How to apply for jobs in India

Private employers expect a short English resume that opens with a two-line summary, then experience with numbers: revenue handled, team size, tickets closed, projects delivered. Freshers lead with education, internships and projects, and often add Class XII and X results. Old "biodata" habits such as father's name, religion and a closing declaration line add nothing for corporate roles; our Indian CV format guide shows what to keep.

Your portal profile is read before your resume. Recruiters search by key skills, location, notice period and CTC, so fill those fields honestly and update the profile when you start looking; a stale profile drops down the results. A covering note is rarely required, but a few specific lines help when you apply by email or through a referral. The cover letter builder drafts one from your resume for the posting.

Central government posts follow a published notice with fixed dates. The Staff Selection Commission's 2026 notice for the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination, for example, recruits for Group C posts such as Lower Division Clerk and Data Entry Operator across ministries, accepts applications only online at ssc.gov.in or through its app, and requires a one-time registration before you apply. Selection runs through computer-based Tier-I and Tier-II examinations, and posts are allotted on merit and the preferences you give.

Section 20 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 forbids government establishments from discriminating against a person with disability in any matter relating to employment, and section 34 reserves not less than four per cent of vacancies in government establishments for persons with benchmark disabilities. Check the reservation and age-relaxation tables in each notice before you apply.^[5][6]

If a recruiter promised feedback by a date and it has passed, one short email or message is fine. Portals show application status, but many shortlists happen by phone, so keep your number reachable. Log each application, round and contact in the job tracker so you know which ones need a nudge.

Salary talk in India starts with CTC, the total yearly cost to the employer, which can include variable pay, employer contributions and benefits alongside the fixed salary. Ask for the break-up so you know your monthly take-home, and quote your expectation as a yearly figure. Your notice period comes from your current contract; employers ask about it at the first call because it decides your joining date.

The National Career Service warns that it never charges fees for registration, applications or interviews and that jobseekers should not pay employers. Treat any request for a "registration" or "training" fee before an offer as a warning sign.^[1]

Apprenticeships under the Apprentices Act, 1961 combine basic training with on-the-job training under a contract of apprenticeship. Establishments with 30 or more workers must take apprentices, between 2.5% and 15% of their workforce, and the government's NAPS scheme reimburses employers part of the stipend. Graduates and diploma holders can apply too, not only school leavers.

If you studied abroad and apply for government posts or higher studies in India, the Association of Indian Universities issues equivalence certificates for degrees from recognised foreign universities; applications are accepted online only.

Foreign nationals need a regular visa for employment: apply online, then submit the signed form, documents and passport at an Indian Visa Application Centre or mission. The official e-Visa FAQ states that an e-Visa is not allowed for employment. Ask your employer which documents the mission needs before you resign elsewhere.^[4][7][8][9]