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How to Make a Resume With No Experience

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.  

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.

Great Companies Need Great People. That's Where We Come In.

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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How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience in 2021 (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 2021.

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 2021 , 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 !

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The 'no experience' developer resume: a step-by-step guide (with templates)

When you're looking for your first job in a new career, having the right resume can be the difference between landing your dream role, or not even getting to speak to the company.

But how do you get taken seriously (and make yourself look good!) when you're just trying to break into an industry?

This guide will give you a detailed, section-by-section walkthrough of how to write your first developer resume . It will cover what to include, what to leave out, and how to structure each section.

It's aimed at new software developers without professional experience, and especially those changing career from a non-traditional background.

🔗 In this guide

• What does your resume need to do?
• Who does your resume need to convince?
• General resume best practices
• Main sections to include
• What NOT to include
• Free resume templates

🔗 What does your resume need to do?

The purpose of your resume is to represent you before you interact with a company in person . And you often have just a few seconds to make a good first impression.

So what does this mean?

Your resume needs to showcase your skills in a clear, scannable and visually appealing way. When you have no experience, there are several key techniques you can use to draw attention to the most relevant information (while staying honest about your background).

So, your resume is not solely responsible for getting you hired, but it does need to get you through that first stage of the process.

🔗 Who does your resume need to convince?

The initial point of contact for your resume might be an online jobs page (which I wouldn't recommend; more on that later), a recruiter who you've connected with on LinkedIn, or a hiring manager while they decide whether to move you forward in their interview process.

These different audiences will be looking for different things.

🔗 Online jobs portals

These are sites like Indeed, or the jobs pages of companies using systems like Greenhouse or Lever.

These portals often have automated screening of resumes that are uploaded. They look for relevant keywords, and could determine whether your resume even gets seen by a human. So, including the right keywords in a machine-readable format is important here.

Pro tip: If you save your resume as a PDF, make sure you can select the text with your mouse—this means it will be readable by automated systems too.

🔗 Recruiters

Unless it's a very small company, your resume will usually be reviewed first by a recruiter. They will be scanning it for relevant keywords and experience to determine whether you're a possible candidate for the position.

Unlike machines, recruiters will also likely base their decision on how professional your resume looks, so this is where clarity, layout and overall design are important.

🔗 Hiring managers

If you pass the recruiter screen, your resume will make its way to a hiring manager. This person will likely have an engineering background, and therefore more technical knowledge, so will be looking for more than just keywords.

This is where explanations of your projects and experience come into play. Hiring managers will want to know not only what tools and technologies you've used, but how—and why you used those specific ones.

🔗 General resume best practices

• Keep it to 1 page. When you have no professional experience, you don't have enough content to justify a longer resume. Anything you might put on a second page is likely not relevant to the role you're applying for.
• Put the most relevant content first. This goes for overall structure, and for the content within each section. For example, if you don't have relevant education, don't put your education at the top—put your (relevant) skills or projects first. Then inside each section, list items in reverse chronological order. This means your employment section should list your most recent job first, and so on.
• Double check for errors. You would be surprised how many professional resumes contain basic spelling or grammatical errors, inconsistent capitalization, or typos. If this kind of thing isn't your strong suit, get a friend to proofread your resume for you. One or two mistakes probably won't cost you a job, but it doesn't give a good impression of your attention to detail.
• Keep the design modern but professional. One or two accent colors is fine, but no more than that. Stick to readable fonts in legible font sizes. Use obvious headings and leave some white space for breathing room (if you cram the page with tiny text, it won't be easily digestible).
• Format it as a PDF. This ensures a consistent layout for anyone viewing your resume. Text files (like .doc or .docx) render differently in different programs, so you risk your formatting looking broken for other people if you use them.
• Consider using a template. Not everyone is a designer, but luckily anyone can get a good-looking resume by using a template. There are hundreds of free options available online, that can be edited in Google Docs and exported to PDF.

🔗 Main sections to include

This is the core structure of a 'no experience' career-changer resume:

• Header section

Let's look at each section in more detail.

🔗 Header section

This is the section at the top of your resume which shows things like your name, contact details, and social links. It's often boldly formatted to stand out and grab attention.

It should include:

• Name. This should be the name you are known by, and would like to be called.
• Job title. Something simple like 'Software Engineer' is best, but you can be more specific, e.g. 'Front-End Developer' if you know you want to specialize in a particular area. It doesn't matter if you haven't had this as an actual job title yet. Avoid words like 'junior' because this could be interpreted negatively before the reader even gets to the rest of the content—let them figure that out for themselves.
• Phone number and email. This is the only information a company should need to get in touch with you. Make sure they're both accurate, and use a professional-sounding email. Gmail is fine, but ideally your email address features your name, and isn't something like '[email protected]'.
• Social links. Stick to relevant ones—developers should generally include GitHub, LinkedIn, and your personal blog/portfolio/website if you have one. A portfolio site can be a great way to show off your skills, particularly if you're a front-end developer.
• Citizenship/work authorization. If your resume implies you're an international candidate (e.g. you list jobs or education from abroad), it can help to mention if you are authorized to work in the country where you're applying for jobs.

🔗 Optional extra: profile

Your header area could also include a profile, overview or objective paragraph.

It's not required, but you can add it if you have space, or a template that includes one. It's basically a sentence or two to summarize who you are and what you're looking for. Keep it short, and use it to draw attention to one or two specific points .

Because you have no experience, you should focus on your enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and what direction you hope to take your career (you can also include any interesting relevant experience you do have).

Pro tip: Avoid generic descriptors like 'results-driven', 'detail-oriented' or 'passionate' without qualifying examples. Anyone can claim these things, so they are meaningless if you don't also demonstrate how they actually apply to you.

Some examples of profile statements that show specific interests and direction:

Motivated software engineer with a background in journalism. Seeking a role in a fast-paced startup where I can continue to develop my backend engineering skills using Python and Go.

Front-end developer with 7+ years of design agency management experience. Looking to grow my technical skill set with the goal of making use of my senior leadership abilities in future.

JavaScript developer with a track record of open source contributions. I'm looking to join a company with a strong open source culture so I can continue to give back to the community.

This section is where you list the skills you've learned that are relevant to your future job as a developer . Most people list technologies here (programming languages, frameworks etc.) but I also like to include things like any agile methodologies I've used, or collaboration skills like pair programming or reviewing other developers' code.

This section is actually optional, but I recommend including it as it's a good way to communicate your experience to the reader in a format they can digest easily—even if they're just quickly skimming your resume.

If you do include this section, keep it focused (don't include too many skills) and be sure to group skills in ways that make sense . For example, if you're looking for a full-stack role, you might list technical skills arranged by stack area (so into front- and back-end sections). If you're just focused on the back end, you might have separate sections for programming langages, frameworks and databases.

🔗 How to present skills on a resume

Skills often work well as a more graphically interesting section on your resume. Simple bullet points are fine, but many resume designs display skills in a table or pill/chip format.

You'll also notice that a lot of templates include skill charts or star ratings for skills, the idea being that you can grade yourself based on your proficiency in each skill. These might be pretty, but I actually don't recommend using them, for the following reasons:

• They're ambiguous. What are these bars relative to? What does each rating mean? How does a 4 out of 5 star rating for CSS with no other context show anyone that you have the ability to do the job?
• Many skills can't be compared equally. Say you want to list, as I mentioned above, a skill like pair programming. Are you better or worse at this than at JavaScript? They're so different that it doesn't even make sense to ask that question.
• There's no proof or validation. People are bad at estimating how proficient they are at things. Describing a real example of how you applied the skill would be more informative (and let the reader decide for themselves whether your skill level is enough) than giving yourself an arbitrary chart rating.

🔗 Experience

This section should be the main focus of your resume. It's where all the most interesting and unique information goes, and is your chance to add the kind of detail that's going to make you stand out.

I use the title 'Experience' rather than 'Employment' deliberately. As a self-taught career changer, you might not have had a job yet, but you can (and should) use this section to showcase all the relevant experience you do have.

So what can you include here?

