resume for college student with little experience

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

College Student No Experience Resume

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

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

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

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

or download as PDF

College Student No Experience 2 Resume

College Student No Experience 3 Resume

College Student No Experience 4 Resume

College Student No Experience 5 Resume

Related resume examples

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

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Background Experience

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

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

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

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

9 Best College Student No Experience Skills

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

Sample College Student No Experience Work Experience Bullet Points

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

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

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

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

Top 5 Tips for Your College Student No Experience Resume

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

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

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

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

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

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 Make a Resume With No Experience (+Examples)

Yes—it is possible to write a great resume with no experience. And this guide will use resume examples for first jobs to show you how. Buy the ticket and take the ride.

Applying for the first job ever can feel overwhelming. All these rules you’ve got to follow, and all these ads that ask for miracles from entry-level applicants. When each requires experience, how can you demonstrate it if you haven’t had a proper job before?

Hey, don’t worry—your resume with no experience is bound to succeed as long as you follow my guide.

In this article, you’ll find:

• A resume example with no experience better than most.
• How to make a resume with no experience for your first job.
• What to put in a resume for first jobs, so it’s full of relevant info instead of blank spaces.
• How to write a resume with no experience so good that you’ll get immediate phone calls.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

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Want some other first-time resume without experience? See our guides:

• College Student Resume
• Graduate School Resume
• High School Graduate Resume
• High School Resume
• Recent College Graduate Resume
• Resume for College Application
• Resume for Grad School Application
• Student Resume
• Teen Resume
• Undergraduate College Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples for over 280 applications.

Sample Resume With No Experience

Avery Waters

High-School Graduate

(123) 456-7890

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/avery.waters

instagram.com/avery.loves.beauty

Personable high-school graduate with a passion for the beauty industry seeking a retail assistant position. Knowledgeable about leading makeup brands and a keen tester of new cosmetic products. Eager to educate customers at Lovely Organic about the product selection, plant-based ingredients, and benefits of organic skincare. Gained cashier experience while volunteering at a bake sale in 2021. Runs an Instagram account dedicated to cosmetology since 2019.

High School Diploma

Salem High School, Salem, MA

September 2018–June 2022

Academic Accomplishments:

• Participated in the Massachusetts State Science Exhibition in 2021 with a demonstration focused on harmful substances in everyday cosmetics.
• Selected as the sole participant in the 2022 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad.
• President of the Applied Chemistry Club in 2021–2022.

Personal Projects

Makeup Artist

June 2019–Present

• Applied makeup for 20+ customers for a variety of events, including birthdays, prom, and weddings.
• Designed wedding makeup for the bride, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom that matched the color palette of wedding decorations.
• Educated clients about proper makeup application, skincare, and makeup brush selection.

Volunteer Experience

Salvation Army, Salem, MA

August 2020–Present

• Performed cashier duties at a holiday bake sale in December 2021.
• Helped sort donated items to select goods for the thrift store displays.
• Positive attitude
• Verbal communication
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills
• English—Native
• Spanish—Intermediate
• French—Intermediate
• Testing new cosmetic products and recording product reviews as stories for Instagram and TikTok accounts.
• Learning about cosmetology and plant-based cosmetic ingredients from books and independent blogs.

Enjoyed this first-job resume sample? Continue reading to learn how to write a resume with no experience similar to the one above. 

And because you’ll be making your resume for your first job, you can click these links to read about certain steps of the process, with examples.

• Use the Best Format for a Resume With No Experience
• Start by Adding a Resume Header
• Choose Between a Career Objective or a Summary
• Supercharge Your Education With Achievements and Extracurriculars
• Mention Relevant Experience in a First-Job Resume
• Highlight Skills in a Resume With No Experience
• Add Even More Value With Extra Sections  

Let me guide you through each point now:

1. Use the Best Format for a Resume With No Experience

You might’ve heard about various resume formats . Which one should you choose for your resume with no experience? 

Go with the reverse-chronological resume . It’s preferred by recruiters and easily adjustable for any candidate, no matter their level of experience. It's also what career experts like me suggest most of the time.

