resume template for fresh graduate without experience

How to Write a Resume with No Experience [21+ Examples]

It’s time for your first job hunt !

You need to write a resume , which can be nerve-wracking if you don’t have any real-life work experience.  

You don’t know where to start, what to include, or which resume format to choose.

On top of that, most advice you find online isn’t relevant because it focuses on emphasizing professional background.

Chances are, you’re straight out of college with no experience to speak of. 

Or maybe you're a high-school student applying for a part-time job.

Whichever the case may be, you’re probably having trouble filling in the blank space on your resume that’s supposed to be the work experience section.

Worry not, though. In this guide, we’re going to help you create an AMAZING resume, no work experience is needed.

• How to format your resume with no work experience
• 4 sections to replace work experience (that help you stand out)
• 2 no-work experience resume samples (guaranteed to land you the job)

How to Format Your Resume [with No Work Experience + Examples] 

A resume format is the layout of your resume .

The ideal resume format usually depends on how much work experience you have. 

But what happens when you have none?

For a no-experience resume, we recommend that you use the reverse-chronological format . 

It’s the most popular format amongst applicants and a recruiter favorite.  

The sections in your reverse-chronological resume will be: 

• Header : Contact Information and Resume Statement
• Internships, extracurricular activities, projects, volunteer work  (These sections will replace your work experience)

In this article, we’ll walk you through each of these sections, and explain how to write them in a way that you stand out from the crowd.

Let’s dive in.

Start With Your Resume Header

Your resume header includes your contact information and your resume statement.  

Below, we’ll show you how to write both of these elements and how to include them in your header section.

Put Down Your Contact Information

Just like the name suggests, the first thing you add to your header is your personal and contact information.

It’s the easiest part to get right, just keep it short and to the point.

In your contact information section, mention the following:

• First and Last Name
• Phone Number
• E-mail Address
• A link to a professional profile (e.g. LinkedIn ) or personal webpage (if you have one)

Make sure to use a professional-sounding E-mail.

I.e. something along the lines of “[email protected].” 

You’re sure to leave a wrong impression if you use an email you created back in preschool ( “[email protected]” ).

Make sure to double-check, triple-check your contact information. After all, the recruiter can’t contact you if you have a typo in your phone number.

(Optional) Write Your Resume Objective

A resume objective is a short heading statement in your resume, where you describe your professional goals and aspirations.

Fun fact - hiring managers look at your resume for 5-6 seconds max .

Yep, that’s right. In most cases, the hiring manager is literally drowning in resumes. So, they have a couple of seconds to skim each one.

Well, this section is your chance to catch their attention (and let them know you’ve got what it takes).

A resume objective is usually 3-4 sentences max and includes information on:

• What your field of study is;
• What your skills and experiences are (ones that are relevant to the job );
• Why you’re applying for this position and/or this company.

As with contact information, you don’t need to label your resume objective with a title. Just write it underneath your contact information section.

Here’s an example of what a resume objective looks like:

“ Recent Communications graduate looking to apply for the role of Secretary at XYZ inc. Extremely organized with good writing and multitasking skills. Practical experience in management gained through several university projects, which involved coordinating tasks between different team members and ensuring that everyone was in sync with the latest information. ”

Emphasize Your Education

In your average resume, the first section would be work experience.

Since you don’t have any, though, you’ll want to omit that and replace it with the education section.

This way, you bring a lot more attention to your education, which is one of your main selling points. 

What should you include in the Education section? 

List the following features in this order:

• Name of the degree
• Name of the institution
• Years attended
• Location of the institution (optional)
• GPA (optional)
• Honors (optional)
• Relevant coursework (optional)
• Exchange programs (optional) 

As a general rule, if you studied in a prestigious university, you can add the name of the institution before the degree . This way, you will catch the recruiter’s attention faster.

Now, let’s go through some real-life examples:

BA in Computer Science

Tufts University

Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts

10/2015 - 06/2018

Magna Cum Laude

• Exchange Program in Greenville, NY

University of the Arts London

BA in Interior Design 

10/2017 - Ongoing

Westwood High

Boston, Massachusetts

Class of 2018 

Education Section Q&A

Still have some questions about the education section? Worry not, we’re about to give you all the answers!

Do I include my GPA?

• The answer here is a “maybe.” We’d recommend including a GPA if it’s higher than 3.5. Anything lower than that, and you might be underselling yourself. Keep in mind, though, that most employers don’t care about your grades.

Should I include my coursework?

• Yep, but just as long as it’s relevant. If you have no work experience, including courses can help establish your expertise in a field. Feel free to skip out on any basic courses, though. No one cares about your Maths 101 course.

Do I mention my degree if I dropped out?

• If you studied for more than 2-3 years, yes. A half-finished degree is still better than no degree. If you dropped out after a semester, though, that doesn’t really mean much.

Do I mention my high school degree?

• Only if it’s your only degree. If you have any higher education, your high school degree will only take up space.

4 Sections to Replace Work Experience [With Examples]

Now that you’ve listed your education, it’s time to fill that work experience gap in your resume.

You aren’t still worried about your lack of experience, right?

Because here are four sections you can use instead:

1) Internships

Have you done an internship that is relevant to the position you are applying for?

Now’s the time to mention it. 

Here is how you add an internship to your resume:

First , place the Internship section right after the education section. 

Title it: Internships

Second , write your internship title and role . Be specific.

If your internship was in the marketing department, instead of just “Intern”, say “Marketing Intern”. 

Third , put down the company name , location , and duration of the internship - in that order.

Marketing Intern

Full Picture

New York, NY

09/2019 - 12/2019

Easy and straightforward, right?

One more step:

Last , add a list of responsibilities you had as an intern in bullet point form. 

If you have any tangible achievements , even better! Write those in as well.

Finally, tailor both the responsibilities and achievements to the role you’re applying for.

Here’s how that looks in practice:

You used to be an Advertising Intern .

You’re applying for the position of Social Media Assistant . 

Here’s how you would put down your internship entry:

Internships

Full Picture Company

• Analyzed various social media platforms for trending content
• Managed company social media accounts
• Posted interested content on company Facebook page, increasing engagement by 25%

The listed responsibilities and achievements are directly connected to the Social Media Assistant job requirements.

You’re applying for a Content Writer position. Take a look at the same entry now:

• Assisted the Marketing Manager in writing press releases and new blog posts , which increased web traffic by 25%.

Notice how the internship title remains the same. 

But in this case you’re applying for a Content Writer position, so you are highlighting your writing experience instead.

For more examples, check out our full guides to an internship resume and how to write a cover letter for an internship .

2) Extracurricular activities

Still have a ton of empty space in your resume?

Extracurricular activities are always a great addition!

Whether they’re related to the job you’re applying for or not, they still show one thing:

You’re hard-working and motivated.

Imagine you’re the HR manager, and you can pick between these 2 candidates:

• Josh Johnson. Studied at Massachusetts State. 4.0 GPA, but that’s all he did in college - no extracurricular activities, internships, or anything else.
• Suzie Activeson. Also studied at Massachusetts state. 3.2 GPA. Vice-president of the business club. Served as a student government senator for 2 semesters. Organized several events as part of the marketing club.

Sure, Josh is probably qualified, but we don't know anything about him, other than that he studied a lot.

Suzie, on the other hand, can manage a team (business club VP), organize events (marketing club), and is passionate about making a change (student government).

So, which one would you pick?

Now, let’s explain how to list extracurricular activities on your resume:

• Title of the section: Extracurricular Activities
• Name of the organization and/or team 
• Your role in the organization
• Time period
• Noteworthy awards or achievements

Extracurricular Activities

Public Speaking Club

Vice-President

09/2018 - 09/2019

• Organized 10+ public speaking lectures
• Brought in speakers from all over the state
• Conducted public speaking workshops

3) Volunteering Experience

Volunteering shows dedication and passion to apply yourself. 

And there’s nothing recruiters love more than a committed employee.  

Whether you spend your free time in a soup kitchen, or you helped collect trash in the countryside, you can mention it in your resume!

But how do you list volunteering experience?

Well, it follows the same logic as your internship and extracurriculars:

• Title of the section: Volunteering Experience
• Name of the organization
• Relevant tasks and achievements (bullet points)

Volunteering Experience

Grand Archive Library Volunteer

Washington, D.C

08/2017 - 02/2019

• Performed secretarial activities, such as sorting mail, filing documents, answering phone calls, and taking messages. 
• Led a poetry reading event twice a month. 

4) Projects

In this section, you can add any relevant projects you were part of during your time in school or at an internship.

Your capstone project, graduation thesis, or research project go here. 

No need for work experience!

You can also mention any other type of project you’ve worked on in school, including:

• Business project for a real-life client
• Mock website you created in Web Design 101
• Fake magazine you created as a capstone project
• Market research you did as part of your graduation thesis
• Software you developed in Software Engineering class

...And so on!

Here’s how you put them down:

• Title of the section: Projects
• Project name
• Project type
• Related organization 
• Relevant responsibilities and achievements (optional)

And now, for some practical examples. Here’s what a journalism student project could look like:

Online Privacy and Social Media: a Journalistic Study of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica

Journalism Capstone Project

Harvard University

09/2018 - 11/2018

And here’s a law school example:

In-House Pro Bono Project

Columbia Law School

11/2018 - 03/2019

• Completed a full petition for U nonimmigrant status, interviewed legal persons and drafted affidavits.

If you have anything physical to back up your project with, feel free to include a link.