• Projects. If you know how to code at all (which hopefully you do if you're at the stage of applying for jobs), list your most interesting personal projects here. It's great if you can tell a story with each one: why you built this project (what problem it solves), how you approached it, which technologies you used, and why you chose those ones in particular to solve the problem.
• Open source contributions. This is one of the best ways to get 'real' experience when you haven't had a job. There many large open source projects all looking for new contributors, and it's a great way to work with experienced professional developers, on mature codebases, that operate just like the kind of projects you might work on when you land your first job.
• Freelance work. Another great way to get experience as a new developer is to take on a few small freelance projects. Maybe you had a family member with a small business who wanted a tool or website, or perhaps you found some projects through a freelancing site like Upwork . This type of work isn't usually well paid, but it can be worth it when you're just starting out because it's real experience you can list here.
• Hackathons. You might have participated in events like hackathons or coding challenges, and often this means collaborating in small groups. That's all valuable, relevant experience you can absolutely put on your resume.

If you don't feel like you have enough experience to even fill out this section, I would recommend trying to do some more of these types of projects before applying for a job. You'll have a much easier time getting someone to hire you once you have at least some way to demonstrate you can do the job.

🔗 How to present experience on a resume

To keep the information digestible, use clear headings and short, snappy bullet points rather than walls of text.

The basic structure of each experience entry should be:

• Role, Title or Project Name
• Date (range or single month)
• Description
• Bullet points with extra detail

Here are some examples of how the first three items could look:

🔗 Open Source Contributor, [Name of Project]

June 2020 - present Contributed several bugfixes which led to an improved user experience by... [add more detail about what you did]

🔗 Participant, [Name of Hackathon]

May 2020 Working in a team of 4, we created an app... [describe what your app did and what role you played]

🔗 Personal Project: CoffeeWalks

January 2020 Built a React Native app to guide me on walks around new cities, ensuring I pass at least one coffee shop en route.

If you completed multiple freelance projects, you could group these all together under one 'role' like this:

🔗 Freelance Front-End Developer

Web Design & Development, Joe's Pizza June 2020 Created a new website for this small business to replace an outdated design.

Website Development, Stem & Petal February 2020 Developed a responsive, image-heavy website using React for a local florist.

Blog Development, Prism Marketing November 2019 Added a blog to this marketing agency's website using WordPress.

For each entry, you then want to add a few bullet points going into more detail. Don't just say what you did, but talk about the impact , outcomes and reasons for your choices.

Another way to think about this is every time you state something you did, explain more by answering the question: so what?

For example, this:

Wrote unit tests using the Jest framework.

...is not as good as this:

Introduced unit testing with the Jest framework, which reduced the need for manual testing, saving around 2 hours per week.

Pro tip: Consider introducing some more advanced concepts in your projects like testing, monitoring and performance (and then mention them in your resume). Most people with no experience don't do this, so it will make you come across a lot more professional than the average entry-level candidate.

If you're wondering whether to write your bullet points in the first or third person, it honestly doesn't matter. I've seen both. It's not necessary for a tech resume to sound super formal, so just pick whichever you prefer and be consistent.

🔗 Where to put previous career experience

If you're changing career, you might have several years of employment experience that you don't know what to do with. Do you just list it in with your tech experience? Should you even include it at all?

This depends on how relevant the work is. If you've had roles where you dabbled in something technical, like basic coding or SQL or data analysis, I'd include it for sure (talking up anything that sounds particularly relevant to your new career, of course).

If your past experience is not at all relevant to software development, I'd group it under a single entry at the bottom of your experience section. Say you had a few jobs in fast food restaurants over several years, that single entry could look like this:

🔗 Fast Food Worker

June 2017 - May 2020 Maintained high standards of customer service across various roles in the food service industry, before retraining as a software developer.

🔗 Education

I put this section last for a reason. If you're a new grad with a CS degree, you probably want to put this at or near the top or your resume. But as a self-taught career changer or bootcamp grad, your practical experience will be more valuable than your education in your job search.

Although it might be at the bottom of your resume, this section is still important, particularly because you likely at least have some relevant education—even if not a STEM degree.

So what should you put here?

• Any degree(s) you do have. Even if you studied something completely non-technical, degrees you earned are still a part of your professional journey. Completing a degree also shows that you have skills beyond just the specific content you covered.
• A bootcamp (if you did one). This has been a subject of some debate since the coding bootcamp boom, with some people even suggesting bootcamps could have a negative impact on a resume. Personally, I don't advise trying to hide your bootcamp, but don't expect it to carry any pedigree either—the value of a bootcamp is in the skills you learned, not the fact you attended.
• Relevant online courses. These can show you're dedicated to and capable of learning technical subjects via self-study (an important skill for software developers ), particularly if you've completed some of the more academic ones from platforms like Coursera and edX.

🔗 What NOT to include

With just a single page to work with, you need to use space efficiently. Here are a few things that people often include in their resumes which don't need to be there.

🔗 Your address

People viewing your resume to assess you as a candidate don't need to know your full physical address. In fact, companies generally only need this information when they've made (and you've accepted) a job offer . So just provide it when they ask for it.

You may also want to share your resume publicly on the internet (e.g. on Twitter or a personal website). If it has your home address on it, that could be a security concern.

There are valid reasons you might want to show your location, such as if you're local to the position, and want to indicate that you could start quickly. But in this case, including just your city is fine.

🔗 References

References are the people your new employer can contact to verify your track record and employment history. But they are also not relevant to the initial candiate screening process , and only needed at a later stage—usually either just before or after the company has decided to make you an offer.

Not all companies even use references, so they'll ask you for them if they need them.

Many resume templates include a photo because it looks nice in a layout—but it's definitely not required, or even common, for a software developer resume.

This one is actually optional, but I advise against it for a couple of reasons: at best, it doesn't provide any necessary information (what you look like should not influence whether you pass a resume screening). At worst, it could contribute to bias and discrimination.

🔗 Free resume templates

• Canva resume buider & templates : 8,000+ beautiful templates, which are also easily customizable through a great UI (and professionally designed—no one will ever guess you used a template!).
• Official Google Docs resume templates : Includes 5 very basic resume templates, but you know they will work with Google Docs, and 3 of them have a matching cover letter design if you need one as well.
• ResumGO resume templates : Modern, well designed selection of templates, many of which are formatted for Google Docs. A lot of them include space for a photo, so if you don't want to add a photo, either pick one where you can remove the photo without affecting the design, or filter by 'No Photo'.
• Resume Genius resume templates : Large selection with lots of different styles, though not all have attractive designs. Check the Modern or Creative sections for some of the better ones.
• Tech Careers

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• Guide to Writing a Great...

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

16 min read · Updated on February 13, 2024

No work experience? No problem.

The ol' catch-22: you need a job to get experience, but you need experience to get a job. Either way, you need a resume, and what you don't need is to panic. 

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

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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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Best Things to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience

In this ‘Best Things to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience’ article:

• Professional summary (even if you have no experience in your resume)
• Key skills you’ve learned in school and other experiences
• Education and academic achievements
• Classes, training and certifications
• Personal or academic projects relevant to the job
• Awards and accomplishments
• Extracurricular activities, sports and clubs
• Volunteer work and activities

How to format a resume with no experience

The best things to list on your resume if you have no experience.

No professional experience on your resume? No problem – as long as you read this guide on how to write a resume when you have no work experience.

There are plenty of reasons why you may not have any previous work experience to list on your resume. There are many other things you can add to your resume to show employers that you are the perfect candidate for their open job post.

When you don’t have work experience, it’s important to highlight past activities, skills and other experiences you’ve had to show you have unique skills, professionalism and competency. When managers are hiring entry-level employees, the top two characteristics they are looking for in your resume are attitude and aptitude.

• Attitude – a positive, hardworking, and likable personality
• Ability – aptitude to get up to speed quickly on the job

Keep these two traits in mind while writing your resume and add any relevant experiences that show that you have the attitude and aptitude for the job.

1. Professional summary (even if you have no experience)

Modern day resumes call for a professional summary instead of a career objective. Your professional summary should come immediately after your name and contact information and will include two or three sentences giving a broad overview of your background, interests and abilities.

Since you don’t have work experience, your professional summary should include one or two adjectives describing your work ethic, your level of education, your relevant skills and your professional passions or interests. Each professional summary should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

Professional summary example #1: Proactive and personable aspiring restaurant server currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in hospitality from Coral Springs University. Collaborative, team player who strongly believes that the customer should always come first. Passionate about Italian food and strongly interested in working in a fast-casual restaurant setting.

Professional summary example #2: Analytical and detail-oriented aspiring Data Entry Clerk possessing an Associate of Arts degree. Mathematical-minded as demonstrated by advanced college coursework in mathematics and statistics. Interested in obtaining an entry-level position in the data analytics field.

