The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Indian Resume

What is a typical Indian resume?

Every application starts with a good resume. Indian professionals follow a similar format to US workers but prioritize slightly different elements, so it pays to mimic that style when applying in India.

Here are the standout elements of an Indian resume.

Emphasis on hard skills

A resume skills list in India typically has more hard skills than soft skills, including software knowledge, sales techniques, and project management competencies.

Indian employers place great importance on learned, academic skills – some resumes even call the skills section Technical Skills and include no soft skills.

Languages section

While a Languages section in a US resume is optional, it’s nearly always present in an Indian resume. This element is usually expected as it’s incredibly common for Indian professionals to be multilingual. In urban India, 44% of the population is bilingual, and 15% are trilingual. (1)

Biodata and personal info

Indian resumes always include personal information, often called biodata or a personal profile. This is typically next to the header and includes details like marital status, age, nationality, and gender.

Extended length

While two-page resumes are considered unprofessional in the US, they’re common in India. Anyone with vast amounts of work experience and education – such as senior professionals and people with several academic degrees – should describe their achievements in depth over two pages. However, if you’re a junior professional or entry-level worker, it’s still best to stick to one.

Differences and resume samples: Indian vs. US

Let’s expand on the differences between an Indian resume and a traditional North American resume so you can build the perfect application for your target job market.

Indian resumes always include a photo. This helps the hiring manager immediately put a face to your name and build rapport with you, creating a more personal connection. Sometimes, it’s difficult to connect to applicants when hiring managers process dozens to hundreds per day.

It’s a complete contrast in the US, where photos are unnatural and unprofessional. This is mainly due to the unconscious bias they introduce into the recruitment process. Hiring managers don’t try, but they may assume a woman with heavy makeup and a dress wouldn’t make a good janitor, or an older man couldn’t be an IT specialist because he doesn’t understand technology.

These differences can be polarizing between Indian and US job markets, so let’s quickly explore how you can adapt your resume to blend in with the locals and succeed.

How to adapt an Indian resume format to the US job market and vice versa

Do you already have a concise, ATS-friendly resume that accurately conveys your skills? Then, we’ll just make a few adjustments and convert it to your target market.

If you’re starting with an Indian resume, remove your photo. If you’re starting with an American resume, you’ll need to take a headshot and use a resume template that accommodates images. Make sure you wear professional clothes and take the picture against a neutral backdrop.

Now, take a look at the language. Indian resumes are usually written in Indian English, which is very similar to British English. If you’re comfortable in this dialect, rewrite your resume using it – if you aren’t confident in your Indian English abilities, ask a friend or a professional resume writer to check it for you.

Indian resumes are usually longer, so an American resume will need to be lengthened. Explore each section of your resume and see if you can provide more details. Add additional achievements, describe them in greater depth, and include more skills.

It’s the opposite with Indian resumes, so comb through your two to three-page resume and try to break the language down into shorter, more concise sentences. The easiest way to learn how to do this is by browsing plenty of realistic resume examples so you can see the practice in action.

How to write a resume for India that will get you hired

Here’s our step-by-step guide for writing an Indian resume that impresses your new global employers. If you haven’t yet, grab one of our professional resume templates before you get started – they’re expertly designed and flexible, accommodating any new sections you’ll need to add.

Add biodata 

Biodata is crucial for an Indian resume. It’s typically a combination of a North American Contact details section plus additional, more personal information. It should contain the following elements:

• Name
• Date of birth/Age (choose one, not both)
• Gender
• Marital status
• Nationality
• Contact information

Here’s a realistic example to get you started:

Remember that some information, like gender and nationality, don’t need to be included unless specifically requested by the job description.

Include a professional photo

Add a photo to the upper corner of your resume. It should be semi-formal – wear professional clothing but look warm and approachable. A good rule of thumb is to use any picture you’d use on your LinkedIn profile (some people even use the same image).

CVwizard’s resume maker lets you add and remove photos easily with a few clicks. That way, you can flex your resume for different industries and countries right before you apply.

Use two pages

If you’re a senior professional with over seven years of experience, it’s best to expand on your background and use two or more pages for your resume. This is common in India, and employers may think you have less experience if you don’t go into detail.

Start by making a list of your work achievements, projects, awards, and skills – you have a lot of accomplishments under your belt, and it’s time to properly showcase them. Read the job description to discover which of your achievements are the most relevant, and then add them to your resume, quantifying them and adding measurable metrics wherever possible.

“Indian professionals follow a similar format to US workers but prioritize slightly different elements, so it pays to mimic that style when applying in India.”

Do’s and don’ts of writing an Indian resume

Let’s review a few basic best practices when writing a polished Indian resume. Keep this list handy the next time you’re updating an old resume or building a new one.

Here are our top tips and tricks:

• Tailor your resume: Sending the same resume to every job opening might be simple, but it isn’t effective. Take the time to carefully review the job description and write a resume that suits it, discussing the right skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
• Quantify achievements: Add depth and value to your career history by using quantified achievements. Real numbers, like percentages, help the hiring manager understand how you impacted previous companies.
• Clear and concise: Even longer Indian resumes should use clear, understandable language. Keep your descriptions to the point, and don’t use technical jargon to ensure every recruiter can understand them.
• Use the STAR method: Explain your achievements using the STAR method. This puts the hiring manager in your shoes, describing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of each event.

Build an Indian resume and feel like a local

The right resume helps you blend into the local job market but has your qualifications stand out and grab the recruiter’s attention. Follow these best practices for a successful application:

• Include a professional headshot
• Add personal details, such as date of birth and marital status
• Expand on your achievements and use a two-page resume if necessary
• Use Indian English instead of American English to be more easily understood
• Include your known languages

CVwizard’s resume maker is the best way to quickly create professional, international resumes. Personalize each application by including new, unique sections, dragging and dropping them to different areas, and adding or removing your personal photo.

References:

(1) The Times of India, November 7, 2018: 52% of India's urban youth are now bilingual, 18% speak three languages