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First Job Resume: How to Write with no Experience + (Examples)

Sitting down to write a resume for your first job can be daunting. I mean, of course, you are excited, it is your first job after all, but it is more than a little bit scary. What should you write about? What does an employer expect from someone that doesn't have an awful lot of experience? Why is this first job the right one for you and where is it likely to lead?

Any first-time resume may be low on experience, but that does not mean that it has to be low on personality or potential. You have lived through many situations which will allow you to make a resume for a first job to shine a light on who you are. No one expects you to be the finished article, so you merely need to give a few suitable hints when you write your resume. 

We would like to explore a few considerations for anyone making that nervous first job resume. We design the most attractive resume and cover letter templates, but we also aim to give you some inspiration as you sit down and stare at that fateful blank page before writing.

All the tips, tools, templates, and examples you need to learn how to write a resume in 2024

Let’s be honest, when you are contemplating how to make your resume for a first job, there is nothing scarier than a blank page. You will soon find that you have far more to say for yourself than you think. Your potential is limitless, but what should you focus on? What will fit with the hiring manager’s vision of a perfect candidate?

Do I need to make a resume for my first job? 

Yes, you do! Making a resume for a first job is an essential part of the job seeking process. No matter what your previous experience, you haven't been living alone in a cave and you might be surprised at just how relevant your experiences have been. You can’t just write a quick note asking for an interview. Take the time to steer the interview conversation in your direction.

Sample resume for first job

This sample resume offers an insight into what a resume for a first job might look like. It is always good to take some time to gain inspiration from as many sources as possible. Pick and choose your inspiration.

There is no reason why your first-job resume should not resemble a normal resume. Ideally, you don’t want the hiring manager to think that you are different in any way. The content will just be slightly different. We have many other resume writing examples across our website that might offer inspiration (such as our blog or free library of 250+ profession-specific guides), so this is intended to pull together some of our advice in this article.

Check out this example of a first job resume, crafted with all of the best hiring practices in mind:

The best summary for a first job resume

Any employer will expect the first few words of a resume summary for a first job resume to be full of your unique personality. You might not have many work-related achievements to boast about and the ink on your college exams might not have quite dried, but the summary in your first resume is not about where you have been. Talk about your volunteering work and any internships that you may have done. Start off with a confident “I’ve got this” vibe.

The summary for a first job CV is like a mission statement. Make the resume clear about how you get things done and showcase your attitude. Choose adjectives with care and keep the summary brief but powerful. Don't start off your first-job resume with three lines of meaningless waffle. Be brief, share your career objectives and give the reader one powerful reason to keep reading.

Actively looking for your first job or internship is the first step to success! So, be proud rather than embarrassed. Consider internships as an example of a scenario where it’s completely OK to not have work experience when you make your resume:

A 2017 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that college graduates who had completed an internship received more job offers than those who had not. Remember that nobody expects job experience from an intern!

Think about how your career objectives fit in with the position—if you describe a dream job that is unlike the role in question, your chances of securing an interview will plummet. It is this objective that will interest a hiring manager the most. In fact, some early-career candidates actually call this section “career objective” rather than summary.

How to write an employment history for your first job resume

Describing your experience in a first job resume should be seen in the broader context of how your activities thus far have contributed to make you a high-potential hire. You may have had limited work experience, so you need to write a resume work experience section (or just ‘Experience’ section if you haven’t had temp or summer jobs) that shows relevant skills and qualities from any of your other life activities:

• Paid work experience . Any paid work should feature prominently on your resume. You may feel that your voluntary work has more relevant experience, but nothing beats sharing evidence of having the responsibility to deliver on a job and get remunerated for it. Most first job resume employment histories are filled with examples of “basic” college jobs that bring in some money for socializing (etc.), and these roles are far from worthless.
• Casual jobs . We have all had casual jobs through our school and university years, and while it might not seem exciting to let a future employer know that you worked on the tills in a shop for a summer, a tourist guide for a season or an au pair working abroad, including casual jobs will portray you as hardworking and dedicated.
• Volunteering . Sticking your hand up and opting to do something for free demonstrates passion and interest. If that volunteering activity aligns with your future job, it is an ideal way of proving that your heart is in the right place. If your experience includes volunteer work, make sure to make it part of your first job resume structure when you write the CV.

Remember that you can re-order resume sections in our resume maker.  Follow the general advice in our guide but also use your common sense: customize, create new sections and drag them around to see what works. For example, if you have a LOT of volunteer experience or more than 1-2 academic rewards, consider making a dedicated section for those… and maybe even make that section 1st or 2nd from the top so it jumps out!

• Extracurricular . Whether you starred in a university production, played on a successful sports team, or learned an instrument to a high standard, sharing how your character has developed through your extracurricular activities is a valid way of sharing your personality with a prospective employer. Tease out the most relevant details for the role in question.
• Education . College credentials should obviously feature prominently in your first job resume as they show the culmination of years of hard work. You should include details such as your grade average if it is over a 3.0. Consider including any relevant coursework or side-projects if the profession is particularly intellectually demanding. The rigors of higher education demand many skills that are also required in the workplace.

There are all sorts of jobs for teens available. Opportunities will vary depending on the local amenities, but there are undeniable lessons to be learned as teenagers earn their first wages. We explore a few of the most common roles.

The best skills for a first job resume

Deciding on the words that you use to describe your experience is central to making the right impression. While anyone can wax lyrical about softer behavioral traits, the best skills for writing a first job resume are measurable and evidenced with factual and situational examples.

Read the job description carefully—what sort of first job resume skills would a successful employee be expected to possess? Make a resume for your first job with real examples to highlight these skills.

• Soft skills . Whether you have managed others in a group project, helped customers in a store or over the phone, or done something individually creative, your future job will demand a certain mix of softer behavioral skills. Talk about how you have achieved things with others and give a sense that you are keen to develop.

Examples of soft skills might be: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, creativity, work ethic, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, leadership, decision-making, attention to detail, active listening.

• Hard skills . While soft skills are easier to exaggerate, the more quantifiable hard technical skills are what might make your resume jump to the top of the pile. Experience with office software and social media will rank highly and if you are going into a more technical profession, the ability to learn a programming language might speak volumes.

Examples of hard skills might be: Microsoft Office proficiency, data analysis, programming languages (e.g., Python, Java), project management, graphic design, technical writing, digital marketing, foreign language proficiency, financial modeling, search engine optimization (SEO), database management, social media management, AutoCAD, network administration, statistical analysis.

Your first job resume skills section is critical because it is an opportunity to show that you have the ability to learn something difficult.

How do you write a resume with one job? 

You should remember that your CV is a window onto all your life experiences—in the early stages of your career, jobs are just part of your story. By all means, expand as much as you can on the relevant aspects of your work experience, but whether you are making your resume for your first job or your second job, there is plenty more content that you can include.

First job resume templates

Selecting a first job resume template is an intensely personal choice, but we hope that we have a template that might suit any situation and personality.There are, however, certain templates that may actually help to make a resume for a first job. The style should be minimalist, the skills section should be prominent and the font may be slightly larger than usual. Don’t fall into the trap of filling the page with a wall of text when half of it is filler. 

The Vienna template offers a bold design and a larger than average font, with an eye-catching section for rating the impact of your skills. The colorful header is more acceptable for a first resume template and you can be sure that it will make you stand out from the crowd if the hiring manager needs to find your resume again from amongst the pile. Many of our resume templates have choices of color scheme.

The Creative resume template category is a popular pick for first job resumes that are looking to create an original feel. The bold section highlights of the Madrid template leave the reader with the impression that a candidate really has something to say. Do not hide from your lack of experience and put your best foot forward with confidence. You wouldn’t believe how many resumes are a few uninspiring lines on a Word document.

For those who prefer a cleaner look, the Berlin first resume template has dividing lines between the sections to allow you to differentiate your experiences. Lines tend to make a reader pause and reflect on what they have read before moving on. There is also an argument to suggest that a great resume template should let a candidate’s experience speak for itself, so the Professional resume templates category is a good choice as well.

What should a first job resume look like? 

To start with, when you write a resume for a first job, it should not be longer than one page. Even if you have the most fascinating life story, if your work experience is lacking, you should seek to keep the highlights onto just one page. Focus on the relevant experience for the role in question and you shouldn't have too much trouble keeping it brief and powerful.

Here are some insights from the first job resume templates that are made with the builder on Resume.io.

The best resume examples for a first job

There is nothing like browsing a few examples to inspire you when writing your first resume. Here are a few from 100s of our free samples to share some typical early job resumes:

• Sales Assistant . One of the most common routes into a first job is a continuation of part-time employment that commenced in college. The first rung of the ladder in meritocratic industries such as retail, banking, healthcare, and many others often involves considerable amounts of menial work and admin, so make sure that you make a resume for the first job to showcase your work ethic.
• Telemarketing . While this telemarketing resume sample includes a longer stretch of initial experience, much of the information within it could be included as part of a fresher resume sample. Many graduates will have undertaken telemarketing work and the skills contained within will be relevant for many corporate roles. Make a resume for your first job that includes: marketing, communication, customer service, and problem solving.
• Tutor . Many students will have undertaken tutoring work to earn a little extra cash and there is great value in understanding how to learn when you are teaching someone else. Again, this sample contains a couple of positions, but most student tutors will have the same experiences. Understanding the perspective of others via active listening is a critical skill in a loud and busy workplace.
• Internship . There are certain white-collar professions such as law and finance where an internship is a coveted and prestigious first role, so this resume sample and guide is a particularly valuable indication of what you might want to include when you are talking about taking your first steps.

A different source of inspiration that can help fresh graduates make a first resume is the summary sections of various LinkedIn profiles. You can filter profiles by years of experience, and it is interesting to see how others in your future industry describe themselves. It goes without saying that you too should have a LinkedIn profile, much of which should be a duplicate of what is on your resume.

What should a teenager put on a resume?

While school grades should feature prominently as this gives an indication of many useful qualities, when a teenager is writing a resume for a first job, their potential employer will be more interested in what they have to say about their personality and what they want to get out of their career. Ambition and motivation are everything when you are a teenager, so fill your teenage first job resume with stories of energy, drive and determination.

How to make a resume for first job after a long career gap

If you sit down to make your resume after a long gap of 7+ years (for whatever reason), it can somehow feel that you are actually making the resume for your first job. None of your long-forgotten experience seems relevant any more and you might even have forgotten how it feels like to work with other people. That is incredibly daunting.

Luckily, as you search your memories for relevant stories, making your "first job" resume will not be as tricky as you think. Just start by being honest with yourself. You have to acknowledge that things will have moved on since you last put on a suit in anger, and you should definitely not try to shoehorn the experience into your story for the sake of it.

The hiring manager will see that you have been out of the workplace for whatever reason, so they will again be looking for potential rather than track record. Share your motivations and let them know what you want this fresh start to your career to look like. How does this job fit into your grand plan?

How to write a fresher resume: tips and tricks

It might feel like writing a fresher resume with a seemingly small amount of experience might prove tricky, but once you get going on your story, you will be surprised by the amount that you actually have to tell. You may well even struggle to keep it short. It is important to maintain a healthy balance between motivations, accomplishments, and career objectives. Here are some resume writing tips to make the most of your personal sales pitch:

• Be honest and factual . When contemplating what to include in their fresher resume format, a feeling of inadequacy may tempt recent grads to embellish and even invent experiences. This is a job search cardinal sin; lying on your resume can lead to you losing your job at a later point. Avoid flowery statements and include as many facts and hard skills as possible.
• Find value in everything you have done . You may feel a little embarrassed to include certain parts of your experience when you write your resume for freshers, but as long as you tease out what is relevant, even something like babysitting can show that you are responsible and trustworthy. The hiring manager likely learned a few similar lessons in their younger days.
• Sound like you . It is important to make a resume for the first job that reflects who you are, because if there is a dissonance at the interview, hiring managers will become wary. Ask a few people close to you to read the fresher resume format through; there is nothing worse than putting on an act to secure your first job. Be yourself and get a job that you will enjoy.
• Mirror the job description . Although you might be starting out in your career, an employer will expect you to feel like someone that they can mold and develop. A great way to achieve an initial connection is to make a resume for the first job using the language and tone of the job description in your resume for college graduates. Portray yourself as “one of them” before you get to the interview.
• Convey your transferable skills . It is not enough to mention that you had a part time job as an office assistant—you have to share the most relevant transferable skills about that experience. This requires a solid understanding.
• Use action verbs and compelling language . Think about the sorts of activities in your future role and imagine the sorts of conversations that you will be having in future team meetings. Use action verbs and language that you think will be part of the office speak. If you do not have much experience to share, making a first job resume using powerful action verbs gives you added dynamism.
• Proofread it (at least) five times . Last, but definitely not least, make sure that there are no silly mistakes lurking that could make a hiring manager think twice about your attention to detail. This is a basic expectation for any graduate, so don’t fail this test. Use software such as Grammarly to make your resume—you won't regret it.

