Do’s and Don’ts of Resume for Freshers

Imagine stepping into an elevator and finding yourself face-to-face with the CEO of your dream company. You’ve got barely 30 seconds before the doors slide open, just enough time to share who you are and why you matter. Your resume serves the same purpose. It has to be concise, impactful, and unforgettable in the brief moment a recruiter spends with it.

A resume is more than a summary of education and internships; it’s a story of potential. Yet too often, small missteps, generic objectives, fancy graphics, and forgotten spell-checks can overshadow talent. 

Learning the do’s and don’ts isn’t just about following rules; it’s about presenting yourself as the professional you are ready to become.

Also read: Are you a Fresher and want to know how to write your first Resume? Here's your Guide.

Dos: What You Should Do

Let's look at what makes a resume stand out and get noticed. Here are the key things you need to do.

1. Tailor Your Resume: Change it a little for each job to match the job description

You should customise your resume for every job application. This shows you really want the role and boosts your chances of landing an interview. Take a good look at the job posting and spot key skills they want, then update your resume to show relevant experience. 

2. Use Action Words: Start lines with words like created, managed, improved

Strong action verbs should start each bullet point - think "achieved," "implemented," or "developed" instead of saying "responsible for". These verbs show your hands-on experience and make your resume more engaging.

3. Show Numbers

Numbers make your achievements more concrete. Hiring managers remember specific numbers better than general statements. Even rough estimates work better than no numbers at all.

4. Highlight Key Skills: Include technical skills and soft skills, such as teamwork

List both your technical abilities and workplace skills in the skills section. The job description tells you what employers value most. Technical roles need specific proficiencies and certifications. Keep your skills focused - about five relevant ones per application works best.

5. Keep It Clean: Use a simple design that is easy to read and works with ATS

A clean, professional format with clear sections works best. Pick a readable font between 10 and 12 points. Make section headers stand out through bold text or bigger font sizes. On top of that, skip text boxes, columns, and fancy formatting that might confuse ATS systems.

6. Proofread: Check spelling and grammar carefully

Bad spelling and grammar rank among the top five resume mistakes. Read each word carefully, and use spellcheck tools, but don't trust them blindly. Someone else should review your resume,  too - they might catch errors you missed.

7. Add Contact Info: Make sure your phone and professional email are correct

Your contact details belong at the top of your resume. Use a professional email address without nicknames or slang. Include your current phone number formatted properly.  Add relevant online portfolio links if they fit your industry.

8. Don't Forget Keywords: Use important words from the job post

Spread keywords from the job description throughout your resume to pass ATS screening. You should aim for 25-30 relevant keywords. Pay attention to skills mentioned multiple times in the job posting. Just make sure to use terms naturally where they make sense.

Don'ts: What to Avoid

Knowing what to leave out of your resume matters just as much as what you put in. Let's get into the major resume mistakes you should avoid.

1. No Generic Resume: Don't send the same resume everywhere

A generic resume rarely highlights the specific skills needed for each job. Automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) reject most of the resumes because they don't match the required keywords. 

2. Skip Irrelevant Details: Leave out old school details or unrelated activities

Your resume shouldn't be a complete life story. Add only what matters for the job you're seeking. Remove anything that doesn't showcase your qualifications. Old school details and hobbies should only appear if they connect directly to the position.

3. No Fancy Design: Avoid bright colours or graphics

Standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman work best. ATS don't deal very well with images and graphics, which often leads to rejection. Your resume should be in common formats like Word (.docx) or PDF.

4. Don't Lie: Be honest about grades and experience

Getting caught can end your job, hurt your reputation, and lead to legal trouble. Dishonesty remains grounds for dismissal even years after the fact.

5. Don't Make It Too Long: One page is best for freshers

New candidates or those with less than 5 years of experience should stick to one page. Fresh graduates need a single page, while seasoned professionals can use two. Quality beats quantity every time.

6. Avoid Passive Sentences: Say 'Completed project' instead of 'Project was completed by me'

Active voice draws readers in and makes them want to learn more. Passive voice weakens your role in achievements. "I earned a promotion" sounds much stronger than "A promotion was given to me".

7. Don't Include Personal Info: Leave out marital status, religion, or full address

Keep personal details like marital status, children, religion, or disability off your resume. Employers can't legally ask for this information. Stick to basics: name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.

8. No Buzzwords: Avoid clichés like 'synergy' or 'go-getter'

Terms like 'team player,' 'detail-oriented,' and 'results-driven' appear too often on resumes. 'Synergy' has become a workplace cliché. Skip vague descriptions like 'creative,' 'innovative,' or 'hard worker' unless you back them up with specific examples.

Common Resume Mistakes to Watch

Job seekers with years of experience still make resume mistakes that cost them valuable opportunities. You can create a winning resume by learning about these common pitfalls.

• Using the same resume for every job

A generic resume rarely makes it through Applicant Tracking Systems that screen candidates based on job-specific criteria. The one-size-fits-all strategy tells employers you lack genuine interest in their company.

• Not matching the job description

Hiring managers look for candidates who match their specific requirements. Companies search for suitable candidates through keywords, so your resume might never reach a recruiter's desk without the right terminology.

• Overloading with unnecessary info

Extra details water down your qualifications. Keep personal pronouns, age, gender, pictures, or casual language off your resume. You should also remove information gaps like missing summers or experiences that don't strengthen your application.

• Ignoring formatting and layout

The visual presentation of your resume matters without doubt. Employers struggle with dense text blocks and multiple fonts. A well-laid-out resume needs consistent formatting with proper spacing, underlining, and capitalization. 

Quick Checklist for Freshers

This quick checklist will help you create a polished resume that catches attention as you step into the job market. Let's call it your final check before you hit that submit button.

• One page, simple layout

Your resume should stick to one page if you're a fresher. Pick a clean, professional template without fancy designs. 

• Correct contact info

Place your full name, phone number, and email address at the top of your resume. Use a professional email address that doesn't have nicknames or slang. Test all hyperlinks if you add portfolio links. 

• Tailored for the job

Create a unique version of your resume for each position instead of sending similar copies everywhere. Time spent matching your skills and experiences to each job description substantially improves your chances of getting shortlisted. Add relevant keywords from the job posting. Focus on terms that appear multiple times.

• No spelling errors

Spelling and grammar mistakes are among the top five resume mistakes. Use spellcheck tools and read your document word by word. Ask someone else to proofread it as four eyes spot more than two. 

Conclusion

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet,” and your resume is that preparation. Make it count.

A great resume is less about decoration and more about direction. Every word, every bullet point, and every white space tells a recruiter how seriously you take your own story. As you polish your draft, remember that simplicity, honesty, and focus are your strongest allies. Read it aloud, proofread it twice, and ask a trusted friend for feedback. When you finally hit “send,” you’ll know that what lands in the recruiter’s inbox is more than a document, it’s your opening conversation, one that could lead straight to the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the key elements of an effective resume? 

An effective resume should be tailored to the specific job, use action words, quantify achievements, highlight relevant skills, maintain a clean design, and include correct contact information. It's crucial to proofread carefully and incorporate important keywords from the job posting.

Q2. How long should my resume be? 

For freshers and recent graduates, a one-page resume is ideal. Experienced professionals can extend to two pages if necessary. The key is to focus on quality rather than quantity, including only relevant information that showcases your qualifications for the specific role.

Q3. What common mistakes should I avoid when writing my resume? 

Avoid using a generic resume for all applications, including irrelevant details, using fancy designs or graphics, lying about qualifications, and writing in passive voice. Also, steer clear of including personal information like marital status or religion, and avoid overused buzzwords without specific examples.