going digital to expand their business. Therefore, being able to create a full-fledged website is an important skill to learn in this era.

Payment Gateway

Let's see why should you consider working on a payment gateway:

  • With businesses going online, the need for a secured payment gateway for online transactions has also increased.
  • Creating a payment gateway can feel daunting, but it can tremendously enhance your resume.

Your project will not only involve case flow but so much more than that. You have to deal with confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data, including organizational inventory, acquisition, payroll, etc.

Gaming Apps

Here's what you should know to build a gaming app:

  • You must have sufficient knowledge in Unity 3D , Visual Studio , and C++ .
  • When it comes to gaming applications, design and content play an important role. It is not essential that your design needs to be perfect from all angles.

If the job profile you are interested in wants you to have any of these skills, then building a gaming application would be an ideal choice.

You must step into the audience's shoes, do your market research, and develop an idea of what new you can bring to the table.

Social Media

Here is why you should consider working on social media platform:

  • Approximately 3.96 billion people use social media today. It is used to communicate and share information with friends & family.
  • With the advancement of technology, many companies consider social media a critical platform for their business products to sell online and spread the word.

You can try your hand at making an innovative social media platform as one fo your programming projects and prove your creative and coding talents.

Analysis Model

Data analysis models are in great demand. Here's why you should consider working on an analysis model as one of your programming projects:

  • Analyzing data is a critical business process, and your model must attempt to simplify analysis and communicate results in the best manner possible.
  • You can also use the data analysis model to make it into a forecasting software that can help an organization determine future trends.

The list can go on and on, but they all are just a mere examples for you to get an idea to start working on your project. You need to take your call based on what you want to work on.

If you are a beginner, choose to work on a project that keeps your interest until the end, and you can complete it without much hassle.

Note: If you pick a complex project, take it one step at a time. If you try doing the entire project in one go, you are likely to fail.

How to Showcase Your Programming Projects on Your Resume?

It's not a great deal if you are struggling to write down your projects in your resume; you have worked day and night working on it and making it possible. Many of us do!

We will guide you through the process in detail we follow at Hiration for adding personal projects in a resume. Make a section ' Personal Projects ' and follow the below-given steps to make a positive impression on the recruiter.

  • Begin with the name of the project or write project description in one line. E.g., Weather Forecast App for Android/Ios
  • Follow this by the ' Tech stack/environment ' and list all the technologies used. E.g, Java, HTML, etc.
  • Next will be the Problem Statement/Objective in one line
  • After this, in the Solution sub-section, include all the measures you took in bullet points, with each point beginning with a power verb .
  • The last sub-section would be Key Achievements , where all your points with quantifiable impact/performance figures will go.

Make sure to include the month/year for each project. You can also add a link to your projects in your in your resume. Moreover, you can host your code in GitHub and provide the link to your GitHub in the header section of your resume.

Highlight important words/phrases/numbers to showcase a more significant impact and put less focus on the generic project description and more on your contributions & key achievements.

What Are the Things That You Should Never Do to Get Your Resume Shortlisted?

  • Do not use someone else's project in your resume and claim it to be yours.
  • Do not use pre-written codes to do your project. Many people do this mainly for Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence projects.
  • Do not make a generic project or create a project just for the sake of making it to show it in your resume. That will not help your resume get shortlisted.
  • Do not choose to make Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence projects just because everyone else is making them. They have become too mainstream, and it doesn't help your resume stand out from other applicants.

Doing any of these will set a wrong impression and will not add any value to your resume. Therefore, refrain from exaggerating or adding any falsified information to your resume.

Hiration Interview Prep

Need to ace that Software Engineer job interview?

Hiration is the one stop that can help you prepare for an interview and boost your confidence.

You can make use of the following features from the Hiration's Interview Preparation:

  • Database of 20,000+ interview questions and sample answers
  • An overview/objective of each question
  • Know what the interviewer is expecting
  • Easy search for job interview questions and answers
  • Job interview Questions and Answers for 150+ work profiles
  • Search for specific questions, key strengths, focus areas... and more
  • Link to additional information for specific job and question

Resume Review Service

Simply upload your existing academic resume on our Online Resume Builder and get insightful from professionals on what changes you can make in your resume to make it shortlist-worthy.

Your resume will be reviewed by our experts in compliance with the following parameters:

  • Content Relevance
  • Recruiter Friendliness
  • Design Compatibility
  • Conversion Scope
  • ATS Compliance
  • Global Compatibility
  • Performance Assessment
  • Resume Formatting
  • Compliance with industry norms

Make the best use of our Resume Review Service today!

Online Resume Builder

The resources listed below comes with Hiration's Online Resume Builder:

  • Option to save unlimited resumes
  • Intuitive next text suggestion
  • Auto bold feature
  • 25+ resume designs
  • LIVE resume score
  • JD-resume matcher
  • Full rich-text editor
  • Unlimited PDF downloads
  • 100+ pre-filled resume templates
  • 1-click design change
  • A sharable link
  • LIVE resume editor

Go ahead and try our Online Resume Builder and experience the professional resume-writing experience like never before!

Key Takeaways

We have discussed how programming projects in your resume can help you stand out of the crowd and also how you can showcase them in your resume. We have also talked about finding suitable projects to work on and what possible projects you can undertake.

Let's end the article with a quick roundup so that you don't miss out on any crucial details:

  • Focus less on the project description while giving more attention to the technologies you used and your achievements or learnings from the project
  • Choose the project you are interested in based on your skills and expertise. Do not choose a project just for the sake of adding to your resume. It is not going to take you anywhere.
  • Do not mix your personal programming projects and professional projects. Make a separate 'Personal Projects' section to add all your personal projects
  • If you are working on your first project, choose a simple project and make sure that you do not exaggerate information or add any project that is not yours

You can also use Hiration's Career Building Platform to write your first resume in 2022. It is an AI-powered service that comes with 24/7 chat support to smoother your resume building experience. Moreover, you can discuss all your career related queries with our experts at [email protected] .

programming project ideas for resume

Share this blog

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Stay up to date! Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

Upload your resume for a free expert review.

programming project ideas for resume

ResumeGiants

Programming Projects for a Resume

Adding Programming Projects Resume

If you are in the field of IT or looking to land your first job as a programmer, then you should know how to list programming projects on your resume .

Not only does listing programming side projects on your resume show your prospective employer that you have the IT and technical skills required to complete a project, but it also shows passion and commitment to your craft.

In this article, we’ll discuss: 

  • What a programming side project is 
  • Examples of the best programming projects for your resume
  • Coding projects for your resume
  • How to put programming projects on your resume

Once you understand all these details, you can use our AI-powered resume builder , which can tailor your application to your profession . 

Table of content:

What Are Programming Side Projects?

Do you have programming skills, but you’re not sure how to show them off on your resume because you don’t have experience?

This is where adding a side project can help.

Programming side projects are jobs you’ve done for your enjoyment or practice . These can include:

  • Computer programs

For example, you could create a webpage for a friend, build a game on your computer, or try to create an app in a new programming language. 

Don’t forget that by challenging yourself to complete a programming side project, you will keep your skills fresh while solving new and exciting problems you can list on your resume or CV . 

A real-life experience that might inspire you is that one programmer, Obgonna Sunday, got hired thanks to his contribution to open-source projects .

By working on side projects, such as Obgonaa did, you can still add to your resume and eventually give yourself a better chance of landing a job , even if you don’t have full-time experience.   

Make sure you do your research on the companies you are applying to and consider what kinds of projects might help with your application.

12 Programming Projects to Put on Your Resume

Now you may be asking yourself, “What type of project should I work on?” or “What is the best AI project?”

If you’re unsure about how to pick a project that shows off your IT and technical skills , then it’s a good idea to decide on one that best fits the sector you want to work in .

Here is a list of 12 good programming project examples for your resume or professional portfolio .

Project 1: An Attractive Blog

Let’s say you are applying to a digital marketing agency that specializes in writing content for client blogs and generating leads for their customers. You can build a blog webpage that suits the industry they serve . Think about adding features they’d use and upload a sample blog or two to make the page pop.

Project 2: Eye-catching website

If you are a web developer , or you are applying for front-end programming positions, then you could demonstrate your capability by creating an enticing website . Think about what your future clients will ask you to build when you land your next job. 

Use this opportunity to add a programming project to your resume , while also updating your own website. If you don’t need a new website, you could offer to build one for a friend and use that to update your resume projects section.

Project 3: Build a Game or Improve On an Existing One

Before you dismiss this idea as childish or simplistic, consider building a game in the programming language you’ll need to use in the job you are applying for. Maybe you’ll be required to use Python scripts regularly . 

Apart from using Python for everyday tasks such as monitoring the stock market or converting text files to spreadsheets, the following sectors value expertise with Python :

  • Software testing
  • Web development
  • Data analysis

Could you enjoy getting to know the language, and build a game using Python? Sounds like it could be a win-win.

Project 4: Build the Mobile App you Wish you Had

Whether you are hoping to work on designing mobile apps in the future, or you just want to build a useful app for yourself , you can brush up on writing code for Android or iOS devices.

Perhaps you want to pull in weather data from a database and show it in an app without all the annoying advertisements that appear in your current free weather app.

You’ll have a handy weather app for yourself, and you’ll have shown you can program for mobile devices, as well as interface with databases.

Project 5: Educational Program for Young Learners

In the era of online learning , crafting an application for children to learn their ABCs or 123s would be very helpful. Parents need ways to keep their kids occupied while they work in an educational way.

So why not create an app for tablets that teaches kids how to read and do simple addition or subtraction? You can create images or videos to include which would also show your skills in visual communication , graphic design, or integrating imagery into your programs.

Project 6: Build a Machine Learning Algorithm

If you are looking to get into data science or machine learning as a programmer, one of the best programming projects for your resume would be a machine learning algorithm. You could start small and create a simple algorithm in Python or R . 

If that feels a little too detailed for the work you want to do, consider picking up a standard regression algorithm and altering it for a use case such as providing streaming video suggestions based on past viewing data.

Project 7: Voice Recognition Software or Skill

Not only do we speak to our phones to search for things online, but we also have voice search options on our smart TVs and inside our homes with the help of smart speakers. 

If you are interested in creating apps like Alexa, for example, that use voice as the input, then you might want to have one listed on your resume. Try building an Alexa Skill or voice recognition app that helps you control or optimize your home’s energy consumption, emphasizing your problem-solving skills .

