"Your resume is the first impression a recruiter forms of you. Here's what actually matters — and what most candidates get wrong."
Why Most IT Resumes Don't Get Responses
Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to read further. That's not carelessness — it's volume. A busy recruiter reviewing 80 applications in a day needs to make fast initial decisions.
The problem isn't that candidates lack skills. It's that most resumes bury those skills under irrelevant content, poor formatting, or vague language.
Here's what works.
1. Start with a clear professional summary
Your summary should answer one question: what specific role are you targeting and what makes you the right fit?
Bad: "A highly motivated IT professional seeking challenging opportunities in a dynamic organisation."
Better: "Software engineer with 5 years of experience building React and Node.js applications for fintech products. Currently at [Company], leading front-end development for a platform serving 2 lakh users."
Keep it to 3–4 lines.
2. Put your technical skills in a visible section
Recruiters and ATS systems scan for specific technologies. Create a dedicated Skills section near the top.
List technologies you can actually work with — not every keyword you've ever heard of.
3. Describe your experience with outcomes
Avoid: "Worked on frontend development."
Better: "Built and maintained the customer dashboard using React and TypeScript. Reduced page load time by 40% through lazy loading and code splitting."
If you don't have metrics, describe impact: "Rebuilt the authentication flow to support OAuth, enabling single sign-on for enterprise clients."
4. Keep formatting clean
- —Use a single-column format for Indian job applications
- —Avoid tables, graphics, and text boxes (ATS can't read them)
- —Use standard section headings: Summary, Skills, Experience, Education
- —Keep it to 2 pages for 5+ years of experience; 1 page for freshers
5. Include location and availability
Indian recruiters typically want to know your current location, preferred locations, and notice period. Add these clearly.
What HRLent Looks For When Reviewing Resumes
When candidates submit resumes to us, we look for role clarity, relevant experience, and skill alignment. We contact candidates personally when there's a suitable match — so a well-written resume significantly improves your response rate.
Submit your resume through our [Candidates](/candidates/submit-resume) page.
HRLent Editorial Team
Practical insights and benchmarks on technical hiring, talent market dynamics, and employment regulations across India.
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