Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 12 minutes
Did you know that over 85% of resumes submitted in India are rejected before a human recruiter ever reads them? Not because the candidates are unqualified — but because their resume failed an automated screening system, used the wrong format, or missed critical keywords the recruiter was looking for.
Whether you are a fresher applying for your first job, a professional updating your resume after years, or someone returning to work after a career gap — knowing how to write a resume the right way can be the single biggest factor in whether you get shortlisted or ignored.
This guide will walk you through every step of writing a powerful, ATS-friendly resume that gets results in the Indian job market in 2026. By the time you finish reading, you will have everything you need to build a resume that stands out — with real examples, a section-by-section breakdown, and a final checklist before you hit send.
Table of Contents
- Resume vs CV — What is the Difference in India?
- Best Resume Format for India in 2026
- How to Write Each Section of Your Resume — Step by Step
- How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly in India
- Resume Examples for Different Profiles in India
- Top 10 Resume Mistakes Indian Job Seekers Make
- When to Hire a Professional Resume Writing Service
- Resume Writing Checklist — Final Review Before You Send
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Resume vs CV — What is the Difference in India?
In India, the terms “resume” and “CV” are used interchangeably in everyday conversation — but they mean different things, and using the wrong one for the wrong job can hurt your chances.
| Feature | Resume | CV (Curriculum Vitae) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1–2 pages | 3–10+ pages |
| Purpose | Job applications in private sector | Academic, research, government roles |
| Content | Job-specific, tailored | Comprehensive life history |
| Updated | Customised per application | Updated with every achievement |
| Common in India | IT, banking, marketing, sales, startups | UPSC, university jobs, medical, research |
The simple rule: If you are applying to a private company, startup, MNC, or through Naukri/LinkedIn — write a resume (1–2 pages, tailored, concise). If you are applying for academic positions, government research roles, or university faculty — write a CV.
You may also have heard the term biodata in India. Biodata is a personal document (used for matrimonial or some government applications) that includes personal details like date of birth, religion, caste, and family background. It has no place in professional job applications. Never submit a biodata when a resume or CV is asked for.
2. Best Resume Format for India in 2026
There are three main resume formats. Choosing the right one before you start writing saves you from restructuring your entire document later.
Chronological Resume Format — Best for Freshers and Experienced Professionals
The chronological format lists your work experience from most recent to oldest. This is the most commonly accepted and expected format by Indian recruiters across all industries.
Use this if: You have consistent work experience (even if limited), are a fresher, or are applying to mainstream private sector jobs.
Structure:
- Contact information
- Resume summary or objective
- Work experience (reverse chronological)
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications / Projects
Over 80% of Indian job seekers should use this format. If you are unsure, default to chronological.
Functional Resume Format — When Career Changers Should Use It
The functional format leads with skills and achievements rather than job titles and dates. It de-emphasises when and where you worked, and focuses on what you can do.
Use this if: You are making a major career switch (e.g., from engineering to marketing), have significant employment gaps, or are re-entering the workforce after a break.
Warning: Many Indian ATS systems and recruiters are unfamiliar with or sceptical of functional resumes. If you use this format, make sure your skills section is extremely specific and backed by real examples.
Combination Format — For Senior Professionals with 8+ Years of Experience
The combination format blends the best of both: it opens with a strong skills summary, then provides a full chronological work history. This gives senior professionals a way to lead with their strongest value proposition before the recruiter sees the details.
Use this if: You have 8+ years of experience, are applying for leadership or CXO roles, or want to highlight specialised expertise prominently.
3. How to Write Each Section of Your Resume — Step by Step
This is the core of writing a great resume. Let us go through each section in the order they should appear, with India-specific guidance and real examples for each.
Step 1: Contact Information — What to Include (and What NOT to Include in India)
Your contact section should be clean and professional. Here is exactly what to include:
Include:
- Full name (in slightly larger font — 14–16pt)
- Mobile number (with +91 prefix for international applications)
- Professional email address
- City and state (e.g., “Bengaluru, Karnataka”)
- LinkedIn profile URL (shortened)
- GitHub / Portfolio link (for tech and design roles only)
Do NOT include:
- Photograph (outdated, creates unconscious bias, rejected by many ATS systems)
- Date of birth
- Religion or caste
- Marital status
- Father’s name
- Full home address with pin code
Many Indian job seekers still include a passport-style photo and personal details like DOB and father’s name. This is a legacy practice from government job applications. For private sector jobs in 2026, leave all of this out.
