Free tools for India
India has a huge, fast-moving job market and a detailed GST system. A modern resume, a compliant GST invoice, and ads that follow Indian advertising and privacy rules all help you look professional to local and global clients. This page brings those basics together with free browser-based tools.
Resume format in India
Many older Indian templates include a photo, date of birth, parents' names, and a closing declaration. Multinational employers and most modern recruiters do not need these, and applicant tracking systems read them as clutter. Focus on skills, projects, internships, and measurable results.
If you are applying for roles abroad, switch to the format used in the destination country.
- Leave off the photo unless the employer asks for one.
- Add your city, LinkedIn URL, and notice period if you are already employed.
- Freshers can list education, projects, internships, and certifications, with percentage or CGPA as the institution reports it.
- Keep one clear email address and phone number.
GST invoicing in India
A GST invoice shows the supplier's name, address, and GSTIN, a unique invoice number, the date, the buyer's details and GSTIN for business-to-business sales, a description of the goods or services with the HSN or SAC code, the taxable value, the GST rate and amount, and the place of supply.
A GSTIN has 15 characters, and the first two digits are the state code. Tax is split into CGST and SGST when the supplier and the place of supply are in the same state, and charged as IGST when they are in different states. Businesses above a turnover threshold must also generate e-invoices through the government portal.
- Use a unique, sequential invoice number of up to 16 characters.
- Show the place of supply and the correct tax split.
- Add UPI or bank details to make payment easy.
- File returns on time and keep invoices for the required period.
Marketing and advertising notes
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) publishes guidelines on misleading claims and requires clear disclosure of paid influencer content. Calls and SMS for promotions are governed by the telecom regulator's do-not-disturb rules, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 sets consent requirements for handling personal data. WhatsApp and Instagram are widely used for business, so make sure your messaging has clear opt-in.
GST state codes and hiring hubs in major cities
The first two digits of a GSTIN identify the state. Use the table to double-check the state code and place of supply on an invoice. The last column notes where employers in each city tend to concentrate.
| City | State | GST state code | Where employers cluster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Delhi | 07 | govt., BPO, and D2C startup hiring hubs like Okhla and Nehru Place |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra | 27 | BFSI, media, and performance-marketing agencies concentrated in Andheri and BKC |
| Bangalore | Karnataka | 29 | IT services and startup hiring across Koramangala, Whitefield and HSR Layout |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | 36 | IT/ITES and pharma hiring concentrated around HITEC City |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 33 | manufacturing, auto ancillary, and IT hiring around OMR |
| Pune | Maharashtra | 27 | IT and manufacturing hiring across Hinjewadi and Kharadi |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | 19 | trading, jute/manufacturing, and growing BPO hiring in Salt Lake Sector V |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 24 | textile, pharma, and trading businesses |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 08 | growing IT/BPO hiring plus tourism and handicraft export trade |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 09 | government, education, and a growing IT/startup base |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 04 | IT parks and a strong government/PSU employment base |
| Surat | Gujarat | 24 | diamond and textile trading businesses |
| Noida | Uttar Pradesh | 09 | IT/ITES and media companies concentrated in Sector 62 and Film City |
| Gurgaon | Haryana | 06 | MNC and consulting hiring concentrated on Golf Course Road and Cyber City |
| Indore | Madhya Pradesh | 23 | trading, IT-SEZ, and a fast-growing startup ecosystem |
Free tools for India
Guides worth reading
- How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Resume vs CV: Format Rules by Country (US, UK, CA, AU, India)
- Invoice Requirements by Country: US, UK, Canada, AU, India
- Digital Marketing Career Guide: Skills, Roadmap, and Pay
Frequently asked questions
What is a GSTIN?
A GSTIN is the 15-character Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. The first two digits are the state code.
When do I charge CGST and SGST, and when IGST?
Charge CGST and SGST when the supplier and the place of supply are in the same state. Charge IGST when they are in different states.
Should I put a photo on my Indian resume?
Only if the employer asks. Most multinational companies and modern recruiters do not need a photo.
Does my invoice need an HSN or SAC code?
Depending on your turnover, GST rules require HSN codes for goods and SAC codes for services on invoices. Check current rules on the GST portal.
Other countries
United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia
This page offers general information only, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm current requirements with the official authority or a qualified professional.