For example, if you’re a developer, you could include a link to your GitHub profile.

Stand out with your Skills 

There are two types of skills you can include on your no-experience resume: 

Soft skills and hard skills. 

What’s the difference? 

Soft skills are attributes or habits that describe how you work. They are not specific to a job, but indirectly help you adapt to the work environment. 

Here are some of the most popular ones: teamwork, responsibility, leadership, creativity, etc.  

Hard skills , on the other hand, refer to specific tools, technical knowledge and training and other work-specific skills. They apply directly to the job. 

Technical writing, C++, financial accounting, etc. are all examples of hard skills.

So, which of these skills should you include? 

That depends on a lot of factors, but as someone with no work experience, you should opt more for hard skills .

See, you could write all the cool buzzwords like “Critical Thinking” and “Leadership,” but the recruiter won’t believe you.

Fun fact - that’s what 90% of students do.

Instead, you should focus on skills that make you stand out , and in most cases, those are hard skills.

So, how do you decide which hard skills to mention? Easy! Just check the job ad you’re applying for.

Let’s say you’re applying for an entry-level creative internship, and you find these requirements in the job description: 

• Video editing experience (Premiere, After Effects)
• UI design experience
• Photo editing experience (Photoshop)
• Photography experience
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator

You’d transfer this into your skills section:

• Premiere & After Effects - Expert
• Photoshop - Expert
• UI Design - Intermediate
• Adobe Illustrator - Intermediate
• Photography - Intermediate

Not sure which skills to mention? Check out our article on 150+ must-have skills for all sorts of professions !

Other Sections You Could Include in a No-Experience Resume

A resume without experience does have one advantage: extra space . 

You can use this space to create other sections that highlight how awesome you are!

Here are some sections you could include:

• Hobbies and Interests . Add flair to your resume by showing your genuine passion and interest in the industry.
• Languages. Do you know a second language? Or even a third? Awesome! Most companies these days are pretty international and appreciate an extra language skill or two. Be mindful not to over-exaggerate your proficiency, though. Only knowing how to ask “¿Donde está la biblioteca?” doesn’t warrant a Spanish entry on your resume.
• Awards & Certifications . Do you have any fancy pieces of paper that show you’re smart? Maybe it’s an award for a terrific essay in a competition, or a certificate from an online course . Whichever the case may be, awards and certifications show that you’re a winner, so definitely include them in their own respective section.

Need Inspiration? 2 No Work Experience Resume Samples

Do you still have questions or don’t know where to begin?

That’s when a resume sample comes in handy. 

It provides you with a predetermined format.

It also helps you picture how your no-experience resume is supposed to look like. 

As Picasso put it: Good artists copy; great artists steal! 

Here are 2 no work experience resume samples you can borrow ideas from:

Business Student Resume Sample

High-school Student Resume Sample

Create a Matching Cover Letter

All done with your resume?

It’s not over yet. You need to write a cover letter to go with it.

A cover letter is a single-page letter that accompanies your resume and is part of your job application.

Look at it this way: your resume describes your experiences, and your cover letter explains (in simple words) how they’re relevant to the job.

Now, here’s a quick infographic on what to include in a cover letter:

Finally, as with everything else in your resume, make sure to keep your cover letter relevant, short, and concise.

The hiring manager doesn’t have time to read an autobiography, they’ll only review your cover letter for a few minutes. 

There’s a lot more to creating a good cover letter than what we just explained.

For a complete, all-you-need-to-know walk-through, check out our Complete Guide on How to Write a Cover Letter !

Key Takeaways

...and that’s a wrap!

At this point, you should know everything there is to know about writing a killer no-experience resume.

Just to keep things fresh, though, let’s quickly go through everything we’ve learned so far:

• When creating your no-experience resume, use the reverse-chronological format.
• You can create a killer no-experience resume by emphasizing your education instead. Include relevant internships, soft & hard skills, and projects.
• Other sections you can include on your resume are hobbies & interests, languages, certifications, or achievements.
• Keep all the content on your resume clear, precise, and relevant. Use bullet points for all your descriptions.
• After you’re done with your resume, you want to write an awesome cover letter that goes with it. The cover letter is a one-page letter that tells the story behind your resume content and reemphasizes why you’re a great fit for the job.

Related Resume Examples

• Internship Resume
• High School Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• College Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• Teacher Resume

Recommended Readings:

• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024
• 20+ One-Page Resume Templates [Free Download]
• 35+ Common Interview Questions and Answers [Complete List]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Build my resume

• Resume builder
• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• 184 free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

5 College Student No Experience Resume Examples & Templates [Edit Free]

College Student No Experience Resume

• College Student No Experience 2
• College Student No Experience 3
• College Student No Experience 4
• College Student No Experience 5
• Resume Writing 101

Sometimes, ambitious college students can’t wait to start working. Janee considered how to show value on her resume as a grad: Dreaming of working as a business analyst at Resource Data fueled her to research the company and think of relevant college achievements.

Janee recalled real projects from her degree in math and economics that saved a local manufacturer thousands. Even her stint as basketball captain highlighted her ability to organize, boost morale, and drive positive results.

Referencing her class movie recommendation project and the time her random forest model outperformed projections by 19 percent, Janee topped off her college student no experience resume with a career objective . Bam—hired. Try our resume templates for yourself; we can’t wait to applaud your success, too!

or download as PDF

College Student No Experience 2 Resume

College Student No Experience 3 Resume

College Student No Experience 4 Resume

College Student No Experience 5 Resume

Related resume examples

• Current College Student
• College Student Internship
• College Graduate
• Grad School
• College Student

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Background Experience

When you lack experience, your skills become more important than ever! As a college student, you now have a nice, clear understanding of what you can do, and recruiters want to know all about it.

Make sure you list skills that are relevant to your field. For example: If you’re eager to step into the world of business analysis, then prioritize technical skills and highly relevant abilities.

And make sure those skills are worded in a deliberate and specific way, too! The last thing you want is to sound too apathetic about your future role to dig deeper than the usual generic terms on your resume.

Here are some examples of more specific skills you can use to show off your potential:

9 Best College Student No Experience Skills

• scikit-learn
• Linear Regressions
• Logistic Regressions
• Data Reporting
• Google Sheets

Sample College Student No Experience Work Experience Bullet Points

Now we’re on to the fun part! No really: It’s time to get creative and look for some nifty spins to put on your past projects and internships. Class groups, teams, clubs, and volunteer initiatives can all be used to demonstrate your ability to make the most of your skills, too.

Just make sure that anything you include is highly relevant to the field you want to work in! Use those sharp, specific skills you honed earlier to recall examples of experiences when you used them.

And always measure the impact you had when you reached those milestones! Use quantifiable data to back up your achievements and make them look way more credible:

• Reported to executives during business analytics class and initiated re-evaluation of resource allocation, saving $47K in vendor costs
• Aggregated data from Rotten Tomatoes and used k-nearest-neighbors in scikit-learn to improve recommendation system for personal tastes, boosting positive feedback by 12%
• Organized a community outreach for the university basketball team to train at-risk high school students and boost morale, leading high school teams to win 92% of total games
• Compiled and prepped 4 years of fantasy football projection data from 8 independent sources into a MySQL database, boosting positive ratings by 14%

Top 5 Tips for Your College Student No Experience Resume

• I know, I know, we just talked about it, but this really is a crucial aspect of your resume! When you don’t have any job experience yet, you’ll really need to hand-pick the most relevant bits and pieces of as many projects and college teams as you can.
• Many people hear “one page” and assume that filling their resume page is as important as limiting themselves to one page only. But this isn’t the case: Just focus on your best relevant achievements and allow some white space for things to breathe.
• Get strategic about your skill placement. Group similar types of skills together, such as everything related to Python, followed by everything related to data analytics, and so on.
• By all means, try out as many of our resume templates as you can! But while you compare them, keep a deliberate eye out for which one makes your college and project history look the fullest and most impressive.
• Keeping your experience examples sleek and to-the-point demonstrates your ability to get things done and convey info efficiently. You don’t have time to ramble since recruiters have to read things quickly!

Honestly, this isn’t something to worry much about: As long as it’s all together in one place and easy for recruiters to spot at a glance, you’re fine.

Customize it for each job description . It’s easy: All you need to do is reference the job description again and grab some key phrases and buzzwords to switch out in your resume, and boom: You’re now delivering a hand-tailored resume that’s designed to impress!

In our honest opinion, writing a cover letter is better. You get the best of both worlds: Your project and educational history will be able to take center stage while you use your cover letter to detail your qualifications in greater depth than you’d be able to with an objective statement.

• We’ll show you how, step-by-step • Real, practical tips and tools • 100% free

• Career Blog

Creating a Resume with No Experience: 25 Examples and Tips

As a job seeker with no prior work experience, creating a compelling resume can be challenging. It’s tough to craft a document that captures the attention of potential employers, especially when you don’t have a proven track record to showcase.

However, a well-crafted resume is critical in getting your foot in the door and securing those crucial first interviews. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and potential as a valuable employee.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a standout resume with no experience. We’ll provide you with 25 examples and tips to help you develop a resume that speaks to your strengths and positions you as a strong candidate.

Whether you’re fresh out of school, changing career paths, or have been out of work for some time, we’ll help you create a resume that gets you noticed. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to showcase your skills, highlight your accomplishments, and get your resume to the top of the pile.

So, let’s dive in and explore the challenge of creating a resume with no experience, the importance of a well-crafted resume, and the objective of this article.