Example contact section:
Priya Sharma
+91 98765 43210 | priya.sharma@gmail.com
Bengaluru, Karnataka | linkedin.com/in/priyasharma
Step 2: Resume Summary or Objective — Which One and How to Write It
One of the most common resume questions: should you write a summary or an objective?
Resume Objective = For freshers and candidates with less than 2 years of experience. It states what you are looking for and what you bring to the role.
Resume Summary = For professionals with 3+ years of experience. It summarises your experience, key skills, and the value you bring — in 3–4 sentences.
Fresher objective example:
“Motivated B.Tech Computer Science graduate from VIT University (2024) with strong foundation in Python, data structures, and REST APIs. Completed internship at XYZ Technologies where I built a customer dashboard that reduced query resolution time by 30%. Seeking a junior backend developer role at a product-based company where I can grow into full-stack development.”
Experienced professional summary example:
“Digital marketing professional with 6 years of experience driving growth for B2C and SaaS brands across India. Managed ₹2 Cr+ annual media budgets, achieving consistent 4x+ ROAS. Specialised in SEO, performance marketing, and content strategy. Looking to transition into a Head of Marketing role at a high-growth startup.”
Notice both examples are specific, quantified, and tailored. Generic phrases like “hardworking team player seeking a challenging role” tell the recruiter nothing. Cut them entirely.
Step 3: Work Experience — How to Write Bullet Points That Impress Indian Recruiters
The work experience section is where most Indian resumes fall flat. The typical mistake is listing job duties instead of achievements.
Wrong (duty-based):
“Responsible for handling customer queries and escalations.”
Right (achievement-based):
“Resolved 95% of Tier-2 customer escalations within SLA, reducing customer churn by 12% in Q3 FY2024.”
The formula for every bullet point: Action verb + task/responsibility + measurable result
Strong action verbs for Indian job market:
- Led, Built, Grew, Reduced, Improved, Launched, Designed, Managed, Automated, Negotiated, Delivered, Increased, Optimised
Format for each job entry:
Job Title Month Year – Month Year
Company Name | City, State
• Achievement bullet 1 (action verb + task + result)
• Achievement bullet 2
• Achievement bullet 3
3–5 bullet points per role is ideal. For your most recent and relevant role, you may go up to 6. For older roles, 2–3 is enough.
What if you are a fresher with no work experience? List internships, freelance projects, college projects, and any relevant part-time work in this section. Treat your internship exactly like a job — with bullet points and measurable outcomes.
Step 4: Education Section — Format for Indian Degrees
Where to place education:
- Freshers (0–2 years experience): Place education near the top, just below the objective
- Experienced professionals (3+ years): Place education near the bottom, after work experience
What to include per qualification:
Degree Name (e.g., B.Tech Computer Science Engineering)
Institution Name, City Year of Passing
CGPA: 8.4 / 10 (or Percentage: 78%)
Should you include 10th and 12th marks?
- If you are a fresher and scored above 75% — yes, include them
- If you are a fresher and scored below 60% — skip them or include only if mandatory
- If you have 3+ years of work experience — no, remove them entirely
Should you include your CGPA or percentage? Always include if it is above 7.0 CGPA / 65%. If it is below that threshold, you may omit it — but be prepared to explain in interviews.
Step 5: Skills Section — Hard Skills vs Soft Skills for the Indian Job Market
The skills section is critical for two reasons: it helps ATS systems match you to job descriptions, and it gives recruiters a quick snapshot of your technical capabilities.
Structure your skills by category:
Technical Skills:
Programming: Python, Java, SQL, JavaScript
Tools: Git, JIRA, Tableau, MS Excel (Advanced)
Platforms: AWS (EC2, S3), Google Analytics, Salesforce
Domain Skills:
Financial modelling, GST compliance, Tally ERP, Cost auditing
What about soft skills? Do not list soft skills in a separate section (“Strong communication skills, Team player, Problem solver”). Every candidate writes this — it is meaningless. Instead, demonstrate soft skills through your bullet points:
- Communication → “Presented quarterly business review to C-suite stakeholders across 3 geographies”
- Leadership → “Led a cross-functional team of 8 to deliver product launch 2 weeks ahead of schedule”
- Problem-solving → “Identified inventory reconciliation gap saving ₹18L annually”
Step 6: Certifications, Projects, and Extracurriculars — When to Include Them
This section is critical for freshers with limited work experience. It fills the page with relevant content and shows initiative.
