RESUME GUIDANCE
How I built a standout resume that helped me land interviews at top companies like Google and Walmart — and secure admission to Georgia Tech, the 4th ranked university for Computer Science in the U.S.
🔹 GENERAL TIPS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Length: Keep it to one page, especially if you have under 8 years of experience. If Elon Musk can have a 1 page resume, so can you!
Formatting: Use clean fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times), consistent spacing, and clear section headers.
File Format: Always export as PDF and rename it as Name_Resume.pdf.
ATS Compatibility: Avoid tables and images; stick to plain text, bullet points, and standard headings.
We'll now walk through each section of my resume and explain what works, what you should include and what you should avoid.
✅ SECTION 1: HEADER
🔍 Purpose:
Your header introduces you. It should clearly state who you are and how to reach you.
✉ What to Include:
Full name
Professional email address
Location (City, State)
LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio or personal website
⛔ What Not to Include:
Full home address
Multiple phone numbers or outdated social links
Birthday, photo, or marital status
🔍 Tips:
Make your name bold and larger than the rest.
Keep your links clickable and short.
✅ SECTION 2: EDUCATION
🔍 Purpose:
To show your academic background and any standout credentials.
✉ What to Include:
University name, location, degree, GPA (if strong)
Graduation dates
Relevant coursework (3-5 max)
⛔ What Not to Include:
High school (unless you're a fresher)
Every single course
✅ Action Verbs:
Achieved, Completed, Specialized, Graduated, Earned
✨ Impact:
Including gold medals, honors, and a strong GPA helps show academic credibility.
✅ SECTION 3: SKILLS
🔍 Purpose:
To give a snapshot of your technical and domain-specific strengths.
✉ What to Include:
Languages
Frameworks
DevOps & Tools
Cloud Platforms
Databases
⛔ What Not to Include:
Soft skills like "team player" or "problem-solving" (put these in achievements or experience)
Vague terms like "programming" without specifics
✅ ATS-Friendly Formatting:
List in categories for clarity.
Separate each with commas; avoid long paragraphs.
✅ SECTION 4: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
🔍 Purpose:
To showcase your real-world accomplishments and impact in the workplace.
✉ What to Include:
Job title, company, location, dates
2-4 bullet points per role with measurable impact
⛔ What Not to Include:
Tasks without context
Every tool you ever used
✅ Action Verbs:
Built, Optimized, Designed, Developed, Collaborated, Engineered, Led, Owned
✨ Impact:
Use metrics wherever possible. For example: "Reduced processing time by 30%" is stronger than "Improved performance."
✅ SECTION 5: ACADEMIC PROJECTS
🔍 Purpose:
To demonstrate hands-on experience and initiative outside of the job.
✉ What to Include:
Project name, tools/tech used, timeline
1-2 bullet points summarizing purpose and impact
⛔ What Not to Include:
School assignments without real-world value
Overly technical descriptions without context
✅ Action Verbs:
Built, Deployed, Integrated, Prototyped, Automated
✨ Impact:
Show innovation, real-world use, and recognition (e.g., awards or publications).
✅ SECTION 6: PUBLICATIONS
🔍 Purpose:
To highlight academic depth and thought leadership.
✉ What to Include:
Author name(s), paper title, conference/journal name, year
Only well-recognized or peer-reviewed publications
⛔ What Not to Include:
Blog posts (unless highly authoritative)
Redundant or irrelevant academic material
✅ Formatting Tips:
Use a consistent citation style (e.g., IEEE)
Keep it short and skimmable
✅ SECTION 7: HONORS & RESPONSIBILITIES
🔍 Purpose:
To showcase leadership, awards, and community impact.
✉ What to Include:
Academic or professional honors
Volunteer or leadership roles
Entrepreneurial initiatives
⛔ What Not to Include:
Participation certificates
Generic club memberships
✅ Action Verbs:
Led, Managed, Organized, Founded, Oversaw, Mentored, Helped
✨ Impact:
Give numbers or outcomes when possible (e.g., "Led a team of 10").
✅ LaTeX Resume Template (Free Access)
Looking to build a clean, standout resume? Click the link below to access the LaTeX format of my personal resume. Simply make a copy, edit it with your own details, and apply the tips mentioned above — and you’ll have a stellar resume ready to go!
Link: LaTeX Resume Format
Thanks for reading!
If you found this helpful, feel free to connect with me on:
Iam a fresher so plss include resumes for freshers also
Di i am going to start my btech, so at this point i only know basics of java and python so at which point of first yr I should prepare my resume ?
I would really appreciate your recommendations!!