2. Key skills you’ve learned in school and other experiences

After your professional summary, list your skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. To get a good idea of the skills required for a job, simply browse job descriptions for that specific job title. Typically, within the requirements or qualifications section, there will be many skills listed that you can copy.

Don’t be afraid to list skills that you haven’t used in a professional setting. If you have learned about them in school or if you have practiced these skills during an extracurricular activity, list them! Just make sure you are honest during an interview about your level of competency.

Example of how to list less than 10 key skills in a resume:

• Time Management
• Professionalism
• Public Speaking
• Organizing and Filing

Example of how to list more than 10 key skills in a resume:

• Leadership: Team Management, Resource Planning, Budgeting
• Math: Data Entry, Data Analytics, Statistics
• Professionalism: Active Listening, Office Etiquette, Professional Communication, Time Management
• Languages: English (native), Spanish (basic proficiency)

3. Education and academic achievements

After your key skills, create a resume section for your education. List any degrees you have obtained or any degrees you are currently pursuing. If you stopped going to school before obtaining a degree, you can list the credits or hours you have completed.

For each degree, list the school, the location, your degree, your field of study and the dates you attended. You should also include academic honors and awards, such as graduating Cum Laude.

Example of how to list education in a resume #1: Coral Springs University, Coral Springs, Florida                        August 2018 Bachelor of Science in Biology; Minor in Psychology Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Example of how to list education in a resume #2: Coral Springs University, Coral Springs, Florida                        In Progress Associate of Arts

Example of how to list education in a resume #3: Coral Springs University, Coral Springs, Florida                        Aug 2010 – May 2016 Bachelor of Arts in Art History; 200 Credit Hours Obtained

4. Classes, training and certifications

Now it’s time to list any relevant classes, training, or certifications that are relevant for your resume.

For classes, include coursework that you took through school that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Just list the class title instead of the class number, such as ECON101. You can also write a brief description that is one to two sentences long to describe the course, if it is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

For every training session and certification on your resume, list where you received the training, the type of course taken, the date you received it, and the date it expires (if any).

Example of how to list a class in a resume: Intro to Hospitality – Introduction to the hospitality industry, including various types of career paths. In-depth lessons on the food and beverage sector, including the categories of restaurants and the different types of food service.

Example of how to list training and certifications: Coral Springs University, Coral Springs Florida                        Valid 9/2018 – 9/2021 First Aid & CPR Certified

5. Personal or academic projects relevant to the job

You can also list personal or academic projects relevant to the job you are applying for, such as a group project at school or a neighborhood summer bake sale. You just need to relate your projects with how you are a good fit for a company’s position. Before writing a project down, think about how you will explain its relevance during an interview.

Personal project relevant to a job:

For example, let’s say you hosted a bake sale in your neighborhood and are now applying for a job as a cashier at a grocery store. You could explain that while selling your baked goodies, you practiced your customer service, money handling, and food service safety skills.

Example of how to list a personal project in a resume: Summer Bake Sale – Hosted a summer bake sale in my neighborhood every weekend from April to August 2018. Created and handed out flyers, took and fulfilled customer orders, handled cash payments, and home baked all products. Skills learned include customer service, money handling, and food service safety.

Academic project relevant to a job

Including an academic project in a resume is straightforward. Include where the project took place, what class it was a part of, the title of the project, the date it was completed and a short summary of its purpose.

Example of how to list an academic project in a resume: Coral Springs University, Coral Springs, Florida                        August 2018 Intro to Hospitality Course – McDonalds Restaurant Analysis Group Project Worked within a team of 4 to analyze data on the revenue, size, and customer base of a popular fast-food chain in Florida. Created and presented findings during a course presentation. Was personally responsible for collecting data on McDonalds’ revenue and creating a PowerPoint presentation.

6. Awards and accomplishments

After relevant projects, create a section for awards, achievements, and accomplishments. You can list academic or school accomplishments, like ‘Best Presentation’ in a class or ‘Highest Grade’. You can also list any personal achievements, such as winning a medal in sports or coming in second place during a spelling bee.

For each award, achievement, and accomplishment, list where you received the award, the name of the award, the date you achieved it and a brief description, if necessary.

Example of how to list awards and accomplishments #1: Green Valley State, Green Valley, Michigan                        Spring 2018 Intro to Hospitality – Best Group Presentation (McDonalds Restaurant Analysis)

Example of how to list awards and accomplishments #2: Big Paws Swimming, Green Valley Michigan                        August & October 2018 100 Meter Butterfly – U18 Gold Metal

Related article: How to add academic achievements to a resume  

7. Extracurricular activities, sports and clubs

After you awards and achievements, create a section for extracurricular activities. List anything you are passionate about that shows your positive attitude and aptitude for the job you’re applying for, such as playing a musical instrument, clubs, sports and other activities. In your resume, list the relevant activity and include a brief description.

Example of how to list extracurricular activities, sports and clubs: Piano – Has played piano for 8 years and practices, on average, 4 hours per day. Babysitting – Babysits neighbors, 8 and 3 years old, twice a week. Swimming – Competitive swimmer, having won multiple gold and silver medals in state competitions.

8. Volunteer work and activities

Lastly, create a section for volunteer activities. This could be formal or informal volunteering, such as serving food at a local homeless shelter or helping your neighbor rake leaves. For each volunteer activity, include who you volunteered with, what your role was, the dates and hours you volunteered and a brief description.

Example of how to list volunteer work and activities in a resume: Coral Springs Soup Kitchen, Coral Springs, Florida                        January 2018 – Present 25 Hours – Meal Prep and Serving Prepares, serves, and cleans up after meal service at a local homeless shelter on a bi-weekly basis.

A clear, easy to read, and consistent format is essential for grabbing an employer or hiring manager’s attention, especially when you have no formal work experience.

How long should your resume be?

Your resume should be one page long if you have no experience. It is important for your resume to fill one entire page though, so you may need to add more detail in your resume or experiment with formatting so that it is a full page-long resume.

Related article: How long should my resume be?

The best fonts for a resume

Choose a traditional font like Times New Roman or Arial throughout your resume. Do not use more than one font type on the same resume.

Related article: Best fonts for a resume

The best font size for a resume

The size font you use on a resume will depend on how much you have written, as you need your content to fill up one entire page. A good place to start is using 16pt for your name, 12pt for your section headers, and 11pt for the body of your text. Experiment conservatively until your one-page resume looks complete.

The best color scheme for a resume

When you do not have a lot of work experience, it is usually better to use a simple black and white color scheme. Using plain black text on a white page is a safe choice on a resume.

The best paper to print a resume on

When printing your resume, print it on a crisp white page of printer paper. There is no need to spend extra money on fancy thick paper or colored paper.

A good resume is a consistent resume

Consistency is important for creating an impressive resume. This means all similar items on the page need to be aligned and formatted the same way. For example, if you decide to write your dates out in long-form and italicized, they need to be long-form and in italics every place there is a date on your resume. If you decide to put your school name in bold, every school name needs to be in bold.

Formatting sections on a resume

Clearly separate resume sections by formatting them in underlined and bold using a size that is one or two points larger than the rest of the text. This helps a hiring manager easily scan through your resume and pick out the important information fast.

When creating a resume, especially when you have no experience, it saves a lot of time to use a resume building template. Using a free resume template allows you to focus on writing the content without spending too much time on formatting.

How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Tips & Examples)

Learn how to write a resume with no experience and land a dream job that suits your skillset. We have 11 best practices to help you out.

So you’re applying for your first job. 

You decide to write a resume with no experience. 

After starting your application, you begin wondering what you could talk about. You think back on your life experiences to see if there’s anything related to corporate work.

Then the doubt creeps in…

“I’ve never actually worked before. What should I say? How do I tell the hiring manager I have no work experience? Is there any point in applying?”

There’s good news and bad news. 

The bad news is that it puts you at a disadvantage compared to those who do have experience. 

But the good news is that you still have a shot at securing the opportunity, even if you don’t meet all the ideal requirements. 

Many of Rezi’s candidates and student users have a limited professional background. However, it didn’t stop them from landing interviews, placements, internships, and jobs at their dream company. 

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a resume with no experience step-by-step. 

What to Include On Your Resume for Your First Job

It’s a common struggle not knowing what to put on a resume .