Then, keep in mind these rules:

• Make a professional resume layout that’s scannable, or browse through free resume templates to find the one you like most.
• Select a good resume font , such as Times New Roman, Calibri, or Georgia, and set the font size to 11–12 pts for the contents and 13–14 pts for the headings.
• Set resume margins to 1 inch on all sides to maintain the balance between the text and white space.
• Create a resume outline with the sections you’re going to use. They are resume profile, education, experience, skills, and a few extra sections like languages or volunteer work.
• Limit the length of your resume to just one page—there’s no need to go beyond that in a resume with no experience.
• Save your resume in a DOC or PDF : first, check if the job ad mentions the preferred format. If not, go with a PDF, as this format best preserves the formatting the way you want.

If formatting documents in Word or Google Docs is not your strong suit, go with pre-made resume templates instead. You can easily find them online, or you can save some time and try our collection of Word resume templates or Google Docs resume templates to see if they match your taste.

2. Start by Adding a Resume Header to Your Resume With No Experience

The hiring manager’s gaze will first land at the top of your resume. That’s the place where your resume header must appear. It’s not only a space to put your name in—it’s also the best section to display your contact information on a resume with no experience.

Here’s what you should put in a resume header:

• Your full name and desired job title or your major
• Phone number
• Email address
• Professional social media links

What does the term professional social media mean, exactly? From my experience, LinkedIn is your best choice, as it’s a network designed specifically for business purposes. But if you run an Instagram or Facebook account related to your profession, that’s a good option, too. For example, if you’re an aspiring graphic designer, an Instagram page showcasing your work is perfect.

Expert Hint: Make sure your email address sounds serious. An unprofessional email address is one of the most popular mistakes made on resumes when applying for jobs. Consider creating a new account for work, and keep it separate from your personal email.

3. Choose Between a Career Objective or a Summary For Your No Experience Resume

A good resume starts with a powerful profile. In a resume with no experience, the introduction must immediately convince the reader that you have serious worth. How? By highlighting your qualifications for the job.

Two types of resume profiles work best:

• Resume summary , which highlights professional achievements and experience
• Resume objective , which highlights skills and knowledge and specifies what the candidate can do for the employer

So, which one of these two is the best choice for you? 

Go with a resume objective . This type of profile focuses on what you can achieve while working in your position. Use it to mention relevant skills and knowledge to help you succeed professionally. You might also say a few words about your relevant experience from part-time jobs, volunteer work, or university.

If you prefer to write a resume summary , it’s also possible, even for a candidate with no experience. A classic resume summary highlights professional achievements . And they don’t have to be work-related. You can name achievements from internships, extracurricular activities, academic activities, volunteer work, or anything else that connects well to your desired job.

You’ll see examples of resume objectives and summaries in a minute. But first:

Here’s a job-winning formula for a good resume profile :

• Start with a personality trait that says you’re a great employee, such as “dedicated,” “goal-oriented,” “personable,” etc.
• Follow with the desired job title, field of study, or education level , e.g., “third-year BBA student” or “personal assistant.”
• Mention your professional knowledge and relevant skills . You can do it this way: “...specializing in microbiology”, “proficient in Java and Python,” or “...with strong interpersonal and communication skills”.
• Specify how you can help the company achieve its goals . Try something like that: “Eager to utilize knowledge about English literature and use mentoring skills to support learners and improve their academic performance while working as a tutor at Sunshine Quality Education.”
• Recall any relevant experience —it can be a professional, academic, freelance, volunteer, or even extracurricular, as long as it matches the position you want. For example: “Developed interpersonal and organizational skills while volunteering at the student community center in 2022–2023.”

Now, enough theory. I'll show you some examples:

Resume Example With No Work Experience: Objective

This example includes all the elements I’ve mentioned: the candidate’s knowledge, the goal they want to achieve for the business, useful skills, and relevant experience. It also expresses their keen interest in the job.

Hard-working student looking for a cashier job. I hope to gain customer service experience while working at Blue Fan Groceries. I’m a friendly person, and I easily get along with everyone.

The candidate above could be a good fit for the job, but they don’t know how to express it. Statements like “I’m friendly” don’t sound professional. Also, the employer doesn’t care much about what the applicants want to gain from the job—they want to know what the business will gain.

