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How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Plus Examples)

Writing a resume for your first job with no experience can be scary, but we’ll show you how to highlight your value as a candidate without a hefty work experience section.

As featured in *

1. Gather relevant information

2. List your contact details

3. write a strong summary.

4. Include relevant experience

5. Describe your education

6. Showcase transferable skills

7. Polish your resume

8. Customize your resume

No experience resume samples

No experience resume template

Creating a resume when you have little to no experience can be challenging, but with the right approach it’s doable.

In this article we’ll show you how to write a resume even if you have no work experience. Additionally, we’ll provide several examples and templates so you can make sure you’re on the right track.

Here’s how to write a resume when you have no formal work experience, step-by-step:

1. Gather all your relevant information

The first step of making a resume with no experience is to create a master resume with any information employers might be interested in knowing about you. This includes:

Volunteer work

• Relevant courses
• Student government positions

Internships

• Anything else you can think of that could help your application

Don’t worry about this list becoming too long. You can pick and choose what to put on your final resume later, this exercise is just meant to get you thinking about what you have to offer that employers might want. It will also make the resume writing process faster, because you’ll already have your resume bullet points ready.

Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

Next, it’s time to add your contact details to your resume. Pick a resume template with the contact information section placed at the top of the resume, just below the header with your full name, so it’s easy for employers to reach out to you.

Include the following information:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Address (just your city and state is fine)
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Website or portfolio (optional)

Make sure you choose a professional email address to put on your resume, like [email protected].

Your resume summary is your opportunity to make a strong first impression on employers.

Even if you don’t have work experience, you can still highlight some of your transferable skills and your enthusiasm for the position. Think of your summary as an elevator pitch for your resume – a quick introduction that advertises why you’re a valuable candidate.

Here are four examples of student resume summaries — note how they only include skills honed in school, and don’t mention work experience:

Motivated business student with a strong foundation in marketing principles, market research, and consumer behavior. Experienced in developing and executing social media campaigns through academic projects and volunteer work with local non-profits. Seeking an entry-level marketing position to leverage skills in digital marketing, content creation, and data analysis to drive brand awareness and customer engagement.

Recent computer science graduate with a passion for coding and problem-solving. Proficient in Java, Python, and C++, with hands-on experience developing web applications and software solutions through academic projects. Eager to apply technical skills and creativity in an entry-level software development role to contribute to innovative and impactful technology solutions.

Responsible high school student excited to start a job in retail. Excellent people skills developed through volunteer work. Quick to learn new things and always ready to help customers find what they need. Looking forward to being part of a team and gaining experience in customer service and sales.

Recent high school graduate with a passion for books and learning. Detail-oriented and organized, with experience in managing school projects and helping out in the school library. Comfortable using computers and eager to help others find the information they need. Excited to start a career as a library assistant and contribute to a welcoming library environment.

4. Substitute work experience with any relevant experience

Job hunting can feel impossible when you don’t have work experience. How are you supposed to write an entire one-page resume with no experience?

Fortunately, many recruiters are looking for more than just formal work experience. Here are six alternative resume sections you can put on your resume to impress employers:

Internships technically do count as work experience, even if they’re unpaid, so you can list them in a professional experience section as you would a paid job.

If you’re looking for internships to apply to, use our handy list of the best job boards for internships to find the perfect opportunity.

Here’s how to put an internship on your resume :

Research Intern Green Energy Tomorrow May 2021 – December 2021 Maintained excel data spreadsheets, updating all new outreach contacts, photo accreditation details, and updated website pages Grew knowledge of SEO through content writing for website blog Transcribed interviews to include as written online content

Adding volunteer work on your resume shows employers that you’re motivated and passionate, both qualities that make a great employee.

To list volunteer work, start by listing your position (volunteer), followed by the organization and dates you volunteered.

After this, you can detail your experience with a few bullet points.

Volunteer Denver Food Rescue July 2021 – Present Rescue and redistribute food from our community partners around Denver each week by bicycle, reducing food waste and minimizing C02 emissions Create and share content across organization’s Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts as a Social Media Ambassador

Extracurricular activities

If your extracurriculars are relevant to the industry you’re applying to, they can help to strengthen your resume and demonstrate your abilities.

Some particularly good types of extracurriculars for your resume are:

Student government : Being a member of the student government shows that you have leadership abilities as well as experience prioritizing, participating in meetings, and maybe even public speaking.

Club president : As club president, you’ve likely been in charge of planning and scheduling events, delegating, and communicating with club members.

Language club : Even better than listing a language in your skills section is relaying your experience participating in a club. Being able to speak a second (or third, or fourth) language is always a valuable asset.

Arts : Any artistic endeavors that you participate in, whether it’s theater or painting, demonstrates that you’re a creative individual with a unique perspective. Creativity is a valuable soft skill to include on your resume.

Sports : Participating in sports is a great indicator of drive, motivation, and physical endurance. Being a member of a sports team also requires several soft skills such as teamwork and communication.

You can list extracurriculars in a relevant experience section, or as part of an education or achievements section.

Here’s an example of how to put an extracurricular activity on your resume:

Debate Team Washington High School Wrote and delivered 50+ compelling speeches to audiences ranging in size from 100–1000 people Winner of the National Debate Tournament in 2021

Receiving an award is a sign of distinction and shows that you’ve been recognized for your standout achievement or performance. If you’ve received any awards, feature these on your resume to impress employers.

If you’re writing a student resume with no work experience, you might have some academic achievement awards to include. You can put them in your education section, or make a special section for awards on your resume , even if it’s just to display one.

Here’s an example:

Awards Recipient of the 2022 Award for Excellence in Volunteerism Colorado Association for Engaged Volunteerism

Listing projects on your resume is a very versatile way to showcase some relevant experience that will make you stand out to employers. Projects to include could be school projects or personal projects.

For example, if you’ve been working on a website, building a niche social media following, or teaching yourself how to code, these are great skills to share with hiring managers.

Here’s an example of how you can list an academic project on your resume:

Education University of Maryland Bachelor of Science in Psychology May 2021 Capstone project Psychological Impacts of the Adoption Process on Pre-Adolescent Youth Studied a group of 100 adoptees over the course of 9 months, during the adoption process and transition period Analyzed data from monthly surveys to evaluate participants’ mental states

If you want to showcase a personal project, you can do it like this:

Projects bakingwitherica.com April 2020 – Present Prepare hundreds of pastries, finding the perfect ingredients and recipes to share with my readers Use strategic SEO to increase organic traffic and boost CTR Build, design, and maintain the website for optimal user experience

Hobbies and interests

Including hobbies and interests on your resume can give employers some extra insight into your personality, what motivates you, and what skills you possess.

It’s best to include interests that are relevant to the job you want. For example, if you’re applying to an internship at a tech startup, include your tech-related hobbies and interests. These could be coding, website development, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, or other similar technical skills.

Include your hobbies and interests in a dedicated section, like this:

Hobbies and Interests HTML Figma Adobe Photoshop Photo editing

5. Describe your educational background

As a job seeker without professional experience, your educational background is likely your strongest job qualification. This is especially true if you’re writing a recent college graduate resume .

One approach to highlight this background is to describe your relevant coursework first, like this:

ENV 302: Environmental Impact Assessment Spring 20XX

• Gained hands-on experience conducting environmental impact assessments for real-world projects, including a local urban development plan.
• Learned to analyze the potential environmental effects of proposed actions, assess risks, and recommend mitigation strategies.

You also need a resume education section , regardless of whether you want to mention your relevant classwork. And because you’re applying for your first-time job, it’s okay to make this section longer to fit your academic experiences.

Expand your education section by mentioning any student committees you were part of, and any scholarships, awards, or honors you were awarded, like being on the dean’s list .

Additionally, include your GPA on your resume (if it’s over 3.5) to further emphasize your work ethic and potential, like this:

UCLA – Los Angeles, California B.S. in Electrical Engineering (Graduated 20XX) GPA: 3.8/4.0

6. Showcase your transferable skills

Writing a strong resume skills section will set you apart in your job search and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Even if you don’t have work experience, you’ve likely already developed some valuable transferable skills throughout your life. Soft skills such as interpersonal skills or communication skills and hard skills like basic computer skills, for example, are applicable for nearly any industry, and are universally valued by employers.

Here are some other examples of transferable soft skills :

• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Teamwork skills
• Organizational skills
• Positive attitude
• Public speaking
• Assertiveness
• Time management skills
• Problem-solving skills

You might also possess some relevant hard skills to showcase. These are technical skills gained through hands-on experience or training. Showing employers you possess relevant hard skills will strengthen your resume and set you apart from other entry-level candidates. List these in your skills section along with some of your soft skills.

Here are some examples to include on your resume:

• Customer service skills
• Mathematics
• Language skills
• Computer skills
• Sales skills
• Social Media
• Video editing
• Collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, Trello, etc)
• Photo editing

The right resume formatting makes your resume easier to read and highlights your most marketable skills and experiences.

Before submitting, take the time to ensure your resume is application-ready by focusing on clarity, consistency, and relevance.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you make sure your resume is polished:

• Proofread carefully to check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Also, consider asking a teacher, friend, or mentor to review your resume.
• Make sure your formatting is consistent throughout your resume, including font style, size, bullet points, and spacing.
• Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively.
• Include numbers or specific examples to illustrate your accomplishments, even in volunteer roles or school projects.
• Make sure your email address is professional , using your name or initials rather than nicknames.
• Avoid unnecessary graphics or overly complex layouts – a clean, easy-to-read resume is more appealing to recruiters.

8. Customize your resume for each position

With no experience, your best chance of getting an interview is to target your resume to the specific job you want. Check out their listing for the position, and see what skills they’re looking for. From those skills, take the ones you have and place them in your skills section.

You can also reuse some of these skills elsewhere in your resume, like in your resume summary or experience section.

@resumegenius A quick guide on how to make a resume with no experience. Watch the full video and read the article here: 🔸 resumegeniusDOTme/no-experience-resume 🔸 #noexperienceneeded #howtowritearesume #howtomakearesume #resumeguide ♬ original sound – Resume Genius | Career Advice

Sample resumes with no experience

When you need to know what to put on a resume with no experience, it helps to look at some examples to see what others have done.

Here are three resume examples for students with no experience to help give you some ideas:

Teenager resume with no work experience

If you haven’t started university, it can be extra hard to figure out what you should put on your resume. Here’s an example of a teen resume that does a good job of highlighting relevant experience:

High school student resume with no work experience

If you’re a student with no work experience, here’s an example that shows how you can use your education section to demonstrate your hirable skills:

College student resume with no experience

Are you about to graduate college, or looking for a part-time job? Here’s an example of what a college student resume with no work experience should look like:

Internship resume with no experience

If you’re applying for an internship, this example can help give you some ideas for ways to show your relevant skills:

To help you get started on your resume with no experience, here’s a resume template that you can use to help you write your own:

123 Street Name, City, State, 01234 [email protected] (xxx) xxx-xxxx

Use 3-5 sentences to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. In the last sentence, describe how you plan to use your skills in the role you’re applying for.

University, City, State Degree

Graduation Month and Year GPA: 0.0/4.0 (only include this if it’s above a 3.5) Honors: summa cum laude

Relevant Coursework:

• List any courses you took that are relevant to the position you’re applying for
• Optionally, use 2-3 bullet points to describe what you did in the course

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Relevant Experience #1 City, State Start Month and Year – End Month and Year

• Use 3-5 bullet points to describe your experience
• Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “assisted, collaborated, or organized)
• Include numbers to quantify your experience where possible

Relevant Experience #2 City, State Start Month and Year – End Month and Year

• List 5-8 of your hard and soft skills that are most relevant to the job

ADDITIONAL SECTIONS 

• Include additional sections like awards, hobbies, or extracurricular activities

Don’t forget to pair your resume with a well-written cover letter with no experience .

Frequently asked questions about writing a resume without experience

Still unsure about making a resume without experience? Check out our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:

Is it okay to have no work experience on my resume?

Yes, it’s perfectly okay to have no formal work experience on your resume, especially if you’re a student or recent graduate.

Instead, focus on highlighting your skills, volunteer work, academic projects, extracurricular activities, and any relevant coursework that shows your potential and what you can bring to a role.

How long should a resume be with no work experience?

A resume without work experience should fit on one page. This is plenty of space to showcase your education, skills, and any relevant activities or volunteer work.

What is a good objective for a resume with no experience?

A good objective for a resume with no experience should emphasize your enthusiasm for learning, your willingness to contribute, and your relevant skills. For example:

Motivated high school student seeking a part-time position where I can apply my strong communication and organizational skills while gaining valuable work experience.

​​How do I make my resume stand out with little experience?

To make your resume stand out with little experience, focus on transferable skills, academic achievements, and involvement in extracurricular activities.

Use strong action verbs, quantify your achievements when possible, and tailor your resume to the specific job by highlighting relevant skills and experiences, including school projects or volunteer work.

Ida Pettersson

Career Coach and Resume Expert

Committed to empowering job seekers of all experience levels to take the next step in their careers, Ida helps professionals navigate the job hunt from start to finish. After graduating from New College of Florida with a B.A. in Philosophy and Chinese Language and Culture, Ida moved to Hong Kong to begin her own career journey and finally settled in Taiwan. Her insights on resume writing, interview strategies, and career development have been featured on websites such as LawCareers.net, Digital Marketer, and SheCanCode.

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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]

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• no experience resume

How to Write a Resume With No Experience (First Job)

Marketing yourself and your skills can feel intimidating when you don’t have experience. Whether you’re applying for your first job or you’re fresh out of college, keep reading to learn how to create a job-winning resume — even without experience.

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Want a strong resume fast? Try our Resume Builder . It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click.

Or view our sample resumes made with our beautiful resume templates .

Sample Resume With No Work Experience

Choosing the Best Resume Format With No Experience

Before you can write your resume, you need to determine the best resume format to showcase your informal experience and skills. Most hiring managers are familiar with three resume formats: chronological, hybrid and functional. But, only the functional format downplays your lack of experience and prioritizes the skills you developed in school, volunteering and day-to-day activities.

Functional:

Although we consider the functional the riskiest format thanks to custom headers that don’t align with most online application tracking systems (ATS), this skills-based resume is the friendliest resume for you because it deprioritizes your non-existent work history. Instead of describing your previous jobs, it uses examples of your technical knowledge to demonstrate how you can adapt your skills to complete job-relevant tasks. We strongly recommend submitting this type of resume at in-person job fairs or recruitment events.

A functional resume is always going to follow this order:

• Contact information
• An objective statement
• Summary of qualifications
• Professional skills
• Work history

Combination/hybrid:

We typically recommend the hybrid format if you have three or more years of relevant experience, but this ATS-friendly layout showcases your skills and work history equally. This strategic balance of skills and working knowledge makes it the second best option for a resume with no experience.

Chronological:

The chronological format is for senior-level professionals with 10 years or more of work experience. The chronological format lays out a steady work history by organizing experience and credentials in a neat timeline. Since this format favors job seekers with a decade of experience or multiple promotions, it’s the worst option for a no-experience resume.

