Resume Writing Guide: How to Get Shortlisted for IT & Sales Roles

Your resume is your first impression on a recruiter. In today's competitive job market, recruiters spend an average of only 6 to 8 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to shortlist the candidate. Moreover, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes automatically before an HR even sees them.

To get shortlisted for top roles in IT and Sales, you need a resume that is clean, keyword-rich, and optimized for both scanners and humans.

1. The Layout: Keep it Simple and Readable

Avoid fancy, colorful graphics, charts, and progress bars. ATS software cannot read them and might discard your application. Instead, stick to a professional layout:

• Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Roboto in size 10-12.
• Organize sections with clear headings: Professional Summary, Work Experience, Skills, Education, Projects.
• Save your resume in PDF format to ensure formatting remains intact across different devices.