One thing to look at is your transferable skills. This means the skills you developed in the past which would be useful for the role you’re applying for. 

Here are a few more points you could talk about:

• Certifications
• Volunteering

Extracurricular activities in particular are your best friend. They imply you’re a self-driven person with the willingness to learn since you took initiative to do these things in your spare time. 

How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 11 Tips

Whether you’re applying for an entry level resume tips or not, it’s common to go through imposter syndrome. At some point in your career no matter how much experience you have, you might not feel good enough to apply for the role you’re considering. 

Be confident in yourself and use what you know.

I know it’s easier said than done but everyone starts somewhere. 

We’ve laid out the steps you need to take to write a great resume for your first job. Afterwards, we’ll show you how to do it in less than 5 minutes with more than a 50% chance of landing an interview. If that sounds too good to be true, then keep reading on to find out how it works!

1. Select a Resume Format 

In this scenario, one of the ats resume format to use would be the skills-based resume.  

This type of resume focuses on your skills. Rather than making your employment history the main highlight like a chronological resume format, your knowledge and abilities are the sections that are emphasized. 

Unless you have any experience to talk about, combination resumes are another option. 

Rezi’s bold or alternative resume format is also worth considering. These are designed for those of you with less or no professional experience. 

2. Complete the Resume Header

This section only needs to be one line long. Any more than that is a waste of space.

All the employer needs to see here is your contact information. This includes your personal details such as:

• Phone number
• LinkedIn (optional)

When applying for jobs in the creative industries, you can include website links to your portfolio too if you have any. 

Here’s a resume header sample:

For both the ATS and human readers, this is the first thing they should see. Resume icons are acceptable for improving the readability as long as they’re subtle. 

3. Use a Resume Summary Section 

Your resume summary section is where you’re going to talk about the future aspects of your career. In other words, your professional objectives. However, it can also be used to highlight other things such as:

• Areas of interest
• Accomplishments
• Goals and objectives
• Passions and interests

It creates a strong impression when the first thing employers notice is that you align with the company values. This is why it’s important to do the background research to how to tailor your resume to a job . 

Moreover, it implies you’re self-motivated and genuinely interested. Here are two examples of good resume summaries from candidates with little to no experience:

4. Include Your Education 

Your education could go as the first section of your resume instead of your work experience. 

This outlines your academic background via your qualifications like a Bachelor’s degree. You may also include your grades as long as you have a GPA above 3.0. These are indicators of discipline, competence, and work ethic.

The only general rule of thumb is to list in reverse chronological resume . That means starting from the most recent date to the oldest. 

Here are a few examples:

5. Mention Relevant Work Experience

Unfortunately, it can’t completely be avoided. 

The what to write in a resume for work experience is a part of your resume that all employers usually expect from applicants. Even if you have none in a professional environment, use this section to focus on one of the alternatives below:

• Volunteer experience
• Internships and placements
• Freelancing

Each of the above is acceptable to focus on under the work experience heading. As you go into detail, outline the job duties and responsibilities you carried out. If you have results to showcase, don’t forget to mention them as well as the skills you’ve learned or developed. 

Here are a few examples, including one that got a candidate an interview at the University of Oregon.

6. Make a List of Key Skills

You’ll need to include the hard skills required for the job. If you have other attributes or abilities that are applicable to the position that enables you to perform better, include those too. 

Here are a few different types of skills :

• Hard skills
• Soft skills
• Communication skills
• Technical skills
• Transferable skills

Some of the top skills to include on a resume are:

• Effective written and verbal communication
• Efficient at managing time
• Problem solving
• Learning new skills quickly
• Taking initiative
• Proficiency with software tools

The most competent candidates have a diverse range of skills. However, it doesn’t mean the more you list the better. More importantly, are they relevant to the job you’re applying for? Can you use those skills to a high standard? 

Here are some examples of how you could approach your skills section:

7. Use Keywords to Match the Job Description

HRnews reported that 99% of Fortune 500 companies use software to filter out qualified applicants. 

It’s not surprising since recruiters and employers usually receive a large volume of resumes. To save time and identify those who are a good match, they’ll use software to review applications faster. 

So without using resume keywords , you won’t make it past the first stage of the hiring process.

The keywords can be found in the job description itself. It’s the things employers look for to confirm at first glance whether or not you’re capable of the role. 

But the easiest way to find them is by using Rezi’s resume keyword scanner . See the short clip below to see how it works:

8. Additional Resume Sections 

The main sections you need are your work experience, education, and skills section. This applies to professionals in the workforce at all levels, i.e. entry-level up to executive. 

A few examples of those other resume sections include:

• Relevant coursework
• Involvement
• Certifications 

9. Tailor Your Application

Don’t send the same resume to every company you apply to. It’s a common common mistakes on resumes job seekers make. Even if the job position is the same, it’s likely that companies will have different job descriptions. 

All resumes you send should be customized for the organization each time you hit send. Having zero personalization doesn’t position you as the best candidate . 

10. Stick to a One-Page Resume (And Use a Template!)

Don’t force your resume to be can a resume be 2 pages . Writing fluff makes your application less compelling.

Despite having 1-3 years of work experience or more, we’d still recommend sticking to a one-page resume . It’s easily scannable by both a human reader and the resume scanners . On top of that, it saves time for both you and the hiring manager. 

White space on your resume could be used strategically to highlight certain points. That’s one of its main advantages.

11. Check Your Resume 

Check through your resume 2-3 more times before sending it. 

At this stage, see if there’s anything else you’re missing. There should be no spelling or grammar mistakes too. This is why it’s vital to how to edit resume . 

Examples of Resumes With No Experience

If you’re not the ideal candidate now, it doesn't mean you can’t become the ideal candidate in the near future. 

Below, we’ve broken down two examples of a resume with little to no formal work experience.

Corporate Rotational Graduate Resume

In this rotational graduate sample resume, all the main resume sections are filled including their projects. 

More importantly, they’ve used the work experience section to talk about their years in corporate education. As they go into detail for each year, the candidate mentions key skills and responsibilities. They’ve also mentioned working as a freelancer and what they managed to accomplish. 

This is more than enough for employers to see that the candidate has the potential to take on the role to a good standard. 

Student Resume Example

Job applications from students typically have minimal to no work experience. Therefore, it’s worth taking note of how they’ve approached and structured their resume.

The college student who used this policy intern resume example landed an interview at Accenture. 

It’s not the professional experience that’s the main highlight. It’s the other sections that help them stand out too. This includes:

Each of these indicates your academic achievements and passions. The projects and certificates also show that they’re genuinely interested in their field of profession. 

The Advantages of Having Little to No Work Experience

Despite having little experience in the workforce, it doesn’t mean the managers can’t tailor your skill set for their specific needs. The question is if you’re worth it. 

Part of their hiring criteria is to select someone that’s a good cultural fit. 

In other words, is there any part of your personal attributes and background that match the company culture? If there is, it can give you a competitive edge over the other applicants on their list.

That said, here are the 4 advantages of having minimal corporate experience:

• You have no work habits yet, so they can mold you into their own
• You’re more likely to introduce new ideas as you have a fresh perspective of the industry
• Candidates tend to be more passionate and interested in their profession
• It’s more affordable and can lead to significant ROI in the future

5 Things to Focus On When Writing a Resume With No Experience 

Let’s go into more detail about the most common points to write on your resume when you have no work experience. 

1. Your Academic Background 

Most people have an academic background to talk about. 

This includes your qualifications as well as the institutions where you studied. If you have more formal qualifications than a bachelor’s degree, it might be worth mentioning in the how to list education on resume . 

2. The Future 

Looking at the past means looking over at all the things you’ve done. For example, your workplace accomplishments and job responsibilities you carried out in a previous role. 

Whereas, looking at the future means looking at what you’re aiming to achieve, i.e. your resume objectives . 

3. Hobbies and Interests

Another point to mention is the things you’re passionate about. 

One reason why this is effective is that it shows employers you’re a match for the company culture. It’s a hiring factor when your values align because it usually leads to committed long-term employees. 

4. Side Projects

Side projects may include the following:

• Extracurricular activities
• Passion projects

If it’s something that’s accredited, even better. This can give employers more confidence in your ability. 

Any form of involvement you’ve had in a project which demonstrates responsibility would be good to write about. It’s also good to write about the skills you’ve learned or developed from the project you took part in. 