Certifications to include:
- NPTEL courses (especially for engineering and data science)
- Coursera / edX / Udemy certifications (Google Data Analytics, AWS Cloud Practitioner, etc.)
- SEBI NISM certifications (for finance roles)
- HubSpot / Google certifications (for marketing roles)
Format:
Certifications
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate — Coursera (2024)
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner — Amazon Web Services (2023)
Academic Projects
• Stock Price Prediction using LSTM (Python, TensorFlow)
Built a time-series forecasting model achieving 87% directional accuracy on NSE data.
• E-Commerce Website (React, Node.js, MongoDB)
Developed a full-stack application with payment gateway integration (Razorpay API).
Extracurriculars: Include only if they demonstrate leadership or relevant skills. Examples: NSS/NCC officer, college fest organiser, sports captain, debate competition winner. Skip general memberships that show no active involvement.
4. How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly in India
This is the most important section of this guide — and the one most Indian job seekers have never heard of.
What is ATS and Why Do Indian Companies Use It?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that automatically scans, filters, and ranks resumes before a human recruiter sees them. Companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HDFC Bank, Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and virtually every MNC operating in India use ATS.
When you apply on Naukri.com, LinkedIn, company portals, or even send your resume by email — there is a very high chance an ATS scans it first.
The ATS does one primary job: it checks whether your resume contains the keywords from the job description. If your resume does not have those keywords — even if you are perfectly qualified — the system filters you out automatically.
This is why 85% of resumes never reach a human. Not because the candidates were unqualified — but because their resume was not written for the software reading it first.
7 ATS Optimisation Tips Every Indian Job Seeker Must Follow
1. Use exact keywords from the job description. Copy the key terms directly from the job posting. If the JD says “data visualisation using Power BI” — your resume should say “Power BI” and “data visualisation,” not “business intelligence tools.”
2. Use standard section headings. ATS systems look for headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills,” “Certifications.” Do not get creative with headings like “My Journey” or “What I Have Done” — the ATS will not recognise them.
3. Use a single-column layout. Multi-column resumes and tables confuse most ATS parsers, causing your information to be read out of order or skipped entirely. Use a clean, single-column format.
4. Avoid images, graphics, and icons. No profile photos, no skill bar graphs, no decorative icons. ATS systems cannot read images. Any information inside a graphic is invisible to the system.
5. Use standard fonts. Stick to Calibri, Arial, Cambria, or Georgia. Decorative fonts may not parse correctly.
6. Save and send as .docx or PDF. Most Indian companies accept both. If the application asks for a specific format — follow it exactly. When in doubt, .docx is the safer choice for ATS compatibility.
7. Customise your resume for every application. This is the most impactful — and most ignored — tip. Spend 10 minutes tailoring your resume to each job description. Update your objective, reorder your skills, and add role-specific keywords. This alone can triple your shortlist rate.
5. Resume Examples for Different Profiles in India
Resume Example for Freshers — B.Tech / Engineering Graduates
ARJUN MEHTA
+91 87654 32109 | arjun.mehta@gmail.com | Pune, Maharashtra
linkedin.com/in/arjunmehta
OBJECTIVE
B.Tech Computer Science graduate (2024, CGPA: 8.6) from COEP Pune with hands-on
experience in Java backend development through a 6-month internship at Persistent
Systems. Seeking a Software Engineer role at a product-based company to build
scalable backend services.
EDUCATION
B.Tech — Computer Science Engineering
College of Engineering Pune (COEP) 2020–2024
CGPA: 8.6 / 10
INTERNSHIP
Software Engineer Intern Jun–Nov 2023
Persistent Systems | Pune
• Built RESTful APIs in Java Spring Boot for an insurance claim management module,
reducing average claim processing time by 22%.
• Wrote unit tests achieving 91% code coverage using JUnit and Mockito.
• Collaborated with 4-member agile team in 2-week sprint cycles using JIRA.