Project 8: Build an Online Word Puzzle/Game

Could you put your own spin on the classic hangman game and host it online? Think of it like your own flavor of the word games that are seen in the newspaper and online. Create a website that hosts the game and spend some time making the user interface exciting and welcoming so that people will want to return.

Project 9: Create an API

This type of programming project would be best to put on your resume if you are applying for full-stack programming positions .

By making your own API (Application Programming Interface) you’ll demonstrate you understand this vital piece of code. If you know the types of databases or programs you’ll be working on in your next (or dream) job, then consider making the API for those specifics.

Project 10: Program a Productivity App

There are many apps out there that can be your inspiration for this programming project. Some block social media apps and websites so you stay focused on your work. Others have timers to keep you working for a certain period. 

Some will also track screen time, so you know what your common pitfalls are for distraction. A solution could be a productivity app for your phone or your desktop computer that you can add to the projects on your resume while creating a tool to keep you on task.

Project 11: Work on a Fake News Detector AI Project

Create an AI-driven Resume Parser to streamline recruitment processes. This project uses machine learning and the NLTK Python library to analyze resumes from the Kaggle Dataset, focusing on relevant skills and experiences. 

This project involves developing a clustering algorithm to evaluate and score resumes, demonstrating your AI expertise and practical HR tech application skills.

Project 12: Develop an AI Chatbot for Customer Service

This project has to do with using Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to create a responsive, conversational agent capable of handling customer inquiries and support tasks. By training the chatbot with diverse datasets, you demonstrate your proficiency in AI development and your understanding of its practical application in improving business-customer interactions.

By doing so, you’ll be able to add technical AI skills to your resume , which is great if you want to become an AI developer .

How to Add Programming Projects to Your Resume

As mentioned, the way you list your programming projects on your resume can vary depending on your experience level:

  • If you have limited experience : If you are a recent graduate or student and have a light experience section, you can list your programming projects under a heading titled “Programming Projects.”
  • If you have relevant experience : If you have relevant programming job experience, consider listing programming projects under each relevant position. This demonstrates how your projects align with your professional roles and how you have grown in your career .
  • For Additional Projects : Regardless of your professional experience, you can also have a separate “Projects” heading. Here, you can showcase programs, apps, and webpages you’ve built in your free time, highlighting your passion and continuous learning .

Here’s how an additional project should look on your resume if you add it correctly:

Programming Projects

AI-Driven Resume Parser | Personal Project | January 2022–April 2022

  • Designed an AI-based system to automate the resume screening process for HR departments.

Technologies Used:

  • Python, Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK), Machine Learning, Kaggle Resume Dataset.

Key Achievements:

  • Developed an algorithm capable of analyzing and scoring resumes based on relevance and skill matching, rather than keyword frequency.
  • Implemented a clustering algorithm to group similar skills and qualifications, enhancing the accuracy of candidate evaluation.

For many, it’s easier to create complex lines of code than it is to create a resume that catches the attention of hiring managers .

However, you’ll be able to program an interview in no time if you remember to apply the tips we’ve mentioned, such as :

  • Work on a programming project to practice your skills
  • Place your completed projects on your resume
  • Create your projects section correctly
  • Use the right resume-crafting tools 

Thankfully, with tailored resume templates and online tools like our builder, you can make the task simple and land your dream tech job .

Related Posts

What to Include in Resumes: Core Competencies Definition and Importance Including core competencies on your resume is important to get employers to notice you. Find out more about the key capabilities to include. Updated on March 30, 2023 What to Include in Resumes: Core Competencies Definition and Importance

How to Explain Employment Gaps on your Resume Here’s an article that helps you tackle resume gaps in employment with practical methods, thereby raising your chances of getting employed. Updated on January 5, 2024 How to Explain Employment Gaps on your Resume

How Long a Resume Should Be? One-page resume? Several pages? The resume’s length can vary based on one’s unique needs. Read on to discover how long your resume should be. Updated on February 20, 2024 How Long a Resume Should Be?

  • Cover Letter Builder Create a cover letter in 5 minutes. Get the job you want.
  • Cover Letter Examples See perfect cover letter samples that get jobs.
  • Cover Letter Templates Find the perfect cover letter template.
  • Create a Cover Letter Now
  • Resume Builder Create a resume in 5 minutes. Get the job you want.
  • Resume Examples See perfect resume samples that get jobs.
  • Resume Templates Find the perfect resume template.
  • Create a Resume Now
  • My Documents

12+ Best Programming Projects for a Resume

Struggling with creating your perfect programming resume? Make it better by adding personal projects and specific expertise. Here is the list of the projects you may create on your own, plus winning tips for improving your resume with their help.

How do you get your foot in the door if you are a newbie in the field of IT? How do you jump over toothy competitors if you already have experience? There is one answer to both of these questions - start with your resume, as it creates the first (and usually right impression of you). In this article, we suggest adding some personal projects to your portfolio to make it even more impressive. Below is a list of ideas you can use to boost your resume and give yourself a better chance of being noticed by a great company.

Why Should You Have Personal Programming Projects on a Resume?

The IT field is not only dynamic - it is quite competitive. What is more, the entrance level is quite low. In other words, everyone who has the basic skills and knowledge gained with the help of computer science courses and self-leaning has the opportunity to become a cutting-edge IT specialist. Therefore, if you want to be a part of the most innovative and money-promising industry, you will have to be creative to get your dream job. Having some personal programming projects for your resume is one way to attract your future employer’s attention and leverage your chances of being hired. Here is why.

Show Your Skills

Your personal project is a way to improve your skills and show them on your resume. For example, you can claim that you are excellent at programming in JavaScript, but a mobile application created using this language and its frameworks will tell much more about your coding skills.

Show Your Passion

Willingness to do work in your free time is a sign of true passion and love for your job. Of course, the development of a personal project takes time, but the presence of such a project shows you as a person who sincerely invests their time and soul into this process.

Show Your Readiness to Learn

Any personal project can have pitfalls, especially if you are at the beginning of your journey. In the process of creating them, you are faced with problems and tasks that you need to solve. This is an excellent opportunity for self-study in a relaxed environment free from the pressure of deadlines. Therefore, use it.

Prompt! When adding your personal projects to your resume, you can also briefly indicate a list of specific tasks, challenges, and pitfalls you have encountered. But be prepared to explain how you overcame them when a technical specialist interviews you.

Thus, personal projects reflected in the resume is a tremendous competitive advantage for a beginner specialist. However, do experienced programmers need personal projects? Or is solid experience enough to find a new job?

Indeed, a personal programming project works equally well for beginners and professionals alike. Of course, projects created by Senior coders will be much more difficult, and this is another reason to add them to your resume since complex projects show your advanced skills and specific expertise.

The List of Good Programming Projects for Resume

So, what are some interesting programming projects to put on a resume? Here are 13 alternatives you may consider. Each of them requires specific knowledge, skills, and technology usage, so make sure to pick up the ones that suit your specialization best.

1. A simple website or blog

If you're a beginner or self-learning web developer , start by creating a simple website or blog. To do this, you don't need to know more than the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But remember - your solution shouldn't be too simple. There is Wix that does not require an ordinary user to be a genius to put together a site or blog piece by piece. So your task is to come up with something original.

For example, you can think about site scaling possibilities and foresee them in your structure in advance. Or pay attention to the design. For example, create a sales-boosting website using graphic elements and motivating colors.

2. An eCommerce website prototype

eCommerce websites are laborious to create since you need to come up with a lot of sections, listings, integrations, and, most importantly, make outstanding user experience and a smooth sales funnel your top priority. We suggest focusing on one of your future store’s components and matching it with your best skills.

For example, if you are good at user interface prototyping, suggest a prototype that will generate sales and profits. As for the technologies to use, everything will depend on your initial idea - you may create an eCommerce store in the form of a native app or a website powered by Shopify and other specific solutions.

3. A cryptocurrency wallet

A cryptocurrency wallet is also a reasonably simple solution, even though it may sound incomprehensible to someone who hears this term for the first time. To do it, it will be enough to use Bitcoin SDK or Coinbase SDK and synchronize your future wallet with the blockchain ecosystem using APIs.

Great idea! If you create an eCommerce website as your personal project, consider adding Bitcoin as a payment option. This is an advanced way to pay, and more and more websites will embed this function very soon.

4. A listing website

Obviously, you shouldn’t create a jaw-dropping solution like Zillow. However, you still should show your web development skills. To create such a solution, you need basic HTML/CSS and basic programming skills, plus design thinking abilities. What is more, your personal listing shouldn’t be for listing accommodations only. For example, you may create an ads placement platform, a job board, or a car selling website.

5. A simple game

The most important thing in a game is dynamics and high-quality content. To prove your creative talents, come up with some really cool, interesting, and highly demanding characters that will meet the expectations of today's gamers. Among the technologies you need for this is Unity 3D, Visual Studio, and C++.

6. A data analysis model

Models for data analysis are in great demand, and what's more, it's not that hard to create one if you have a dataset. To further improve your self-presentation, create several data models that will work on the principle of regression analysis and classification.

7. A forecasting software

Predictive analytics is another capability of data analysis software. What is more, you may reuse your data analysis model explained in the previous paragraph to turn it into a predictive tool.

8. A chatbot

Creating chatbots is very simple. However, you may make your chatbot more innovative by enabling it with speech and image recognition functions.

9. A simple task manager

There is nothing complex about creating task management software like Trello or Evernote. Take these apps as an example, and come up with your solution. Creating this app, you could show how you understand the Kanban approach - this will be a significant plus for an employee who follows it.

10. A food diary

Weight management and nutritional apps are trendy. Create it to spice up your portfolio. Such applications do not need a lot of features. The most important thing is to make it user-friendly. What is more, you can create such a solution for both iOS and Android using the appropriate programming languages or create a cross-platform application.

An interesting function that you can implement! Add a barcode scanner so a potential user can add meals to the diary using the camera. It will show how you handle the integration of embedded applications with your solution.

An even more fun feature! How about creating a tool for recognizing a meal and its ingredients? Yes, you will have to create an artificial intelligence solution that can recognize images; however, you must agree, this is an entirely different level of professionalism.

11. An instant messenger

Creating an instant messenger, you may showcase your skills for instant data transfer solution creation plus API integration and entertainment features development. Instant messengers are not so difficult to create - their branding will definitely take more time, so this is your chance to strengthen your resume with a trendy application example.