Resume Basics

Defining a resume and its purpose.

A resume is a document that summarizes your work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments. It is often the first point of contact with potential employers and serves as a critical tool in your job search. The primary purpose of a resume is to get you an interview.

Different Resume Formats

There are several different resume formats, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common formats include:

Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is the most traditional format and is what most people think of when they hear the word “resume.” It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This format is best for people with a consistent work history.

Functional Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. It includes sections for your skills, education, and work experience, but places more emphasis on your skills and accomplishments. This format is best for people who are changing careers, have gaps in their work history, or are just starting their careers.

Combination Resume

A combination resume combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It includes sections for your skills, accomplishments, and work experience, but lists your work history in reverse chronological order. This format is best for people with a strong work history who also want to highlight their skills and accomplishments.

How to Choose the Right Resume Format

Choosing the right resume format can be a daunting task, but it is an important one. The format you choose can make a significant difference in how your resume is perceived by potential employers. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right resume format for you:

Your Work History

If you have a consistent work history with no gaps, a chronological resume may be the best choice for you. It allows you to showcase your work experience in a clear and concise manner.

If you have gaps in your work history, a functional or combination resume may be a better choice. These formats allow you to highlight your skills and accomplishments instead of focusing solely on your work history.

Your Career Goals

Your career goals can also play a role in determining the right resume format for you. If you are changing careers or just starting out, a functional or combination resume can help you highlight your skills and accomplishments in a way that is relevant to your new career path.

If you are applying for a job in a field where your work history is especially important, such as academia or law, a chronological resume may be the best choice.

The Job Posting

Finally, it is important to consider the specific job posting when choosing your resume format. Look at the job description and requirements and tailor your resume accordingly. If the job posting emphasizes specific skills or accomplishments, make sure to highlight them in your resume.

Choosing the right resume format is an important step in creating a resume that will get you noticed by potential employers.

Elements of a Resume

When creating a resume, there are several key elements that every job seeker should include. These elements will help you stand out from the crowd, show off your qualifications, and give potential employers an idea of what you have to offer. Below are five key elements that should be included in any resume, even if you have no prior work experience.

Contact Details

The first and most important element of any resume is your contact information. This includes your full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Make sure that your email address is professional and easy to identify, and that your phone number is clearly listed and up-to-date. In addition, consider including links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or any other relevant social media accounts.

Objective or Summary Statement

Another important element to include in your resume is an objective or summary statement. This statement should be a brief summary of your skills and qualifications, and should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, your objective statement might highlight your experience with social media and content creation.

Regardless of your work experience, your education is an important factor to include on your resume. This can include any degrees, certifications, or relevant coursework you have completed, as well as any significant academic achievements such as being on the Dean’s List.

When writing your resume, be sure to include a section highlighting your skills. This should include any technical skills or language proficiencies that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job as a software developer, you might include skills such as fluency in Java or experience working with databases.

Relevant Coursework and Projects

Finally, if you have little to no work experience, it can be helpful to include relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate your skills and experience. For example, if you have completed a class in web development, you might list a project you completed that showcases your web development skills.

By including all of these elements in your resume, you can make a strong impression even if you have no prior work experience. Remember to be concise, clear, and tailored to the specific job you are applying for, and you will be well on your way to landing your dream job.

Write an Eye-catching Headers

As crucial as the content of a resume is, the header, or the first thing a prospective employer or hiring manager sees, could make or break the candidate’s chances of landing the job. For job seekers with no experience, it’s even more essential to craft a catchy header that grabs attention and leaves a positive first impression.

Here are some tips on how to craft a header that will stand out:

How to craft a catchy header

• Keep it simple: Avoid complicated fonts or formats that could distract from the message. Stick to a basic font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and make sure the header is easy to read and understand.
• Use keywords: Use keywords directly related to the job posting or industry to increase the chances of being selected in the initial screening.
• Highlight relevant skills or achievements: If you have any relevant skills or achievements, make sure to include them in the header. For example, if you have experience in customer service, put that in the header to show you have the necessary skills for the job.
• Personalize it: Tailor your header to the company and what you can offer. Research the company and find out what they are looking for in a candidate, and use that information to personalize your header.

Examples of headers that grab attention

• Nurse with Strong Patient Care Skills
• Recent Graduate with Excellent Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
• Dependable Customer Service Representative with Proven Track Record
• Hardworking Entry-Level Employee with Strong Work Ethic
• Enthusiastic and Detail-Oriented Graphic Designer
• Reliable Administrative Assistant with Strong Organizational Skills
• Driven Sales Associate with Outstanding Customer Relations Skills

By following the above tips and crafting a header that stands out, job seekers with no experience can significantly increase their chances of getting noticed by potential employers.

Highlighting Skills and Experience

If you have no work experience, highlighting your skills is a great way to make your resume stand out. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. How to include relevant skills even if you have no experience

First, identify the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. These skills can be hard skills (quantifiable skills like proficiency in a particular software or language) or soft skills (interpersonal skills like communication and teamwork).

Next, search for opportunities to develop and showcase those skills. You may have gained these skills through volunteer work, academic projects, or even hobbies. Be sure to highlight these experiences in your resume and emphasize how they have prepared you for the role you are applying for.

2. Showcasing skills acquired in non-work situations

Even if you haven’t held a traditional job, you may have still gained valuable skills through non-work situations. For instance, if you have been a dedicated volunteer for a charity, you may have developed skills like planning and organizing events, fundraising, or working with others to achieve a common goal.

Similarly, if you have been pursuing a hobby like photography or graphic design, you may have gained skills in editing, creative problem solving or time management that could be relevant to certain roles. These experiences can be highlighted in your resume as well.

3. Listing extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities can also be a great way to showcase your skills and demonstrate your interests to potential employers. For instance, if you volunteered at a food bank, you may have developed teamwork and communication skills while working with other volunteers to pack and distribute food. Or, if you served as the captain of your school sports team, you may have developed leadership and problem-solving skills during games and practices.

Highlighting your skills can show employers that you have the potential to succeed in their organization, even if you do not have traditional work experience. Use these tips to effectively showcase your skills and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Mention Projects and Coursework

As a candidate with little to no work experience, highlighting relevant projects and coursework can showcase your skills and knowledge.

Relevant Coursework

When choosing which coursework to include on your resume, consider courses that align with the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position, you might include coursework on brand strategy, digital marketing, and consumer behavior.

Courses can also demonstrate your work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and ability to learn new skills. If you received high grades in challenging courses, make sure to highlight this achievement on your resume.

Projects and Achievements

Projects and achievements can provide concrete examples of your skills, creativity, and resourcefulness.

When listing projects on your resume, choose ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, you might include projects where you created logos, graphics, or website design.

Achievements can include awards, scholarships, or recognitions you’ve received for your work. If you’ve completed a particularly challenging project, or if you’ve received recognition for academic or extracurricular achievements, make sure to include these on your resume.

Highlighting relevant coursework and projects can demonstrate that, despite your lack of work experience, you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the job you’re applying for.

Mastering the Resume Objective

One of the most crucial components of your resume is your objective statement. It is the first thing that recruiters and hiring managers see, and it provides a glimpse into your goals and aspirations. Hence, it should be concise, clear, and powerful, giving an indication of what you want to achieve in your career.

Writing an effective objective statement

To write an effective objective statement, you need to keep it brief and focused. You should highlight the job you are seeking, your relevant skills, and what you can bring to the position. Moreover, it should be tailored for each role, ensuring that the objective reflects the requirements listed in the job description.

Here are some tips for writing a resume objective statement:

• Keep it concise and to the point.
• Emphasize your career goals and objectives.
• Show what you can bring to the company.
• Tailor it to the job description.
• Avoid generic statements.

Examples of great objective statements

To give you an idea of what a great objective statement looks like, here are some examples:

• Seeking an entry-level position in the marketing field, where I can utilize my excellent analytical and communication skills to contribute to the company’s growth.
• To obtain a position as a software developer, where I can use my programming skills and passion for creating user-friendly software to develop innovative applications.
• Looking for a challenging role as a financial analyst, where I can leverage my financial modeling and data analysis skills to provide valuable insights for the organization.
• An ambitious recent graduate seeking a position as a management trainee in a dynamic organization where I can learn and grow while making a positive impact.
• Seeking a customer service position where I can leverage my excellent communication skills to provide impeccable service and contribute to the company’s success.

Your resume objective statement should be tailored to each job and show what you bring to the role. A well-written objective statement can grab the attention of recruiters and take you one step closer to landing your dream job.

Resume Layout and Design

When it comes to creating a resume, the layout and design are just as important as the content itself. A well-designed resume can make a big difference in catching a potential employer’s eye and setting yourself apart from other candidates. Here are some tips for choosing the best resume layout:

• Keep it simple and easy to read: Avoid cluttering your resume with too many fonts, colors, or graphics. Stick to a clean design that is easy on the eyes and makes your information easy to digest.
• Focus on hierarchy: Use different fonts and font sizes to create a clear hierarchy of information. For example, your name and job title should be larger than your contact information.
• Use bullet points: Bullet points make your resume easier to skim and highlight your achievements and qualifications.
• Use white space: Don’t be afraid of leaving some empty space on your resume. This can help create a clean, organized look.

Now that you know the basics of resume layout, let’s talk about some creative resume layout examples that can help you stand out from the competition. Here are some ideas:

The infographic resume: This type of resume uses graphics and charts to convey your skills and experience. It’s a great option if you work in a visually-oriented field like design or marketing.