PROJECTS
• Library Management System (Java, MySQL, Spring Boot)
Designed and built a full CRUD application with role-based access control.
• COVID-19 Data Visualisation Dashboard (Python, Pandas, Matplotlib)
Analysed 2 years of India state-wise COVID data and built interactive charts.
SKILLS
Languages: Java, Python, SQL
Frameworks: Spring Boot, Hibernate
Tools: Git, Postman, JIRA, IntelliJ IDEA
Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
CERTIFICATIONS
• Java Programming Masterclass — Udemy (2023)
• NPTEL — Cloud Computing (Elite, IIT Kharagpur, 2023)
Resume Example for MBA Graduates and Management Roles
SNEHA KAPOOR
+91 99887 76655 | sneha.kapoor@gmail.com | Mumbai, Maharashtra
linkedin.com/in/snehakapoor
SUMMARY
MBA (Marketing & Strategy) from NMIMS Mumbai (2023) with 2 years of pre-MBA
experience in FMCG sales. Led go-to-market strategy for a new product launch
achieving ₹3.2 Cr in revenue in Q1. Seeking a Brand Manager role in an FMCG
or consumer goods company.
EDUCATION
MBA — Marketing & Strategy 2021–2023
NMIMS Mumbai | CGPA: 3.6 / 4.0
B.Com (Hons) 2016–2019
Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University | 91%
WORK EXPERIENCE
Marketing Intern Apr–Jun 2022
HUL (Hindustan Unilever Ltd) | Mumbai
• Developed consumer insight report for a new personal care SKU using
250-respondent primary survey; findings adopted in final packaging brief.
• Supported digital campaign launch on Meta and Google achieving 3.8x ROAS
against target of 2.5x.
Sales Executive 2019–2021
ITC Limited | Delhi NCR
• Managed distribution network of 45 retailers across West Delhi territory,
growing quarterly sales by 28% YoY.
• Onboarded 12 new retail accounts in Q2 FY2021, exceeding target by 40%.
SKILLS
Brand management, Go-to-market strategy, Consumer insights, P&L ownership,
Digital marketing (Meta Ads, Google Ads), Advanced Excel, Power BI
Resume Example for Mid-Level IT Professionals (3–7 Years)
ROHAN DESAI
+91 96543 21098 | rohan.desai@gmail.com | Bengaluru, Karnataka
linkedin.com/in/rohandesai | github.com/rohandesai
SUMMARY
Full-Stack Developer with 5 years of experience building scalable web applications
for fintech and edtech clients. Led migration of monolithic architecture to
microservices reducing deployment time by 60%. Experienced in React, Node.js,
and AWS. Open to senior developer or tech lead roles.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Senior Software Engineer 2022–Present
Razorpay | Bengaluru
• Architected and built a real-time payment reconciliation module handling
₹500 Cr+ monthly transactions with 99.97% uptime.
• Led a team of 4 developers to migrate legacy monolith to microservices on
AWS ECS, reducing release cycles from 3 weeks to 3 days.
• Mentored 2 junior developers; both promoted within 12 months.
Software Engineer 2019–2022
Byju's | Bengaluru
• Built adaptive learning recommendation engine (Node.js + Python ML model)
improving student session duration by 34%.
• Reduced API response time by 45% through Redis caching and query optimisation.
EDUCATION
B.E. — Information Technology
PES University, Bengaluru 2015–2019
CGPA: 8.2 / 10
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Frontend: React.js, TypeScript, Redux, Next.js
Backend: Node.js, Express, Python (Django)
Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, ECS, Lambda)
Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD (Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
Resume Example for Career Changers Switching Industries
VIKRAM NAIR
+91 88776 65544 | vikram.nair@gmail.com | Hyderabad, Telangana
linkedin.com/in/vikramnair
SUMMARY
Civil Engineer with 4 years of project management experience, transitioning
into Product Management. Completed Google Project Management Certificate (2024)
and built two side projects with 500+ active users. Seeking a Associate PM role
at a SaaS or construction-tech company where domain expertise meets product thinking.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Project Planning & Execution | Stakeholder Management | Data Analysis (SQL, Excel)
User Research | Agile / Scrum | Wireframing (Figma) | Product Roadmapping
PROJECTS (demonstrating product skills)
• ConstructEasy — Construction Cost Estimator App (Side Project, 2024)
Built and launched a web app for small contractors to estimate project costs.
