A. Introduction: Why Resume Writing Matters
Resume is a document which the employer reads before seeing you for the first time.
That is, your first impression is formed even before you reach the interview room – only on the basis of your resume! But the sad thing is that many students, despite having talent, miss the chance of their dream job or internship just because of a poor (weak) resume presentation.
The good news is – writing a resume is not rocket science! By following some simple tips and smart techniques, you can create a strong, professional and attention-grabbing resume, whether you are a fresher or you do not have any job experience yet.
Remember:
“Your resume is the trailer of your story — the better the trailer, the greater the chance that people will watch your entire film (career)!”
B. What is a Resume?
A resume is a short, usually one-page summary — where you highlight your education, skills, experience, and achievements.
In simple words:
“A resume is a marketing brochure where you present your best qualities in a short and impressive way — so that the employer or admissions officer feels that you are the perfect choice for them.”
What is the main purpose of a resume?
• To market yourself professionally.
• To make your profile look strong when applying for internships.
• To make a first impression for jobs.
• Presenting your academic and extra skills for higher education (M. Pharm, MBA, MS abroad, etc.).
C. Basic Structure of a Good Resume
When you are a fresher or in the starting phase, the structure of the resume should be simple and clear.
Here is a basic and effective format:
🧩 1. Header (Top Section)
• Name (in bold and big font)
• Phone Number
• Professional Email ID (eg: yourname@gmail.com)
• LinkedIn Profile (optional but helpful in today’s time)
🧩 2. Career Objective / Profile Summary
A short (2–3 lines) statement in which you tell:
• Who you are
• What is your goal
• How can you be valuable to the company or institute
Example:
“Motivated pharmacy graduate with strong academic background, seeking an opportunity to apply my knowledge and contribute to healthcare advancements.”
🧩 3. Education
• Write the latest degree first (reverse chronological order)
• College/University name, Degree, Year of Passing, Percentage/CGPA
Example:
B. Pharm | Ravishankar College of Pharmacy | 2025 | 8.5 CGPA
🧩 4. Skills
• Technical skills (like: UV Spectroscopy, MS-Office, Data Analysis)
• Soft skills (like: Communication, Time Management, Leadership)
Write in bullet points in a simple and clear manner.
🧩 5. Internships / Projects (If any)
• Short description of the project or internship
• Focus on what you learned and what you did
🧩 6. Achievements & Certifications
• Awards, scholarships, certifications (Coursera, Udemy, etc.)
• Paper presentations, winning competitions, etc.
🧩 7. Extracurricular Activities (Optional)
• Sports, volunteering, cultural events, leadership roles, etc.
🧩 8. References (Optional)
• It is not mandatory to add references in fresher resume.
• If asked, you can write “Available on request”.
📌 Important Tips:
• Keep the font simple and professional (like Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)
• Size 11–12 for text, 14–16 for headings
• Maintain proper margins and spacing
• Absolutely avoid spelling and grammar mistakes!
D. Key Tips for Beginners
When you are making your resume for the first time, it is very important to follow some simple but powerful tips. These tips will help you in making a professional and impressive resume:
🔹 1. Keep it Simple and Clean
• Avoid fancy designs and colorful backgrounds.
• The layout of the resume should be professional and easy to read.
• White background + Black text = Best combination.
🔹 2. Focus on Skills and Learning
• You don’t have job experience? No problem!
• Highlight what skills you are seeking (technical skills, internships, college projects).
• Employers like people who are learning.
🔹 3. Use Strong Action Words
Start your sentences with powerful words like:
• “Developed”, “Managed”, “Completed”, “Participated”, “Learned”, “Organized”, etc.
Example:
“Completed a research project on drug stability during 6th semester.”
“Organized a national-level pharma quiz competition.”
🔹 4. Customize for Every Application
• Tweak your resume a bit for every job/internship.
• Highlight skills or projects that match the job description.
• Send a generic resume for everyone.
🔹 5. Avoid Common Mistakes
• Spelling and grammar check is necessary.
• Write fake experience or wrong information.
• Avoid very long resume (2–3 pages) — for a fresher a 1 page resume is perfect.
🔹 6. Add a Professional Email ID
• Email ID should be simple and professional.
• Avoid funny or informal IDs like: cooldude123@gmail.com ❌
• Best format: firstname.lastname@gmail.com
🔹 7. Keep Updating Regularly
• Keep adding new skills or achievements.
• Update your resume every 6 months — so that whenever needed, your updated resume is ready.