Wondering how to make a resume for your first job with no experience? Check out how other fresh grads market their best abilities with our sample resume for students .

Writing Your Resume Objective With No Experience

If you’re looking for your first job, start your resume with a killer resume objective . A resume objective focuses on which transferable skills and work ethic you can provide an employer, making this a great strategy for teens, students or job seekers without experience. It allows you to focus on what you can do for the company, not what the employer can do for you.

Think of your objective section as the introduction to your resume. Your resume objective will be the first thing recruiters will read about you. Follow these four simple steps to writing an attention-grabbing objective.

• Be straightforward. Employers are reading piles of resumes at a time to determine whose qualified. Make your resume objective concise and keep it to only two or three sentences long.
• Make the objective statement a perfect match. Use the job post to find the specific skills and requirements they’re looking for in a candidate. Use those keywords in your objective to let the employer know you have what they’re looking for.
• Use power words. Peak the interest of recruiters with strong, powerful keywords and actionable descriptions. For example, “Attentive to detail” and “driven,” “Team player” and “reliable” or “Problem-solver” and “leader.”
• Describe what you bring to the table. Clearly state how you bring value to the company’s success. Add skills such as work ethics and communication.

By integrating these tips into your objective, you shift from lack of experience to how your goals can help the company!

Here’s an example of an objective statement for a no experience resume.

Highly motivated law school graduate seeking a full-time position in the Office of Inspector General where I can lend my investigative abilities to help improve profitability.

Adding Your Education Section

If you don’t have any work experience, your academic achievements add to build a picture of your credentials for the job. The education section helps you outline your academic training as qualifications in place of your zero experience.

In this section, name the college you attended, the degrees you completed and the honors you received. If your highest level of education is a high school diploma, include it in the education information. Otherwise, leave it out and start with your highest degree earned.

Here’s a quick checklist of what to include in your education section:

• Your degree or education in progress
• The name of your school
• The school’s location
• Dates attended and graduation date or expected graduation date
• Your field of study and degree major
• Your GPA — only if it’s above 3.5
• Any academic honors and relevant courses
• Relevant extracurricular activities or programs

For example:

Include Relevant Experience (Volunteer, Internships and more)

Impress recruiters even without paid experience. Not sure what experiences you can list that would benefit your application? Here are the top ten experiences you may consider for your first resume:

• Jobs like babysitting or mowing lawns.
• Extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports.
• Internships or apprenticeships.
• Translating or interpreting projects.
• Volunteer work.
• Service-learning experiences.
• Military experience.
• Student organizations.
• Leadership experiences.

Once you’ve narrowed down your most relevant experiences, use bullets to list the skills you’ve developed in each role and the tasks you performed. Not sure how to start? Use the job description as your guide to match your skills, activities and abilities with the keywords mentioned in the post. Once you have identified these, use bullet points with action verbs to list your qualifications.

For instance, if you were applying for a teaching assistant role, you might compose your experience like this:

Design lesson plans for the students.

Assess a student’s level of progress.

Create a schedule for further education and development in subject areas.

Assess student’s knowledge of a subject and identify areas for improvement.

Opened and prepared the club for daily activities.

Ensured the safety and security of 20+ kids a day.

Planned games and outdoor activities

However, if you don’t have relevant experience and will be writing a functional resume, select your top skill categories and list how you’ve used each skill set. In other words, when listing your duties, instead of listing tasks you’ve completed by job, list the activities you’ve done by skill category or by theme. And, remember to include the results you delivered by applying your skills by adding concrete numbers wherever possible.

For example, a Professional Skills section for someone interested in a social media specialist role in the academic field would look like this:

Achieved over 1,000+ followers in the first 30 days of launching the profile with successful conversion rates.

Wrote copy for social posts and ran advertising campaigns to drive engagement with original content.

Applied attention to detail to monitor the brand on all social media platforms, quickly replying to any mentions.

Top influencer impacting 100+ followers daily with valuable academic advice.

Avid planner for marketing campaigns to create brand awareness and market the company’s services.

Analytical and mathematical skills to identify trends.

Prepared lessons for 20 students a day about upcoming assignments specific to math and science.

Maintained communication with parents regarding student’s progress.

Researched learning materials and resources to use during lessons.

What about if you have internship experience? The following entry-level job and internship resumes can help you see how other job seekers write a resume with little to no experience. Check out these internship resume examples to inspire you:

• Research Intern
• Engineering Intern
• Design Intern
• Marketing Intern
• Sales Intern
• Data Analyst
• Software Intern
• Paralegal Intern
• Medical Intern
• Real Estate Intern
• Architect Intern
• Public Relations Intern
• Financial Intern
• Medical Assistant Intern
• Culinary Intern
• Congressional Intern
• Graphic Design Intern
• Legal Intern
• Audit Intern
• Intern Pharmacist
• Event Planning Intern
• Software Engineer Intern

As you complete internships, add them to your experience section as part of your work history.

Listing Your Skills for the First Job

For candidates new to the workforce, spotlighting a variety of critical skills can ultimately impact a hiring decision. There are two main types of skills that let recruiters determine whether you are fit for the job: hard and soft skills.

Hard skills are technical abilities that require specific knowledge to accomplish your job assignments, such as accounting or graphic design.

Soft skills , on the other hand, are not tangible. They define your traits, such as friendliness and a strong work ethic.

Employers look for candidates with a mix of soft and hard skills that relate directly to the job. These skills become part of the keywords used in the job description and by recruiting software like the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Let’s break down the most in-demand soft and hard skills to optimize your resume:

Soft skills

• Self-starter
• Time management
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving
• Active listening
• Communication skills
• Logic-based reasoning
• Trustworthiness
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Decision-making

Hard skills

• Customer service
• Computer proficiency
• Design skills
• Book keeping
• Graphic design

Make Sure Your Resume Is Easy to Read

Even if you’re qualified for the job, having a resume that is hard to read will immediately get you overlooked! In fact, Harvard shares eye-tracking research that shows recruiters spend about six seconds on their initial decision to determine whether a candidate is qualified. If your resume is cluttered and unorganized, you will most likely get passed over.

As someone who’s making a resume for the first job, you might not have thought that taking the time to format your resume well is a crucial step in getting your resume noticed. Here are expert tips to ensure your resume is easily readable and gets attention.

Division of sections

Differentiate your sections by labeling each in bold or italics such as your Header, Education and Work Experience. By doing so, your resume looks organized and easy to read.

Keep the spacing consistent and align your text to the left. Since the eye naturally returns to the left, this is the most natural and readable format. However, align dates and locations to the right, which helps to separate that information and makes it easy to scan.

Use clean, minimalistic fonts, such as Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma or Cambria. Keep your font size between 10-12 points for the content and 12-14 points for headers.

Use bullets to break up long text. Using bullet points also draws attention to your accomplishments, which is the information you want to highlight.

Use white space

Using plenty of white space is much easier on the eyes than large, dense chunks of text. It creates a clean, well-designed look that’s appealing to the reader.

We Can Help With Your First Resume

Having writer’s block? JobHero features an online Resume Builder as the ultimate hack for creating your first resume.

It’s a convenient and easy-to-use interactive tool, loaded with resume templates that help you create a professional resume with the latest design styles.

Our online builder takes you through each part of your resume, generating industry-specific phrases and keywords to help you create a powerful resume.

Remember, you have to customize your resume for each job. All jobs have their unique postings with different keywords and requirements.

Appealing to each job post can be a hassle, luckily the Resume Builder lets you generate powerful resumes in just minutes! We also feature sample resumes for a first job .

Remember to match your resume with your own cover letter , even if it’s not required. Cover letters are where your personality shines through! It also creates the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that you’re a qualified candidate for the job.

First Job Resume FAQ

Is it hard to get a job without any experience on a resume.

You can impress recruiters even without any experience on your resume. Writing a resume with no formal work experience means showcasing your skills and putting a spotlight on your education, extracurriculars and volunteering activities.

When you start putting together a resume, you might feel like you don’t have any relevant experience. However, you can demonstrate community involvement, abilities and willingness to work.

Perhaps you worked part-time in school, tutored or babysat kids — be sure to include these experiences. You can also include extracurricular activities that help polish and develop new skills.

Can you skip the experience section on a resume?

Instead of skipping the experience section, use the opportunity to create a skill-based resume. Also known as a functional resume, this type of format shifts the focus onto your skills and abilities instead of professional experience.

It lets you connect with the employer and show them what you can contribute to the company despite having no formal experience yet. The biggest flex of a functional resume format is that it focuses on your relevant skills so you can market your best abilities.

How do I pass ATS without any experience on a resume?

Employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to track qualified candidates. However, an ATS does more than just track applications — it selects qualified candidates for a hiring manager or recruiter to assess.

Luckily, getting past the ATS is easier than you might think. To get past the ATS even if you don’t have experience, follow these tips:

• Use the job description to identify the keywords that match what the employer is looking for in their next hire.
• Place these relevant keywords throughout each section of your resume — as long as you actually have the skill they listed, that is. By doing so, you are ensuring your resume has what the ATS is scanning for.
• Use an ATS-friendly resume template like the ones JobHero offers. Simply customize them with your information.

Should my resume focus on skills if I have no work experience?

Yes. The key to a job-winning resume with no experience is to focus on the professional skills that you have learned at school or in extracurricular activities.

If you have no experience, skills will represent your qualifications to perform a duty or job. For this reason, having the right balance of skills is critical.

There are two main types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills refer to skills that can be developed and improved through experience and certifications, such as learning to code or to create marketing campaigns. Meanwhile, soft skills are personality traits that give you the ability to be a team player or stay organized while multitasking.

Demonstrating that you have a mix of both types of skills will help you in your job search.

What is the best resume format if you don’t have work experience?

The best resume format, if you lack experience, is the functional resume format. Functional resumes are excellent for students, recent graduates or candidates changing careers.

A functional resume highlights your skills and matches them to the job posting, allowing you to increase the chances of getting an interview, even without experience.

For a no-experience resume , instead of starting off with a work experience section, a functional resume format allows you to demonstrate your relevant skills in three distinct sections.

• 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!

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• Guide to Writing a Great...

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

16 min read · Updated on August 01, 2024

No work experience? No problem.

Just because you don't have skills that are relevant to the job, or experience in a traditional work setting, doesn't mean you can't craft a convincing first job resume. Whether you're a high school or college student, you may be wondering: how do you write a resume with no work experience? Well, we'll tell you with these expert tips.

1. Choose the best format for a resume with no experience

There are a few dominant resume templates in use today:

Chronological

Hybrid - a blend of the chronological and functional formats

A  chronological resume format  lists a candidate's work experience in reverse-chronological order and a functional resume format focuses on highlighting the candidate's hard and soft skills and achievements, rather than work experience. While the functional and hybrid resume formats can be attractive options for job seekers with little relevant experience, most employers and hiring managers prefer a chronological format.

Aside from hiring managers preferring it, it's best to use a reverse chronological resume for two additional reasons:

It's the most used format in the US, making it easy for hiring managers to review and find the information they're seeking

It's the most liked by employers' applicant tracking systems, or ATS. If an ATS can't read your resume properly, it might not get into the hands of a human reader - even if you're the perfect candidate for the job

The primary sections of a reverse chronological resume are:

The heading (with your contact information)

Resume summary

Work experience (which will be substituted with other sections when you have no work experience)

Education 

2. Incorporate your contact information 

Now that you've chosen the best format for a resume with no experience, it's time to complete each section. The first section of your resume is the header section. This is the section that includes your name and contact information. In this section, you'll provide:

Phone number

Email address

Location and zip code

LinkedIn  or professional website URL (optional)

Your name should sit above your contact information in a larger font size than the rest of the information included in the header. You also want to ensure you use a professional sounding email address. Using something like “[email protected]” or “[email protected]” will likely come across as unprofessional and won't gain you any points for the “yes” pile. A good choice is to use your name (or a combination of your initials and surname), instead. 

Here's an example of how to list your contact information at the top of your resume:

Joseph Smith

555.555.5555 | [email protected] | WV 26250 | linkedin.com/in/jsmith28

3. Include a strong summary statement

The next section of your resume, your Resume Summary, will fall just below your contact information. Your resume summary is not to be mistaken for a resume objective. 

Resume objective statements , where you state exactly what career goals you wish to achieve, have mostly fallen out of fashion. This is largely because you want to focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you. A resume summary statement, on the other hand, sums up who you are professionally at the top of the page in two to five sentences and serves as the first impression you give a hiring manager to entice them to keep reading. 

For a resume with no experience, your resume summary can still pack a punch. Include some of the key skills you have relevant to the job, while emphasizing your major and any type of experience that speaks to your ability to succeed.

Here's an example of a resume summary for a recent grad with a human resources degree:

Human resources graduate with diverse knowledge base in employee relations, benefits design, employment law, and policy design. Avid learner with solid written and verbal communication skills and a strong desire to support all levels within an organization for improved employee morale and productive collaboration. 

4. Substitute the Work Experience section with other types of experience

Writing a resume with no experience can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, recruiters and hiring managers are seeking candidates that have a robust background, regardless of experience level. Here are some sections you can substitute in lieu of a Work Experience section:

Internships

Graduate assistantships, extracurricular activities.

Volunteer Work

Hobbies and Interests

When you include these additional types of experiences on a resume, you can include them as a standalone section or create a “Relevant Experience” section. Depending on the type of experience you're including, you might find it's best to use a section heading that aligns with the type of experience (“Internships” for internships, “Volunteer Work,” for volunteer work, and so on). 

Landing paid or unpaid college internships  are one of the best weapons you have against "experience required." Not only do they give you some real-world work experience, they also allow you to network and make connections that can put you in a job later. When applying for a job without experience, be sure to list any internships you've completed. 

If you haven't had an internship, consider applying for one as a step before an entry-level job.

Here's an example of how to include an internship on your resume:

Finance Intern

New York Secretary of State Office, New York, NY

Jan 2021 - May 2021

Reconciled budget sheets for quarterly processing

Supported accounting team in year end tax return audits 

Analyzed 15 budget reports over a two-month period to ensure accurate data reporting 

Similar to internships, a graduate assistantship secured during school is also a great way to gain valuable experience to include on a resume. Graduate assistantships are paid opportunities provided to graduate students. They typically involve part-time teaching or research within their field of study. 

Here's an example of how to include an assistantship on your resume:

HR Graduate Assistant

West Virginia University School of Business and Economics, Morgantown, WV

August 2020 - May 2021

Reviewed 100 collective bargaining agreements to identify and document similarities and inconsistencies throughout

Worked with academic Professors to develop research guidelines for future assistants

Volunteer work

When surveyed, the majority of employers say that they take  volunteer experience listed on your resume , such as being a soup kitchen volunteer, into consideration alongside paid work experience. So any volunteer work that highlights your talents or a new skill should be put on your well-prepared resume. 

