resume for first time jobseeker no experience template

Here’s How to Write a Resume for Your Very First Job (Plus, an Example!)

So you’re applying to your first job and you’ve gotten to the portion of the job application that reads, “Upload resume here” or “Email your resume to...” Now what?

Don’t sweat it. Literally every single person who has ever submitted a resume started with a blank page at some point. They likely also had the same questions you might be thinking about right now: What exactly is a resume? How do I make a resume ? What information goes on one? How do I talk about my experience? What if I’ve never had a “real” job before? How long should it be ?

But don’t fret. With a few tips on what information to include (and how) and some simple formatting guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to writing a resume for your first job.

What Is a Resume?

Let’s start by setting the stage. A resume is a document that lists your education, experience, and skills with a focus on what’s important to the job you’re applying for. Your resume is your unique story, a staple in your job search tool kit, and a major component of most job applications you will submit. It’s a living document that continues to grow as your career does.

When it’s done right, your resume clearly and concisely tells a future employer what you can bring to a new role and company. In a job search, a resume is typically the first point of contact between you and the company you want to work for. And your first impression can determine whether or not you move on to the next step in the hiring process—usually an interview —so it’s worth putting in the time to make sure it’s a great one.

While resumes can come in all shapes and sizes—and as a recruiter, believe me, I have seen them all—there’s one thing effective, impactful resumes have in common. They tell your story in a digestible way that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them start to think, “Yes, I could see this person in this role. I'd like to learn more.”

What Goes on a Resume?

While every resume has different content based on your experience, skills, background, and education, most resumes have the same basic parts. Grouping the information on your resume into clearly defined sections helps the reader find the information they need to best assess your potential as a candidate.

Here are the basic sections to help you organize a resume for your first job:

Name and Contact Information

The top of every resume should clearly state your full name and the best contact information for the recruiter or hiring manager to get in touch with you, including an email address and phone number.

Your email should be simple and professional. Stick to your first, middle, and last name or initials and maybe some numbers if you’re having trouble finding a name-initial combo that works or isn’t already taken. Double-check that your voicemail is set up on the phone number you provide and the mailbox isn’t full. Also revisit the outgoing message: Is it clear that whoever calls you has reached the right person? Is the message something you would want your future employer to hear? Both the email and voicemail should be ones you actually check so you can respond to possible employers promptly.

Depending on what experience you have, what jobs you’re applying for, and what you want to share, you can also include your LinkedIn profile or the URL for an online portfolio or personal website in the header as well.

Read More: Here’s Exactly What Should Be Included in Your Resume’s Header

Resume Summary (Optional)

Right under your contact information, you can consider including a resume summary : a few sentences that clearly and concisely describe who you are as a candidate. This is where you can highlight things like your organization skills and drive, your passion for the industry you’re applying to, and some key skills. If you choose to include a resume summary, you should use strong adjectives and descriptors to best paint a picture for the reader.

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

On a resume, education can include high school, college degrees, certificates, and specialized programs. List what school or program you attended, the area of study and/or degree you got or will get, any honors or awards you received, and the year you completed or expect to complete your education.

If your education relates directly to the role you’re applying to, it can also make sense to include some of the courses you completed or a major project that shows you putting what you learned into action. For example, if you’re applying to do construction work, you might want to talk about the projects you completed and skills you learned in a woodshop or similar class.

Education can show up in a few different places on your resume depending on what you studied or are studying, how related it is to what you are applying to, and when it happened. If you’re still in school or have recently graduated, you should consider putting your education section just after your summary or contact information. If you’re more than a few years past completing your education, and it doesn’t directly relate to what you’re applying to, it can be included below your related experience section or sections.

Read More: How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume

Your past experience will take up the bulk of your resume. For most resumes, this means past jobs, so if you’re making a resume for your first “real” job, you might be worried about what to include. But jobs aren’t the only thing that count as experience. The goal of your resume is to include experiences that show your specific and unique perspective, skills, and the value you will bring to the new role—regardless of whether you were paid for them or if you did the work formally as part of an organization.

On your first resume, you should definitely include past jobs if you’ve had them, including things that aren’t in the industry you’re applying to and less formal paid experiences like babysitting or mowing lawns in your neighborhood. But your experience section can also talk about volunteering; school organizations, teams, and clubs; internships; class projects or capstone classes or projects; and any one-off special projects, gigs, or personal pursuits that relate to the types of roles you’re applying for.

For example, if you volunteered to support event planning for the fundraisers at a local nonprofit and you’re applying for a role that includes time management and meeting coordination, you should include that volunteer experience on your resume. Or if you’ve designed your family and friend’s event invitations with InDesign and are applying to a job where graphic design and design program experience is a plus, these experiences belong in this section! If you’re still stuck, think about your student groups, hobbies, and activities you’ve participated in. These likely require skills like organization, time management, and communication in addition to the skills required to participate, and these are experiences you can list on your resume.

If you have different types of experience to share, you can break them up under more than one section heading. Headers can include things like “Work Experience,” “Volunteer Experience,” or “Related Experience,” or be thematic like “Customer Service Experience,” “Event and Program Planning,” or “Leadership Experience.”

Start by figuring out what your most important experiences are for the job you’re applying for. To do this, thoroughly read the job description. Then, identify which of the experiences, skills, and qualities emphasized are ones you already have. It might help to make a resume outline or use a resume worksheet to write out everything in one place before making your actual resume. Then you can easily tailor your resume, or select what matters most, for each job you apply to.

Read More: What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”

That’s what you include in your experience section—now let’s talk about how to include it. For each experience you should list your position, the organization you worked for (if applicable), and when you did the work. Under this, you should describe what you did, usually in bullet-point format.

One mistake I’ve seen from candidates is that they assume others just understand what a job they’ve had entails, which just isn’t the case. Your resume should very clearly spell out your past experience to show why it will make you successful in the role you are applying for. Most of the time that means you have to highlight transferable skills, which are useful in multiple settings and jobs but sometimes need translating to make their value clear. Make sure you’re explaining any jargon or industry-speak to help make the experience more relatable (unless you’re applying for a job in the same industry).

When thinking about how your experience is transferable, break down the nitty-gritty of what you did and how you could use those practices and skills in different settings. For example, don’t assume the hiring manager will guess why babysitting will help you be successful in an office setting. Say that when you were babysitting, you were managing kid’s schedules, coordinating activities, and communicating with other kids’ caretakers to organize transportation. Then you can explain how this translates to being able to navigate multiple priorities, manage calendars, communicate effectively with different people, and anticipate needs.

Make your bullet points impactful by stating actions and results. Actions are what you actually did and how; the results are what you achieved and what actually happened because of your actions. Wherever you can, add numbers and context to best highlight the impact of your experience. Bullet points should also lead with powerful, descriptive action verbs , and avoid first-person language.