5. Cover Letters

Cover letters help you make up for your lack of experience. Think of it as a replacement for not meeting all the desirable job criteria.

Go into more detail about the things you’ve mentioned on your CV and explain why you’re the best fit for your hiring manager. Unlike a resume, you can get more personal and show how your traits make you the right person for the job. 

Amongst other reasons, it’s why we suggest sending a cover letter along with your resume.

Build a Resume From Scratch in Less Than 5 Minutes

I mentioned earlier how to create a resume in less than 5 minutes with more than a 50% chance of landing an interview. 

No, that wasn’t clickbait.

It’s difficult to do when you’re manually writing and editing your resume yourself. But what if you had a tool that does the writing for you based on the job description? So all you’d have to do is make some tweaks based on what’s been written to complete it. 

And following this approach could increase your chances of getting an interview…

Well, it’s made possible thanks to Rezi’s AI writer. 

Watch the video below for a live demonstration to see how it works!

Step 1: Sign up for free to access Rezi’s dashboard

Step 2: Click on “Create New CV”

Step 3: Enter your details

Step 4: Fill in the details under each section provided

Step 5: Once you reach the end, you’ll be provided with a complete resume using the details you’ve written as well as a score for your application which gives you feedback

Create a Personalized ATS Resume Today

Rezi’s helped more than 245,000 professionals including students and graduates with no experience to land their first job. 

Using Rezi’s AI writer, candidates secured positions in the most competitive companies such as:

And the list goes on…

If you’d like to join the bandwagon of job seekers landing opportunities at their dream companies, then let’s get started now, shall we?

Explore Rezi 🔥 Comes with 5,000 AI Credits, and is free forever, no credit card required.

Final Thoughts

What matters is how you communicate what you have to offer. 

Take the time to personalize your application. The more tailored it is to the job description and what they’re looking for, the better. If all else fails, it’s worth building up your professional background until you have enough to talk about.

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

• Career Blog

25 Things to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience

Welcome to our article on “25 Things to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience.”

Creating a resume with no experience can seem daunting, but it’s not impossible. Our goal with this article is to provide you with the information and guidance you need to create a compelling and effective entry-level resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers.

We understand that starting your career journey can be challenging, especially when it comes to highlighting your strengths and abilities without previous job experience. This article will cover various strategies and tips that will help you build a solid foundation for your resume and showcase yourself as a desirable candidate for your dream job.

We aim to provide you with practical insights on how to outline your skills, education, volunteer work, and other relevant experiences even if you don’t have direct job experience. This article will also dive into the importance of tailoring your resume to the position you’re applying for and optimizing it for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Our goal is to show you that a lack of experience does not have to hold you back from landing your dream job. By the end of this article, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to create a top-notch resume that highlights your shining qualities and sets you apart from other applicants.

So, let’s get started!

Understand the Importance of a Strong Resume

The job market can be a competitive and challenging space, especially for those who are just starting out or have little to no experience. In such situations, having a strong resume is an essential tool for anyone to succeed in their job search. Understanding the importance of a well-written resume can mean the difference between landing your dream job and never getting past the application process.

Why a resume is important for a successful job search

A resume serves as your personal marketing tool; a document that introduces you to prospective employers and communicates your skills, experience, and achievements. It is your opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light, showcase your strengths, and convince employers that you are the right person for the job. A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from other candidates, create a positive impression, and get your foot in the door.

What employers look for in a resume

Employers have specific criteria when it comes to screening resumes. They want to see that you have the relevant skills, experience, and qualifications for the job; that you possess the qualities that match their company culture; and that you can contribute to the organization’s success. To make a good impression on employers, it is crucial to tailor your resume to each job you apply for, highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

Employers typically look for the following things in a resume:

• Clear and concise presentation of your skills and experience
• Relevance to the job you are applying for
• Consistency in all the information provided
• Evidence of your achievements and contributions
• Attention to detail in formatting and style

How a good resume can increase your chances of getting hired

A well-crafted resume can significantly increase your chances of getting hired. It can catch the employer’s attention by presenting a clear, concise, and compelling snapshot of your experience, skills, and qualifications. Additionally, a good resume can help you pass the initial screening process and make it to the next stage of the hiring process.

A good resume can help you:

• Stand out from other applicants
• Demonstrate your potential value to the employer
• Highlight your most relevant experience and achievements
• Show that you are a professional and take your career seriously

A strong resume is an essential tool for anyone searching for a job, especially those with little or no experience. A well-crafted resume can make all the difference in securing your dream job. Ensure that your resume highlights your most relevant skills and achievements, is tailored to each job application, and presents you in the best possible light to increase your chances of getting hired.

Identify Your Relevant Skills and Qualifications

One of the biggest challenges for individuals with no work experience is identifying their relevant skills and qualifications. However, it is important to note that prior work experience is not the only factor employers consider when evaluating candidates.

Here are some tips on how to determine your relevant skills and qualifications:

1. Consider Your Education

Your education can provide insight into the skills and knowledge you have acquired. Make sure to include any relevant coursework, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities. For example, if you are applying to a job in marketing, you may want to highlight any coursework in advertising, market research, or business strategy.

2. Assess Your Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are skills that can be applied to various settings and industries. Some examples of transferable skills include communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organization. Assess your own transferable skills by thinking about experiences in your personal life or volunteering activities. For example, if you have volunteered at a community organization, you may have developed leadership and communication skills that can be applied to the workforce.

3. Use Job Descriptions as Inspiration

Reading through job descriptions of positions you are interested in can provide insight into the skills and qualifications employers are looking for. Take note of any recurring requirements such as computer proficiency, attention to detail, or customer service.

How Soft Skills Can Play an Important Role in Your Resume

Soft skills, often referred to as people skills, can be a valuable asset in any professional setting. While technical skills such as coding or accounting are important, soft skills demonstrate personal qualities that can set you apart from other candidates. Here are some examples of soft skills to include on your resume:

1. Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential in almost any job. Being able to convey ideas and actively listen to feedback can lead to better collaboration and more successful projects. Highlight your communication skills by mentioning any public speaking or debate experience as well as any strong writing capabilities.

2. Leadership Skills

Leadership skills can also differentiate you from other candidates. Even if you haven’t held a formal leadership role, experiences such as leading a project or working in a team can demonstrate these skills.

3. Problem-Solving Skills

Being able to approach problems with creativity and adaptability is a sought-after trait. Showcase your problem-solving skills by mentioning any experiences where you had to troubleshoot a tricky situation or come up with an innovative solution.

While job experience is a valuable asset, it is not the only factor employers consider when evaluating potential candidates. Identifying your relevant skills and qualifications and highlighting your soft skills can make you a strong contender for a position.

Highlight your Education

One of the best ways to showcase your potential as an entry-level candidate when you don’t have work experience is to highlight your education. Your education section is prime real estate on your resume, as it gives employers insight into your capabilities, potential and desire to learn.

How to showcase your educational background

When it comes to highlighting your education on your resume, be sure to include the following information:

Name of the institution  – Start with the name of the institution where you received your degree. Be sure to spell it correctly and include the official name, as well as any commonly used abbreviations.

Degree name and level  – Include the name of your degree, such as Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Also, indicate the level of the degree, whether it’s an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

Major/field of study  – Indicate your area of focus, such as marketing, psychology or computer science.

Graduation date  – Include the date you received your degree.

Relevant coursework  – If you don’t have any work experience, your coursework can help you showcase your abilities and qualifications. Include any relevant courses that you took in college that relate to the position you’re applying for.

GPA  – Including your GPA is optional, but can be helpful if you have a high GPA or if the employer asks for it.

Honors and awards  – If you received any academic honors or awards, such as Dean’s List, Phi Beta Kappa, or scholarships, be sure to include them.

Including relevant coursework and achievements in your education section

When it comes to highlighting your relevant coursework and achievements, be strategic about what you include. Only include coursework and achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Here are some tips:

Focus on skills and competencies  – Instead of listing individual courses, focus on the skills and competencies you developed in those courses. For example, if you took a course in project management, you can highlight your ability to manage timelines, budgets and resources.

Quantify your achievements  – If you received high grades in your coursework, mention your GPA or any academic awards you received. If you completed a project, mention the scope of the project and any measurable outcomes.

Speak to the job requirements  – Look at the job description and identify the key requirements. Then, tailor your education section to highlight the coursework and achievements that demonstrate your ability to meet those requirements.

