When you are applying for your first job, your resume is often the only thing a recruiter sees before deciding whether to call you. You may not have years of experience, but you still have a story to tell: your education, skills, projects and the effort you have put into learning.
The format of your resume is what decides how clearly that story comes across.
If the information is scattered or confusing, a recruiter may miss your strengths. If it is structured well, they can quickly see why you are a good fit, even as a fresher.
This guide explains:
- The main resume formats that work for freshers
- When each format makes sense
- Simple layouts and templates you can adapt
Why Resume Format Matters for Freshers
Experienced professionals usually have a list of job titles and companies to rely on. Freshers rarely do. So, recruiters look for other signals:
- How strong and relevant your education is
- What skills you have actually learned
- Whether you have done projects, internships or any hands on work
- How clearly you can present all of this
A good format helps you:
- Put the right sections in the right order
- Make it easy to scan in a few seconds
- Pass through basic Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that look for standard headings such as “Education”, “Skills”, “Projects” and “Experience”
Think of the format as the frame. The content is the picture. Both matter.
The Three Main Resume Formats for Freshers
Almost every fresher resume can be shaped into one of these formats:
- Chronological format
- Functional or skills based format
- Combination or hybrid format
They use the same pieces of information, just arranged differently.
Chronological Resume Format
This is the classic style most people recognise.
What it looks like
In a chronological resume, your education and experience are listed in order, starting with the most recent. A recruiter can see your journey at a glance: latest degree, latest internship, and so on.
Best for
- Freshers who have at least one internship, part time job, or training experience
- Roles where the recruiter expects some practical exposure, even at entry level
Typical flow
You can think of the sections in this order:
- Contact details
- Career objective or summary
- Education
- Internships or work experience
- Skills
- Projects
- Certifications
- Achievements or extracurriculars
Example layout
Name
Email | Phone | City | LinkedIn
Objective
B.Tech graduate in Computer Science, looking for an entry level software developer role where I can apply my programming skills and learn from real projects.
Education
B.Tech in Computer Science, ABC University, 2023
CGPA: 8.2 out of 10
Internship Experience
Software Intern, XYZ Technologies, June 2022 to August 2022
- Developed a basic internal tool using HTML, CSS and Python Flask
- Helped the team with database updates and bug fixing
Skills
Python, Java, SQL, HTML, CSS, Data structures
Projects
Online Bookstore Website
- Built a simple ecommerce site with product listing and cart features
Certifications
Introduction to Python, Coursera
Activities
Member, Coding Club, ABC University
When it struggles
If you have no internships, part time work or training at all, a pure chronological format may look a little empty. In that situation, a skills based format often works better.
Functional (Skills Based) Resume Format
This format flips the focus. Instead of asking “Where did you work?”, it starts from “What can you do?”.
How it works
You group your resume around skills and then show proof of those skills through projects, coursework or activities. Experience is still there, but it is not the main highlight.
Good choice when
- You have not done any formal internship or job yet
- Your main strength is your skills, projects and online learning
- You are applying to a role slightly different from your degree, for example an engineer applying to digital marketing
Sections you would typically include
- Contact details
- Career objective
- Skills summary (grouped by theme)
- Education
- Projects and coursework
- Certifications
- Achievements or activities
Example layout
Name
Email | Phone | LinkedIn
Career Objective
BBA graduate with strong interest in marketing and content, looking for an entry level role where I can apply digital marketing and communication skills.
Skills Summary
Marketing and digital
- Social media management, basic SEO, campaign planning
Analysis and research
- Market research, survey design, basic Excel
Content and communication
- Blog writing, social media content, presentations
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, Delhi University, 2023
Projects and Coursework
Market Research Study on Online Grocery Users
- Designed a survey, collected responses from 150 participants and presented findings
Social Media Plan for College Fest
- Created a two week Instagram content calendar and helped increase engagement
Certifications
Google Digital Marketing course
HubSpot Content Marketing course
Achievements
First place in college case study competition
Why it helps freshers
Instead of exposing the fact that you have no experience, this format draws attention to your capabilities and the work you have done inside and outside the classroom.
Combination (Hybrid) Resume Format
The combination format is exactly what it sounds like: a mix of chronological and skills based.
Idea behind it
You start with a short summary and key skills to set the context, then show education and experience in a simple order below that. It works well when you do have some experience but also want to highlight your skills clearly.
