How to Write a Resume That Gets You Shortlisted in 2025 | SkillHub

Introduction

If your resume isn’t getting responses, it’s not because you’re unqualified — it’s because your resume isn’t talking to the right audience.

In today’s hiring world, your resume must do two things:

Pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and
Convince a human recruiter to take the next step.

At SkillHub, we screen hundreds of resumes every month — and we’ve seen how even brilliant candidates get filtered out just because of formatting, missing keywords, or unclear storytelling.

This guide will help you build a resume that ranks, reads, and resonates — with real examples and proven recruiter-backed strategies.

What Recruiters Really Look For (2025 Edition)

Recruiters no longer have time to read every word. The average recruiter spends 6–8 seconds on a resume before deciding whether to shortlist. Here’s what they scan for instantly:

Priority 1️⃣

Job title match

If your title matches the role they’re hiring for.

Priority 2️⃣

Key skills section

They quickly gauge technical fit here.

Priority 3️⃣

Recent experience

Relevant roles in the last 3–4 years.

Priority 4️⃣

Achievements

Measurable outcomes, not just responsibilities.

Priority 5️⃣

Clean layout

Easy to skim on mobile or a PDF viewer.

The secret? Don’t just write what you did — show how well you did it.

Step 1: Understand the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

Nearly 90% of mid to large companies now use an ATS to scan and rank resumes. ATS software automatically parses your resume and looks for keywords that match the job description. If it doesn’t find enough matches — your resume gets rejected before a human ever sees it.

How to Beat the ATS

Use .docx or PDF format (not image-based).
Include relevant keywords from the job post.
Avoid fancy tables, images, or multiple columns.
Use standard section headers like “Experience,” “Education,” “Skills.”

Example: If the JD says “React.js and TypeScript developer”, include the phrase explicitly:

“Developed front-end applications using React.js and TypeScript for enterprise clients.”

If the keyword isn’t mentioned, the ATS won’t know you have that skill.

Step 2: Structure Your Resume the Right Way

A well-structured resume instantly looks professional and trustworthy.

Ideal Resume Layout (One-Page)

Header: Name, Contact Info, LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers)
Professional Summary (2–3 lines)
Key Skills / Core Competencies
Experience / Projects
Education
Certifications & Achievements

Optional Sections

Languages
Volunteer Work
Awards
Publications

Example (Header + Summary)

 Rahul Verma Frontend Developer | React.js | Next.js | Tailwind CSS 📍 Noida, India | 📧 rahul.verma@email.com | 🔗 linkedin.com/in/rahulverma 💬 "Frontend Developer with 3+ years of experience building scalable web applications using React and Next.js, with a focus on performance, SEO, and accessibility."

Your summary should communicate role, experience, and value in one glance.

Step 3: Write Experience That Shows Impact

Recruiters don’t want to read job descriptions — they want results.

❌ Don’t write

“Responsible for developing web applications using React.js.”

✅ Do write

“Developed and deployed 5+ web applications using React.js and Node.js, improving performance by 30% and user engagement by 25%.”

Pro Tip

Every bullet should follow: Action Verb + Task + Result

“Led a team of 4 developers to build a client portal that reduced support tickets by 40%.”
“Implemented CI/CD pipelines on AWS, cutting deployment time from 3 hours to 15 minutes.”

Step 4: Tailor Each Resume to the Job

One generic resume for all roles = lowest success rate. Instead, customize your resume for each application. It takes just 10–15 minutes, but it multiplies your chances.

If the role is “Frontend Developer (Next.js)”

Frontend stack (React, Next.js, TypeScript)
SEO performance improvements
Deployment (Vercel, AWS Amplify)

If the role is “Full Stack Developer”

Backend (Node.js, MongoDB, Express)
APIs and integrations
DevOps or cloud experience

Pro Tip: Create a “Master Resume” with all details, then copy and customize a one-page version per job.

Step 5: Showcase the Right Keywords

Use the exact words that appear in the job description — recruiters and ATS both look for them. Here’s a sample by industry:

IT & Software

React, Node.js, AWS, CI/CD, API, MongoDB, SQL

Digital Marketing

SEO, Google Ads, Campaign Optimization, Analytics

Finance

Tally, MIS Reporting, Budgeting, Reconciliation

HR & Recruitment

Talent Acquisition, Onboarding, ATS, Payroll

Design

UI/UX, Figma, Adobe XD, Prototyping, Wireframing

⚙️ Keyword Placement Tips

Use them in Summary, Skills, and Experience.
Avoid keyword stuffing — ATS detects spam too.
Match both short and long forms (e.g., “JavaScript” and “JS”).

