Should freshers include objective or summary?

Yes, a career objective is highly recommended for freshers. It provides a concise 3-4 line summary of your skills and career goals, helping recruiters quickly understand your aspirations and what you can bring to the role.

Is one-page resume mandatory?

Yes, a one-page resume is the standard for freshers in India. Recruiters often have very little time to review each application, so a concise, well-organized single page makes it easier for them to quickly assess your qualifications.

Should I include 10th/12th marks?

It's a good practice to include your 10th and 12th-grade percentages, especially if they are high (e.g., above 75-80%). If your marks are average, you can choose to omit them and focus on your college grades and projects instead.

In India, it's generally not required to include a photograph on your resume unless the job posting specifically asks for one. Many companies prefer resumes without photos to avoid potential bias. A professional LinkedIn profile with a photo is a better alternative.

You do not need to list references directly on your resume. Simply adding the phrase 'References available upon request' at the end is the standard professional practice. Keep a separate list of references ready in case an employer asks for it.

Absolutely. For freshers, the projects section is often the most important part of the resume. It provides concrete evidence of your skills, your ability to apply theoretical knowledge, and your passion for your field. Describe 2-3 of your best projects in detail.

Yes, for any technology or programming-related role, including a link to your GitHub profile is highly recommended. It allows recruiters to see your actual coding work, projects, and contributions, which is a powerful way to demonstrate your skills.

Always save and send your resume as a PDF file. This ensures that your formatting and layout are preserved across different devices and operating systems. Name the file professionally, such as 'YourName_Resume.pdf'.

Including a hobbies section is optional. It can add a personal touch but should be kept brief. It's best to include hobbies that are either relevant to the job (e.g., 'reading tech blogs' for a tech role) or show positive traits like teamwork or discipline (e.g., 'participating in team sports').

Yes, you should still include your GPA for transparency. If it's on the lower side, don't try to hide it. Instead, draw attention to other strengths like your projects, internships, and technical skills to show your practical abilities.

Fresher Resume Format & Generator Online

Fresher Resume in India: How to Build One That Gets You Noticed

Entering the job market as a fresh graduate in India can feel overwhelming. With thousands of applicants competing for entry-level roles in IT, core engineering, management, finance, and other sectors, your resume is your primary tool to stand out. Recruiters typically spend just 6–10 seconds scanning each resume, so it needs to be clear, concise, and tailored to highlight your potential despite limited professional experience.

This guide covers everything you need to create a winning fresher resume in 2026—essential sections, current trends, ATS-friendly formatting, common mistakes, and tips to make your profile appealing to Indian recruiters and global companies hiring in India.

Essential Sections in a Fresher Resume

Structure your resume strategically to showcase academic strengths and relevant skills:

Career Objective: A crisp 3–4 line statement summarising your goals, key skills, and what you offer the employer. Tailor it to the job role.
Education: List qualifications in reverse chronological order with institution name, degree, year of passing, and CGPA/percentage (mention if above 7.0/70%).
Projects: The most critical section for freshers—describe 2–4 academic or personal projects with technologies used, your role, and outcomes.
Technical Skills: Categorise into programming languages, tools, frameworks, databases, and soft skills. Use keywords from the job description.
Internships/Training: Highlight any summer internships, industrial training, or workshops with duration, company, and learnings.
Certifications: Include relevant online courses (Coursera, Udemy, NPTEL, Google, AWS, etc.) with completion dates.
Achievements & Extracurriculars: Academic awards, hackathon wins, sports, volunteering, or leadership roles.
Personal Details: Professional email, phone, LinkedIn/GitHub profile (highly recommended).

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

One-page resume only—recruiters prefer brevity for freshers.
ATS-compatible format: Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri 11–12 pt), no tables/graphics, clear headings.
Keyword optimisation: Mirror terms from the job description (e.g., "Python", "React.js", "SQL").
Quantify wherever possible: "Developed a web app with 500+ users" instead of generic statements.
Include links to GitHub/portfolio for tech roles.
Professional email ID (avoid nicknames).
Customise for each application—generic resumes get rejected.

Formatting and Design Tips

Clean layout with proper spacing and bullet points.
Bold section headings for easy scanning.
PDF format to preserve formatting.
Reverse chronological order within sections.
No photographs unless specifically asked (common in some sectors).

Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Generic or missing career objective.
No projects or irrelevant ones listed.
Overloading with personal information (hobbies unless relevant).
Typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistent formatting.
Multiple pages or fancy designs that fail ATS parsing.
Lying or exaggerating—easily caught in interviews.

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Build a LinkedIn profile and keep it updated.
Get your resume reviewed by seniors or mentors.
Focus on transferable skills from academics/projects.
Prepare a matching cover letter for better impact.
Apply early—campus and off-campus drives fill quickly.

For job applications, you might also need a Cover Letter, Experience Resume (post-internship), or Marriage Biodata.

Conclusion

A strong fresher resume is your gateway to interviews and dream job offers. Focus on clarity, relevance, and showcasing your potential to stand out in India's competitive job market.

Our free online fresher resume builder helps you create a professional, ATS-friendly resume instantly—choose templates, fill sections, and download in PDF. Build your career confidently!

For career resources, check platforms like Naukri, LinkedIn, or the National Career Service.

Last updated: January 2026

Fresher Resume Generator

Complete Guide to Building a Fresher Resume in India 2026

Fresher Resume in India: How to Build One That Gets You Noticed

Essential Sections in a Fresher Resume

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

Formatting and Design Tips

Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresher Resume Generator

Complete Guide to Building a Fresher Resume in India 2026

Fresher Resume in India: How to Build One That Gets You Noticed

Essential Sections in a Fresher Resume

Current Trends and Best Practices for 2026

Formatting and Design Tips

Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Additional Tips to Boost Your Chances

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Should freshers include objective or summary?

Is one-page resume mandatory?

Should I include 10th/12th marks?

Photo on resume?

References needed?

Projects important?

GitHub link?

File format?

Hobbies section?

GPA below 7?