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How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly (2026 Guide)

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ATS-friendly resume

You’ve applied to twenty jobs, you’re qualified for most of them, and you’ve heard nothing back. It’s one of the most demoralising parts of a job search — and very often, the problem isn’t you. It’s that a piece of software rejected your resume before any human ever opened it.

That software is called an ATS, and once you understand how it works, making your resume “ATS-friendly” is straightforward. This guide explains what an ATS is, why it rejects good resumes, and exactly how to fix yours.

What is an ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System — the software companies use to collect, scan and filter the resumes they receive. When you apply through a job portal or a company’s careers page, your resume usually goes into an ATS first. The system reads your resume, tries to pull out your details and skills, and often scores or ranks you against the job before a recruiter sees a shortlist.

Most medium and large employers use one, and nearly every role posted on portals like Naukri passes through this kind of screening. So if your resume isn’t built for it, you can be filtered out no matter how good you are.

Why an ATS rejects good resumes

There are two common reasons a strong candidate gets screened out:

The ATS can’t read the resume properly. Fancy layouts — multiple columns, tables, text boxes, graphics, or details tucked into the header and footer — can confuse the parser. When that happens, your experience may be scrambled or missed entirely.

The resume doesn’t match the job. An ATS looks for the skills and keywords mentioned in the job description. If the posting asks for “project management” and “SQL” and those words don’t appear in your resume, the system sees a poor match even if you have the experience.

How to make your resume ATS-friendly

Here’s how to fix both problems:

Use a simple, single-column layout. Avoid tables, columns, text boxes and graphics. A clean top-to-bottom structure is the safest way to make sure everything you wrote is actually read.

Use standard section headings. Label sections plainly: “Work Experience”, “Education”, “Skills”. Creative headings like “Where I’ve Made an Impact” can stop the ATS from recognising the section.

Mirror the keywords from the job description. Read the posting carefully and naturally include the exact skills and terms it uses. If it says “customer relationship management”, use that phrase rather than only a vague description.

Spell out acronyms. Write the full term and the short form together — for example, “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” — so you match whichever version the ATS is looking for.

Use standard job titles. If your official title is unusual, add a recognisable equivalent so the system understands your role.

Pick a safe file format. Submit a text-based PDF or a .docx file. Avoid scanned or image-based resumes — an ATS can’t read text inside an image.

Don’t keyword-stuff. Repeating keywords unnaturally or hiding them in white text can backfire, both with the ATS and the recruiter who reads it next. Use keywords genuinely and in context.

A note for Indian job seekers

Resumes in India often include a photo and personal details like date of birth. That’s fine for many local applications, but be aware some ATS systems ignore images, so never put important text inside a photo or logo. If you’re applying to global companies or MNCs, a cleaner, photo-free format is usually safer.

Check your resume’s ATS score before you apply

Once you’ve cleaned up your resume, don’t guess whether it will pass – test it. Our free Resume ATS Score Checker lets you paste your resume and a job description and instantly see your match score out of 100, which keywords you’re missing, and the exact formatting issues to fix. It runs privately in your browser, so nothing is uploaded anywhere. Run it once, apply the prioritised fixes, and re-check until your score is strong – then send your application with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

What does ATS-friendly mean?

It means your resume is formatted so applicant tracking software can read it correctly, and it contains the keywords from the job description so the system rates it as a good match.

Do all companies use an ATS?

Not all, but most medium and large employers do, and the majority of jobs posted on major portals are screened this way. Building an ATS-friendly resume is the safer default.

Will an ATS-friendly resume look plain?

It will be clean and simple, but that’s a strength — recruiters read it after the ATS, and a clear, well-organised resume is easy for them to scan too. You don’t need heavy graphics to stand out; strong content does that.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

It depends on the role and country. Some Indian applications expect one, but for global or MNC roles a photo-free format is often safer. Either way, never put important text inside an image.

How do I know if my resume will pass the ATS?

Run it through a free ATS checker that compares your resume against the job description. It shows your score, missing keywords and formatting issues so you can fix them before applying.

