Developing a Great Resume using LaTeX: A Practical Guide for Students & Early Professionals

In today’s competitive job market, a resume is no longer just a document—it is a strategic tool. Recruiters spend only a few seconds on an initial resume scan, and most companies now rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human ever reviews your profile. As a result, students and early professionals must approach resume writing with clarity, structure, and intent.

This article serves two purposes:

1. To help students understand how recruiters actually evaluate resumes

2. To guide readers step-by-step on creating an ATS-friendly resume using LaTeX, a professional typesetting system increasingly preferred in technical and corporate environments

Before You Start Writing Your Resume: The Most Important Step

The first mistake many students make is opening a resume template and immediately filling it with information. This approach often leads to unfocused, generic resumes.

Before writing anything, you should do the following:

1. Get Focused on the Role

Ask yourself:

• What role am I applying for?

• What type of work does this role involve?

• What skills and behaviors are repeatedly mentioned in job descriptions?

A resume is not an autobiography. It is a targeted marketing document.

2. Write Everything Down First (Offline)

Start by jotting down:

• All internships, part-time work, projects

• Leadership roles in college

• Volunteer and community work

• Certifications, courses, tools, and skills

• Academic or extracurricular achievements

This becomes your content inventory. You will later filter and refine it.

3. Identify Your Accomplishments, Not Just Duties

Recruiters value impact, not job descriptions.

Instead of:

“Worked on financial reports”

Think:

“Prepared Excel-based financial reports used by management for monthly review”

Where possible, quantify outcomes—even for student work.

4. Research What Employers Are Looking For

This is critical.

Read:

• Job descriptions

• Skill requirements

• Keywords used repeatedly (e.g., “process improvement,” “data analysis,” “ERP,” “stakeholder communication”)

Your resume should speak the employer’s language, truthfully and clearly.

What’s the Most Important Information to Include on a Resume?

The answer depends on whether you are a campus candidate or an experienced hire.

Resume Guidance for Campus / Undergraduate Candidates

For students and freshers, recruiters understand that experience is limited. They look for potential, discipline, and relevance.

What to Include:

• Relevant internships (even short ones)

• Academic projects with practical application

• Leadership roles (clubs, committees, sports teams)

• Volunteer or community service

• Certifications and professional courses

Resume Length:

• One page only
  This is non-negotiable for campus hiring.

Focus Areas:

• Skills you are building

• Exposure to real-world tasks

• Your ability to learn, adapt, and follow processes

Resume Guidance for Experienced Candidates

For experienced professionals, the resume changes significantly.

The #1 Priority: Accomplishments

Recruiters want to see results, not responsibilities.

Strong examples include:

• Achieved the highest performance rating by consistently exceeding targets

• Improved sales performance by 25% year-over-year

• Designed and implemented a new process resulting in 20% cost savings

Additional Best Practices:

• Quantify results wherever possible

• Show progression and increased responsibility

• Include a LinkedIn profile link for context and verification

What Should You Leave Out of a Resume?

Knowing what not to include is just as important.

Avoid:

• High school details (irrelevant for college graduates)

• Photos (especially in corporate and global firms)

• Personal information such as age, marital status, religion

• Paragraphs—use bullet points only

• References (they are provided later if requested)

• Internships once you have several years of full-time experience

A resume must be professional, concise, and objective.

How Can a Resume Stand Out to Recruiters?

1. Formatting Is the First Impression

Recruiters notice formatting immediately.

Best practices:

• Clean layout

• Consistent spacing

• Bullet points instead of paragraphs

• No decorative fonts or graphics

This is where LaTeX excels.

2. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Read the job description carefully and adjust:

• Skills section

• Summary language

• Project descriptions

Never lie or exaggerate—but do prioritize relevance.

3. Write a Strong Summary Section

Avoid generic phrases like:

• “Hardworking individual”

• “Good communication skills”

Instead, highlight:

• Your academic focus

• Your professional direction

• Your key strengths relevant to the role

4. Always Include Certifications and Recognitions

Certifications demonstrate:

• Initiative

• Discipline

• Commitment to professional growth

Are Cover Letters Still Relevant?