12. A payment gateway

Creating a payment gateway is quite a challenging task; however, it will significantly enrich your portfolio. Developing this solution will require using different APIs and paying close attention to the security features. For example, you may integrate a machine-learning fraud detection algorithm and make an outstanding fintech solution.

13. A recommendation engine

A recommendation engine is an AI-powered tool; however, it shouldn’t be a part of an eCommerce store exclusively. For example, you could develop a book recommendation app that suggests a book based on age, preferences, and previously read stories. To create it, you need an AI programming platform, plus a database.

Enhancing Programming Resume Tips and Lifehacks

Adding your personal programming projects to your resume is a good strategy to highlight your skills, showcase achievements, and stand out from the competition, especially if you are a newcomer to the field of IT. However, there are some pitfalls you should avoid. Below are some winning tips and life hacks that will help you improve your resume, balance personal project development with job search, and attract your future employee’s attention.

Focus on Your Core Skills

You undoubtedly have enough skills to create any projects listed above; however, you should stick only to the most suitable ones. Unfortunately, if you create ten different projects that require entirely different skills, this will not improve your resume . It will give the impression that you do not know what you do best and just try everything.

For example, if you are an iOS developer, there is no point in creating an Android mobile app to add to your resume. Instead, pick up the ideas that suit your knowledge, skills, and competencies best, then focus on the overall quality of your personal projects.

Don’t Bite off More Than You Can Chew

Your passion for software projects and development is undoubtedly good, but you need to assess your strengths sensibly. Cool and popular projects are created by whole teams of specialists from different fields, but you will have to act alone when creating your personal project.

Therefore, before you get to work, make sure you can handle what you have in mind. Start by being clear about the skills you need to complete the project and anticipate potential pitfalls.

For example, if you are a good Python programmer but feel you lack UI design skills, prepare educational materials to find answers and find useful forums where you can ask for help in advance.

Manage Your Time

Looking for a new or first job is time-consuming. You should do a lot of preparatory work, research the open positions, and personally get in touch with each company you are interested in working. Therefore, you need to plan your time correctly and maintain an optimal balance. For example, you might spend three hours a day developing your personal project, and after that, devote three hours to finding new jobs, improving your resume, and writing cover letters .

Show Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Don't create your personal projects just to fill in blank lines on your resume. Templated solutions that are too simple, like a blog quickly designed on Wix, will not surprise your employer but rather spoil the experience. Instead, solve a specific user problem, even if it is hypothetical.

Make Your Code Accessible

GitHub is the best place to store your code, share it with other programmers, and ask the more experienced professionals to give you feedback. This is also a good place for your personal projects. At the technical interview stage, the team lead will definitely ask you to talk about your professional and personal projects and show the code you created.

Prompt! Make sure your code is easy to read and understand, do not create spaghetti - for this, ask other GitHub community members for an opinion before you show your code to a potential employer.

Showcase Your Projects on Your Resume

Once your projects are in place, it's time to add them to your resume to amplify a positive impression and show your best abilities right away. How to add programming projects to your resume?

To do this, you need to include a new section titled Personal Project and list them in the following sequence:

  • The name of the project - for example, a Weather App for Android
  • The set of technologies been used - for example, Java, Weather API
  • The set of skills - for example, general programming, database management, API integration

Optionally, you may track the time needed to create each of the projects and specify the timing to let your potential employee evaluate your working speed and the quality of the code you create.

Get More Attention With the Help of a Cover Letter

Having a logical, structured, and beautiful resume that reflects your personal and professional projects is half the battle in the hiring process. However, you can do one more thing to increase your chances of being interviewed and hired —a cover letter that you send every time you offer your candidacy for a position.

With the help of a cover letter, you show yourself as a candidate who is really interested in working for this particular company. This is an excellent opportunity for you to say the most important things about your skills, abilities, and competencies and explain to a potential employer why you are a great candidate for an open position.

However, writing code and writing persuasive texts are not the same things. That is why creating an eye-catching cover letter with the help of our automated solution will be a better strategy.

The IT industry is dynamic and rapidly growing. There is a free space for everyone who is open to new knowledge and innovations and is ready to learn on the go. What's more, the industry is hiring the best talents, as only the best can innovate by solving problems in new ways. Feel like you want to belong to this industry? You already know what to do.

Don’t miss out on exclusive stories that will supercharge your career!

You’re Subscribed!

Get a weekly dose of inspiration delivered to your inbox

You may also be interested to read

20+ Jobs That Pay $100 an Hour or More

11 Tips For Finding a New Job During a Pandemic

How to List Temporary Work on Your Resume

programming project ideas for resume

Build my resume

programming project ideas for resume

  • Build a better resume in minutes
  • Resume examples
  • 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
  • Resume templates
  • 184 free templates for all levels
  • Cover letters
  • Cover letter generator
  • It's like magic, we promise
  • Cover letter examples
  • Free downloads in Word & Docs

9 Programmer Resume Examples for 2024

Stephen Greet

Programmer Resume

  • Programmer Resumes by Experience
  • Programmer Resumes by Role

4 Pointers for Your Programmer Resume

Kathy knew how to test, troubleshoot, configure, and code to carve out a niche within her team. She’d been fortunate enough to snag a good internship right after her computer science degree, and had one programming job under her belt after that. Kathy couldn’t wait to launch her career even further—maybe one day she’d be working for a household-name software company!

Using research skills gained during troubleshooting and project research sessions, Kathy found us. She sighed with relief, seeing the exact guidance she needed in our resume templates and free cover letter generator . With her ambition, it didn’t take long to craft a winning resume and ace the interviewing process to land her next dream job.

Don’t miss our programmer resume examples and tips to find success like Kathy!

or download as PDF

Programmer resume example with 4 years of experience

Why this resume works

  • As a programmer, you need to list your top technical skills in the  resume skills  section, but you also need to demonstrate those skills in the context of any jobs or personal projects on which you’ve worked. Your programmer resume can also use color around how you can use your skills on projects.
  • If you’re a recent graduate (less than three years), it’s okay to talk about any extracurricular experience you had in school that might be relevant to the role to which you’re applying.
  • If you have less than 10 years of work experience, strive to keep your resume to one page. Hiring managers get 50 plus applicants for any given role, so they don’t spend much time reviewing each resume. Make their job as easy as possible to maximize your chances of getting an interview. Check out our  how-to-write-a-resume guide  for expert resume-writing tips!

Entry-Level Programmer Resume

Entry-level programmer resume example

  • Play to your strengths on your entry-level programmer resume . If that’s your education, that’s okay. Just expand on that section.
  • As a programmer, talk about meaningful projects you’ve worked on, whether for a class assignment or on your own. Projects demonstrate interest and the ability to start a project from nothing. Both are very valuable to a prospective company.

Senior Programmer Resume

Senior programmer resume example with 10 years of experience

  • When you’re more senior in your programming, you must demonstrate an increase in responsibility and complexity of the projects you’ve worked on throughout your career. Your senior programmer resume can do a great job of that. If you need help with these details, we invite you to access our  free resume checker !
  • More than just demonstrating your impact, numbers draw a reader’s attention. They’ll increase the time the employer will spend considering your candidacy, which increases your chances of getting an interview.

CNC Programmer Resume

CNC programmer resume example with 9 years of experience

  • Enrich your CNC programmer resume with the mention of brands like Rolls Royce. However, working at an A-list company isn’t going to be enough. Highlight how you’ve maintained high product quality and customer satisfaction rates using automation software like Siemens NX CAM.

SAS Programmer Resume

SAS programmer resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Start by adding how you’re ready to apply your previous work experiences in this job to succeed. Don’t just call it quits after adding past roles though. Go on and state your expertise in various programming languages and link it to your commitment to helping the company keep growing or maintain its current stature.

Computer Programmer Resume

Computer programmer resume example with 9 years of experience

  • If you’ve managed systems that have handled high volumes of traffic or data, make sure to add them too! Experiences that show your ability to collaborate with other branches in the same company will also help you highlight your communication skills.

Programmer Analyst Resume

Programmer analyst resume example with 11 years of experience

  • Companies will also look out for candidates that have worked with higher-ups to reach a certain business goal. Mention in your resume and write in your programmer cover letter about any software developments you’ve led that have met a company’s goal and made profits.

Python Programmer Resume

Python programmer resume example with 4 years of experience

  • When you’re applying for a more specialized programming role like a Python programming role, you should have the title on your resume (below your name) exactly match the job title of the position to which you’re applying.
  • Your Python programmer resume can do a great job of demonstrating the context of how you’ve used Python (and Django) in your work projects.
  • Real estate is valuable on a resume since you should keep it to one page. Only include a  resume objective  if you think it will stand out to the resume reader.
  • Always strive to make the resume reader’s job easier! This will increase your chances of leaving a positive impact and landing an interview.

Java Programmer Resume

Java programmer resume example with 3 years of experience

  • Your previous Java programmer role titles should precisely match the position for which you’re now applying. Often, programmers don’t have exact titles within a company, so it’s okay to change your past titles based on the role you’re applying to, as long as you’re not stretching the truth.
  • Be sure to mention all the frameworks you have experience with when applying for a specialized programming position like a Java or Python developer. If this process sounds daunting, feel free to use our  resume builder  to put your best foot forward!

Related resume guides

  • Java Developer
  • Product Manager
  • Tableau Developer
  • Web Developer

Two hands rearranging sections on job application materials

A programmer creates web applications or programs or makes improvements to existing software through coding and markup writing. While the terms “web developer” and “web programmer” are often used interchangeably, programmers also tend to focus on troubleshooting and maintaining applications’ code. Programmers use several programming languages to develop applications, such as Python or JavaScript.

Applying for a programmer role can be daunting, especially if you don’t have a programmer resume. A well-structured resume is essential to ensuring potential employers give you the time of day and shortlist you for an interview. But if you don’t perfect your programmer resume, so it best highlights your skills and experience, you might not stand out from the crowd. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at four ways to perfect your programmer resume: 

  • Including the right programming skills 
  • Formatting your programmer resume
  • Leveraging your metrics to best quantify your impact
  • Adapting your resume to each job

programming project ideas for resume

Choose your programmer skills wisely

The skills section  on your programmer resume helps recruiters and hiring managers determine whether you could be a good match for the job vacancy. However, not including the right ones could pull you out of the game before your application is even viewed by a human, especially for more competitive roles.

Most companies use automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) that rely on algorithms to scan resumes for certain keywords, such as required skills. Without the right type (or amount) of skills, the ATS will reject your resume. 

