The best resume format for most jobs in India
For almost every private-sector job in India, the safest choice is the reverse-chronological resume format: your most recent job or qualification first, then older ones. Recruiters on Naukri, LinkedIn and company portals are used to it, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) read it reliably.
A standard resume format has these sections, in this order:
- Header: name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn or portfolio link.
- Summary or objective: two or three lines about your role, experience and strengths.
- Work experience: job title, company, city, dates and 3–5 achievement bullets per job.
- Education: degree, college, university, year and CGPA or percentage.
- Skills: tools, software and job-specific skills you can prove.
- Optional sections: projects, certifications, languages, achievements and volunteering.
If you are not sure what to write in each part, follow our step-by-step guide to making a resume.
Resume format for freshers
Freshers should move education above experience, then add projects, internships, certifications and skills. A one-page fresher resume is enough for campus placements and off-campus applications. Include 10th and 12th marks only when the employer or campus process asks for them, or when your graduation scores are not yet final.
Use a short objective instead of a long summary: "B.Com graduate with Tally Prime and GST training, looking for an accounts executive role in Pune." See the resume format for freshers guide and sample pages such as the B.Com fresher resume.
Resume format for experienced professionals
With two or more years of work, lead with a summary and work experience. Show results, not duties: numbers such as targets achieved, time saved, accounts handled or defects reduced make your resume stronger. Keep the most recent ten to fifteen years in detail and shorten older roles.
One page is fine up to around four years of experience; two pages are normal after that. Our one-page resume guide explains when to trim and when two pages are the better choice.
Chronological, functional or combination format?
- Chronological (recommended): best for steady careers and almost all job portals.
- Functional: groups skills instead of jobs. Many Indian recruiters distrust it because it hides dates, so avoid it unless you have a strong reason.
- Combination: a skills summary at the top followed by a normal work history. Useful for career changers and people returning after a gap.
Resume format PDF or Word?
Send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. PDF keeps your fonts, spacing and layout the same on every laptop and phone, and modern ATS software reads text-based PDFs without trouble. Use a clear file name such as Priya-Sharma-Resume.pdf.
Use A4 page size, 10–12 pt body text, consistent date formats (Mar 2023 – Present) and enough white space. Avoid tables for main content, text inside images, and decorative icons in place of headings. Our ATS-friendly resume guide covers this in more detail.
Personal details: what to leave out
A modern resume format in India does not need date of birth, marital status, religion, father's name, full home address or a photo for most private-sector jobs. Add them only when the employer or application form asks. Government and PSU recruitment follows its own rules; see our CV format for government jobs. If someone has asked you for a biodata instead, use the biodata format for jobs.
How to use these resume formats
Pick a template above, fill in your details, and preview the result on an A4 page as you type. You can switch between formats at any time without retyping. MakePerfectResume is free to build, edit and preview; PDF download needs a one-time plan from ₹99. Start your resume when you are ready.