Grew to 520 active users organically through LinkedIn content in 3 months.
• PM Case Study: Redesigning Naukri Mobile App Job Search
Conducted 15 user interviews, identified top 3 pain points, and proposed
feature roadmap with estimated 22% improvement in job application rates.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Site Engineer → Project Coordinator 2020–2024
L&T Construction | Hyderabad
• Coordinated 3 concurrent infrastructure projects (total budget: ₹45 Cr),
delivering all within timeline and 4% under budget.
• Managed 12 subcontractors and 80+ daily workers across project phases.
EDUCATION
B.Tech — Civil Engineering
NIT Warangal 2016–2020
CGPA: 7.8 / 10
CERTIFICATIONS
• Google Project Management Certificate — Coursera (2024)
• SQL for Data Analysis — Mode Analytics (2023)
• Figma UI/UX Design — Udemy (2024)
6. Top 10 Resume Mistakes Indian Job Seekers Make
These are the most common and most damaging resume mistakes seen in the Indian job market. Check your resume against each one before submitting.
Mistake 1: Including a photo. Unless the job advertisement explicitly asks for one (some airline, hospitality, and modelling roles do), never include a photo. It invites unconscious bias and is rejected by most ATS systems.
Mistake 2: Using an unprofessional email address. coolboy_1998@gmail.com or princesspriya@yahoo.com creates an immediate negative impression. Create a professional email: firstname.lastname@gmail.com or firstnamelastname@gmail.com.
Mistake 3: Writing a 3–4 page resume for an entry-level role. Freshers and candidates with under 5 years of experience: your resume must be 1 page. Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds scanning a resume. A 4-page resume for a fresher signals poor judgement about what is relevant.
Mistake 4: Listing “Hobbies” that add no value. “Hobbies: Listening to music, watching movies, travelling, cricket.” This tells the recruiter nothing and wastes valuable space. Either remove the hobbies section entirely or replace it with certifications and projects.
Mistake 5: Using a generic objective. “Seeking a challenging position that utilises my skills and helps me grow professionally.” This is on 70% of Indian resumes. It says nothing. Write a specific, tailored objective — as shown in the examples above.
Mistake 6: Listing duties instead of achievements. “Responsible for managing social media accounts.” vs “Grew Instagram following from 2,400 to 18,000 in 8 months, increasing organic leads by 35%.” Always quantify. Always.
Mistake 7: Spelling and grammar errors. A single spelling mistake can eliminate you immediately from shortlisting. Run your resume through Grammarly and have one other person proofread it before submitting. There is no excuse for typos in 2026.
Mistake 8: Using a table or multi-column layout. Popular resume templates from Canva and design websites often use two-column layouts that look attractive but are completely unreadable by ATS software. Use a clean single-column layout.
Mistake 9: Including references as “Available on request.” This phrase is outdated and wastes a line. No recruiter needs you to write this. Remove it entirely.
Mistake 10: Using the same resume for every application. Sending identical resumes to 50 companies is far less effective than sending customised resumes to 10 companies. Tailor your summary, skills, and bullet points to match each job description. Use the keywords from the JD. This single habit will 3x your shortlist rate.
7. When to Hire a Professional Resume Writing Service
Writing your own resume is absolutely the right first step — and for many candidates, a well-crafted DIY resume is all they need.
However, there are situations where investing in professional resume writing genuinely accelerates your job search:
- You have applied to 15+ positions with no response, and you are confident your qualifications match the roles
- You are making a major career transition and need help positioning transferable skills persuasively
- You are applying for senior leadership or CXO roles where the stakes are high and every word matters
- You have a complex career history (multiple industries, gaps, international experience) and need expert help structuring it
- You have been out of the job market for 3+ years and your resume feels outdated
A professional resume writer brings two things you cannot get from a template: industry-specific keyword intelligence and the ability to tell your career story compellingly from the recruiter’s perspective.
If you recognise yourself in any of the situations above, explore a professional resume writing service that understands the Indian job market, ATS requirements, and recruiter expectations across industries.
8. Resume Writing Checklist — Final Review Before You Send
Before submitting your resume to any company, run through this checklist. Print it, bookmark it, or screenshot it.
