It can be challenging to write your first resume because it feels like writing a love letter to someone you do not know. You want them to like you, but you do not know what to say or how to say it.
The good news? You do not have to work for several years to impress recruiters. It is possible to create strong, effective resumes that highlight the fresher, provided they are clear, organised, and specific. And this is what this guide will teach you.
In the current job market, most recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATSs) scan resumes in seconds. Your resume should communicate what you can do rather than merely list your presence. If you’re a college graduate or just starting your job hunt, this article will take you through the entire process of creating a resume that will work.
Recruiter and ATS Selections
Before we start writing, we need to clear up one thing: resume writing is a game of communication, not bragging.
The recruiters scan resumes in less than 8 seconds and look for indicators that you are the right fit.
The software that ATS companies use to filter resumes is called an ATS system, which scans text to retrieve your skills, titles, and education. Your format might also be poorly organised, and the ATS might deny your resume even to a human.
The initial tip when writing a fresher’s resume is, therefore, to keep it simple, readable and relevant.
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Resume Template.
As a fresher, you might not have extensive work experience. No problem – recruiters will be interested in your projects, education, and skills.
Resumes come in three major formats:
Functional Format
Focus on your skills first.
Most suitable for freshers with limited or no job experience.
Combination Format
Skills: Balances: Skills with any short-term experience.
✔ Reverse Time Sequence Characterisation.
Preferably with actual work experience – not usually the case with freshers.
The tip: If you are compiling a resume anew, it is a good idea to begin with either a skills or a combination format that emphasises what you do best.
Step 2: Get Ready with Your Information.
Do not begin with writing – begin with the gathering of facts. Gather the following:
Contact information
Education specifies + GPA (in case good)
Projects, internships, volunteering.
IT expertise + interpersonal intelligence.
Qualifications and accomplishments.
Being able to write without running out of information is much easier and helps avoid leaving any loopholes.
Step 3: List Your Contact information.
This appears on the first page of your resume and must be neat and businesslike.
Include:
Full name
Phone number
Professional email
City, state
LinkedIn profile (optional)
Portfolio or GitHub (technical jobs).
Make it simple: recruiters do not need to search for how to reach you.
Step 4: Compose a compelling headline for a resume.
The headline is the elevator pitch of your resume.
A good headline conveys to the reader immediately who you are and what you are interested in.
Use this formula:
Ambition [Role] [Skill] [Evidence/Project].
Examples:
Future Software Developer | Python, Java; built an E-Commerce Website.
Entry-Level Data Analyst| Excel, SQL| College Project on Retail Trends.
Having a clear headline will help you get read out better than your experience itself.
Step 5: Compose a Powerful Objective Statement.
Your second opportunity to make a first impression is what you have to rely on in the case that you lack experience.
A strong objective:
Shows career direction
Highlights key skills
Donate what you want to give.
Example:
Software development graduate, motivated and a computer science major interested in a position in software development to utilise Python and problem-solving skills at work.
Do not make it too long, general or generic, or role-specific.
Step 6: Accentuate Your Education.
Education is the best part for freshers.
Include:
Degree name
College/University
Year of completion
GPA (if good)
Relevant coursework
Example format:
B.Tech Computer Science 202024 XYZ University (2020)
CGPA: 8.6/10
This helps recruiters get a glimpse of your education.
Step 7: User Relevant Skills (The Heart of a Fresher Resume)
Skills give recruiters a sense of what you are capable of doing. Always align them to the desired job.
There are two key skill types:
Technical Skills
They range from software, code languages, frameworks, and industry-specific methods.
Python, SQL, HTML/CSS, Photoshop, Excel.
Soft Skills
These reveal your behaviour in the workplace.
Examples: time management, communication, teamwork.
Enter job description keywords here – this helps the ATS and human readers identify matches.
Step 8: Present Projects and Internships.
Projects and internships demonstrate initiative even in the absence of formal work experience.
Use this structure:
Project/Internship Title/Organisation.
Dates
• Action + task + impact
Example:
E-Commerce Platform (College Project)
• Designed full-stack MERN web page and user authentication system, as well as product management.
This demonstrates realistic results and not mere duties, which recruiters adore.
Step 9: Add Achievements and Certifications.
This section provides the recruiters with pieces of evidence that you can go out of your way.
Add relevant and current things like:
Online course certificates
Competition wins
Academic honours
This increases credibility and content with results rather than fluff.
Step 10: Use Action Words
Whenever you are talking about something, skills, projects, roles, etc., begin every sentence with a powerful action verb.
Examples:
Developed
Implemented
Organized
Improved
Do not use weak words such as responsible, helped with, etc. Outcomes are more critical than activities.
It is far better to measure your contribution, such as increased process speed by 30 per cent, and this makes your resume jump.
Step 11: Make It ATS-Friendly
This is critical.
ATS software can read your resume as data, not a picture. So:
Standard and straightforward headings (Skills, Education, Projects).
Only use simple fonts such as Arial or Calibri.
Do not use tables, graphics or columns.
Save as PDF or Word.
An uncomplicated layout helps both bots and humans extract what matters.
Step 12: Proofread Like a Hawk
Mistakes are fatal to the credibility, despite great content.
Check:
Grammar
Spelling
Consistent formatting
Still, it is even better to have a friend or mentor revise it.
Last Checklist (Pre Saving)
Consistent headings
Keywords match job posting
One page (if possible)
Piercing, outcome-based bullets.
ATS-friendly layout
Exported as PDF
E-E-A-T
Content Created by V.Ayyappa
Photos Designed Using Adobe Photoshop
Data’s Taken From [Instagram,Quora,Reddit]
No AI Involved!
Grammer Checked by Grammerly
