How to Create a Standout Resume for Freshers: A Complete 2025 Guide
By upGrad
Updated on Jul 02, 2025 | 14 min read | 6.57K+ views
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By upGrad
Updated on Jul 02, 2025 | 14 min read | 6.57K+ views
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Fun Fact: As per a Glassdoor report, only less than 3% resumes result in a job interview, highlighting the significance of standout resumes! |
Stepping into the job market as a fresher is like preparing for your first marathon. You’ve trained and studied, but you still need a solid strategy to stand out, and that’s where your resume for freshers comes in.
But who is a fresher and what constitutes a fresher’s resume? A fresher is someone starting their professional journey, whether freshly graduated or entering the workforce for the first time. As a fresher, a standout resume is your best chance to catch an employer’s attention.
Your resume serves as an introduction to potential employers, highlighting your academic achievements, skills, internships, and projects instead of past work experience.
So, are you ready to create a resume that helps you stand out from the crowd? Dive right in!
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Key Highlights
Here are the key highlights to ensure your resume format for freshers is clean, professional, and easy to read.
Resume for Freshers Element | Recommendation |
Font Style |
|
Font Size | 10-12 pt |
Margins | 1 inch on all sides |
Line Spacing | 1.0 to 1.15 |
Section Headings | Bold, 14-16 pt |
Bullet Points | Use simple dots or dashes, avoid fancy symbols |
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According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 86% of employers prioritize problem-solving skills when hiring recent graduates, while over 60% emphasize teamwork.
Highlighting these essential abilities in your resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Explore why the right structure for a resume for freshers is key to landing that first job!
A resume for freshers is a personal highlight reel showcasing your skills and achievements in a competitive job market. The goal is to make recruiters say, “We need to know more about this candidate!” Each component, from projects to internships, acts as a building block.
Here’s what to include to ensure your resume stands out.
Resume for Freshers Component | Details |
Skills | Highlight technical and soft skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. |
Education | List degrees, certifications, academic achievements, and honors. |
Experiences | Include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or college projects. |
Achievements | Mention awards, honors, or significant accomplishments to showcase excellence. |
When it comes to creating a resume for freshers, less is often more. In fact, over 40% of recruiters are put off by excessive design elements that make a resume hard to read. Proper formatting is key to making sure your qualifications shine through without any distractions.
Check out how you can format your resume in a clean, professional way that grabs attention for all the right reasons.
For a polished look, use professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, with 10-12 pt for body text and 14-16 pt for headings. Avoid decorative fonts to keep your resume professional and easy to read.
Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides for a clean, balanced appearance. While narrower margins can accommodate more content, be careful not to make the text look cramped and difficult to read.
The typical order for a resume for freshers should include the following.
Make sure your formatting is consistent throughout the resume. Here's a quick look.
Step |
Summary |
Choose a Clear and Simple Format | Select a straightforward format that suits your industry and experience. |
Use Consistent Language and Tone | Use active verbs and consistent tense, voice, and structure. |
Proofread and Review | Double-check for errors, use tools for grammar, and ask for peer feedback. |
Tailor for the Job | Compare your resume with the job description and adjust it to match keywords and expectations. |
Keep it Concise | Limit your resume to one or two pages. |
With 79% of hiring managers now open to hiring candidates with career gaps, it's clear that highlighting your education and relevant skills is more important than ever. A well-structured education section can help you make a strong impression, even without extensive work experience.
Here’s how to create an education section in a resume for freshers that stands out.
When listing your education, be sure to include the following details.
If you’ve excelled academically, this is the place to show it off!
You can include awards, scholarships, or distinctions that demonstrate your academic dedication and success. Highlighting these achievements near the education section can give you a competitive edge.
Examples:
Your GPA can be listed if it’s impressive (generally 3.5 or higher), but it’s optional. Including 3-5 relevant courses that align with the job you’re applying for can also strengthen your resume.
Many institutions use CGPA or SGPA, but you may need to convert these to a GPA format for international job applications to present your academic achievements effectively.
Here are other optional details you can include in your resume to add more value and personalize it.
Optional Detail |
How Many to Include? |
Details to Provide |
Certifications | 2-3 relevant certifications | Name of certification, issuing organization, date of completion |
Academic Projects | 1-2 key projects | Title, description, key skills used, outcome or result |
Extracurricular Activities | 2-3 activities | Role, organization, and skills gained |
Volunteer Work | 1-2 relevant experiences | Role, organization, and how it relates to the job or skills demonstrated |
Languages | 1-2 languages | Mention fluency level (basic, intermediate, fluent) |
Identifying key skills, such as technical and soft skills, and showcasing relevant experience through internships or volunteer work can set you apart from other candidates.
Time to explore these areas in detail.
When creating your resume for freshers, it's important to highlight both soft and hard skills, as they give employers a complete picture of your abilities.