Hopefully sitting down to write your first job resume won’t seem so scary now.

You need to make a few bucks while you earn your university degree, that’s totally understandable. To find a position that gives you what you need and leaves you time to study, take a look at our advice below.

You undoubtedly have so much to tell, so pick a resume template for your first job and get to it!

Key takeaways

Finding the right first job can be an important step. It will not necessarily dictate the rest of your career, but it may lead to wonderful opportunities. 

Try to make the best possible decisions and you never know what may come next. 

Settling for second best because you just want to earn some cash is not an option. You never know what you might achieve if you aim high.

First Job Resume Examples + Samples for 2022

This page provides you with First Job Resume Examples + Samples for 2022 resume samples to use to create your own resume with our easy-to-use resume builder . Below you'll find our how-to section that will guide you through each section of a First Job Resume Examples + Samples for 2022 resume.

If you’re a new graduate worrying about how to write your first ever resume, you’re not alone! When you don’t have a lot of past work experience, resumes can be pretty intimidating. It’s easy to wonder how you’ll fill all the space, especially if you’ve never even held down a part-time job before.

Don’t panic! Even if you’re totally new to the world of work, you almost certainly have enough relevant experience behind you to build a great resume for your first job. If you think laterally, it’s perfectly possible – and very much allowed! – to include things like club activities, school-based responsibilities, and volunteering work on your first job resume.

To get you started, we’ve put together this helpful guide to writing your first job resume. We’ve put together some example resume sections, some do’s and don'ts for writing your resume, and some advice on what to expect from the job application process – including some tips you may not hear from your college careers office. Read on, and you’ll be building your first job resume in no time!

If you’ve never worked before, chances are that you’ve never had to write a resume before, either. Don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as you think! As a general rule, a resume contains the following sections:

• A summary and/or objective
• A record of your past work experience
• A list of your qualifications, certifications, and licenses
• A list of your relevant skills

It’s important to remember that your resume needs to show a hiring manager two things, particularly when you have no work experience. The first is that you have relevant qualifications for the role you want – whether that’s an academic qualification in a relevant field, or just some volunteering-based or extracurricular experience. The second is that you have the skills you will need to do great work in the role.

What this means is that it’s okay if your experience section feels a little thin on the ground. As a current student or a new graduate, you won’t be expected to bring a ton of professional experience to the table. What matters is how you present yourself – which means making the most of the skills, qualifications and experience that you do have, so hiring managers can see a good reason to take a chance on you.

We’ll cover each section one at a time, so you have all the information you need to make your resume as strong as possible.

The Best Format for a First Job Resume

Before you get started on actually writing your resume, you’ll need to choose your resume format! This dictates what hiring managers will notice first when they take their first look at your application. The right format will draw their eyes to your strongest assets, and away from the places where you’re not as strong as you’d prefer.

When you choose your professionally-designed first job resume template from our selection, make sure you keep that in mind. Since you won’t have much prior work experience, it makes sense to choose a format that will call attention to your qualifications and skills instead. This will give recruiters an opportunity to see the best side of you, first and foremost!

Remember, this is just your first job resume – you will be able to create a brand new resume once you have more experience behind you. After you’ve built up a stronger work history in your field of choice, you’ll be able to opt for a resume format that balances your skills and qualifications with your work experience. We have a range of resume guides for a variety of different fields and industries, to help you pick the best resume format when the time comes!

• Applicant Tracking Systems

You may not know that some companies use an applicant tracking system (or ATS) to sort through the resumes they receive when inviting applications for a position. ATS software filters resumes based on keywords (usually drawn from the job description) to help winnow out resumes that are generic, not qualified for the role, or otherwise unsuitable to move to the next stage of the process. This is great for hiring managers, as it saves them valuable time and enables them to speed up the hiring process.

But for candidates, it isn’t always such good news! If your resume doesn’t make it past the ATS software, it is likely to be rejected before a human gets to see it and make informed decisions about your application. That can be a blow, particularly if you’ve spent a lot of time and effort on your resume.

You can maximize your chances of beating the ATS software by paying close attention to what the job description is asking for. Try to use the exact words used in the job description when describing your skills and experience: for example, if a job description asks for ‘strong time management skills,’ use that exact phrase when writing about your history of meeting deadlines for school. If you don’t treat the job description as your guide, you risk losing the role before the hiring process has truly begun.

ATS software can also be confused by complex and intricate resume formatting. That’s why all of VisualCV’s resume templates are designed to make your resume easy for ATS software to read, regardless of the layout they provide. That means you don’t have to worry about the software getting confused by your resume format – you can just focus on making sure your resume is as strong as it can be.

How to Write a Summary for Your First Job Resume

Most resumes begin with a summary. It’s the first thing most recruiters will see when they pick up your resume, and it’s intended to give them a clear, concise picture of your best qualities. Writing a good summary is all about brevity – think about your biggest strengths in relation to this particular role, and write them down in three sentences or less.

Remember, your summary should be tailored to the specific role you’re applying for. You can’t write just one summary, then reuse it across multiple applications! Recruiters will notice, and it will hurt your chances of getting the job.

Because you’re applying for your first job, you won’t be able to talk about your prior work experience in your summary. However, you can mention your educational background, your skills, your best qualities, and any relevant non-work experience you have. Later in your career, you can use your summary to describe the trajectory of your career so far, so recruiters can see at a glance where you’re coming from. 3 First Job Summary Examples

• Current student at NYU majoring in International Relations. Secretary of the NYU Tea Society, with experience in planning, communication, and working to deadlines. A quick and adaptable learner with a strong work ethic.
• Maintaining a 3.8 GPA at Williams College. Former editor at the Williams Record, with experience of project management and collaborative work. Dedicated to learning new skills without compromising on the quality of my output.
• Majoring in Computing at UT Austin. Three years of volunteer experience in a residential care home, delivering enrichment activities to residents. Strong customer service skills with a compassionate mindset and a drive to deliver the best.
• How Not to Write a First Job Resume Summary

It can be tempting to turn your summary into a second cover letter – a long-form piece of writing focusing on the story behind why you want the job. Don’t give in to that temptation! It’s the number one thing to avoid when writing a resume summary.

Remember, your summary needs to be clear and direct, focused on what you can offer an employer in the role you want. Keep it brief, keep it focused, and keep it professional. You can talk more about yourself in your cover letter – don’t give up valuable resume space for the sake of a more in-depth summary than you need.

Summaries can be tricky to get right. Not every recruiter agrees that you need one – in fact, opinion is pretty divided – so don’t despair if you’re struggling with it! Leave it out for now, and consider coming back to it later.

• For the past three years, I have worked as a volunteer at the Shady Pines Residential Care Home, delivering enrichment activities to residents every weekend. I am excited to apply my experience with customer service to the role of Cashier. I believe I have the customer-focused mindset and the work ethic to really succeed in this position.

Do You Need a Resume Objective?

We’ve covered summaries pretty thoroughly – but what about your resume objective?

When you’re applying for a first job, an objective is a great way to give a hiring manager a little more information about your long-term goals. It’s a single-sentence statement about where you want to work or what you want to do in the longer term. Needless to say, your objective should have some relevance to the role you’re applying for!

Keep in mind that you won’t always need a resume objective. They’re not so useful when you already have an extensive work history, as your career so far can go a long way toward telling a hiring manager about your long-term plans. But at the beginning of your career, they’re generally considered to be worth including on your resume. First Job Resume Objective Example:

• International Relations major at NYU, hoping to build a career in the communications industry.

How to Describe Your Experience on Your First Job Resume

By definition, you probably don’t have any previous experience of holding down a paid job – after all, this is your first job resume! But that doesn’t mean you don’t have any relevant experience. Here are just a few of the things you can include in this section of your resume, provided you’ve participated in them in the past:

• High school clubs
• College extracurriculars
• Volunteering experience
• Internships
• Work experience placements
• Relevant hobbies and achievements

As long as you can draw on the experience to show why it makes you a good fit for the role you want, you can include it! It’s worth sitting down and listing all of the skills you used or learned during your non-work experience. Then you can include any experience where those skills align with the skills listed on your job description – generally a good sign that the experience is relevant to the role.

Remember, you don’t have to include everything you’ve ever done on your resume. If you have a lot of experience, be selective. On the other hand, if you don’t have much experience, don’t even think about lying to bulk it out – if you get caught (and you are likely to get caught), it will throw up red flags that recruiters won’t be able to ignore.

• Describe Your Experience Effectively

Each ‘item’ of experience on your resume is usually accompanied by a bullet-pointed list of things you achieved while carrying out the job. But as you’ll see in the example below, it’s not as simple as all that! Every bullet point you write should prove that you have at least one of the skills or qualities listed in the job description.

That’s why you should make sure to write about what you actually achieved – not just about the bare bones of what you did from day to day. Instead of ‘answered emails,’ try ‘addressed client queries promptly via email, ensuring clear communication and building trust.’ Doesn’t that sound so much more impressive?

As a rule, hiring managers will want to see evidence that you were able to succeed in your previous work – whatever it was. Point to the results you achieved by completing each task, and hiring managers will be more likely to believe that you can achieve results again in a future role.

Do: Editor, The Williams Record | 2019-20

• Responded to pitches for articles and columns from fellow students, selecting pitches for content in line with the mission and tone of the newspaper
• Supported writers in delivering their articles on time and to a high standard
• Liaised with other members of the editorial team to ensure that each issue went to print in good time
• How Not to Describe Your Experience

Don’t just write a list of the tasks you completed! Without any further context, a straightforward list of responsibilities assigned to you won’t tell a hiring manager anything. They won’t have any reason to believe that you excelled at those tasks, or that you might excel at similar tasks in a new job.

When writing a resume, you need to show hiring managers that you have the skills it takes to succeed. Be clear and explicit about those skills and how you applied them – don’t assume that they will make those connections for you.

Don’t: Editor, The Williams Record | 2019-20

• Answered emails
• Edited articles
• Worked with other editors

How to List Skills on Your First Job Resume

Your skills section should be a list of the skills you possess that will help you in the role you want. You can usually refer to the job description for the skills necessary for the job! Most of the time, they include a list of qualities that applicants should have – use that as a guide when listing skills on your resume.

It’s useful to distinguish between ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills.’ Hard skills are the practical skills you’ll use from day to day in your role – things like the use of particular software packages, or the ability to use a cash register. If you don’t have all the hard skills listed as necessary for the role you want, don’t panic – you can write, either in your cover letter or as part of your skills section, that you are willing to learn on the job.

On the other hand, you probably already have some relevant soft skills! We’ll cover those in more detail below.

For general information about skills on your resume, check out our resume skills guide here!

Important Soft Skills for Your First Job

Soft skills are the skills that you use in every aspect of your professional life. Skills like communication, organization and attention to detail are vital in almost every line of work, and will give you an advantage in navigating a new work environment. Plus, when you don’t have much prior work experience, a strong portfolio of soft skills can show an employer that you have what it takes to succeed.

Here are some of the most important soft skills to include on your first job resume, regardless of the job you’re applying for!

• Communication

Can you get along with people and make yourself understood, whether in person, in writing, or over the phone? Communication is foundational to almost every job – being able to communicate effectively will make you a better team member, as well as better at liaising with clients or customers.

• Organization

In the world of work, it’s vital to be organized. That means balancing all your commitments, showing up on time, looking presentable, and managing your working hours effectively. Prove that you can do all that, and your application will be that much stronger as a result.

• Willingness to Learn

This one is particularly important for people looking for their first job, as they’re likely to need more on-the-job training than more experienced candidates. Being willing and able to take in and adapt to new information is a crucial skill!

Very few jobs will need you to work in perfect isolation. You’ll have to get along efficiently with people from all walks of life, regardless of your personal feelings about them, in order to do most jobs to the best of your ability. That means being able to take on your share of responsibilities, all while keeping the wellbeing and morale of your colleagues in mind.

Final Thoughts

Landing that first job can be a daunting prospect, but it’s not impossible! With a well-written, well-constructed resume, you’ll be on your way up the career ladder in no time. Use what you have, think laterally about your experience, and don’t be deterred by rejection – keep pushing, and you’ll get there.

For a little extra boost to your resume, consider a VisualCV Pro membership! Pro membership allows you to customize every aspect of your resume, so you can show hiring managers your very best self from the outset of the application process. Sign up today, and get the head start you deserve on that first job.