To ensure that doesn’t happen, use bulleted keywords in your skills section to highlight your hard skills, so the ATS will move you on to the next round. Make sure only to include skills you’d be comfortable being interviewed about, and try to have no more than 10.

To beat the ATS consistently, you need to customize your resume for all the jobs for which you apply—based on the job description. By carefully reading the programmer vacancy, you can make sure to include the skills employers want to see while best highlighting your capabilities and knowledge.

Let’s look at a fictional example of a job vacancy excerpt, so we can look at some possible skills to include on your programmer resume.

The senior Python developer will develop back-end components and write scalable code. Must have experience in cloud technologies and implementing Agile methodologies. They will also improve existing systems’ functionality and regularly test and debug programs. Should have a deep knowledge of Python and relevant frameworks and at least one other back-end language and database management skills.

For a programmer job description like the above example, you could include the following skills:

  • Python 

Since this is a specialized programmer role, it’s important to include several Python-related skills, such as the language and relevant frameworks. The vacancy also emphasizes skills in another back-end language, so it makes sense to have JavaScript and React.js. You should also include at least one cloud technology (in this case, AWS) and then one or two relevant tools to provide a well-rounded overview of your expertise in other skills, like database or coding management. 

Even though you should customize your programmer skills section to each job description, some skills will pop up in most vacancies, which means you should probably include at least some of them on your resume.

While not an exhaustive list, some of the top in-demand skills include:

  • Python (Django) 
  • Ruby (Ruby on Rails)
  • SQL (MySQL, NoSQL, etc.)
  • Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, etc.)

Notice the specific job title listed beneath the applicant’s name in a simple, classic font.

Programmer resume red contact header example

Deciding whether you need a resume objective or summary

One last point: what’s the difference between an  objective and a summary ? While they’re both about two or three sentences long and go at the top of your resume beneath your contact info, there are some important differences. 

Objectives explain why your interests and experience are a good match for the vacancy you applied to, while summaries provide a high-level recap of your work history and accomplishments. You could use an objective if you’re transitioning into programming from another field or if you’re applying for an entry-level position. Meanwhile, a summary is great if you’ve got years of knowledge and niche expertise. 

That said, you should only include either if it’s a strong, customized summary or objective that truly adds value. Recruiters spend just a few seconds reading your resume, and if it’s just fluff, it’s best to skip the statement. 

Experienced programmer with knowledge of several programming languages, frameworks, and database management tools. Strong affinity for creating and troubleshooting applications. 

This summary, while it uses nice vocab words like ‘affinity,’ is very generic and says nothing that a recruiter wouldn’t already expect from a programmer. 

Instead, try: 

Seasoned programmer with 12+ years of experience, having developed and maintained 150+ applications and 110+ software artifacts in 4 different languages. Have managed 13 junior programmers and am passionate about mentoring early-stage programmers.

With this summary and the example below, you provide a quick overview of your biggest achievements and a snapshot of your work history—all with quantifiable facts to keep recruiters invested in your resume. 

Programmer resume summary statement example with 18+ years of experience

Returning to the objective, don’t write something like this:  Seeking a Python programmer role to deepen my expertise in Python, Django, and other frameworks. Passionate about code maintenance and development. 

Again, this objective adds no new information; this is all something a recruiter would quickly glean from the rest of your resume. 

Compared with:

 Experienced freelance programmer with 4+ years of experience in Python, Django, and other frameworks supplemented by 6+ years of data analysis skills. Looking to transition into a Python programmer to design scalable, user-friendly solutions at Deloitte.

This objective and the example below clearly show how your experience can transfer into the specific role you’re applying for while quickly stating your expectations, thus, adding value, not fluff.

Python programmer resume objective example with experience in big data

Leverage metrics in your programmer resume

The best way to concretely showcase your accomplishments on your CV is by leveraging metrics to quantify your impact. Including hard data and statistics will help you avoid a generic and vague resume while also helping your achievements stand out to your potential employer.

Not sure what metrics you should quantify? Consider:

  • Solutions:  Give a concrete number of applications, projects, features, etc., you’ve developed, worked on, or maintained.
  • Revenue:  If your solutions increased a company’s revenue, include it.
  • Management and collaboration:  If you ever managed a team or worked with other stakeholders and departments, quantify it.
  • Other activities:  From estimations, tickets, project designs, or code reviews, include a number (or an honest estimate if you’re not exactly sure).

Let’s look at one job description bullet point you could write for each of the above based on the resumes on this page.

  • Solutions:  Developed and maintained 100+ applications using Microsoft, Ruby on Rails, and CSS. 
  • Revenue:  Crafted 4 new tools to assist in big data analysis, increasing revenue by 10%.
  • Management and collaboration:  Collaborated with 20+ business users and the core technology team on system designs, reducing total development time by 15%.
  • Other:  Participated in 80+ project designs and planning and proposed 12 solutions to potential bottlenecks and product roadblocks. 

If you take the time to quantify your programming accomplishments, you’ll be well on your way to getting shortlisted for that interview. 

Make a Unique Resume for Each Programmer Job App

Interview panel on four yellow laptops discuss job candidates

If there’s one point we’re trying to get across, it’s the importance of customizing your programming resume for each job vacancy. By submitting a unique, well-formatted resume, you’ll significantly increase your chances of getting the job.

Don’t worry; we’re not saying that you need to create a new resume from scratch every time. Instead, adjust, include, or add certain details to ensure it matches the vacancy to which you’re applying. Some of the sections you can customize to each programmer application include:

  • Resume objective/summary:  Let’s say you’re applying for a Python programmer role. Suppose you mostly worked in general programming positions. In that case, you could use the objective to highlight specific expertise in Python frameworks and any niche nice-to-have skills in which you’re proficient. 
  • Skills:  It goes without saying that you should list required skills and any preferred requirements in which you’re knowledgeable. Don’t just mention languages or frameworks, but also include tools and stacks, such as Selenium or Django stack.
  • Job description:  A good place to include soft skills is in your job descriptions. For example, if a job ad is looking for someone with great innovation skills, you could highlight projects you’ve worked on that required an inventive mindset and creative skills like those shown in the example below. 

Programmer resume projects section example

Now, let’s make this a bit more practical and look at how you could tailor various programmer resumes depending on the job vacancy. 

Programmer resume  

  • Include a diverse range of skills you have experience in as long as you’re comfortable being interviewed on them. Try to keep it balanced between front- and back-end skills, frameworks, and other tools. 
  • Make sure you leverage quantifiable metrics and soft skills throughout your job descriptions. 
  • Keep it to one page. Unless your objective/summary is absolutely invaluable, skip it. 

Entry-level programmer resume  

  • Use your objective to showcase how your strengths and skills make you a great fit for the role, even if you’re short on experience. 
  • Even adding  relevant hobbies or interests to your resume  could be appropriate. 
  • Mention relevant courses you’ve taken, and consider including your GPA as a strength.

Senior programmer resume  

  • All of our  resume templates  use the reverse-chronological format by default, making it a snap to concentrate on increased responsibility.
  • Include a good amount of metrics for more challenging achievements you’ve accomplished, so recruiters can quickly see your expertise. 
  • If you have a lot of skills, consider grouping them into categories, such as languages, databases, frameworks, and other tools. 

Python programmer resume  

  • Use your objective/summary to highlight experience, and showcase why you’re a great fit for a Python programmer role. 
  • Focus on Python frameworks in your skills section. 
  • Clearly show how you’ve used Python and Django throughout projects in your job description. 

Java programmer resume 

  • Add the title of the role directly under your name, and make sure it matches the job position to which you’re applying. 
  • Include relevant JavaScript frameworks in your skills section. 
  • Use the job description to weave in other Java-related hard skills you may not have had room for in the skills section. 

programming project ideas for resume

The synopsis

It’s been a journey, but you’ve made it to the end of our guide on improving your programmer resume. While it can be challenging to create a resume for programming job apps, you’re well on your way by taking it seriously and putting your best foot forward.  

You’re now well-equipped to:

  • Choose the best programmer skills
  • Choose the right resume format
  • Quantify your experience
  • Customize your resume

Our  resume tips  will help you create a great programmer resume that’ll get you shortlisted for an interview sooner rather than later. If you need help starting your resume, check out our  free resume builder.  Already have a resume, but need a sanity check? Use our free  resume checker  to get AI-powered tips, so your resume is at its very best. 

That’s it: you’re good to go. Good luck (not that you need it because knowledge is empowerment) landing your next programming job! 

Create my free resume now

  • React Native
  • CSS Frameworks
  • JS Frameworks
  • Web Development
  • 10 HTML Project Ideas & Topics For Beginners [2024]
  • Top 10 Projects For Beginners To Practice HTML and CSS Skills
  • Top 10 Coding Projects For Beginners
  • Top 10 Front-End Web Development Projects For Beginners
  • JavaScript Project Ideas with Source Code
  • 10 Best JavaScript Project Ideas For Beginners in 2024
  • Top 5 JavaScript Projects For Beginners on GFG
  • 90+ React Projects with Source Code [2024]
  • 7 Best React Project Ideas For Beginners in 2024
  • 12 Best Full Stack Project Ideas in 2024

10 Best Web Development Projects For Your Resume

  • 30+ Web Development Projects with Source Code [2024]
  • 10 Best Angular Projects Ideas For Beginners
  • Top 7 Node.js Project Ideas For Beginners
  • 5 Best MERN Projects To Add In Resume
  • 10 Best Web Development Project Ideas For Beginners in 2024
  • 5 Amazing React Native Project Ideas for Beginners

Developing something and making it accessible to everyone on the internet is possible only because of web developers. As a web developer looking for a job role, you need to have some good web development projects in your resume to highlight. When it comes to showcasing your web development skills on your resume, the projects you choose to highlight can make a big difference. 

Best Web Development Projects For Your Resume

Including strong web development projects can demonstrate your technical expertise, creativity, and problem-solving abilities to potential employers. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best web development projects to include on your resume , ranging from personal projects to freelance work and open-source contributions. These projects showcase a variety of web development skills and can help you stand out from other candidates in a competitive job market. Before that let’s understand how web development works.

How Does Web Development Work?

Web Development , in short, is the process of creating websites or web applications that people can access using the internet. 

Now, w hat forms a website?  

Front-End, Back-End , and Database collectively form a website.

