How to List GitHub on Your Resume — The Definitive Answer

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GitHub is a code hosting platform allowing you to work and collaborate on projects.

Therefore, it shows recruiters that you have basic knowledge of software version control systems.

However, if there are no professional projects on your GitHub, tough hiring managers might disregard your profile completely.

The reason is that they would want to see your coding skills in a professional setting rather than something of a hobby.

Although, they could turn the other cheek and still go through your profile regardless.

If there is professional work on your profile, it can still be hard for a recruiter to differentiate between personal and professional unless properly specified. 

So, is it a good idea to list GitHub on your resume? Let’s find out!

 

Should you list GitHub on a resume?

GitHub should be added to a resume if it is relevant to the job description and if you have at least one good project on it. It shows that you are a good software engineer and that you participate actively in the software developing community. 

If your profile is active, GitHub is a great way to demonstrate your potential and problem-solving skills that may be hard to do so through just a resume. 

It gives hiring officials a clear idea of your technical skills and evidence of your software developing skills.

It also shows you contribute to open-source projects.

This is important because most software engineering companies use GitHub.

Overall, it is a good idea to mention GitHub on your resume.

With that in mind, where do you add it?

 

How to add GitHub link in resume

You can list your GitHub link with the rest of your contact details, in the ‘Projects’ section if you have other projects you want to mention, or in the ‘Technical Skills’ section. You can also add it in your professional summary or with your other sites.

Similar to LinkedIn, your GitHub link can be placed with your other contact details. 

If you choose to add it in the ‘Projects’ section as well, you can first link your profile and then to a project in the ‘Projects’ part.

If not, add the Github link of your project directly in the ‘Contact’ section.

The reason that it is important to link a project and not just your profile is that it may be confusing to navigate, and they should see the project directly.

When adding GitHub in the ‘Projects’ section, make sure to specify the project’s name and add project details.

Underneath the project name and details, add the link to the project code.

 

Above “GitHub link on a resume example 1”

 

How to get the Github profile link for a resume

After logging in, click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the Github web-page. The drop-down menu will list ‘profile’. Click this, and then you will be taken to your profile page. You can copy the profile link from the address bar, and paste it into your resume.

 

Where is the profile link in Github?

The profile link is in the drop-down menu which can be accessed by clicking your circular profile picture on the Github website. 

Once you click ‘profile’ and are on your profile page, the link is in the web page’s address bar at the top of your web browser. 

GitHub link on a resume example 1

 

 

Just like self-taught skills, you can have a ‘Technical Skills’ portion. 

Add a line of description to each technical skill and then you can add the URL to one or two of your GitHub projects.

Once again, it is important to link to a GitHub project and not your main profile.

 

GitHub link on a resume example 2

 

 

If you want to add some detail about your GitHub experience, you can add it in your professional summary at the top of the resume.

Mention how GitHub contributes to your work or achievements.

Although, it would be better to save a GitHub explanation for a cover letter if you are asked for one.

 

GitHub on a resume example 3

 

 
Lastly, if you have any other sites that you have published, you can dedicate a section to them and add your GitHub project URL there.

 

GitHub on a resume example 4

 

Websites

johndoe.blog.com

johndoedeveloping.com

github.io/johndoe_/Website2021

 

Now that you know where to put GitHub on your resume, here are some tips on how to make a GitHub project as presentable as possible.

Top tips for adding GitHub to a resume

Choose one relevant project to link to. Select a project (or maximum two) that is relevant to the job description and that is preferably a professional, not a personal one. 

It is essential to link a project and not your profile because it saves the recruiter time.

Make sure your GitHub directory structure is neat.

Your directory structure is the ‘umbrella’ for all your files and folders so it should be properly organized for the recruiter to go through it with no difficulties.

Add a ReadMe file to help recruiters understand what your code does and how to run or test the application.

It should also be easy for the recruiter to open your project and navigate through it.

A ReadMe document can aid greatly in clarifying the purpose of the application and how to use it.

Keep in mind that hiring managers are busy and do not have the time to figure out how your project works on their own.

 

Don’t forget to make the code easy to read

Clean up your code and make it as easy to read as possible in case the hiring manager just wants a quick look at the code you’ve written.

Not all recruiters go into the depth of GitHub projects, they usually use it only as a reference for coding abilities.

 

GitHub on a resume example 5

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions about “Github on a resume”

 

Should I add Github in my resume?

Github should be added to a resume if you have relevant projects to share with an employer. For those in the technology field, showing past projects is a great way to prove your expertise. If an employer requests examples of previous projects, Github is a professional way to include them.  

 

How to mention Github on my resume?

When linking to a Github page, you can list it in two ways. You can add a link to a specific project from your Github in your projects section on your resume, or you can link to your general Github profile page in the technical skills section, alongside how many years you have been using Github. 

 

How to share a Github repository link on a resume?

Click on your profile picture on the top-right corner of Github’s website. In the drop-down menu, you will see ‘Your Repositories’. Click this, and then click on the repository you wish to include. Then, copy the link in the address bar at the top of the web browser and paste it into your resume.

 

Should I link my Github profile page or link directly to the project page?

If you have a relevant project to share with an employer, it would be best to link to the project directly. This is typical if an employer is seeking an employee for a specific project. If an employer is seeking someone generally familiar with coding, it is best to link to your profile page.