You'll list volunteer work in a similar way to how you would list internships and actual work experience:

Animal Transport Volunteer

Friends for Life Animal Shelter, Philippi, VA

April 2022 - Present 

Working with local shelters to transport animals to and from shelters and foster homes

Assisting in cleaning kennels and common areas to support sanitation efforts

Spearheading animal supply drive, collecting $10K worth of supplies

Though it might not seem like it at first, extracurricular activities can add a lot of value to your resume in lieu of work experience, if you can relate them to the job you're applying to. For example, if you were an officer for a club during college or a captain of a sports team, these roles speak to leadership ability. 

In general, these types of activities show you have the ability to collaborate with others. It also shows you have the ability to keep up with school work while being involved in other areas outside of school, which speaks to time management and organizational skills. 

Here are some of the top extracurricular activities to include on a resume with no experience, as well of some of the skills they help to highlight:

Artistic endeavors: speaks to creativity, problem solving, perseverance, ability to learn 

Sports: speaks to teamwork, collaboration, hard work, problem solving, conflict resolution

Club leadership roles: speaks to leadership, organization, perseverance, time management

General club membership: speaks to time management, community involvement, prioritizing

Student government: speaks to leadership, public speaking, time management, problem solving, organization

Here's an example of how to list extracurricular activities on a resume with no experience:

Student Council Vice PresidentBelington High SchoolAugust 2020 - May 2021

Spearheaded clothing drive to support the homeless in the state of Virginia

Wrote and delivered 3 speeches to the student body focused on student wellbeing, fundraising events, and life beyond high school

Special Projects

If you completed job-related projects during high school or college, they can be a valuable addition to your resume. Personal projects are also game for a resume with no experience, if they're relevant to the job. 

Here's how you might list a personal project on your resume:

Social Media Campaign

Sparkle and Shine Fundraising Event

February 2022 - Mar 2024

Created social media campaign to support fundraising efforts for local children's shelter, supporting education in underprivileged youth

Increased followers by 25% in two months

Generated leads that converted to $3,000 in donations

Here's how you might list school projects on your resume:

Beaumont University

Masters in Counseling and Development

Career counseling planning design for women with chronic fatigue syndrome

Group counseling proposal for friends and family members of those who have mental health challenges

Behavioral health program design to work with males ages 18 to 30 with adverse childhood experiences

Hobbies and interests

It's more common today than ever before to include hobbies and interests on a resume - they help to provide insights into who you are as a person, to enhance your resume story. Hobbies and interests require soft and hard skills, many of which are required to succeed on the job, and they can especially be useful to fill in gaps when you lack work experience.  

For additional information on how to list hobbies and interests on your resume with no experience, refer to “ How to List Hobbies and Interests on a Resume (With Examples) .”

An award can signal to an employer to take note, since they're a distinction that speaks to your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Adding an Awards section is an excellent way to showcase your ability to succeed in lieu of work experience. 

When you list an award, include the award and issuing institution. For example:

2023 Science Olympiad Award recipient, Science Olympiad Foundation

Certifications

Acquiring certifications provides an excellent opportunity to add value and fill in gaps in terms of skills and work experience. There are a lot of opportunities to secure certifications for free through sites like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and  Grow with Google . Certifications not only highlight your skills but also show that you're focused on personal and professional development, which employers appreciate in candidates.  

You can list certifications in a standalone Certifications list or with your Education section. For more information on how to best include certifications on a resume with no experience, refer to “ How to List Certifications on a Resume (with examples) .” 

5. Include your education 

When you have work experience, it's common to include your Education section after your Work Experience section. However, on a resume with no experience, many opt to list and emphasize their education after the resume summary. This is largely due to the fact that your education is what's most relevant to employers when you're straight out of school. 

Also, in lieu of a Work Experience section, especially if you're running thin on any of the relevant experience options listed above, you can expand and focus on the  education section on your resume  to highlight the marketable skills you've developed. What can you do well that this job requires? What will be useful to the hiring company? What have you done in school and what have you studied that has prepared you for assuming this job?

This is generally a little easier if you're a college graduate with specialized education, but even a high school graduate can talk about their electives and relevant coursework, why they wanted to take them, and what they learned from the class. It's also acceptable to include any awards, scholarships, honors, or any student clubs and committees you participated in. For example, if you were on the Dean's list, include it. 

Many also wonder if they should include their GPA on their resume. The short answer is yes, if it's 3.5 or higher. This level of achievement highlights your potential and the hard work you're willing to put in for success. 

Here's the order to list items in your Education section, with items 5 to 8 being optional:

Degree issued

Issuing institution

City and state of institution 

Graduation date (or expected graduation date, if in progress)

Relevant coursework

Student committees

Here's how your education might look laid out on your resume:

Bachelors of Science - Psychology (3.5 GPA, magna cum laude)Maryland State University

Relevant coursework: human growth and development, assessment, treatment planning, abnormal behavior

6. Emphasize your skills

Even when you don't have actual work experience, you have definitely acquired skills to support you on the job, which can set you apart from the competition. Be sure to highlight both hard and soft skills on your resume. You can do this by including a Skills section near the end, or by adding a Core Competencies section just below your Resume Summary. 

You also might be wondering what the difference is between hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills that are measurable and learned. Softs skills are tangible skills that are difficult to measure. 

Examples of valuable hard skills on a resume include:

Mathematics

Computer skills

Data analysis

Project management

Social media

Language skills

Here are some common soft skills employers seek in their employees:

Communication

Problem solving

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Working well under stress

7. Add a cover letter

Even if one isn't required, it's generally a good idea to send a short cover letter along with your resume. Cover letters are where your personality comes out and you can use them to make the case for why you're the perfect candidate for this job. 

A standout cover letter can convince an employer to bring you in for an interview, even if your resume itself doesn't have all the things they'd like to see. Your cover letter provides you with the opportunity to show a bit of personality and express why you're interested in the job, as well. Be sure your cover letter uses the same font and style as your resume, for consistency. 

Elements you should never include on a resume

While there are many elements you should consider adding to your resume, career experts say there are a few things you should never include because they waste space, don't tell the employer anything relevant, or could damage your personal brand. This list includes, but is not limited to: 

Employment references

Writing samples

Photos  of yourself

Do not add this information to your resume unless an employer or recruiter asks you to provide it. 

Additional tips for a resume with no work experience 

As you develop your resume with no experience, here are a few more tips to consider. 

Take stock of your achievements and activities

Make a list of absolutely everything you've done that might be useful on a resume. From this list, you'll then need to narrow down what to actually include on your resume. Different things might be relevant to different jobs you apply for, so keep a full list and pick the most relevant things from it to include on your resume when you send it out. This will help you to identify which sections to include in lieu of work experience.

Pay attention to technical details

When editing your resume, make sure there are no punctuation, grammatical, spelling, or other errors that will make your resume look unprofessional. Then, have a friend or family member read it again to catch any mistakes you might have missed — you can't afford a typo or missing word as a candidate with no prior work experience. Also, be sure to vary your language and use action verbs throughout your resume to keep your reader engaged.

Keywords, keywords, keywords!

Most employers use some form of  applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan and sort resumes . This may seem unfair, but it's the reality of modern-day hiring. To combat this, you'll want to come up with, and include, a list of keywords in your resume when applying for any job. The best place to  find these keywords  is in the job post itself, or in ads for similar jobs. One caveat: don't use meaningless "buzzwords," such as "go-getter," "team player," and “detail-oriented." Unfortunately, sometimes these buzzwords are the only keywords listed in the ad. If that's the case, you'll need to sneak them in alongside your detailed accomplishments and academic achievements.

Customize your resume for each job you apply to

The last and most important thing to remember when creating a good resume is to  customize it for every job to which you apply . Different job postings are going to have different keywords, different job duties listed, and so on. Appealing to each individual employer's needs and job requirements is the best strategy for getting your application noticed and hopefully landing your first job.

Relevant experience goes beyond work experience

At the end of the day, the only perfect resume is the one that gets you the interview. Regardless of whether you have work experience or not, it's still possible to stand out by highlighting other types of experience that relate to the role. 

Even once you're comfortably employed, be prepared to tweak and update your resume to get noticed with each job application you submit. In the meantime, use any type of relevant experience to help you shine and land an interview. Sooner or later, you'll land that job - and gain that much-coveted relevant work experience.

Tackling this kind of resume isn't easy. If you've recently graduated or are in an entry-level job search, a  professional resume writer  can prepare you for success.

This blog was originally written by Riya Sand and has been updated by Ronda Suder. 

Recommended reading:

5 Things You Should Always Include on Your Resume

Should You Include Social Media on Your Resume?

How to Be a Great Candidate Even If You're Under-Qualified for the Job

Related Articles:

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Is Your Resume Inspirational? If Not, Here's How to Fix It

7 Ways You Try Too Hard in Job Applications

See how your resume stacks up.

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How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience in 2024 (With Examples)

Don't worry, we've all been there. Thrown into the job world with little to none work experience and no idea how to start a resume. We're here to help.

With more and more people on the job hunt each year, entering the work force with minimal to no experience on your resume can be a daunting and frustrating task.

However, no need to worry, all is not lost for applicants lacking in relevant work experience.

We've all been there.

This guide is here to help you learn how to shift the focus of your resume onto your skills, unpaid experiences, and education in order to frame your lack of experience in a more appealing manner.

• What Resume Format is Best for Someone with No Experience?

Adding Transferable Skills to Resume

Including unpaid experience on resume, listing education on a resume as a student.

• Finally, Getting Jobs with a No-Experience Resume

What Resume Format is Best for Someone with No Experience

The first and arguably most important decision when it comes to crafting a resume is deciding which format is best for you.

When you are lacking in relevant work experience, using the standard resume format – also known as the reverse-chronological resume – may not be the best idea.

Reverse-chronological resumes are centered around the work experience section, which is precisely the section you want to shift the attention away from when your experience is limited.

Instead, you should consider using either a functional or a hybrid resume .

If you are unsure which resume format best fits your needs, check out our guide on choosing the correct resume format.  

1) What are Functional Resumes?

Unlike reverse-chronological resumes, functional resumes are not designed or formatted to be primarily focused on relevant work experience.

Because of this, the functional resume has become the favored format for applicants who do not have work experience to showcase.

There are a number of reasons why a person may not have work experience to feature on a resume. Common circumstances include an individual being a student or recent grad.

Veterans who lack non-military experience and people looking to re-enter the workforce after a gap in their employment history also may favor a functional format. 

The benefits of using a functional resume include:

• Well-suited for applicants who have gaps in their employment history or lack relevant work experience.
• Greater flexibility in how sections of the resume can be structured, allowing for a skills section to be the main centerpiece of the resume.
• Provides better opportunity to highlight any unpaid experiences or academic credentials an applicant may have. 

2) What are Hybrid Resumes?

A hybrid resume mixes the formatting of functional and reverse-chronological resumes in order to make a resume that includes elements from both.

These kinds of resumes are highly customizable and can be restructured according to the applicant’s needs.

Using a hybrid resume may be wise for someone who has some work experience that may or may not be wholly relevant

For people with no work experience whatsoever, however, sticking to a functional format may be best.

Benefits of using a hybrid resume include: 

• Opportunity to show work experience, even if it is not relevant to the job being applied for
• Good for applicants who have limited paid working experience but have extensive history working in unpaid opportunities, such as volunteering. 
• Hybrid resumes may more closely resemble a reverse-chronological, which is the standard resume format that employers typically expect. 

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Making a resume as a job applicant with little to no experience requires you to take an in-depth personal inventory of your personal skills and talents.

Everything from your communication skills to your time management and teamwork skills matter here and creating a definitive list of your greatest strengths is key.

There are two categories of skills to consider: hard skills and soft skills .

1) Hard Skills 

Hard skills are more quantifiable and are typically gained through some form of education, training, or certification program.

This can include skills such as computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or being a mathematician.

While you may not have gained hard skills through prior work experience, there are still potentially hard skills you obtained through other channels, such as through school or from the military.

Writing down your hard skills is important, as this is where you will find your most relevant skills for a job application. 

2) Soft Skills

Soft skills are less quantifiable and have more to do with your personality, work ethic, and how you interact with other people.

Communication, problem-solving, and cooperative skills all come into play here. 

Though soft skills may not be as easy to directly relate to a job application, they are still necessary and helpful to include in a resume with a limited work experience section.

Additionally, job descriptions often lend hints to the kinds of soft skills an employer is looking for, and including those skills can show you pay close attention to information given to you. 

Examples of Transferable Skills

Below we have provided a list of common transferable skills to help get you started on identifying which skills you possess and how you can frame them on your resume to improve your chances of landing a job interview. 

Of course, there are hundreds of skills that are good to include on a resume.

It is important to choose skills that both accurately represent your talents as well as provide relevance to the job description provided.

For more ideas on good skills to include, check out our guide on 100+ key skills for a resume in 2024.

Here are a few examples of transferable skills and how to list them:

1) Collaboration

Collaboration skills generally indicate your ability to work well with departments, professionals, or teams outside of your own.

This can show employers your ability to form connections with others within an industry

Incorrect: Collaborated with volunteer teams from other counties.

Correct: Learned strong collaboration strategies through participating in volunteer service activities involving multiple groups of volunteers.

2) Teamwork 

While collaboration shows your ability to work with external connections, teamwork emphasizes your ability to work well within your own team.

Teamwork requires you to pay close attention to your teammates and be willing to compromise in order to make things happen.

Incorrect: Gained teamwork skills through community service.

Correct: Achieved effective teamwork through helping to organize meetings for a community service group.

3) Communication

Communication skills largely involve your public speaking abilities and your capability for expressing yourself in a clear and concise manner.

Including examples of how you have honed your communicative abilities is key. 

Incorrect: Strong communication skills

Correct: Developed communication skills through working as a peer mentor at the university. 

See how this Art Director resume example listed Communication as a skill on her resume:

4) Computer Skills

Nowadays, digital and computer skills are a must and the more you know, the more opportunity you may have for employment.

Detailing your computer skills and programs you can properly operate is essential. 

Incorrect: Strong computer skills and knowledge of software.

Correct: Experienced in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Certified in the use of Microsoft Excel. 

5) Dependability

When an employer is considering a job applicant with little to no experience, that applicant’s dependability will be one of their major questions.

As such, including dependability in your skillset is generally a smart idea. 

Incorrect: Provided dependable service as an intern.

Correct: Proved dependability through being on time or early every day on an internship. 

6) Critical Thinking

An employer will want you to be fast on your feet while also being able to think things through thoroughly.

Emphasizing your critical thinking skills helps to show a potential employer your attention to detail and ability to problem solve. 

Incorrect: Gained critical thinking skills through membership in a chess club. 

Correct: Employed critical thinking skills during a chess club competition, placing in second. 

7) Leadership

Taking on leadership roles oftentimes comes with hefty responsibilities.

Showing employers your ability to handle and succeed as a leader can greatly impact their impression of your work ethic and ability to work well with others. 

Incorrect: Grew leadership skills in military training.

Correct: Developed leadership skills in the role of a platoon leader during military training. 

For example, take a look at how Elysse added Leadership skills on her chef resume :

For many job applicants with little to no work experience, there are oftentimes other experiences they have that can be used to emphasize and showcase work done to better hone one’s skills and expertise.

Two common examples include experience gained through volunteering or internships .