Now, let’s move on to an example of a resume summary:

Summary for a Resume With No Experience (Example)

Detail-oriented software engineering student specializing in machine learning. Eager to join CodApply as a junior data analyst and use my knowledge of Python to assist with developing computer vision models. Completed a 3-month data engineering internship in 2022. Created a fake news detection application in Python as part of my bachelor’s thesis project.

This fresher resume summary includes all the important elements: relevant knowledge and skills, a specific goal, and relevant achievement. Even though this person has no work experience, their knowledge and academic background make them a valuable candidate.

Expert hint: Remember that you don’t have to write your resume profile immediately. In fact, it’s better to complete the other sections of your resume and then combine the best bits into your resume objective or summary!

4. Supercharge Your Education With Achievements and Extracurriculars

A resume with no experience should boast about education. Even though not all well-paid jobs require a college degree , getting one still matters, and it’s one of the easiest steps to improve career outlooks. Ergo, your education section must mention much more than just the name of the school you attended.

Here’s how to make a strong education section in your first-job resume:

• List your highest degree first. If you haven’t graduated from college or university yet, mention your current credits and add your secondary education, too, in reverse-chronological order.
• Include the school name and years of study.
• Add your GPA if it’s above 3.5.
• Note the most relevant coursework to the job you’re after.
• Show off academic achievements such as scholarships, awards, and honors.
• Throw in extracurricular activities, such as membership in student organizations, participation in conferences, organizing charity events, sports competitions, and any other activities that can prove relevant to the job you want. Doing more than just studying while at school can be really beneficial. Your time at college can not only get you a degree but also provide a chance to start networking as a student .

Once clear, check the sample no-experience resume below:

Resume Example for the First Job: Education

Pretty impressive for a high-school student, right?

Brooklyn High School, New York City, NY

Graduated in 2021

Joined the track and field team

That second candidate didn’t list any info that could help win a recruiter over.

In order to make the education section of your resume worth reading, add details showing achievements and actions on your part. A good way to do that is to use active verbs in your resume , such as “organized,” “demonstrated,” “completed,” etc. Give it a try—you’ll see an immediate difference in how your resume presents itself.

5. Mention Relevant Experience in a First-Job Resume

OK, I told you about relevant academic achievements and coursework, so now let’s talk about experience relevant to the job. What does that mean ?

It means that even if you have no work experience , you can list experiences that helped you develop key skills and qualifications for the job you want.

Here are the types of experiences you can talk about in your no-experience resume:

• Internships: If you’ve completed one, mention what you’ve learned and what you excelled at.
• Freelancing: Doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, like mowing lawns, babysitting, and delivering groceries for the elderly, can teach you a thing or two about being dependable and organized.
• Personal projects: For example, if you want a job at a restaurant, having a blog where you post regular restaurant reviews and share recipes can be a thing worth mentioning.
• Volunteering experience : It not only shows that you care about others but also allows you to prove your professionalism. Helping in a pet shelter, supporting a community organization, participating in fundraisers, and doing other volunteer activities can teach you skills to transfer between careers.

Check the sample below to put the theory into practice:

Resume Example for the First Job: Relevant Experience

This candidate knows how to show they’re not green behind the ears. They started each statement with power words for a resume to make a good impression, and the candidate provided specific information about their skill set.

Freelance Work

• Designing business cards
• Creating website graphics
• Retouching photos for the school basketball team

The candidate above might be quite skillful. The problem is—they don’t know how to show it. Listing experiences that way isn’t convincing and doesn’t show if you’re successful in any of the tasks.

When describing your experience, use resume keywords that match the job advertisement. They are individual words and phrases that both hiring managers and automated scans look out for. They signal that your qualifications match the job requirements. For example, if the job ad says: “Looking for a people person with strong interpersonal skills,” your resume needs to include interpersonal and people skills. 

Using keywords in a resume with no experience will help you create an ATS-friendly resume that will pass through ATS screening systems and has a better chance of getting noticed.

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

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6. Highlight Skills in a Resume With No Experience

“It’s true that I don’t have work experience. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything!”

You’re right. But you must convince the hiring manager that this is true. And the best way to do it in a resume with no experience is by stuffing it with relevant skills. After all, you’ve learned a thing or two throughout your life, and if you’re a university student or graduate, you also picked up some expert knowledge.

