Writing an Indian Resume: Formatting Tips & Examples

What to Include in an Indian resume

1. Resume header

Start with a bold resume header. It must include your name with a strong resume headline underneath and your contact information, including your phone number and a professional email address. 

If you have any, you should also include your portfolio or professional website. For professional networking profiles, follow our guide on how to add LinkedIn to your resume.  

Indian resumes often include a headshot. You can choose to add one to your resume header. This is completely optional and shouldn’t affect your prospects either way. If you do include one, choose a professional-looking photo. 

2. Professional statement

The professional statement is your introduction to the employer. Use it as an  elevator pitch that’ll convince them you’re a must-interview candidate. 

If you have experience, use a career summary to present your years of experience, strongest skill and an important accomplishment. Remember to make it relevant to the position you’re seeking. 

For example:

Recent graduates, referred to as “freshers” in the Indian job market, and candidates with little experience should use a resume objective. An objective focuses on your current skills, even if you have no experience and goals for the role.

For example:

3. Your professional history

Your work experience shows not only your previous roles but also how you’ve successfully used your job-relevant skills. It’s your chance to highlight what you bring to the table. 

Just like a U.S. resume, write a professional history section that includes your title, employer, location and dates of employment. For each role, include three bullet points with your work accomplishments. Use action verbs to make a stronger impact. 

For example:

For freshers and candidates writing a resume with no experience, you can focus on academic experiences, internships and volunteer work. Create a targeted resume that includes those roles and accomplishments relevant to the role. For example, you can include working in the student newspaper if you’re applying for a writer position. If the experience is not relevant to the job, you can still include it under your education section or volunteer experience. 

4. Skills

The Indian job market is competitive. Candidates must show they have top resume skills to catch the employer’s eye.  Write a bulleted list with 6 to 12 skills. It should include hard skills, which are those you use to perform your job, and soft skills, which show how you perform your job and work with others. 

While soft skills, like interpersonal skills, are highlighted through your work achievements, don’t deter from including them in your dedicated skills section. 

5. Education

Include the name of your degree, the university and its campus location. Unlike a U.S. resume, you should include the years attended and your GPA if it’s above 3.4. You can also add optional information, such as relevant coursework, extracurriculars and academic achievements. 

For example:

6. Bonus: Additional sections

Show how you can stand out from other candidates with similar qualifications by including any — or all!— of these additional sections

• Foreign languages with your level of proficiency — As a strong world economy, working in India comes with its fair share of foreign languages. Include any foreign language and your level of proficiency. For example, Native French Speaker, Proficient in Mandarin, and Conversational Spanish, among others.
• Awards—Distinctions and honors from employers, colleagues or professional organizations show that your contributions exceed the standards of your industry, setting you apart from other candidates. 
• Memberships — Being a member of professional organizations shows your commitment to the craft and your extensive, reachable network. 
• Volunteering — Including relevant experiences can help you stand out from the candidate pool and showcase your social commitment. 
• Hobbies —  Being a well-balanced candidate with extracurricular shows you give it your all when it matters. Plus, hobbies can provide insight into your personality, interests and skills. 

Always tailor these sections to the employer’s culture and needs.