How to Write a Resume That Gets You Interviews

Discover top formats, free templates, and online resume builders

Your resume is your first impression, and in 2025, first impressions are digital. Whether you’re a fresher applying for your first job, an experienced professional switching industries, or someone re-entering the workforce, one thing remains true: your resume must be sharp, clear, and built to impress. 

A strong resume isn’t just a document; it’s a strategic marketing tool designed to get you into the interview room. But with hundreds of resumes being submitted for every open position, how do you make sure yours rises to the top? 

It starts with the right format, the right structure, and the right tool. 

What Makes a Resume Stand Out in 2025? 

Today’s recruiters spend an average of 6–10 seconds scanning a resume. That means your document needs to be: 

• Easy to read 

• Visually clean 

• Keyword-optimized 

• Customized to the job 

And thanks to AI resume scanners, even the best-written resume can be rejected if it doesn’t follow the correct format or structure. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Winning Resume 

Let’s break it down into practical steps so you can write (or re-write) a resume that actually gets interviews. 

1. Choose the Right Resume Format 

There are 3 main types of formats: 

Format	Best For	Highlights
Chronological	Most common, great for job seekers	Lists work history with most recent job first
Functional	Career changers or freshers	Focuses on skills, not job history
Combination	Balanced view of skills and experience	Perfect for mid-level professionals with skills

For freshers, a functional or combination format works best to highlight skills, internships, and projects. 

2. Start With a Powerful Career Objective 

Your career objective or professional summary goes right under your name. Keep it short—2 to 3 lines—and focus on: 

• What you’re looking for 

• What value you bring 

• Your career goals (especially for freshers) 

Example: 

“Detail-oriented B.Com graduate seeking an entry-level position in accounting where I can apply my knowledge of finance, auditing, and data analysis to support the growth of a dynamic organization.” 

3. Highlight the Right Skills (And Use Keywords) 

Whether it’s a manual scan or an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), skills matter. Use a mix of soft skills and technical skills relevant to the job. 

Example: 

• MS Excel, Tally ERP, Financial Reporting 

• Strong communication, Time management, Critical thinking 

Pro tip: Copy key skills directly from the job description and mirror them in your resume. This increases your chances of getting past resume filters. 

4. Add Educational Background with Clarity 

Your education section should list: 

• Degree/qualification 

• College or University 

• Year of graduation 

• Percentage or CGPA (if it’s strong) 

Example: 

Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science) 
ABC Institute of Technology – 2023 – CGPA: 8.4/10 

If you’re a fresher, your education section is your anchor—place it right after your objective and skills. 

5. Include Internships and Projects (Even Small Ones) 

If you’re applying for your first job, show what you’ve done, not just what you’ve learned. 

Include: 

• Internship details: Name of the company, duration, role, and key tasks 

• Projects: Title, what you worked on, tools/tech used, outcome 

This shows initiative and real-world exposure. 

6. List Achievements, Certifications, or Awards 

Stand out by showing: 

• Competitions won 

• Certifications completed (especially free or online ones) 

• Languages spoken 

• Extra-curriculars if they align with the job 

These elements often add depth and make your resume memorable. 

7. Keep the Design Clean and Professional 

Avoid: 

• Fancy fonts 

• Bright colors 

• Tables that don’t align in Word format 

Instead, go for: 

• Simple headings 

• Easy-to-scan sections 

• Clean templates 

If you’re not confident in formatting, try an online resume builder like Impacteers Resume Maker. 

The Best Way to Build a Resume in 2025? Use Impacteers Resume Builder 

Writing your resume manually in Word? You risk formatting errors, missed sections, or outdated templates. 

Here’s why thousands of freshers and job seekers in India now use Impacteers Resume Builder: 

Free and easy-to-use online tool 
Choose from multiple modern resume templates 
Auto-formatted sections: Objective, Skills, Projects, and more 
Customize by job role or industry 
Download in Word or PDF format 
Built-in optimization for recruiter systems 

Whether you’re a student, fresher, or experienced job seeker, Impacteers Resume Maker gives you a ready-to-send resume in 15 minutes. 

Resume Tips for Freshers with No Experience 

• Use your resume to tell your career story, even if it’s short 

• Focus on projects, internships, and academic achievements 

• Highlight free online courses or certifications 

• Avoid fluff words like “hardworking” or “team player” unless backed with proof 

• List only relevant skills and keep the layout clean 

Freshers who use tools like Impacteers Resume Builder often have stronger, more organized resumes—and that leads to more interviews. 

Include a Downloadable Resume Sample 

Having a reference always helps. When using Impacteers, you can download a sample resume tailored to: 

• Software engineers 

• Sales and marketing roles 

• Banking/finance applicants 

• Designers and creatives 

• BPO or service sector roles 

These are great blueprints you can customize further. 

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid 

1. Using outdated templates or overly complicated designs 

2. Not customising for each job (one-size-fits-all resumes don’t work) 

3. Typos and grammar issues 

4. Including unnecessary personal info (like full address or family details) 

5. Writing paragraphs instead of bullet points 

A good resume is sharp, concise, and customised for the job, and Impacteers helps make that effortless. 

Should You Use Word, Online Tools, or PDFs? 

Platform	Pros	Cons
Word Format	Easy to edit	Formatting issues, not ATS friendly
PDF	Looks professional, non-editable	Can’t update easily
Online Builder	Auto-formats, saves time, customizable	Requires internet access

Best practice: Use an online resume maker like Impacteers, download in PDF for applying, and Word for future edits. 

Customise Your Resume for Every Job 

Yes, it takes time. But it works. 

For example: 

• Applying for a marketing job? Highlight projects involving social media. 

• Looking at a software role? Put your coding languages and GitHub links up front. 

• Want a sales role? Emphasize communication skills, negotiation, and results. 

Each resume should speak directly to the job role—that’s what gets you interviews. 

Final Checklist Before Sending Your Resume 

• Clear, simple layout 
• Proper resume format used 
• All sections completed 
• Career objective customized 
• Keywords match the job posting 
• Proofread for typos 
• Saved in PDF and Word formats 
• Attached cover letter (if needed) 

If all boxes are ticked, you’re good to go. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the best resume format for freshers? 
Freshers should use a functional or combination format to highlight skills and education rather than work history. 

2. Can I create a professional resume for free? 
Yes! Platforms like Impacteers.com offer free resume builders with modern templates and instant download options. 

3. Should I send my resume in Word or PDF? 
PDF is preferred by recruiters as it preserves layout. Use Word if you’re editing or uploading to certain job portals. 

4. What skills should I include in my resume? 
Include a mix of hard skills (like Excel, SQL, graphic design) and soft skills (like leadership, time management). Use job descriptions as a guide. 

5. How can I get resume samples or templates to download? 
Visit Impacteers Resume Builder to access pre-made resume samples, templates, and download options in both Word and PDF formats