But how to put it all together on a resume? Let me tell you. Start by making a spreadsheet with two columns: soft skills and hard skills.

• Soft skills are personality traits that help you interact with others and approach different situations effectively. They’re often called people or interpersonal skills. While at school, there’s a good chance you developed such soft skills as teamwork, communication, time management, or problem-solving.
• Hard skills refer to job-specific knowledge and abilities needed to complete specific tasks. You can gain them through education, courses, or on-the-job training. For example, if you studied software engineering, you gained hard skills such as programming, software testing, and data structures.

So, in your spreadsheet, fill the soft and hard skills columns with relevant skills you’ve mastered. It’s OK if the soft skill list is longer than the other. Why? Because soft skills are also transferable, meaning that they apply to a variety of professions.

When your list is ready, take a look at the job advertisement. The job requirements specify what kind of skills and knowledge are expected from you. Compare them with your lists of skills, and pick only the ones that match. 

The skills picked for a resume should appear in different sections. You should sprinkle them in your resume profile, education, and when describing relevant experiences. For example, if the job ad calls for someone who excels in time management, mention how you completed all assignments within deadlines and handled a hectic schedule at college. But also remember to make a separate skill list for your resume.

How to make a skill list for a no-experience resume:

• Make a list of all the skills you’ve got, including hard and soft skills.
• Read the job advertisement carefully and note the key requirements.
• Select 6–10 skills matching the job requirements from your list.

Check the list below to see the most popular skills for a resume with no experience:

List of Skills for a First-Job Resume

• Time management skills
• Organizational skills
• Creative thinking
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Effective communication
• Presentation skills
• Teamwork skills
• Leadership skills
• Computer skills

The list above can inspire you for the skill section of your first-job resume. But don’t copy-paste it onto your application! The point of the skill list in a resume is to show the most relevant skills for the job, so you have to be selective.

Here’s a job ad for a retail assistant position:

Seeking a part-time retail assistant to perform store functions, including greeting customers, taking orders over the phone, and entering them into a Word document in a timely manner. Must be good at communication and teamwork and have a friendly attitude. 

And below, you can see a matching skill list for a resume:

Sample Resume With No Experience: Skills

This candidate was applying for a retail job, and their skills match this type of work perfectly.

Leadership, IT skills, marketing, Excel

In the example above, the candidate wrote whatever came to their mind. Even if they really possess those skills, it’s not likely that they match what was outlined in the job advertisement.

7. Add Even More Value to Your No Experience Resume

You’ve done a lot of work, but it’s not the end yet. There’s still more information you can add to a resume with no experience to make it more effective. Additional sections are great for highlighting achievements, qualifications, and skills that you haven’t mentioned before. 

Choose from the following resume sections:

• Certifications and licenses : Doing certification courses is a great way to gain new skills and later prove your knowledge to recruiters. You can find lots of online courses, and many are free of charge!
• Language skills: Learning a language not only broadens your horizons and makes international travel easier, but it can also bring more work opportunities. Many overseas companies prefer hiring candidates who can communicate in several languages.
• Hobbies and interests : Your personal interests can show that you’re truly passionate about your desired profession. For example, if you want to apply for an entry-level graphic designer job, mention your interest in visual arts.
• Memberships and associations: Want a job at your local library? Why not say being a member of a book club? Being an active member of any association can help you develop organizational and leadership skills as well as create a valuable network of like-minded people.

Have a look at my examples below:

Additional Sections Examples on a No-Experience Resume

Don’t be afraid to describe your activities in more detail, just like the candidate above. It’ll help recruiters to see how they match your desired position.

• Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese
• Certification: Project Management certificate
• Interests: Basketball, coding, travel

That’s not how professionals write a no-experience resume. You must provide specific information. For example, when you mention your language skills on a resume, add information about your proficiency level. And when listing certifications, mention the organization that awarded them and when.

Expert Hint: After completing your resume, take a well-deserved break and start writing a cover letter. Yes—you can write a professional cover letter with no experience , and it can really boost your chances of landing a job.