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Entry-Level Resume Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Launch Your Career

Get a headstart with an entry-level resume format

Certified Professional Resume Writer

Launching your career can feel like stepping into a vast, uncharted territory—especially when you’re drafting your first resume with minimal work experience . 

Fear not! This guide is here to navigate you through creating an entry-level resume that not only stands out but also positions you perfectly on the first rung of your professional ladder. 

You’ll learn how to articulate your potential loudly and clearly, ensuring that recruiters see your value right from the start.

What is an Entry-Level Resume?

Think of your first job resume as your personal ambassador—it presents your skills, education, and the potential you bring to every prospective employer. 

Designed specifically for those stepping into the job market or pivoting to a new field, this resume acts as your initial handshake, offering a snapshot of who you are professionally.

Why is it important?

A robust entry-level resume does more than list your experiences —it narrates your story in a way that compels hiring managers to take notice. It’s your opportunity to make a memorable first impression , potentially paving the way to that all-important interview .

Your entry-level resume should tell recruiters that you understand the role and are prepared to add value , despite having less experience than others might.

Entry-level resume example

Examining a resume example for a first job can be incredibly useful as it provides a tangible model to reference and draw inspiration from when writing your own personalized document .

[John Smith]

[123 Main Street | Anytown, USA | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]]

[Marketing Professional]

Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from State University. Skilled in social media marketing, content creation, and data analysis. Completed internships with a local marketing agency and a volunteer position with a nonprofit organization, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a passion for driving results. Proven ability to leverage tools such as Google Analytics and Hootsuite to optimize marketing campaigns and enhance brand visibility.

Social Media Marketing | Content Creation | Data Analysis | Email Marketing

SEO Optimization | Google Analytics | Hootsuite | Microsoft Office Suite

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

State University, Anytown, USA

• GPA: 3.7/4.0
• Graduation: May 2023

Marketing Intern

ABC Marketing Agency, Anytown, USA

June 2022 – August 2022

• Assisted in developing social media marketing strategies for clients, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement on average.
• Created engaging content for various social media platforms, driving brand awareness and customer engagement.
• Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify trends and opportunities for client campaigns.

Marketing Assistant (Volunteer)

XYZ Nonprofit Organization, Anytown, USA

September 2021 – May 2022

• Managed organization’s social media accounts, increasing followers by 30% within six months.
• Designed and implemented email marketing campaigns to promote fundraising events, resulting in a 25% increase in donations.
• Coordinated with internal teams to develop promotional materials and digital content to support organizational initiatives.

Marketing Campaign Analysis Project

January 2023 – May 2023

• Led a team in analyzing the effectiveness of various marketing campaigns, utilizing Google Analytics to track key metrics such as website traffic and conversion rates.
• Presented findings to faculty and industry professionals, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex data clearly and concisely.

Certification s

• Google Analytics Certification, 2024
• Hootsuite Platform Certification, 2023

Need inspiration to write your resume? Try our AI-powered resume builder and get tailored suggestions and guidance!

The Most Effective Resume Format for Entry-Level Candidates

For an entry-level candidate, the best resume format is typically a combination format . This format allows you to highlight your relevant skills and achievements, even if you have limited work experience. 

There are several reasons for this:

• Skills section : With this format, you can place a prominent section near the top of your resume. This allows you to present the abilities you’ve gained through education, internships, volunteer work, and other experiences.
• Work experience : While you may have limited professional experience, you can still include internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work under the Work Experience section. Focus on your achievements and transferable skills . make sure you list them in reverse chronological order.
• Education : Since education is often the most relevant section for entry-level candidates, it’s typically placed near the top of the resume. Include details about your degree, GPA (if it’s strong), coursework, and any academic achievements or honors.
• Optional sections : Depending on your experiences, you may also include additional sections such as projects, certifications, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. These can help round out your resume and provide additional context for your abilities.

Overall, a combination format allows you to display your abilities, education, and relevant experiences in a way that shows your potential and suitability for the position.

How to Write Your First Resume When You Don’t Have Experience

When tackling your first resume, it’s essential to spotlight elements beyond the typical sections like contact information and education. 

Focus on the tasks you performed, any achievements or recognition you received , and how these experiences have prepared you for your future career endeavors.

By strategically listing   these aspects of your background, you can create a compelling entry-level resume that presents your potential and positions you as a promising candidate, even without extensive professional experience.

Resume Summaries vs. Resume Objectives: Which To Use

Deciding between a resume summary and an objective can shape how recruiters view your application. While both elements aim to introduce your credentials, they serve slightly different purposes and are perceived differently by hiring managers.

Resume Objectives

Traditionally, resume objectives have been used to outline your career goals and what you seek to gain from the job. 

However, objectives are increasingly seen as outdated and self-focused, as they often emphasize the applicant’s desires more than their contributions to a potential employer.

Example of a Resume Objective

Seeking a challenging position in graphic design where I can leverage my coursework and freelance experience to grow and develop my skills.

Resume Summaries

On the other hand, resume summaries are gaining favor because they focus on what you can offer the employer. They provide a brief overview of your key accomplishments and abilities, which can immediately show your value to the hiring team.

Example of a Resume Summar y

Detail-oriented graduate with a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration. Completed more than 15 freelance projects, demonstrating creative flair and a strong commitment to delivering client-focused solutions.

Why Choose a Resume Summary?

Given the shift in preference towards candidates who can articulate what they bring to the table, a resume summary is more effective , especially for entry-level candidates. 

It allows you to succinctly display your skills and potential contributions, meeting more directly employers’ needs.

Consider opting for a summary over an objective. This approach positions you as a proactive candidate while aligning with modern hiring practices.

4 Key Sections of an Entry-Level Resume Plus Examples

From emphasizing your educational achievements and coursework to displaying your extracurricular involvement and valuable work experiences, each section plays a key role in presenting a comprehensive picture of your qualifications. 

Let’s explore how to maximize these sections with examples and insights tailored to entry-level candidates.

Education Section

In the Education section of your resume, list your academic achievements and any relevant coursework or projects. This is particularly important if you have limited work experience. 

Provide details such as your degree, graduation year, and any honors or awards you received.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

XYZ University, Anytown, USA

Graduated May 2023

• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Honors: Dean’s List, Fall 2022

Relevant Coursework:

• Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
• Web Development
• Database Management Systems
• Software Engineering Project
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Mobile Application Development

Work Experience Section

In this section, include both formal work experience like internships and volunteer work , as well as shorter-term experiences like micro-internships and job shadowing . 

Treat these experiences similarly to full-time jobs , detailing your responsibilities and achievements. Frame non-traditional experiences such as volunteer work or projects as formal work experience.

Ex perience

Volunteer Coordinator

Quantify your accomplishments with numbers when possible, or include KPIs . This helps provide context and scale to your contributions.

Include Your Extracurricular Activities

List any extracurricular activities where you held leadership positions or were actively involved in a team setting. 

These experiences demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively , manage responsibilities, and contribute to group success.

Ex tracurricular Activities

President, Marketing Club

September 2021 – May 2023

• Led weekly meetings to plan club events and discuss marketing trends.
• Organized guest speaker events and workshops to enhance members’ skills and industry knowledge.
• Collaborated with other club officers to develop marketing campaigns to increase membership and engagement.

Team Captain, Intramural Soccer Team

September 2020 – May 2022

• Organized team practices and coordinated game schedules.
• Fostered teamwork and camaraderie among team members to achieve common goals.
• Represented the team in league meetings and served as a liaison with university officials.

Using Power Words to Enhance Your Entry-Level Resume

Power words are action verbs that can make your resume more compelling and memorable. 

By using these dynamic words, you display your contributions and show active participation in your experiences. 

Here are some effective power words tailored for entry-level resumes, along with examples of how to use them:

Assisted : Demonstrates your ability to work cooperatively in a professional setting.

Assisted in managing a team of five in a university project, coordinating logistics and schedules.

Created : Shows initiative and the ability to develop something new.

Created a customer feedback system as part of a school project, which enhanced the group’s final project submission.

Resolved : Emphasizes problem-solving skills.

Resolved user issues as a volunteer at a tech fair, improving visitor satisfaction.

Organized : Points to your capability to arrange resources or events effectively.

Organized a local charity event, resulting in over 100 participants and raising $5,000.

Implemented : Indicates you can put plans or ideas into action.

Implemented a new inventory system during an internship, which reduced waste by 20%.

Enhanced : Suggests improvement of a project or task.

Enhanced the company newsletter as an intern by incorporating interactive content, increasing engagement by 30%.

Coordinated : Shows leadership and management skills , even in informal roles.

Coordinated the schedule for a college workshop series, improving attendee rates.

Designed : Reflects creativity and the ability to conceive and execute designs.

Designed a new layout for the student organization’s website, improving user experience and accessibility.

Achieved : Used to describe an accomplishment.

Achieved ‘Top Salesperson of the Month’ as a part-time retail worker through enhanced product knowledge and customer engagement strategies.

Tailoring Your Resume for Different Entry-Level Roles

Tailoring your resume for each job application is essential to increase your chances of standing out among other candidates.

Begin by thoroughly analyzing the job description provided by the employer. Identify key abilities, qualifications, and experiences they are seeking in an ideal candidate. 

Pay close attention to keywords and phrases used throughout the job description , as these are often the criteria against which your application will be evaluated.

For example, let’s consider a job description for a marketing assistant position that emphasizes skills in social media management, content creation, and data analysis. 

A candidate should incorporate these keywords into their resume summary to demonstrate how they meet the job requirements .

Example Job Description

Marketing Assistant responsibilities

• Manage social media accounts and develop content calendars to drive engagement and brand awareness.
• Conduct market research and analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for marketing campaigns.
• Assist in the creation of marketing materials, including blog posts, email newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute marketing initiatives and support overall business objectives.

Now take a look at how a candidate has added the keywords from the job description to their resume summary:

Resume Summary

Results-driven marketing graduate with proficiency in social media management, content creation, and data analysis. Experienced in developing engaging content calendars and conducting market research to drive brand awareness and customer engagement. Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute marketing initiatives and achieve business goals. Excited to leverage my skills and passion for marketing to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

In addition, take the time to research the company’s culture and values . This insight can help you tailor your resume to underscore experiences and accomplishments that resonate with the company’s priorities, further increasing your chances of making a meaningful connection with the employer.

Customize your resume for each application based on the job description and company culture. This way you’ll demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and show how your skills and experiences match with the needs of the employer.

Embark on Your Journey: First Resume for a Teenager

Diving into resume writing while you’re still hitting the books can seem pretty intimidating. However, with the right approach and guidance, it’s entirely manageable. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your first resume:

• First things first, as you probably have little to no paid work experience to detail, it is recommended that you use a combination or functional (skills-based) resume format to present a blend of abilities and activities that benefit you.
• Secondly, as extra support, there are hundreds of specific first-job or teenage resume templates to use which are hugely advantageous in providing structure, advice, and examples for first-time resume writers.
• The next step is to consider the content of a teenager resume, including the headings and texts . Social and athletic groups allow you to develop skills and experiences that are crucial to mention on a first resume.
• Finally, when the content is compiled, you must ALWAYS edit and review the resume. You can ask a teacher, coach, or parent to take a look for you to ensure there are no errors or irrelevant information that could put a hiring manager off contacting you.

See an example in action:

[1234 High School Avenue, Anytown, USA | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]]

Motivated high school student eager to gain valuable work experience and contribute to [Company/Organization] in a [desired role]. Skilled in [list relevant skills or areas of interest], with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning.

High School Diploma

Anytown High School, Anytown, USA

Expected Graduation: May 2024

Relevant Coursework

• Advanced Mathematics
• English Literature
• Computer Science
• Social Studies
• Science & Biology
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively
• Quick learner with a proactive approach to tasks

Extracurricular Activities

President, High School Debate Club (September 2022 – Present)

• Led weekly meetings to discuss debate topics and practice argumentation skills.
• Organized and participated in inter-school debate competitions, earning [list any awards or achievements].

Member, Anytown High School Soccer Team (September 2020 – May 2023)

• Developed teamwork and leadership skills through regular practice sessions and competitive matches.
• Represented the school in district-level tournaments, contributing to team success and sportsmanship.

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer Tutor, Anytown Community Center (June 2022 – August 2023)

• Provided academic support to elementary and middle school students in math and English.
• Assisted with organizing and facilitating educational workshops and activities.

>> Additional Information <<

• Strong work ethic and willingness to take on new challenges.
• Excellent time management skills, balancing academic studies with extracurricular activities and part-time work.
• Seeking opportunities to gain hands-on experience and make a positive impact in a professional environment.

Empower Your Search: Entry-Level Resume Templates

Are you in a hurry or need extra assistance? Try our resume templates for quick, expert help . 