By highlighting your education in your resume, you can demonstrate your potential and willingness to learn. Don’t shy away from showcasing your relevant coursework and achievements, as they can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

V. Emphasize Your Extracurricular Activities

One of the best ways to showcase your skills and potential when you have no professional experience is to highlight your extracurricular activities. From leadership roles to volunteer experiences, including these on your resume can demonstrate your commitment, passion, and ability to excel in various areas.

When featuring your extracurricular activities and involvement, be sure to include specific details about your role and responsibilities. For example, if you were a member of a club, mention the projects you worked on, the events you organized, and the skills you gained through your involvement. If you volunteered at a non-profit organization, highlight the impact you made, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned.

In addition, don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you held. Clearly state the position you held and the size of the team you managed, as well as any accomplishments or initiatives you spearheaded. This can demonstrate your ability to take charge, delegate tasks, and motivate others.

Finally, if you have received any awards or recognition for your extracurricular activities, make sure to mention them. This can add credibility to your accomplishments and prove your dedication and excellence in a particular area.

Including your extracurricular activities and involvement on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and give potential employers a more well-rounded view of your skills and potential.

Highlight Any Relevant Internships or Work Experience

One way to compensate for a lack of direct experience in a particular field is to refer to relevant internships or work experience, even if they occurred in other industries or areas. Such experiences can still be valuable in terms of teaching transferable skills that can be applied to the job at hand.

For instance, highlighting that you interned as a sales associate in a retail store can illustrate key skills such as customer service, teamwork, and handling money. If you worked as a waitress, you might have developed communication skills, multitasking abilities, and attention to detail. You can then demonstrate how you can apply those acquired skills to a different role or industry.

Be sure to highlight any relevant work or internships in your resume by including detailed descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use active verbs and quantify your achievements to give potential employers a clear understanding of your contributions. Additionally, you can showcase your transferable skills learned from previous experiences through your cover letter, emphasizing how they can translate into relevant tasks and requirements of the job you’re applying for.

Even if you don’t have direct experience related to the field you’re applying for, highlighting previous relevant work or internships and demonstrating transferable skills can still make you a strong candidate for the job.

Showcase Your Relevant Achievements and Accomplishments

When listing your achievements on your resume, it is important to do so in a clear and concise manner. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities, focus on highlighting the impact you had on previous projects or positions. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you can contribute to the success of their organization. Here are some tips to showcase your achievements effectively:

Highlight quantifiable successes

Using numbers and data to quantify your successes can be a powerful way to showcase your achievements. For example, instead of saying “increased sales,” you could say “increased sales by 20% within the first quarter.” This adds context to your achievement and demonstrates your ability to impact a business. Other examples might include reducing costs, increasing productivity, or improving customer satisfaction.

Be specific

When listing achievements, be specific about what you achieved and how. Simply saying you “improved a process” doesn’t give potential employers any real insight into your abilities. Instead, say something like “streamlined a process that reduced production time by 50%.” This provides a clear picture of your accomplishments and how they benefited the organization.

Focus on relevant achievements

When listing achievements, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a marketing position, list achievements related to marketing or advertising campaigns you have worked on. This will demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and experience for the job.

By following these tips, you can effectively showcase your achievements and make your resume stand out to potential employers. Remember, your accomplishments demonstrate your value as an employee and can make a big difference in landing your next job.

Utilize Resume Keywords

In today’s job market, it is crucial to have a resume that stands out. One way to achieve this is by utilizing keywords throughout your resume. Keywords are specific words or phrases that are relevant to the industry, job, or skills you possess. By incorporating these keywords your resume, it can help you stand out from the pack.

Understanding how to use keywords in your resume to stand out

To make the most of keywords, it’s important to understand how to use them. One way to do this is by reviewing the job posting to identify the keywords that the employer is looking for. You can then incorporate these keywords into your resume in the relevant sections to ensure that your resume matches the job requirements.

Another approach is to use keywords that reflect your skills and achievements. Think of words or phrases that describe your strengths and experience. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, some keywords might include design software, branding, layout, and typography.

When using keywords in your resume, it is important not to go overboard. Don’t just list a bunch of random words or phrases that are not relevant to your industry or experience. Instead, be strategic about where and how you use them. This may include integrating them into your professional summary, work experience, or skills sections.

Examples of relevant keywords for various industries

Here are some examples of relevant keywords that you might consider using in your resume based on the industry:

• Social media
• Advertising
• Marketing campaigns
• Brand management
• Market research
• Content creation
• Lesson planning
• Classroom management
• Curriculum development
• Student assessment
• Differentiated instruction
• Educational technology
• Parent-teacher communication
• Programming languages
• Database administration
• Network security
• Agile methodology
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• Electronic health records
• Patient care management
• Medical terminology
• Diagnostic procedures
• HIPAA compliance
• Healthcare regulations
• Clinical trials

By using relevant keywords in your resume, you can demonstrate your skills and experience more effectively to potential employers. It helps you stand out and gets you noticed in the hiring process. Make sure to avoid overusing them and follow best practices to tailor them to each application you submit.

Structure and Design of a Strong Resume

When it comes to creating a strong resume, formatting and structure are essential for making sure that your document is easy to read and well-organized. Not only will a well-designed resume grab the attention of potential employers, but it will also make your experience and qualifications stand out.

Here are some tips for formatting and structuring your resume for maximum impact and readability:

How to Format and Structure Your Resume

• Use a clear and consistent font throughout your document. Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman are all good options.
• Limit your use of bold, italic, and underline to highlight important information like headings and job titles.
• Break up large blocks of text with bullet points to make your resume more reader-friendly.
• Use white space to separate different sections and make your resume easier to navigate.
• Use a chronological format to showcase your work experience, with your most recent job listed first.

Tips on Choosing a Resume Template

When it comes to choosing a resume template, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to choose a template that fits your style and personality. If you’re applying for a more creative job, you might want to choose a template with a more design-focused layout. If you’re applying for a more traditional job, a clean and simple template might be a better choice.

Here are some additional tips for selecting a resume template:

• Look for templates that match your industry or career level. You don’t want to choose a template that’s too casual or too formal for the job you’re applying for.
• Use color sparingly. A pop of color can help your resume stand out, but too much color can be distracting.
• Use a template that’s easy to edit and customize. You don’t want to spend hours tweaking a template that doesn’t quite fit your needs.

By following these tips for formatting and structuring your resume, as well as selecting a template that fits your style and needs, you’ll be well on your way to creating a strong and effective resume even if you have no prior experience.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

When it comes to writing a resume, a common section that’s often included is a summary or objective statement. These statements serve as an introduction to your potential employer and give them an idea of your background and goals. However, it’s important to know the difference between a resume summary and objective.

Resume Summary vs. Objective

A resume summary is a brief paragraph or bullet points at the top of your resume that highlights your professional accomplishments and experience. It’s a great way to give a quick snapshot of who you are as a candidate and what you bring to the table.

On the other hand, a resume objective is a statement that outlines your career goals and what you hope to achieve. It’s typically used by job seekers who have little to no work experience or are transitioning into a new industry.

Tips on Crafting a Strong Statement

Whether you’re writing a resume summary or objective, there are certain things to keep in mind to make your statement compelling and memorable. Here are a few tips:

Keep it concise: Your statement should be no longer than 2-3 sentences or bullet points. You want to quickly capture the reader’s attention and not overwhelm them with unnecessary information.

Focus on your strengths: Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements that make you a standout candidate. Tailor your statement to the job you’re applying for and emphasize what you can bring to the role.

Use keywords: Make sure to include keywords and phrases that are relevant to the job description. This can help you get past applicant tracking systems and catch the attention of the hiring manager.

Show your personality: While it’s important to keep your statement professional, don’t be afraid to inject some personality and showcase your unique voice. This can make you more memorable and help you stand out from other applicants.

Your summary or objective statement should give a clear picture of who you are as a candidate and what you can bring to the table. With these tips and a little creativity, you can craft a compelling statement that will make a lasting impression.

Incorporating Relevant Examples in Your Resume

When it comes to resumes, listing your skills and qualifications is important, but it’s not enough. In today’s competitive job market, recruiters and employers are looking for candidates who can provide tangible evidence of their abilities. That’s where incorporating relevant examples in your resume becomes crucial.