The timeline resume: A timeline resume showcases your career trajectory in a visual way. You can use a line graph or a horizontal timeline to show your employment history and key achievements.

The minimalist resume: Sometimes less is more. A minimalist resume uses simple, clean design elements to create a sleek, professional look. This can be a good choice if you work in a conservative field like finance or law.

The personal branding resume: This type of resume focuses on showcasing your personal brand. You can use color, fonts, and graphics to create a unique look that reflects your personality and values.

The video resume: A video resume is a great way to showcase your personality and communication skills. You can create a short video introducing yourself, highlighting your skills and accomplishments, and explaining why you’re the best candidate for the job.

These are just a few examples of the many creative resume layouts out there. When choosing a layout, think about your industry, your personality, and your target audience. With a little bit of creativity and design know-how, you can create a resume that will help you land your dream job, even without experience.

Tailoring Your Resume

When it comes to job hunting, sending out a generic resume for each job application is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. It’s important to customize your resume to suit each job application in order to increase your chances of getting noticed by employers.

Here are some tips to help you tailor your resume for specific job applications:

Customizing your resume for specific job applications

Customizing your resume for each job application shows employers that you have taken the time and effort to research the company and the role you are applying for. This can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of landing an interview.

One way to customize your resume is by highlighting your relevant skills and experience for the specific job you are applying for. You can also showcase your achievements and accomplishments that directly align with the job requirements.

How to match keywords with job descriptions

To further customize your resume, it’s important to match your keywords with the job description. Keywords are important because many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort through resumes.

Here’s how you can match keywords with job descriptions:

• Read the job description carefully and identify the keywords and skills that the employer is looking for.
• Use those keywords throughout your resume, especially in the skills and experience sections.
• Don’t just copy and paste the job description into your resume. Use the keywords in a natural and genuine way that showcases your skills and experience.
• Use industry-specific jargon and terminology that aligns with the job description.

Customizing your resume for specific job applications and matching your keywords with job descriptions can greatly increase your chances of getting noticed by employers. Take the time to research the company and the job requirements, and tailor your resume accordingly. Good luck!

Creating an Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any job seeker. With no prior work experience, creating an online presence is even more important as it can help showcase skills, talents, and achievements.

One of the best ways to create a professional online presence is by building an impressive LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform that allows job seekers to connect with employers, industry thought leaders, and colleagues in their respective fields. To build an impressive LinkedIn profile, one should have a professional profile picture, a catchy headline that summarizes their professional identity, a well-written summary, and a list of relevant skills. In addition, job-seekers should also try to get endorsements and recommendations from colleagues, managers, and mentors.

Apart from LinkedIn, there are other online platforms that one can use to showcase their professional skills. For instance, if the job-seeker is interested in pursuing a career in design, they can create an online portfolio on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or Coroflot, showcasing their design projects. If the job seeker is interested in writing, they can showcase their writing samples on platforms like Medium or Contently. They can also start a blog to showcase their writing skills and their interests in the particular field.

In addition to creating an online portfolio or a blog, job seekers can also leverage social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to showcase their professional interests, industry knowledge, and achievements. However, it’s important to note that one should always maintain a professional tone on social media and not post anything that may harm their career prospects.

Creating an online presence is a vital part of any job search process for a candidate with no prior work experience. It helps to establish a professional identity, showcase skills and achievements, and connect with professionals in their respective fields. By building an impressive online presence, job-seekers can increase their chances of landing their dream job.

Tips for Cover Letter

A well-crafted cover letter can be the key to landing your dream job, even if you have no prior experience in the field. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer and showcase your skills and qualifications.

Here are some things you should include in your cover letter:

Purpose of a Cover Letter

Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you are interested in the position.

Highlight your skills: Provide examples of your skills and achievements that make you a good fit for the position.

Show your enthusiasm: Express enthusiasm for the position and the company.

Explain why you are a good fit: Demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the job.

Call to action: End your letter by asking for an interview and providing your contact information.

What to include in a Cover Letter

Your contact information: Include your full name, address, email, and phone number.

Employer’s information: Include the employer’s name, title, company, and address.

Salutation: Address the letter to the hiring manager by name.

Opening paragraph: Introduce yourself and state the position you are applying for.

Body paragraphs: Use one or two paragraphs to highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Closing paragraph: Thank the employer for considering your application and request an interview.

Closing salutation: Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”

Signature: Sign your name and include a digital copy of your signature if submitting online.

Examples of Great Cover Letters

Here are some examples of great cover letters:

A recent college graduate applying for an entry-level marketing position could highlight their experience with social media and their passion for the industry.

A career change candidate could explain how their transferable skills and experience make them a strong fit for the new field.

An applicant with volunteer or internship experience could highlight their work ethic and willingness to learn.

When crafting your cover letter, make sure to highlight your strengths and show your enthusiasm for the position. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating an effective cover letter that sets you apart from the competition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re creating a resume with no experience, it’s important to be aware of the common mistakes that many job seekers make. Here are some of the most prevalent mistakes to avoid:

1. Overemphasizing education:

If you have little or no experience, you might be tempted to overemphasize your education on your resume. While it’s important to include your educational background, remember that employers are often more interested in your skills and experience. Make sure to highlight any internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that showcase your skills, even if they weren’t related to your academic studies.

2. Lack of customization:

Sending out the same generic resume for every job application is a common mistake that can significantly decrease your chances of getting hired. Employers can tell when a resume has been copy-pasted, and it shows a lack of effort on your part. Instead, make sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for by highlighting the skills and experiences that match the job requirements.

3. Including irrelevant information:

When you have no experience, it can be tempting to include everything on your resume, whether it’s relevant or not. However, including irrelevant information can dilute the impact of your resume and make it harder for employers to see why you’re a good fit for the job. Stick to including only the most relevant information and experiences, and leave off anything that doesn’t add value to your job application.

4. Neglecting to proofread:

Spelling and grammar mistakes can quickly sink your chances of getting hired. Employers are looking for candidates who pay attention to detail, so make sure to thoroughly proofread your resume for any errors. You may also want to ask a friend or mentor to review your resume to help catch any mistakes that you may have missed.

To avoid these common mistakes, keep these tips in mind:

• Focus on showcasing your skills and experiences, even if they’re not directly related to your education.
• Customize your resume for each job application to highlight your most relevant experiences and skills.
• Stick to including only the most relevant information, and leave out anything that doesn’t add value to your job application.
• Proofread your resume thoroughly for spelling and grammar mistakes to demonstrate your attention to detail.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a strong, targeted resume that showcases your strengths and positions you as a strong candidate for even the most competitive job opportunities. Good luck with your job search!

Related Articles

• Regional Sales Manager Resume: Examples and Tips for 2023
• QA Team Lead Job Description: Complete Guide for 2023
• Resume for a Part-Time Job: A Complete Guide for 2023
• Securities Analyst Resume Samples: Complete Guide for 2023
• Personal Mission Statements: Perfect Statement for 2023

Rate this article

0 / 5. Reviews: 0

More from ResumeHead

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

HirePowers.net

Job Search Resources

No Work Experience Resume Templates Free to Download

Our no work experience resumes provide a variety of options for people with “no experience”.

Regardless of where you’re at in your job journey, one of the resume templates on this page should be a great fit for you.

No Work Experience Resume Templates Menu

How to make a no experience resume, format for a no experience resume, no experience resume samples, student resume, recent graduate resume, how to write a cover letter with no experience, no experience resume templates free to download, no experience resume faq, what “no experience” means.

No experience can mean no professional, paid experience. Or it might mean you have absolutely no experience of any kind, not even volunteer or education based experience.

The point of the templates on this page is to give some structure to the skills and abilities you do have, no matter where you picked them up.

The following guide takes you through the process of filling out any of the resumes available for download on this page, section by section.

Not having any work experience should not get in the way of writing a successful, job-winning resume.

To land your first job, you will need to draw upon your experience as a student, volunteer, self-taught hobbyist, community helper, or some other role in which you learned and demonstrated skills that a company is looking for.

So as we go forward, it will be important to think of experience not as “work experience” but instead as a way to describe the time we’ve put into learning a skill – regardless of where or how we’ve learned it.

The way in which you order things may change depending on what position you’re applying to, but you will generally want to start the resume with your strongest qualifications and work down from there.

For example, if you know a job values a specific degree that you happen to have, then you would lead the resume with your education.

If you’re applying for an apprenticeship that doesn’t value college and you happen to have one or two needed skills that you learned during a summer in high school, you would want to start your resume by listing those skills in a skills section.

Let’s get started by writing your heading:

Key Parts Of Your Heading

The heading of your resume should include at least four pieces of crucial information:

• Phone Number
• City, State
• E-Mail Address

The phone number you list on your resume should be able to be answered in a moment’s notice. Plenty of jobs will not make multiple calls and will instead just go to the next name on the list. So bottom line, list a phone number you know is reliable.

Your e-mail address should be something professional and as close to your name as possible. If you need to, make a new email address just for applying to jobs.

Overall, the heading is pretty straightforward. But treat it with care and take it seriously as your own personal brand.

How To Write A Good Professional Objective

After your name and contact information, you will want to create a sentence or two that summarizes the best of what you have to offer. Since you won’t have a professional career to summarize, we can use an objective for this purpose.

Objectives have gotten a bad name over the years but that’s generally because people used the same one for every job they applied for.