Choose from a variety of samples tailored for entry-level positions , providing a solid foundation for your resume. Customize them to fit your needs and stand out to potential employers.

Our templates provide a proven structure to kickstart your resume creation . They also offer valuable advice on completing each resume section, guiding you on what to include and what to avoid to catch the attention of the right employers.

Key Takeaways for Writing an Outstanding Entry-Level Resume

Writing your first resume can feel overwhelming at times, but worry not! With the expert guidance offered in this comprehensive guide, you’ll have all the tools you need to create a standout resume that sets you on the path to success in your career:

Here’s a quick recap of the most valuable advice shared in this article:

• Tailor your resume : Customize each resume for the specific job and company by adding relevant skills and experiences.
• Use power words : Incorporate dynamic action verbs to make your contributions more appealing.
• Choose the right format : Opt for a combination resume format to effectively present your abilities, education, and achievements.
• Write a compelling summary : Use a resume summary to list key accomplishments and skills, focusing on what you can offer the employer.

May your career aspirations take flight and lead you to remarkable achievements!

An entry-level resume should include essential sections like contact information, education, abilities, work experience (including internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs), and relevant projects or coursework. Underscore transferable skills, achievements, and any certifications . Tailor each resume to the specific job you’re applying for, focusing on showcasing how your experiences align with the requirements of the position. Additionally, consider adding a summary or objective statement to emphasize your career goals and what you bring to the table as a candidate.

Including a summary in an entry-level resume is optional but can be beneficial . A well-written summary provides a concise overview of your skills, experiences, and career goals, helping recruiters quickly understand your qualifications. It’s particularly useful if you’re transitioning to a new industry or highlighting transferable skills. 

If you’re a student with no work experience, focus on transferable skills , relevant coursework, volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your capabilities and enthusiasm. Show your willingness to learn, adaptability, and passion for the role or industry. Additionally, express your eagerness to contribute, grow, and make a positive impact within the organization. Writing a compelling cover letter that displays your potential and matches the job requirements can also help compensate for the lack of professional experience.

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How to Make a Resume for First Job In 6 Steps (+ Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated January 12, 2024 15 min read

“How to make a resume for first job,” you ask?

In this highly competitive job market, even the most experienced professionals can struggle for success. So how can you, a fresh graduate with no experience , stand out from the rest? Believe us, you can. 

We'll show you how to highlight your skills and academic achievements , and other relevant experiences you might have, in a way that makes up for the lack of experience and catches an employer's eye.

In this article you'll find how to make an effective resume with no experience and land your first job. You'll also find out:

• If you need a resume for your first job;
• How to make a resume for first job in 6 steps;
• How to know what is relevant;
• First job resume examples.

But let's start with the basics...

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What even is a resume?

Do you need a resume for your first job, how to make a resume for your first job in 6 steps, how to know what is relevant, resume example for first job.

• Key takeaways: How to make a resume for first job?

In short, resume is a document which presents your career history in a succinct way. It provides an overview of your most relevant achievements (professional and educational):

• the skills you've acquired; 
• any qualifications, awards, or certificates you've gained; 
• your education;
• and work experience. 

Stylistically speaking, resumes are formal, brief, and packed with information . 

The aim of a resume is to present a summary of everything you need to convince the hiring managers that you are the right person to fill the open position in their company.

Who is the resume meant for? 

The target audience of your resume are the recruiters or the hiring manager . 

Resume serves as the initial point of contact between you and the people who decide whether you get invited to a job interview . With a good resume, you can make a strong first impression which will get you on the list of promising candidates.

Recruiters like brevity and efficiency, so make sure you communicate with them in clear and concise language .

What does a resume consist of? 

Given the volume of information included in a resume, you must organize it into appropriate and clearly distinguished resume sections . This will prevent your resume from looking cluttered and chaotic.

Generally speaking, there are two types of resume sections: necessary and optional .

The necessary resume sections include:

• Personal/contact information
• Resume summary or resume objective
• Work experience

From the optional sections , the most frequent include:

• Hobbies and interests
• Awards and achievements
• Certificates
• Volunteering
• References (though this one is mainly used in CVs, rather than resumes.)

How long should a resume be?

Choosing the right resume length can be tricky, believe it or not. Luckily for you, there is only one correct answer. 

Our recommendation to keep your resume to only one page probably won't surprise you. 

Absolutely. 

Whether it's your first or fiftieth time, you always need to attach a resume to your job application . 

Your resume is something like an ID card in the workforce – it tells people who you are, what you can do , and how they can reach you . Without a resume you won't get invited to a job interview; and without a job interview, well, you won't get a job. 

Maybe you feel that since you have no practical experience, writing a resume is pointless - this statement couldn't be further from true. 

After all, you would have to create a resume at one point in your life, so it may as well be now.

The simple fact of having a well-done resume already displays a certain level of professionalism and readiness for the workplace. 

Knowing how to best present yourself and your abilities – especially when you have no previous experience to vouch for them – is a skill in itself. And every skill needs practice. 

So let's practise!

Writing a good resume for your first job can be intimidating; but following these 6 steps will make the process much easier.

Instead of a resume summary, opt for a resume objective. In 3-5 sentences, focus on your career goals and academic achievements. Express your enthusiasm for the job, your goals, and your desire to grow professionally. 

This might be the most important section of your resume. Write your education entries in detail. You can mention relevant coursework, projects, or awards.

If you lack professional experience, you can build on your relevant internships, volunteering, independent projects, your teen jobs , summer jobs, or part-time jobs. Especially highlight those that are at least somewhat relevant for the job.

Highlight hard skills, like languages, computer skills , or other tools. Also, don't forget to include soft skills , which are personality traits and are transferrable from your old jobs or school. You can also organize your skills section into smaller categories and use infographics.

Include your contact information in your resume header. Make sure they are clearly visible and easy to find with the first glance. Don't forget to include your LinkedIn profile.

If you feel that there's still relevant information to be mentioned, but you lack separate resume sections – create them. For instance, create a separate 'Independent Projects' section and boast about your endeavours.

Now, let's go through these steps in detail.

Step 1: Create a compelling resume summary/objective 

What is the purpose.

What separates a good resume from a great one is its ability to immediately capture the attention of whoever is reading it. A nifty piece of text called a resume summary does the trick. 

This brief text placed near the top of your resume, close to your contact information, condenses your resume highlights into 3-5 sentences . 

It provides an overview of your most impressive professional qualities:

• Most significant achievements
• Most relevant skills
• Experiences that cater to specific needs of the job you want

What can you do?  

Obviously, you can't really do all that. But you can still create a persuasive short text that will make the recruiters keep on reading the rest of your resume. 

Instead of writing a resume summary, try to compose a resume objective . 

Instead of past experience and achievements, you can highlight your:

• Career goals 
• Enthusiasm to learn and grow professionally
• Educational achievements

Look at this example:

What makes this resume objective good?

• Anita shows the recruiters her qualifications by informing them of her bachelor's degree.
• She states exactly what she can offer to her future employer: proactive approach, problem-solving, critical thinking. 
• She expresses her desire to “ grow professionally ”

Step 2: Flash out your education

The education section is where you list your degrees and your academic accomplishments. To be honest, candidates with years of professional experience need this section only as a way to show that they hold an academic degree. Simply because such is the convention. 

In their case, an education entry contains the following:

• The name of the institution
• Location of the school
• Years of study
• Level of study 
• Name of their degree

What can you do?

For fresh graduates, the education section of a resume is often the most significant part . Make sure to put some meat on the bones … a lot of it actually.

At this point in your professional life, your academic achievements are probably the only way to showcase your most relevant abilities and substantial qualifications . Throughout your academic journey, you've likely gained and achieved a multitude of things, use this section to show your range. 

Apart from the information shown above, you should elaborate on your education entries by detailing your:

• Relevant coursework. Being fresh out of school does have a certain advantage – all the theoretical knowledge is still in your head. 
• Final thesis. Your final thesis is the climax of your studies. It's by far your most elaborate project. It requires a lot of effort, good time management, dedication and long-term commitment – all the qualities highly desired by employers. Not to mention if the subject of your thesis directly links to the job you're applying for!
• Extracurricular activities. It's good to demonstrate your interest in things outside of the prescribed curriculum – this might suggest similar tendencies in work environment. 
• Projects you've worked on. Apart from the knowledge, you've gained valuable teamwork experience.
• Scholarships.  
• Academic awards. Make the recruiters recognize your hard work. 
• GPA . Include it only if it's higher than 3.5.

In short, make note of every relevant information that will make your future employers see your potential.

Keep in mind that your education entries should be listed in reverse-chronological order .

Consider this example:

What makes this education section good?

• By mentioning the acknowledgements for her academic performance, Hannah shows the recruiters that she is focused, hard-working and consistent. 
• Her membership in various societies and clubs suggest that she's developed strong communication and networking skills.

Step 3: Camouflage your work experience.

Normally, the work experience section takes up the most space on a resume. It is here where candidates demonstrate their acquired skills and know-how with practical examples from real-life professional situations.

One of the defining characteristics of those just entering the workforce, such as yourself, is the lack of practical work experience. 

This doesn't have to mean that you have no experience whatsoever. 

Instead of dealing with this section in the traditional way, you can make for your lack of experience by focusing on:

• Internships. You can treat your internships as if they were regular jobs. In a few bullet points, note your responsibilities and accomplishments. Include any projects or studies you've participated in. What problems did you solve? What outcomes did you contribute to?
• Independent projects . Feel free to add any kind of projects you've worked on. These can be academic, personal, work-related, freelance projects, etc. For instance, if you created a website for your college society, include this along with the transferrable skills you gained and a URL link.
• Volunteering. Volunteering is as valid as any other work experience. Just because something wasn't paid, doesn't mean that it didn't bring you anything valuable. Plus, if the company you're interested in shares your passion for volunteering, this can be your greatest weapon. 
• Part-time jobs. What relevant tasks did you undertake? What were your responsibilities? 

If you pick one, two, or combination of all – keep in mind that all the information on your resume should be relevant! This means that everything you decide to put on this document has to connect to the job you're applying for in some way.

If none of your experience aligns with the demands of your target job, you can still include it. Just make sure to focus on all the transferable skills you’ve gained because of it. 

Here is one example of how to deal with the feared “work experience” section:

What makes this work experience section good?

• Despite not having any full-time experience, Nathan utilized his internship to the maximum. 
• He clearly states the competences and tasks he undertook.
• He details the accomplishments and skills he employed with specific examples . 
• To make the text more readable and organized, he used bullet points and bold fonts . As a consequence, the whole entry feels less dense.

Step 4: Show relevant skills

It's quite straightforward, really – the skills section on your resume is there to highlight any skills that can help you get the job. 

Your abilities fall under one of two categories: hard or soft skills. 

Hard skills are those you can obtain through education or training – they can be easily measured and quantified. The most prominent hard skills are:

• Foreign language proficiency
• Computer skills (coding languages, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Completed training (forklift operation, driving licence, etc.)

Soft skills , on the other hand, aren't so easily defined. We can say that these are the interpersonal and social nuances one cultivates throughout years and years of experience. You can also know them under the term transferable . Some of the most sought-after soft skills include:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Leadership 
• Reliability
• Time management 

Since soft skills aren't strictly tied to a particular job position, you can apply them across all industries. Yes, even you .

Although both hard and soft skills can be included in the skills section , we recommend you to do this:

• Use the skills section to mark your hard skills . Since these can be objectively measured, you can mark down the level of your proficiency by using infographics. Your resume will be sleeker and visually more interesting.  
• Sprinkle your soft skills throughout other parts of your resume . Don't just write communication skills and blackout three out of five circles – that doesn't say much. We aren't saying that this is necessarily wrong; but you can do better!
• Instead of just writing teamwork , mention your participation in various projects when you talk about your education. 
• Don't just write reliable, show how many responsibilities and competences you were able to handle during your internship.
• Instead of just writing leadership skills , mention the fact you led multiple group projects in your resume objective. 

Let's look at Anita's resume again. Focus on her skills section:

What makes this skills section good?

• She included hard skills only, which allowed her to include more of them. (all relevant to the job position though!)
• Anita organized her skills section into two categories . This made it more readable. 
• By including infographics, she elevated the overall look of her resume.

Step 5: Provide up-to date contact information

A good resume is incomplete without your personal contact information. The recruiters need to know how to get in touch with you as soon as they look at your resume. Don't forget to clearly state your:

• Full name; 
• email address;
• phone number;
• and links to your LinkedIn, online portfolio of social media account (only if relevant!)

Make your contact info stand apart from the rest of the text. Place it in the topmost part of your resume (also called the resume header ). 