Providing examples of your accomplishments, skills, and experience is an effective way to stand out amongst other job applicants. It allows you to showcase your strengths and capabilities, instead of simply stating them. Including examples in your resume can help to give recruiters and potential employers a better understanding of your abilities and achievements, making you a strong candidate for the job.

Here are some examples of relevant and resonant examples to include in your resume:

1. Academic Achievements

Include any academic achievements such as awards or scholarships you’ve received. If you were involved in any academic competitions, mention your achievements and your role in the team. For example, if you competed in a science fair and won an award, mention that in your resume.

2. Volunteer Work

Volunteering can give you valuable experience and skills that you can highlight in your resume. If you volunteered in a leadership role, be sure to mention that. If you volunteered for a non-profit organization and helped raise money, include the amount you raised and how you accomplished it.

3. Internships

Internships are a great way to gain work experience in your field of interest. Highlight your contributions to the company you interned at and any projects you worked on. Be sure to mention any new skills you learned while on the job.

4. Freelance Work

If you have done any freelance work, be sure to include it in your resume. This could include anything from designing a logo to writing an article. Mention the project you worked on, what you accomplished, and the impact it had on the client.

5. Personal Projects

If you recently completed a personal project, it’s worth mentioning in your resume. This could include a website you designed or a YouTube channel you started. Highlight your skills and the impact your project had.

Incorporating relevant examples in your resume is a powerful tool to showcase your abilities, accomplishments, and potential. By providing tangible evidence of your skills and experience, you can make yourself stand out from other job applicants and increase your chances of securing the job of your dreams.

Related Articles

• What to Include in the Education Section: Resume Writing 101
• Construction Site Manager Job Description & Opportunities
• Welder Resume: Examples & Guide for a Successful Career 2023
• Acing Your Second Interview in 2023: Questions and Examples
• The Perfect Model Resume Example for 2023

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5 Ways to Make a Resumé With No Experience

8 Min Read | Sep 6, 2023

Maybe you’ve recently graduated high school or college, or maybe you’re a stay-at-home parent who’s ready to get back in the workforce. No matter what your work experience has or hasn’t been up until today, I can guarantee you’ve got plenty of qualifications to share with hiring managers and job recruiters if you’re making a new resumé without much work history. If you’re ready to get out there and take the work world by storm, here are five ways to make a resumé when you’re starting from scratch.

How to Write a Resumé With No Experience

If you’re worrying about how to write a resumé with no experience, I’m here to reassure you—you’ve already got plenty of skills and experience under your belt. It’s just a matter of brainstorming all your experiences and getting that information into the right resumé format.

When I wanted to change my career path years ago, I didn’t have much—if any —experience in broadcast (I had a background in politics), but I knew I had plenty of people skills and communication talent I could put on my resumé. So that’s what I did! Over time, it worked, and I got more and more opportunities.

Before we get started, I want you to think about why you’re job hunting and what type of work you’re looking for. Once you know those answers, it’s time start writing up your resumé. Are you ready? Let’s start at the beginning.

1. Choose a format for your resumé.

Every resumé should include a section about your career objective, education, skills and other relevant experience. Don’t worry right now about what to write if you don’t have job experience—you simply need to select a resumé template to get started. (I have several templates you can choose from to build your first resumé.) Make sure you use a template that has sections for your education, skills and who you know. When it comes to choosing a template, keep the font clean and simple and don’t go crazy with any clip art or busy designs. You want your skills to stand out, not the design.

2. Add your contact information and a career objective first thing.

Next, once you have a good idea of why you’re looking for a new opportunity , I want you to write that thought down in one or two sentences below your contact information. This will be your career objective. Describe the type of job or professional experience you’re looking for, along with a professional goal. For example, you could write: “Seeking an entry-level digital marketing opportunity to help business owners expand their online presence.” Keep it short and sweet.

3. Describe your education.

If you haven’t been employed before, or you just don’t have much professional experience, you’ll rely on your education to bulk up your resumé . You can talk about what you learned, the skills you developed by working on projects with your classmates, and how any extracurricular activities helped you grow and stretch. Here are a few ways you can emphasize your experience from school:

Start with the basics about your school.

What was the name of your school? Where was your school? What years did you attend? Keep it simple when you answer these questions.

Describe your degree or the focus of your coursework.

Add any degree you completed or the area of focus for your classes. And even if you didn’t go to college , you can include any special areas of focus from high school or your GED program.

Include any honors or awards you received.

Did you graduate at the top of your class or get performance awards for your program? Note any special recognition you got for a job well done.

Describe important projects you worked on.

Maybe you helped photograph the basketball team as a side project for your photojournalism class, and those pictures became the posters hanging in the school hallways. Or maybe you took initiative to organize spirit week during homecoming season. Make a note of anything you accomplished that had an impact outside of your normal classes.

Add any student leadership positions you held.

Were you captain of the lacrosse club or student council secretary? Note the role you held and a brief description of your responsibilities. This will demonstrate your people skills (also known as soft skills ).

Note any certifications or online classes you took.

When you write about your education, you should include what you learned outside of school too. If you’ve ever taken a continuing education course or certification for fun or learned skills through online programs (like Masterclass or LinkedIn Learning), you can include those in this section.

4. Brainstorm and share examples of your community involvement.

Tutoring Others

If you helped your siblings or other students with coursework or studying, list that experience on your resumé. This is a perfect example of a time when you developed people skills and expertise in a certain subject.

Leading Social Groups

Guys, you don’t have to have manager experience to be a leader . If you’ve ever volunteered as a camp counselor or been a member of Boy Scouts of America or other social groups where you led your peers or projects, be sure to include that information on your resumé.

Fundraising for Special Causes

Recruiters love to see numbers, so even without official work experience, you can still demonstrate your success in raising money or helping a cause that matters to you. Think of any fundraisers you’ve been a part of, like running races to benefit medical research or supporting a local animal shelter by selling T-shirts or snacks. How much money did you raise? How many animals did you help? Numbers are helpful here.

Helping With Events

Did you help set up the annual fall festival in your neighborhood or volunteer to collect canned goods or books for volunteer drives? Make sure you list those examples.

Volunteering at Church

Were you a greeter at church? What about a small group coordinator? These probably weren’t paid jobs, but they count as experience. Think back to any way you were involved in helping with people or projects at church and add that in your community section.

5. List your skills.

You deserve to win at work. Our new book and assessment will show you how.

And because I want your resumé to stand out to hiring managers, don’t use generic terms like these listed here when you describe your skills and other experiences:

• Collaborate
• Responsible for
• Communication

Instead, look through this list of 200 resumé words that stand out .

Resumé Example for a First Job

If you’re looking for a resumé example for a first job, this is a good place to start. You’ll want to match your resumé as closely as you can to the job description for the role you’re applying for. That will give you a better shot at landing an interview.

Get Started on Your New Career Path

I’m excited for you to take your first steps into the work world. If you want to get a really clear idea of what your best skills and passions are before you write your resumé, check out my Get Clear Career Assessment for Students . You’ll learn what your unique skills are that’ll look great on a resumé and grab a hiring manager’s attention. Using this guide is a great way for you take the next step on your path to doing work that matters. Try it out today!

Did you find this article helpful? Share it!

About the author

Ken Coleman

Ken Coleman is a career expert and author of the national bestselling book From Paycheck to Purpose and the #1 national bestseller The Proximity Principle. He hosts The Ken Coleman Show, a nationally syndicated, caller-driven show that helps listeners discover what they were born to do. Ken makes regular appearances on Fox News, and he co-hosts The Ramsey Show, the second-largest talk show in the nation. Through his speaking, broadcasting and syndicated columns, Ken gives people expert career advice, providing strategic steps to grow professionally, land their dream job, and get promoted.  Learn More.

How to Write a Resumé in 6 Steps

If you want to set yourself up for success in your job hunt, making a good resumé is the first step. Here are six things to keep in mind when you’re learning how to write a resumé.

Resumé Skills That Stand Out

Here are the best words to add to your resumé to make your skills stand out.

Watch CBS News

Experts warn not to look at solar eclipse with your phone camera — but share tricks for safely taking pictures

Updated on: April 8, 2024 / 12:12 PM EDT / CBS News

Millions of Americans will be able to see the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, and chances are many will want to grab their phone and take pictures to document the rare event. 

Experts warn that it's essential not only to protect your eyes from the sun, but also to be cautious when using your phone to view or take photos of the solar eclipse. 