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

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

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

Here’s how to make a resume with no experience: 

• Use the no-experience resume template that you saw up top. It can help to stop the “can’t get a job without experience” cycle.
• Focus on relevant life experiences and accomplishments. Put them in your objective, education, and additional resume sections.
• Add the skills they need, not the ones you have. They’re your best keywords, and you can easily find them in the online job ad.
• Include a cover letter. Give evidence you’re a good fit despite a lack of work experience.

Got questions on how to write a resume with no work experience? Maybe you don’t know where to start writing your resume for the first job? Leave a comment. I’ll be happy to reply!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

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

Roma Kończak is a career expert and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer with a background in education and humanities. She’s passionate about personal development and helping others advance in their careers. She writes guides that simplify complex HR terminology based on thorough research and factual information.

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How To Build A Resume With No Experience As A College Student

Learn how to write a resume that will score you your first job out of college even with no prior work experience..

Building an all-encompassing resume is easier said than done especially if you don’t have prior work experience. It’s often assume having limited job experience hurts your chances of landing a job.

But this is untrue, and really, it simply comes down to having a well formatted resume that showcases relevant experiences and skills you have learned throughout college.

And quite frankly, regardless if you have work experience or not, you need to start somewhere if you want to successfully transition from college to adulthood.

Then once you gain your first job experience out of college, you’ll be able to start working your way to more professional and higher earning jobs .

In this blog post we are going to discuss how to create your first resume as a college student with no work experience.

The tips in this blog post will hopefully help you score a job after college or your first internship experience. So without further ado, let’s get started!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing a product or service through an affiliate will earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please read our Disclaimer Policy for more information about the use of affiliate links on this site.

How to format your resume for your first job out college

When it comes to creating a winning resume, format matters.

In fact, having an unorganized, unprofessional resume can send your resume right into the trash can before anyone can even read it.

According to HR Drive, job recruiters only look at resumes for an average of 7.4 seconds.

That means you need to format your resume in a way that grabs and holds the attention of job recruiters and hiring managers for an extended amount of time.

So what does this exactly mean in regard to resume formatting?

Simply put, you need to create a winning resume that is:

• To the point
• Highlights your relevant experience(s) in relation to the job you are applying for

In this section we will go into detail about:

• How long your resume should be
• What color(s) and font(s) you should use on your resume
• The general format your resume should follow
• Software options for creating and formatting your resume

How long should a resume be for a college student?

Yes, that’s right–you have one page to make an impression to job recruiters and hiring managers and, hopefully, move forward in the hiring process.

If you have no prior work experience, the one page limit may even be a relief to you.

Even more so, having a one-page limit can help you showcase your most relevant experience and skills related to the job you are applying for instead of adding unnecessary fluffy that may hinder your job prospects.

What color(s) and font(s) should you use on your student resume?

The use and preference of which color(s) you should use on your resume is up for debate .

Some hiring professionals would say only use a black text on a white background, but others would say that it is ok to add some color.

However, it really depends on the job you are applying for and the nature of the workplace.

If you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer, using color on your resume would be more appropriate versus applying for a job as a secretary at a law firm.

In regard to font(s) , it’s simple: use an easy-to-read, clean font like:

• Times New Roman

Also, be sure to use that font consistently throughout your resume (aka no mixing and matching fonts).

Personally, I always stick to black text on a white background with Times New Roman font for all of my resumes (and cover letters).

The general format you should use

Resume creation doesn’t have to be complicated.

Written below is a format you can use for your resume that will keep your resume organized and make it easier for hiring recruiters to find the information they need.

General Format

• Mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Overview or objective statement
• General experience (volunteering/school-related tasks)
• Achievements
• Job-related skills

Notice how this format does not include a section for work experience. As mentioned previously, it is possible to create a complete resume without job experience.

Instead, you can utilize the format to your advantage by fully fleshing out the relevant experience(s) that sheds light on your potential as a candidate for the job.

When you format your resume the right way, you’ll get noticed by recruiters and they will call you in for interviews.

Don’t let the fact that you don’t work experience prevent you from applying to jobs or make you feel you are less qualified. Instead, just make sure to spice things up and add as much value to your resume as possible.

What software can I use to create and format my resume?

