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Entry-level resume writing: the ultimate guide to launch your career.

Get a headstart with an entry-level resume format

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.

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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.

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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)

• Júlia Mlčúchova , 
• Updated July 25, 2024 16 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. Add tools and software that you already have experience using and are relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, a VoIP phone system, CRM platform, or  call center software  will be a huge plus for customer support roles, and keyword research and SEO tools will bring benefits if you’re applying for an SEO-related role.
• 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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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.

Learning how to write a resume takes a certain finesse. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Read our complete guide and take a look at our examples now.

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 internship 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 anymore 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.

Online Resume Builder

Enhancv is the resume builder that helps you highlight your achievements, attitude and personality. You get a modern resume that people remember. It’s easy and free to use!

3,908 happy customers shared their experience.

Our resumes get people hired at top companies:

Build your resume online now. First, select a template:

Our resume builder is made with a single thought in mind – help you gain confidence that you’ll nail your next job interview and get hired. Our resume maker has professional layouts and unique sections, that portray you authentically – your attitude, personality, and professional expertise.

Plus, Enhancv resume tool will encourage you to think beyond the obvious sections like education and work experience. You will build a resume that shows exactly what drives you and what you’re made of.

If you’re not sure which style is the right fit for you, take a look at all our resume templates , and learn more about how to best use them.

How It Works

Select a template.

Fill in your details.

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Tailor, Check for Errors, and Download.

Here’s what our resume builder packs in:

Professional resume templates for every job.

Our resume maker includes 11 fully editable templates. We split them by industry, seniority level, or company culture, so you’ll know exactly what template is best for you.

Drag & drop resume builder

You’re not stuck into a predetermined mould. You have the freedom to create a layout of your choice. Move sections around and highlight what you believe is the most important for your resume. It’s easy to use – give it a try!

Content suggestions to help you beat writer’s block

Not only you get over 10 000 bullet suggestions for different jobs (depending on your seniority level), but you also receive live prompts and ideas to rewrite unimpressive sentences. You can turn them on and off for distraction-free writing.

Generate a resume in PDF or TXT

PDF is the most popular and preferred resume file format by recruiters. You’ll keep all your content intact, and you’ll ensure no clunky extra lines pop up. Plus, if you’d like a simple export of your text content, our TXT download feature lets you get it straight away.

Start with your old resume or LinkedIn profile

Don’t have the time to start from scratch? Just upload your old resume, or add a link to your LinkedIn profile, and our resume builder will extract all the standard sections.

Resume Examples for Inspiration

Business Analyst

Engineering

Office Manager

Project Manager

Business Development

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Frequently asked questions about our resume builder:, what is a resume builder, who should use enhancv resume builder, which is the best resume builder.

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You can just build your resume, or take advantage of our Premium packages that help you nail every step of the recruitment process until you get the job.

Do I need to tailor my resume for different jobs?

What is an ats-friendly resume, what's the best resume template to use in 2024, what is the best resume formato use in 2024.

• Functional resume : this format focuses mainly on your skills, whereas work experience takes the backstage.
• Hybrid or combination resume : a mix of both functional and reverse-chronological resume formats.
• Video resumes : this type of resume gained popularity recently with the rise of video platforms, such as TikTok. Great for creative or tech industries, but unless the job description says otherwise, it should come with a regular resume document.

What should my resume include?

• Contact information with a link to your LinkedIn profile
• Resume profile
• Work experience
• Education ( GPA and Relevant Coursework being optional)
• Professional skills (list each hard skill as is, and embed soft skills throughout your experience)
• Certifications

Optional resume sections include:

• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteering
• Internships
• Publications

Within our resume builder app, you’ll get advice how to make each of those sections, and you’ll get generated content that’s relevant to your years of experience and the job you’re applying for.

At the end of the day, you should end up with a one-page-long resume document. Sometimes, length will also vary - check what’s the best one here . And, if you’re keen on starting from scratch, read our guide on how to write a resume to fully nail the process.

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Entry-level resume

First-time jobseekers or job market debutants often find developing a resume challenging. Every first-time jobseeker should be keen on the structure of his/her resume to ensure that it markets him/her in the best possible way. Similarly, fresh graduates and individuals making dramatic career shifts need to overcome some challenges to ensure they develop outstanding resumes. In most cases, the challenge is to develop a resume without employment history. Yet, any entry-level jobseeker or individual submitting a job application for the first time must describe and present his/her limited employment history in an appealing manner. This could prove daunting for debutant resume writers. Describing a constrained professional history positively could seem difficult.

Given the odds, entry-level resume templates can assist jobseekers in organizing their qualifications and other strengths in a manner capable of optimizing their likelihood to be hired. Even when supplied with the most appropriate entry-level templates, most first-time jobseekers struggle with what to enter where in the templates. Distinct from the student level resume, which focuses mainly on displaying academic accomplishments, the entry-level resume is meant to offer a breakthrough into the professional employment sphere. The essence of an entry-level resume is to present limited employment history as relevant and transferable to the job in question.

Entry-Level Resume Sections

Objective section.