How to Calculate In-Hand Salary from CTC (With Example)

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how to calculate in-hand salary from CTC

You get a job offer with a CTC of ₹8 lakh, you do the quick mental math — about ₹66,000 a month — and then your first salary lands and it’s noticeably less. If that’s happened to you, you’re not alone. The gap between the CTC on your offer letter and the money that actually reaches your bank account confuses almost every new employee.

This guide explains exactly why that gap exists and shows you, step by step with a full worked example, how to calculate your real in-hand salary from your CTC.

CTC vs in-hand salary: the quick version

CTC (Cost to Company) is the total amount a company spends on you in a year. It includes your salary plus everything else — the employer’s contribution to your provident fund, gratuity, and any benefits or bonuses.

In-hand salary is what’s actually credited to your bank account each month after all deductions.

The key thing to understand: a big chunk of your CTC never reaches you monthly. Some of it is the company’s contribution to your future savings, and some is deducted as tax and provident fund. That’s why your in-hand is always lower than CTC ÷ 12.

What’s inside your CTC?

Your CTC is usually made up of these parts:

Basic salary — The core of your pay, often 40–50% of CTC. Many other components are calculated as a percentage of this.

Allowances — House Rent Allowance (HRA), special allowance, conveyance, and others that top up your pay.

Employer PF contribution — The company puts roughly 12% of your basic salary into your Employees’ Provident Fund. This is part of CTC, but it goes into your PF account, not your monthly bank balance.

Gratuity — A retirement benefit set aside by the employer (around 4.81% of basic). It’s counted in CTC but you only receive it after completing several years of service.

Bonuses or variable pay — Performance or annual bonuses, which may or may not be paid out fully.

What gets deducted from your salary?

To get from CTC to in-hand, you subtract:

  1. Employer’s PF and gratuity — these are part of CTC but never come to you monthly, so remove them first to get your gross salary.
  2. Employee PF contribution — about 12% of your basic salary, deducted from your pay and added to your PF account.
  3. Professional tax — a small state-level tax, typically up to ₹2,500 per year (it varies by state, and some states don’t charge it at all).
  4. Income tax (TDS) — deducted based on your income and tax regime.

Step-by-step: how to calculate in-hand salary from CTC

  1. Start with your annual CTC.
  2. Subtract the employer’s PF contribution and gratuity → this gives your gross salary.
  3. From the gross salary, subtract your employee PF contribution.
  4. Subtract professional tax.
  5. Subtract income tax (TDS), if any.
  6. What’s left is your annual in-hand salary. Divide by 12 for the monthly figure.

Worked example: ₹8,00,000 CTC

Let’s run a realistic example. (Exact numbers depend on your company’s salary structure and your state, so treat this as an illustration.)

Starting CTC: ₹8,00,000 per year

  • Gratuity (≈4.81% of basic): ₹15,392
  • Basic salary (40% of CTC): ₹3,20,000
  • Employer PF contribution (12% of basic): ₹38,400

Step 1 — Gross salary ₹8,00,000 − ₹38,400 − ₹15,392 = ₹7,46,208

Step 2 — Subtract deductions from gross

  • Employee PF (12% of basic): −₹38,400
  • Professional tax (approx.): −₹2,400
  • Income tax: Under India’s new tax regime for FY 2025–26, salaried income up to about ₹12.75 lakh attracts effectively zero income tax thanks to the standard deduction and rebate. At ₹8 lakh, income tax here is nil.

Annual in-hand: ₹7,46,208 − ₹38,400 − ₹2,400 − ₹0 = ₹7,05,408

Monthly in-hand: ≈ ₹58,784
So a ₹8,00,000 CTC translates to roughly ₹58,800 a month in hand — not the ₹66,000 a simple division would suggest. The difference went into your PF (your own savings, just not spendable now), gratuity, and a small professional tax.

A note on PF: this example uses the standard 12% of basic. Some companies instead cap PF at ₹1,800 a month (the EPF wage-ceiling rule), which makes the PF deduction smaller and your in-hand a little higher. Our calculator lets you choose whichever matches your payslip.

A note on income tax: tax rules and slabs change from year to year and depend on whether you choose the new or old regime. Always check the latest slabs for the current financial year before relying on a tax figure.

