When I review a resume as an HR , my focus is not just on a good design or fancy format. Resume is a document that gives the first impression of your career. So it is important that it is well made, clean, and shows relevant information.
Today I will tell you what things I look for in a resume as an HR – which can help you get a better job opportunity.
1. Clarity and Format of Resume
First of all I see whether the resume is written clearly or not .
- Is the font readable or not?
- Are the headings used properly?
- Is the resume one or two pages long?
- Does the information look cluttered?
If the resume is not structured properly, I skip the first impression .
2. Relevant and Targeted Content
I always check how much the resume matches the job description .
- Are the skills relevant?
- Is the experience in the same field?
- Are the achievements measurable?
A generic resume that mentions every kind of experience is not impactful.
3. Personal Summary or Career Objective
Even today many people write a vague “career objective” on the resume. But I prefer :
A short and personalized summary that explains why you are perfect for this role.
In this section you should mention:
- Which industry are you interested in
- What is your total experience
- What are your top 2–3 skills
4. Skills Section – Real and Specific
I often see people write in their resume :
- “Good communication”
- “Team player”
- “Hardworking”
These are all vague words. I need :
- Specific tools or software skills (like: MS Excel , Canva , AutoCAD )
- Industry-relevant terms (like: SEO , Social Media Ads, Financial Modeling)
5. Professional Experience – with Achievements
Just writing “Worked as sales executive” in the resume is not enough.
I look at :
- Have you achieved something measurable?
- Have any percentages or numbers been given?
✅ Example of Poor Entry:
Worked as Digital Marketer at XYZ
✅ Example of Good Entry:
Increased website traffic by 120% in 6 months through SEO and paid ads
Measurable results prove your value.
6. Education Section – Clean and Chronological
Education should be mentioned in latest to oldest order.
This section becomes more important when the candidate is a fresher.
Include only important degrees, do not mention unnecessary courses unless they are directly related to the job.
7. Keywords for ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
Nowadays companies use ATS software which scans the resume before it reaches HR.
If you have used keywords of job description in your resume, then your chances of getting shortlisted increase.
⚠️ Important Tip:
Use bold for key skills
Match at least 60–70% keywords from job post
8. No Grammar or Spelling Mistakes
Even a small grammar or spelling mistake affects professionalism.
Not every HR tells this, but most people do not take resumes with spelling mistakes seriously.
Always proofread or get it reviewed by a friend.
9. Contact Information – Updated and Clear
Many times resumes either have an outdated email or a missing phone number.
Make sure:
- Email professional (e.g., deepak.kumar@gmail.com )
- Link to LinkedIn profile
- City & Pincode mention ho (for location preference)
📊 Resume Structure Table – HR’s Preferred Format
| Section | Kya hona chahiye | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Header | Name, Phone, Email, LinkedIn | Boldfont, easy to locate |
| Summary | Customize your intro in 2–3 lines for every job | Mention industry, experience, skills |
| Skills | Job se relevant skills | Include tools/software names |
| Experience | Company name, role, achievements | Use numbers & bullet points |
| Education | Degree, College, Year | Latest degree sabse upar |
| Certifications | Online or Offline relevant courses | Only put job-relevant certifications |
| Projects | Freelance or college projects | Results-driven projects |
✅ Final Checklist – How to make a resume from HR perspective Check
- Is the format clean and readable?
- Do the skills match the job?
- Are the achievements measurable?
- Is the grammar/spelling correct?
- Is the contact info updated?
- Is the summary personalized?
- Are the keywords optimized?
🔚 Conclusion – What does HR want in a resume?
A good resume is one that is:
- Short, clean and relevant
- Customized for the specific job
- Proves that you are valuable to the organization
I, as an HR, never shortlists resumes that are over-designed or contain unnecessary information . My focus is on those candidates whose resume is simple, clear and creates an impact.