A partial solar eclipse, when the moon blocks some of the sun, will occur from coast to coast, while a total solar eclipse —when the moon lines up with the sun, blocking all of its light — will be visible in  the "path of totality," stretching across more than a dozen states , from Texas to Maine.

"There is no safe time to look at the sun without protection, period," Dr. Christopher Starr, director of the fellowship program in cornea, cataract and laser vision correction surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine,  said in an interview with Health Matters, NewYork-Presbyterian's online journal. "Not a split second, not a half a second, not a quarter of a second. At no time should a kid, or an adult, be looking at the sun even as the sun is partially eclipsed. It's still unsafe."

The safest way to look at a partially eclipsed sun is with eclipse glasses that meet an international standard, ISO 12312-2, according to the American Optometric Association. 

Can I take pictures of the solar eclipse with my cellphone?

Cellphone cameras should not be pointed directly at the sun, as it may damage the phone's sensor, experts say.

Smartphones were never designed for taking photos of the sun or the moon, according to NASA. Because standard lenses are very small, they aren't equipped with the resolution needed for the largest objects in the sky like the sun and moon. 

"Cellphone cameras do not have the kind of protective filters needed for safe or successful solar photography," Dr. Geoff Bradford, professor of ophthalmology at West Virginia University, told CBS News. 

Photographing the partial eclipse with a smartphone will likely not only damage the camera sensor but also result in an overexposed photo, Bradford said.

Douglas Goodwin, professor of media studies at Scripps College and an expert in computational photography, agreed. 

"Smartphone cameras in 2024 have small sensors and lenses, making it challenging to capture detailed images of the eclipse itself," Goodwin said in an interview. "Taking photos of an eclipse is even harder than taking photos of the moon — it's small and dazzling!"

Can I look at the sun on my cellphone screen?

Pointing your cellphone at the sun is bad for the phone, but it also could be dangerous for your eyes if you look at the sun on your cellphone screen, experts say. 

Except for the few moments of total eclipse , when the sun is completely obstructed, "viewing the sun with your unprotected eyes or through a cellphone screen is extremely dangerous," Bradford said, advising that all visual contact with the sun take place only through special solar eclipse glasses that meet international standards.

That international safety standard, which is set by the  International Organization for Standardization , means the glasses reduce visible sunlight to a safe level and block ultraviolet and infrared radiation, according to the  American Astronomical Society  website. 

Ultraviolet radiation can damage the eyes's cells, while heat from infrared radiation can cause thermal damage,  according to the National Eye Institute . 

What's the safest way of taking pictures of the eclipse?

The solar eclipse has various stages and effects, and some are safer to photograph than others. 

"Smartphones will be great for capturing the experience of the eclipse," Goodwin said. This includes the effects of the altered lighting around us. 

"Keep your head down and look under leafy trees for crescent-shaped projections of the eclipsed sun on the ground," Goodwin said. "Plus, you will observe how the strange light affects people and animals."

Goodwin also recommended that people in the eclipse's path look for shadow bands, which are mysterious gray ripples that snake over the ground just before and after the total eclipse.

If you really want to photograph the sun as it becomes partially covered, take an extra pair of solar eclipse glasses, cut them and tape one of the filters over your phone's camera lens, Bradford said. If your smartphone has several lenses, make sure all are covered. 

If you're using an iPhone, you should turn off the camera's macro mode when putting a filter in front of the camera. 

"Do not look at the sun, even briefly, while pointing your camera skyward," Bradford said. "To enlarge the eclipse further than your camera zoom will allow, you can purchase a clip-on zoom lens for your smartphone for more dramatic photos."

Can I take photos of the sun when it's fully obstructed?

If you're in the path of totality , during the few minutes of total eclipse, you can look up without eye protection and take unfiltered photographs with a smartphone, Bradford said. 

But it's important to be mindful that the total eclipse is a fleeting occurrence. As soon as the moon begins to move away from the sun and sunlight reappears, make sure your eclipse glasses and camera filter are back on, Bradford advised.

Some experts warn against looking up at the sun even when it's fully obstructed because of how suddenly sunlight can reappear. 

"Totality of the eclipse lasts only about 1 to 3 minutes based on geographic location, and bright sunlight suddenly can appear as the moon continues to move," an eclipse viewing guide published in  JAMA  noted, adding that "even a few seconds of viewing the sun during an eclipse" can temporarily or permanently damage your vision. 

Looking at a partial eclipse without the protection of filters can cause permanent and irreversible eye damage, including blind spots, distorted vision and decreased color vision, Bradford said.

During the darkened few moments of the total eclipse, Goodwin recommends using your smartphone's HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Night modes to enhance photographs. HDR mixes exposures to capture a range of brightness levels, while Night mode uses image stacking to create well-lit photos in low-light conditions, Goodwin said. 

You can use the iPhone's Wide and Ultra Wide cameras during near-total darkness.

S. Dev is a news editor for CBSNews.com.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, worried about eclipse damage to your eyes don't panic.

Geoff Brumfiel

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Junior Espejo looks through eclipse glasses being handed out by NASA in Houlton, Maine. Used correctly, eclipse glasses prevent eye damage. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

Junior Espejo looks through eclipse glasses being handed out by NASA in Houlton, Maine. Used correctly, eclipse glasses prevent eye damage.

Tens of millions of Americans will have spent the day staring at a total solar eclipse, and at least a few of them may become worried that they inadvertently damaged their eyes.

But experts say there's no need to panic — the vast majority of eclipse viewers are probably fine. And even if somebody did strain their eyes, the effects could be temporary.

During the 2017 total solar eclipse it's estimated that 150 million Americans viewed the event. There were around 100 documented cases of eye damage across all of America and Canada, according to Ralph Chou, an expert on eclipse eye safety with the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Far more people turned up in emergency rooms worried that they'd damaged their eyes. Many complained of watery eyes or blurred vision, but in most cases they were fine, according to Avnish Deobhakta, an ophthalmologist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, one of the largest eye hospitals in the nation.

The reason it's hard to do real damage is simple — the human eye has evolved to avoid staring directly at the sun.

"It's so bright that we're not actually capable of looking at it without either tearing or sort of not really feeling comfortable staring at this ball of light," Deobhakta says.

Shots - Health News

Here's what it looks like when you fry your eye in an eclipse.

In the rare case that someone does damage their eyes, that damage usually shows up as a blurry spot in the field of vision , hours or up to a day after watching the eclipse. In about half of cases, the problem fixes itself, but permanent damage can sometimes occur.

Anticipating the post-eclipse ocular anxiety, at least one eye clinic in Buffalo, N.Y., is offering free eye checks immediately after the eclipse on April 8.

It's always a good idea to get your eyes checked, whether or not there's an eclipse. So if you're worried at all, go ahead and use the opportunity to schedule your annual exam.

• eclipse eye damage
• 2024 eclipse

When and where the solar eclipse will be crossing the U.S.

A total solar eclipse will grace the skies over North America on Monday, one of the most hotly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years.

Weather permitting , millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light .

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

Follow live updates on the solar eclipse

In all other parts of the continental U.S., a partial solar eclipse will be visible, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun. Exactly how big a bite depends on the location.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA .

After moving northeast across Mexico, the eclipse’s path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

In Canada, the eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

The timing of the eclipse and the duration of totality varies by location. Most places will experience around 2 minutes of darkness, but the longest periods of totality are typically in the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest stretch of totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico.

Below is a list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, according to NASA .

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m. CT.
• Idabel, Oklahoma: Partial eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT and totality at 1:45 p.m. CT.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m. CT.
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Partial eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT and totality at 1:56 p.m. CT.
• Paducah, Kentucky: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 2:00 p.m. CT.
• Carbondale, Illinois: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 1:59 p.m. CT.
• Evansville, Indiana: Partial eclipse begins at 12:45 p.m. CT and totality at 2:02 p.m. CT.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Erie, Pennsylvania: Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 p.m. ET and totality at 3:16 p.m. ET.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Burlington, Vermont: Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 p.m. ET and totality at 3:26 p.m. ET.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.
• Caribou, Maine: Partial eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET and totality at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Other resources can also help you figure out when the various phases of the eclipse will be visible where you live, including NationalEclipse.com and TimeandDate.com .

If you plan to watch the celestial event, remember that it’s never safe to look directly at the sun, including through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Special eclipse glasses are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent permanent eye damage.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.