The fastest way to find your in-hand salary

Doing this by hand is fine once, but if you’re comparing offers or just want a quick number, use the free CTC to In-Hand Salary Calculator. Enter your CTC, choose your tax regime, and it estimates your monthly take-home after PF, professional tax and income tax — and even compares the old and new regimes to show which saves you more. You’ll see your real number in seconds and can compare two job offers fairly instead of being misled by the headline CTC.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my in-hand salary less than my CTC?

Because CTC includes amounts that never reach your monthly account — like the employer’s PF contribution and gratuity — plus deductions such as your own PF contribution, professional tax and income tax.

How much of CTC is in-hand?

It varies with your salary structure, but in-hand is commonly around 70–85% of CTC for lower and middle income levels, with a larger gap at higher salaries due to tax.

Is PF deducted from CTC or salary?

Both. The employer’s PF contribution is part of your CTC, while your own (employee) PF contribution is deducted from your monthly salary. Both go into your PF account.

Does in-hand salary include HRA?

Yes, allowances like HRA are part of your gross and in-hand salary, though HRA can have tax implications under the old regime.

Is income tax always deducted from salary?

Not always. Under the new tax regime for FY 2025–26, salaried income up to roughly ₹12.75 lakh can be effectively tax-free, so lower earners may have little or no TDS. Higher salaries attract income tax as per the applicable slabs.

Marriage Biodata Format with Examples (Free Template, 2026)

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marriage biodata format

A marriage biodata is the first impression your family shares when a match is being considered — so it’s worth getting right. Done well, it’s a clean one-page snapshot of who you are: your background, your family, your education and work, and how to reach you. Done poorly, it’s cluttered, hard to read, or missing the details people actually want to know.

This guide walks you through exactly what a marriage biodata should contain, shows you filled-in examples for both a prospective groom and bride, and shares simple formatting tips. At the end, you’ll see the fastest way to create your own.

What is a marriage biodata?

A marriage biodata is a short document, usually one page, that introduces a person to a prospective partner’s family for the purpose of arranged marriage. Think of it as a focused profile: instead of listing every detail of your life, it highlights the things families typically want to know first — religion and community, age, height, education, occupation, and family background.

It’s similar in spirit to a resume, but the purpose is different. A resume sells your professional skills to an employer; a biodata introduces you and your family in a respectful, personal way. (If you’re curious about the differences, we cover biodata vs resume in a separate guide.)

What to include in a marriage biodata

A good biodata is organised into clear sections. Here’s what each one should cover:

Personal details — Full name, date of birth, age, height, religion, caste or community (if relevant to your family), mother tongue, and marital status.

Education and career — Your highest qualification, and your current job title and company or profession.

Family details — Father’s name and occupation, mother’s name and occupation, and brief details of siblings (and whether they’re married).

Contact details — A phone number and, if you wish, an email address, usually of a parent or guardian who is managing the conversation.

Photo — A clear, recent, modest photograph. One good photo is enough.

You can also add a short line about your hobbies, values, or what you’re looking for in a partner — but keep it brief and genuine.

Marriage biodata example — for a prospective groom

Here’s a complete sample you can use as a model. (All details are fictional.)

Personal Details

  • Name: Rohan Mehta
  • Date of Birth: 14 August 1996 (Age 29)
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in
  • Religion / Community: Hindu, Maheshwari
  • Mother Tongue: Hindi
  • Marital Status: Never married

Education & Career

  • Qualification: B.Tech (Computer Science)
  • Occupation: Software Engineer at a private IT firm, Pune

Family Details

  • Father: Suresh Mehta, Businessman
  • Mother: Anita Mehta, Homemaker
  • Sibling: One younger sister (unmarried, pursuing B.Com)

About

  • Hobbies: Cricket, reading, travelling
  • A family-oriented person who values honesty and mutual respect.