While many recruiters do not require them, cover letters are still valuable.

Why They Matter:

• They can differentiate you from equally qualified candidates

• They show intent and preparation

• Some companies still review them seriously

When to Use Them:

• Consulting firms

• Professional services

• Competitive campus programs

What a Good Cover Letter Includes:

• Brief introduction

• Summary of relevant skills and experience

• Why you want to work for that organization

• Why the role aligns with your goals

Keep it concise and professional.

Why Students Should Use LaTeX for Resumes

LaTeX is not just for researchers. It offers several advantages:

• Produces clean, consistent formatting

• ATS-friendly when used correctly

• Avoids accidental layout issues

• Highly customizable

• Widely accepted in corporate, consulting, and tech roles

How to Create an ATS-Friendly Resume Using LaTeX (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Choose a Simple, Single-Column Structure

ATS systems struggle with:

• Tables

• Graphics

• Icons

• Multi-column layouts

Stick to:

• Plain text

• Standard section headings

• Bullet points

Step 2: Use Clear Section Headings

Examples:

• Professional Summary

• Skills

• Internship Experience

• Projects

• Education

• Certifications

Avoid creative or unconventional titles.

Step 3: Write Content with Keywords in Mind

Incorporate keywords naturally:

• Accounting

• Finance

• Data analysis

• Process improvement

• ERP systems

• Stakeholder communication

This improves ATS matching.

Step 4: Keep Bullet Points Action-Oriented

Start bullets with verbs:

• Assisted

• Analyzed

• Prepared

• Supported

• Documented

• Coordinated

This improves readability and clarity.

Step 5: Limit the Resume to One Page (For Students)

Even in LaTeX, discipline is essential.

Quality over quantity always wins.

ATS-Friendly LaTeX Resume Starter Template (Students & Freshers)

%-------------------------
% Student Resume - LaTeX Starter Template
% ATS-Friendly | Single Column | One Page
%-------------------------

\documentclass[letterpaper,11pt]{article}

%-------------------------
% Packages
%-------------------------
\usepackage{latexsym}
\usepackage[empty]{fullpage}
\usepackage{titlesec}
\usepackage[hidelinks]{hyperref}
\usepackage{fancyhdr}
\usepackage[english]{babel}
\usepackage{enumitem}
\usepackage{tabularx}
\input{glyphtounicode}

%-------------------------
% Page Setup
%-------------------------
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhf{}
\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt}

\addtolength{\oddsidemargin}{-0.6in}
\addtolength{\textwidth}{1.2in}
\addtolength{\topmargin}{-.7in}
\addtolength{\textheight}{1.4in}

\raggedright
\setlength{\tabcolsep}{0in}

%-------------------------
% Section Formatting
%-------------------------
\titleformat{\section}{
  \vspace{-6pt}\scshape\raggedright\large\bfseries
}{}{0em}{}[\titlerule \vspace{-5pt}]

\pdfgentounicode=1

%-------------------------
% Custom Commands
%-------------------------
\newcommand{\resumeItem}[1]{
  \item\small{#1}
}

\newcommand{\resumeSubheading}[4]{
  \item
  \begin{tabular*}{1.0\textwidth}{l@{\extracolsep{\fill}}r}
    \textbf{#1} & \textbf{\small #2} \\
    \textit{\small #3} & \textit{\small #4} \\
  \end{tabular*}
}

\newcommand{\resumeItemListStart}{\begin{itemize}[leftmargin=0.15in]}
\newcommand{\resumeItemListEnd}{\end{itemize}}

\newcommand{\resumeSubHeadingListStart}{\begin{itemize}[leftmargin=0in,label={}]}
\newcommand{\resumeSubHeadingListEnd}{\end{itemize}}

%-------------------------
% Document Start
%-------------------------
\begin{document}