For example, you might say:

• Coordinate with up to 10 external vendors to confirm and schedule delivery of supplies (using Calendly)

While your entire resume should show off your skills, you may also want to include a skills section. This can appear as a list or in bullet form and usually includes hard skills, technical skills, and language skills. This section can help when a recruiter is using software to scan your resume for keywords (more on that later) or when someone only has a short amount of time to read your resume and find your most important skills. So don’t be afraid to talk about a skill in your experience, education, or resume summary section and also list it in your skills section.

Hard skills can include things like project management, event planning, graphic design, calendar management, customer service, cashiering, or different driver’s licenses. Which ones are most important depend on the job you’re applying to, so make sure you’re looking at the job descriptions.

Technical skills can overlap with hard skills but generally refer to specific software, tools, systems, and coding languages you have experience with. For example, if you’re experienced in graphic design, you should note which specific programs you’ve used. Again, check the job description to see which technical skills you need for the job. A few examples of technical skills for your first job might include: Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint; G Suite; Slack or any other communication platforms; Asana, Trello, Airtable, or other project management tools; Adobe Photoshop; and Salesforce.

Language skills include any language you can speak, read, and/or write with reasonable fluency. Even if it’s not listed on the job description, noting what languages you speak (other than English) and at what level can be an advantage. For example, if you’re applying to a job where you need to interact with customers in an area where many people speak Spanish and you also speak Spanish, this will help you work more effectively and efficiently.

Even if a skill feels very basic to you, it can still be worth mentioning, especially if it’s in the job description. In my experience, one of the biggest challenges people face in crafting a resume, or in describing why their experience is important, is that they tend to devalue what they do every day because it becomes second nature.

Finally, stay away from listing skills just because they sound good. Instead, list only skills you actually have. If you can describe where you learned a skill and how you’ve used it in the past, you probably have enough experience with it to list on your resume.

How to Format Your Resume

Recruiters read lots of resumes and don’t always have a lot of time to spend on each one. So you want to ensure they can decipher your resume quickly and effectively. The following formatting guidelines and tips will help you achieve this.

Keep It to One Page

Since this is your first (or one of your first) jobs, your resume shouldn’t be more than one page . If your content is spilling onto a second page, ask yourself: Is all of this information important and necessary for the role I’m applying for? Am I describing my education and experience as concisely as possible?

On the flip side, don’t include filler to take up the whole page if you don’t have more experiences that actually add value to your resume.

Focus on Readability

You want to format your resume so it’s quick and easy to read—that using means bullet points, a healthy dose of white space (think how your eyes react to a large block of text), and clear headers to denote resume sections so the reader can scan and identify relevant information.

Design-heavy resumes have become more popular, and while a splash of color or simple design element can make your resume stand out in a stack, too much can be distracting and may not translate well to certain applicant tracking systems (ATS)—databases of job applications that employers can search to find the most promising candidates. This resume-scanning software has trouble finding and reading text on heavily designed documents, and you could lose out on being picked up by a keyword search, which is often the first review of a resume.

Read More: Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System & Into Human Hands

Capitalize on Valuable Real Estate

The top third of your resume is what the recruiter will see first, so you want to make sure the content on this part of the page makes them want to keep reading.

The very top should include your name and contact information. If you’re including a summary, that comes next. Then, you have a choice: You could lead with your education, your skills, or your most recent or most applicable experience. When deciding, think about what will best demonstrate how you’re a great fit for the role you’re applying to: Is your coursework the thing most aligned with the job? Or is it that volunteer work you’ve been doing? Or maybe it’s a combination of skills you’ve picked up in different ways.

Consider the Best Way to Organize Your Resume

The top of your resume is what a hiring manager will see first, but you also want to think about the best way to present your information overall. There are three main formats to consider:

• Chronological : The most common resume format, this is where you list your experience in reverse chronological order, separated by job or position, starting with the most recent (or current). In this format, your skills section would come after your experience.
• Functional : In this format, you would spend the bulk of your resume highlighting your most relevant skills followed by a brief section outlining your experiences. If you don’t have any past jobs, you may want to consider a functional resume since it has less of an emphasis on individual positions.
• Combination : Just like it sounds, this format combines both chronological and functional approach in which you highlight relevant skills at the top of your resume and then list your experience in reverse chronological order. This format can be beneficial if your most recent experience isn’t related to what you’re applying for.

Read More: Your Complete Guide to Resume Formats (and How to Pick the Best One for You!)

Be Consistent With Your Formatting

While there are no hard and fast rules about when to bold or italicize, what size the actual bullet points should be, or how many tabs you use, it is important to stay consistent in whatever you choose. If you decide to bold your job titles, make sure you do so throughout your resume. The same goes for any other formatting decision. This makes your resume more organized and easier to read.

Check Out This Sample Resume

So what does it all look like at the end? Here’s a sample resume to help you visualize how utilizing strong resume formatting for readability, including impactful resume sections, and thoughtfully and strategically describing your experience in concise bullets points can help you create a resume for your first job.

In this example combination resume, the person is applying for front desk coordinator positions in a medical office.

Download resume sample here

Before submitting your resume for your first job, the final step is to make sure you edit and proofread it. Reading your resume out loud and asking for some assistance from a second set of eyes can be helpful.

Now that you’ve made your first resume, it’ll only get easier. Remember that your resume is truly a living document and you’ll want to make a practice out of updating it and tailoring it to every job as your experience and career build. But you don’t have to start with a completely blank page ever again.

How To Write a Resume With No Experience

It might seem like a challenge to write an effective resume when you have no professional work experience, but you can still showcase your skills, qualities, education, and other experiences that have helped prepare you for your first professional role.

This article will cover how to leverage your strengths to show potential employers that you are a good fit for the position even though you have little or no work experience , as well as which sections to include on your resume and how to arrange them.

How To Highlight Your Skills With No Work Experience

The primary goal of a resume is to show potential employers that you will be an asset to their business. Those who have been in the workforce for at least a few years typically do this by showing how their previous positions have provided them with experience and skills that line up with the new job.

However, if you don’t have professional work experience, you can still list and demonstrate your skills. Employers look for hard skills (job specific and/or technical skills) as well as soft skills (people skills or personal characteristics) in job candidates. Soft skills are much more difficult to teach than hard skills, and they are applicable in almost any industry. So, if you can show employers that you have leadership skills, interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, and other desirable soft skills, that can be just as powerful as listing an impressive work history.

When hiring for entry level jobs, most employers expect that you won’t have a wealth of professional experience. Showing that you possess soft skills as well as the ability and drive to learn new hard skills will help demonstrate your value as a potential employee.

Finally, you can highlight your skills most effectively by tailoring your resume to each job opening. To do this, read through the job posting carefully and identify keywords that describe the skills and experience that the employer is looking for. Then use those specific keywords in your resume to show how your skill set matches up with what the employer needs.