You can use a bigger font size to draw immediate attention to your name. 

And for the love of God, don't use unprofessional-sounding emails such as [email protected] . 

Step 6: Enhance your resume with optional sections

Optional sections in a resume are those that are not essential but can be included to provide additional context about your skills, experiences, or personal interests. 

These sections can be particularly useful for highlighting aspects of your profile that might not be evident from the standard sections.

When it comes to organizing your resume sections, there really is only one rule. The more important the information, the sooner it should be accessible . 

If you want to draw the recruiters' attention to all the certificates you've gained – create yourself a stand-alone certificate section . 

Maybe you have both internship and volunteering experience, but you only went into detail on your internship – create a volunteering section . 

Or, you may want to create a separate Projects section where you provide links and descriptions of your independent endeavours you did as a freelancer or just for fun.

Your additional section can look like this:

What makes this example good?

• By organizing all certificates under one section, you draw attention to your qualifications head on. 
• Each certificate is explained in detail with 1-2 short sentences.

If you'd like some more inspiration, breeze through our resume samples and have a look at resumes that have actually helped our customers to land the job they'd wanted. 

Congratulations. Now you know how to make resume for first job. 

Just one more thing.

If you've read carefully you might've noticed how often the word relevant pops up in this post. (Could be a good drinking game actually.)

By relevant we mean pertaining to the job you're applying for . 

Knowing what your job demands allows you to tailor your resume to each job posting you wish to reply to. The closer your resume aligns with these requirements, the better chance to land a job interview you'll have.  

Go to the job posting and read it again. Which key words and phrases catch your eye? 

In this example, we've highlighted them for you: 

Job posting example:

 Entry-Level Customer Service Representative

XYZ Tech Solutions is looking for a motivated Entry-Level Customer Service Representative to join our team in Miami, FL. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills , basic computer proficiency, and a strong command of both English and Spanish . This role involves addressing customer queries, solving problems with a proactive approach, and contributing to team efforts in a fast-paced environment. No previous experience required, making it perfect for those starting their professional journey. If you’re passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and ready to grow your skills, apply now and kickstart your career with us!

When constructing your resume, make sure that you've managed to tick as many boxes as possible . Just don't lie!

Have a look at the following resume example.

Now, let's have a look at a great example resume for first job belonging to a student intern.

She highlights her skills and education, effectively camouflaging the lack of work experience.

She makes use of the skills-based resume format , which focuses on your skills rather than professional experience – also a great way to make up for the lack of experience.

The best thing is you can use this resume as your first draft.

Student Intern Resume Sample

This resume was written by our experienced resume writers specifically for this profession.

K ey takeaways: How to make a resume for first job?

Even without formal work experience, a resume is crucial. It serves as the initial point of contact between you and potential employers .

To make your first resume land with a bang, follow these simple steps:

• Create a compelling resume objective. Focus on career goals and academic achievements.
• Flash out your education. Highlight relevant coursework, projects, or awards.
• Camouflage your work experience. Utilize internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs to adequatly compensate for your lack of experience.
• Show relevant skills. Include both hard and transferabe skills. For better readability use infographics if possible. 
• Provide up-to date contact information. Ensure it's up-to-date and prominently displayed.
• Enhance your resume with optional sections. Add any other relevant sections as needed.

Don't forget the golden rule – always customize your resume to align with the specific job requirements, focusing on relevant skills and qualities .

Finally, a good resume should always be accompanied by a good cover letter. It can lend you more space to show the recruiters your passion and personal motivation to work for their company. As a fresh graduate, this is how you write a cover letter with no experience .

Is your first resume any good?

Scan your resume for issues and see how it compares against other resumes in our database.

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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Resume Examples For First Job: Learn How To Craft An Entry-Level Application That Gets You Hired

So how do you land your first job? That’s a multifaceted question. Previously, we shared some tips on getting an entry-level job . But what about your first job ever? This might be your first job as a high school graduate , or a job you pursue as an adult after staying home to raise a family. In any case, the following advice assumes that you are entirely new to the workforce and that you are starting from scratch.

Where exactly do you begin? Take a look at our roaster of entry-level resume examples. The, check out the resume tips we have below. These are tailored to completely inexperienced job seekers, strong attestations to how someone with a lack of experience can still show how they can be valuable to an organization.

Three Compelling Entry-Level Resume Examples 

The best way to learn anything new is to follow an example. Thus our team prepared several different variations of an entry-level resume you can use as a reference for writing.

Resume Template For Entry-Level (Word version)

Download resume example (.docx)

Resume Example For a First Job (text version)

Seeking a job opportunity that will allow me to use my computer skills, personality, and organizational skills in an entry-level position as an assistant, clerk, or receptionist in an office or retail environment.

Relevant Skills

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Typing And Data Entry
• Fluent in Both English And Spanish
• Direct Sales Experience
• Team Building

Professional Experience

Pampered Chef Intern: Direct Sales Representative June 2016 – April 2017

Sold kitchen related accessories and supplies direct to consumers. Organized and hosted sales parties both online and in customer’s homes. Recruited other sales representatives. Delivered items to customers, kept track of inventory and order sheets.

Volunteer Work Girl Scouts of America Troop Leader April 2017 – Present

Maintained membership roles, recruited parent volunteers, attended leadership training seminars, planned activities, and mentored troop members. Led activities, and conducted troop leadership training. Coordinated fundraising efforts. Partnered with other troop leaders to plan events and activities.

West Side University Business Management BA May, 2005

Example of High School Student Resume with No Work Experience

Resume objective.

I am a high school student with a strong work ethic and organizational skills, willing to take direction, punctual, and friendly. I’m interested in pursuing a part-time position that will allow me to learn on the job while gaining real-life work experience.

Washington Highschool 2018-Present  GPA:3.75 Activities: 

• Student Service Organization
• Science Fair
• Future Business Leaders Of America
• Junior Achievement

Work and Volunteer Experience

Babysitting 2018-2020

Established a trusting and nurturing relationship with my neighbor’s young children while they were at work during the summer. Tasks would include cleaning rooms, feeding, changing, and giving small children a safe environment until their mother returned. Volunteer Work: Humane Society 2020-Present

Took time to nurture animals in the shelter under supervision. Fed animals, cleaned kennels of any debris, ensured paperwork was properly processed during adoption. Answered questions about concerns on animal welfare, and care participation.

Volunteer Work: Counselor at Girlscouts camp 2019-2020

Lead groups of young girls on adventurous outings in a safe and nurturing environment. Ensured the safety and wellbeing of a group of children ranging in age from 10 years to 14 years of age. Prepared meals for the campers and myself. Took a leadership role in a wide range of activities such as swimming, hiking, and fishing. Relayed information to both campers and other counselors in a calm manner. Worked as an assistant to the camp’s art instructor.

Skills and Accomplishments

• Treasurer of the Honors society
• MVP: Varsity Field Hockey Team
• Proficient in Math
• Proficient in Microsoft applications.
• Proficient leadership skills

Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume Example 

Objective statement .

I am an honors BS engineering student with high digital literacy skills, entry-level programming, and UI/UX design skills. Looking to gain entry-level experience at a software engineering firm where I can contribute my front-end software development skills and obtain mentorship.

• Object-Oriented Programming
• Software Testing
• Communications Skills
• Google And MS Suites
• Team Player

City College: Albany New York Bachelor of Science Degree: Software Engineering, 112/120 Credits completed.

• Academic Honors: Deans List (4 semesters)
• National Honor Society

Upstate Tech Institute- Albany, NY Associate of Computer Science, May 2017

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude, May 2017

Work Experience

Front-End Developer — Freelance  May 2019- Present

• Developed several UI components for an eLearning app 
• Coded landing page design for a WordPress resto website 
• Provided manual UX/UI testing services for an eLearning portal 
• Portfolio available at [insert your portfolio URL here]

City College College- Albany, NY Administrative Assistant (Work-Study), September 2017- Present

• Took Phone calls and messages
• Answered inquiries on behalf of students, faculty, and other staff members
• Kept an organized and well-functioning workspace. 
• Assisted other members of the office in a variety of tasks.

ABC Bakery Courtesy Clerk: April 2016- March 2017

• Provided excellent customer service while serving customers a wide range of baked goods and drinks. Performed bussing duties as needed. Drummed up excellent PR that ended up attracting returning customers.

Technology Summary

Adobe Studio, Photoshop, XML/HTML, Javascript, Windows, Linux, Apple, MS Office suite.

Don’t be shy to include any paid or unpaid, internship, or volunteer work as your experience, just like our candidate did here.  Even if it was a few years ago, go ahead and add it to your resume as this still can show the skills you have developed. Also, you can make your resume “pop” by using a creative resume template . We have a wide array of those listed on our website for free!

How to Make a Resume with No Experience

No experience — no good resume? Wrong! 

Even if you are fresh to the workforce, you still have some important qualities and even qualifications to offer a prospective employer. Be it traditional education, alternative online learning certifications, strong soft skills, or even informal work experience such as volunteering, freelance, or even home-based work. What you have to do though is communicate the above in a marketable way. 

Here are step-by-step instructions for writing a resume with no experience:

• Go for a functional resume format 
• Create a list of accomplishments
• Drop the cutesy add-ons 
• Write an objective statement 
• List all your education 
• Add a great cover letter 

You can complete all of the above steps in our free resume generator and instantly download your resume copy.

1. Choose A Functional Resume

A functional resume emphasizes your skills first, rather than starting with your work experience. This is the best choice for inexperienced workers. After all, you can pick up marketable skills through your schooling, hobbies, and just life experience in general. Create a list of hard and soft skills that you have that would be valuable in the entry-level position you’re after.

Hard skills might include:

• Internet Research
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Social Media Content Creation 
• Typing and Data Entry
• Cash Handling

Check this extra list of in-demand skills employers look for . 

Soft skills are:

• Written communication
• Listening 
• Negotiation
• Multi-Tasking

Need more ideas? Browse the following lists we’ve made:

• Universal soft skills examples for a resume 
• Core interpersonal skills for a resume  
• Best organizational skills for your resume 
• Transferable skills to put on your resume 

2. Make A List Of Your Accomplishments

Create a master list of the notable things that you’ve done over the years. You won’t include the entire list on your resume , but you can mine the list for items to add depending on the job for which you are applying. Think about organizations you’ve been part of, hobbies that you’ve pursued to the point of expertise, volunteer work, etc. List any awards and accolades as well. Most importantly, list the skills you’ve developed along the way.

Read more about how to list your accomplishments on a resume . 

3. Avoid Unprofessional Or ‘Cutesy’ Additions

Professionalism is going to be key. Anyone looking at your resume will need to believe that you can enter any work situation, and understand the basics of business ethics and conduct yourself appropriately in a work environment. Your resume shouldn’t contain any cringe-worthy elements, including:

• An unprofessional email address. The best choice is an email address using your college or university, Gmail, or some other widely accepted domain. Use a combination of your first name/first initial and last name.
• Rambling ‘explanations’ for your lack of work experience . It’s perfectly acceptable to have spent your time pursuing an education, or focusing on other things.
• Cutesy terms such as ‘momtrepreneur’ or ‘CEO of my home and family’.
• Hobbies or interests that don’t contribute to your fitness for the position you are after.
• Any type of buzzword you’ve heard others using, but do not fully understand yourself. 

4. Use An Objective Statement

Since you don’t have work experience, a personal statement or professional summary won’t work. Instead, write an objective statement , but focus on what you can do for your employer. Avoid language that focuses on what you want the employer to provide for you.

5. Add All Of Your Education

Take advantage of any educational experience that you have. This includes formal education, but also other forms of schooling. Have you taken online classes, finished self-study courses, or attended seminars or bootcamps? Add those to your resume!

6: Add A Great Cover Letter

A good cover letter can really fill in a lot of gaps. You can use it to show your passion for a particular job, to explain your lack of employment history, and go into detail about why you would be a great fit.

FAQs about Entry-Level Resumes

Below are answers to some common questions about entry-level resume writing and job search. 

What do you say when applying for a job with no experience?

Don’t draw attention to the fact that you have no experience at all. Instead, build your narrative around the soft and hard skills you possess, plus your personal quality. Instead of saying that “I am a high school student with no experience”, try this “I’m a motivated, organized, and digital savvy high school student, looking to gain further experience with X, Y, Z.” 

How do I pass a job interview with no experience?

Double-down on the preparation and company research. Try to learn as much as you can about the company and the role you are after. Specifically, try to find information on the main duties, company values, history, and overall culture. Then think which of your personal attributes and experiences would make you appear like a good add-on to the team. Then, during the interview, focus on describing the “matching points” between you and the company, instead of talking about your lack of experience. 

Can I get hired without a resume?