Luckily there are plenty of options for creating your resume that are free and easy to use.

The most accessible one being Google Docs .

However, if you aren’t as tech savvy you can use an online resume builder like Resume.com (I personally have used this one).

I personally like using online resume builders because I don’t have to format the resume at all. Instead, all I have to do is focus on writing the text and making sure I have good grammar and punctuation.

The resume builder does the “heavy lifting” for me aka formatting and aesthetics. Plus, I can get the finalized resume as a PDF or Word Document, which is perfect for submitting on Indeed, Monster, or any other job listing website.

Need a physical guide that covers the ins and outs of resume building for college students? This book is my absolute favorite. And although it was written for college students majoring in psychology, the information can be applied to any college student seeking employment after college graduation.

Example resume with no experience

Before going into a few tips and tricks for resume building, below is a resume example for a college student who has no work or internship experience.

Instead, this imaginary student, we’ll call her Jessica Doe, is focusing on highlighting her volunteer and club experience to get her a job as a secondary education teacher.

7 tips for building a good resume with no work experience as a college student

How can you make your resume stand out when you have no work experience?

Here are 7 tips that will help you use your non-work experience to your advantage on your resume.

1. Include a complete summary statement

This is often termed as the “overview” or “objective statement” and it plays a critical role in defining the rest of your resume.

This statement should provide insight into what you are aiming for as a budding professional, your skillset, and what you are going to bring to the position you are applying for.

It should only be a sentence or two breaking down what you are going to provide to the employer.

However, remember, the average employer is not looking to learn more about your aspirations. These details don’t matter to them as much as you think!

Instead, they just want to know why you are a good candidate for the particular job listing. This is what you want to make clear in the overview or summary statement.

Here is a brief example taken from one of my resumes: Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Georgia with strong communication, organization, time management, and computer skills.

You can find more awesome career objective statement examples by clicking here .

2. Choose the right resume format

When you are fleshing out a resume, you want to format it in a way that showcases you as a job candidate the best.

In general, you are going to want to play around with different option(s):

• Chronological

The format you go with is ultimately up to you, but it is often recommended to go with a format that is easy to follow.

More importantly, if you are inconsistent with the layout, this is going to put you in a bad light professionally.

With a chronological resume , you are going to focus on listing everything based on a timeline. You start with the most recent experience you’ve done and work backward.

On the other hand, a functional resume tends to work well for those with no experience because it is going to focus on your skills.

If necessary, you are always welcome to play around with a hybrid resume format , where you list your skills and achievements while following a chronological order (from most recent to oldest).

3. Focus on grammar and punctuation

It seems silly to say, but you are not going to have as much leeway as a seasoned professional with years of relevant experience.

Employers are not going to be as forgiving when you have grammar or punctuation mistakes. And any grammar or punctuation errors are going to stand out in a bad way.

Even if your resume is chuck full of value, a single misspelling or weird grammatical error can send your resume to the trash bin.

So take your time to go through the resume multiple times. And have other people you know and trust read it beforehand.

I’d recommend getting your mom, dad, or even better, a professor or someone at your university’s career services center to read and critique it.

Having a second, third, or even fourth opinion about your resume can help you create an even better resume and make you stand out despite your lack of work experience.

4. List relevant achievements and or activities

Although you may not have work experience (or very limited work experience) that doesn’t mean you have nothing valuable to add to the workforce.

In fact, you may have a few achievements that would be relevant to the job(s) you are applying for. Or maybe you were part of a club or honor society in college that is relevant.

Whatever it is, make sure to mention it on your resume along with a few bullet points about the achievement or activity that highlights your responsibilities and or accomplishments related to that experience.

For example, if you are applying for an Information Technology (IT) job list any certifications you have obtained or personal projects you have completed.

Or maybe you were part of the gardening club in college and you held a leadership position in that club. On your resume, you can list the duties you had as a leader in the club that relates back to the job you are applying for.

5. Highlight your academic history

One thing on your resume you can use to your advantage is your education.

Many employers love college graduates because they have learned the latest concepts and can add value and innovative ideas to their business.

With your academic history, make sure to highlight how it relates to the job listing.

