How to Write a Resume That Gets You Shortlisted (with Real Examples)
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:
Job title match
If your title matches the role they’re hiring for.
Key skills section
They quickly gauge technical fit here.
Recent experience
Relevant roles in the last 3–4 years.
Achievements
Measurable outcomes, not just responsibilities.
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.