Step 6: Choose the Right Format & Design

Best Fonts: Calibri, Lato, Arial, Helvetica
Font Size: 10.5–12 pt
File Format: PDF (preferred), DOCX (for ATS upload)
Color Scheme: Minimal — black/grey text with a single accent color (blue or orange)
Avoid photos, borders, and unnecessary graphics.

💡 Remember: Simplicity = Professionalism.

Step 7: Add a Skills Matrix or Tech Stack

For tech candidates, a Skills Matrix helps recruiters see your strengths instantly.

Skills Matrix (Example)

Frontend: React.js, Next.js, TypeScript, HTML, CSS
Backend: Node.js, Express, MongoDB
DevOps: Docker, AWS, GitHub Actions
Tools: VS Code, Postman, Figma

Quick Visual (1–5)

⭐ React.js — 5/5
⭐ Next.js — 4/5
⭐ Node.js — 4/5
⭐ AWS — 3/5

Simple, fast clarity on your strengths.

Step 8: Highlight Certifications & Projects

Certifications (with year)

AWS Cloud Practitioner (2024)
Google Data Analytics Professional (2023)
Meta Front-End Developer (2025)

Projects

“Developed an AI-powered job search portal (SkillHub prototype) using Next.js and Firebase.”
“Created responsive e-commerce platform using MERN stack with 2,000+ daily users.”

💬 Real projects often beat just course certificates.

Step 9: Keep It One Page (Two Max)

Recruiters don’t read long resumes. Keep it concise — highlight only the last 5 years or the most relevant 3 roles.

Avoid these mistakes

Listing every internship from college
Writing full sentences instead of concise bullets
Including personal details like DOB, marital status, photo, or religion

For senior roles (8+ years), 2 pages are fine — if every line adds value.

Step 10: Proofread & Format Professionally

✅ Use Grammarly or Quillbot to check grammar
✅ Align bullet points perfectly
✅ Check tense consistency (“Led,” “Developed,” “Managed”)
✅ Ask a friend or HR intern to review for clarity

🔍 Real Resume Example (Before & After)

❌ Before (Weak)

React Developer at XYZ Pvt Ltd (2023–2024)
Worked on UI screens
Collaborated with backend team
Fixed bugs and improved design

✅ After (Strong)

React Developer | XYZ Pvt Ltd (2023–2024)
Built and optimized 10+ responsive UI screens using React.js and Redux
Improved page load time by 35% through code splitting and lazy loading
Integrated REST APIs with backend; maintained 99.9% uptime

Bonus: Resume Optimization for AI Hiring Tools

By 2025, companies increasingly use AI-powered systems that score resumes based on skills, tone, and achievements. Adapt by doing the following:

Use measurable results (numbers, percentages, KPIs).
Include soft skills in context (“Led cross-functional teams,” “Mentored interns”).
Mention tools and technologies by name (AI picks tool names faster than generic text).

💡 Tip: Run your resume through a free ATS resume checker before applying.

The Role of Resume Design in Modern Hiring

Even though ATS systems prefer simplicity, visual readability still matters when a recruiter opens your resume.

Equal margin spacing
Bold headings for sections
Clear separation between roles
Consistent bullet symbols

File naming examples

✅ Rahul_Verma_Resume_FrontendDeveloper.pdf

❌ MyNewResumeFinalv5.pdf

FAQs About Resume Writing

Q1. Should I include a photo on my resume?

👉 Not recommended unless you’re applying for creative roles or jobs abroad where it’s expected.

Q2. How long should a fresher’s resume be?

👉 One page. Focus on projects, internships, and key skills.

Q3. Should I include hobbies?

👉 Only if they add professional value (e.g., “Open-source contributor,” “Tech blogger”).

Q4. Do recruiters read cover letters?

👉 Sometimes — but only if it’s personalized. Keep it short and specific to the job.

Q5. Can SkillHub help me improve my resume?

👉 Yes! SkillHub’s team reviews candidate resumes and matches profiles to relevant jobs using AI + recruiter insights.

Final Checklist (Before You Apply)

✅ Resume filename is clean and descriptive
✅ Contact info + LinkedIn link included
✅ One-page layout (two for senior roles, if needed)
✅ Quantified achievements
✅ Relevant keywords from job description
✅ Grammar and alignment checked

If you’ve ticked all these boxes — you’re ready to apply.

Conclusion

Your resume is not your biography — it’s your marketing brochure. The goal is not to list everything you’ve done, but to convince the recruiter that you’re the right fit for this job.

By writing a concise, keyword-optimized, result-driven resume, you’ll bypass bots, impress recruiters, and increase your shortlist rate by 3–5x.

And when you’re ready to apply —

👉 Visit SkillHub.sbs

Explore verified job listings, upload your resume, and get noticed by hiring teams faster.

Because your next opportunity shouldn’t depend on luck — it should depend on strategy.