Recruiters often spend only a few seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to read further. In those seconds, your resume must show that you fit the job. Many capable candidates miss interview calls not because they lack ability, but because their resume is unclear, cluttered or generic.
Here is how to write a resume that gets noticed — whether you are a fresher or experienced.
Key takeaways
- A resume's job is to win an interview, not to tell your entire life story.
- Tailor your resume to each role using keywords from the job description.
- Show achievements with numbers wherever possible.
- Keep the format clean, simple and readable by applicant tracking systems.
- Proofread carefully; small errors create big doubts.
Keep the format clean
- Length: one page for freshers and early-career candidates; two pages for experienced professionals.
- Layout: simple and readable, with clear headings and consistent fonts.
- File: save as PDF unless the employer asks otherwise, and name it professionally — "Rahul-Sharma-Resume.pdf".
- Avoid: heavy graphics, photos unless requested, tables that confuse applicant tracking systems, and unusual fonts.
Section 1: Contact details
Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, city, and LinkedIn profile if you have one. Use an email address based on your name, not a nickname.
Section 2: Professional summary
Write two or three lines summarising who you are, your key skills and what you are looking for. Tailor it to the job.
Example: "Commerce graduate with strong Excel and Tally skills and six months of internship experience in accounts. Looking for an accounts executive role in Indore where I can contribute to accurate bookkeeping and GST compliance."
Section 3: Skills
List skills relevant to the job — technical skills, software, languages and soft skills. Be honest; you may be tested in the interview. Group them clearly:
- Technical: Tally, MS Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), GST basics.
- Digital: Google Workspace, AI tools for productivity.
- Languages: Hindi, English.
My article on AI skills for job seekers explains skills employers increasingly value.
Section 4: Experience with results
For each role, list the job title, company, location and dates, followed by three to five bullet points. Focus on results rather than duties:
- Weak: "Responsible for handling customer calls."
- Strong: "Handled around 60 customer calls daily, resolving most queries on the first call."
Use action verbs: managed, improved, created, handled, increased, reduced, trained. Include numbers where honest and possible.
Section 5: Projects and internships (especially for freshers)
Freshers can show ability through internships, college projects, volunteer work, freelance work or personal projects. Describe what you did and what you learned or achieved.
Section 6: Education
List degrees, institutions, years and, if strong, percentages or CGPA. Include relevant certifications and courses.
Tailor every resume
Read the job description carefully and adjust your summary, skills and experience bullets to match the requirements. Use the same keywords the employer uses — many companies use software that screens resumes for relevant terms. A tailored resume performs far better than one generic version sent everywhere.
Be honest
Never invent experience, qualifications or certificates. Background checks and interviews quickly reveal false claims, and dishonesty can permanently damage your reputation. If you use AI to improve wording, make sure the content stays truthful and in your own voice.
Common mistakes recruiters reject
- Spelling and grammar errors.
- Unprofessional email addresses.
- Long paragraphs instead of bullet points.
- Generic objectives like "to work in a reputed company".
- Missing contact details or wrong phone numbers.
- Irrelevant personal details such as father's occupation or full home address.
- Inconsistent dates or unexplained gaps (briefly explain gaps if needed).
Check before sending
- Read it aloud to catch errors.
- Ask a friend or mentor to review it.
- Check formatting on a phone — many recruiters read on mobile.
- Confirm the file opens correctly.
Send it professionally
When applying by email or WhatsApp, include a short, polite message mentioning the role, your key qualification and your availability for an interview. Apply directly to genuine employers and never pay anyone to "forward" your resume. Read how to spot fake job offers.
After the call
A resume gets you the interview; preparation gets you the job. See my interview tips for freshers.
Ask for feedback before you apply widely
Before sending your resume to dozens of employers, ask two or three people to review it — a senior in your field, a teacher or mentor, and a friend who works in hiring if possible. Ask them what stands out, what is confusing and what is missing. You can also use AI tools to check grammar and suggest clearer wording, but always review suggestions carefully and keep everything truthful. A resume reviewed by others usually becomes shorter, clearer and more convincing, which directly improves your chances of getting interview calls.
Resume structure that works
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, phone, professional email, city, LinkedIn or portfolio |
| Summary | 2–3 lines on who you are and the value you bring |
| Skills | Relevant technical and soft skills matching the role |
| Experience | Roles, responsibilities and measurable achievements |
| Projects | Especially important for freshers |
| Education | Degrees, institutions, years, notable scores |
| Certifications | Relevant courses and certifications |
Writing strong achievement points
Use action verbs and results: instead of "responsible for social media", write "grew the Instagram account from 2,000 to 10,000 followers in eight months through a weekly content plan". Instead of "handled customers", write "resolved an average of 40 customer queries per day with a high satisfaction score". Even freshers can show achievements from projects, internships, college events and volunteering.
Applicant tracking systems
Many companies use software to filter resumes. Use standard section headings, avoid complex tables or images for key information, save as PDF unless asked otherwise and include keywords naturally from the job description. Do not stuff keywords; a human will read your resume after the software does.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid long paragraphs, unprofessional email addresses, irrelevant personal details, outdated objectives, inconsistent formatting and exaggerations you cannot explain in an interview. Keep your resume to one page as a fresher and two pages for most experienced roles.
Frequently asked questions
Should a resume have a photo?
It depends on the country and employer. Many Indian employers accept photos, but they are not required by most private companies.
How long should a fresher's resume be?
One page is usually ideal.
Should I write a different resume for each job?
Tailor key sections such as summary, skills and top achievements for each role.
Is a cover letter necessary?
When requested, yes. A short, specific cover letter can also help for competitive roles.
Should I use a resume template?
Simple, clean templates are fine. Avoid heavy graphics that confuse tracking systems.
Should I include hobbies on my resume?
Only if they are relevant or show useful qualities, such as leadership in a sports team or a technical hobby related to the role.
How do I explain a career gap?
Briefly and honestly. Mention any learning, freelancing, caregiving or projects during the gap and focus on your readiness now.
Final thought
Your resume is your first impression. Keep it clear, honest, tailored and focused on results. A few hours of careful work can multiply your interview calls. Watch my city-wise job updates on the videos page and apply with confidence. Read more on the teacher page.
Jitendra Wadhwani
Global Entrepreneur · AI & Tech Expert · Digital Marketing & SEO · International Business Coach
Jitendra Wadhwani is an Indian businessman and global entrepreneur who leads HYRAX COMMUNICATION PVT LTD, a 15 years trusted company, and its ventures DND Teams, Viral In City and A Property Agency. He works as an AI and tech expert, digital marketing, social media and SEO expert, international business coach, trainer and YouTuber, serving clients and audiences across India, the USA, UK, UAE, Europe and worldwide. Everything he writes comes from hands-on work with real businesses, creators and learners.