How to Build a Standout Resume

Tanvi Desai was in her final year of college and had applied to 15 companies with no responses. Frustrated, she showed her resume to a mentor who immediately pointed out the problem—it was generic. No story, no impact. Taking the feedback seriously, Tanvi overhauled everything. Instead of just listing internships, she added quantifiable results: “Increased social media engagement by 60% during internship” instead of “Managed Instagram page.” She added a short personal summary at the top, highlighting her strengths as a data-driven marketer. She also created a small portfolio website to showcase her work and linked it right at the top of her resume. Finally, she added a touch of personality—her interests, volunteer work, and one unique line: “Ask me about my spreadsheet addiction.” The changes paid off. Within weeks, she got three interview calls. Today, Tanvi works for a global ad agency and helps juniors build their own “story-based resumes.” Her advice: “A resume is not a list—it’s a reflection of your journey. Make every word count.”