Doing so will not only help your resume pass applicant tracking system ( ATS ) scans, but it will also show the employer that you took the time to carefully read the job posting and customize your resume to the position.

Sections To Include On Your Resume

Since the focal point of your resume will not be your work experience, you’ll likely want to adjust the typical arrangement of resume sections to better highlight your skills and qualities. Be sure to include the following sections:

Start with a resume header that includes your full name, your contact information (your phone number and a professional email address), and your LinkedIn URL if you have one. Your name should be the biggest text on your resume. You can also include your address or general location information, links to an online portfolio/blog/website, or social media links (only if they are relevant to the job).

Resume Objective

Below your header, include a resume objective statement. A resume objective is a brief overview of your skills, qualities, professional goals, and how you will be an asset to the company. A hiring manager will often spend less than 10 seconds scanning each resume that lands on their desk, so providing a succinct summary can catch their attention and convince them to continue reading your resume and ultimately to offer you an interview. Always mention the company and the position that you are applying for by name in your objective.

If you aren’t sure what to write in your resume objective, you may wish to write the rest of your resume first and then come back to your objective at the end. That way you can summarize everything that you’ve already included.

Next, highlight your education . Use a reverse-chronological format - start with your current or most recent school experience and work backwards from there (e.g. list your college and then your high school). If you are still in high school or college or if high school is your highest level of education, include your high school information on your resume. Otherwise (if you have already graduated from college or are earning a postgraduate degree), you can generally omit your high school information and use that space for other important details.

For each school that you list, include the school name and location and your graduation date or anticipated graduation date in the education section. You can also include your GPA (if it’s above a 3.5), relevant coursework , your major or area of study, awards and honors, school clubs or organizations, leadership roles (such as student council), extracurricular activities, study abroad, and so forth. However, ensure that everything you add to your education section is relevant to the job that you are applying for.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Even though you don’t have much or any professional work experience, you can still include relevant life experience. Include any internships, personal projects, volunteer work, or involvement in extracurricular activities that are relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, maybe you babysit, walk dogs, or mow lawns for your neighbors - you likely have experience with time management and finding and retaining clients. Or perhaps you enjoy throwing elaborate birthday parties for your friends or have planned school dances with your student council, which has honed your event planning skills, budgeting abilities, and so forth. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements in each role, focusing on transferable skills such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Once you identify a position that you want to apply for, read the job description to find the keywords as outlined above, and think about what you’ve previously done that has allowed you to hone relevant skills. Then outline these transferable skills using the keywords you’ve found and resume action words to give your accomplishments extra impact.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job Ad

When writing a resume with no experience, it's crucial to tailor it to each job ad you apply for. Carefully review the job requirements and description to identify keywords and skills the employer is seeking. Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume, particularly in the skills section and bullet points describing your relevant experience. This will demonstrate your alignment with the job requirements and increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

Choose the Right Resume Format

a) Functional Resume: As a high school student or recent graduate with limited experience, a functional resume format may be suitable. This format emphasizes your skills and abilities rather than chronological work history. Start with a brief resume summary highlighting your key strengths, followed by a dedicated skills section where you can list relevant skills and competencies.

b) Combination Resume: If you have some relevant experience, consider a combination resume format . This format combines elements of both the functional and chronological formats, allowing you to showcase your skills while also highlighting your relevant work or volunteer experience.

You can include internships (paid or unpaid), volunteer experience, or projects that you’ve worked on (such as a capstone project, thesis, or research project) in your experience section.

Although you can and should mention your skills throughout all sections of your resume, you can create a dedicated skills section as well. You may wish to include subheadings for hard and soft skills. Be sure that the skills you include in this section match the skills that you’ve mentioned elsewhere on your resume - repetition of a few key skills and instances of how you gained and honed those skills will be more powerful than listing dozens of skills with no details to back them up.

Resist the temptation to exaggerate your skills or qualifications , or to lie in any way on your resume. There’s a high chance that the employer will catch you in the lie, which could mean that you don’t get hired, you get fired if you’ve already been hired, or your reputation can be damaged. It’s much more effective to highlight and back up the skills that you actually have.

Optional Resume Sections

Finally, you can add some optional sections to flesh out your resume. Keep in mind that your resume should be no longer than a single page, so only add additional sections if you have extra room. Optional resume sections include languages , certifications , hobbies and interests , and awards.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

A well-crafted cover letter can complement your resume and provide additional context to your skills and qualifications. Use the cover letter to explain your enthusiasm for the position, elaborate on your relevant experience, and convey your motivation to contribute to the organization for your potential first job. Address the hiring manager by name if possible, and tailor the cover letter to the specific job ad.

Example of Resume with No Experience

Here is an example of how a resume might look for a college student applying for her first job:

(111) 222-3333

[email protected]

linkedin/in/janesmith

Motivated and outgoing honors student pursuing a BA in Marketing at Ohio State University (3.9 GPA). Eager to join XYZ Company as a Marketing Specialist to help establish and develop client relationships and implement marketing strategies to grow revenue. Strong educational background in consumer psychology and behavior, copywriting, and designing effective marketing materials.

Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2022

• BA in Marketing
• Dean’s List every semester

Relevant Coursework:

• Consumer Psychology/Behavior
• Sales Copywriting
• Sociology of Digital Culture

Columbus High School, Columbus, OH

Graduated 2018

• Honor Roll every semester
• Student Council President

Marketing Intern, ABC Marketing

Summer 2021

Columbus, OH

• Learned new marketing techniques
• Created, implemented, and analyzed data from a successful summer marketing campaign
• Presented all aspects of summer marketing campaign to internship directors
• Networked at marketing events

Humane Society Volunteer

• Helped create marketing materials for fundraisers and events
• Raised monetary and supply donations through phone calls and emails
• Implemented a successful community drive to obtain 100 desperately needed cat blankets
• Analytical skills
• Creative thinking
• Communication (written and oral)
• Consumer psychology
• Fundraising
• Interpersonal skills
• Presentation skills
• Spanish (conversational)

Hobbies and Interests

• Animal welfare
• Reading travel memoirs

Key Takeaways

Writing a resume with no experience may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can effectively showcase your skills, relevant experiences, and potential as a job candidate. Use the tips outlined in this article, tailor your resume to each job application, and leverage your education, extracurricular activities, and personal projects to create a job-winning resume. Remember, a combination of a well-crafted resume and a compelling cover letter will greatly enhance your chances of securing your first job opportunity.

Need help creating a resume for your first job? Consider using Jobseeker ’s resume templates , which allows you to enter your information, test out a variety of different styles and layouts, and then download your polished resume instantly so you can get started applying for jobs right away!

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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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Optimize your resume to get more interviews

Jobscan helps you optimize your resume for any job, highlighting the key experience and skills recruiters need to see.

