Around 2020 I was in the same place as you, confused about how to get a resume shortlisted. After going through the process myself and later screening resumes, here’s what will really work for the 2026 batch.

1. Don’t just list “Python” or “ML”,  show it. Add GitHub links, small working projects, hackathon entries. Even a basic but live project beats buzzwords. 
2. Keep your resume one page and simple. Recruiters spend seconds, not minutes. Clear headings (Education, Skills, Projects), no funky fonts or long paragraphs. 
3. “Built a site used by 300 students” pops out more than “Created a site.” 
4. Put coding strengths, contests, and achievements right after education. If your college isn’t well known, push internships or open-source work up front.
5. And honestly, start early and get seniors to review it. A crisp, proofread resume with real work always stands out.

From 3.5 LPA to 25 LPA. My Journey in a nutshell

This is the power of manifestation, obviously skills count.

I clearly remember the days when I used to borrow money during the month end. Coming from a small town, living in gurgaon was expensive and a 25k salary was only enough to pay bills, one extra plan and I used to be in debt.

Despite all of this, I used to be on top of the sky. You don’t expect an in campus placement when studying from a tier 2 college. It was an achievement because I was among 7 candidates to get placed from college.

At that time, it felt like a big step, but I also knew I wanted to grow faster. The journey from there to 25 LPA was not overnight—it took years of steady work, learning, and patience. 

The first thing I did was focus on skills, not just tasks.  I used to spend more time understanding DSA. Tbh, I studied DSA like a holy book.

I used to participate in competitions regularly. I spent time after office hours learning new tools, practicing coding challenges, and understanding system design. Small daily learning sessions made a big difference over time.

Second, I built projects outside work. These personal projects gave me confidence in interviews and helped me explain my skills better.

Third, do not stick to one company for very long if you want to earn money early. I switched my first company within a year and got placed at 8 Lpa. Got promoted with a 10% percent increment. Again switched with 110% hike. 

Fourth, I learned to network and communicate. Talking to peers, mentors, and even helping juniors improved my soft skills, which are just as important as technical knowledge.

Finally, I prepared smartly for interviews—solving past problems, giving mock interviews, and analyzing my mistakes.

Today, I earn 25 LPA, but more than the money, the journey taught me that consistency matters more than speed. Anyone starting small can grow big if they keep learning and don’t give up.