Front-End (the client side) is the part where users view and interact with the website. This is called a User Interface(UI) . Unlike Front-End, Back-End (the server side) can’t be accessed by the user and it’s a program code where several changes are made as per the requirement of the website. Then comes the Database which stores all the data in an organized manner. Your resume should have web development projects, provided you’re a software guy or someone from CS/IT background.

What is a Web Development Project?

A web development project is an effort to create a website or web application, typically involving the use of programming languages such as HTML , CSS , and JavaScript . This can include building websites for businesses or individuals, creating web applications that allow users to perform specific tasks, or developing online platforms for e-commerce, social networking, or other purposes.

Web development projects can be small or large in scope, and may involve collaboration with other developers or stakeholders such as clients or project managers. 

Some examples of web development project ideas include building a blog or personal website, creating an e-commerce platform, developing a social media network, or designing an online booking system for a hotel or restaurant.

To undertake a web development project, you’ll need to have a good understanding of web programming languages and frameworks, as well as knowledge of design principles and user experience (UX) design. It’s also important to have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work well in a team, as many web development projects involve collaboration with others.

Technologies to learn to build projects: Front-End: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (libraries like React, Angular, and Vue). Back-End: Python, PHP, Java, NodeJS, Express.js, etc. Database: MongoDB, MySQL.

Web Development Projects are a good way to create an impact on the interviewer and showcase your skills, which you can discuss on during the interview. As you know that the selection of a project is very important to impress someone, and it is very important to write those projects in your resume in a meaningful manner. While adding web development projects to your resume, it’s important to provide a clear and concise description of your role in each project and the technologies you used. If you’re a fresher, focus on highlighting the projects you worked on during your education or internships. For experienced professionals, it’s important to highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise and relevant skills. 

Regardless of your experience level, make sure to highlight the impact the project had and any notable achievements or metrics. Providing a link to the project, if possible, can also help showcase your work to potential employers. Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for and emphasize the projects and skills that are most relevant to the position.

Now, we will discuss the 10 Best Web Development Projects For Your Resume . So let’s get started.

1. E-Commerce

E-Commerce is something that most web developers must have tried. The application comes with multiple features like login/sign in, product lists, order summary, discount offers, profile section, cart items, creating payment gateway, search bar, and many more which is possible with features of React like React hooks for state-driven conditions without writing a class, props for passing the variables, etc. Follow a component-based structure. The application should be dynamic, interactive, and accessible on multiple platforms like laptops, tablets, and mobiles (responsiveness).

For the back end, use the event-driven architecture of NodeJS and call-back function when an event is triggered such as an order is placed for an item. The data of the products, ordered items and profile details should be stored in a structured way and must be encrypted. Any such updates to be made like adding a new feature must be done at the back end using NodeJS. You can also use Express.js which is an open-source framework for NodeJS which implements web applications more quicker and easier. 

2. Social Media

Social Media App catches the attention of almost every one of us as it has been an important part of our daily activity. Implementing this app requires very well-connected ends for various reasons like security and management. The UI part consists of chat options, feeds, notifications, and a friends list. 

You can also use windows.alert() function to create a pop-up when a new update is seen or for various other purposes. For developing a dynamic web app, Angular is the best choice. Angular works with TypeScript which makes it much easier to implement. We implement its back-end by setting up databases, servers, and APIs, and working out perfect storage solutions. 

An application that gives employment to individuals as per their qualifications. The application filters the job as per the requirement and qualifications. While applying for the job, all the details of the company like role, salary provided, location, etc. should be visible to the individual. Use of Context APIs to share data without passing it through props manually, React Redux to store, dispatch, and see the actions of the data. 

What does this application do? Suppose, if a person is a BA graduate, he/she will be able to apply for a job (like banking sales, BPO, content writing) as soon as he enters the qualification details and then applies for it after having a clear understanding of the job. A file Filter_Job can be made where code flows like checks the qualification and then describes companies and job roles.

In the back end, all the details entered like name, email, and contact no should be secured by disabling public network access to database servers and taking all the safety measures. 

4. Resume Builder

Resume Builder is a website when created will help most aspiring individuals to make an attractive and ever-wanting resume within minutes. Its feature includes personal details, educational background, skills achieved, projects undertaken, and a lot more about self. Each section has many sub-sections which could be implemented using components in React.

And then, the back end will include everything related to a person’s bio-data and keep it secure by limiting the settings. For example, coming to the web server, restricting logins to certain users or IP addresses , using automated brute force detection systems (that automatically ban offending IP addresses), or using HTTP authentication in development areas helps a lot. 

Looking to land your dream job in tech? It all starts with a killer resume, and GeeksforGeeks has got you covered! Our FREE Online Resume Builder is completely free and designed to help you showcase your technical skills in the best way possible. With easy-to-use templates and customization options, you can create a professional-grade resume in no time. So why wait? Give your career the boost it deserves and build your perfect resume with GeeksforGeeks today!

5. Healthcare App

Health is a major concern for every one of us. So, why not implement something which determines your health status and warns you to take proper care? A pop-up using windows.pop() function when your sugar level goes beyond a certain level or something unusual for physical health. This app diagnoses your physical condition as per your entries in terms of health and advises you to follow some practices at no cost. 

JSX enables the creation of a new UI feature that offers real-time results. Using event handlers, several events can be created and decide what should happen next. In certain cases, it can also advise you to consult a doctor in your comfort place. 

Just Sign in with a few of the details and filter out the specialist as per your need, book an appointment, and get yourself diagnosed thoroughly. The back-end part again stores the person’s health details and report.

6. Course Provider Platform

A platform that provides tutorials in the form of videos or paragraphs to every student same as Udemy and Coursera. You just need to have a good grip on React, React Router to navigate through pages, React Hooks to have simpler code, and the use of props to pass the values in functional components. Functional components can be used where props can be used as an argument. In Class components, we extend components and have a render function. All the sections can be made like courses, filter search, using Nav-Bar functionality.

All the student’s details like what courses they read, their detail, etc. can be stored in a database at the back end. For database management, use MongoDB. You can use NodeJS to build servers.

7. Gaming App

This application is generally for people who love gaming. This can be built using Vue.JS which provides higher customizability. It also has an overlap with Angular and React concerning their functionality like the use of components. The count feature when implemented whenever a button is pressed, the count gets incremented by 1 and passes it to another level. Also, import the router which could be used for navigating the pages like the score page, level page, etc. 

At the back-end part, you can store the player’s name, the scores they achieved, the level they passed, and the highest score or level passed. The database stores all the information. Therefore, all the details of the game can be handled by the back end.

8. Freelancing Developers

Similar to Upwork and Fiverr however this platform is only for developers. A platform where developers can easily find and connect with fellow developers and work on projects together. This could level up your skills. Using Redux, to update the state value to each input field, we add an onChange event handler. The Home Page should list all the companies which hire freelancers for collaboration. All the CRUD (Create, Remove, Update, and Delete) operations could be done using GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE . Using Axios (HTTP client library) requests to a given endpoint.

The back end should work with server-side web applications and integration the work done by front-end developers. They usually write web services and APIs which are used by front-end developers.

9. Online Code Editor

These editors are accessible via browsers and work on remote servers. The basic features include syntax highlighting, and error detection similar to complete IDEs. Using JavaScript code snippets, you can implement these features. The front end can be handled by React, Angular, or any other framework you would like to work on. 

The back end can be handled using Java and DBMS. The authentication key can be generated using MongoDB Atlas and used in the back-end code snippet for the data fetching and updating process. The styling can be implemented and made attractive using CSS. You can also publish your project on GitHub for others’ reference. 

10. A Trading App

Trading is something today that brings interest to everyone’s mind. Why not build something like Groww and UpStox? This app features available market data, trading alerts, and many more. Using React Native to implement this would be the best choice. All the dependencies and dev-dependencies which library you need to use, get installed in the project when you run the command to install them. Using the Redux feature to store data, also request to update it. The backend works with API authentication, database management system, and security issues.

Must Read: 100 Days of Web Development – A Complete Guide For Beginners Resume Building – Resources and Tips Top 10 Resume Tips For Freshers in 2023

Web Development is an ever-growing technology and an exponentially growing career as well. If you want to be a web developer you have to learn web technologies. And one of the best ways to learn technologies is to create a project which you can showcase in your resume while applying for a job. There are many frameworks and technologies which you can learn but the selection of Projects is a very critical step because it leads to your further interest in the technology and a unique and impactful project can also impress the interviewer as well. You can start with the basic web Projects and eventually move on to create scalable web applications and if you have deployed your project somewhere, then it will create a positive impact on any interviewer Above we have discussed top 10 Web development Projects that you can try.

FAQs on Web Development Projects

1. what projects can i do to learn web development.

Projects are one of the best ways to learn web development. Below are some of the Web Development Projects you can do to learn Web Development: 1. To-do List 2. User Activity Tracker 3. Online voting system 4. E-commerce 5. Quora for college

2. What kind of projects should I put on my resume for web development?

You can put these web development projects in your resume: Personal projects: If you’ve worked on personal web development projects, such as building a portfolio website, a blog or an e-commerce website , include them on your resume to show that you’re proactive and passionate about web development. Team projects: Collaborating on a team project, such as building a content management system or a social media platform , demonstrates your ability to work in a team and communicate effectively. Open-source projects: Contributing to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub can demonstrate your ability to work with others and showcase your code contributions. School or academic projects: Projects you completed as part of your coursework or during hackathons can also be included on your resume to showcase your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Freelance or client projects: If you’ve worked on web development projects for clients or as a freelancer , be sure to include them on your resume to demonstrate your ability to work on real-world projects and meet client requirements. When including projects on your resume, make sure to describe your role in the project, the technologies you used, and any notable achievements or impacts. Be sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for and focus on the projects and skills that are most relevant to the position.

3. What are the 3 skills for web development?

Here are the 3 important skills for web development: Proficiency in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Knowledge and experience with popular web development frameworks and tools such as React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, and Git. Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills to tackle complex and challenging problems that arise during web development. Other important skills for web developers include creativity, attention to detail, communication, and teamwork. It’s also essential to stay up-to-date with the latest web development trends and technologies. 