Many job seekers don’t get enough interviews even after applying for dozens of jobs. Why? Companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to search and filter resumes by keywords. The Jobscan resume scanner helps you optimize your resume keywords for each job listing so that your application gets found by recruiters.

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• Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for.
• Match your resume keywords to skills found in the job description.
• Use long-form and acronym versions of keywords.
• Use Chronological or Hybrid resume format.
• Don’t use tables, columns, or graphics.
• Use a screen-friendly, traditional font.
• Don’t use headers or footers.
• Use standard resume section headings.
• Save Your File as a .docx if possible
• Hard skills
• Education level (only when an advanced degree is included in the job description)
• Soft skills
• Other keywords

Latest job search advice

What Is An ATS? 8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems

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Resume Sample Philippines 2024 [Free Downloadable Templates]

Seven seconds. That’s how quickly recruiters scan a resume. Is yours impressive enough to get invited for a job interview ?

Your resume is like an advertisement for promoting your work experience and skills. It’s your tool for selling yourself as the best candidate for the job to prospective employers.

With tighter competition in the job market, creating a solid resume has become more critical than ever.

Here’s everything you need to know about writing a resume, including samples and tips to help you craft an impressive resume.

Table of Contents

At a glance: sample resumes.

What Is a Resume?

A resume (also spelled résumé) is a written account that summarizes a job seeker’s work history, skills, professional achievements, education, and other qualifications. The word comes from the Middle French “résumer,” which means “to sum up.” Similar to but more concise than the biodata , the resume is usually the first document employers request from job applicants.

What Is a Curriculum Vitae?

A curriculum vitae (CV for short) is a comprehensive and detailed document describing a person’s professional and academic career. It’s a Latin term that means “course of life.”

What Is the Difference Between a Resume and a CV?

A resume and curriculum vitae are not always interchangeable. A resume summarizes one’s qualifications, while a CV provides a more in-depth and extensive career overview.

These documents differ mainly in terms of what each is used for, how long it is, what details are included, and how each is designed.

If you’re applying for a job in the Philippines , it’s easy to differentiate a resume from a CV. However, it’s tricky when you apply for jobs abroad.

Different countries have different requirements for resumes and CVs. Here are some pointers to remember when sending a resume or CV to the following countries:

• The United States and Canada – A resume is used for job applications, while a CV is used only for academic applications.
• Europe and New Zealand – When a company asks for a CV, you should submit a brief account of your qualifications (equivalent to a US resume). The term resume isn’t used in these locations.
• Australia , South Africa, and most Asian countries – Used interchangeably, a resume and a CV refer to the same short job application document. However, resumes are most common for private-sector jobs, while CVs are preferred for government jobs .

How To Write an Effective Resume in the Philippines: 8 Steps

1. use the right resume format.

Start by knowing which resume format will work best for your job application. Resume formats differ in the qualifications they emphasize. So choose a format highlighting whatever you want recruiters to notice on your resume.

When deciding on a resume format, consider your work experience, skillset, career goals, and the job you’re applying for.

Here are four resume formats, including the pros and cons and when to use each:

a. Reverse-chronological

This traditional resume format is what most candidates use (and employers are most familiar with). It highlights career progression by listing work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with the latest and working through past jobs.

Advantages:

• Easier to see a candidate’s career development
• Preferred by most employers because it’s easier to read and scan

Disadvantages:

• Hard to stand out since most candidates are using this format
• Highlights the lack of experience for fresh graduates, undergraduates, job hoppers, and those with long employment gaps or frequent career changes

Best resume format for:

• Candidates with plenty of work experience relevant to the job they’re applying for
• Showing career advancement (e.g., promotion, lateral movement, overseas assignment, etc.)

Sample reverse-chronological resume format:

b. Functional

Also called the skills-based resume, the functional format emphasizes an applicant’s skills rather than work experience.

Instead of listing your work history first, put your qualifications and skills at the top of your resume. Organize your functional resume by grouping abilities with similar themes together (e.g., “Leadership Skills,” “Customer Service Skills,” Marketing Skills,” etc.).

Advantage: Highlights skills and downplays lack of experience

Disadvantage: It might be perceived as hiding one’s shortcomings

• Anyone who lacks relevant work experience, such as fresh graduates, working students, applicants with employment gaps, job hoppers, and career switchers
• Candidates with an expert level of experience who want to emphasize a specific skillset

Sample functional resume format:

The hybrid resume format combines some aspects of both reverse-chronological and functional formats. Also called a combination resume, this format consists of two parts: the first highlights relevant qualifications and skills, and the second lists your work history.

• It provides the same benefits as the reverse-chronological format but with more flexibility
• Can address questions about potential red flags such as employment gaps, job-hopping, and career changes
• Not as familiar to employers as other resume formats
• Not suitable for entry-level applicants
• Experienced pros in a particular industry
• Showcasing a diverse and developed skillset, especially for positions that require skills in at least three different fields or categories
• Candidates switching careers or with gaps in work history

Sample hybrid resume format:

d. Infographic

An infographic resume uses graphic design elements such as colors, illustrations, icons, charts, and font styling instead of just basic text. Regarding content structure, this type of resume can be either reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid.

Advantage: Grabs attention and can easily stand out

Disadvantage: Hard to pull off and can leave a wrong impression if not executed well

• Designers and other creative professionals
• Marketing and advertising professionals with design skills (or who can hire a freelance designer to create a resume)

Sample infographic resume format:

2. Create Your Resume Header

Regardless of your resume format, always put your name and contact information at the top. If you make the next cut, the recruiter or hiring manager will quickly know how to contact you.

Must-have information on a resume header:

• Telephone number/Mobile number
• Email address

Optional information on a resume header:

• Professional title (e.g., “Marketing Professional,” “Web Developer,” etc.)
• LinkedIn profile URL
• Website/Blog URL
• Link to an online portfolio

3. Write a Resume Introduction

The introduction is one of the most critical parts of a resume, as it highlights the candidate’s most important qualifications. Since it’s placed somewhere at the top of the page, recruiters notice the introduction first before everything else.

There are four ways to present a resume introduction. The right option depends on the job applied for, as well as the candidate’s skillsets and work experience.

a. Qualifications Summary

A summary of qualifications lists crucial career accomplishments with four to six bullet points . Use this type of resume intro if you have much work experience with measurable achievements and diverse skill sets.

Sample Qualifications Summary:

b. Career Objective

This resume section states in two to three sentences why you want a specific position in the company. Using a career objective on a resume is ideal for fresh graduates, entry-level candidates, and career switchers with little or no relevant work experience.

Sample Career Objective:

c. Professional Profile

This resume intro combines the qualifications summary and career objective . The professional profile can be either a bullet-point list or a brief paragraph.

Use a professional profile if you are applying for a position in the same industry, have particular expertise, and have a significant career achievement to highlight.