Yes, sometimes you can get hired without a resume. Mostly, this is the case for informal, part-time jobs such as babysitting, delivery work, or waitering jobs. Yet, the employer may ask for a personal reference letter instead. Also, most freelance jobs don’t require you to file a formal resume. And so do popular gig platforms. 

Should I put beginner skills on resume?

If that’s all you have as an enty-level worker, sure, put down your beginner-level skills on your resume. But don’t try to pass them off as full proficiency. Instead, add a quick note about your actual levels of expertise. Also, omit any beginner-level skills if these are irrelevant to the position you are after.

Updated on September 2021.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Resume Examples

Need help writing a standout resume? Get tips and inspiration from our library of sample resumes. We’ve got example resumes for different industries, jobs, and experience levels. Plus, find advice on exactly what information and skills you should be including on your resume—so you’ll land an interview for the job of your dreams.

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How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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Writing a resume for your first job can be nerve-wracking if you don’t know the basics.

Aren’t resumes mostly focused on work experiences? What details should I include in my resume?

These are the type of questions that most freshers usually have while creating an entry-level resume. If you are one of them, you’ve come to the right place.

Your first job resume must highlight your educational qualifications, skills, academic achievements, and volunteer or internship experiences (if any). Its purpose is to showcase you as the ideal candidate who is motivated to leverage their knowledge for the targeted company’s growth.

And simply stuffing your resume with information about your career trajectory is not enough. You must also ensure to format it well so that it looks professional and crisp.

Read on to see some killer first-job resume samples for different job profiles and get clarity on the following related questions:

• What is a first-job resume?
• How to write a resume for a first job with no experience?
• How to write a first job resume objective?
• What are some of the best resume samples for a first job?

What is a First Job Resume?

A first job resume, also known as an entry-level resume, or a fresher’s resume is an official document that summarizes a candidate’s skills, qualifications, educational background, experiences (if any), projects, and contact details.

It is often the first point of reference and helps the recruiters assess the candidate’s suitability for a particular position.

As opposed to a resume of an experienced professional that includes sections like summary and work experience, a first job resume includes an objective section along with sections for volunteer and/or internship experiences.

And given that recruiters only spend about 6 seconds on a single resume, your first job resume must be well formatted with distinct sections, bullet points, and easy-to-read fonts so that it grabs the recruiters' attention.

Also Read: How to write a stellar resume with no experience?

Resume Tips for First Job

To help you build a first-job resume that is sure to get you shortlisted, given below are some useful tips you can follow:

Analyze the Job Description

Before you begin writing your first job resume, it is important to do some research and learn about whom you’re writing the resume for.

Meaning, what is your dream company? Which is the listing you want to apply for?

While you might want to send the same resume to multiple listings, the chances of your resume getting shortlisted are slim when it is not tailored to a specific job position.

Once you’ve identified your targeted listing, analyze the job description provided in it and make a note of the key requirements.

Following this approach will allow you to know what details you must highlight in your first job resume and which ones you can skip.

Create a Suitable Header

The header of your first job resume consists of the topmost section.

Instead of writing “CV” or “resume” as the header, it is advisable to write your full name in a font size of 14-16 points so that it's easy for the recruiters to identify your resume.

Followed by this, create a subsection for your personal contact details and include the following information:

• Resume title
• A reachable contact number
• A professional email address
• Your current location (city & state)
• A link to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile

Also Read: How to create an impressive resume header?

Write a Compelling Objective Statement

The objective statement of your first job resume must highlight your most notable academic achievements and skills which are relevant to the job description of the role you’re targeting.

If you have completed any relevant certification course, you can also highlight the same in your objective.

However, you must remember that the purpose of an objective statement is to express your intention of leveraging the best of your skills and knowledge to benefit the targeted company.

And it is not about writing about your personal goals or objectives.

This simple shift of focus from yourself to the targeted employer can make a world of difference to make your objective statement compelling or just average.

Also Read: How to write an objective statement for your first job?

Use Bullet Points and Quantify Your Achievements

To enhance the readability of your first job resume, use bullet points rather than writing in paragraphs to describe your internship or volunteer experiences if you have any.

And to frame effective pointers, you can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) format and quantify your achievements.

The STAR format follows the approach of briefly writing about the situation, the task that you were assigned, the action you took to complete the task, and the result you achieved.

For instance, if you are an aspiring LPN nurse with an internship or volunteer experience, you can write:

Rendered assistance in administering IV therapies to 10+ patients on a daily basis to ensure cellular homeostasis.”

Use Keywords

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software used by 75% of recruiters to filter resumes based on the number of keywords used in resumes.

If you want to rank high in the ATS, you must do some research about the industry-specific keywords and include them in your first job resume. You can also pick keywords from the job listing.

For instance, if the listing calls for a candidate who is dedicated and self-motivated, you can include these keywords in your objective statement or skills.

Tip: Ensure to use the same terminology in your first job resume that is used in the job listing to help it rank high in the ATS.

Also Read: What are resume keywords and how can you use them in your resume?

First Job Resume Samples

Now, for your reference, given below are some role-specific resume examples for your first job:

No Experience First Job Beginner Resume Sample

High School Student First Job Resume Sample

Entry-level Medical Sales Representative

First-Time Job Resume Sample (Data Analyst)

First-Time Job Resume Sample (Biomedical Engineer)

Also Read: How to write a resume as a college student for internships?

Key Points from the Blog

• Your first job resume must highlight your educational qualifications, skills, academic achievements, and volunteer or internship experiences (if any).
• Tailor your first job resume to the job description and include bullet points and quantified accomplishments.
• The purpose of an objective statement is to express your intention of leveraging the best of your skills and knowledge to benefit the targeted company.
• Include keywords in your first job resume to make it ATS-friendly .
• To frame effective pointers, you can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) format and quantify your achievements.
• Instead of writing “CV” or “resume” as the header, write your full name in a font size of 14-16 points so that it's easy for the recruiters to identify your resume.

If you want to create your resume within minutes using readymade ATS-friendly first job resume templates, use Hiration’s AI-powered Resume Builder which offers 24x7 chat support.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to Make a Resume:...

How to Make a Resume: Beginner's Writing Guide with Examples

30 min read · Updated on May 22, 2024

Your dream job is one resume away!

Your resume is arguably the most important financial document you'll ever own. And before you think, “Yeah – right” let's consider for a moment. Without a resume, you don't get the job, so you can't pay bills, support a family, go to the big game, have that weekend trip, or plan for retirement. Your resume is the doorway to your future, so let's make sure it's perfect.

Part of making it perfect is remembering that it's a targeted career marketing document – not a chronicle of your life. So, how do you write a resume? In this beginner's writing guide, we'll show you how to make a resume and provide examples of what each section should look like. 

Grab a cup of coffee and strap in, because you're about to learn everything you need to know about how to make a new resume!

Table of contents:

The purpose of a resume

Avoid rejection by the ATS

What is your career target?

Build your personal brand, what should your resume look like, how to make a resume – the layout.

How long does it take to put together a resume?

A major resume no-no: typos

How to make your resume more professional

Theory in practice – resume examples

The most basic purpose of a resume is to sell your skills , achievements , and qualifications to prospective employers. This one document can financially make or break you. Let's take a quick look at what being unemployed costs you per day (assuming a five-day workweek):

If you make $40,000 per year, you lose about $155 every day that you're out of work

If you make $50,000 per year, you lose about $190 every day that you're out of work

If you make $75,000 per year, you lose about $288 every day that you're out of work

If you make $100,000 per year, you lose about $385 every day that you're out of work

Clearly, finding out how to make a resume for a job is critical so that you can properly sell your skills, qualifications, experiences, and achievements to prospective employers. 

The job market is tough and highly competitive; you have to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates by creating a compelling narrative that tells a story of value, keeping in mind that your resume is supposed to do a few things for you:

Introduce you to a new company

Underscore how your experiences and education are relevant

Showcase how your skills and competencies will benefit the new company's team

Win interviews

Avoid rejection by the ATS 

What do you know about applicant tracking systems? Job seeking can be compared to throwing your resume into a black hole. You can go through 100 listings on any job search website and complete the online application with zero results. 

Ever had that happen? It's okay, it happens to everyone at some point or another! 

The problem is that you're probably not putting the correct keywords into your resume. When you hit “Submit” on an online application, it isn't magically emailed to the hiring manager. 

Oh, no! 

It goes through a computer system that scans your resume for specific keywords that can be found in the job description posted by the company. And, just so you know, approximately 90% of companies use ATS scans , including everything from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 companies. 

The companies use these programs because they just don't have time for a human to go through all the resumes they receive. Depending on the job opening, a company can get between  250 and 500 applicants . Can you imagine being the person who has to sift through all those resumes? 

Here is where the ATS steps in. It's designed to weed through candidates to narrow the applicant pool, so that the human hiring manager has a more reasonable resume load to go through. It ranks the remaining candidates in order based on how much of a match they are for the position that's open. 

Being overlooked by the ATS is one of the number one reasons job seekers get ghosted by companies.

Once your resume makes it through the ATS and gets into the hands of a hiring manager, don't think they're going to sit down and read each one. Who has that kind of time? You should expect that the first round of resume sorting will consist of them flipping through the stack to pick the ones that stand out within about 6 seconds of glancing at them. 

PRO TIP: Put your resume on a table, stand up, and look at it from a little distance. Is it eye-catching? Can you tell the position you're seeking just by glancing at it? Set a timer if you have to, but no more than 10 seconds.

Speaking of eye-catching, don't make the same mistake as a lot of your rival job seekers by being too generic with your resume. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being non-specific will open doors to more opportunities. The problem is that the hiring manager won't be able to tell exactly where you'll fit within their organization. 

The first step in winning an interview is being sure that your resume actually makes it into the hands of a human being at the company you apply to. Start by defining what you want to do.

So the first, and most important, step in crafting the perfect resume is to narrow down your target career path. The more specific you are with this first step, the more response you'll receive from hiring managers because they'll be able to tell exactly how you fit within their organization. There are four areas to focus on as you begin to chart your career path:

Industry: Do you want to work in private sector, nonprofit, government, or public roles?

Geography: This one is more in-depth than choosing rural vs urban. It also includes whether you want to work in a dynamic or static environment.

Company size: You may not think it, but having an idea about whether you want to work in a small company or one with thousands of employees is important. 

Role: Saving the best for last, you have to know what position you want.

On the surface, it may seem like these things are only important for the job search aspect of landing a new position, but you have to know what voice to write your resume in, too. Part of that is knowing your audience. When you understand your audience, you can build a personal brand that resonates with what they're looking for in a new staff member.

Now that you've gotten your target career path nailed down, the next step is to brand you. Think of yourself as a product and your resume is the packaging. Companies spend a lot of time on their branding and packaging - you have to do the same thing.

The best place to start is with a  career assessment . Taking one of these tests can help you to identify your strengths, what sets you apart from others, and key themes of your professional identity. Just like Nike and Coca-Cola have timeless taglines and catchphrases that succinctly define what they have to offer to consumers, your personal brand has to tell a concise, yet compelling, story. This is where your resume comes in.

Your resume isn't just a piece of paper you give to a hiring manager or upload to a website that says, “I'm interested in this job.” Your resume is a personal marketing tool. You shape that tool with words that describe your experiences and achievements, to impress and grab the attention of the hiring manager. 

Unlike Nike's “Just Do It” phrase, your personal brand isn't something you build and forget. It is fluid and should be revisited and refined as you gain new skills, experiences, and achievements. Weave the elements of your brand into every section of your resume.

There is a common misconception that entry-level resumes look different than executive resumes. The reality is that the only difference is how much content is available to write about. 

Obviously, someone who has little to no experience will have a  short resume  – generally one page. 

When you start to get up to 10 years of experience, then you've earned the second page, so go ahead and use it. 

It's not incremental though

Just because you have 20 years of experience doesn't mean you can have a three-page resume. As you work through how to make a resume, remember that a three-page resume should be avoided, unless you have a lot of career extras like publications, research, patents, publications, or public speaking engagements to talk about. 

Other than the number of pages, your resume should use the same format and layout no matter if you're applying to a job as someone fresh out of college or seeking to be the CEO of a company. 

Chronological resume 

The  reverse-chronological  is the most popular, traditional, and well-known resume format. Its focus is placed on achievements from your career history and is defined by listing your work history starting with your current or most recent job and working backward 10-15 years. 

Employers like this type of resume because it tells them what, when, and where you worked. It's best to use this if your work history is steady and shows growth and development. If you're looking to make a career change, have had frequent job changes, or if you're seeking your first job, this may not be the best format to use.