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

  • Web Technologies

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

 alt=

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

{{ activeMenu.name }}

  • Python Courses
  • JavaScript Courses
  • Artificial Intelligence Courses
  • Data Science Courses
  • React Courses
  • Ethical Hacking Courses
  • View All Courses

Fresh Articles

TripleTen Data Science Bootcamp: Insider Review

  • Python Projects
  • JavaScript Projects
  • Java Projects
  • HTML Projects
  • C++ Projects
  • PHP Projects
  • View All Projects

How To Create A Professional Portfolio Page Using HTML

  • Python Certifications
  • JavaScript Certifications
  • Linux Certifications
  • Data Science Certifications
  • Data Analytics Certifications
  • Cybersecurity Certifications
  • View All Certifications

DataCamp’s Certifications To Get You Job-Ready: Insider Review

  • IDEs & Editors
  • Web Development
  • Frameworks & Libraries
  • View All Programming
  • View All Development
  • App Development
  • Game Development
  • Courses, Books, & Certifications
  • Data Science
  • Data Analytics
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Machine Learning (ML)
  • View All Data, Analysis, & AI
  • Networking & Security
  • Cloud, DevOps, & Systems
  • Recommendations
  • Crypto, Web3, & Blockchain
  • User-Submitted Tutorials
  • View All Blog Content
  • JavaScript Online Compiler
  • HTML & CSS Online Compiler
  • Certifications
  • Programming
  • Development
  • Data, Analysis, & AI
  • Online JavaScript Compiler
  • Online HTML Compiler

Don't have an account? Sign up

Forgot your password?

Already have an account? Login

Have you read our submission guidelines?

Go back to Sign In

programming project ideas for resume

15 Fun Full Stack Project Ideas to Build Your Portfolio in 2024

You know how to build applications with frameworks from start to finish. But what you don't have is a portfolio. What projects can you tackle to show off your full-stack developer skills?

Thankfully, there are many full-stack project ideas out there. We'll discuss 15 basic, intermediate, and advanced projects that you can use to build and flex your skills.

  • What You Need Before Starting a Full Stack Project?

programming project ideas for resume

Before you start your project, there are a few things you need:

  • An IDE. Visual Studio Code and Atom are both common choices. Find a development environment that will make it easier to work with and compile your code.
  • Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These are the three essential programming languages for building web applications. If you're not familiar with them, consider taking a Bootcamp .
  • Github. You're not going to build a portfolio without Git commits, so it's time to get comfortable.

Other optional tools include a basic image editor (for assets), a development framework (for faster development), and a web server (to share your applications).

  • How to Use These Full Stack Project Ideas

Full-stack developers come from all backgrounds and experience levels. You may have a lot of knowledge regarding front-end design, but you're only now figuring out back-end development.

In many respects, being a full-stack developer is about problem-solving. A full-stack developer can use any one of dozens of languages and technologies. So, a full stack project idea will outline the general project requirements — but it's up to you to figure out how to achieve them.

  • Basic Full Stack Projects

These projects are perfect for beginners who want to build a strong foundation in web development . Anyone with basic front-end and back-end knowledge should be able to complete these projects, but completing them well is a matter of skill and experience.

1. To-Do List App

Everyone wants to do things "better." A to-do list app lets a user store information to be recalled later. This full-stack project should let the user:

  • Store, retrieve, and modify "to do" information within a database
  • View "to do" information in a clean, attractive format
  • View the application on a mobile computer or desktop computer

2. Calculator

A calculator is a great chance to develop your layout skills. Calculators also require some input/output knowledge, as you need to capture data from the user's peripherals. Your calculator app should:

  • Depict the visual element of a calculator cleanly on any platform
  • React to the user's input, both through the mouse and keyboard
  • Save the user's history, even if it just does so in a text file

3. Weather App

What's the weather like outside? Don't look out the window. Program an app instead. Your weather app should:

  • Pull weather information from a database
  • Change its appearance based on the weather
  • Use an attractive stylesheet to deliver hourly and weekly forecasts

As an additional challenge, connect your app to a weather API to pull real-time weather information based on the user's location. There are free weather APIs available that you can easily connect to through JavaScript.

4. Quiz App

This is probably one of the most useful full-stack coding project ideas for portfolios; you can even use it to quiz yourself on full-stack development. Your quiz app should:

  • Pull quiz questions and answers from a database
  • Display questions to the user and prompt them for an answer
  • Track and retain the user's score, eventually letting them "win" or "lose”

5. Interactive Resume

Why not give potential employers a treat? Build an interactive resume that doesn't just display your skills, but also prompts the user to inquire for more information. Your interactive resume should:

  • Display your resume in an attractive, mobile-friendly format.
  • Prompt users to send you their information (if they want to learn more).
  • Show off dynamic, interactive CSS assets, such as parallax.

When you're just building your skills, you don't need to develop "killer" and unique full-stack app ideas. None of the above projects should be too difficult — focus on making them as perfect as possible.

  • Intermediate Full Stack Developer Projects

These projects are ideal for those with a strong foundation in web development and looking to add more skills to their arsenal. These projects will provide a legitimate "portfolio" piece.

6. To-Do List App with Authentication

Security is essential to modern engineering. Go back to your earlier to-do list app and incorporate authentication. Your app should:

  • Let a user set and change their password
  • Enforce solid password requirements
  • Customize itself based on the user (if only by mentioning their login name)

For a challenge, ask yourself what you need to do to add multi-factor authentication to your app.

7. Music Streaming App

A music app is one of the most common full-stack app ideas. Everyone loves music. But what can you do to make your music streaming app better? At its most basic, your app should:

  • Pull music from a database of songs
  • Provide a music streaming interface 
  • Let users either select songs on a playlist or search for songs

To challenge yourself, build a suggestion engine. Track what users play and suggest similar songs based on their preferences.

8. Social Media App

Everyone wants to be the next Twitter. Bring some creativity to this project. If you could build a social media platform, what would you change? Your social media app should:

  • Let users create and log into accounts 
  • Provide interactivity between users
  • Store information within a database

9. E-Commerce App

Do you dream of eventually selling things through your full stack application ideas? Consider building an e-commerce app to do so. An e-commerce app is just a digital storefront. Your e-commerce app should:

  • Pull products from a database
  • Let users create accounts and purchase products
  • Change product information, such as quantities, as items are purchased

Stuck on developing a payment processor? Paypal and Stripe have easy-to-use processing APIs that you can integrate.

10. Job Board

Maybe you don't want to build full-stack portfolio projects. Maybe you want to help other people get jobs. A job board can be a fun project, although you need to keep it updated. It should:

  • Pull job information from a database
  • Display job information based on search criteria and filters
  • Let users save certain jobs or even respond to them

If you want to make this job board autonomous, consider programming it to scrape information from other sites.

These projects aren't likely to become a "full project" that you can make money from—but they're a great way to show off your skills. In reality, you can take any of the MERN stack project ideas and give them a clever twist.

  • Advanced Full-Stack Portfolio Projects

What if you want to build something that has the potential to become a usable app or business? Let's look at some advanced full-stack projects that will stretch your programming muscles.

11. A Real-Time Game App

Do you have a burning idea for a game that you've passionately pursued full-stack development to achieve? The time is now. To qualify as a game, your project should:

  • Support user accounts and user data through a database
  • Provide some interactivity or gameplay elements
  • Have clear goals or provide some state of "winning" or "losing"
  • Provide a profit model, either through subscription or in-app purchases
  • Operate both as a desktop application and a mobile application

12. Workout Tracker App

Tracking workouts or exercises puts an interesting spin on a regular scheduling app. You can do this with any type of recurring hobby. Develop an app that will:

  • Support user accounts and customization with authentication
  • Schedule workouts/hobbies and reschedule missed sessions
  • Let users determine the frequency and preferred scheduling of their workouts
  • Connect users through support groups and competitive teams
  • Intelligently send users reminders and alerts

13. Video Calling App

Video is now ubiquitous. But just ten years ago, video calling was exhausting. Think about how you could make the process of video calling easier. Create a video calling app that can:

  • Let users log in to their accounts and connect with those on their contact list.
  • Support multiple users within the same video conferencing room.
  • Store video calls, on request, for reference later.
  • Support one-on-one calls scheduled between users.
  • Provide additional features such as text chats.

14. Image Sharing App

You've seen Instagram and Imgur. It's time to make your own image-sharing app. Image sharing isn't just popular; there are a lot of potential niches to fill. 

An image sharing app:

  • Let users upload, store, and manage images
  • Provide filters so users can update and edit their images
  • Compress images intelligently for better performance
  • Automatically prune unused images of abandoned images
  • Lets users pay for more space on or other premium features

15. Collaborative Editing App

This full-stack project tests whether you're ready to create a real-time application. A collaborative editing app will need to:

  • Support multiple users in a single room editing a file
  • Alert users if they are trying to edit something someone else has edited
  • Combine edits intelligently or lock files when they are being edited
  • Provide easy roll-backs to prior versions of a file
  • Authenticate users and support multiple permission types (such as viewer and editor)

Even with advanced projects, you'll still need to get a little creative to give each project some value. But if you can figure out something unique, you could build something marketable.

  • Create Your Own Full Stack Project

With enough time and determination, you can build anything you’ve seen on the web. Find a website that you think you can improve. Do you think you can develop a better scheduling system? A better clicker game? Any amount of practice will make you a better—and more hireable—developer.

When you develop a portfolio, you ideally want to show off your skills. Don't obsess too much about making sure that your project is unique. Instead, focus on getting every element correct. Choose portfolio products with clean designs, interface with a database (or another source of data), and provide authentication.

It's better to build a simple project perfectly than to build an advanced project poorly.

The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp

  • Start Learning Full Stack Development Today

Not confident about your full-stack skills? Maybe it's time to learn more. Before you dive deep into full-stack project ideas, consider taking a full-stack Bootcamp, full-stack refresher course, or a full-stack certification path.

Many online full-stack bootcamps and courses will also include projects that you can use to further develop your portfolio.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Full Stack Projects?

Full-stack projects are web applications that use the full range of web development technologies, from the front-end to the back-end. Frequently, they use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

2. How Do You Start a Full Stack Project?

Before starting your project, you need basic knowledge of front-end and back-end technologies. You should also have a development environment, such as Visual Studio Code.

People are also reading:

  • Best Web Development Courses
  • Best Web Development IDE
  • What is Web Application Architecture?
  • How to Become a Backend Developer?
  • How to Become a Web Developer?
  • Top Javascript Frameworks
  • How to Learn Javascript Quickly?
  • Best PHP Frameworks
  • Best Java Frameworks
  • PHP Cheat Sheet
  • Top PHP Alternatives

programming project ideas for resume

Gaurav was one of the earliest software developers at SlideShare-LinkedIn which was followed by working for companies like Naukri.com, Educomp, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research etc. He is a techie not only by profession but also my passion and believes that going online is the future of education.