%----------HEADING----------
\begin{center}
    {\Huge \scshape YOUR NAME HERE} \\ \vspace{4pt}
    \textbf{\Large \scshape Undergraduate Student | Desired Role} \\ \vspace{4pt}
    \small
    Phone: +91-XXXXXXXXXX \quad
    Email: \href{mailto:your@email.com}{your@email.com} \quad
    LinkedIn: \href{https://linkedin.com/in/yourprofile}{linkedin.com/in/yourprofile}
\end{center}

%-----------SUMMARY-----------
\section{Professional Summary}
Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in \textbf{Your Major} with foundational knowledge in \textbf{key skills or domains}. Demonstrates strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to learn new processes quickly. Seeking opportunities to gain practical exposure and contribute effectively in an entry-level or internship role.

%-----------SKILLS-----------
\section{Skills}
\textbf{Core Skills:} Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3, Skill 4 \\
\textbf{Tools:} MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint, Any Software \\
\textbf{Professional Skills:} Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Adaptability

%-----------INTERNSHIP / EXPERIENCE-----------
\section{Internship / Experience}
\resumeSubHeadingListStart
  \resumeSubheading
    {Intern / Role Title}{Month Year -- Month Year}
    {Company / Organization Name}{Location}
    \resumeItemListStart
      \resumeItem{Assisted in executing assigned tasks following defined processes and timelines.}
      \resumeItem{Prepared reports or handled data using Excel or other tools.}
      \resumeItem{Collaborated with team members to support daily operations.}
    \resumeItemListEnd
\resumeSubHeadingListEnd

%-----------PROJECTS-----------
\section{Academic Projects}
\resumeSubHeadingListStart
  \resumeSubheading
    {Project Title}{Year}
    {Course / Self-Initiated}{}
    \resumeItemListStart
      \resumeItem{Worked on problem identification and solution design using academic concepts.}
      \resumeItem{Analyzed data or information to draw meaningful conclusions.}
      \resumeItem{Presented findings in a structured and professional format.}
    \resumeItemListEnd
\resumeSubHeadingListEnd

%-----------CERTIFICATIONS-----------
\section{Certifications}
\resumeItemListStart
  \resumeItem{Certification Name – Issuing Organization (Year)}
  \resumeItem{Certification Name – Issuing Organization (Year)}
\resumeItemListEnd

%-----------EDUCATION-----------
\section{Education}
\resumeSubHeadingListStart
  \resumeSubheading
    {Bachelor’s Degree (Major)}{Year -- Year}
    {University / College Name}{CGPA: X.XX / 10}
  \resumeSubheading
    {Higher Secondary / Intermediate}{Year -- Year}
    {School / College Name}{}
\resumeSubHeadingListEnd

%-----------EXTRACURRICULAR-----------
\section{Extracurricular Activities}
\resumeItemListStart
  \resumeItem{Leadership role in college club / sports / cultural activity.}
  \resumeItem{Volunteer or community service experience.}
\resumeItemListEnd

%-----------INTERESTS-----------
\section{Interests}
Interest 1, Interest 2, Interest 3

\end{document}

How Students Should Use This Template?

1. Keep it to one page

2. Customize the summary for each job

3. Mirror keywords from the job description

4. Use action verbs in bullet points

5. Avoid graphics, photos, columns, and icons

6. Update after every internship or project

Why This Template Is Recruiter & ATS Approved?

• Single-column layout

• Standard headings

• No tables for content

• Clean typography

• Keyword-friendly

• Easy for recruiters to scan

Final Thoughts: Resume Writing Is a Skill, Not a One-Time Task

A resume should evolve as you grow. Students should revisit and refine it:

• After every internship

• After completing major projects

• When applying to different roles

A well-written, ATS-friendly LaTeX resume reflects professional maturity, even before your career begins.

If you treat resume writing as a strategic process rather than a formality, you significantly increase your chances of success in campus placements, internships, and early career roles.