Pro Tip: You could also get lost in the ATS if your  resume is over-designed . Many resume writers will tell you that you need to stand out in the sea of sameness by adding some personality to your resume through design. While that's true, you need to avoid heavily formatted resumes which are often rejected by computer scanners as being illegible.

Functional resume 

This resume type focuses more on skills and experiences rather than on your work history. It's more of a “what you know and how you apply that knowledge” than a simple list of where you got the knowledge. It plays down gaps in work history and makes frequent job changes less noticeable. If it isn't done properly, though, it can be confusing for the hiring manager to read and understand. There's also a bit of a stigma behind it, because employers know that job seekers use this style to downplay job-hopping. So, the first thing they do when they get a functional resume is check employment dates. If you can avoid using this style, it's best to do so.

Combination resume 

There is another resume format that focuses on skills first and then experience last. It's the combination resume, which is sometimes called a hybrid resume. This is the most complex resume type and the best resume for mid-career professionals who are transitioning into another career or for people who have special skills and a strong track record of accomplishments. These types of resumes do take a long time to read and some hiring managers won't take the time unless they're looking to fill a hard-to-fill position.

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin and means “course of life.” It's a little different from a resume, but some positions require a CV over a resume. The first thing you would notice is that a CV is significantly longer than a resume.  A resume is a self-branding document meant to portray your experience and achievements in a concise and easy-to-read format. A CV goes much further into the depth of your education and accomplishments (think publications, awards, and honors) and even has a section for you to include "Areas of Interest."

The best way to describe a CV is that it's a career biography. The biggest significant difference is that a CV is arranged chronologically in a way that gives a complete overview of your full working career. It also doesn't change based on the career or position for which you're applying.

Layout 

To make things easier for the hiring manager to digest the content of your resume, it should be laid out in a specific way to ensure that the right information is in the right place. 

Hiring managers don't  READ  resumes. They skim through until they find something that piques their interest and then they stop to read

Contact information

Title 

Professional summary , core competencies, experience , education and credentials , awards, certificates, and volunteer work .

Since the reverse-chronological resume is the one that the majority of people will use to apply for jobs, and because it's the format that hiring managers want to see, we'll focus this article on showing you how to make a resume using that style. 

Current contact information 

Location | Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio (if applicable)

You can be creative and use bold font in your  contact information  and even put a border under it to separate it from the body of your resume. 

• Name: Be sure to list your name the same across all professional documents (e.g., resume, cover letter, thank you note, LinkedIn profile). Don't get hung up with whether to use your legal name (i.e. the name on your birth certificate or driver's license). Write your name in the manner you want people to address you. Also, if you use any abbreviated credentials after your name (e.g. Jane Smith, MD), remember to include them on all professional documents.  You can also include any shortened versions of your name in quotations (e.g. Christopher "Chris" Smith). Just make sure to list it the same way everywhere you put your name.
• Address: It is no longer customary to include your full address on your resume. There have been instances of discrimination against job seekers based on their address. As far as your address is concerned, all you need is the City, State, and Zip Code. A lot of people leave off the Zip Code; however, hiring managers can query the ATS for all resumes within a radius of a Zip Code. If you exclude the Zip Code or put something like, "Greater New York Metro Area," your resume won't be included in the query.
• Phone and email: Put the telephone number and email address where you can easily be reached. Also, be sure that your email address is professional. Using something like [email protected] just won't cut it. The best idea is to use some form of your name. If you're paranoid about having your name in your email address, then you can use some form of the type of position you seek, like [email protected].
• LinkedIn URL: You don't have to spell out the entire URL on the contact line. You can put the words “LinkedIn URL” and hyperlink those words. Before you include your LinkedIn URL, be sure that your LinkedIn profile is optimized for the career you want - because you can bet if they have access to it, the hiring manager will look at it. 
• Portfolio: If you're applying for a position like Graphic Designer or Software Designer, you may have a portfolio of work that you want to make available to someone reviewing your application for employment. Include a hyperlink to the portfolio in your contact information. 
• Headshot / photo: There is no reason to include a  headshot on your resume . Actually, it's seen as taboo and could be the thing that gets your resume rejected, because the hiring manager might assume you think you can get the job based on your looks. However, there are some exceptions, like if you're applying to be a model or actor. 

Do you want a hiring manager to be able to tell immediately what type of candidate you are? Put a title at the top of your resume. Center the text on the line, put it in bold font, and put a blank space above and below. The white space and the small amount of words will help it to jump off the page and immediately be noticed. It will also be the first step in helping you stand out in the sea of sameness.

Also, be sure the title on your resume mirrors the title on the job description that you're applying to, but add a bit of panache to it so that it's not too boring. For example, instead of writing “Financial Services Associate,” write “Client-Centric Financial Services Associate Dedicated to Customer Engagement and Revenue Growth.” Just remember to keep it on one line. 

The very next thing on the page should always be your Professional Summary. But how do you write a summary for a resume?

It's a three to five-sentence statement about you. Where you've been in your career, where you're going, and how you'll use your experience to get there. 

While the professional summary is sometimes referred to as the resume objective , you must remember that the days of writing a  resume objective are dead . Never, ever include an objective on your resume. They are a waste of space and don't relay any information that markets you as the best candidate for an open position. 

Let's take a look at an example of each:

Sales Representative seeking a challenging position that will use my skills and provide opportunities for growth in a dynamic and rewarding company. 

As you can see, the objective is very inward-facing and only talks about what you want out of your career. It provides no value to the hiring manager and eliminates any possibility for them to be able to tell what you bring to the table for them. 

Professional Summary:

Ambitious sales professional offering 10+ years' experience in customer retention and aggressive revenue growth. Conquers goals and quotas through a keen awareness of the human buying motive that allows for quickly overcoming objections. Used historical data and consumer trends to reach new customers and grow territory by 24%. Innate ability to work independently or as a member of a cross-functional team.

The best use of resume space is to write a summary of your career. The effectiveness of this summary comes from the fusing of three things:

Relevant keywords – customer retention, revenue growth, and quotas 

Hard and soft skills – overcoming objections and working independently

An achievement – 24% territory growth

With this professional summary, the hiring manager will be able to tell in an instant what you have to offer their team. 

Even though the skills section of your resume is small, it packs a powerful punch! The skills you list in this section highlight your key abilities and show potential employers what you bring to the table. 

It should contain approximately 12 ATS-friendly keywords and phrases that align with the keywords in the job description. Meaning, this is a fluid section that will need to be  tailored to every job  that you apply to. Technically speaking, your entire resume should be customized to align with each job description. That's one thing that will help you get past the ATS. 

Be sure to include a good mix of  hard and soft skills  because prospective employers not only want to know that you can perform the tasks related to your job (hard skills), but they also want to gain a clear understanding of how you'll fit within the culture of the company (soft skills). 

Tips for building your Core Competencies section:

Include skills that are relevant to the job that you're applying to

Avoid creating a laundry list of everything you know how to do – be selective so that the section is more impactful

Group similar competencies together using categories – technical skills, soft skills, and languages

Prioritize your top skills based on their relevance to the job you want

Update frequently

Be consistent with the formatting

Here is a sample Core Competencies list that contains both hard and soft skills:

Core Competencies

Project Management | Data Analysis | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Digital Marketing Strategy | Python Programming | Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Negotiation | Team Leadership | Business Development | Financial Modeling | Articulate Communication

This section is meant to show how your career history lends itself to the skills you have that make you the perfect candidate for a given job. There are some general rules of thumb on how to make a resume with a great professional experience section:

Don't go further back than 10 to 15 years

Use no more than 3 to 5 bullets per work listing

Incorporate at least 5 measurable achievements per 10 years of experience (the more the better)

Use stacking for companies where you held more than one role

10-15 Years

The 10-15 years of experience is the most relevant – you can list more than that, but avoid using bullet points for roles over 10 years old. Begin by listing your most recent position first and work your way backward to your oldest position, within that 10-15-year range. If you have 30 years of experience, you can use achievements or skills you learned during that time as talking points during the interview. Listing those older experiences on your resume will only dilute the content.

As you write out your bullet points, keep two words in mind: “so what?” The hiring manager is going to be thinking it, you might as well be thinking it, too. Every time you write something on your resume, think, “So what? Why am I writing this? What value will it bring to my new employer? Will this be THE THING that lands me an interview?"

Achievements

Remove “Responsible for…” from your resume-writing vocabulary. That's because it's crucial that you talk about what you achieved, instead of just what your responsibilities were. Let's face it, there are a lot of things that people are “responsible for” that never get done. So, be sure to talk about things you actually accomplished, as that will be the proof the hiring manager needs to take the next step and call you for an interview.

1. Use numbers whenever possible

The best way to call attention to your career accomplishments is to use numbers. Numbers add credibility to your claims and provide a clear picture of what you bring to the table. 

Don't write this:

• Conducted cold calls to expand client base

Write this instead:

• Increased sales by 15% by making approximately 20 cold calls per day to expand the client base

The latter makes an unmistakable assertion that you had a positive impact, not only in your role but on the company as a whole. You can take it a step further and talk about things like problem-solving skills and how you addressed challenges to lead to team success. These types of  soft skills are highly valued by employers  and could be the thing that lands you an interview.

PRO TIP: Use the  CAR method  for building achievement statements into your resume.

2. Use action words to convey accomplishment

A lot of people make the mistake of copying bullet points from the job descriptions of the roles they've held. This practice makes you sound detached from achievements and focuses more on responsibilities. Using passive language is too generic and doesn't allow a hiring manager to see what you'll be able to accomplish in the new role. 

It's better to use action language to show that you're an achiever rather than a doer. Here are some examples of action words you can use on your resume: 

Worked with others: Advised, Aided, Assisted, Chaired, Coached, Collaborated with, Consulted with, Helped, Instructed, Interacted with, Mentored, Motivated, Supported

Communicated: Addressed, Advertised, Answered, Briefed, Corresponded with, Debated, Explained, Facilitated, Informed, Interpreted, Interviewed, Persuaded, Responded to

Analyzed data: Assessed, Appraised, Audited, Calculated, Computed, Estimated, Evaluated, Forecast, Inspected, Measured, Researched, Surveyed, Tested

Operated equipment: Installed, Maintained, Programmed, Ran, Serviced, Used

Worked with money or contracts: Administered, Appropriated, Authorized, Balanced, Controlled, Directed, Enforced, Financed, Funded, Governed, Invested, Monitored, Oversaw, Purchased

Organized something: Arranged, Assembled, Catalogued, Compiled, Coordinated, Itemized, Routed, Scheduled, Stocked, Tracked

Created: Composed, Customized, Designed, Directed, Established, Founded, Illustrated, Originated, Shaped

Researched: Analyzed, Collected, Criticized, Detected, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Tested

How to make your professional experience section: The formula

There's a formula for writing your professional experience section in a way that focuses on achievements. You'll start by asking yourself these questions about every job you've had:

What was the name of the company?

What was the title of your role?

What dates were you employed? (*Hint: use the MM/YYYY format for your dates)

What did you do every day? (*Example: Leveraged management skills to direct operations of 5 separate but concurrent projects by delegating tasks to staff based on employee acumen and monitoring / controlling budgets)

What is one thing you did at the company that you're really proud of?

What is another thing you're really proud of?

What is one more thing you did that you're really proud of?

When you put all of that together, it should look like this:

Company Name | MM/YYYY to Present

Position Title

Balanced competing priorities on multiple and concurrent projects and program management initiatives using data-driven strategies in Agile environments. Managed key accounts, onboarded new accounts, and oversaw organizational process adoption for nursing facilities, emergency departments, and pharmacies.

Developed $2M Provider Incentive Program that increased community provider partnerships

Saved $800K by using Six Sigma skills to implement DMAIC approach

Coached and mentored 2 direct reports, creating an open environment of communication that facilitated future-facing decision-making

Many people will create separate sections for education history and certifications. That's not necessary. You can include all of it in one section. You can also include extras like  relevant coursework , projects, and achievements. These extras can be truly beneficial for your application if you have little to no work experience. 

There are some general rules of thumb for the education section: 

Spell out acronyms (BS, MS, PhD) and school abbreviations

It is no longer customary to include graduation dates unless you're still in school or graduated within the last year

Never include high school, unless you're still in high school - listing high school doesn't say “ I finished high school, ” it says, “ I didn't go to college .” 

List your degree first and then your school, unless you've obtained multiple degrees at the same institution. 

Here's what a regular education section looks like:

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

Master of Business Administration (MBA) | ABC University

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | XYZ University

Six Sigma Black Belt | Council for Six Sigma Certification

If you don't have a lot of experience and need to include some relevant coursework or major projects to inject relevant keywords into your resume, then this is what that would look like:

Relevant coursework:  Marketing, Operations Management, Accounting, Corporate Finance

Capstone project:  Let a team of 4 to execute a market analysis project to expand the Brooms and Handles company into new regions. Used market and consumer analysis data to identify gaps and achieve a 15% projected revenue increase and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction within the pilot program. 