Subscribe to our Newsletter for Articles, News, & Jobs.

Disclosure: Hackr.io is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In this article

  • GitHub Copilot vs Amazon CodeWhisperer | Who's Best in 2024? Artificial Intelligence (AI) Code Editors IDEs AI Tools
  • 10 Python Concepts I Wish I Knew Earlier For Interviews [2024] Python Career Development Interview Questions
  • 7 Best AI Coding Assistants In 2024 [Free + Paid] Artificial Intelligence (AI) Code Editors IDEs AI Tools

Please login to leave comments

Always be in the loop.

Get news once a week, and don't worry — no spam.

{{ errors }}

{{ message }}

  • Help center
  • We ❤️ Feedback
  • Advertise / Partner
  • Write for us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Refund Policy

Disclosure: This page may contain affliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

  • Mini Projects
  • Web Development
  • Career Guidance
  • Developer Essentials
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Programming Languages
  • Crio Community
  • In the News

7 Best Java Projects For Resume - Get Started Today

7 Best Java Projects For Resume - Get Started Today

“Our world, moved by Java” - Take a moment to ponder over this expression.

One of the most widely used programming languages, Java is used as the server-side language for most back-end development projects, including those involving big data and Android development . Java is also commonly used for desktop computing, other mobile computing, games, and numerical computing. The popularity of Java is further evidenced with 90% of all Fortune 500 companies using Java.

4 reasons why software companies prefer Java for building enterprise applications

  • The software industry embraced Java because it made development a pleasure, solved problems with distribution, and removed the pain of constantly porting across platforms.
  • Since it is an object-oriented language; it’s robust and secure. Java programs are compiled independent of the platform in bytecode language which allows the same program to run on any machine that has a JVM installed. This is a natural and pragmatic approach to software design. Java objects encapsulate data and behavior so that code can be reused, which makes testing and troubleshooting easier.

programming project ideas for resume

  • Java’s usefulness compounded when people realized how it could solve their problems on servers – bringing productivity, performance, and scalability to new levels.
  • From internet distribution of software to server-side scaling of multi-tier architecture to taking advantage of constantly improving hardware architectures – to the cloud-native deployments, and a whole lot more, Java has established its supremacy over other languages.
“Time invested in learning the Java programming language is time well-spent.”

Companies will have a preference for applicants who have a passion for computer science. Showing that you have personal computer science projects is one of the best ways to show that you have a passion for the job, and are not just there for a paycheck.

programming project ideas for resume

Many developers have their own side projects, so don’t be left behind.

Download 20+ industry-relevant projects [free]

Top 7 interesting java mini projects for cse.

programming project ideas for resume

1. Notes & Password Manager

programming project ideas for resume

Password managing and note-taking are some of the most overlooked virtual activities in today's digital age. Various companies are constantly adding new features to note-taking and password management.

So, instead of having and maintaining two different apps in your system, you will be developing a single app that can perform both of these activities.

Notes & Password Manager is an android application that can be used to take notes anytime and generate strong passwords whenever you need to create new passwords.

First part of the app i.e. the note making app may be mainstream for some of you developers, but the password management part is an interesting way to level up your Android Development skills.

Blog Bonus: Learn to choose the right projects and get started right away [Free Guide]

2. contact app android.

programming project ideas for resume

The main aim is to build a Contact Application which will allow users to register/login, locally store contact details such as name, contact photo, phone number, and help in deleting/managing contacts in a simpler way. Moreover, this app will also have call functionality as well. This project employs usage of SQLite3 database for local storage of data.

This project will help you build apps that are heavily database dependent and also help you get an enhanced experience of using various viewing widgets available in Android (like Recyclerview here)

Build a bookmarks keeper in 10 hours and grow your skills in SQLite, Bash scripting, Conditional statements, and more - Check it out!

programming project ideas for resume

Advance your project building skills by building a ToDo web app. This project will enhance your knowledge in databases and web development.

programming project ideas for resume

3. Breakout Ball Game

programming project ideas for resume

Java is widely used by game development companies and for creating mobile games. And this fact shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given how versatile the language is and given its rich collection of open-source material.

Many of the world’s top mobile games have been developed in Java. Minecraft, Mission Impossible III, and Asphalt 6 are just a few popular names you are probably familiar with.

In Breakout Ball Game , a layer of bricks lines the top third of the screen and the goal is to destroy them all. A ball moves straight around the screen, bouncing off the top and two sides of the screen. When a brick is hit, the ball bounces back and the brick is destroyed. The player loses a turn when the ball touches the bottom of the screen; to prevent this from happening, the player has a horizontally movable paddle to bounce the ball upward, keeping it in play. The player uses the platform to keep the ball running. The goal is to break the bricks without missing the ball with your platform.

programming project ideas for resume

Build another cool game using Python - Multiplayer Connect4

Learn how to add your projects in your resume - Definitive guide with Free Resume Template

4. quizup - a quiz application.

programming project ideas for resume

The quiz format for exams has been standard for a long time and still persists to be. The reason for this is -  the efficiency and feasibility it carries with it.

What if you could build one? This project aids you to build a simple Android application where students can take their tests in a quiz format. The application is developed using Java and integrated with Firebase.

programming project ideas for resume

Here, Firebase will not only be used for deployment but more importantly the student (examinee) data will be stored, manipulated and the results can be fetched accordingly.

More projects to learn Firebase essentials

programming project ideas for resume

20 Best Mini Project Topics. Complete them by following the step-by-step instructions. Download Projects [Free]

Don’t miss! More Android project ideas

programming project ideas for resume

5. Library Management System

programming project ideas for resume

Management systems are used in all institutions. It may be digital (software) or analog (record books/ledgers), but everybody surely uses it.

Today data is power.

But having said so this data should also be well-managed for clean and accurate data to exist at all times.

One such system is the Library Management System , which is used to keep a record of books present in a library. This system consists of information regarding Books, where we can perform all the operations that are required in an actual system such as CRUD operation, advanced search, book issuing, and also to store the information (in an encrypted format) within files using the process known as Serialization .

programming project ideas for resume

Learn concepts like serialization, deserialization, and CRUD operations by building real-world projects - Download NOW

6. bfit-a cognitive game.

programming project ideas for resume

People spend hours at the gym, lifting weights, doing cardio exercises, and following proper diets to keep their bodies physically fit. But what do people do to keep their brains in shape?

Brain exercise is an approach to train the brain to perform at optimum levels and be sharp and strong even as old age acts to deteriorate your memory. This game is like an exercise for the brain. Games of these kinds are categorically termed as cognitive games.

programming project ideas for resume

bFit cognitive game is a reflex-memory testing game. Which means the user has to follow along and click the colored (green) tiles as they keep popping. There will be a scoreboard keeping track of your clicks :p

The app can also be found at the Amazon store . If you face some issues with the Amazon store, you can download Bfit_2.32 from here instead.

Work on these 5 internship-grade projects and land a job in backend or full-stack - Guaranteed!

7. Customer Relationship Manager

programming project ideas for resume

Customer Relationship Manager web application is widely used by managers to store, retrieve and modify their customers' information.

Spring is one of the best frameworks for backend development while working on Java since it uses the MVC design pattern . For the front-end side, HTML, and CSS has been used here. The purpose of the Spring framework is to allow designers and developers to focus on building a unique feature for their web-based projects rather than re-inventing the wheel by using the very basics of Java.

Learn how to work with Spring Boot by completing a series of fun activities. Check it out →

After completion of the project, you will learn how to use CRUD operations, MVC design pattern and Object-relational mapping framework (by connecting the Back End web app to a database) majorly.

You will also be familiarised with HTML, CSS languages by then. The main context of this project is to learn building a web based CRUD application using Spring MVC.

programming project ideas for resume

Blog Bonus: Learn how to craft a killer Software Developer Resume. Download Now and Get a Free Resume Template

21 skills to gain from the above java projects.

programming project ideas for resume

  • Java Swing - Swing in Java is a lightweight GUI toolkit that has a wide variety of widgets for building optimized window-based applications. It is built on top of the AWT API.
  • Java AWT - The Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) is Java's original platform-dependent windowing, graphics, and user-interface widget toolkit, preceding Swing.
  • JFrame - A frame, implemented as an instance of the JFrame class, is a window that has decorations such as a border, a title, and supports button components that close or iconify the window.
  • JPanel - The JPanel is the simplest container class. It provides space in which an application can attach any other component. It inherits the JComponents class.
  • SQLite - SQLite is an open-source relational database i.e. used to perform database operations on Android devices such as storing, manipulating, or retrieving persistent data from the database. It is embedded in Android by default. So, there is no need to perform any database setup or administration task.
  • Recyclerview in Android - The RecyclerView is a widget that is a more flexible and advanced version of GridView and ListView. It is a container for displaying large datasets which can be scrolled efficiently by maintaining a limited number of views. The RecyclerView class extends the ViewGroup class and implements the ScrollingView interface. It is mostly used to design the user interface with fine-grain control over the lists and grids of Android applications.
  • Firebase - Often used for deployment purposes, here you will be using it for more pressing applications like authentication and data handling.
  • Spring Framework - Spring is the most popular application development framework for enterprise Java. Millions of developers around the world use Spring Framework to create high-performing, easily testable, and reusable code. It is an open-source Java platform. Currently, Spring Boot is in high demand in the enterprise world for high availability and scalability purposes.
  • Spring core - Spring Core is the core module that comes with an embedded servlet container (IOC Container) and would facilitate the core functionalities of spring. You can think of Spring Core as the core engine on which other modules would run.
  • Spring MVC - A Spring MVC is a Java framework that is used to develop web applications. It follows the Model-View-Controller design pattern. It implements all the primary features of a core spring framework like Inversion of Control, Dependency Injection.
  • Hibernate - Hibernate ORM is an object-relational mapping tool for the Java programming language . It provides a framework for mapping an object-oriented domain model to a relational database. Spring and Hibernate are two of the hottest and most in-demand web frameworks in the Java world and also two of the most essential skills for any Java programmer to get a job in the web development space.
  • JDBC - Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is an application programming interface (API) for the programming language Java, which defines how a client may access a database. It is part of the Java Standard Edition platform, from Oracle Corporation.
  • ORM Framework - Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a programming technique in which a metadata descriptor is used to connect object code to a relational database. It transforms data between type systems that are unable to coexist within relational databases and OOP languages.
  • Maven - Maven is a popular open-source build tool developed by the Apache Group to build, publish, and deploy different projects at once for better project management. The tool allows developers to build and document the lifecycle framework.
  • JSP - JavaServer Pages (JSP) is a Java standard technology that allows developers to write dynamic, data-driven pages for their Java web applications. It is developed on top of the Java Servlet specification.
  • HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an application-layer protocol for transferring hypermedia documents, such as HTML. It was built for interaction between web browsers and web servers, but it can also be used for different purposes.
  • MySQL - MySQL is a relational database management system based on SQL – Structured Query Language. It is used for a broad range of applications, including data warehousing, logging applications, and e-commerce.
  • Java Collections API - The Java Collections API provides Java developers with a collection of classes and interfaces that makes it simpler to work with a collection of objects, e.g. lists, maps, stacks etc.
  • Serialization - Serialization in Java is a mechanism of writing the state of an object into a byte-stream (to store the book data here). It is mainly used in Hibernate, RMI, JPA, EJB, and JMS technologies. The reverse operation of serialization is called deserialization where a byte-stream is converted into an object (to access the book data from stored files).
  • Splash Screens - Splash screens are typically used by particularly large applications to notify the user that the program is in the process of loading. They provide feedback that a lengthy process is underway. Occasionally, a progress bar within the splash screen indicates the loading progress.
  • Multithreading in Java - This is a process of executing two or more threads simultaneously to maximize utilization of the CPU. A multithreaded operating system may run several background tasks, such as logging file changes, indexing data, and managing windows at the same time. This is a very important and hot theory skill needed in especially Java industries.