Sample Professional Profile:

d. Professional Summary

This section highlights the top skills, experience, and achievements in your career in two to three sentences. It may also mention the job title and years of experience.

A professional summary works for experienced and skilled candidates, allowing them to showcase their most important qualifications.

Sample Professional Summary:

4. List Your Relevant Work Experience

The work experience section (also labeled “Professional Experience” or simply “Experience”) is your opportunity to prove your qualifications to potential employers.

You don’t have to list your entire career— choose up to three to five experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

If you use the reverse-chronological format, place your work experience near the top, right below your resume intro. But this section should be placed somewhere lower for the functional format, like below the education section.

How to list work experience on your resume

The standard format for listing work experience includes the following information:

• Job title – Your job titles should be prominent on a resume to make it easy for potential employers to scan and find your relevant experience for the job. Put each job title at the top of each entry;
• Company name and location – Below or next to your job title, put the name of your past or present employer and its city and/or country of location. If you’re employed by a prestigious or well-known company in the industry, you may place its name on top of your work experience instead of the job title. If the company name is unfamiliar, you may write a short description of the organization;
• Employment dates – Add the timeframe of your employment in each company. You can indicate the year or the month and year when each position started and ended. No need to write the full dates. If you’re still employed with a particular company, put “present” after your start date (e.g., August 2018-present);
• Key responsibilities and achievements – This part describes what you did and how well you did your job. List the duties and notable accomplishments most relevant to the new job (around three to five bullet points) in order of decreasing importance. To stand out, focus on your achievements rather than your daily responsibilities. Mention exactly how you helped the business grow, exceeded your KPIs, got promoted quickly, and so on.

5. Add Your Education

The education section shows that you meet any academic requirements for a specific role, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field.

Where you put this section and how much information you include depend on your experience level. If you’ve worked for a long time, keep your education short and place it after the work experience section.

However, if you lack experience, you may want to highlight your education by making it detailed and putting it near the top (above your work experience). This is also a good strategy for professionals emphasizing academic success, such as those in legal, medicine, accountancy, and education.

How To List Education on Your Resume

List your education, starting with your highest degree, in this format:

• School name
• Location (city/province or country, if you studied abroad)
• Graduation date (month and year)
• Honors and awards received (e.g., cum laude, dean’s lister, leadership excellence, scholarship , etc.)

If you have a college degree, there is no need to add your high school and grade school information.

6. List Your Hard and Soft Skills

Your resume should have a good mix of hard and soft skills because employers are looking for both.

Hard skills are measurable abilities that get a job done, such as coding in different programming languages, video editing, bookkeeping, and social media management.

Soft skills are personality traits that shape how you do your job, work, and interact with co-workers. Soft skills include leadership, professionalism, teamwork, initiative, persistence, and self-motivation.

The growing trend in recruitment nowadays is that employers value soft skills more than hard skills. Consider that fact when writing the skills section of your resume.

JobStreet.com’s 2018 Fresh Graduate Report 2 , for instance, found that most employers consider three things when screening candidates: attitude/work ethic, analytical thinking, and communication skills.

An iCIMS Hiring Insights report 3 notes that the top fields where soft skills matter more than hard skills are customer service, human resources, and sales/marketing.

According to the report, more recruiters place greater importance on soft skills for management than entry-level positions. The most valuable soft skills for senior-level posts are problem-solving, oral communication, and adaptability.

How To List Skills on Your Resume

• Choose five to eight of your hard and soft skills most relevant to the position you’re applying for. For an easy read, list them as bullet points.
• If you have a long list of hard skills, group them into categories. For example, if you’re a virtual assistant , you can categorize your skills into administrative, email management, social media management, etc.
• For each hard skill, include your proficiency level (beginner/intermediate/advanced/expert).

7. Personalize Your Resume With Additional Sections

Chances are, hundreds of applicants for the same position have the same (or higher) level of work experience, education, and skills as yours.

How do you set yourself apart?

Add a personal touch to your resume. Show employers that you are well-rounded and do something outside of work. After all, the experience and skills you gain from it can also be applied to the workplace.

Depending on your profession or industry and what you prefer to highlight, here are the optional sections you may list on your resume.

a. Certifications/Licenses

Include any relevant information in your resume if you’re in a profession with certification or licensing requirements (such as nursing, medicine, and engineering).

Even if your industry doesn’t require licensing, you may include any professional development courses you’ve earned, like a professional certificate in digital marketing.

b. Volunteer Work

Do you spend your free time helping others? Your volunteering experience is worth adding to your resume.

Studies find that listing volunteer work raises a candidate’s chance of getting hired. Showing that you help the community gives the impression that you’re a loyal, committed employee. You can also prove critical skills such as leadership, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, networking, event planning, fundraising, etc.

It’s a great strategy for students and fresh graduates without work experience and candidates with long unemployment periods.

For this section, the typical format lists the organization’s name, inclusive dates of volunteer work, achievements, and a short description of volunteer experience.

c. Languages

The ability to communicate in two or more languages is valuable in fields such as translation, ESL teaching, writing, and customer service.

It’s also valuable for multinational companies where the chance of career growth is high for multi-lingual employees who may be assigned to work in different countries.

So if you’re well-versed in a foreign language, add that info to your resume. To list your language skills, write the languages you can speak and understand and your proficiency level for each one (basic/intermediate/proficient/fluent/native).

d. Hobbies and Interests

The hobbies and interests section may be the least important, but it can boost your resume if it’s related to the position you’re applying for.

For example, being a basketball coach means you have the leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills required for a management position in a company.

8. Proofread and Review Multiple Times

Save yourself from potential embarrassment and rejection due to glaring mistakes. When you’ve finished writing your resume and cover letter , edit and proofread them multiple times to catch and correct errors, including the following:

• Incorrect, incomplete, or outdated contact details;
• Grammatical errors, particularly misspellings and wrong verb tenses (Use past tense for former positions and present tense for your current position);
• Formatting inconsistencies (different date formats, font types, heading formats, etc.).

Remember these pointers when proofreading your resume and cover letter:

• Read the document slowly from the beginning. Then read it backward per phrase. Pay close attention to every phrase.
• Proofread your resume several times at different times of the day.
• Run a grammar and spelling check on your computer. You can install online tools like Grammarly to help you spot errors you missed from your manual proofreading.
• Ask a friend or family member for help. Please take note of their feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Best Resume Samples for Every Type of Applicant in the Philippines

• Resume samples for fresh graduates .
• Resume sample for OJT students .
• Resume sample for undergraduates and working students .
• Resume samples for high school graduates .
• Resume samples for call center agents.
• Resume samples for healthcare workers.
• Resume samples for government job applications.
• Resume samples for lawyers.
• Resume samples for accountants.
• Resume samples for civil engineers.
• Resume samples for architects.
• Resume sample for teachers.
• Resume sample for seaman.
• Resume samples for factory workers.
• Resume samples for freelancers.