When you have no experience or gaps in your employment history, having experiences like these to fill the gaps and give context to your skills is key. 

1) Volunteering

Taking advantage of volunteering opportunities is a great way to both begin to build out your resume while also giving back to your community.

There are all sorts of volunteering positions to consider, from working in a local animal shelter to helping with inventory at a food bank. 

Volunteer service shows not only that you have experience to back up you the skills you claim to have, but it also shows your commitment to your work even if there is no compensation involved.

This can reflect very positively on your work ethic to future employers. 

Incorrect: Volunteered at a local shelter.

Correct: Spent six months volunteering at a local homeless shelter, helping to take daily and weekly food and supply inventories.

2) Internships

Internships are especially common for current students or recent grads to take on, as many jobs require some amount of relevant experience to be considered for open positions.

Internships provide the opportunity to gain relevant working experience for those with little to no prior experience.

Inclusion of internships is important, as though it is unpaid work it still can hold a similar weight to paid work experience, especially when applying to entry or low level positions. 

Incorrect: Interned at a local newspaper for one semester. ‍

Correct: Earned a semester-long internship working as an assistant to an investigative reporter at a locally-run newspaper. 

Aside from internships and volunteer experiences, things such as community leadership or fundraising can be useful to include as well.

Basically any experience that helped you to gain and hone your skills is good to consider adding to a resume. 

See how Marianne added her internship in this graphic design resume example :

When figuring out how to list education on a resume it is important to be mindful of what the job description listed as the educational requirements for the position.

Generally speaking, unless a resume is meant to be more academically focused, it is recommended to keep education sections rather short.

For those with no experience, however, the education section may be a good opportunity to showcase activities, clubs, leadership roles, and other similar experiences.

Showing your involvement on campus can help to fill the time gaps in employment history if you are a student or recent grad. 

Incorrect: Played on an intramural soccer team. ‍

Correct: Participated on an intramural soccer team and earned the role of team co-captain. 

Finally, How to Get Jobs with a No-Experience Resume

When it comes to writing the perfect resume in 2024 , there are lots of considerations to keep in mind.

With so much competition, it can sometimes feel disheartening for those of you with no experience.

However, there is a lot of power in the format and wording of your resume and learning how to optimize your resume is key to overcoming a lack of experience.

Here are three key takeaways for writing resumes with no experience:

1) Be Extra Attentive to Formatting

When you are using a functional or hybrid resume format, it may be immediately noticeable to employers that you have chosen against using the standard reverse-chronological format.

As such, you need to be extra careful with your formatting and design in order to ensure your resume looks clean and is easy to follow. 

2) Contextualize Your Information for Specific Jobs

Since your resume will likely be centered around you skills rather than your experience, it is very important to relate your skills back to the job you are applying for and contextualize for the employer how you will apply you skills if given the position. 

3) The More Detail the Better

You don’t want to leave employers feeling like they’ve been left hanging.

While you should still strive to maintain clarity and conciseness in your descriptions, do not be shy in adding heftier amounts of detail than you might in a more standard resume.

You want to stand out to employers and showcase exactly how you are perfect for the role being offered.

Our Last Thoughts

Landing a job with no experience can be tricky, but it’s nowhere near impossible.

The key to crafting a resume when you lack relevant experience is to identify and showcase your relevant and transferrable skills. 

If you are unsure how to get started formatting your resume, check out our resume templates and examples !

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Get inspired with more resume examples

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect, how to list accomplishments on a resume in 2024 (including awards & key achievements).

Showcasing your achievements is what can be the cherry on the cake to help you stand out from the crowd as a top performer and really attract employers.

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Write a resume with no experience

When you’re looking to land your first job, your resume needs to impress employers.

If you have little or no work experience, this can be tough.

But, with the right structure and approach, anyone can write an interview-winning resume.

This detailed guide, which includes a resume example, will show you how to write a resume with no experience, that will still impress recruiters, and take you one step closer to landing that first job.

• Resume examples
• Structuring and formatting your resume
• Writing your resume summary
• Your education
• Vital skills for your resume

Resume templates 

Resume with no experience example

This resume example shows you the basic format of a resume, and the type of content you can include when you have no experience.

I will now walk you through how to produce your own effective resume.

You can watch the video below or read through the rest of the guide on this page.

Top tips for writing a resume with no experience

• Although you may have no formal work experience, be creative and fill your resume with anything that can demonstrate your workplace skills
• Use hobbies, interests, after-school clubs, sports teams and volunteering to highlight transferable skills
• Head your resume with a punchy summary or personal statement to sell yourself to employers and explain why they should hire you
• Make your hard skill such as languages, IT software and written communication highly visible
• Provide lots of detail on what you have learnt in school to make up for your lack of experience

Resume structure & format

The key to getting recruiters to notice your resume, is having a structure that enables ease of reading and allows them to quickly navigate your educational background and relevant skills.

Using sections to clearly identify your transferable skills, assisting you in securing an interview.

This infographic will support you in creating a simple-but-effective format and show you what sections to include in your resume

Formatting Tips

• Use bold headers, bullet points and sections to break up information and support recruiters in easily navigating your resume
• Don’t over-design your resume with imagery such as company logos or headshots and instead keep to a subdued color pallet and a clear font
• Maintain a resume length of 2 sides of A4, don’t look to add irrelevant information to fill space and be comfortable with submitting a resume that is 1 to 2 sides

Structuring your resume

Highlight essential information within your resume by breaking up large blocks of text and working to a format that focuses on your relevancy for the sector you’re looking to apply to.

Stick to the below format when putting together your resume:

• Contact details – Make your contact details easily accessible at the top of the page
• Summary – Start your resume will a short paragraph summarizing your skills and qualifications, engaging recruiters to read further
• Education – Display your qualifications, especially those most applicable to the industry you’re looking to apply to
• Work experience – If you have any, detail voluntary experience or any part time employment
• Interests and hobbies – Look to add hobbies that document your transferable skills, providing added value to your resume

You can always use a resume template , if you want to make the structuring process easier and quicker.

Resume contact details

Keep your contact information to the top of your resume, allowing recruiters to easily reach you.

Stick to the essential information as seen below:

• Phone number
• Email address

Remove supplementary information such as marital status, profile pictures or date of birth that aren’t required in your application.

Quick tip: You can save space and add some design flair to your resume by adding some icons to symbolize the contact details in your header.

Resume summary

Start your resume with an attention-grabbing introduction, summarizing why you’re the ideal candidate for the positions you are applying to – in a punchy summary .

Give recruiters an insight into your background and core skills, making your educational history a focal point, displaying your interest into your preferred field – give them some good reasons to consider you.

These tips will support you in producing your resume summary :

• Research your chosen industry prior to creating your summary, making yourself custom-fit to the sector, adopting sector specific keywords
• Your summary should be between 5-10 lines; you’ll be able to elaborate elsewhere in your resume
• Avoid cliché and overused statements such as “I am punctual” or “I am hardworking” and instead, try to include key requirements from the job adverts you are applying to

What to include in your resume summary?

• Qualifications – Make your education a focal point, considering qualifications most imperative to the industry you’re pursuing
• Core skills – Document any transferable or marketable skills you’ve acquired in school or university, reflecting on strengths such as interpersonal skills , problem solving, or any skills that can translate into the workplace
• Passions – Why are you interested in pursuing your chosen career? What makes you a good fit?

Core skills & achievement section

Underneath your resume summary, add a skills section that consists of your core skills, using two to three columns of bullet points to list these strengths.

Allowing recruiters at first glance to establish your most applicable soft and hard skills, which relate to the industry you’re pursuing.

Before putting together this section, look to research the industry you’re applying to, adding keywords that make you custom fit to that sector.

When you’ve limited or no work experience, use your educational history as a focal point of the resume.

Represent the qualifications you have achieved as well as describing examples of coursework completed and including any specific accomplishments from your educational history.

Break up this information by clearly heading the type of qualification achieved, the dates obtained and the school or college you attended.

Use bullet points to list the qualifications you secured.

Clubs and Memberships

Within your education section look to incorporate the clubs you were part of and your role within that group.

For example, whether you were the captain of a football team or a prefect at school, even considering adding any charity work you may have done.

When writing about these; try to draw out relevant skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication etc.

See also: Graduate resume – Student resume

Work experience

Although you may have no formal work experience – be creative and add anything that could be demonstrate workplace skills, such as:

• Big projects
• Work experience placements
• A weekend job
• Volunteering
• Club or sports team membership

Quick tip: If you have no work experience, pick up a volunteer role so that you have something impressive to add to the resume.

Structuring your roles

If you have anything you could add as work experience – add to your resume like the below example.

Structure the information within your roles, by breaking up large blocks of text and using bullet points, and defined sections.

Give an overview of your voluntary position, what were your duties or what skills you obtained from this experience.

“Working in a busy café supporting the kitchen and front of house staff to ensure customers have a clean and safe environment .”

Key responsibilities

Use bullet points to document any duties you had within a position.

• Interacting with the waiting and kitchen staff to collect dishes and cutlery
• Supporting kitchen preparations during opening and closing of the café

Key achievements

Document any key achievements whilst in these positions, add relevant examples integrating any facts and figures to verify these where applicable.

• Achieved employee of the month, 2 months in a row

Interests and hobbies

When you have no experience, your hobbies could help boost your application , documenting your transferable skills gained within them.

Emphasize involvement in any clubs or teams, describing the contribution you had and providing any result driven examples.

Impressive hobbies for your resume could include:

• Being in a sports team
• Being a member of a club (book club, chess club)
• Writing a blog
• Building models or machines
• Running a marathon
• Taking part in school schemes

Look to display your personal pursuits, even if these interests don’t directly correlate to the industry you’re applying to, reveal how you can use the experience or skills gained within the industry you’re pursuing.

For example, if you’re looking to gain employment in technology then exhibit your passion for working with computers and the skills you’ve gained such as the ability to solve problems and work methodically.

Essential skills for your resume

Portray the skills you have obtained throughout your experience in education, placements or extra curriculum activities, explaining how these can transition into a work environment.

Look to include these fundamental skills:

Communication – the ability to speak with people of a variety of levels, whether teachers, professors, customers or colleagues

Organizational Skills – the ability to juggle studies whilst taking on voluntary work.

Teamwork – the capacity to work within a team to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals, whether in a school project or extra-circular team

Commitment and Drive – showcase your passion and commitment towards your chosen career path.

Customer Service – a talent for putting customers first and going the extra mile.

Writing your resume with no experience

When you have no work experience, your resume is your first impression in the recruitment process and your opportunity to display what makes you an ideal candidate.

Highlighting all aspects of your educational background as well as the skills that make you applicable for the industry you’re looking to transition into.

By using this guide, you’ll be able to produce a well-structured resume that will assist you in obtaining your dream career.

Good luck in your next application!

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How to Write An Effective Resume With No Work Experience (with Templates and Examples)

A recruiter-backed guide to writing an effective resume if you don't have enough (or any) work experience - with downloadable templates and examples.

3 years ago   •   13 min read

Navigating the job market without professional experience can seem daunting, but you can still write a competitive resume with no work experience. The key is to present the experience you do have, and show a recruiter why it’s relevant to them.

Remember, a lack of work experience doesn't mean a lack of skills or potential. Unpaid roles, student activities, internships, personal projects, and volunteer work can all provide substance for your resume, showing your potential to employers and highlighting your transferable skills.

In this guide, we'll take you through crafting a compelling resume without formal work experience, covering how to quantify your skills, focus on education, and fill your resume with competitive keywords.

How to write a resume with no work experience

If you're writing your resume but lack enough (or any) professional work experience, here's a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Include any internships, extracurricular activities , freelance, and volunteer work to supplement your experience.
• List your education section at the top of your resume.
• Use numbers and metrics to quantify your skills and explain how your experience is relevant, even if it's in a different field.
• Include a skills list of relevant keywords and competitive skills.
• Include in-progress education, training and qualifications relevant to your desired field, and consider enrolling in online courses that match the job description.
• Write a resume summary to highlight transferable skills and career goals.
• Stick with a standard reverse chronological resume format. (Not sure what that means? Don’t worry; we'll explain below.)
• Run your resume through a free online resume checker for personalized advice on targeting your resume to your application.

Remember, just because you lack paid work experience doesn’t mean you lack skills! All you need to do is learn how to highlight those skills in a way that will grab a recruiter's attention. Here is an example of how you can create a well-rounded resume with limited paid experience:

Top tips for creating a resume if you have no work experience

Here are 8 top tips for creating a professional-quality resume, despite having little to no work experience.

Highlight transferable experience

The experiences you highlight on your resume should be relevant and tailored to the job you are applying for, but that doesn’t mean they need to be in the same industry. Many skills are transferable between jobs and industries; these are the ones you want to highlight.

Look carefully at the job description and consider what you’ve done previously that demonstrates those skills. Recruiters look for transferrable technical skills, as well as soft skills, so demonstrate these through any experience on your resume, paid or non-paid.

Focus on accomplishments

Once you have decided what experience to include on your resume (more on that in our sections below), remember to talk about your accomplishments , not your job duties. “Responsible for closing the store every night” is a duty — it tells recruiters what you were asked to do, but not what you actually did or how you’re likely to perform in the job you’re applying for. Narrow down the accomplishments most relevant to the skills listed in the job description and focus on those.

Include a resume summary

Adding this optional section at the top of your resume can benefit those with limited or no work experience. A resume summary outlines your essential skills, experience, and noteworthy accomplishments to highlight why you're a good fit for the job.

Use the job title of the job you're applying for, regardless of your past experience, and list 2-3 key skills that match the job description. Mention if you have relevant background experience in that field, paid or not, and highlight any standout accomplishments.

For example:

Quantify your accomplishments and skills

Including numbers and metrics can help any experience look more impressive. This is known as quantifying your resume ; start with an action verb and include a metric or result that demonstrates your achievement.

If you’re having trouble coming up with metrics, here are some questions to consider:

• How many people have you worked with? Instead of saying that you worked in a team, specify the size of the team.
• How many people attended an event you organized? If it was for charity, how much money did you raise?
• How many customers did you serve on an average day? How many sales did you make?

Here is an example of how to quantify a previous job on your resume:

Use the right keywords

Most resumes nowadays go through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) , automated programs that scan your resume for certain keywords. This means you have to include the right words on your resume to make it past the filter.

Search our list of top resume skills and keywords to get an idea of the specific skills hiring managers are looking for. Being a match for the essential skills the job requires is much more important than having the perfect background or experience!

Keep your formatting simple

You don’t need a fancy-looking resume to impress. In fact, going overboard with creative elements like downloaded fonts, colors, and images can actually do more harm than good. Stick with an easy-to-read font, clear section titles, and standard one or two-column format, or download a free resume template that does the work for you.

Use reverse chronological format

Reverse chronological format simply means that your most recent experience and qualifications are listed first. This is the most common format for modern resumes and is what most hiring managers are expecting. That applies to work experience, but also to your education, projects, and extracurricular activities.

Use a cover letter

You can get ahead of most other applicants simply by writing a cover letter . A cover letter is a great opportunity to talk about why you’re interested in the job and what you would bring to the table, which, when you lack traditional work experience, may not always be obvious from your resume alone.