Check out more projects to strengthen your Database Management skills

programming project ideas for resume

Did you find this useful? Hit a like and tell us in the comments which project you are going to start doing today.

Don't miss out on more

20+ unique resume-worthy mini projects to add to your resume.

What you’ll find inside: Projects in Python, Java, Machine Learning. Covering skills such as

  • Bot building
  • Serialization-Deserialization
  • Android basics

Complete all projects by following the step-by-step instructions given :)

programming project ideas for resume

Written by Kevin Paulose

You might also like.

Mini Projects for Computer Science Engineers

Mini Projects for Computer Science Engineers

5 Python Projects Explained Step-By-Step, Get Started Today

5 Python Projects Explained Step-By-Step, Get Started Today

A Comprehensive List Of Web Development Projects

A Comprehensive List Of Web Development Projects

Trending Android Projects - Explained step by step

Trending Android Projects - Explained step by step

Building a Decoupled Voice Assistant

Building a Decoupled Voice Assistant

Top 10 Final Year Projects for Computer Science Students

Top 10 Final Year Projects for Computer Science Students

Interview Rounds at RideCell (Backend Internship)

Interview Rounds at RideCell (Backend Internship)

Python Projects for Beginners - With Step by Step Instructions

Python Projects for Beginners - With Step by Step Instructions

IMAGES

  1. 9 Great Programming Projects for a Resume (Examples)

    programming project ideas for resume

  2. Resume Of Programmer

    programming project ideas for resume

  3. Including Your Programming Projects on a Resume

    programming project ideas for resume

  4. 10 Great Programming Projects to Improve Your Resume and Learn to Program

    programming project ideas for resume

  5. 9 Great Programming Projects for a Resume (Examples)

    programming project ideas for resume

  6. 5 Programmer Resume Examples for 2022 (2022)

    programming project ideas for resume

VIDEO

  1. Blow Away Your Interviewers with These Performance Tips & Trade-Off Insights

  2. 30 Exciting Python Project Ideas

  3. Programming language I would learn as a beginner in 2024 and why. #ai #ml #beginner #programming

  4. How to build projects (the perfect guide) #project #programming #coding

  5. 7 Programming Project Ideas

  6. My best coding project!

COMMENTS

  1. 14 Programming Side Projects To Boost Your Resume (With Examples)

    Here is a list of 14 programming side projects you can make to help strengthen your resume: 1. Gaming app. Gaming apps can emphasize your skills as a programmer because there are many aspects involved in designing a game. You can first learn how to program a simple gaming app, which can show you have general programming skills with data ...

  2. 9 Great Programming Projects for a Resume (Examples)

    And to answer your question—yes, non-game companies will be interested in this. Programming skills that you can prove: SDK, 3D animation, modelling, coding (Python, C++, JavaScript) Read more: Employability Skills for a Resume.

  3. 7 Programming Projects for Your Resume

    Here's our list of computer science (CS) projects to add to your resume: 1. An online portfolio. Creating an online portfolio is one of the most basic requirements for programmers because it allows you to show off your skills and make your personal website as simple or as complex as you want.

  4. Programming Project Ideas: 22+ Top Side Projects for Software Engineers

    Having a few side projects on your resume demonstrates to recruiters and hiring managers the critical ability to follow through on a task. It also shows a commitment to continuous learning and personal development. Let's look at a few excellent programming project ideas that you can start today to develop your skills as a software engineer.

  5. Programming Projects for Resume: Tips & Examples

    Sep 8, 2022 • 10 min read. Quick Answer: Including programming projects on your resume is a great way to show off your skills and stand out to potential employers. A programming project can be anything you've created using programming languages, such as apps, websites, or engines. It should be relevant, realistic, and complete.

  6. 15+ Top Coding Projects To List On Your Resume

    Choose what is relevant to you before you start. We have listed 15 categories of best programming projects to list in your resume where you will find many project ideas under each of them. 1. A website. Creating a website would be a great project if you're interested in web development.

  7. 10 Programming projects to boost your resume

    How to tell if coding projects will help your resume. Put yourself in your interviewer's shoes. Chance are, you are one of hundreds of applicants for this job. The interviewer is tired. They have limited time and energy to spend on each applicant. They probably won't read your resume before the interview.

  8. Python Project Ideas to Improve Your Résumé

    Python Project Ideas. 1. Server Status Checker. A server status checker is a script that will let you monitor if your server is active and running. It can show you how much downtime your server has had and give you regular updates of its performance. It'll also send immediate alerts when server is down.

  9. 9 Great Programming Projects to Boost Your Tech Career

    Programming projects involve applying programming skills and knowledge to create a functional and effective software solution, such as: creating a website or web application. developing a mobile app. building a game. designing a database system. or automating repetitive tasks using scripts.

  10. The 2022 Guide & A-Z Tips for Writing Programming Projects for Resume

    Make a section ' Personal Projects ' and follow the below-given steps to make a positive impression on the recruiter. Begin with the name of the project or write project description in one line. E.g., Weather Forecast App for Android/Ios. Follow this by the ' Tech stack/environment ' and list all the technologies used.

  11. How to Show Off Programming Projects on a Resume

    There are two common ways to add a programming project to your resume. 1. Your first option is to add your project to the work history section of your resume. This can be helpful if you're writing an entry-level resume and you don't have much professional experience.

  12. Programmer Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

    4. How to List Programming Projects on Your Resume. You're a programmer, so your career isn't just about 9-to-5 jobs, it's about projects, too. A good list of programming projects on your resume is one of the things the hiring managers expect. So, add a "Projects" section below your work experience. Focus on your relevant projects.

  13. 12 Unique Python Project Ideas for Your Resume

    Python offers a wide range of libraries to perform computer vision tasks. Out of all the libraries, OpenCV is one of the best that you can use. Check out this tutorial to get some insight into the libraries. 6. GUI. GUI development is so useful and can be a great project for your resume.

  14. Including Your Programming Projects on a Resume

    Here is a list of some project ideas you could add to your resume. Websites you've worked on or developed. An online portfolio. Gaming AI (artificial intelligence) Mobile apps. Facial recognition software. Front-end or back-end web development. Most experienced programmers have worked on many projects.

  15. 10 Great Programming Projects to Improve Your Resume and Learn to

    Entertainment 1. A web scraper that posts top 10 blogs without human intervention. One of the issues we find with some project recommendation posts, is that they recommend projects that aren't implemented in a way that excites the programmer to continue development.

  16. Programming Projects to Boost your Resume

    Project 6: Build a Machine Learning Algorithm. If you are looking to get into data science or machine learning as a programmer, one of the best programming projects for your resume would be a machine learning algorithm. You could start small and create a simple algorithm in Python or R .

  17. 12+ Best Programming Projects to Improve Your Resume

    6. A data analysis model. Models for data analysis are in great demand, and what's more, it's not that hard to create one if you have a dataset. To further improve your self-presentation, create several data models that will work on the principle of regression analysis and classification. 7.

  18. 37 Coding Project Ideas for the Uninspired Programmer

    8 Coding Projects for Daily Use. Weather forecast: Create an app or website that reports the current and future weather to the user. Make it visually appealing. Add real-time updates and notifications! Password generator: Password insecurity is a problem worldwide. Help solve this by generating strong, hard-to-crack passwords whenever the user ...

  19. 9 Programmer Resume Examples for 2024

    Entry-level programmer resume . Use your objective to showcase how your strengths and skills make you a great fit for the role, even if you're short on experience. Include programming projects you've worked on, whether for college or as a personal project. Even adding relevant hobbies or interests to your resume could be appropriate.

  20. 10 Best Web Development Projects For Your Resume

    Now, we will discuss the 10 Best Web Development Projects For Your Resume.So let's get started. 1. E-Commerce. E-Commerce is something that most web developers must have tried. The application comes with multiple features like login/sign in, product lists, order summary, discount offers, profile section, cart items, creating payment gateway, search bar, and many more which is possible with ...

  21. 15 Fun Full Stack Project Ideas to Build Your Portfolio in 2024

    This full-stack project should let the user: Store, retrieve, and modify "to do" information within a database. View "to do" information in a clean, attractive format. View the application on a mobile computer or desktop computer. 2. Calculator. A calculator is a great chance to develop your layout skills.

  22. 20 Amazing Java Project Ideas That Will Boost Your Programming ...

    This is a wrap-up of our top 20 beginner-friendly Java project ideas aimed at helping any programmer chart a successful career path in programming. The projects are quite easy to DIY.

  23. 7 Best Java Projects For Resume

    Top 7 Interesting Java Projects. 1. Notes & Password Manager. Java projects - notes & password manager. Password managing and note-taking are some of the most overlooked virtual activities in today's digital age. Various companies are constantly adding new features to note-taking and password management.