Before applying for any job or internship, you should always review your resume. Many people mix up a resume with a CV and end up using the wrong format. To avoid this confusion, here’s a quick explanation of the main differences between the two.
A resume is a short, organized summary of your education, work experience, and key skills.
It is one of the most important documents during the hiring process.
A typical resume is one page, and in some cases, it can go up to two pages maximum.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a more detailed document that covers your complete academic history, work experience, certifications, skills, and achievements.
CVs are usually longer than resumes, often two to three pages or more.
Note:
For most job applications, a resume is preferred.
Action verbs are strong words that clearly show your skills and responsibilities. They make your resume more engaging and help recruiters understand your contributions quickly.
Examples include: managed, created, developed, analyzed, implemented, achieved, etc.
A good resume is well-organized and highlights your projects, work experience, skills, and achievements in a clear and structured way. A strong resume grabs the employer’s attention and increases your chances of getting shortlisted.
Tips for a good resume:
If your resume has the following issues, it needs improvement:
Find the most important details that you must add to your resume listed below:
Additional Sections (Awards, Courses, Resume Publications, Licenses and Certifications, Interests, etc.)
The first step in making your resume is selecting the right format. Take time to pick one that fits your background.
The three common resume formats are:
Your resume must be readable for both recruiters and ATS software (Applicant Tracking Systems), since many companies use automated tools to filter applications.
You can choose from formats like:
This section appears at the top of your resume and must include:
Make sure your email ID looks professional.
Correct: arjungupta@gmail.com
Incorrect: iamarjungupta0103@gmail.com
If you don’t have a professional email, create one.
A resume objective is a short statement that explains your career goals or the job role you are targeting. It acts like a quick introduction.
Important points:
Tips for Freshers:
Sample Objectives:
(This section is for experienced candidates, not freshers.)
List your work history in reverse chronological order:
Use action verbs to highlight your responsibilities and achievements.
For freshers, education is one of the most important sections. List it in reverse order:
Include your GPA/percentage only if it is strong or required for the job.
Mention your technical skills clearly. These help both recruiters and ATS systems to understand your abilities.
These are job-related abilities needed for tasks in tech or science fields.
Mention tools, software, and technologies you know well.
These are soft skills that show how well you work with others.
Examples:
Include all the important projects and certifications you have completed.
Use this section to add achievements and activities that support your professional profile. These details can help your resume stand out.
Examples:
Today, most recruiters and HR teams use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter and shortlist candidates. Your resume must be ATS-friendly so the system can correctly read your details and match your skills to the job requirements. This greatly boosts your chances of getting shortlisted and moving ahead in the hiring process.