Corresponding to the first section in the professional resume, an entry-level resume should open with the objective. Like in the professional resume, the objective in the entry-level resume should prescribe the joy type that the applicant seeks and the kind of sector they are interested in seeking employment. The objective should be properly structured, precise, and concise without jargon or redundancy. This will aid the employer in establishing outright what the applicant is looking for or aims at achieving. On the contrary, a muddled and poorly structured objective is going to confuse the prospective employer. This leads to the forthright rejection of the resume and termination from further consideration of the applicant. It is important that entry-level resume writers do not mistake the objective section for the summary section. It is advisable that entry-level resumes do not contain summary statements, which are more suited for candidates with vast experience as to warrant a professional resume .

Education section

In entry-level resumes, the education section is perhaps the most crucial since work experience is either nonexistent or negligible. It tells the recruiter that the applicant has the necessary academic qualifications or trainings that match the job requirements. Stated differently, the education section of an entry-level resume demonstrates the likely capacity of the applicant to undertake the tasks associated with a job position successfully.

First-time jobseekers are likely to find the education section particularly beneficial in demonstrating exemplary academic honors and achievements. Highlighting academic prowess is important in entry-level resumes because employers often consider it a direct indicator of potential workplace performance. Although lack of industry-based work experience renders the education section more significant, detailing complementary extracurricular and curricular performance in this section can considerably influence the employer’s perception of the candidate. This is because skills’ transfer to the workplace environment is easier for first-time employees with exemplary, complementary educational performance.

To navigate around the challenge of lack of experience, first-time jobseekers can employ several tactics besides those mentioned in the previous paragraph. One option is to match the layout of their resumes with the listing of the job requirements by the employer in the job posting. The other option is to opt for a template or layout that emulates the skills-based or functional format in detailing any useful work-related accomplishments as opposed to using the chronological format.

Listing any relevant internships, volunteering experiences, unpaid/paid work instances, and hobbies in the ‘would-be experience’ section would be another option of navigating the lack of experience for first-time employees. Such listing would demonstrate that the applicant is eagerly pursuing transition into employment while simultaneously demonstrating readiness to advance. Other skills honed during the education journey such as communication, organization, public speaking, events planning, and so on should be included in the education section as uncertified achievements. This tells the employer that the applicant is all-round and pursues many learning opportunities apart from the mainstream formal education.

One should not overlook the significance of including hobbies in their entry-level resumes. Jobseekers with interest in the digital media field might lack professional experience. However, demonstrating that they have been spending long hours in shooting and editing video content even for fun could qualify as relevant experience altogether. The essence is to demonstrate developing interest in the target industry for the entry-level applicant. Additionally, this demonstrates to the employer a desire to grow and advance professionally in a field one is already passionate about.

Writing tips

Entry-level resume writers should observe various tips when preparing resumes for their first jobs as either freshmen or entrants to a new industry sector. The most important tip is to bear in mind that the entry-level resume should purpose to catch the interest of the potential employer at first sight. This is perceived to be the key to achieving the ultimate objective of securing employment. However, getting an interview opportunity is the first major milestone an applicant must accomplish.

As is the case with preparing professional resumes, anyone preparing an entry-level resume should undertake substantive research about the industry they are interested in entering. Considering that first-time applicants are in most cases inexperienced in undertaking in-depth industry research, basic analyses such as looking at job postings, perusing through publications in the employment sector one is interested in, and consulting professionals in the HR sector or even recruiters. The idea is to offer practical insights to the jobseeker about what the entry-level resume is to contain.

Upon consolidating all preliminary research outcomes, the entry-level jobseeker should be ready to write the resume. The first step while writing is to determine the sections to include in the resume. Granted that job requirements differ with every job posting and the qualifications are equally different, the content and arrangement of each first-time resume will be equally different. However, it is advisable that entry-level resumes contain four principal sections.

Like any other resumes, entry-level resumes should have impeccable grammar, spelling, layout and formatting. Spelling errors or any inconsistencies exacerbate the negative first impression that entry-level resumes that have cluttered formatting and layouts create to potential employers and recruiters. Consequently, this means that proofreading is a vital task that any entry-level resume writer should undertake. If possible, it is important that the resume writer consult another person or institution to proofread their initial drafts.

The entry-level jobseeker should include his/her contact information after the name at the top of the resume. Preferably, contact information should include a phone number, physical mail address, and professional email address. The professional email address would normally contain the names of the resume owner and not fancy combinations or nicknames. As for mail addresses, keeping them updated is critical to ensuring that conventional employers who prefer contacting candidates via post can reach the candidate.

Entry-Level Resume Templates

As pointed out earlier on, the layout and presentation of any resume is critical to successful applications. For first-time jobseekers with little experience in developing resumes, using entry-level resume templates is the best approach. This is because resume templates will help the first-time jobseeker to determine what content to place where. A resume template is also helpful for individuals making a shift into another industry that requires a specific resume format. For example, resume formats for academia tend to differ significantly from IT management ones. Thus, an experienced IT manager applying for a teaching position at a university might need to use an entry-level resume template to ensure appealing formatting and layout.

Besides, using a resume template offer both first-time job applicants and experienced professionals shifting industries a guided yet systematic means for concentrating on the most relevant content. With a resume builder, the candidate can customize his/her resume as desired and get an actual preview of the final copy. This enables the resume writer to make on-course decisions before completing the final resume. This is important because organized presentation of the resume might make the employer overlook under-qualification at times. Resume builders help in eliminating chances of untidiness in formatting, typos and poor prioritization of achievements in entry-level resumes. Instead, resume templates and builders help jobseekers on emphasizing the most appealing achievements at the expense of what the candidate is lacking.

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Builder faq, what is a resume builder.

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