Pro-tip: Choosing the right examples

If you’re not sure if you have chosen the right examples of your skills for your resume, upload it to the tool below to get a detailed review of your resume and personalized suggestions on how you can improve your word choice, brevity, impact and style, and if there are any critical keywords missing from your resume.

Professional resume template with no work experience

If you have little to no work experience, you can still write an effective resume with only unpaid experience (internships, online training, volunteer work, etc.) by highlighting your most impressive and quantifiable accomplishments, and accomplishments that showcase transferable skills.Here is a professional resume template you can use to improve your existing resume or build one from scratch. You can download this template and more from our resume templates page.

Pro tip: For students writing their first resume

As a student or recent graduate, you will likely have limited or no experience to fill your resume. But don’t worry. This template is also for you!

Notice how this template lists extracurricular, volunteering and personal experiences as 'Leadership and Work Experience', and the resume starts with an Education section. This is a good approach to take if you're a student just getting started in your career.

You can download this template for free here .

Writing a resume for a career change with no previous experience

Making a career shift without prior experience in your proposed field can seem daunting, but it's not impossible. Just like the template above, your resume should focus on transferable skills and competencies that could apply to your desired role and highlight relevant training and certificates. The goal is to convince potential employers that while you may lack direct experience, you have the aptitude and enthusiasm to excel in this new career path.

For more information, read this article on updating your resume for a career change in 2024 .

Pro tip: Gaining industry-specific knowledge

Although you may not have direct experience in your new field, showing that you have done your homework about the industry can go a long way. This could include enrolling in online training, such as Google Career Certificates or Coursera online courses, attending seminars or workshops, or self-study. Make sure to mention these in your education or training section to show your initiative and commitment to learning about the new field.

How to write each section of your resume when you have no previous experience

There are important key sections that should be part of every resume, such as education and qualifications, work experience, hard skills and a resume summary. But don’t worry if you don’t think you have anything to write.

Below, we will explain how to tackle each section of your resume if you have little to no work experience, including formatting options, what to include and the best way to showcase your skills.

Education and qualifications

If you’re new to the workforce or are changing careers, your education and training are likely the most recent and most relevant experience you have. That means you can list your education section at the top of your resume, which takes some of the focus away from a limited work history.

Capitalize on this by elaborating on your academic achievements. Anything from relevant coursework to study abroad can be listed in your education section.

If you're a current student or recent graduate

If you’re a current student or recent graduate, you can also list your education section at the top of your resume above your work experience. The more recently you graduated, the more detailed you can make this section.

Include the name and location of your school, university or college, your field of study and your graduation date (or expected date if you’re yet to graduate). You can also include relevant honors or awards, and significant coursework.

Here is an example of how this would look on your resume, using the template above:

If you didn’t complete your degree

If you didn’t complete your degree , that’s not a problem. You should still list an unfinished degree on your resume a) if it's relevant, or b) until you have more work experience.

Include the name and location of your university, the field of your degree and the dates you attended school. You can also include the number of course hours completed.

Work experience

This is the dreaded section for most people. How are you supposed to write a work experience section when you don’t have any previous paid experience? You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience!

The most important thing to remember is that experience doesn’t need to be formal or paid to be considered experience. Work experience can include volunteering, freelance work, internships, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, or personal projects. These all demonstrate transferable skills that hiring managers are looking for.

Internships

Internships and student placements are ideal experiences for your resume since they’re still professional settings. You can list internships under your experience section, especially if you don’t have other paid experience.

Include the name of the company, the dates of employment and your specific job title, and list your experience in 3-6 bullet points describing your duties or accomplishments.

Volunteer work

Volunteer work is another excellent substitute for paid experience. Just like an internship, volunteering can be listed in your experience section or a separate volunteer work section .

Include the organization's name, the dates you volunteered and your role within the company. List 1-2 accomplishments in bullet point format, and include accomplishments to demonstrate your skills.

Extracurricular activities and projects

Extracurricular activities or personal projects are great ways to demonstrate relevant skills, especially when you don't have traditional paid experience. Both can showcase leadership , teamwork , or other valuable attributes, even if they are not specifically relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Think about the skills you demonstrated in your activities and frame those skills as accomplishments. List the name of the activity or project, your role, and then 1-2 bullet points detailing your accomplishments. Remember to start each point with a strong action verb and highlight your essential skills and achievements.

For an extracurricular activity, your entry might look something like this:

For personal or community projects, ensure to include the focus of the project and your specific role. Here's an example:

Freelance work

If you’re still struggling to think of things to include on your resume, consider gaining additional experience by starting up a side project , like running a blog or picking up freelance work .

Include the name of the company you worked for, your role, your date of employment and the projects you completed.

Work experience or no, you should still include a skills section on your resume . This doesn’t mean you need to list every skill you possess, just those most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Look for the skills listed in the job description and list those if you have them. If you’re not sure what skills hiring managers are looking for, you can use Targeted Resume Tool and our skills and keyword finder to look for relevant skills to include.

How to list hard skills

Your skills section should only include hard skills . In other words, things you can prove and quantify, like proficiency with a software program or technical process. Good skills to list could include:

• Software programs
• Programming languages
• Foreign languages
• Certifications
• Design skills
• Data analysis
• Specific types of writing, like proposal writing or SEO

If you have some experience with a skill but are not yet proficient, you can still include it on your resume. Consider arranging your skills by proficiency to show the skills you are currently improving.

How to show soft skills

Soft skills , like communication , leadership , and initiative , are great skills to have, but simply listing them isn’t going to impress a recruiter. Instead, consider a time you demonstrated those skills and include them in your bullet point accomplishments.

If you’re unsure which skills to include in your skills section, use the tool below to get a list of skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Additional sections

When you’re just starting out, anything that gives hiring managers a better sense of who you are and what you’re capable of could be worth including.

Here are some examples of additional sections you could include on your resume:

• Certifications and Courses : If you've taken additional courses or certificates that are relevant to the job you're applying for, this is the place to include them. For instance, if you're applying for a digital marketing role, you might list a Google Career Certificate or a course in SEO.
• Languages : Proficiency in foreign languages can be a significant asset in many roles. Whether you're applying for a job at a multinational company or a position that involves communication with diverse populations, list your language skills here. Ensure to mention your level of proficiency (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or fluent).
• Professional Associations or Memberships : If you belong to any professional groups or organizations related to your field, mentioning them can demonstrate your commitment to your industry.

Remember, when including additional sections, the qualities or skills you’re trying to highlight should be directly relevant to the job, even if the experience itself isn’t.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a resume with no experience

When creating a resume with no work experience, it's easy to fall into certain pitfalls. Avoid these common mistakes to write a strong and impactful resume:

Over-inflating your experience

While it's important to highlight your skills and activities, remember to remain honest and genuine. Overinflating your experience can lead to awkward situations during interviews and may raise doubts about your credibility. If you've been involved in student activities or volunteer work, these are great to include, but don't make them sound like full-time professional roles unless they were.

Not tailoring your resume

Many job seekers make the mistake of sending the same generic resume to every job they apply for. Tailor your resume for each specific job posting by highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to that position. This shows employers you've put thought into how you would fit in the role and makes your application stand out.

Overusing buzzwords or vague language

One of the common pitfalls in resume writing is the use of overused or vague language. Phrases like "hard-working," "team player," and "detail-oriented" are often overused and do not provide concrete evidence of these traits. Instead, demonstrate these skills through specific accomplishments or responsibilities from your past experiences.

Including too much irrelevant information

When writing a resume with limited experience, it can be tempting to include everything you have ever done. While it might be tempting to include all your experiences and accomplishments, it's important to remember that recruiters often have a large number of resumes to go through, so your resume should be as concise as possible.

Only include the experiences and skills that can be related to the job you are applying for, and leave out information that does not directly support your candidacy for the specific role.

Forgetting to proofread

This may seem minor, but a resume riddled with spelling and grammatical errors can create a negative impression. Always proofread your resume multiple times, and consider having someone else look it over too.

Is it worth applying for jobs that require experience even if I don't have any?

Yes, it's always worth applying for jobs that require experience, even if you don't have any. Job requirements are often a ‘wishlist’ from employers, and not having every requirement doesn't disqualify you. It's more about how you can convey your transferable skills, whether it's from your education, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.

Are there any potential red flags to employers if a resume has no paid work experience?

While a resume with no paid work experience may initially raise questions for employers, it's not an insurmountable hurdle. The key is in how you present your other experiences and skills. Employers understand that everyone starts somewhere, and they are more interested in your potential, adaptability, and willingness to learn.

How should I handle gaps in my resume due to a lack of work experience?

When you have little to no work experience, it's normal to have gaps in your resume . Instead of worrying about these gaps, focus on activities you undertook during these periods. You can include volunteer work, courses, personal projects, or relevant hobbies.

If the gap is due to education or training, that information should be clearly stated in your education section. Remember, employers are more interested in seeing a continuous journey of learning and development rather than a timeline filled solely with traditional employment.

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How to Write a Resume with No Experience: Tips & Examples

Our professional tips and examples will show you how to make a resume with no work experience.

Our customers have been hired by: * Foot Note

First-time resume with no experience: samples

The resume with no experience examples below is a great foundation for you to write your resume. You can easily edit them using our Resume Builder , which will help you create a professional resume in just a few minutes!

Resume With No Work Experience

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, a newly-graduated college student or just someone seeking their first job, you will need a resume to showcase your skills. Writing a resume with no experience is possible and easier than you think but it will require a different approach from the standard resume.

To teach you how to write a resume with no experience, we’ve put together an expert guide with:

• Examples that will show you how to make a good resume with no experience
• Step-by-step resume advice for formatting and writing your resume
• Tips on formatting and writing a cover letter to accompany your resume

Is it possible to write a resume with no work experience?

Yes, you can write a resume with no work experience. It’s important to know that hiring managers are looking for relevant experience, not necessarily professional experience. The most crucial tips for knowing how to make a good resume with no experience are:

• Think outside the box regarding experience. There are plenty of activities, like volunteer work , extracurricular activities and achievements you can include in your resume that you may not consider job experience but a hiring manager will see as evidence of your work ethic and skills.
• Consider the qualifications and skills you already have. Focus on soft skills such as communication , interpersonal skills and time management, and mention any hard skills you have that are related to the job.

How to pick the right format for your resume with no experience

There are three standard resume formats . They’re not interchangeable, so it’s important to understand each of them individually before deciding which one will benefit you the most.

• Chronological format: The most popular format. The chronological resume is ideal for job seekers with extensive work experience because it focuses on career progression and professional growth. It might not be ideal for someone writing a resume with no experience.
• Functional format : Also known as the skills-based resume, this format focuses on resume skills instead of work experience. It’s better for candidates who have little to no work experience because the work history section has less importance. The functional resume also has an additional skills section that the standard resume doesn’t have, so it may suit a candidate with no experience more than the other formats.
• Combination format : This is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats. It gives equal emphasis to work experience and relevant skills, so it’s ideal for job seekers with some years of experience in their field.

In addition to choosing the right resume format for you, it’s also important to follow the correct resume formatting guidelines:

• Choose a professional resume font . You might be tempted to use a font like Comic Sans to stand out but it’s better to stick to readable fonts like Times New Roman, Helvetica and Arial.
• Stick to the same margins. Your resume should have 1-inch margins all around but if you need extra space, you can take them down to half an inch.
• Keep the font readable. Besides choosing the right font type, your text should be a readable size. The body text should be 11-12 points, the subheadings 14-15 and your name 16 or 18.
• Maintain consistent spacing. The spacing between the lines should be single or 1.5 and the same throughout your resume.
• Save and download in the right file format. Most job openings require you to submit your resume in a PDF or MS Word format but read the job description carefully in case the potential employer requests it in another file format.

You can also take away the guesswork using one of our beautiful resume templates . They’re pre-formatted to pass the applicant tracking system (ATS) that most employers use to filter resumes, so you can focus on all the other good stuff.

How to write a resume with no experience

Now that we’ve discussed resume formats and given you all the formatting tips, here’s how to make a resume with no job experience:

Header and contact information

First comes the header with your contact information. Make sure that the phone number and professional email address you provide are the correct ones. You can also include the social media handle to your LinkedIn profile but only if it will add value to your job application.

Resume objective

We highly recommend writing an objective for a resume instead of a summary for a resume . A resume objective is a two- to three-sentence introduction that summarizes your top skills and informs the potential employer of your goals in relation to their company or internship program. For example: High school student looking for graphic design internship to hone designing skills. Ready to apply collaborative skills and creative abilities to an advertising agency. Possesses basic Photoshop, Illustrator and Lightroom skills.

Skills section

• Communication skills
• Flexibility
• Time management
• Organizational skills
• Graphic design
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management
• Google Analytics
• Cloud computing
• “Professional Skills” or “Relevant Skills” section: You select your top three core skills and expand on how you’ve used those skills by using three to five bullet points, similar to the work experience section.
• “Summary of Qualifications” section: Where you briefly summarize the skills that qualify you for the job in three bullet points and a single sentence.
• Consider listing relevant coursework that’s pertinent to the job or internship.
• Likewise, if you’re applying for a job or internship that directly relates to your educational background, you may want to include your GPA but only if it’s between 3.50 and 4.0.
• If you still haven’t graduated college or high school, include the expected graduation date .

Work experience

• Use only three to five bullet points per job title
• Start your statements with action verbs
• Avoid talking about mundane tasks. Instead, focus on achievements and major responsibilities
• Use numbers to portray your accomplishments better
• Draft weekly emails about school activities and student suggestions for school administration.
• Write detailed meeting minutes and hand in weekly reports.
• Organize over 15 files and keep track of important documents.

Additional sections

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

More resume examples and tips

ResumeHelp has tons of expert resources to help you write the best resume and jump-start your career.

• Student Resume Examples : Check out our resume writing tips specifically for students.
• Internship Resume Examples : Interested in an internship? Impress with the help of our internship resume samples.
• How to Start a Job Search : Searching for your first job doesn’t have to be scary. Follow our expert advice to get started.
• Resume Examples : Find more inspiration in our extensive resume samples library.
• Resume Design : Make sure your resume looks as good as it reads with our design tips.
• How to Write a Resume : Get extra resume writing advice from our detailed guide.

Write a cover letter for your resume

A cover letter is an incredibly useful tool to land the job of your dreams. It’s especially crucial if you don’t have enough work experience, so use our cover letter resources to create a professional letter for your job application.

• Entry-level Cover Letter Examples : See professionally written examples of cover letters for first-time job seekers.
• How to Write a Cover Letter : Learn all the tips and tricks to writing a great cover letter.
• Cover Letter Builder : Create a cover letter in just a few minutes with our step-by-step guidance.
• Scholarship Cover Letter : Explore our collection of cover letter examples specifically tailored for scholarship applications.
• Cover Letter Templates : Find the perfect template to pair with your resume.
• Cover Letter Examples : Use our cover letter samples as a base to write yours.

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The big takeaways.

