How many years experience on first page?

Focus on showcasing your most recent and relevant experience, typically from the last 10-15 years. For roles older than that, you can either briefly summarize them in a single line or omit them entirely to keep your resume concise and focused.

Professional summary or objective?

For an experienced professional, a 'Professional Summary' is more effective. This 4-6 line section at the top should highlight your key achievements, years of experience, and the value you bring. An 'Objective' is generally used by freshers or those making a significant career change.

Should I include all jobs?

It is not necessary to include every single job you've ever had. Focus on roles that are relevant to the position you are applying for. You can omit very short-term or irrelevant jobs to keep your resume targeted and impactful.

You don't need to explain employment gaps on the resume itself. The resume should just show the timelines. If you feel it's necessary to address a significant gap, the cover letter is the appropriate place to briefly and positively explain it (e.g., 'took a year for professional upskilling').

Do not list your references on the resume. The standard professional practice is to include the line 'References available upon request' at the end. Prepare a separate document with your references' contact details to provide if requested.

Achievements important?

Yes, this is the most critical part of an experience resume. Instead of just listing your duties, focus on quantifiable achievements. Use numbers and metrics to show your impact, such as 'Increased revenue by 15%' or 'Reduced operational costs by 20%'.

Absolutely. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. To pass this initial screening, carefully read the job description and incorporate relevant keywords and skills from it naturally into your resume.

In India, it's generally recommended not to include a photograph on your resume unless the employer specifically requests it. A professional photo on your LinkedIn profile is a better and more standard practice.

Yes, always use a professional and clear file name. The format 'FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf' is a widely accepted standard. This makes it easy for recruiters to identify and manage your file.

Yes, a two-page resume is acceptable if you have 10 or more years of relevant experience. This gives you enough space to detail your achievements. For less than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is strongly preferred.

Experience Resume Format & Generator Online

Experience Resume in India: Crafting a Resume That Highlights Your Achievements

As an experienced professional in India's competitive job market, your resume needs to do more than list jobs—it must tell a compelling story of your career progression, impact, and value to potential employers. With recruiters spending limited time on each application, especially in sectors like IT, finance, manufacturing, consulting, and sales, a well-structured experience resume can make the difference between getting shortlisted or overlooked.

This guide covers everything you need to build a powerful experience resume in 2026—key sections, current trends, formatting best practices, quantifying achievements, ATS optimisation, and tips to stand out in Indian and multinational companies.

Essential Sections for an Experience Resume

Prioritise impact over mere duties:

Professional Summary: A 4–6 line overview at the top highlighting your expertise, years of experience, key achievements, and career goals. Tailor it to the role.
Work Experience: Reverse chronological order. For each role, include company name, designation, duration, and 4–6 bullet points focusing on achievements (not responsibilities).
Skills: Categorised list of technical skills (tools, software, languages) and soft/leadership skills relevant to the job.
Education: Degree, institution, and year—keep brief unless recent or highly prestigious.
Certifications: Relevant professional certifications (PMP, AWS, Six Sigma, etc.) with completion dates.
Achievements & Awards: Notable recognitions, promotions, or contributions.
Professional Details: LinkedIn profile, professional email, phone number.

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

Length: 1–2 pages maximum (2 pages only if 10+ years experience).
Quantify achievements: Use numbers—"Increased sales by 35%" or "Led team of 15 to deliver project 20% under budget."
Action verbs: Start bullets with strong verbs—Led, Delivered, Optimized, Streamlined, Negotiated.
ATS-friendly: Use standard fonts, no tables/graphics, include job description keywords naturally.
Customisation: Tailor resume for each application—generic resumes get rejected.
LinkedIn integration: Include profile link; ensure it matches resume.
Focus on recent roles: Detail last 10–15 years; summarise earlier experience.

How to Write Impactful Work Experience Bullets

Use the STAR method implicitly:

Highlight problem/challenge
Describe your action
Show measurable results

Example: "Reduced operational costs by 25% through process optimisation and vendor renegotiation, saving ₹45 lakhs annually."

Formatting and Design Guidelines

Clean, professional layout with consistent fonts (Arial/Calibri 10–12 pt).
Bullet points for readability.
PDF format to preserve structure.
Clear section headings in bold.
Avoid photos unless specifically requested.

Common Mistakes Experienced Candidates Make

Listing duties instead of achievements.
Overly long resumes (3+ pages).
Generic content not tailored to job.
Outdated or irrelevant information.
Typos or inconsistent formatting.
No quantifiable metrics.

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Build and optimise your LinkedIn profile.
Get feedback from mentors or peers.
Prepare a targeted cover letter.
Highlight leadership and cross-functional experience.
Include relevant volunteer work or side projects if they add value.

For career transitions, pair with a Cover Letter or Job Application Letter.

Conclusion

An effective experience resume showcases your professional journey through tangible results and strategic contributions. In India's dynamic job market, it positions you as a high-value candidate ready to drive impact.

Our free experience resume builder helps you create a polished, recruiter-friendly resume instantly—choose templates, add achievements, and download in PDF. Advance your career with confidence!

Related Tools:
Fresher Resume | Cover Letter | Job Application Letter | Marriage Biodata

For job search resources, explore Naukri, LinkedIn, or the National Career Service.

Last updated: January 2026

Experience Resume Generator

Complete Guide to Building an Experience Resume in India 2026

Experience Resume in India: Crafting a Resume That Highlights Your Achievements

Essential Sections for an Experience Resume

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

How to Write Impactful Work Experience Bullets

Formatting and Design Guidelines

Common Mistakes Experienced Candidates Make

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Experience Resume Generator

Complete Guide to Building an Experience Resume in India 2026

Experience Resume in India: Crafting a Resume That Highlights Your Achievements

Essential Sections for an Experience Resume

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

How to Write Impactful Work Experience Bullets

Formatting and Design Guidelines

Common Mistakes Experienced Candidates Make

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years experience on first page?

Professional summary or objective?

Should I include all jobs?

Gaps in employment?

References?

Achievements important?

ATS keywords?

Photo?

File name?

2 pages allowed?