How to Create a Standout Resume for Freshers: A Complete 2025 Guide

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. 

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Understanding the Essentials in a Resume for Freshers

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!

Key Components of a Resume for Freshers

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. 

Steps to Format a Resume for Freshers

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. 

1. Choose the Right font and Size

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.

2. Use Proper Margins

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. 

3. Align the Order of Sections

The typical order for a resume for freshers should include the following.

• Header: Name, contact information, and LinkedIn profile.
• Objective or Summary: A brief statement outlining your goals.
• Education: List your qualifications, starting with the most recent.
• Skills: Highlight relevant technical and soft skills.
• Experience: Include internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work.
• Achievements: Mention any awards, certifications, or notable projects.

4. Maintain Consistency in Style

Make sure your formatting is consistent throughout the resume. Here's a quick look. 

How to Structure the Education Section in a Resume for Freshers?

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.

What to Include? 

When listing your education, be sure to include the following details. 

• Degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science)
• University (e.g., XYZ University)
• Location (e.g., City, State)
• Graduation Date (e.g., May 2024)

Highlight Academic Achievements

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:

• Dean’s List (2020-2024): Achieved top academic performance, consistently ranked in the top 5% of the class.
• XYZ University Merit Scholarship (2022): Awarded based on outstanding academic performance and leadership potential.
• Best Final Year Project (2023): Recognized for innovation and problem-solving in developing a sustainable energy solution.

Handling GPA and Relevant Courses

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.

Optional Details 

Here are other optional details you can include in your resume to add more value and personalize it. 

How to Highlight Skills and Experience in a Resume for Freshers?

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. 

Distinguishing Between Soft and Hard Skills

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.

• Hard Skills: These are technical, job-specific skills that can be measured and learned through education or training.
  • Examples: Programming (Python, Java), Data Analysis, Graphic Design, Financial Modeling. 
• Soft Skills: These are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that help you thrive in a work environment.
  • Examples: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Time Management.

Inclusion of Internships, Volunteer Work, and Informal Jobs

Here is a table to help you understand what to include and how.

Transferable Skills for Job Applications

Here are some skills to show employers that you have the foundation to succeed in various roles. 

• Communication: Ability to clearly convey ideas, both verbally and in writing, across different platforms.
• Problem-Solving: Skilled at identifying issues and finding creative, practical solutions.
• Teamwork: Experienced in collaborating with others to achieve common goals.
• Time Management: Capable of prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines efficiently.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills through group projects, volunteer work, or team roles.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust quickly to new situations and environments.

How to Customize a Fresher's Resume?

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. 

1. Utilize Keywords from Job Descriptions

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.

2. Adjust Keywords for ATS

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. 

• Including exact keywords from the job listing.
• Using job titles and phrases that match the job description.
• Avoiding unnecessary graphics or complex formats that ATS might not process.

3. Tailor Your Resume Tailoring to Specific Industries

Tailoring your resume to fit these needs helps you stand out. Here's how to adjust. 

• Tech Industry: Focus on technical skills, certifications, and relevant projects.
• Finance Industry: Highlight analytical skills, financial modeling, and internships.
• Marketing Industry: Showcase creativity, social media expertise, and content creation.
• Healthcare Industry: Emphasize patient care experience, medical knowledge, and any healthcare certifications.
• Education Industry: Focus on teaching experience, curriculum development, and student engagement skills.

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Optional Sections to Enhance a Resume for Freshers

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. 

1. Languages Spoken

Being multilingual can be a significant asset in today’s global job market. Mention any languages you speak, along with your proficiency level.

Example:

• English: Fluent
• Spanish: Conversational
• Mandarin: Basic understanding

2. Hobbies and Interests

Including hobbies and interests can give employers insight into your personality and what you enjoy outside of work. 

Example:

• Photography: Passionate about capturing landscapes and events; won a local photography contest.
• Volunteering: Actively participate in community clean-up drives and animal shelter work.
• Sports: Member of the university basketball team, encouraging teamwork and leadership skills.

Dos and Don’ts When Writing a Resume for Freshers

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! 

Also Read: 15 Best Resume Writing Tips To Help You Land a Job [2025].

Free Tools to Create a Resume for Freshers

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. 

Sample Templates of Functional Resume for Freshers in 2025

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.

1. IT Job Template

This IT job template provides a structured framework to simplify and enhance your recruitment process for technical roles.  

2. Finance Job Template

This template offers a comprehensive structure to streamline and improve your recruitment process for financial positions.

3. Marketing Job Template

This template provides a clear framework to simplify and optimize your hiring process for marketing roles.

Check out upGrad’s Fundamentals of Marketing course and earn a certificate of completion, for absolutely FREE!

Conclusion

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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