Contact

  • Phone: +91-XXXXXXXXXX (Father)

Marriage biodata example — for a prospective bride

Personal Details

  • Name: Priya Sharma
  • Date of Birth: 2 March 1998 (Age 27)
  • Height: 5 ft 4 in
  • Religion / Community: Hindu, Brahmin
  • Mother Tongue: Marathi
  • Marital Status: Never married

Education & Career

  • Qualification: M.A. (Economics)
  • Occupation: School Teacher, Nagpur

Family Details

  • Father: Rajesh Sharma, Bank Manager
  • Mother: Sunita Sharma, Homemaker
  • Sibling: One elder brother (married, working in Bengaluru)

About

  • Hobbies: Classical music, cooking, painting
  • Caring and grounded, looking for an understanding life partner.

Contact

  • Phone: +91-XXXXXXXXXX (Father)

Formatting tips for a good biodata

A few small things make a biodata look polished and trustworthy:

Keep it to one page if you can — families skim, they don’t read essays. Use clear section headings so the eye can jump straight to education or family details. Choose a simple, readable font and leave enough white space; a cramped biodata is hard to take seriously. Use one good photo, recent and clear, rather than several. And always double-check your contact number — a single wrong digit can quietly end a promising match.

Equally, avoid a few common mistakes: don’t exaggerate qualifications or job titles, don’t include overly personal financial details, and don’t make it so long that the important points get lost.

The easiest way to make your marriage biodata

You don’t need to design a biodata from scratch in Word or struggle with alignment. The free Shaadi Biodata Maker lets you fill in your details, add a photo, choose a clean format, and download a ready-to-share PDF in just a few minutes — no login and no watermark. It produces a neat, consistent layout that looks the same whether you send it on WhatsApp or print it for a meeting.

Once it’s ready, you’ll have a one-page biodata you can confidently share with prospective families.

Frequently asked questions

What should I write in a marriage biodata?

Include your personal details (name, date of birth, height, religion, community), your education and occupation, your family details, contact information, and a recent photo. A short line about your hobbies or values is a nice touch.

How long should a marriage biodata be?

Ideally one page. It’s meant to be a quick, clear introduction, not a detailed life story.

Should I add a photo to my biodata?

Yes, one clear and recent photo is recommended. It helps families form a first impression.

Is a marriage biodata the same as a resume?

No. A resume is for job applications and focuses on professional skills, while a biodata introduces you and your family for marriage and focuses on personal and family details.

How can I make a marriage biodata for free?

You can use a free Shaadi Biodata Maker to fill in your details, add a photo, and download a formatted PDF in minutes without any sign-up.

Resume Tips for freshers

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As a fresher, writing a resume can be challenging, but here are some tips to help you create an effective one:

  1. Begin with a clear and concise objective: Start your resume with a brief objective that summarizes your career goals and the type of position you are seeking. This will give the employer an idea of what you are looking for and how you can add value to their organization.
  2. Highlight your education: Since you are a fresher, your education will be the most important section of your resume. Include details of your degree or diploma, the name of the institution, the year of graduation, and your academic achievements.
  3. Emphasize your skills: While you may not have much work experience, you may have developed skills through coursework, projects, internships, or volunteer work. List your relevant skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skills.
  4. Include relevant experience: If you have any relevant work experience, include it in your resume. This could be an internship, part-time job, or volunteer work that is related to the position you are applying for.
  5. Personalize your resume: Customize your resume to the job description and the company you are applying to. This shows that you have taken the time to understand the company’s needs and how your skills and experience can benefit them.
  6. Proofread and edit: Make sure to proofread your resume for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ask a friend or mentor to review your resume and provide feedback.

By following these tips, you can create a strong resume that showcases your skills and qualifications as a fresher.

How to Answer – Why should We Hire You?

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When answering the question, “Why should we hire you?” during a job interview, it’s important to focus on your skills, experience, and achievements that align with the job requirements and demonstrate your value to the company. Here are some tips on how to answer this question:

  1. Highlight your relevant skills: Review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications required for the position. Then, highlight your relevant skills and experience that demonstrate your ability to perform the job duties.
  2. Show your enthusiasm: Demonstrate your passion and interest in the company and the role. Explain why you are excited about the opportunity and how you believe you can make a positive impact on the company.
  3. Share your achievements: Provide specific examples of your accomplishments that are relevant to the job. Discuss how your achievements can contribute to the company’s goals and objectives.
  4. Be confident but humble: While it’s important to showcase your skills and experience, it’s also important to be humble and acknowledge that you still have room for growth and development. Express your willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.