Let’s do a quick recap of what we discussed to wrap up:

• Writing a resume with no experience is possible!
• Relevant work experience can come from volunteering, extracurricular activities and personal projects.
• It’s important to feature a mixture of soft skills and hard skills.
• Resume formats are not interchangeable, so choose the one that works best for you.
• Summarize your top skills with a resume objective.
• Create additional sections for your certifications and awards.
• It’s OK to include your GPA, as long as it’s between 3.50 and 4.0.
• Use action verbs across your resume to give it more power.
• Focus on major accomplishments in your work experience section.
• Introduce yourself with a cover letter.

FAQ: Resumes With No Work Experience

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Should I write a resume when I don’t have experience?

Yes. Even if you don’t have work experience, a resume will be expected for most jobs. After all, a resume is an important part of communicating your credentials. The key to writing a resume with no experience is to focus on your skills and mention any relevant experience, even if it doesn’t come from a traditional job.

Work experience can come from volunteer work, extracurricular activities (such as clubs) and personal projects. Just make sure that it’s related to the job or internship.

Can I list hobbies on my resume if I have no experience?

Hobbies can be a good additional section if those hobbies are related to the job you’re trying to get. If you’re trying to become a character designer, listing that you’ve been playing D&D for 10 years can be helpful because you have to design characters for every D&D session. However, it’s not super helpful if you’re trying to get work as a certified nurse assistant.

Connect your hobbies to your job and you can add them to your resume.

Should I list my GPA on my resume if I’ve just graduated?

It’s typically not required to list your GPA on your resume because most hiring managers don’t find it important. However, if you’re searching for a job or an internship in an academic setting, it might be important to list your GPA or the honors you graduated with.

It all depends on the industry and job. Some hiring managers might not bat an eye at the fact that you graduated cum laude (no matter how impressive it is), while others might deem it a great deciding factor.

What to put on your resume if you have no experience?

If you’re writing a resume with no experience, focus on your key skills and any relevant experience you have. You might not have worked at a traditional 9-5 or even a part-time job but maybe you tutored students at your school, volunteered at the local animal shelter or participated in an afterschool program, such as the school newspaper. All of these experiences gave you important skills that you can apply to the job and highlight in your resume.

How do I list jobs on my resume if I have no experience?

Writing a resume work history section with no experience can seem daunting but it’s possible and easier than you think. The key is to redefine what “work experience” means to you.

Maybe you haven’t worked at a traditional job but have experience in customer service from volunteering at a local shelter. In which case, you might write:

• Guided an average of 10 patrons around the animal shelter, introducing them to different animals.
• Organized files under the supervision of the shift supervisor.
• Helped clean and disinfect common areas to maintain high sanitation standards.

You should list these experiences in reverse-chronological order. This means that your latest or current job is at the top. Per job, include three to five bullet points.

Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?

You can always contact us.

Ho Lin is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

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How to Make a Resume With No Experience

You can lean on internships, class projects and extracurricular activities.

Making a resume early in your career feels like a classic catch-22: A good resume highlights relevant work experience, which you don’t get until you land a job.

The truth is you don’t always need professional experience for entry-level jobs. By highlighting your existing skills, coursework and extracurricular activities, you can craft a resume that will impress employers — even without work experience.

Writing a Resume With No Experience

• Start with a professional summary 
• Emphasize your education 
• Include relevant experience like internships and extracurriculars
• Highlight your accomplishments
• Showcase your skills 
• Don’t include a headshot, hobbies and other unnecessary details

Even if you don’t meet all the requirements described in a job description , there are still ways to write a resume that catches a company’s eye. First, you may want to get your hands on a resume template (word processors like Google Docs and Microsoft Word have resume templates to guide you with a general structure). From there, you can fill in the details by following the tips below.

1. Start With a Professional Summary

Career coaches have mixed opinions on including a short professional summary at the top of your resume. Lesa Edwards, founder of  Exclusive Career Coaching and the former director of the career center at  Truman State University , is in favor of a professional summary because it can set the stage and contextualize the experiences that follow. It also allows you to set yourself apart in a large stack of resumes. 

If you decide to include a professional summary, ask yourself: What do I bring to the table? What soft skills could I transfer over to this role? What do I have that other candidates don’t have? If written well, this two-to-three-sentence summary could encourage recruiters and hiring managers to take a closer look at your resume and cover letter.

2. Emphasize Your Education

If you recently graduated from college, put your education experience as one of the first headers on your resume. You should list your major, any academic honors and your GPA (if it is 3.5 or higher). The education section of your resume can also include a subsection for industry-relevant certifications . As your career progresses, you can bump your education section further down the resume to make room for more relevant professional experiences.

3. Include Relevant Experience and Activities 

Instead of focusing on the requirements you don’t meet, think about any transferable skills or experiences you might have gained from internships , extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, volunteering or school projects.

Jill Silman Chapman, director of early talent programs at Insperity , said she favors candidates who have a well-rounded set of experiences. It shows they are able to multitask, work in different types of environments and adapt to changing circumstances.

“In today’s workplace, we’re changing all the time,” she said. “That ability to adapt is critical.”

Internships

Internships are the best way to gain relevant work experience before entering the professional world. They offer an opportunity to apply the lessons you’ve learned in the classroom in real-world situations.

Part-Time Jobs

If you worked in a service industry job and you are seeking your first professional job after college, you could highlight soft skills , like time management skills needed to juggle school and work responsibilities. Customer service is an especially underrated skill, Silman Chapman said, because it translates to customer-facing roles and  interpersonal skills within the workplace.

Extracurricular Activities

This could include student government, fraternities and sororities or any number of campus organizations or community activities. Athletics is also a resume-booster in some industries, especially sales and other professions that tap into a competitive spirit. You might also note if you were an Eagle Scout, helped out at a peer tutoring program or volunteered your time in other ways that show you are engaged in your community.

Class Projects

Projects you worked on as part of a class or online certification program can also be incorporated into your resume. This could include your marketing class working on a semester-long campaign that culminated in a big presentation. If your class partnered with a company on a large project, that could be a relevant real-world experience for your resume.

Online certification programs are also a good way to gain professional experience, and often provide a chance to apply your learnings to a project, which can then be highlighted on your resume, said Karen Scully-Clemmons, assistant director of career services and employer relations at the  University of Texas at Austin . You’ll want to detail what you accomplished, what technologies you used and what you learned . If possible, you should also link to your project on your resume.

Related Reading How to Use the STAR Interview Method to Land a Job

4. Highlight Your Accomplishments

For each experience you list, showcase the results in bullet point format, and look for ways to quantify your results. For example, don’t just rattle off what you did as president of a school organization, highlight how many new members joined during your tenure or how much money you raised while leading fundraising efforts.  

These accomplishments don’t need to be groundbreaking, but you might have to reflect deeply and think creatively to recognize and articulate the value you provided in each role. Just be sure to align these accomplishments with the responsibilities in the job description. 

“Sometimes I think the hardest thing for students is to think of an achievement, because they think it has to be a super big deal,” Edwards said. “So much of it is a shift in mindset of what constitutes an achievement.”

5. Showcase Your Skills

For a skills section, you can include your software proficiencies, as well as soft skills like organization, time management, communication, adaptability to change and the ability to work as part of a team . If you are going to highlight soft skills, though, you should also include evidence of a role or situation in which you demonstrated those skills.

“It may not be numbers, dollars or percentages,” Edwards said, “but maybe you could talk about how you took a leadership role in a class project that was presented to a community organization.”

Related Reading 5 Things New Grads Need to Know About the Job Market

6. Don’t Include These Elements

You only have so much space on your resume, so be sure to leave off these unnecessary details. 

Objective Statement 

Don’t include an “objective” statement that lays out what you are looking for in a job. Instead of talking about what you want, use that space to describe what value you can offer the employer. 

Hobbies and Interests

While you might think a job is related to your hobbies and interests, Edwards said these are of little practical interest to recruiters and hiring managers. Leave them out of your resume.  

A GPA below 3.5 is not likely to win over a company, and a GPA below 3.0 could only hurt your chances. Only include your GPA if it’s above 3.5.   

Headshot or Photo

Recruiters and hiring managers don’t need or want to see what you look like. Unless you are applying for an acting job, don’t attach a picture to your resume because it could be potentially used to discriminate against you. 

Your Full Address

In the electronic age, there is no need to put your address on your resume. Providing your city and state is typically enough, unless an online application requires your full address.  

Graphics  

Don’t employ resume templates with fancy graphics: most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) , which can’t read resumes that are decorated with graphics, special fonts, columns and other formatting tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can i put on my resume if i have no experience.

In lieu of professional experience, you could highlight your education, skills, internships, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, volunteering experiences and school projects.

How to write a professional summary for a resume with no experience?

A well-written professional summary will draw upon the experience you’ve gained from school, internships and other extracurricular activities to demonstrate the impact you have made and the value you would bring to your desired role.

How do you say you have no experience but are willing to learn?

Employers are often willing to train entry-level candidates who have shown initiative and a hard work ethic in school, internships and extracurricular activities. You can emphasize your willingness to learn through your professional summary statement on the top of your resume or through the cover letter that accompanies the resume.

Do I need a resume if I don't have experience?

Yes, you need a resume when applying for a job, regardless of your experience. Most word processors, like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, offer free resume templates to get you started.

Recent Career Development Articles

16 Good Skills to Put on a Resume With No Experience

Looking for a list of good skills to put on a resume with no experience? Yes, it exists. When writing a resume for your first job , finding the best tools to show employers what you have to offer can make all the difference, whether or not you have work experience to back it up.

Today's job market is highly competitive, with companies seeking versatile candidates who possess a wide range of skills and the ability to adapt to challenging situations. The good news? You can check all those boxes, even without formal job experience.

Your entry-level resume should demonstrate your strengths and qualifications, while also being an accurate reflection of who you are—which means, not turning it into a compilation of buzzwords. Here's a list of the best skills to put on a resume when you have no experience. (Keep these in handy for your job hunt, and get ready to stand out!)

Once you perfect your resume, check out open jobs on The Muse and maximize your chances of getting hired »

What are entry-level resume skills ?

When it comes to what skills to put on a resume, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Yes, there are a couple of general skills that hiring managers typically look for. But specific roles may demand specific abilities.

For example, if you're an entry-level candidate applying to a sales associate position, your communication and customer service skills are going to be way more important than your Photoshop knowledge.

“When candidates have no experience in a position, recruiters look for skills that align directly with the role,” says Prestina Yarrington , Growth & Development Coach and former Global Talent Acquisition Senior Manager at Microsoft. “They're looking for a skillset match between the candidate's resume and the job description.”

The key is to identify past experiences that have helped you develop skills relevant to the job you're applying for. “These can be exhibited through your education, internships, or volunteer work, which may have allowed you to become familiar with the skills needed for the role. It can also include work you may have done as a member of a club or organization,” Yarrington says.

Examples of skills to put on a resume with no experience

OK, you understand now that your resume should be tailored to each job. But to get you started, here are 16 great skills to put on a resume with no experience—from soft to hard skills .

General and behavioral skills

Need some key skills to put on a resume for an entry-level position? General and behavioral skills—also known as soft skills —are a good place to start. Why? Because they are essential and highly valued in nearly every job out there.

By showcasing these skills on your resume, you'll be giving the hiring manager a glimpse into who you are and how you might act in the work environment.

1. Creativity

Most employers really value creative candidates because they're the ones who bring fresh ideas and innovation to the company. Even though this skill is often linked with traditional creative jobs like writing or design, it's actually useful in any work setting. You can leverage creativity to solve problems and handle tricky situations with ease.

Read more: 16 High-Paying Jobs for Creative People

2. Leadership

Companies crave employees who can motivate, engage, and manage others. That's why leadership skills can be a surprising asset on a resume with no experience. To demonstrate this quality, reflect on situations or relevant experiences from your past where you had the chance to effectively lead others. This could include team projects or involvement in extracurricular activities, for example.

4. Attention to detail

Another skill that can catch the recruiter's eye is attention to detail. People with this skill are typically meticulous, organized, and dedicated to high-quality work. However, it's important to find a balance. While a keen eye for detail is valuable, it shouldn't become an obsession to the point that slows you down.

With that in mind, to showcase this strength on your resume, highlight how your attention to detail helped you excel in a project or solve a problem. Focus on the positive impact it has on you.

3. Organizational skills

Are you an organized person? Have you ever had to multitask and handled it like a pro? If so, think about adding organizational skills to your resume. Employers really value this ability—especially in roles where you'll be dealing with a lot of tasks every day.

5. Communication skills

Whether you're working directly with the public or not, communication skills are a must on an entry-level resume. Regardless of your position, you'll likely need to communicate with your team, boss, and colleagues daily—be it in person or via email. So, make sure to highlight your ability to convey information clearly and express yourself effectively.

6. Ability to learn quickly

As an entry-level employee, you'll be constantly learning a lot of things. That's why you should highlight your ability to be a quick learner on your resume—it shows you're ready to soak up new knowledge and contribute effectively to any team, even without formal experience.

Mention a previous project where you started with minimal expertise and quickly absorbed new information. Even better if you provide examples illustrating what you learned and how it improved your performance.

7. Adaptability

The job market is constantly evolving. New technology, tools, and apps pop up all the time. Not only that—companies themselves are always changing, requiring employees to take on new responsibilities and adjust to new scenarios. By demonstrating your flexibility and willingness to embrace change, you can make your resume stand out.

Read more: 3 Ways You Can Deal With Change at Work

8. Public speaking

Even if the job you're applying for doesn't involve much public interaction, public speaking is a great skill to put on a resume with no experience. It signals you're a confident person who can communicate effectively. Plus, it's a useful skill to have in many work situations, such as presenting projects or leading discussions and meetings.

Transferable skills

Transferable skills are those you can apply to any job, regardless of the title or field—which makes them highly prized by hiring managers. “For entry-level positions, recruiters are looking for transferable skills the candidate may have demonstrated in another role. For instance, problem-solving, teamwork, or critical thinking skills,” says Yarrington.

However, it doesn't mean you should copy and paste the list onto your resume. Your choices should be tailored to the specific role you're seeking. “This can be taken directly from the job description. Try to stay away from general broad terms. Recruiters are looking to find a match for the position,” she says.

Read more: How to Read a Job Description the Right Way

9. Problem-solving

Problem-solving is one of the best skills to put on a resume with no experience because it shows your ability to tackle challenges and find solutions. Since most professions involve facing certain challenges sooner or later, employers highly value candidates with this capability.

Be sure to provide an example of a situation where you were faced with a problem and successfully find a solution to overcome it.

10. Teamwork

Being a team player is key. Employers seek candidates who can collaborate well with others and offer support, rather than competing with them. Most work environments rely on teams to achieve common goals. This includes everything from group discussions and brainstorming meetings to depending on your colleague to get your job done. Think about a chef who depends on the waiter to deliver the food to customers—that's teamwork in action.

Read more: 4 Tips to Help Control Freaks Be Team Players

11. Critical thinking

Another highly demanded skill is critical thinking . It involves analyzing complex situations and making informed, intelligent decisions to solve problems or improve processes.