Top 11 Free Tools for Creating a Resume

Without Photoshop skills, developing a resume that doesn’t look sloppy is hard.

Enter online resume builders with professionally designed templates that let you plug in your information for a polished look. Especially for first-timers, these tools are beneficial.

Use a resume builder so that you can focus more on writing your resume than obsessing about its design.

Here are free resume builders that are among the easiest to use:

1. CakeResume

This online resume builder allows users to upload a PDF file of their LinkedIn profile and use the drag-and-drop feature to add design elements they like. After creating a resume, the file can be downloaded in PDF format.

Want a creative, custom-designed resume? Canva is the right tool for you. It has a vast collection of templates, photos, illustrations, colors, and other elements made by professional designers. You can use them for free to create or modify a layout for your resume.

3. Cultivated Culture

The easy-to-use resume-building tool on Cultivated Culture is perfect for job seekers who are not so tech-savvy. It allows full customization and the creation of unlimited resumes for free.

What’s great about this online platform is that its resume templates are created based on feedback from real recruiters and hiring managers from some of the best companies in the world. The templates have also been tested with real job seekers with different backgrounds, experience levels, and industries.

4. CV Maker

This beginner-friendly online tool has a simple interface that makes creating a resume quick and easy. A broad array of pre-designed resume templates are crafted per profession, so you don’t have to modify the layout manually. You can also organize the sections as you’d like.

5. Novorésumé

Unlike other resume builders, Novorèsumè specializes in resume writing rather than design. This is a must-use tool if you want to optimize your resume content. It analyzes text and recommends revisions to improve your resume quality.

Once you finish your draft, you can customize and preview your resume layout and download it as a PDF file.

6. Resume.com

If you’re looking for the fastest resume creation tool, use Resume.com. This free resume builder can extract information from your LinkedIn profile and place it on a template of your choice. You can immediately work on your resume from its homepage and download the final output as a PDF, DOCX, RTF, or TXT file.

7. ResumeGenius

This is another excellent tool for resume writing and design, especially for those without a good command of English. Users must answer multiple-choice questions about their work experience and education and fill in the blanks with the necessary information.

ResumeGenius also lets users add pre-written bullet points for making customized job responsibilities in the work experience section. Resumes created with this tool can be downloaded in PDF, DOCX, and TXT formats.

8. Resume.io

Building a resume using Resume.io is simple. Just choose a template, add your information, and download your resume.

You can also check the website for resume samples from people hired in different industries to get an idea of how to write a resume.

9. VisualCV

With its professionally designed templates, you can create visually stunning resumes for jobs you want to apply for. Creating a resume is also easy—you can upload your document on the website instead of cutting and pasting text.

More than just a resume builder, Zety lets you create a cover letter in the same design as your resume. It also features a text editor for minimizing typos and a resume checker that suggests revisions for improvement.

11. ResumeGiants

ResumeGiants is a free online resume builder boasting many resume templates in different formats and for different jobs. Expert guidance and coaching are incorporated in the instructions so you can rest assured that your resume is optimized for success.

Tips and Warnings

1. use powerful action verbs.

A common mistake in resume writing is starting every phrase with “Responsible for.” These words take up space and don’t add value to your resume. Instead, use strong action verbs that instantly grab the hiring manager’s attention.

Choose action verbs 4 that goes beyond just stating your duties. Use words that show how you delivered results, exceeded expectations, solved problems, did something innovative, or accomplished anything.

Here are some of the most potent action verbs that can help you accomplish that:

• Accelerated
• Accomplished/Achieved
• Awarded/Won
• Created/Established
• Implemented
• Increased/Boosted
• Decreased/Reduced/Minimized
• Led/Managed
• Promoted (to a higher position)
• Strengthened
• Trained/Mentored
• Transformed
• Volunteered

2. Quantify Your Accomplishments

Using the right action words alone is not enough to convince employers that you’re a strong candidate for the job.

As much as possible, support your list of accomplishments with data . Include numbers, percentages , monetary values (in peso, dollar, or any applicable currency), timeframe, and other performance metrics to support your successes.

For example, instead of simply stating you “Reduced average customer waiting time,” you can improve it by adding numbers: “Reduced average customer waiting time from 24 hours to 1 hour.”

If possible, briefly state how you accomplished something. The example above can be further improved: “Reduced average customer waiting time from 24 hours to 1 hour by organizing the customer service team’s workflow and prioritizing customer requests.”

Other specific, measurable achievements to add to your resume include the following:

• KPIs/Performance targets achieved or surpassed
• % increase in sales, revenues, profit margin, conversion rates, website traffic, production efficiency, etc.
• % cost savings generated or expenses reduced
• Number of people managed, trained, or mentored
• Number of customers handled or served daily
• Amount of grants, funding, or donations generated

3. Have a Simple and Consistent Layout

To get their resume noticed, some applicants go overboard with colors, illustrations, and other design elements—which are unnecessary and distracting.

Remember: less is more. Go easy on your layout. Let your credentials speak louder than your resume design. Use colors, icons, and what not to enhance your resume’s visual appeal, not overshadow its content.

So, how should your resume look to make an impression?

A 2018 Ladders eye-tracking study 5 found the common elements of resumes where recruiters spent the most time and focus on :

• Clear, simple layouts with marked section headings
• An overview at the top of the resume
• Position titles in boldface supported by accomplishments in bullet points
• Clear, easy-to-read fonts

The same study also identified the common elements of worst-performing resumes to avoid :

• Cluttered design with long sentences, multiple columns, and very little white space
• Little use of section headings
• Keyword overuse (Keyword use is helpful in resume writing, but overdoing it can make your document sound robotic.)

In addition, having ample white space makes a resume more readable. For most resumes, a one-inch margin around the page works. This also gives the recruiter and hiring manager enough space to write comments on a printed resume.

If you must reduce the margin size to fit your content on a page or two, ensure it isn’t lower than 0.5 inches.

Consistency in your resume formatting is important , too. If you italicize company names, for instance, all the others should also be in italics. All job responsibilities and accomplishments must be in bullet lists. Also, use the same font for all text in your document.

The key is to keep your resume’s look uniform throughout. Otherwise, the recruiter would think you’re careless, which might spill over your work performance.

4. Choose the Right Font Type and Size

The best font and text size won’t make the reader squint.

What to use:

• Easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Verdana, etc.)
• Different font sizes in decreasing order for your name (24 pt), section headings (14-16 pt), and bullet points/paragraphs (10-12 pt)

What to avoid:

• Ornate and cursive fonts that are difficult to read
• Fancy and wacky fonts, including Comic Sans, that don’t look professional
• Font size below 10 pt
• Using one text size throughout

5. Submit Your Job Application Properly

All it takes to botch your job application—even with a perfectly written resume and cover letter —is failing to follow the employer’s instructions on document submission.

