In today’s competitive tech industry, your resume is your first impression. It’s the document that stands between you and your dream internship, job, or freelance gig. With recruiters spending just 6–10 seconds scanning a resume, it’s crucial to make those moments count. Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to building a tech resume that actually gets shortlisted.
How to Build a Strong Tech Resume That Gets Shortlisted
Start with the Basics: Clean Format, Clear Structure
Your resume should be easy to read, ATS (Applicant Tracking System)-friendly, and well-organized.
What to Include:
- Header: Name, contact info, LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio (if any)
- Summary or Objective: 2–3 lines highlighting who you are and what you’re looking for
- Education: Include your degree, school, graduation date
- Skills: Technical skills only (languages, tools, frameworks)
- Projects: Highlight 2–3 relevant projects with results
- Experience: Internships, freelance work, or even college club tech roles
- Certifications: Relevant online courses, bootcamps, etc.
Use clear section headings, consistent font sizes (10–12pt), and bullet points.
Tailor Your Resume for Every Role
Sending the same resume to every job won’t work. Customization is key.
- Study the job description.
- Use the same keywords from the job post.
- Align your skills and experiences with what the company is looking for.
For example, if the role requires React, highlight your React project instead of your Python script.
Focus on Achievements, Not Just Tasks
Instead of writing: “Worked on frontend development”
Write: “Built responsive UI using React, reducing load time by 40%”
This shows impact and ownership.
Use numbers and metrics where possible:
- “Increased engagement by 30% by optimizing UI/UX”
- “Developed automation script that saved 10 hours/week”
Showcase Relevant Projects
Your projects show what you can build. List:
- Project name & tech stack
- What it does
- Your role
- Outcomes or achievements
Example:
Smart Attendance System | Python, OpenCV, Flask
Built a facial recognition-based attendance system used by 3 classrooms. Improved accuracy by 90%.
Link to the GitHub repo or live site if available.
Highlight Your Tech Stack
Create a skills section and categorize:
Languages: Java, Python, JavaScript
Frameworks: React, Node.js, Flask
Tools: Git, Figma, Postman, VS Code
Avoid buzzwords like “hardworking” or “fast learner”. Let your skills and results speak for you.
Experience Section: Yes, Even if You’re a Fresher
Even if you’ve never worked a full-time job, list:
- Internships (paid or unpaid)
- Freelance gigs
- College clubs or hackathons
Example:
Social Media Intern — XYZ Start-up (Remote)
Created graphics & scheduled posts using Canva & Buffer. Increased followers by 15% in one month.
Show impact wherever you can.
Add Certifications That Matter
Finished a course on Coursera or Udemy? Add it.
Google UX Design Certificate — Coursera, 2024 Data Structures & Algorithms — CodingWithIITians.com, 2025
List only relevant, recent certifications. Skip outdated or unrelated ones.
Keep It to One Page (Unless You’re Very Experienced)
Recruiters don’t want your life story. Keep it:
- One page (for students and freshers)
- Two pages only if you have 5+ years experience
Use action verbs: Developed, Created, Optimized, Improved, Led, Automated.
Final Tips Before You Hit “Send”
- Save as PDF with your name (e.g., Lily_Resume.pdf)
- Run a grammar/spell check
- Ask a mentor or friend to review it
- Upload to Google Drive & create a shareable link for applications
Ready to Get Noticed?
Your resume is your personal ad. Treat it like a product you’re launching.
Highlight what makes you different, stay honest, and always show the value you can bring.
If you want help crafting your resume or getting feedback, platforms like CodingWithIITians.com also offer career services to guide you.
Now go build the resume that lands the interview. You’ve got this!