Here is a table to help you understand what to include and how.
Type of Experience |
What to Include? |
Example |
Internships | Company name, role, responsibilities, and outcomes | Marketing Intern, ABC Corp: Assisted in social media strategy, increasing engagement by 20%. |
Volunteer Work | Organization name, role, key contributions | Volunteer, XYZ Nonprofit: Led a fundraising campaign, raising $5,000 for local schools. |
Informal Jobs | Role, key tasks, and any notable achievements | Freelance Tutor: Provided math tutoring for high school students, helping improve their grades by 15%. |
Here are some skills to show employers that you have the foundation to succeed in various roles.
A one-size-fits-all resume won’t showcase the specific skills or experience needed for different roles, but customization can make you stand out from the crowd.
Here’s how to effectively tailor your resume.
Job descriptions provide key terms employers are looking for, such as required skills or qualifications. For example, if a job asks for "data analysis" and "Excel proficiency," be sure to include these exact phrases in your resume to align with the role.
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they reach a hiring manager.
To ensure your resume gets through, focus on the following.
Tailoring your resume to fit these needs helps you stand out. Here's how to adjust.
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Adding optional sections to your resume for freshers is like adding sprinkles to a cupcake. It makes it more appealing!
Explore some optional sections you can include.
Being multilingual can be a significant asset in today’s global job market. Mention any languages you speak, along with your proficiency level.
Example:
Including hobbies and interests can give employers insight into your personality and what you enjoy outside of work.
Example:
Employers are swamped with applications, so keeping your resume clear and concise helps your qualifications shine without drowning recruiters in fluff.
Follow these simple dos and don’ts to make sure your resume stands out for all the right reasons!
Dos |
Don’ts |
Keep it concise (1 page max) | Include irrelevant information |
Use bullet points for clarity | Use complex language or jargon |
Tailor your resume for each job | Lie or exaggerate your experiences |
Highlight quantifiable achievements | Use unprofessional email addresses |
Proofread for errors | Forget to update your resume regularly |
Also Read: 15 Best Resume Writing Tips To Help You Land a Job [2025].
With free resume builders at your fingertips, you can breeze through the process and create a professional-looking resume that highlights your skills in no time. These tools make it easy to impress employers without breaking a sweat.
Check out some of the top resume builders that can help you conquer your job search.
Resume Builder |
Unique Features |
Canva | Offers a vast library of creative templates and design tools for customization. |
Zety | Provides personalized suggestions and tips for each section, along with easy-to-use templates. |
Resume.com | Simple interface with a variety of templates and one-click download options. |
Novorésumé | Focuses on modern, one-page resumes with a user-friendly design and customizable sections. |
VisualCV | Allows for visually appealing designs and easy sharing options, plus the ability to track views of your resume. |
A functional resume is perfect for freshers to highlight skills over experience. Keep in mind, 35% of employers reject resumes with unprofessional email addresses, so ensure yours is professional.
Below are short templates for IT, finance, and marketing roles. Personalize and expand them as needed for your job search.
This IT job template provides a structured framework to simplify and enhance your recruitment process for technical roles.
Name: John Doe Objective: Key Skills:
Projects:
Education: |
This template offers a comprehensive structure to streamline and improve your recruitment process for financial positions.
Name: Jane Smith Objective: Key Skills:
Projects:
Achievements:
Education: Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, ABC University |
This template provides a clear framework to simplify and optimize your hiring process for marketing roles.
Name: Sarah Lee Objective: Key Skills:
Projects:
Achievements:
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, DEF University |
Check out upGrad’s Fundamentals of Marketing course and earn a certificate of completion, for absolutely FREE!
Creating a standout resume for freshers is crucial in making a great first impression in the job market. With the right approach, such as using AI-generated applications today, you can receive an average of 7.8% more job offers and enjoy 8.4% higher wages.
By tailoring your resume to highlight your skills, experiences, and education, you can also effectively capture the attention of potential employers.
So, are you ready to take your career to the next level? Discover your potential with upGrad’s 500+ courses and 50+ specializations tailored just for you! Whether you're looking to upskill or transform your career, upGrad is your gateway to a brighter future. Talk to a Career Expert today!
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References:
https://novoresume.com/career-blog/resume-statistics
https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/india-unemployment-rate-rises-may-2025-youth-women-affected-2741900-2025-06-17
https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/resume-statistics
https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/economic-survey-2023-24-only-51-percent-indian-graduated-employable-survey-says/article68432324.ece
https://novoresume.com/career-blog/resume-format-for-freshers
https://resumeworded.com/blog/resume-margins/
https://novoresume.com/career-blog/resume-fonts
https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/best-fonts-for-your-resumes
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-edit-your-resume-consistency-skills-resume-writing
https://www.linkedin.com/blog/member/product/a-better-way-to-address-career-gaps
https://jobera.com/red-flags-in-resume/
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