✨ A Golden Tip:
“While writing a resume, think that the employer has only 10 seconds — will your resume impress him?”
E. Common Mistakes to Avoid
While making resume, students make some basic mistakes, which can spoil their first impression. Here are some common mistakes and ways to avoid them:
🔹 1. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
• Even a small spelling mistake can make the resume look unprofessional.
• Solution: After writing the resume, proofread it several times, or get it checked by a trusted friend/mentor.
🔹 2. Giving Fake Information
• Writing lies in your resume is a very big risk.
• If caught in the interview, the credibility can be lost.
• Solution: Write only what you have really done or learned.
🔹 3. Lengthy and Boring Resume
• Resumes with too long and unnecessary details do not impress anyone.
• Solution: Make a crisp, clear and focused resume. Mention only relevant education, skills, and achievements.
🔹 4. Unprofessional Formatting
• Maintain fonts, alignment, and margins properly.
• Avoid over-styling (such as multi-colors, different fonts).
• Solution: Choose a clean and neat format, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font size 11–12.
🔹 5. Writing Objective that Sounds Generic
• “I want to work in a reputed company and enhance my skills.” — avoid such boring objectives.
• Solution: Personalize your objective, such as: “Looking for an internship opportunity to apply my pharmaceutical knowledge and grow in the healthcare industry.”
🔹 6. Ignoring Achievements
• Just writing responsibilities is not enough, show achievements too.
• Solution: If you have won a prize, completed a project, or led a club/event — definitely mention it.
🔹 7. Forgetting Contact Information
• Many students mistakenly write wrong phone number or email ID.
• Solution: Lastly, cross-check that the contact details are correct and updated.
📢 Quick Reminder:
“Resume is like a movie trailer — you have to impress the employer so much that he wants to watch your full movie (interview)!”
F. Bonus: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out (Even with No Experience)
🔹 1. Spell Check and Grammar Check
• Read the resume carefully once.
• Are there any spelling and grammar mistakes? If you have any doubts, use online grammar tools like Grammarly.
🔹 2. Consistent Formatting
• Are the headings in the same style?
• Is the font size and type the same throughout the resume?
• Are the margins and alignment correct?
🔹 3. Updated Contact Information
• Phone number and email ID should be absolutely correct and professional.
• Email ID should be simple and professional. (Like: yourname@email.com)
🔹 4. Clear Objective Statement
• Does the objective clearly represent your career goal?
• Avoid generic and copy-paste objectives.
🔹 5. Relevant Skills and Achievements
• Are the skills and achievements mentioned relevant to the job/internship being applied for?
🔹 6. One Page is Best
• Especially for freshers, a one-page resume is ideal.
• Add a second page only if you have more experience or certifications.
🔹 7. Save and Name Properly
• Save the resume in PDF format – so that the formatting doesn’t get spoiled.
• Keep the file name professional, like:
AshishPathak_Resume.pdf
not MyResume_NewLatest123.pdf 😅
📝 Quick Tip:
“Email your resume to yourself once and open it on your mobile – you will understand how the recruiter will see it.”
G. Quick Checklist Before Sending
When the resume is ready, definitely tick this Quick Checklist once: ✅
✅ One Page:
• For freshers, a single page is best. Make it short and clear.
✅ No Spelling/Grammar Mistakes:
• Read every line carefully. Even a small mistake can spoil the impression.
✅ Professional Email ID:
• Avoid funky or weird email IDs.
(Example: rockstar_ashu123@xyz.com ❌ → ashish.pathak@xyz.com ✅)
✅ Correct Contact Information:
• Phone number and email ID should be 100% correct and updated.
✅ Saved and Sent as PDF:
• Save the resume in PDF format so that the formatting remains safe.
• Keep the name of the file professional. (YourName_Resume.pdf)
🎯 Bonus Tip:
“Before sending the resume, definitely check it yourself by opening it once on both mobile and laptop.”
H. Conclusion: Your Resume is a Living Document
Your resume is not something that you can create once and then forget. It will continue to evolve as you grow. Keep it simple, speak the truth, and update your achievements and skills from time to time.
It is important to include every new skill, experience, or certification in your resume. It prepares you for new opportunities and showcases your growth.
Your resume is a reflection of your professional journey, so keep it updated at all times. It is important to be ready for new challenges and opportunities at any time.
Remember, the best time to create a resume was yesterday. The second-best time is today!
For more related educational videos: Dr. Ashish Pahak Online
For educational and motivational content: Edumentor Ashish
