Layout
- Use a single-column layout. Multi-column designs can be read in the wrong order.
- Avoid tables, text boxes and graphics for important information. Some parsers skip them.
- Don't put contact details in the header or footer area of the document.
- Use a standard font such as Arial, Calibri or Georgia at 10–12 pt.
Section headings
Use plain, standard headings so the ATS can map your content correctly:
- Summary
- Experience (or Work experience)
- Skills
- Education
- Projects and Certifications, if relevant
File type
Submit a .docx or a text-based PDF exported from a word processor, unless the posting asks for something else. Avoid scanned PDFs and image-based resumes; they contain no readable text.
Keywords
Most ATS ranking depends on how well your resume matches the job description. Use the employer's own words for skills and tools, where they are true for you. If the posting says "Kubernetes" and your resume says "container orchestration", add the specific term. Never list skills you don't have; interviews will expose it.
Paste your resume and the job description into the free ATS resume checker to see which keywords are missing.
Experience bullets
- Start with an action verb and end with a result: "Cut API latency by 40% by moving to gRPC".
- Put the most relevant experience for the role first.
- Spell out acronyms once, then use the short form, e.g. "Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)".
Length
One page for up to about five years of experience; two pages for most experienced professionals. Cut older, less relevant roles to a single line.
What Indian recruiters don't need on a resume
- A photograph, date of birth, marital status or religion. They are not relevant to the role.
- Full postal address. City is enough.
- Current and expected CTC. Share these in the application form or the recruiter call rather than on the resume.
Checklist before you apply
- Single column, standard headings, no tables for key content
- Contact details in the main body
- Keywords from this specific job description included where true
- Saved as .docx or text-based PDF, named "Firstname-Lastname-Resume"