You can include educational information about a degree program even if it's still in progress. Here's what that would look like:

Expected completion:  05/2024

Capstone project:  Let a team of 4 to execute a market analysis project to expand the Brooms and Handles company into new regions. Used market and consumer analysis data to identify gaps and achieve a 15% projected revenue increase and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction within the pilot program.

It is important to list what you do outside of work and school. It helps to demonstrate that you're a well-rounded person. 

Were you the president of a fraternity or sorority? 

Did you get involved with showing new students around campus? 

Have you headed a sales team that produced top awards? 

Were you an employee of the month? 

Do you speak multiple languages?

Did you volunteer for an organization?

Did you perform some major research that ended up being published?

All of these extras allow prospective employers a sneak peek into your life outside of work. They can also go a long way to breaking the ice during an interview, especially if something you do outside work is important or interesting to the hiring manager. 

Keep in mind to list only those volunteer positions, projects, or affiliations that are related to your career goals. 

How long does it take to make a resume?

If you're going to use the resume wizard that MS Word has, you can slap your information together in a day or two. It will get to employers. The bad thing is that it probably won't get a whole lot of attention. 

The "just right resume" can take weeks, because of how much background work goes into it. You'll write it, rewrite it, and write it again, and may even have multiple versions. Ultimately, the exact amount of time that goes into putting your resume together depends on your level of experience, how complex your history is, and the specificity of the job you're applying to. 

Entry-level resumes take the least amount of time, simply because there's less information to include

Mid-level resumes take a few days because of the amount of detail in your work history

Executive resumes, or those for specialized positions, can take weeks - especially if you have to do some digging to come up with accomplishments from your previous positions

Updating an existing resume that's well-maintained can be done in just a few hours

While the time spent can seem like a lot, if you're truly marketing yourself for that “just right” position, do you want your resume to say “This was thrown together in a couple of hours using a template” OR do you want it to say “I know this document is important and a significant amount of time was spent on it to make it perfect?”

The first and foremost thing that will get your resume tossed in the garbage can are typos. The number of resumes with errors that are turned in every day to employers across the globe is so astounding that it bears discussing. 

You must proofread your resume!

The major problem with typos and grammatical boo-boos is that your eyes will read what you intended to type. So, after you've read through your resume a few times and think it's perfect, get a friend to read it. Make sure the friend is one of those brutally honest types. It's better to get it back marked all over with bright red ink so you can fix it before you send it out, than to send it out and then realize there's a mistake in it.

How to make your resume seem more professional

Lazy words: Do you see words like "etc" or “other duties as required” on your resume? Delete them immediately. If you take shortcuts in the language of your resume, hiring managers will wonder if you'll be taking shortcuts at work. 

Cookie cutter resumes: Your resume has to stand out. Because of that, you should avoid throwing something together that you find a sample of online. Make it yours, make it represent you. Many people rely on the resume wizard that comes loaded with MS Word and, while that is a good tool to use to help you remember the sections to include, it shouldn't be the end-all-and-be-all of your resume design. 

Specificity: You've had three jobs in the last 10 years and you've listed every detail of everything you've done during your tenure at those jobs. That makes you a Jack (or Jackie) of all trades, but a master of nothing. You have to be specific to the job for which you're applying. What value do you bring to that employer for that job? What achievements can you highlight?

Tailoring: Considering the rampant use of ATS by companies big and small, you have to take the time to customize your resume so that it gets past those scanners. Remember to use relevant keywords from the job descriptions throughout your resume. 

PRO TIP: You can check to see how to make your resume better! Have it checked against an ATS and get a free, personalized, and  professional resume review . 

Theory in practice – 10 resume examples

It's one thing to have someone tell you how to make a resume, it's another thing to see an example – proof that all of this information can come together in a practical way that makes sense. 

1. Software Engineer resume example

Click here for an example of a Software Engineer resume.

2. Data Scientist resume example

Click here for an example of a Data Scientist resume.

3. Cybersecurity resume example

Click here for an example of a cybersecurity resume.

4. Digital Marketing Manager resume example

Click here for an example of a Digital Marketing Manager resume.

5. Nurse Practitioner resume example

Click here for an example of a Nurse Practitioner resume. 

6. Finance Director resume example

Click here for an example of a Finance Director resume. 

7. Attorney resume example

Click here for an example of a Attorney resume.

8. Administrative Office Assistant resume example

Click here for an example of an Administrative Office Assistant resume. 

9. Information Technology Expert resume example

Click here for an example of an Information Technology Expert resume. 

10. Chief Executive Officer resume example

Click here for an example of a CEO resume. 

Now you know how to make a resume for your next job!

It may seem like it takes a lot of work to make a good resume, but if you've followed along this far there are a few things that should be ingrained in you that will help you write a professional resume:

Know what you want to do – be specific

Make your resume with the right format 

Use a standard layout, whether you are writing your first resume or 50th

Use action words to make your resume stand out

Quantify your achievements to prove that you have what it takes to succeed in a new role

Tailor your new resume to each job

Double and triple-check for errors, typos, and grammar mistakes

If you're still unsure how to make a perfect resume, TopResume has you covered. Our team of  professional resume writers  has the know-how and experience to write a resume for you that will win interviews.

Recommended reading: 

Resume Tricks That Don't Work

What Does Your Resume Really Say About You?

Bad Resume Advice You Should Completely Ignore

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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A resumé template for your first job

You’ve wrapped up your education and you’re keen to make your debut into the workforce. You might have already started bookmarking jobs you like – but there’s something you need to do before you can apply: write a standout resumé. 

A good resumé is an essential tool for every job seeker. And it’s even more important for new job seekers with limited or no work experience. It’s the first thing that prospective employers and recruiters want to see, no matter what stage of career you’re at. A well-written, professional-looking resumé makes all the difference when you’re applying for roles and need to stand out . 

How to approach a first job resumé when you don’t have any experience? First-time job seekers have to take a different tack to writing a resumé than people with years of work experience. If you’ve researched resumé examples for a first job, you’ll have noticed that overall they’re shorter and have a greater focus on education and soft skills than resumés for those with work experience.

In this article, we show you how to write your first resumé , the best fonts and formatting to use, and what skills to put on your first job resumé. We also provide resumé examples for a first job and a resumé template you can use, to give you a head start.

Resumé preparation

Before sitting down to write your first job resumé, it’s important to gather all the information you want to include. By preparing all this information up front, you’ll find it much easier to tailor your resumé to your skills and the types of roles you’re applying for. 

Take a moment to assess your goals. What kind of job are you aspiring  to get? Who is your target audience (a hiring manager, a recruiter, an industry leader)? Make a list of all your soft skills and technical abilities. Write down the formal names of your qualifications, which school or institution they’re from, and when you started and finished the course/training. 

Once you have all your information together, you can start to write your resumé and tailor it to your audience and purpose. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level role in finance, you’ll want to highlight any education you have in economics or mathematics, and mention soft skills like critical thinking and communication . 

You should also read through any job descriptions you’ve saved and look at the specific criteria they list. It’s important to understand exactly what your prospective employer is looking for before you start to write your resumé. On that note: you should tailor your resumé to suit every role you apply for, changing it to reflect the job requirements listed in each ad.

Essential resumé components

Your resumé doesn’t have to be exactly the same as your peers’ or any first job resumé examples you may have seen online. Resumés come in a wide variety of designs, with different sections, headings and formats. However, there are certain elements you must include, whether it’s your first job resumé or your tenth. These are:

• Your full name and contact information: these should be at the top of your first job resumé, in a bold, easy-to-read font. You want it to be effortless for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. While your home address is not necessary, you should include your phone number, email address and potentially links to your social media accounts, in hyperlinks. 
• Resumé summary: it’s a good idea to write a resumé objective  for a first job as it helps provide some insight into you, your skills and your career ambitions. Without any work experience on your resumé, this is your chance to tell the hiring manager why you’re suitable for the role.  
• Education: your resumé should always include your academic background . List schools and colleges/universities you’ve attended, as well as key qualifications and any special awards you’ve received. There’s no need to include your grades for most job roles, unless they are particularly impressive or relevant to your industry. 
• Experience: you might not have any formal experience to list on a first job resumé, but you can still include this section if you have done any casual or informal jobs. You might have done voluntary work or helped out at the family business. If it’s relevant to your career path, include those duties and what your main responsibilities were.
• Skills section : this is one of the most important parts of your first job resumé. It’s where you list all of your skills, prioritised by how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for. You can list all the skills you accrued in your studies: software proficiency, analytical skills , public-speaking skills, teamwork , graphic design, editing, accounting – any abilities you have that will grab the attention of the recruiter.

Structuring your resumé

Once you’ve decided on the information you want to include on your first job resumé, it’s time to format it. The right formatting ensures that you’re highlighting the correct information and that your skills and qualifications are easy to scan. Not only that, a well-formatted and well-structured resumé makes a professional first impression. It sends a message to the recruiter that you’re organised, competent and have good attention to detail – all desirable qualities in an employee . 

The typical resumé will have a name and contact details at the top, then a short resumé summary or career objective underneath, followed by sections for education, skills and experience. You can download our free resumé template  or do an online search for more resumé examples for first job applications, to get an idea of the structure to use. 

No matter what type of template you opt for, it’s important that the layout is tidy, the design is clean, and the font is professional and easy to scan. It doesn’t matter how skilled or qualified you are if your resumé uses a font that’s too small or hard to read, or your most relevant skills are buried in a big block of text. 

Recruiters usually receive a high volume of applications and have a limited amount of time to read each resumé and cover letter. They might only have time to skim-read for your skills, so it’s worth paying extra attention to the top third of your resumé. 

Enhancing your resumé

Don’t worry if your first job resumé is a little light on content. There are ways you can enhance it without filling it with irrelevant information. If you want to add more dimension to your resumé, think about adding sections for extracurricular activities, hobbies or references . You could also add any sporting achievements, linking your skills to the criteria for the role. For example, as captain of the local soccer team, you may have acquired leadership or conflict-resolution skills .

One important thing to note is that many businesses use software called applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumés and sort them automatically based on key words and phrases. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to tailor your resumé to include the exact words used in the job description. Include the job title you’re applying for in the heading at the top and include keywords that connect to the field of work you want to do.

It’s also good to remember that your resumé is only one factor in your application. In most cases, it will be supported by a cover letter , where you can be more specific and detailed about your suitability for the role. 

Finalising your resumé

Before you send off your first job resumé, read it through for any typos or spelling errors. After that, share it with a friend or family member for feedback, in case you missed any little mistakes. Refer back to the job description and see if you’ve included all the right keywords and phrases. Look up skills to put on your first job resumé if you feel it needs more targeted content to help it stand out.

Once you’ve finalised your resumé, print it out and do a final proofread, as sometimes mistakes are easier to notice on paper than on a screen. If it’s good to go, convert your file to a PDF and print it out a final time to make sure it’s still formatted correctly. 

Resumé templates and examples

To give you an idea of what a complete resumé looks like, here is a resumé for a first job example, which you can use as a template for your own. Read the example, then write your own personalised version, substituting in your details and skills relevant to the job role. Here’s a simple starter resumé example:

Resumé – Bindi Harris

1 George Street, Sydney 044 123 1234 [email protected]

A motivated and determined marketing graduate who recently obtained a Bachelor of Marketing and Public Relations degree from University of Technology Sydney. Skilled in digital content creation and social media management, I’m eager to launch my career in social media marketing with a reputable digital agency.

Bachelor of Marketing & Public Relations, University of Melbourne 2020-2023

VCE, Lowther Hall, 2019 (Captain of the debate team 2019)

2021-22 Volunteer retail assistant, St Vincent de Paul Society Responsibilities: managed stocktake, POS duties, customer service, merchandising, employee training

• Microsoft Office (advanced)
• Illustrator (basic)
• Photoshop (advanced)
• Customer service
• Cash handling
• Operating POS system
• Critical thinking

Hobbies & Interests

• Photography
• Video editing
• Script Writing
• Acting – graduate of Melbourne Actors Lab

A resumé is an essential part of the job-seeker’s toolkit, so it’s worthwhile spending time to get it right. For recent graduates, that means focusing on education, skills and a well-written resumé objective – and making sure your formatting and structure looks neat and professional, so it makes a good impression. 

Tailor your resumé to the job you’re applying for and include important keywords and phrases for potential automated tracking systems. Importantly, remember that your resumé is only a part of your application – keep it concise and to the point and save any extra details for your cover letter.

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