Similar to problem-solving, this skill demonstrates that you're able to handle obstacles effectively. When crafting your resume, look for situations where you used your critical thinking skills to overcome challenges.

12. Time management

Time management is also a key skill to add to your resume, especially if you're new to the workforce, given how fast-paced many workplaces are today. It requires the ability to prioritize projects and handle multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines. Employees lacking time management skills are less likely to thrive in such environments, which could lead to delayed deliveries and low productivity.

Technical skills

Who says entry-level resume skills can't be technical? Also known as hard skills , they can be self-taught or acquired through certifications, work experience, and college education. Unlike behavioral and transferable skills, technical knowledge is typically more specialized, only applicable in specific fields.

14. Software programs

Are you a Photoshop expert? Can you edit videos using Final Cut or Adobe Premiere? These are good skills to put on a resume, particularly if you're applying for roles in social media, content creation, or marketing.

Do you have experience working with Excel or Google Presentations? Many office jobs require knowledge in one of these software programs. While more experienced professionals may omit them from their resumes, entry-level candidates should do the exact opposite and highlight this kind of skill.

15. Writing

Writing is one of the best examples of technical skills to put on a resume for first job, as many professions rely heavily on it. For example, roles in social media management and content marketing require strong writing abilities.

Read more: 9 High-Paying Writing Jobs for Word People: Editors, Writers, and Beyond

Even seemingly non-technical roles like receptionist or secretary often require strong writing skills. While graduates from journalism or literature may have an advantage, those from different backgrounds can still get online certifications in creative writing, technical writing, and more.

16. Social media management

If you think about it, almost every business—big or small—has a social media presence nowadays. That's why social media management is a skill worth considering for your resume, especially if you're interested in job opportunities related to content marketing or creation.

Like the others skills on this list, social media management is something you can develop through personal projects or certifications.

How do I list my skills on a resume with no experience?

You've learned what are some skills to put on a resume as an entry-level candidate. But how do you list them effectively? Ideally, each skill should be linked to a specific experience you've had. No worries though—even without formal work experience, there are some creative ways to showcase them and grab the attention of recruiters.

Use a minimalist template

You might have some amazing design skills (put that on your list!), but your resume isn't the place to show them off just yet. Focus on keeping your resume minimalistic and clear.

“Although most candidates put a lot of effort into the specific template used or the formatting of their resume, which is often aesthetically pleasing, the overall content of the resume is what we pay attention to more,” says Yarrington.

Read more: 40 Best Free Resume Templates to Use and Customize

Leverage the resume summary

The resume summary is the very first section of the document. It's used to highlight your main goal and your most important qualifications. As an entry-level applicant, you can take advantage of this section to tell a bit about yourself and list some of your best skills.

“It's a great idea to start with a summary briefly stating the intended career goals and highlighting key strengths that are relevant to the position,” says Yarrington. “For an entry-level position, it may be beneficial to include the desired next step in the career journey—this shows a desire to commit to learning the necessary knowledge and skills to progress.”

Here's an example:

Creative and detail-oriented computer science graduate with internship experience in web development. Proficient in HTML, Java Script, and CSS, with a solid understanding of software maintenance for engineering applications. Seeking an entry-level position to expand my knowledge and further develop my skills.

Create sections related to your skills

If you've never had a formal job before, you can create sections to include relevant experiences related to the skills you want to emphasize. For instance, “education and academic success, notable achievements or awards, and volunteer work,” says Yarrington.

It could be something like:

Volunteer Experience

Food bank of West Virginia

Volunteer Shift Manager, January 2023 — December 2023

• Managed the food pantry operations, developing a new organization system that resulted in a 35% decrease in waste
• Trained over 15 new volunteers, guiding them through all our internal processes and systems
• Created and implemented a new shift calendar to better accommodate the needs of both new and existing volunteers, resulting in a 10% reduction in absenteeism

Literally create a skills section

This skills section can be added at the very end of the document, below your experiences and education. There are two different ways to do it: vertically or horizontally.

Example #1:

Relevant skills

• Creative writing
• Critical thinking
• Adaptability

Example #2:

Creative content writing, SEO, editing, critical thinking, adaptability, attention to detail

Prioritize quality over quantity

Don't go listing every skill under the sun to fill up a page. Be truthful, and most importantly, focus on the quality of your resume.

“Is it geared towards the role you're seeking? Have you highlighted skills from the position that can be found in either your education, volunteer, or organizational work? Is the resume spell/grammar checked?” Yarrington asks.

Imagine claiming to be detail-oriented and then submitting a resume that doesn't align with the job description or, worse, is full of grammar mistakes. That's definitely not the impression you want to make.

“Many people miss small things when it comes to this,” she says. “It can convey whether or not the candidate pays attention to detail or reviews their work before submitting it. These are soft skills that are vital in an entry-level position .”

How to Write a Summary for a Resume with No Experience

Are you struggling to write your resume summary because you lack work experience ? You’re not alone. Whether you’re fresh out of school or making a career change , writing a summary for a resume with no experience can feel overwhelming.

In this guide, you will learn how to write a compelling resume summary despite your lack of work experience in your target job or industry.

The following template and examples will also help your resume summary create a strong impression on recruiters who only spend an average of 7.4 seconds reviewing your resume .

Step-by-step guide to writing your resume summary

Your resume summary is your elevator pitch at the beginning of your resume. It provides a snapshot of your key skills , accomplishments , and career objectives .

A good summary can make up for your lack of professional experience. So, you must make sure your summary is compelling to recruiters and hiring managers so that they will read the rest of your resume.

Here are steps on how to write a compelling summary for your resume even when you don’t have professional experience yet.

Step 1. Study the job description

The first step you have to do is thoroughly study the job description of the position you are applying for.

Check the specific skills , qualifications, and experiences your potential employer is looking for. You can also go beyond the job description and research the company’s mission, culture, and values.

Doing this allows you to tailor your resume summary to match these responsibilities.

Once you understand the job requirements, think about how your strengths, education, skills, and experiences match them. This strengthens your entry-level resume even when you don’t have direct work experience.

Step 2. Highlight your educational achievements

Highlight your GPA (if it’s over 3.5). Also, note any academic honors, relevant coursework, and notable school projects.

Including these in your resume summary shows your potential to excel in the desired role and helps compensate for your lack of professional experience. It also gives recruiters a deeper insight into your academic knowledge, skills, dedication, and capabilities.

By focusing on your educational achievements , you can strategically position yourself as a strong candidate, even without extensive work experience.

Step 3. Emphasize any relevant non-work experience

You may also highlight your other involvements that demonstrate your skills.

These could include:

• Extracurricular activities
• Volunteer work
• Internships
• Relevant projects

These experiences can showcase your work ethic and interpersonal skills , even if they are not traditional work roles.

For instance, if you were in student government, say how it improved your leadership. Also, mention how it improved your communication skills .

In the same way, school projects related to your field of study can also be valuable.

Step 4. Showcase your skills and competencies

Highlight your key skills and competencies in your summary statement. Emphasize the skills that set you apart.

You can consider two types of skills when writing your summary. The first type includes hard skills , such as software or technical skills. The second type includes soft skills , like communication or time management .

Additionally, use action words to show your strengths. This will help the hiring manager see your value quickly.

Including specific examples or measurable achievements can also provide further credibility to your claims.

Try scanning your resume into Jobscan  to see the top skills you should include in your resume summary to increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

Step 5. Add volunteer work or internships

If you have no formal work experience, you can highlight your volunteer work or internships in your resume summary. These experiences can provide valuable skills and demonstrate your dedication and work ethic.

Describe the tasks you performed, the skills you gained, and any accomplishments or results you achieved.

For example, suppose you volunteered at a local animal shelter. In that case, you can mention how you developed strong communication skills by interacting with potential adopters and how you managed your time effectively by coordinating adoption events.

This will show potential employers that you have practical experience and can contribute to their organization.

Additionally, if you have participated in any relevant projects or initiatives during your volunteer work or internships, make sure to highlight them in your resume summary as well.

Step 6. Use keywords effectively

A resume is typically scanned by hiring managers or applicant tracking systems (ATS) for keywords related to the job description.

Keywords can be:

• Hard skills
• Soft skills
• Software or tools
• Other industry-related keywords

If your resume doesn’t have the keywords recruiters would search for in the ATS, your application might not be noticed or seen by recruiters.

So, you need to incorporate these keywords organically into your resume summary.

For example, if the job description emphasizes strong communication skills, you can mention how you have developed excellent communication skills through your involvement in a debate club or public speaking competitions. Additionally, using industry-specific terms or software names relevant to the job can also help your resume stand out.

However, make sure not to overuse keywords or include irrelevant ones, as it may come across as unnatural or misleading.

You can manually list the relevant keywords in the job description and include them in your resume summary.

Or, you can scan your resume summary with Jobscan and check whether it has the relevant keywords recruiters will look for. This will save you time and increase your chances of landing interviews.

Step 7. Generate your resume summary using AI

You can also use AI tools like Jobscan’s resume summary generator in Power Edit to craft the best resume summary for you, even when you have limited work experience.

Here’s how you do it:

Just go into the editor and click ‘Generate Summary.’

In just a few seconds, the tool will then come up with a resume summary based on your top skills, accomplishments, and experiences.

The tool also optimizes your summary and tailors it to the specific job to increase your chances of landing interviews .

Here’s an example:

Try generating your own resume summary with Jobscan today!

Resume summary with no work experience template

Here’s a simple template you can use when crafting your own resume summary:

[Adjective describing you] [current status, such as recent graduate, student] with a [degree or field of study] in [major/field]. Skilled in [key skills or tools] with experience in [relevant coursework, projects, or volunteer work]. Proven ability to [highlight a key achievement or quality]. Seeking to [describe the type of role you are looking for] to [mention how you will contribute to the company or team].

Resume summary for recent graduates

For recent graduates, it’s important to highlight your academic achievements and relevant coursework in your resume summary.

Here is a sample resume summary for recent graduates:

Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Strong programming skills and experience in software development gained through coursework and capstone projects. Proficient in Java, C++, and Python. Highly analytical with strong problem-solving abilities. Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills demonstrated through group projects. Eager to apply my technical skills and knowledge to an entry-level software development role.

Why this resume summary is effective:

• States the degree earned.
• Highlights strong programming skills (Java, C++, Python), which are crucial for software development roles.
• Emphasizes hands-on experience through coursework and capstone projects, demonstrating practical application of skills.
• Showcases strong problem-solving abilities and excellent teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Shows eagerness and readiness to apply technical skills in an entry-level role, indicating motivation and direction.

Resume summary for career changer

Here is an example of a resume summary statement for a job seeker transitioning from human resources to sales.

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with a background in Human Resources and a strong passion for marketing. Skilled in strategic planning, communication, and data analysis, with hands-on experience in managing employee engagement projects and organizational branding initiatives. Proven ability to drive team collaboration and implement effective marketing strategies through volunteer work and coursework in digital marketing. Eager to leverage my skills and HR experience to contribute to a forward-thinking marketing team. Seeking an entry-level Marketing Manager role to enhance brand presence and drive business growth.

• Emphasizes skills gained in HR such as strategic planning, communication, and data analysis.
• Mentions experience in managing projects and branding initiatives that are relevant to marketing.
• Shows proven abilities in collaborating and implementing strategies.
• Provides a clear snapshot of the candidate’s strengths and objectives.

10 no-experience resume summary examples

Here are 10 examples of resume summaries from across different jobs and industries.

Highly motivated recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, graduating magna cum laude with a GPA of 3.8. Proficient in circuit design, signal processing, and embedded systems through comprehensive coursework and hands-on projects. Recognized for strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in team environments. Seeking an entry-level electrical engineering role to apply technical expertise and contribute to innovative engineering solutions.

Driven and articulate education student with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Demonstrated proficiency in communication, problem-solving, and customer service through academic projects and volunteer work. Adept at managing time efficiently and handling diverse tasks. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with peers, showcasing strong teamwork and adaptability. Fluent in English with excellent interpersonal skills, eager to contribute to a dynamic BPO environment. Seeking an entry-level role to leverage my skills in enhancing customer satisfaction and operational success.

Motivated high school graduate with strong communication and customer service skills developed through volunteer work and school projects. Proven ability to manage tasks efficiently and work effectively in team settings. Seeking an entry-level position in retail to apply my skills and contribute to customer satisfaction.

Enthusiastic college student pursuing a degree in Information Technology. Proficient in Java, Python, and web development, with hands-on experience from coursework and personal projects. Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent teamwork skills. Eager to apply my technical knowledge in an entry-level IT role.

Adaptable professional transitioning from teaching to sales, offering a proven track record of effective communication, time management, and relationship-building skills. Seeking an entry-level sales position to leverage the ability to connect with people and drive results.

Creative and detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration, with a strong portfolio of academic and freelance projects. Eager to bring innovative design solutions to a forward-thinking company.

A detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, proficient in data analysis tools such as Excel, SQL, and Python. Demonstrated ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights through coursework and projects. Eager to apply analytical skills in an entry-level data analyst position.

A compassionate and analytical recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Skilled in research, data analysis, and interpersonal communication through academic projects and volunteer work. Eager to apply skills in a supportive role in the mental health or social services field.

Driven and analytical recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Skilled in financial analysis, project management, and strategic planning through coursework and internships. Proven ability to work collaboratively in team settings and manage multiple tasks efficiently. Eager to contribute to a dynamic business environment and drive operational success.

Results-driven marketing professional with 5 years of experience, now transitioning to a career in data analysis. Adept at using marketing data to drive strategic decisions and proficient in data analysis tools such as SQL, Excel, and Tableau. Demonstrated ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights to improve marketing campaigns. Eager to leverage analytical skills and marketing experience in an entry-level data analyst role to help organizations make data-driven decisions.

You can also check out our comprehensive library of resume examples , templates , and resume summary examples .

Get the best resume summary that’s aligned to your desired job with Power Edit.

Frequently asked questions

A good summary provides recruiters with a snapshot of what you bring to the table. If you still don’t have professional experience, you can do the following: 1. Highlight your education, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), and relevant coursework. 2. Emphasize technical skills, soft skills, or transferable skills. 3. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects you did. 4. Showcase enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. 5. Tailor your resume summary to the specific job you are applying for.

Here is an example of a good personal summary on your resume: “Dynamic and passionate Environmental Science graduate with a GPA of 3.8. Skilled in data analysis, field research, and environmental impact assessments through extensive academic projects and internships. Known for strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a commitment to sustainability. Seeking an entry-level environmental analyst role to apply my expertise in promoting sustainable practices and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.”

Here are steps on how you can tailor your resume summary to the job you are applying for: 1. Read the job description carefully. Identify key skills and qualifications the job requires. 2. See how your skills and experiences match the job requirements. 3. Highlight relevant skills and experiences. 4. Use keywords: Incorporate terms from the job posting. 5. Focus on the employer’s needs. Show how you can meet their specific requirements.

