Did you know the idea of a resume goes back to Leonardo da Vinci in 1482? Since then, it’s become one of the most important documents you’ll ever create.

Especially in India, where thousands of students graduate every year, a good resume can be the difference between landing your dream internship and getting lost in the crowd. Employers often spend just 6–8 seconds scanning a CV, and more than 77% of candidates get rejected due to simple formatting or content mistakes. That’s why learning how to build a resume the right way matters.
In this guide, we’ll take you through each step to help you build a resume that stands out and gets results.

Tips on How to Build a Resume That Gets Noticed

Knowing how to build a resume that grabs attention greatly improves your chances of getting shortlisted for interviews, especially when you’re applying for internships, campus placements, or your first job.

1. Choose the Right CV Format

Before you even start writing, it’s essential to decide which resume format suits your background best. Your CV’s structure should highlight your strongest points and reflect your career stage.

• Chronological Format

This format is the most widely used and preferred by employers. It presents your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent position. If you have a steady work or internship history, this format is ideal. It’s simple, easy to follow, and effectively highlights your career progression.

• Functional Format

If you’re still in college, changing fields, or have career gaps, the functional format may be more suitable. It focuses more on your skills and qualifications rather than on when and where you worked. This approach can be helpful if you’ve completed numerous projects or freelance work but lack formal job experience.

• Combination Format

Can’t decide? Go for a mix of both! The combination format provides the flexibility to showcase your skills while also including a brief work history. It works well for students with diverse experiences, side gigs, or part-time roles.

2. Start with Your Name and Contact Information

Begin your CV by clearly listing your full name, a professional email address, and your phone number at the top. This ensures employers can easily contact you. You can skip the full home address if it’s not necessary. If you have a LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, or GitHub account (for tech roles), be sure to include those as well. Make your name stand out with a slightly larger font, but keep it professional and clean.

3. Add a Resume Summary or Career Objective

This section follows your contact information and provides recruiters with a brief overview of who you are.

• If you’re just starting out, write an objective, a short statement about your career goals and what you’re looking for.
• If you’ve already got some experience, use a summary instead. This should highlight your key strengths, achievements, and what you bring to the table.

Use confident, active language; this is your chance to grab attention from the start.

4. Highlight Soft and Hard Skills

Employers want to see not just what you’ve studied but what you can do. Scan the job description and pick out keywords or skills they’re looking for. Then, match them with skills you have.

• Hard skills: Technical abilities like programming, Excel, data analysis, design tools, etc.
• Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and so on.

Where possible, include any certifications, tools, or platforms you’re familiar with. The right mix of skills can make your resume stand out immediately.

5. List Your Work or Project Experience

This section tells your professional story. Use reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent role, internship, or relevant project.
For each entry, include:

• Your job title or role (e.g., Marketing Intern)
• Company or organisation name
• Dates of work
• A few bullet points outlining your responsibilities and highlighting key accomplishments or results

Use strong action verbs like ‘developed’, ‘designed’, ‘led’, ‘achieved’, ‘improved’, or ‘analysed’. If you’re still in college, don’t worry; you can include internships, part-time jobs, or even significant academic projects using this same format.

6. Include Your Education

Next, list your educational qualifications:

• Degree name and specialisation
• Institution name
• Year of passing or expected graduation
• CGPA or percentage (if it’s strong or requested)

You can also mention coursework, academic projects, or certifications that align with the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a data analyst role and have completed a course on Excel or Python, include it here.

7. Add Optional Sections

If you’ve got a bit of white space left on your CV, consider adding one or two optional sections that can make your profile stronger:

• Achievements: Any awards, competitions, or recognitions? Add them!
• Interests: Only if they’re relevant or show useful soft skills. For instance, writing a blog shows communication skills; playing team sports shows collaboration.

These sections are especially helpful if you don’t have much work experience yet.

8. Format Your Resume Professionally

Great content won’t help if your resume is hard to read. Keep the design clean and simple:

• Use a readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica (10–12 pt)
• Set margins to 1 to 1.5 inches
• Make section headings bold or slightly larger
• Use bullet points, not lengthy paragraphs

Good formatting helps your CV look neat and makes it easier for recruiters to scan.

9. Proofread (Twice!)

Before you send your resume out, check for grammar or spelling errors. One small mistake can cost you an interview. A good trick is to read it backwards; it helps you catch mistakes more easily. Additionally, consider asking a friend, a senior, or a mentor to review it. Their feedback could make a big difference.

Remember, your resume should ideally be one page unless you’re applying for an academic or senior position. Mention all your important work-related information and educational details, but ensure they are concise and to the point. Think like this: how can I create a resume that the recruiter can easily understand at a glance without putting in much effort?

10. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

Don’t make the mistake of sending the same CV to every job. Always tailor your resume to the job description. Update your objective or summary, modify keywords in the skills section, and reorder responsibilities to align with the employer’s requirements.
This step may take a few extra minutes, but it significantly increases your chances of being shortlisted.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you’ve learnt how to build a resume, it’s easy to overlook minor errors that can have a significant impact. Recruiters review dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications, so even minor mistakes can lead to missed opportunities. Here are some of the most common resume writing mistakes to steer clear of:

Avoid These Common Resume Writing Mistakes:

• Spelling or grammar mistakes: They create a poor first impression. Always proofread or have a second pair of eyes review your resume.
• Using passive language: Strong action verbs like led, created, achieved, or managed to leave a better impact.
• Inconsistent formatting: Maintain uniformity in font, spacing, and style throughout. It reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
• Leaving out results or achievements: Wherever possible, show outcomes rather than just tasks. For example, “Increased engagement by 30%” is stronger than “Managed social media”.
• Making your resume too long: Stick to one page unless you’re applying for a senior or academic position.

Resume Don’ts:

Don’t use pronouns like “I,” “me,” or “my.” Resumes should be written in a professional tone, not like a personal essay.
Avoid including personal details such as age, religion, marital status, or photographs. These are unnecessary and can lead to bias.
Skip references unless the employer specifically asks for them.
Don’t write in a narrative style; bullet points are much easier to scan quickly.

Make Sure Your Resume Aligns with Your LinkedIn Profile

Your CV and LinkedIn profile should tell the same professional story. While your resume is more formal and concise, LinkedIn allows a slightly more conversational tone. Use this space to show a bit more of your personality, but make sure key details, like dates, job titles, achievements, and education, match across both. Recruiters often check both before reaching out.

Writing a Strong Cover Letter

While your resume showcases your accomplishments, your cover letter explains why you’re the ideal fit. It’s your opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight your interest in the role, and demonstrate how your experience aligns with the company’s needs.

Keep your cover letter to 3–4 short paragraphs. Ensure the tone aligns with the company’s image, such as a more formal tone for a finance firm and a slightly casual tone for a startup.

Use it to:

• Directly relevant mentioned experiences
• Show your enthusiasm and motivation
• Address any career gaps or shifts in direction

Tailor each cover letter just as you would your resume. This personal touch can go a long way in making your application stand out.

How to Structure a Strong Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter gives you the chance to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the role, and highlight what makes you a great fit — beyond what’s already in your CV. Think of it as your personal pitch: concise, confident, and tailored to the company.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements you should include in your cover letter:

1. Header

Start with your contact details at the top:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (city and state is enough; full address is optional)

Then add the date, followed by the recipient’s information (if available):

• Hiring manager’s name
• Company name
• Company address

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, don’t worry, just move on to the salutation.

2. Salutation

Whenever possible, address the letter to a specific person. For example:

• Dear Mr Sharma,
• Dear Ms Iyer,

If you don’t know the name, use a general greeting like:

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• To Whom It May Concern (less preferred, but acceptable if nothing else fits)

3. Introduction

Begin with a strong, enthusiastic opening. Please specify the role you’re applying for and indicate where you found the job listing.

Example:
“I am writing to apply for the position of Marketing Intern at XYZ Company, as advertised on your careers page.”

Follow that with a brief sentence about who you are, your background, your degree programme, and what draws you to this opportunity.

4. Body Paragraphs

This is the heart of your cover letter, where you:

• Highlight key skills that match the job description
• Share specific examples of projects, internships, or achievements
• Show your understanding of the company and its goals
• Explain why you’re a strong fit for the team or culture

Tip: Avoid just repeating your resume. Instead, connect your experiences to the value you’ll bring to the role.

Example:
“During my final-year project at IIT Delhi, I led a team of four to develop a mobile budgeting app, which improved user engagement by 40% in testing. This experience sharpened my skills in UI design, teamwork, and agile workflows, all of which align with the requirements of your product team.”

5. Conclusion

End your letter by:

• Summing up your strengths in one sentence
• Restating your interest in the position
• Thanking the reader for their time
• Politely requesting the next step, typically an interview

Example:
“Thank you for considering my application. I’m eager to contribute to your team and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can support your goals in an interview.”

6. Closing

Use a professional sign-off followed by your full name.
Examples:

• Sincerely,
• Best regards,
• Yours faithfully,

Then, add your typed name. If you’re submitting a printed version, leave space above your name for a signature.

Final Tip

Now that you are well-informed about how to write a winning resume, the next and final step is to start creating it. Just like any form of creating, the more times you create, the closer you will get to building that perfect resume, the one that helps you land your dream job.
Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. What matters is taking that first step and improving as you go. With every tweak and tailored version, you’ll become more confident in presenting your strengths, skills, and potential to future employers.
Open up that blank document, select your format, and begin writing. Whether you’re applying for internships, placements, or graduate roles, your resume is your personal marketing tool. The right opportunity might be just one well-crafted resume away.

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