Content checklist
- [ ] Resume is 1 page (fresher / under 5 years) or maximum 2 pages (5+ years experience)
- [ ] Contact section has name, phone, professional email, city, LinkedIn URL
- [ ] No photo, date of birth, religion, marital status, or father’s name included
- [ ] Objective or summary is specific, tailored, and quantified
- [ ] Every work experience bullet starts with a strong action verb
- [ ] At least 60% of bullet points include a measurable number or percentage
- [ ] Education section includes degree, institution, year, and CGPA/percentage
- [ ] Skills section lists technical skills by category
- [ ] Certifications are included with issuing organisation and year
- [ ] No “Hobbies: Listening to music, travelling” unless it adds value
- [ ] “References available on request” has been removed
ATS and formatting checklist
- [ ] Resume is in a single-column layout (no tables, no two-column design)
- [ ] Section headings use standard names: Work Experience, Education, Skills
- [ ] Keywords from the specific job description have been incorporated
- [ ] Font is Calibri, Arial, or Cambria at 10–12pt
- [ ] File is saved as .docx or .pdf (whichever the application requires)
- [ ] File name is professional:
FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf - [ ] No images, charts, or icons embedded in the document
Quality control checklist
- [ ] Spell-checked using Grammarly or MS Word spellcheck
- [ ] Proofread by at least one other person
- [ ] All dates are consistent (Month Year format throughout)
- [ ] Email address is professional
- [ ] LinkedIn URL leads to a complete, updated profile
- [ ] Resume has been customised for this specific job application
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best resume format in India in 2026? The chronological format is the best resume format for the vast majority of Indian job seekers in 2026. It presents your experience from most recent to oldest, is familiar to all Indian recruiters, and is fully compatible with ATS systems. Only use a functional or combination format if you are a major career changer or have an unusual employment history.
How long should a resume be in India? Freshers and candidates with under 5 years of experience should maintain a strictly 1-page resume. Professionals with 5–10 years can extend to 2 pages. Only very senior professionals with 15+ years and diverse leadership experience should ever need a 3-page resume. A 4-page resume for any private sector role in India signals poor editing judgement and will often result in immediate rejection.
Should I put a photo on my resume in India? No — do not include a photo on your resume for private sector jobs in 2026, unless the job advertisement specifically asks for one. A photo invites unconscious bias from recruiters and is invisible to or actively rejected by ATS systems. The exceptions are roles in aviation, hospitality, modelling, and acting where appearance is part of the job requirement.
What should a fresher write in a resume with no experience? Focus on four areas: your education (with CGPA if strong), academic projects (with measurable outcomes), internships (even 1–2 month ones count), and certifications (NPTEL, Coursera, Google, AWS). Freshers should also highlight relevant extracurriculars — college fest organisation, sports captaincy, or NSS/NCC leadership. You have more relevant content than you think — the key is framing it professionally with action verbs and outcomes.
What font and font size should I use for a resume in India? Use Calibri (default in MS Word), Arial, or Cambria. Font size: 10–12pt for body text, 14–16pt for your name. Avoid Times New Roman (outdated), Comic Sans (unprofessional), and any decorative fonts. Stick to one font throughout. Use bold for job titles and section headings only.
How do I write a resume objective for freshers? Use this formula: [Degree + Graduation year + Institution] + [1 specific skill or achievement] + [specific role you are seeking] + [what you bring to the company]. Keep it to 2–3 sentences maximum. Make it specific — a generic objective is worse than having no objective at all.
What is the difference between a resume and a biodata in India? A biodata is a personal document originating from government and matrimonial applications. It includes personal information like date of birth, nationality, religion, caste, father’s name, and marital status. A resume is a professional document focusing on your career, skills, education, and achievements. For any private sector or corporate job application in India, always submit a resume — never a biodata.
How do I make my resume ATS-friendly? Use a single-column layout with no tables or graphics. Use standard section headings like “Work Experience” and “Skills.” Incorporate exact keywords from the job description. Save your file as .docx or .pdf. Use standard, simple fonts. Customise your resume for each application to match the specific keywords in that job description. Avoid images, charts, and skill-rating bars — they are invisible to ATS systems.
Was this guide helpful? If you have applied to multiple positions without getting shortlisted and want a professional to review or rewrite your resume, explore our plans — tailored for the Indian job market.
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