Good fit for
- Freshers with at least one internship, live project or freelance experience
- Roles where both knowledge and hands on work are important
Common structure
- Contact details
- Professional summary
- Key skills
- Education
- Projects and internships
- Certifications
- Achievements
Example layout
Name
Email | Phone | LinkedIn
Professional Summary
B.Com graduate with internship experience in accounting and finance. Comfortable with Excel, Tally and basic financial reporting. Seeking an entry level role in finance or accounts.
Key Skills
Financial reporting, Tally ERP, MS Excel, Data analysis, Communication
Education
B.Com, Mumbai University, 2023
CGPA: 8.1 out of 10
Internship
Finance Intern, ABC Pvt Ltd, January 2023 to March 2023
- Helped prepare monthly financial statements
- Assisted in account reconciliation and audit documentation
Projects
Cost Analysis for a Small Retail Store
- Academic project focusing on tracking expenses and basic profitability
Certifications
Advanced Excel, Coursera
Tally ERP course
Achievements
College merit scholarship for academic performance
When to prefer this over the others
If you feel that a simple chronological resume hides your skills, but a pure skills based resume hides your internship, a combination format gives you the best of both.
General Resume Tips for Freshers
No matter which format you select, a few basics remain the same.
Keep it one page
As a fresher, you rarely need more. If you cannot fit everything, remove what is not directly useful for the job.
Use a simple font and layout
Fonts such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman work well. Use clear headings and enough spacing. Avoid fancy designs that may confuse ATS or distract from the content.
Write clear bullet points
Start bullets with verbs like developed, designed, created, researched, supported, tested.
For example:
- “Developed a basic inventory tool in Excel to track stock levels”
Focus on relevance
It is better to write three strong, relevant points than ten generic ones. Highlight skills, tools and projects that match the job description.
Save as PDF
Unless the company asks for a different format, send your resume as a PDF so the formatting stays intact.
Simple Templates You Can Use
You can copy these outlines into a document and then fill in your own details.
Template 1: Engineering Fresher
- Name
- Email | Phone | City | LinkedIn
Objective
Recent engineering graduate with interest in [field] and skills in [technologies].
Education
Degree, Branch, College, Year
CGPA
Technical Skills
Programming languages, tools, frameworks
Projects
Project name
- One or two lines on what you built and what you used
Internships (if any)
Role, Organization, Duration
- Main tasks
Certifications
Achievements / Activities
Template 2: BBA / MBA Fresher
- Name
- Email | Phone | LinkedIn
Objective
Business graduate seeking an entry level role in [marketing / HR / finance etc.] with strengths in [skills].
Skills
Domain skills (for example, market research, HR operations)
Tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets)
Soft skills (communication, teamwork)
Education
Degree, College, Year
Internship
Role, Company, Duration
- Short description of work done
Projects
Title and one or two lines describing the project
Certifications
Achievements
Template 3: Arts / Humanities Fresher
- Name
- Email | Phone | Portfolio or LinkedIn
Objective
Graduate in [subject] with interest in [content writing, PR, teaching, design etc.].
Skills
Writing, editing, research, public speaking, basic tools (Word, PowerPoint, Canva etc.)
Education
Degree, University, Year
Projects / Experience
- Articles for college magazine or blog
- Event management, social media work, or any creative projects
Certifications
Activities / Volunteer Work
FAQs: Resume Formats for Freshers
1. Which resume format should I choose as a fresher?
It depends on what you have more of.
- If you have internships or part time work, a chronological or combination format usually works best.
- If you do not have any experience yet but have done good projects or courses, a skills based (functional) format is a better fit.
2. Is a one page resume enough for a fresher?
Yes. One page is not only enough, it is ideal. Recruiters do not expect a long resume from someone just starting out.
3. What if I have no internship at all?
Use your projects, coursework, online learning and college activities. Explain what you did and what you learned. A functional or combination format helps here.
4. Do I need to add a photo or personal details like date of birth?
Usually no. For most roles, a photo, religion, marital status and full address are not needed. Name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn are enough.
5. Can I send the same resume to every company?
You can keep the same basic format, but you should tweak the objective, skills and the order of projects based on the job description. Small changes make your resume more relevant.
6. What matters more, format or content?
Content matters more, but format decides whether that content is actually seen and understood. A clear, simple format plus honest, relevant content is the best combination.