Whether you want to label it as an objective or a summary is up to you, but what you write should include a combination of the following: summarizing your best skills & how you used them, and why you want to work for the particular company/in the particular industry.

Combine Your Ambitions With Your Best Skills

The most desirable skills will change depending on what company and what type of job you’re applying to. That is why it is important to thoroughly examine each job listing to find commonalities between it and your education or other non-work experience.

Once you have found a skill or two that you have that is a strong connection to what they are looking for, you can then tie in any other education based connections that may be applicable.

How much of each section you use will depend a lot on the job you are applying for.

Resume Objective Examples

For example, if you are applying to McDonald’s then talking about your experience in class projects that were fast-paced or volunteering at the cash register at a school fair are more important than talking about why you want to work for McDonald’s in the fast food industry.

On the other hand, if you’re applying for jobs that are in your long-term career goals and related to a degree you have then in addition to talking about your skills, you may want to also discuss what you value in the company and/or industry.

For a more thorough example, if you were a computer programmer looking for a job while in school and came across a job valuing specific coding knowledge, your objective may look something like this:

Third year computer programming student with classroom project experience in C++ and Java seeking Computer Programmer 1 position.

Your objective can be longer than just one sentence, but it’s certainly not necessary.

Remember that you are only summarizing your resume, and that the rest of your resume will be able to go into more detail about just how great & qualified you are. A good objective will entice the employer enough to keep reading and to find out more.

In any event, whatever you talk about should be directly related to the companies wants and needs. That is why it is important to customize your summary for each company you apply to.

Listing The “Experience” You Do Have

Even without job history, there may be many different types of experience that you have that are worthy of being listed on your resume.

Volunteering, internships, externships, and neighborly acts are just some examples of the types of experience that you may have that can actually be difficult to know how to put on a resume.

Four Key Pieces of Information

When you list any type of experience, there are generally four pieces of information you’ll always want to include:

• Name of the Person or Organization
• Location (City,State)
• Date(s) (Was it for a weekend? One month? Be specific and don’t lie)
• Your “Title” During the Experience (Two to three word phrase describing your general duties)

Beyond those four things, you may also include descriptive statements about the things you do and the skills you practiced & acquired. Remember to use the job listing as a guide for the skillsets they are looking for.

Talking About Different Skills

Some of the skills you may have picked up along the way are what we would call “transferable” skills – non-technical skills that can be used in different jobs. Abilities such as customer service, organization, and general computer skills are all types of transferable skills.

These skills “transfer” from job to job, regardless of the industry, and can be incredibly important to have in your job search. But it won’t be enough to just list those skills as bullet points.

Instead, try and think of what you accomplished and achieved using those specific skills. Write about how you used your knowledge & education to solve problems and get tasks done. You will quickly come to find out that you probably have more experience than you thought.

Education On A Resume

Before we get into describing your skills and background, your education section will also need four pieces of crucial information per school:

• Name of the School
• Location of the School (City,State)
• Date of Graduation (or Credits Earned)
• Degree Major or Main Focus of Studies

As mentioned above, you should only put the date of your graduation if it’s already happened or is about to happen in the next few months. Otherwise you can use the amount of credits you’ve earned alongside the total number of credits required.

Your degree may also be listed as the actual job title you are applying for, in the case of many different trade schools. For example, if you’re going to school to become an HVAC Technician, in the degree & major spot you would put “HVAC Technician”.

Describing Your Education

As with the other sections of your resume, the goal of your education section is to show how you’re schooling has prepared you for the responsibilities of the upcoming job.

The easiest way to accomplish this is to describe your technical job skills in terms of what you accomplished. For example, if you went to school for graphic design then you may talk about particular design layout skills you used on school projects, and computer applications you utilized.

Now don’t just list the programs or skills one by one. Again, describe them in the context of an accomplishment. An accomplishment may be a grade, an award, a scholarship, or it may just be that you gained new knowledge in a particular software program.

It will be important to first describe skills and knowledge found directly in the job listing itself, especially for people with less amounts of experience. Find out how the company describes the job and try to pick up the language they use when talking about daily job duties. While you won’t want to ever copy their information verbatim, you should develop a style to describe your past experience in their “voice”.

Have A No Experience Attitude

Three main keys to having success in your job search is your attitude, how you view experience, and how you go about the process of the job search itself.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Have a positive approach to the job search. There will be lots of disappointment and rejection, but it just means you’re that much closer to finding the right job. Even if you have to be cynical about the job search, at least understand that your outlook or view does not change the process itself.

Think About Experience Differently

Take time to think about what you’re good at and how you learned to be good at it. What skills that you picked up in school and with hobbies can be applied to every-day jobs? Getting experience in something doesn’t require a job with a steady paycheck.

Look for opportunities to help in your community and to volunteer. The skills you pick up as a teen or student, can often be transferred to your new job.

Be Smart About Your Job Search

Target jobs with 2 years of experience or less, which won’t be much of a stretch. New-comers will have more success applying for jobs in-person and re-kindling school friendships, finding people already employed to recommend you.

Track your job search and follow up with employers on a weekly and monthly basis.

Ultimately, the key to your success as a new job seeker will be a positive attitude and a willingness to make yourself stand out. In the digital age, try to drop off resumes in person.

If nothing else, work on your people skills and make people say no to you face-to-face instead of never responding to an e-mail.

Take time on your resumes as well. Don’t just send off a million resumes a week and think you’re doing a great job search.

Pay attention to what the company is actually looking for and study job duties and descriptions that they list. If you do even some of these things, your no experience resume can still be unique and intriguing for many employers.

A resume’s “format” is just another way to describe how you organize the information & various sections of the resume.

With a no experience resume, you will want to use a format that emphasizes your education and the other strong points that make up for your lack of work experience.

The overall focus of most no experience resumes will be your education and the skills that have developed because of that education.

But the education section itself may not always be the largest section of your resume.

Your education may actually trickle out into many sections of your resume: the skills section, the objective, and maybe even some internships or volunteer work.

And whether you are a graduate or a current student, your resume should still be focused on talking about your skills and abilities in terms of achievements.

Achievements can be things such as group projects completed, credits earned, or specific courses passed.

Volunteer & Other “Experience”

As soon as you are able to, you should start to look for opportunities to volunteer through your education or through community events. Churches and local non-profit organizations are also great ways to volunteer in the community.

Volunteer opportunities don’t necessarily need to be in the industry that you’re looking to eventually apply for.

Any type of experience is helpful and using everyday “transferable” job skills like communicating with others or providing customer service will help show you are ready to take on the responsibilities of a full-time job.

Ultimately, however you fill the gap of work experience on your resume will depend on the skills and abilities that you have.

When you think about your next resume format, ask yourself the following questions: What is the best way to showcase my best skills? How can I incorporate what I’ve learned through schooling in more sections of my resume? What is filling my “work experience gaps”?

The answers to those questions will help you know how best to organize your resume’s information.

Read on to find out about the various sections of a no experience resume.

Sample No Experience Resumes

Not having any work experience can be an issue for all types of job seekers – whether you’re still in school, already graduated, or just looking for an internship.

Check out some of the samples below to find out how to make better use of a no experience resume.

Student No Experience Resume Sample

Students without any work experience will want to describe their education differently than those who have already graduated.

For starters, only list your graduation date if it is coming up within 4-6 months. If your graduation is further out than that, you may want to list the amount of credits you’ve earned instead.

Great Resume For Students

This resume is a blend of formal education & other outside “experience”.

It takes into account that while you may be in school now, not all of your skills and abilities may have come from college.

This is a powerful resume for job-seekers with specific skill-sets where you will need to show your knowledge of individual skills.

Jobs in many technology and industrial lines of work are a good fit to use this resume.

Click For Download Page

And while you may not be able to draw upon as many skills as a graduate, the knowledge and skills you do have will be important to showcase on your resume.

Regardless of how you explain your experience so far as a student, you should always attempt to find a common theme between your education and the job you are applying for.

Look carefully through job listings to find out how they describe the day to day aspects of the job. You can then review your own experiences a student to find similar situations that you faced, whether they be from group projects or individual classwork.

Recent Graduate No Experience Resume Sample

As a recent graduate, your resume should be built around your education.

Be sure to use the entire breadth of your experience at school to fill out your resume. This includes summer projects, fraternity or sorority volunteering opportunities, job specific classes, and anything else that helped you develop the skills you will use in your career.

This resume wastes no time with an objective or summary and dives right into your education and what you learned.

This is also a great resume for people who are looking to attend graduate school and will need lots of space for education.

Remember to put your education and degree into a context that the employer can understand.

Use industry standard or commonly agreed upon terms of your field when describing your knowledge and skills.

As a recent graduate, you’re most likely going to want to lead off with your education. Even so, your situation may be different so feel free to move sections around to suit your specific needs.

Also, remember to tailor your resume to each company you apply to.

Don’t treat your applications like a dating app – take the time to get to know the company and apply with a purpose. You may end up applying to fewer places but you’ll end up wasting less time.

Write A Cover Letter With No Experience

Cover letters can be a great way to provide more information to an employer if you have little or no experience.

A resume’s cover letter will help you introduce yourself and can help you elaborate about how your abilities fit their needs.

Make A Personal Connection

You can do this by properly researching the companies you are applying to and finding how your background and theirs intersects.

For example, maybe there are charities that the company works with that you have volunteered with. Maybe you are being referred to the company by a family member or friend who is already working there.

Or maybe the company has been a special part of the community and your life in some way that has stood out.