Take the time to carefully read the job posting’s submission requirements before you send your application. Keep an eye out for these usual requirements:

• Where to send the materials – While most employers require submission through email, others ask applicants to upload their resumes online.
• Email subject line – Look for a specific subject line format. If there’s none, use this standard format: [Position Title] Resume – [Your Name]. Example: Marketing Assistant Resume – Juan Dela Cruz.
• Types of required attachments – Besides the resume and cover letter, the employer might have other requirements, such as a portfolio or work samples. Make sure to attach them as well.
• File format – Should you send your documents in a specific format? Check the job ad to find out. If it doesn’t specify anything, attach your job application materials in either PDF or DOCX, as these are employers’ most preferred file formats.
• Attachment name – Be specific when naming your attachments. If the employer has no specifications for attachment naming, you can use this format: [Your Name] – [Position Title] – [Attachment Type]. Example: Juan Dela Cruz – Marketing Assistant – Work Sample
• Cover letter submission – Check if the job posting mentions how to submit a cover letter. The employer might require you to attach it to your email. Otherwise, you can copy the text and paste it into the body of your email message.
• Submission deadline – Never overlook this detail, or your job application will be ignored. Government job postings, in particular, set a deadline for document submission.
• Others – Some employers test applicants’ ability to follow instructions by asking them to insert a specific word in the subject line or cover letter.

Additionally, use a professional email address (ideally one with only your name or initials) when sending your resume and other documents. An email address that’s cutesy or filled with odd characters doesn’t only come off as unprofessional but also shows that you’re not taking your job application seriously.

Lastly—and most importantly—never mass email your resume. It reeks of carelessness and lack of attention to detail.

Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. Would you hire someone who sent a generic job application to multiple companies at once?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. do i need a different resume for every job application.

While submitting just one version of a resume to all possible employers is the most convenient thing to do, it won’t be as effective as customizing your resume to each position you’re applying for.

What works for one position or company may not work for another. Your resume and cover letter must be tailored to each job application. It takes more time and effort to write different resumes and cover letters for different job openings, but all will be worth it when you get selected for interviews.

There are several ways to write a targeted resume and cover letter without rewriting the entire document.

a. Choose details that are directly relevant to the role.  The work experience and skills you include in your resume should closely match the requirements in the job ad. You don’t have to list your entire work history. Exclude information that’s not related to the position you’re applying for.

b. Write a custom resume intro.  You can rewrite your resume’s overview according to the company’s challenges (and how you can help solve them), the top skills each employer seeks, and the level of experience required for the job.

c. Re-arrange your lists . If you specialize in two or more fields, highlight the one required for the specific role. For example, if you have both a writing and SEO background, focus on your writing skills for your writing job applications and your SEO expertise for SEO-related jobs.

d. Use keywords.  An effective customization strategy is finding the most important keywords from the job posting and mentioning them in your resume and cover letter. These job-specific keywords are what employers look for when scanning resumes and cover letters.

2. Which is better: a traditional-looking or a modern/creative resume?

The right resume design depends on the position you’re applying for and your industry.

For traditional industries such as business, finance, banking, legal, and healthcare, stick to the conventional, formal-looking resume. Sending a creative resume for a position in these industries would be seen as unprofessional.

Suppose you’re pursuing a career in advertising, marketing, or any industry that values creativity and innovation. In that case, a modern resume (like an infographic or interactive resume) will make you stand out. This is especially true for graphic designers, animators, multimedia artists, and other creative professionals whose resume design and layout skills will be assessed.

3. How long should a resume be?

Studies have conflicting recommendations on the  optimal resume length . Some say one page is what most employers prefer, while others claim that two-page resumes showcase a candidate’s qualifications better. In reality, recruiters wouldn’t mind whether you submit a page or two. What matters is that your resume is concise and lists all your relevant experience and skills.

The correct number of pages depends on the position and the level of experience required. As a rule of thumb, here’s when to use a particular length for your resume:

a. One-page resume  – This is ideal for most job applications, as it’s faster to read than a multi-page resume. Entry-level candidates with little experiences, such as fresh graduates and career changers, should aim for a single-page resume.

b. Two-page resume  – For mid-level positions that require at least 5 to 10 years of experience, two pages allow candidates to include all relevant information. A second page is also necessary for jobs requiring technical skills, as well as government job applicants who must list all training and conferences attended.

c. Three-page resume (or CV)  – Three or more pages are generally acceptable for senior management positions or candidates with over ten years of experience. This is because they need more space to make a detailed list of their experiences and accomplishments. The same goes for professionals in the academic, scientific, and medical fields who need to elaborate on their work experience and educational background.

Still undecided?  Just write your resume first without thinking about the length. Once you’ve finished, please review it and cut out unnecessary details.

4. How can I cut down the length of my resume to make it more concise?

Avoid cramming as much information as possible onto your resume. Omit irrelevant details that don’t relate directly to the job and are unnecessary for the employer’s hiring decision.

Here are some examples:

a. Personal details that could lead to hiring discrimination , such as age, birthdate, sexual orientation, civil status, height, weight, religion, name of spouse and children, and political affiliation, unless the position requires it.

b. Second phone number or email address – This information wastes space on the page and may confuse the recruiter.

c. Personal website or blog  – Not necessary unless you’re a writer, web designer, or SEO professional who wants to showcase your relevant skills.

d. Social media profiles  – Provide only your LinkedIn profile. Other social networks are too personal and unnecessary. The hiring manager might “stalk” your online profiles anyway.

e. Salary history and expected salary  – The recruiter will ask for this information during the interview. It’s too early (not to mention imprudent) to bring up your salary in the first stage of your application.

f. Work experience dating back over 15 years , unless the roles are still relevant to your current career.

g. Unrelated hobbies  that remotely have anything to do with the job.

h. Obsolete skills  – The employer doesn’t need to know that you are proficient with outdated technology or no longer have current and relevant abilities in your industry.

i. Street addresses of companies and schools  – State the city and province (plus the country if located abroad) of your employers and schools.

5. Should I put my photo on my resume?

Generally, the candidate’s photo isn’t necessary on a resume. After all, your resume should be about your credentials and not your looks. The only exceptions are positions where appearance matters, such as acting, modeling, customer service, and brand ambassador jobs.

Another consideration when deciding whether to add a photo or not is the country where you plan to work. Resume photos are acceptable in the Philippines, Japan , China, South Korea , and most European countries. But in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Sweden, including a photo on a resume is generally unacceptable.

If you decide to put your photo, make sure it’s a headshot (2 x 2 size) that looks clear and professional with a plain background, similar to your passport picture . You should also be dressed appropriately in your resume photo. Please place it in the upper left or right corner of the page.

6. Are character references in a resume required?

References are generally not required for resumes. The references section is just optional. Skip it altogether, especially if you’re trying to fit more critical information onto your resume.

