The fresher resume trap
Most freshers in India make the same mistake: they download a generic "creative" template with two columns, a photo, a progress bar for skills, and a "Declaration" at the bottom. Then they apply to 100 jobs and wonder why they don't get a single callback.
The reason is simple: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) cannot read those creative templates.
The Golden Rule: Single-Column, Plain Text
Do not use multi-column layouts. Do not include photos, skill progress bars, icons, or a "Declaration" section.
The 5 Required Sections (In Order)
1. Contact Information
Name, phone, professional email, city, LinkedIn, and GitHub/Portfolio.
2. Education (Put this first)
Since you don't have work experience, your education is your primary qualification. List degree, major, university, and graduation year. Include CGPA only if above 8.0.
3. Technical Skills (The ATS Keyword Section)
Read the job description carefully and ensure the required skills are listed here exactly as written in the JD. Group by: Languages, Frameworks/Libraries, Tools/Databases, Core Concepts.
4. Personal Projects (Your Work Experience Substitute)
For each project: Project Title + Link, Tech Stack, and 2-3 bullets explaining what you built, why, and the impact.
5. Internships, Certifications, or Hackathons
If you have an internship, treat it like full-time work experience. Otherwise, list relevant certifications or notable hackathon wins.
The Final Step: Check Your ATS Score
Use Applyr's free ATS checker to scan your fresher resume against any job description. If you score above 75%, you are in the top tier of applicants.