Resume for Freshers and Experienced Professionals That Companies Can’t Ignore | Resume Template with a 90+ ATS Score

A resume is more than a summary of your experience—it’s your ticket entry to an interview. But long before a recruiter lays eyes on it, your resume must be filtered through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which reads and screens resumes on the basis of keywords, structure, and how much you are relevant to our job role.

If your resume is not ATS-optimized, it could be rejected even before someone reads it. That’s why it’s essential to get your resume’s format right, include the right keywords(adding words that they want to hear, just show your potential on the behalf of their job description), and highlight your strengths in a manner that leaves a mark.

This article will take you through the process of creating a solid resume, whether you are a fresher or an experienced professional, in the proper format and structure.

The Key to a Strong Resume: Prioritize the Best Sections

A major error that people tend to make is failing to place the most crucial parts at the beginning. There is no time for recruiters to read everything—they scan only the first few paragraphs before determining if they will continue.

• For freshers, since there’s little or no work experience, the focus should be on education, skills, and projects.
• For experienced professionals, the experience section should come first because that’s what employers care about most.

How to Structure a Fresher Resume

If you are a fresher, your resume must highlight your skills, education, and projects, as you might not have significant work experience. Begin with a concise and persuasive/effective summary that mentions your strengths and career goals. This should be followed by a well-structured Education section, mentioning your degrees, certifications, and academic accomplishments/achievement. Highlight your technical and soft skills, making sure they match the job position you are applying for. Lastly, provide information on internships, personal projects, or extracurricular activities that reflect your skills and potential.

1. Header (Personal Information)

This section should be simple and professional.

✅ Include:

• Full Name
• LinkedIn Profile
• GitHub Profile (if applying for tech roles)
• Email Address and Phone Number

🚫 Avoid:

• Fancy fonts, borders, or decorative elements
• Personal details like age, gender, or marital status

Example:
John Doe
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe
GitHub: github.com/johndoe
Email: johndoe@email.com | Phone: 123-456-7890

2. About Section (Optional but Effective)

A short summary that introduces you in 2-3 sentences. This helps give recruiters a quick understanding of your profile.

Example:
“Aspiring front-end developer with strong knowledge of React.js, Next.js, and Firebase. Passionate about building clean and efficient user interfaces. Seeking an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic team and grow as a software developer.”

3. Education (Place This at the Top for Freshers)

Since work experience is limited, education should be one of the first things a recruiter sees.

✅ Include:

• Degree Name
• University Name
• Duration (Start – End Date)
• CGPA (if 7.0 or above)
• Relevant Coursework

Example:
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science & Engineering
Kurukshetra University | July 2021 – July 2025
CGPA: 7.5
Relevant Coursework: Web Development, Data Structures, Database Management

4. Skills (Use Job-Relevant Keywords)

Since ATS filters out resumes based on keywords, list skills that match the job description.

✅ Include:

• Front-End: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript
• Frameworks: React.js, Next.js, Redux
• Styling: Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, Material UI
• Backend Basics: Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, Firebase
• Tools: Git, GitHub, Netlify, Vercel

🚫 Avoid:

• Generic terms like “Good communication skills” unless it’s required for the job

5. Projects (This is Your Experience)

Because freshers lack experience in the professional field, projects act as a guarantee of your expertise and skills. Ensure you complete projects relevant to the position you are vying/struggling for since it enables the recruiter to determine your potential and proficiency in the field. Good projects with adequate/enough documentation can illustrate your problem-solving skills and express how well you can contribute to the organization.

✅ Tips:

• Pick projects relevant to the job
• Use action words like “Built,” “Developed,” “Implemented”
• If possible, include links to GitHub or live demos

Example:

Portfolio Website

• Built a personal portfolio using React.js and Tailwind CSS
• Implemented dark mode, animations, and SEO optimization
• Tech Stack: React.js, Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion, Vercel

E-Commerce Web App

• Developed an e-commerce front-end with Next.js and Redux
• Integrated a dummy payment gateway and optimized for speed with SSR
• Tech Stack: Next.js, Redux, Tailwind CSS, Stripe API

How to Structure an Experienced Resume

If you have work experience, your resume must give prominence/importance to your professional achievements and career development. Begin with a strong summary of your expertise, followed by a comprehensive work experience section with major accomplishments/achievement. The format must highlight skills, certifications, and applicable projects that align with your career path.

1. Header (Same as Freshers)

Keep it clean and professional.

2. Experience (Place This at the Top for Experienced Candidates)

Recruiters care most about your previous work experience, so this section should be at the top.

✅ Tips:

• Use metrics to show your impact (e.g., “Reduced page load time by 30%”)
• Mention tools and technologies used
• Focus on achievements, not responsibilities

Example:

Front-End Developer – LearnLoner.com
April 2023 – Present

• Developed and maintained the website’s front-end using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React
• Reduced page load time by 30% through performance optimization
• Implemented SEO-friendly structures to improve search rankings
• Resolved cross-browser compatibility issues for seamless user experience

3. Education (Move This Below Experience)

Now that you have work experience, education is less important. Keep it short and move it below the experience section.

4. Skills (Use Keywords That Match the Job Description)

List technologies and tools that are commonly required in the jobs you’re applying for.

5. Projects (If Relevant)

If you’re applying for a technical role, showcasing personal or side projects can give you an edge.

How to Optimize Your Resume for ATS

1. Use Keywords from the Job Description

Most firms utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sift through resumes in search of pertinent/relevant skills and experience prior to a recruiter seeing/finding them. To rise above the competition, read the job description very carefully and extract/use keywords specific to the position. Use these keywords/words seamlessly into your resume, particularly in the skills, experience, and summary areas. This will assist your resume in ranking higher in ATS filtering and demonstrate that your skills match the job demands. An efficiently optimized resume increases your opportunity of being shortlisted for an interview.

Example:

❌ Bad: “Good at JavaScript and frameworks”
✅ Good: “Experienced in JavaScript, React.js, Next.js, Redux for front-end development”

2. Keep Formatting Simple

Avoid fancy designs, borders, or graphics. Stick to basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

3. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

One generic resume won’t work for every job. Customize your resume based on the job description.

Final Thoughts

Your resume is your first impression. To increase your chances of getting an interview:

• Use job-relevant keywords
• Prioritize the most important sections (experience for professionals, education/projects for freshers)
• Keep the formatting clean and professional
• Showcase achievements with metrics

A strong resume doesn’t just list information—it presents your skills in the best possible way. Take the time to refine it, and you’ll significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

If you’re looking to create an ATS-friendly resume without spending money, using a free highly ATS-scored resume template is the best option. Many online tools offer ATS-compliant resume templates that are designed to pass applicant tracking systems with ease. These templates are optimized with the right structure, formatting, and keyword placement to help your resume rank higher. With such tools, you can improve your chances of getting shortlisted as well as having a professional-looking and well-structured resume. Have a look at this free ATS resume builder to make an interview-winning resume with ease!