Key takeaways
- An ATS stores and helps search applications; recruiters still decide who moves forward.
- Use a simple, single-column layout with standard section headings.
- Mirror the job description’s keywords, but only for skills you genuinely have.
When you apply for a job online, your resume is usually read by software before a person sees it. Understanding how that software works helps you avoid simple mistakes that make a good candidate look weaker than they are.
What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to collect job applications, store candidate information and help recruiters search, filter and manage candidates. Workday, Greenhouse, Lever and Oracle Taleo are well-known examples.
A common myth is that an ATS “rejects” most resumes on its own. In practice, recruiters usually search and filter candidates in the ATS, for example by skills, location or answers to screening questions. Your goal is to make sure your resume is read correctly and shows up in relevant searches.
The structure that works for tech resumes
- Header: name, phone, email, city, LinkedIn and GitHub or portfolio links.
- Summary (optional): two or three lines on the role you want and your strongest skills.
- Skills: grouped, for example Languages, Tools, Cloud, Testing.
- Projects: especially important for freshers.
- Experience: internships, jobs or freelance work, most recent first.
- Education.
- Certifications (only relevant ones).
Formatting rules for ATS-friendly resumes
- Use standard headings such as “Skills”, “Projects”, “Experience” and “Education”.
- Prefer a simple single-column layout. Complex columns, tables and text boxes can be read in the wrong order by some systems.
- Do not put important text inside images, icons or skill bars; software cannot read them reliably.
- Keep contact details in the main body, not only in the page header or footer.
- Use a common font and consistent date formats.
- Follow the application’s instructions on file type. A text-based PDF is widely accepted; send a Word file if that is what is requested.
Use keywords, honestly
Recruiters search for the skills listed in the job description, so your resume should use the same terms for the skills you have. If the job asks for “Apache Airflow”, write “Apache Airflow”, not just “workflow tools”. Include both the acronym and the full form once where it helps, for example “Extract, Transform, Load (ETL)”.
Never add skills you do not have. Anything on your resume is fair game in the interview, and being caught out costs far more than a missing keyword.
Write bullet points that show impact
A strong bullet point follows a simple pattern: action verb + what you did + tools used + result.
WeakWorked on a data pipeline project.
- Stronger
- Built a daily pipeline in Python and Airflow that loads public API data into PostgreSQL, with retries and data quality checks.
WeakDid testing for a website.
- Stronger
- Wrote and ran 40 manual test cases for a shopping cart flow and automated the smoke suite with Selenium and TestNG.
WeakMade a chatbot.
- Stronger
- Built a RAG-based Q&A app over course documents using embeddings and a vector store, deployed with FastAPI and Docker.
Use numbers when they are real, such as the number of test cases, data volume or time saved. Do not invent them.
Make the projects section work for you
For freshers, projects are proof of skill. For each project, include a one-line description, the tech stack, two or three bullet points on what you built, and a link to the code or demo. Put your most relevant project first.
Keep Naukri and LinkedIn consistent
- Use a clear headline with your target role and key skills.
- List the same core skills as on your resume.
- Add your projects with links.
- Keep your profiles up to date, and on LinkedIn use the Open to Work setting to tell recruiters which roles you want.
Checklist before you apply
- Single-column layout with standard headings
- Contact details, LinkedIn and GitHub in the main body
- Skills section matches the job description (honestly)
- Every bullet starts with an action verb
- Projects include tech stack and links
- No spelling or grammar mistakes
- File type matches what the application asks for
- File name is professional, for example Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf
Frequently asked questions
Should a fresher’s resume be one page?
Usually, yes. One focused page is easier to read and forces you to keep only your most relevant skills and projects.
Should I add a photo to my resume?
A photo is not required for most tech roles. Unless the employer asks for one, leaving it out keeps the layout clean and easy to parse.
Should I make a different resume for every job?
Keep one base resume, then adjust the summary, skills order and project order for each role. Small, honest changes to match the job description are worth the few minutes they take.
Resume and job portal support is included in every Backbenchers Academy program. It sits alongside the mock interview practice that helps you defend every line of it.