Whatever that connection may be, emphasize it and write a few sentences about it to supplement your education and skills.

It can provide the extra personal touch to wake up a hiring manager slogging through applications.

For a full run down on how to write a cover letter with no experience Click Here.

You can also view all of our cover letter examples by Clicking Here.

The free resume templates available on this page are made specifically for job-seekers who have little to no experience.

Objective Skills Volunteer No Experience Resume

It also contains a lot of area for skills you have learned through your education.

On the bottom of the resume is a section for listing any volunteer experience.

File name: objective skills education no experience resume template.docx

File size: 6.1 KB

Total downloads: 533

Graduate School Education No Experience Resume

You can use the bullet points under the school listings to emphasize specific skills you learned and tasks you completed.

Volunteer work can also be used to supplement your education & to show application of skills.

File name: no experience education grad school resume template.docx

File size: 16.8 KB

Total downloads: 231

3 Column Skills College Education No Experience Resume

There’s also lots of space for your education if you have multiple degrees.

The bottom “experience” section can be used to add any internships or even projects from school.

File name: 3_column_skills_education_first_resume_template.docx

File size: 19.3 KB

Total downloads: 118

High School Student No Experience Resume

While objectives can be hard to write, they can be powerful for those without experience. Use them to talk about your education & how it applies to what you want to do in life.

If you have specialized high school skills that are job specific then you may want to list your education section higher on this resume.

File size: 7.9 KB

Total downloads: 512

College Student No Experience Resume

An objective can be a powerful way to summarize your job specific skills from college. Make sure you change the objective for each employer.

The resume comes with an expanded education section for people with graduate school experience.

File name: college-student-no-experience-resume-template.docx

File size: 7.6 KB

College Education Functional No Experience Resume

Use the dedicated skills sections to talk about how you’ve applied your knowledge to complete tasks & goals.

You can also cut down on a skill section and expand the education section to fit even more school specific accomplishments.

File name:  College-Education-Functional-No-Experience-Resume-Template.docx

File size: 7.5 KB

Total downloads: 92

Answers to frequently asked questions about little to no experience resumes:

What do I put on my resume if I have no experience?

If you don’t have any work experience then you will need to rely on your education and any skills you may have learned through a hobby or some other extracurricular activity.

When talking about your education on your resume, try and think of the similarities beteween your schooling and the job you’re applying to. Because you’re just starting out, it may be hard at first to make those connections. But you should always be looking to

How do I make my resume look good with no experience?

The key is to have a resume that looks complete and is filled out. Having a short or small resume is, of course, not a good look.

To avoid this, you will need to think of experience and your profile as a worker in a new light.

The things that make you valuable to an employer will not always come from a previous job. They can often come from things like volunteering, your education, and hobbies that you have a special interest in.

To have a complete resume at this early stage in your career, you will need to think deeply about those types of situations and the abilities you’ve gained from being in them.

How do you write a resume for a high school job with no experience?

coming soon

Do you need a resume for your first job?

Different jobs require different things. But for the most part, employers usually require an applicant to turn in a resume.

However, for some entry level jobs, you may just need to fill out an application online or in-person.

Regardless of what the process is, it is important to ask about an employer’s hiring process up front so that you can be successful in landing the job.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

First Resume With No Work Experience Example

What to include on a resume when you don't have work experience

Writing Your First Resume

What to include in your resume.

• Tips Preparing Your First Resume

Resume Template and Example

More resume examples and templates.

YinYang / E+ / Getty Images

Writing your first-ever resume can be a challenge. How do you sell yourself to an employer when you’re a student who doesn’t have any experience in your targeted field?

When writing your first resume with no formal work experience, it's appropriate to include casual jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, lawn mowing, and shoveling snow. You can also include volunteering, internships, and school and community activities.

All experience counts, and the best way you present yourself, your skills, and your assets to a hiring manager is to provide them with a strong resume that showcases your own unique talents.

Here's how to write your first resume, what to include, how to show employers the skills you have, a sample resume to review, and a template you can use to get started writing your resume.

To get started, review information on the  different parts of a resume  and what is included in each element. It's a good idea to review high school resume examples to get an idea of what is appropriate. Even if you've never held a formal job, you still have important life experience that's applicable to the job search.

Don't forget to look at volunteer work, civic groups, and youth organizations (for example, the Scouts or 4-H). The skills you have developed doing these things have given you valuable experience that will impress employers.

The bottom line is that you actually have a lot more experience than you think you have.

Writing your first resume  can seem intimidating, but if you take it step-by-step, you will be able to put together a document that will highlight your abilities and show the hiring manager that you’re worth calling for an interview.

Start by mining your life experience and academic achievements to show that you'll be an asset to the company, despite the fact that you don't have any related job titles to show off at this stage in your career.

For your first resume, take the soft skills (also known as “people skills”) you have and show how they translate into success where you choose to apply them. Include volunteer experience, school achievements, sports, clubs, and organizations you belong to.

Scan the job descriptions for the positions to which you're applying. Look for keywords that indicate what the hiring manager values in a candidate.

For example, the job listing might say, "Successful candidate will be a self-starter who delivers on time and on budget." In that case, despite the fact that you don't have relevant work experience in the same field, you can get the hiring manager's attention by being sure to include (and emphasize) projects that you've successfully led, such as high school clubs in which you held a leadership role that required you to manage both your time and the team's money.

Other “ people skills ” that employers often seek in entry-level job applicants include traits like dependability, good communication and organizational skills, a solid work ethic, and teamwork.

If you start with the job listings instead of with the blank page, the hiring manager's keywords will guide you, and help you focus on which of your academic or after-school experiences have prepared you for this first step in your career.

Once you've compiled a list of what you need in your resume, it should include:

• Contact information
• Experience (casual work, volunteering, clubs, youth organizations, teams)
• Skills (related to the job)
• Awards and Achievements (academic and extracurricular)

Tips Preparing Your​​ First Resume

• Don't lie.  No matter how tempting it might be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a bad idea. You might make it through this round of interviews and even get the job, but you won't be able to deliver on the promises your resume offered. Plus, you'll probably be caught—and fired.
• Don't pad.  You don't need to include the line "references upon request," or personal information beyond your contact information, or a bunch of unrelated hobbies. In fact, there's a lot of  stuff you don't need to put on your resume , even when it's your first one.
• Proofread.  Nothing is less persuasive than a resume full of typos and inconsistencies. Have a trusted friend or family member  proofread your resume  before you submit it.

Download the resume template  (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) to use as a starting point for your own resume.  

Resume Example (Text Version)

Michelle Washington 18 Sunnyside Boulevard Arlington, NY 16543 mwashington@email.com 111.123.1234

EDUCATION Arlington High School, Arlington, NY CLASS OF 2022 (3.9 GPA)

Pet Sitter — Arlington, NY JUNE 2020 - PRESENT

Established and run successful pet sitting business including dog walking, feeding, and yard care. Responsible for obtaining clients, scheduling and attending visits, organizing visits, and maintaining client relationships.

Soup Kitchen Volunteer — Arlington, NY SEPTEMBER 2020 - PRESENT

Act as weekend/holiday volunteer manager at local soup kitchen, scheduling volunteer time slots, managing intake of donated food, and assisting with preparation and distribution of meals on Sundays and holidays including, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Child Care Provider — Arlington, NY JUNE 2018 – JUNE 2020

Provided child care for several families after school, on weekends, and during school vacations.

SKILLS                                                  

Customer service Hospitality Microsoft Office Google Drive

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

National Honor Society Honor Roll President of high school Volunteer Club MVP, Arlington Varsity softball team

Here are more examples that you can use to get ideas for your own resume:

• Entry-Level Resume Example
• High School Student Resume Example
• High School Student Resume Template

CareerOneStop. " Get Work Experience ."

CareerOneStop. " Resumes ."

Fresh Graduate without experience CV example

Congratulations, you’ve graduated! Now it’s time to get out there and start your career.

The problem is, a degree doesn’t guarantee your CV will get noticed.

But don’t worry; we can teach you how to make your qualifications and transferable skills work for you with our helpful writing guide.

Check out our new graduate CV example below for those without experience.

CV templates 

Fresh Graduate without experience CV example

This example CV demonstrates how to structure and format your own CV as a new graduate, so that it can be easily digested by busy hiring managers, and quickly prove why you are suitable for the jobs you are applying to.

It also gives you a good idea of the type of skills, experience and qualifications that you need to be highlighting in your CV.

Fresh Graduate without experience CV structure & formatting

First impressions count, so a sloppy, disorganised CV may cause your CV to be overlooked..

Instead, perfect the format and structure of your CV by working to a clear logical structure and applying some simple formatting tricks to ease readability.

Don’t underestimate the importance of this step; if your CV lacks readability, your written content won’t even be seen.

How to format your CV

• Length: Two sides of A4 makes for the perfect CV length , though one page is okay for less experienced applicants. This forces you to make sure that every single sentence adds value to your CV and ensures you avoid waffle.
• Readability : To help busy recruiters scan through your CV, make sure your section headings stand out – bold or coloured text works well. Additionally, try to use bullet points wherever you can, as they’re far easier to skim through than huge paragraphs. Lastly, don’t be afraid of white space on your CV – a little breathing space is great for readability.
• CV design: Don’t waste time adding fancy designs to your CV. It generally adds no value to your application and may even end up distracting recruiters away from the important written content.
• Photographs: Headshot photos aren’t required in a CV by most employers, but some creative and artistic industries like to see them. If you decide to include one, make sure you look smart and professional in the picture.