Yes. Including relevant soft skills in your resume summary strengthens your chances of being noticed by recruiters. Include soft skills such as: 1. Communication 2. Teamwork 3. Problem-solving 4. Time management 5. Adaptability

Here are the key elements you can include in your beginner resume summary: 1. Education: Mention your degree, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), institution, and graduation date. 2. Relevant coursework: Highlight courses relevant to the job you are applying for. 3. Skills: Include both hard and soft skills that are related to the job. 4. Internships/volunteer work: Include any practical experience that’s relevant to the job you are applying for. 5. Projects: Show relevant academic or personal projects. 6. Career goals: Mention your professional goals and how you can contribute to the potential employer.

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• Resume Examples

Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume Example & Guide

Is your entry-level pharmacy technician resume looking out of shape? Turn it into a picture of health and land your first pharmacy job!

Writing a resume with no relevant experience can feel impossible. 

But here’s something to cheer you up: every pharmacy tech you’ve ever found had to write their first resume at some point. And since they’re employed now, it must have worked! 

Let’s review how to write an entry-level pharmacy technician resume that’ll work for you. No experience is necessary. 

In this guide:

• An entry-level pharmacy technician resume sample better than most.
• How to make the perfect entry-level pharmacy technician job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for entry-level pharmacy technician jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an entry-level pharmacy technician job.

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Looking for other opportunities or more resume examples? Take a look at these: 

• Cashier Resume Example
• Computer Technician Resume Example
• Customer Service Resume Example
• Maintenance Technician Resume Example
• Medical Assistant Resume Example
• Nursing Student Resume Example
• Pharmaceutical Sales Resume Example
• Pharmacist Resume Example
• Pharmacy Technician Resume Example
• Retail Resume Example
• Sales Associate Resume Example
• Sales Representative Resume Example
• Technical Resume Example
• Best Resume Examples for Every Job

Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume Sample

Frances Stewart

Pharmacy Technician

230-622-7543

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/frances.stewart2

Self-motivated pharmacy technician with an Associate degree (3.85 GPA) and 4+ years of experience in customer service. Strong knowledge of medical chemistry and general human anatomy. Eager to turn my education and experience into an asset for EvolveHealth’s pharmaceutical team and assist pharmacists with dedication and accuracy. As a sales assistant at ShopCo, welcomed 100+ customers to the store every shift, handling transactions and resolving complaints. 

Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology

City College of San Francisco, CA

September 2020–June 2022

• Excelled in theory and clinical modules; achieved 3.9+ GPA in Medical Chemistry and General Human Anatomy.
• Selected electives in Health Education, Communication Studies, and Math.
• Completed an 8-week placement in a retail pharmacy, learning inventory management and insurance claims processing.

Work Experience

Sales Assistant

ShopCo, San Francisco, CA

August 2018–present

• Welcoming 100+ customers to the store every shift, answering questions, and providing directions in a professional, friendly manner. 
• Resolving customer complaints when possible and escalating to the manager when needed.
• Handling transactions with 100% accuracy and taking payments by cash and card. 
• Stocking shelves, labeling items with price tags, and ensuring the store looks neat, organized, and clean. 
• Collaborating with other team members and management to ensure 100% customer satisfaction. 

Licenses & Certifications

• Pharmacy Technician License, California State Board of Pharmacy, 2022
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), 2022
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, City College of San Francisco, 2020
• English—native
• Spanish—bilingual
• Insurance claims processing
• Inventory management
• Medical & pharmaceutical terminology
• Customer service
• Mixing medication compounds
• Pharmaceutical calculations
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills

Entry-level pharmacy technicians are candidates with limited experience applying for roles that involve assisting pharmacists in clinical and commercial pharmacies. A successful entry-level pharmacy technician resume should show technical ability, relevant knowledge, and customer service skills. 

Here’s how to write a reliable entry-level pharmacy technician resume: 

1. Select the Right Format for Your Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume

As a pharmacy tech, you’ll be mixing, handling, labeling, and dispensing medication all day—medication patients depend on for their well-being. Attention to detail and maintaining an organized workspace will be crucial. 

Show both straight away by formatting your resume to look neat and professional: 

Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological format for your resume , listing the most recent experience first. It’s what recruiters expect to see. 
• Pick a professional font for your resume , such as Arial, Helvetica, or Georgia. Make sure it’s easily readable at 10–12-point size. 
• Set your resume margins to one inch. Include some space around each section of your resume to make the document easy to navigate. 
• Stick to a one-page resume . There should be plenty of space for an entry-level candidate— two-page resumes are for senior management jobs and people with 10+ years of experience. 
• Split your resume into the following components: objective (introduction), work experience, education, skills, and additional info. If you have pharmacy tech education but need to gain experience, put your education section above work history. The idea is to place the most relevant information near the top of the page. 
• Remember to include a resume header or sidebar with your contact information. 

Before you submit your resume, check the job ad to see whether it mentions a specific file format the company prefers. If none is mentioned, send your resume as a PDF file . 

Expert hint: You may have encountered a skills-based (or functional) resume format and felt tempted to use it instead. This type of resume prioritizes skills over experience. While it has some advantages for career-changers with relevant skills but irrelevant experience, it comes with its drawbacks. Read our detailed guide to using functional resumes to find out more. 

2. Write an Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Objective Paragraph

If you want the recruiter’s time and attention, you need to get straight to the point of your application as quickly as possible. 

The best way to do that is to include a resume objective paragraph —it’ll work as your introduction and a way to highlight the best you have to offer the employer. 

Here’s how to structure your objective:

• Start with an adjective that describes you as a professional (driven, efficient, reliable, responsible, personable)
• Add your (desired) job title (pharmacy technician, entry-level pharmacy technician)
• Mention your experience, if you have any (6 months, 1+ year)
• Outline how you would help the employer if hired (eager to join XYZ Pharmacy’s team to support the pharmacist in dispensing medication accurately and efficiently while delivering excellent customer service)
• Highlight a couple of your accomplishments and/or skills—they can come from any appropriate area of your life, such as education, volunteering, or previous jobs (excellent understanding of pharmacy procedures, achieved a 3.9 GPA in the role of XYZ, maintained 98% accuracy and 95%+ customer satisfaction scores)

It can be challenging to start writing a resume with the introduction—after all, it’s a summary of your document, so you need the document first! If you’re unsure what to say in your objective, leave it for now and return to it once you are done with the rest of your resume. 

3. Compound Your Achievements and the Right Skills into an Effective Work Experience Section

An OTC, generic resume that looks copy-pasted is guaranteed to cause an immediate adverse reaction. In other words, it’ll hit the recycling bin faster than you (or anyone) can say isavuconazonium sulfate. 

For better results, target your resume for each job you apply for. A personalized treatment will show the recruiter you took the time to tailor your application and highlight exactly why you’re the best fit for the role. It’ll also make your resume ATS-friendly —

ATS is an automated solution for scanning resumes sent in by applicants. The more closely your resume matches the ad, the better the chances of scoring well. So—

Here’s how to write a tailored job description for your entry-level pharmacy tech resume: 

• Analyze the job ad. What skills or tasks does it mention? Take note of those—they’ll be your active ingredients. 
• Think back to each of your previous jobs. When have you used those skills? You likely haven’t processed prescriptions or insurance in other roles, but for transferable skills like communication, teamwork, or attention to detail, you’re bound to come up with something! 
• Turn those examples into short bullet points that describe your tasks and achievements, aiming for 3–6 per job. Rather than listing responsibilities, you want to fill your resume with accomplishment statements that show your performance. 

If you don’t have any experience yet, you can list internships or volunteering in the work experience section of your resume . If you don’t have those, it would be good to go out and get some practical experience, even if it’s unpaid, but you can skip the employment section altogether if you have nothing to share. 

Those skills you isolated from the job ad will also help mix your resume skills section . This section should include a list of up to 10 of your most relevant skills, ideally those mentioned in the ad. Here’s a list to help you out: 

Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume Skills

• Processing prescriptions
• Packaging and labeling medications
• Computer skills
• Drug classifications
• Recording patient medical records
• Medical terminology
• Healthcare systems
• Pharmacy ethics
• Pharmaceutical terminology
• FDA guidelines
• Technical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Organizational skills
• Active listening skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management skills
• Critical thinking skills

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

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4. Dispense the Details of Your Education

There are several routes to becoming a pharmacy technician , depending on state regulations, employer requirements, and circumstances. Let the recruiter know how you got to where you are by listing your education in a separate resume section . 

If you completed a pharmacy tech program, that should be the highlight of your resume, especially in the absence of work experience. Put it near the top of your resume and include the program's name, school, and years of attendance. 

Then, in bullet points, list your academic achievements, key projects, and relevant coursework on your resume . Try to match these bullets to the job ad, just as you would with work experience. 

You can do the same with high school education—list the details of your diploma (school, graduation date), and if you don’t have much work experience, follow it with bullet points showing your skills and potential. 

Expert hint: Every state has its licensing regulations for pharmacy technicians . As you prepare to start your new career, ensure you know what these are in your area. 

5. Complete Your Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Resume With Extra Sections

You’ve covered the essentials. Now boost your resume with optional supplements—additional resume sections detailing any other activities you think can help you get hired. These can include: 

• Volunteer work , if you haven’t already listed it under work experience
• Certifications and licenses , including your pharmacy tech accreditation if your state requires it
• Foreign languages you can speak
• Your hobbies and interests , as long as they’re relevant to the job in some way

Once your resume is ready, accompany it with a cover letter. Writing a cover letter for each job application will help you stand out, giving you a chance to explain your motivation and highlight why you’re a suitable candidate. Especially at entry level, that’s not an opportunity you want to pass on!

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

Let’s sum it all up—

Here’s how to write an entry-level pharmacy technician resume that lands interviews: 

• Give your resume a professional, formal look by making the right formatting choices. Fit everything on one page with one-inch margins and a modern font. 
• Prioritize the information on your resume, adapting the order of sections to play to your strengths—make education the focus if that’s your most vital, most relevant experience so far. 
• Use the job ad to help you write the content for your resume, making sure to mention the skills required by the employer. 
• Include a cover letter with your application to allow yourself to talk about your motivation and skills. 

Thanks for reading! Do you still need to figure out how to write your entry-level pharmacy technician cover letter? Maybe you can offer some tips as a more experienced pharmacy tech? Let me know in the comments section below! 

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Dominika is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. She writes guides helping readers create winning resumes and manage various difficulties of the job hunt.

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Research Assistant Resume

Research Assistant Resume: How to Write a Professional Resume with Templates

Published on September 9th, 2024

Research assistants play a crucial role in the academic, scientific, and corporate sectors by supporting research projects, analyzing data, and contributing to reports. If you’re preparing to apply for a research assistant position, your resume should highlight your technical skills, research experience, and ability to work collaboratively.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through writing a research assistant resume that effectively showcases your expertise and sets you apart in today’s competitive job market.

Common Responsibilities of a Research Assistant

• Conduct literature reviews, synthesize findings, and prepare summaries for ongoing research projects.
• Assist in designing research studies, developing methodologies, and preparing research instruments.
• Collect, code, and analyze data using statistical tools such as SPSS, R, or Excel.
• Maintain detailed records of all experiments, including procedures, data sets, and analyses for reproducibility.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure research goals are met and results are communicated clearly.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, papers, and presentations for conferences and publications.
• Manage participant recruitment and conduct surveys, interviews, or lab-based experiments.
• Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and research protocols, safeguarding data confidentiality.

Research Assistant Resume Templates

Here are five resume templates tailored for research assistants:

How to Format a Research Assistant Resume?

A well-organized format is essential for a research assistant's resume. Use a professional font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and ensure clear section headings. Include the following sections:

• Contact Information : Your name, phone number, email, and location.
• Professional Summary/Objective : A brief statement summarizing your qualifications, experience, or career goals.
• Skills : A list of technical skills, software proficiencies, and research-related competencies.
• Work Experience : Highlight relevant research experience in reverse chronological order.
• Certifications and Education : Showcase your academic achievements, certifications, and training.

How to Write Your Research Assistant Resume Experience?

When listing your work experience, focus on accomplishments that demonstrate your contributions to research projects. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and include measurable results whenever possible.

• Conducted comprehensive literature reviews and synthesized findings to support a study on mental health interventions.
• Collected and analyzed data using SPSS, contributing to a peer-reviewed publication.
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to design a survey that improved data collection accuracy by 15%.

How to Quantify the Impact on Your Resume?

Quantifying your achievements shows potential employers the direct impact of your work. Use numbers to highlight how your contributions advanced the research or improved workflows.

• Increased data processing efficiency by 20% by implementing automated coding techniques.
• Successfully recruited and managed a participant pool of 200+ individuals for a longitudinal study.

How Do I Write a Research Assistant Resume with No Experience?

If you’re applying for a research assistant position with little or no formal experience, focus on transferable skills, academic research projects, and any volunteer work. Use a strong objective statement that highlights your research interests and eagerness to learn.

Example : “Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, eager to apply my research skills and laboratory experience in a professional research setting.”

How to List Your Hard Skills and Soft Skills on Your Resume?

Your research assistant resume should include both technical (hard) skills and interpersonal (soft) skills. Here’s how to list them:

Hard Skills :

• Statistical analysis (SPSS, R, Python)
• Data collection and coding
• Research design and methodology
• Literature review and synthesis
• Database management

Soft Skills :

• Critical thinking
• Communication with research teams
• Problem-solving in data analysis
• Attention to detail
• Time management and multitasking

How to List Your Certifications and Education on Your Resume?

Your education and certifications are key components of a research assistant resume. Be sure to include any specialized training or certifications relevant to your field of research.

• Master of Science in Biology, XYZ University, 2021
• Certified in Research Ethics and Compliance, CITI Program, 2022
• Data Analysis in R, Coursera, 2020

How to Write Your Research Assistant Resume Summary or Objective?

Your resume summary or objective should offer a snapshot of your skills and experience, tailored to the research field you’re applying for.

Example Summary : “Research assistant with 3+ years of experience in supporting data-driven research projects, conducting literature reviews, and analyzing data. Proficient in SPSS and R, with a proven track record of collaborating in multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality research findings.”

Additional Sections for a Research Assistant Resume

Consider adding the following sections to your resume to highlight additional strengths:

• Publications and Presentations : List any research papers you’ve co-authored or presented at conferences.
• Volunteer Work : Include relevant volunteer experience in research labs or academic settings.
• Technical Proficiency : Mention any specialized tools or software you are proficient in, such as statistical packages or research databases.

How to Write a Specialization Section?

If you have expertise in a specific area of research, such as social sciences, biology, or clinical trials, create a specialization section to highlight this experience.

Example : “Specialized in clinical research, with experience in participant recruitment, data management, and administering surveys for medical trials.”

A well-structured research assistant resume showcases your technical skills, academic background, and ability to contribute to research projects. Tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for and use the templates and tips provided to create a resume that stands out. Whether you’re an experienced research assistant or just starting your career, your resume should clearly communicate your strengths to potential employers in the research field.

Soujanya Varada

As a technical content writer and social media strategist, Soujanya develops and manages strategies at HireQuotient. With strong technical background and years of experience in content management, she looks for opportunities to flourish in the digital space. Soujanya is also a dance fanatic and believes in spreading light!

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