Also, you don’t have to indicate “References available upon request” on your resume because it’s understood that you have them. You can wait until you’re asked to provide your references.

If a job posting requires character references, be careful who you choose to include in your resume. These people should be able to vouch for your character and abilities, especially those who know you well and think highly of you (except for your family and friends).

Your references could be present or past managers/supervisors, colleagues, professors/teachers, coaches, or clients. Ideally, these people are professional and articulate.

There are other reasons why adding references to your resume can be a good strategy. You might know or have worked with someone well-known and respected in your industry. Or someone in an executive-level position, such as a university dean, CEO, VP, or director in your former company. You can impress the recruiter by including people with such stature in your references.

Also,  character references can boost your job application if you don’t have much work history yet.

As a common courtesy, get the consent of the people you’ll enlist as your references before you share their contact information with recruiters. Let them know that someone might contact them and ask questions about you.

When writing your references, include the necessary details: complete name, position title, mobile number, landline number (if any), and email address. Put the reference section at the bottom of the page.

7. I don’t have any work experience. What do I put in my resume?

Even if you don’t have a formal work history,  you can focus on qualifications other than paid work experience.

If you’re a student, fresh graduate, or career shifter, there are other details worth adding to your resume.

a. Internship experience b. Part-time ,  freelance , or summer jobs (as long as the experience and skills gained from them are relevant to the job) c. Volunteering experience in charities, non-profit organizations, barangay-sponsored programs or activities, etc. d. Extracurricular activities in school (such as membership or leadership experience in student organizations, campus publications, etc.) e. Certifications, languages, hobbies, and interests f. Past projects or a small business you’re currently running g. Character references h. General weighted average (GWA) i. Relevant seminars, workshops, conferences, or online courses attended

Moreover, highlight your education and soft skills. To do that, use the functional resume format that plays up skills and education and downplays work experience.

8. I was a freelancer/entrepreneur, and now I want to get an office job. How do I list self-employment on my resume?

Adding freelance or  business  experience to your resume resembles listing formal work experience. You need to make some tweaks. Here’s how to pull it off:

a. Place a job title . Even if your position in your freelance work or business has no official title, give yourself a job title that accurately describes the nature of your work, e.g., “Freelance Software Developer,” “ Real Estate Agent ,” “Financial Advisor,” “Marketing Consultant,” “Small Business Owner,” etc.

b. Add a company name . Yes, you can add a company name even if you’re not employed by one. If your business is registered with the DTI and BIR , use your official business name.

c. List your duties or services.  Briefly describe your work in each bullet point if you’re a freelancer. Worked for multiple clients? Summarize your responsibilities and accomplishments with your clients. If you’re an entrepreneur, describe your business’s nature and essential duties and achievements as the owner. Emphasize notable projects and clients. If you’ve worked for or done business with well-known clients, mention them in your resume (except if you have a confidentiality clause in your contract). It’s also great to single out a project that helped you gain more knowledge and skills required for the job.

Here’s an example of how self-employment is listed on a freelancer’s resume:

Freelance Writer ABC Writing Services, Inc. (May 2015-2019) *Produced blog posts, sales copies, and product descriptions for various e-commerce websites *Assisted in editing clients’ website content *Consistently delivered outputs on time

Here’s an example of how self-employment is listed on an entrepreneur’s resume:

Owner/Operator XYZ Enterprises, Inc. (2017-present) *Started own business selling healthy homemade meals online *Took charge of the overall operations, including raw material sourcing, marketing, website maintenance, shipping, customer service, and  accounting *Successfully expanded the product line to include healthy desserts and  meal plans  in 2019

9. How do I handle employment gaps on my resume?

A study 6 found that work gaps on a resume lower the chance of getting an interview by 45%. Employers assume the worst when they see gaps between work experiences on a resume. A gap might mean the person may do it again.

If appropriately addressed, however, your employment gaps shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Here’s what you can do:

a. Use the functional or combination resume format  to emphasize your relevant skills and education.

b. Show the gap on your resume . There’s no point in hiding it. But briefly explain what you were doing during that period in your cover letter. Some reasons are legitimate (like job loss due to an economic crisis, starting a family, becoming a stay-at-home parent, recovery from an accident or severe illness, etc.), so there’s no harm in stating yours.

c. List any projects or activities —paid or unpaid—that you’re involved in during the work gap. These may include part-time, freelance, and volunteer work.

d. No need to explain an old gap that occurred more than ten years ago or a short gap that happened for less than six months. It doesn’t matter and will perhaps go unnoticed.

e. Never apologize for the gap.  The hiring manager will understand if you assure them the work gap won’t happen again.

10. I have frequently changed jobs. How can I avoid appearing to be a job-hopper?

Lack of consistent work history doesn’t look good on a resume. It’s a red flag for hiring managers—they might assume the candidate either kept getting fired due to poor performance/lousy workplace behavior or easily lost motivation to work.

Whatever your reason for having short-term stints, you can still create a strong resume and avoid the “job-hopper” label. Here’s how:

a. Use a functional or combination resume format , focusing more on your skills than work experience.

b. Write a compelling career objective.  Emphasize your desire to stay in a position or stick to a company for a long time.

c. List transferrable skills  that you gained from an unrelated job or industry that you can apply to the new position.

d. Have a separate section for your work achievements.  Show that you contributed something valuable to your former employers, even if you stayed only briefly.

e. Omit short-term jobs that are irrelevant  to the new position.

f. Combine work experiences, if possible.  This strategy works for candidates with related freelance projects with different clients. Instead of listing each freelance gig, you can group the projects under one entry and indicate that it’s for various clients.

g. Let your cover letter do the talking.  Mention that you’re looking for a career change and briefly explain why. If the job-hopping was involuntary, state the reason (e.g., layoff, redundancy,  business closure , etc.). You can also list what you will do to help address the team or company’s challenges.

• Yang, P. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90483955/4-ways-to-boost-your-chances-of-landing-a-new-job-during-the-pandemic
• JobStreet 2018 report: Work ethic, communication skills important for employers . (2018). Retrieved 2 May 2020
• The Soft Skills Job Seekers Need Now . (2017). Retrieved 2 May 2020
• Action Verbs . Retrieved 2 May 2020
• Eye-Tracking Study . (2018). [Ebook].

Written by Venus Zoleta

in Career and Education , Juander How

Last Updated May 2, 2024 05:20 AM

Venus Zoleta

Venus Zoleta is an experienced writer and editor for over 10 years, covering topics on personal finance, travel, government services, and digital marketing. Her background is in journalism and corporate communications. In her early 20s, she started investing and purchased a home. Now, she advocates financial literacy for Filipinos and shares her knowledge online. When she's not working, Venus bonds with her pet cats and binges on Korean dramas and Pinoy rom-coms.

Browse all articles written by Venus Zoleta

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