Quick tip: Creating a professional CV style can be difficult and time-consuming when using Microsoft Word or Google Docs. To create a winning CV quickly, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder and use one of their eye-catching professional CV templates.

CV structure

When writing your own CV , break up your CV content into the following key sections:

• Name and contact details – Place them at the top of your CV, so that employers can easily get in touch.
• CV profile – A punchy sales pitch of your key experience, skills and achievements to reel readers in.
• Core skills section – A bullet-pointed snapshot of your abilities.
• Work experience – A well-structured list of your relevant work experience.
• Education – An overview of any relevant qualifications or professional training you have.
• Hobbies and interests – A short description of any relevant hobbies or interests (optional).

Now, let’s take a closer look at what you should include in each section of your CV.

CV Contact Details

Write your contact details in the top corner of your CV, so that they’re easy to find but don’t take up too much space.

You only need to list your basic details, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address
• Location – Don’t list your full address. Your town or city, such as ‘Norwich’ or ‘Coventry’ is perfect.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – Remember to update these before listing them on an application.

Fresh Graduate without experience CV Profile

Your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level applicant) provides a brief overview of your skills, abilities and suitability for a position.

It’s ideal for busy recruiters and hiring managers, who don’t want to waste time reading unsuitable applications.

Think of it as your personal sales pitch. You’ve got just a few lines to sell yourself and prove you’re a great match for the job – make it count!

CV profile writing tips:

• Make it short and sharp: It might be tempting to submit a page-long CV profile, but recruiters won’t have the time to read it. To ensure every word gets read, it’s best to include high-level information only; sticking to a length of 3-5 lines.
• Tailor it: Recruiters can spot a generic, mass-produced CV at a glance – and they certainly won’t be impressed! Before you write your profile (and CV as a whole), read through the job advert and make a list of any skills, knowledge and experience required. You should then incorporate your findings throughout your profile and the rest of your CV.
• Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
• Avoid generic phrases: Clichés like “ blue-sky thinker with a go-getter attitude” might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.

Example CV profile for Fresh Graduate without experience

What to include in your fresh graduate without experience cv profile.

• Summary of experience: To give employers an idea of your capabilities, show them your track record by giving an overview of the types of companies you have worked for in the past and the roles you have carried out for previous employers – but keep it high level and save the details for your experience section.
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to graduate jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Vital qualifications: If the jobs you are applying to require candidates to have certain qualifications, then you must add them in your profile to ensure they are seen by hiring managers.

Quick tip: If you are finding it difficult to write an attention-grabbing CV profile, choose from hundreds of pre-written profiles across all industries, and add one to your CV with one click in our quick-and-easy CV Builder . All profiles are written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Vital skills for your Fresh Graduate without experience CV

Customer Service – highlighting experience of working with the public to resolve queries and encourage them to purchase products.

Event Organisation – highlighting experience of managing projects such as taking responsibility for organising and holding an event.

Silver D of E Award – highlighting achievements such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is often awarded for helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition.

Team Leader – evidencing experience of leading others to achieve a goal.

MS Office – evidencing use of key technologies and software programs which will be used in your future career.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy CV Builder has thousands of in-demand skills for all industries and professions, that can be added to your CV in seconds – This will save you time and ensure you get noticed by recruiters.

Your work experience section

Now that recruiters have a good overview of your skills and abilities, you need to jump into the detail of your career history.

Give them a more thorough insight into what you can do by creating a detailed list of your relevant experience.

Start with your current role, and work backwards through all the relevant positions you’ve held. This could be freelance, contract or voluntary work too; as long as it’s related to the role you’re applying for.

Structuring each role

Lengthy, unbroken chunks of text is a recruiters worst nightmare, but your work experience section can easily end up looking like that if you are not careful.

To avoid this, use my tried-and-tested 3-step structure, as illustrated below:

Provide a brief overview of the job as a whole, such as what the overriding purpose of your job was and what type of company you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Next, write up a punchy list of your daily duties and responsibilities, using bullet points.

Wherever you can, point out how you put your hard skills and knowledge to use – especially skills which are applicable to your target role.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

Sample job description for Fresh Graduate without experience CV

Working for the Oxford Street flagship store of an international fashion retail business. Responsible for creating enticing merchandise displays, providing exceptional customer service and achieving a weekly and monthly sales target.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve personal sales targets and KPIs and support the store to achieve store targets
• Provide exceptional customer service including tailoring services and selecting appropriate products to meet individual customer needs and expectations
• Manage customer complaints through to a satisfactory resolution, escalating the issue to the Store Manager if necessary
• Manage the checkout including processing orders, refunds and credit notes, and processing transactions via both cash and card

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy CV Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education and qualifications section

After your work experience, your education section should provide a detailed view of your academic background.

Begin with those most relevant to graduate jobs, such as vocational training or degrees. If you have space, you can also mention your academic qualifications, such as A-Levels and GCSEs.

Focus on the qualifications that are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Hobbies and interests

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby , or an interest that could make you seem more suitable for the role, then certainly think about adding.

Be careful what you include though… Only consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a Fresh Graduate without experience, or transferable workplace skills.

There is never any need to tell employers that you like to watch TV and eat out.

Writing your Fresh Graduate without experience CV

Creating a strong CV as a Fresh Graduate without experience requires a blend of punchy content, considered structure and format, and heavy tailoring.

By creating a punchy profile and core skills list, you’ll be able to hook recruiter’s attention and ensure your CV gets read.

Remember that research and relevance is the key to a good CV, so research your target roles before you start writing and pack your CV with relevant skills.

Best of luck with your next application!

All Formats

• Graphic Design

15+ Graduate Fresher Resume Templates

A simple resume is a word that intimidates most people, especially fresh school graduates without experience who are meeting it for the first time. Along with a curriculum vitae (curriculum ) , it is one of the most important documents we will ever have in our lifetime. It becomes a key to opening doors of countless possibilities for entry-level applicants, and this alone is what makes it intimidating. From BSC freshers to med school graduates resume , a resume is an important tool for someone starting their career path.

Resume Template Bundle

ATS Resume Template Bundle

Free Fresher Resume Template

Entry Level Graduate Resume Template with IT Skills

Engineering Graduate Fresher Resume Guide Template

Post Graduate without Experience Fresher Resume Format

MBA Fresh Graduate Resume Example

Graduate Freshers Resume Format

When Writing Your Resume

Cv / resume for hr assistant free download.

Marketing Graduate Resume Template for Fresher

Resume Objective for Marketing Fresher Graduate

Bcom / Commerce MBA Fresher Graduate Resume

College BBA Graduate Sample Resume

Education Graduate Sample Best Resume

Simple Med School Graduate Resume Template

Graduate Nurse Job Resume

Graduate Resume for Banking

BSC Graduate Resume

Your Resume’s Content

• Your details. Indicate your full name, contact number, and return address. Your potential employer must know that the resume outline is from you and how to contact you. Allow them to contact you conveniently for invitations for interviews or queries and clarifications regarding your resume.
• Resume Objectives. As a fresher, writing objectives is a chance for you to show a summary of your strengths and skills that can benefit the role you are applying for. Indicating your goals and contributions you can provide if hired will allow the employer to know what to expect in your personal resume .
• Educational background. In a bulleted layout, indicate the full name of the schools you have attended while highlighting the achievements you’ve gained through those years.
• Skills and technical skills. Provide a list of your skills and resume technical skills that you have that are helpful for the role. It is a way to show your employer that you have what it takes for the role you are applying for.

More in Resume

Graduate cv template, college recruiter resume, graduate school statement of purpose template, graduate nurse resume, graduate assistant resume, graduate teaching assistant resume, graduate accountant resume, new graduate nurse resume, after school tutor resume, graduate resume.

• 12+ HR Fresher Resume Templates
• 21+ Fresher Resume Templates
• 21+ Nurse Resume Templates – PDF, DOC
• 39+ Accountant Resumes in Doc
• 19+ Doctor Resume Templates – PDF, DOC
• 7+ Fresher Accountant Resumes
• 36+ Resume Format – Word, PDF
• 47+ Engineering Resume Templates in Word
• 13+ Computer Science Resume Examples
• 28+ Fresher Resume Templates in Word
• 10+ IT Fresher Resumes
• 48+ Resume Formats in PDF
• 50+ Best Resume Templates to Download
• 3+ Recruitment Consultant CV Templates in PDF
• 12+ Logistics Resume Templates in PDF | MS Word | Apple Pages

File Formats

Word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates.

• Search Jobs
• Search Employers
• Top 100 Employers
• Employers/Post job

Three Free Fresh Grad CV and Resume Templates You Can Use Right Now

The increased competition also means that as fresh grads, we’ll have to step up our game to make sure that we get the best chance of getting hired even without the professional experience. 

To do that, you’ll need a fresh, well-written, and organized resume that stands out. The best way to build an organized resume is through a template - and that’s exactly what we’re here to give you today. 

In today’s article, we’ll be providing three new resume templates for you to use completely free. We’ll be explaining why they work and giving tips for filling them out. Stick around and we promise: you’ll find a job in no time. 

Resume Tips For Fresh Grads

Not sure if the resume you have will stand out? Follow these 3 tips to build a great resume. 

Be Concise 

It takes 7 seconds for a recruiter to scan through your entire resume and determine your future. With such limited time, you should be looking to make a great first impression.