An example of a good answer to this question could be:

“I believe I am the best fit for this role because I have the relevant skills and experience needed to excel in this position. My previous work experience in [relevant field] has given me the opportunity to develop my skills in [specific skills mentioned in job description]. Additionally, I am extremely passionate about the company’s mission and values, and I am eager to contribute to its success. In my previous role, I was able to achieve [specific achievement] by implementing [specific strategy or skill]. I believe that my experience and achievements can make a positive impact on the company, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with such a talented team.”

Common Interview Questions by HR

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Here are some common HR questions that may be asked during a job interview:

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. Why are you interested in this position?
  3. What are your greatest strengths?
  4. What are your areas for development?
  5. Can you provide an example of a difficult situation you faced in a previous job and how you overcame it?
  6. What motivates you?
  7. Why should we hire you?
  8. Can you describe your experience working in a team?
  9. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements in the workplace?
  10. What are your long-term career goals?
  11. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker or manager?
  12. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem on your own?
  13. How do you handle pressure and tight deadlines?
  14. Can you tell me about a time when you received constructive feedback and how you responded to it?
  15. Can you describe your experience with [specific skill or software relevant to the job]?

It’s important to note that the questions may vary depending on the company and the job position. It’s always a good idea to do some research on the company and job description beforehand to prepare for potential questions.

Career Objective Samples

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“To obtain a position in the marketing industry where I can utilize my creative skills and experience to develop effective marketing campaigns that will help increase brand awareness and drive sales.”

“To secure a challenging role in a reputable organization where I can apply my analytical skills and experience to improve operational efficiency and drive business growth.”

“To obtain a position as a software engineer where I can leverage my technical skills and experience to develop innovative software solutions that meet customer needs and exceed expectations.”

“To pursue a career in the healthcare industry where I can use my communication and interpersonal skills to provide quality patient care and make a positive impact on people’s lives.”

“To secure a position as a human resources manager where I can use my expertise in recruitment, employee development, and retention to create a positive work culture and drive organizational success.”

How to write Career Objective

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When writing the objective statement in your CV, you should aim to convey your career goals and aspirations in a clear and concise manner. Here are some tips on how to write an effective objective statement:

Keep it concise: Your objective statement should be brief and to the point, ideally one or two sentences.

Highlight your career goals: State the type of position you are seeking and the goals you hope to achieve in that role.

Tailor it to the job: Customize your objective statement to match the specific job you are applying for. Make sure your objectives align with the requirements of the job.

Be specific: Use concrete language and specific examples to demonstrate your skills and qualifications.

Avoid generic statements: Avoid using generic statements that could apply to anyone. Instead, highlight your unique skills and strengths.

Example of an objective statement:

“Objective”: To obtain a challenging position in the field of marketing that allows me to utilize my strong communication and analytical skills, while continuing to learn and grow in a dynamic team environment.”

Covering Letter 4

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Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. As a highly motivated and skilled [Your Profession] with [Number of Years] years of experience in [Relevant Field], I believe that I have the necessary qualifications and expertise to excel in this role.

Throughout my career, I have developed a range of skills and abilities that would make me an asset to your team. In particular, my expertise in [Skill/Keyword 1], [Skill/Keyword 2], and [Skill/Keyword 3] make me an excellent fit for this position. I have a proven track record of [Achievement/Keyword 1], [Achievement/Keyword 2], and [Achievement/Keyword 3], which demonstrate my ability to deliver results and drive success.

I am confident that my experience and qualifications align with the requirements of this role, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your organization’s success.

I am also committed to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Job Follow Up E Mail

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When writing a follow-up email for a job application, it is important to be professional, courteous, and concise.

Here is a basic outline that you can follow:

Subject: Following up on my job application

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my recent job application for the [position name] role at [company name]. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with such a great company and I wanted to inquire if there has been any update on my application.

I am still very interested in the position and would love the chance to discuss my qualifications and experience in further detail. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide or if there are any next steps in the hiring process.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

Remember to customize your email for the specific company and position you are applying for. Also, be patient and wait a few days or a week before following up as the hiring process can take some time. Good luck with your job search!