A resume doesn’t have to be your full life story. Get straight to the point and be concise in your resumes. Articles will say that you should limit your resume to two pages - but being a fresh graduate, there’s no way that you’ll have enough relevant experience to fill up a 2-page resume. 

Use Bullet Points

Bullet points guide your employers’ eyes to where you want to see them. In the little time you have to impress your recruiter, you want to make sure that you highlight the necessary skills and little experience you have in the workforce. 

When using bullet points, make sure that the sentences are simple, brief, and specific. That way, you get to the point while cutting out the fluff. Let the bullet points serve as visual markers to the important points of your resume.

Highlight Your Technical Skills

With the hundreds of resumes that recruiters have to go through, it’s only natural that they eventually develop the ability to read through the fluff. Fortunately for you, this allows you to stand out amongst your peers so long as you highlight your technical skills and quantify your achievements. 

You want to be able to identify the best examples of where you demonstrated your skills and use firm numbers that the recruiter will understand and be impressed by. You could, for example, write down how many people you supervised, how many school projects you finished, and how much money the school organization you led made in the past year. 

These examples speak heavily about what you achieved in your role and the skills your employer should expect from you. 

Resume Templates for Fresh Grads

Finally, we introduce you to the three resume templates we’ve made for fresh grads. Feel free to download, revise, and send them out to recruiters as needed.

Resume Template 1

Resume Template 2

Resume Template 3

Testing Out Your Resume

Whether you used our resume templates or created one of your own, we invite you to test out your resume by submitting applications and receiving actual feedback from recruiters through Prosple.com . 

As you gain more experience in the workforce, you’ll soon develop a keen sense of what recruiters are looking for. Through Prosple, we’ll help you test your resume, connect you with recruiters, land your first job, and start building your working experience.

Are you ready to find your first job? We help students and fresh grads find the best internships and fresh graduate jobs to get you started with your career. Sign up for free at  ph.prosple.com !

• Universities & Partners
• Our Network
• Partner Terms
• General Terms
• Advertiser Terms
• Privacy Policy
• Become a Partner
• Knowledge Base
• Employer Login
• Student Login / Sign-up
• Accounting Graduate Jobs
• Law & Legal Graduate Jobs
• Engineering Graduate Jobs
• Engineering Internships
• Accounting Internships
• ABS-CBN Corporation
• Asia Brewery Incorporated
• BDO Unibank, Inc
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Megaworld Corporation
• Prosple Australia
• Prosple India
• Prosple Indonesia
• Prosple New Zealand
• Prosple Malaysia
• Prosple Singapore
• Prosple United States
• All Regions

Copyright 2024 © Prosple. Jobs, internships, experiences & programs for students and fresh graduates.

• Management Team
• ISO Certified
• Discover the GLOBAL Advantage
• Virtual Assistance
• Call Center
• Legal Support Services
• Document Imaging and Merging
• Client System Management
• Mortgage Servicing Solutions
• Title Review
• Payroll Accounting
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Tax Services
• Account Book Maintenance
• AP Bookkeeping
• Broker's Price Opinion (BPO)
• REO Billing and Reimbursement
• REO Administrative Solutions
• Social Media Marketing
• Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Property Management
• Graphic Design
• Information Technology
• Recruitment and Staffing
• Testimonials
• Affiliations

0  comments

Fresh Graduate Resume Sample Philippines 2022 – Free Templates

By   Global Strategic

April 18, 2022

Resume Writing Tips For Fresh Graduates From The Philippines

Writing a resume as a fresh graduate from the Philippines can be daunting – so we are going to provide a sample template that even those with no work experience can easily use. But before you dive into it and plug in your own details, we should first understand what exactly makes a resume stand out from the rest.

As a fresh graduate, chances are you probably have little to no professional work experience outside of your on-the-job training. So, what can you do to make your resume catch a recruiter’s eye? 

Do you go for a creative resume with vibrant colors? Do you go the minimalist route in your design? What are the skills that you should highlight? Should you add your hobbies and interests? 

Naturally, all these questions (and more) are things that we need to consider. However, there are certain guidelines that we can follow that is universally proven to be effective for resume building. 

With that said, here are important tips specifically for Filipino fresh graduates when it comes to creating their resumes:

Highlight Your Most Notable Skills

Because you have no experience, it’s better that you highlight your talents and skills. Also, you shouldn’t just highlight the same skills for each application.

Instead, you should do research on the company you’re applying for and the job description. Afterward, cater your skills to highlight the needs of the job description and the company.

For example, you’re quite good at cooking. Surely, that’s an impressive skill in itself. However, if you’re applying for a data entry job, do you think that’s relevant?

As such, you need to strategically assess what skills would be required for the job you’re applying for. So, if we’re talking about data entry, then your skills can include: “words per minute”, “excellent typing skills”, “proficient with Microsoft Office tools”, and much more.

In summary, when highlighting skills, here’s a little checklist you can go back to:

• Check the job description
• Highlight skills that cater to the job description
• Think about how you can relate your skills to the job objectives.

Include achievements related to the job position you’re applying for

Even with no experience, there’s a high chance that we’ve got some achievements when we were studying. Moreover, recall all the clubs that you’ve joined, extra-curricular activities, or volunteer work.

Once you’ve listed them down, think about how these achievements relate to the position. Don’t just put everything there in the hopes of “beefing” up your resume.

For example, if the job you’re applying for is a call center agent position, you can include achievements or awards related to communication, team building, or leadership skills.

Let’s say you’ve joined an organization in college. And, in that org, you managed to get a position as one of the officers. That already shows that you have leadership abilities and know how to work with a team.

But, what if you didn’t necessarily get any “achievements” when you were in school?

Generally, you don’t need to include academic achievements. So, what else can you put in this part of your resume?

The simple solution – Don’t include your achievements! Clearly, having achievements is a big bonus to your resume. However, you don’t need to force anything onto your resume.

With the amount of resumes recruiters need to go through on a daily basis, chances are that they’ll only take a glance. According to an article from Career. Mercury, recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds when reviewing a resume.

So, you don’t have to worry about filling up your resume with everything you can think of. Again, just highlight your strengths and cater them to the position.

Cater your resume for specific job positions/companies

As we’ve discussed earlier, it’s better to cater your resume to meet the specific requirements of a company or job position. Thus, you can’t just create one resume and send that to every company that you apply for.

There are several reasons why this is beneficial for you as an applicant.

It shows recruiters that you’ve done research on the company beforehand. Next, even if you’re applying for the same job in different companies, there will be cases where the job descriptions would be different.

More importantly, it emphasizes your employer’s needs. Recruiters want to know how a candidate will help them achieve their objectives.

Focusing on your most relevant abilities and accomplishments demonstrates to them that you are thinking about their needs, not just what the position can provide for you.

Don’t be afraid to include your hobbies/passions

Aside from your technical and soft skills, most companies would want to check if you’re a fit for the company’s work environment. Besides your work, what you do in your free time can actually give recruiters a grasp of who you really are as a person.

Oftentimes, applicants have “scripted” answers to common interview questions . However, recruiters can generally see right through this.

So, it’s better to put your hobbies and passions on your resume so you have something to talk about. It’s natural to get nervous during interviews, but, for most people, talking about their passions and hobbies comes naturally.

Review the things you put on your resume

Don’t get caught off guard if an interviewer asks questions about you based on your resume. During an interview, recruiters would scan your resume to see anything that stands out and then asks you about it.

For example, if you’ve written down that you’ve had job experiences in four call centers, there’s a good chance that you’ll be asked about it.

Meanwhile, for those with no experience, interviewers would often go through your skills and achievements. So, be sure that you’ve reviewed them so that you can expound on the things you’ve written down.

Take the things that you’ve put on your resume as an opportunity to expound on key aspects of yourself. If you do, then you don’t have anything to worry about during your next interview.

Resume Samples For No Experience Fresh Grads

In the example below, we can see an easy-to-read resume. It’s minimalistic in its design and focused on its intent. At a glance, recruiters can identify which section contains the applicant’s personal info and which contains skills related to the technical aspect of the job.

Due to the lack of work experience, it’s important to highlight other aspects such as your skills, achievements, and training/seminars that you’ve attended. Additionally, you can also include the clubs and organizations you’ve joined during your academic years as well.

Keep in mind that you can easily highlight your role in an organization or club and relate it to the position you are applying for. Furthermore, it can show that you excel in soft skills or that you’re team-oriented and already know how to work with a group.

Here’s another example resume that uses an even more minimalist design.

As you can see, the resume doesn’t have anything fancy on it. It’s simply just text and some lines to separate parts of the resume. However, this is still a good example of a resume because it’s straightforward and has an easy flow.

Recruiters can easily skim through the resume as the information is already top to bottom. This is also easier for the eyes. Additionally, the resume also provides ample details regarding previous job experience.

Although the applicant could have added some soft skills there such as communication skills. Moreover, Microsoft Office applications may also be omitted since this could be considered common knowledge and a minimum requirement for most job applications.

Finally, something that you need to consider when handing out your resumes is to study everything that you’ve put on there. Because chances are the interviewers would ask you questions based on what’s on your resume.

Interviewers would probably ask basic questions such as “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to work for this company”. Those are questions you can easily prepare for, but the bulk of the technical aspect of an interview would clearly depend on the skills you placed.

Now that you’ve got an idea of how to build a simple resume, it’s time to take the next step after graduating – applying for a job!

Apply with Global Strategic today and send us your cover letter and resume- we have a number of different career opportunities  and would love to hear from you and see which is the right one for your career journey!

Privacy Overview