For example, if you are studying computer science, you can list some core concepts that are related to the IT job that you are applying for. This can include specific coding languages you have learned, like CSS, HTML, Python, C++, etc.

You can also list upper-level classes you have take that relate to the job you are applying for.

But don’t list general education classes like World History or English. They’re too generic and don’t add any true value to your resume.

For example, when I applied for my job as a Vision Therapist, I listed upper-level psychology courses I took that taught me concepts that would be related to the field like Clinical and Counseling Psychology and Abnormal Psychology.

Also, if you have a high GPA (3.5 or above) , be sure to list it on your resume. It can make you stand out amongst the other college graduates applying for the same job as you.

6. Internships

If you had the opportunity to do an internship or co-op in college that relates to the job you are applying for, be sure to list it on your resume.

Internships are equivalent to work experience and can give your resume a nice boost.

However, if you do not have internship experience, consider getting an internship before entering the workforce.

Internships can be a great way to get your foot in the door in a competitive field and allow you to solidify your decision to commit to a long-term job in your field of interest.

7. Highlight your volunteer work

Volunteer experiences can be a great way to make your resume stand out, but again, it is important that this experience is relevant to the job you are applying for.

You for sure don’t want to get carried away with your volunteer experience.

Instead, your volunteer experience should be a small section of the resume and it should reflect that you are a well-rounded individual that cares about the world around them.

For example, if you volunteered at a soup kitchen for 2 years during college, you can list that on your resume and add short bullet points that state how you efficiently communicated with individuals from different backgrounds.

Or maybe you volunteered at a hospital. You could add a bullet point about your ability to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.

4 things not to include on your resume

It is very easy to ruin your chances of moving up in the hiring process by making these mistakes on your resume. Here are 4 don’ts when creating your resume with no work experience.

1. Writing samples or photos

Unless you are applying for a job as a journalist or at a publishing agency, there is no reason to submit a writing sample other than your cover letter and resume.

Additionally, submitting a photo of yourself can hinder your ability to get asked back for an interview or hired. Why?

For one, employers do not want to be accused of hiring (or not hiring) you based on your looks. This can be seen as discriminatory and result in legal consequences for the company.

Also, a photo takes up real estate on your resume that you could use to highlight your relevant experience and expertise or even prevent your resume from getting past the applicant tracking system .

2. Unprofessional email address

One of the easiest ways to turn off a hiring manager is to have an unprofessional email address on your resume like [email protected] or [email protected].

Your email address is a reflection of your professionalism, so it is important you keep it simple and professional, like [email protected] or [email protected].

3. Using the wrong keywords

As a job hunter, you may have a lot of difficulty gaining initial traction during your job search.

One of the reasons is because you aren’t using the right keywords in your resume.

As mentioned in tip #1 in this section, many employers now utilize an applicant tracking system (ATS).

This software analyzes and sorts resumes before being read by people who make the actual hiring process decisions.

The ATS is programmed to find resumes that have the right “keywords” in them.

So what does this exactly mean?

This means in your resume, you need to include the exact words used in the job description of the job you are applying for.

So if the job description says they want a “bubbly” individual you need to put that exact phrase in your resume instead of a synonym like, “kind” or “friendly” individual.

Although it does take extra time to comb through each job listing you are applying for and customize your resume to fit each one, it will pay off in the end when you’re getting follow-up emails and phone calls asking you to come in for an interview.

4. Not including a cover letter

Although many job listings do not require you to submit a cover letter, you always want to include a cover letter with your resume.

Including a cover letter that has been written specifically for the job you are applying for can make all the difference in your job search efforts.

It’s also a great way to describe your relevant experience, skills, or expertise in more detail than on your resume, which can help you stand out during your job search.

Final thoughts on how to build a resume as a college student with no work experience

Creating a resume as a college student with no work experience can be a daunting task. However, you should’t let your lack of work experience prevent you from applying to jobs in your field of choice.

In this blog post, we described and highlighted ways you can build your resume without work experience.

This requires you to dig into your education, volunteer, and relevant achievements and activities to curate a resume that shows off your abilities to perform the job you are applying for.

And if you need a more in-depth guide, check out this book written specifically for college students by college professors.

I truly hope this blog post has helped you see how possible it is to build a competitive resume as a college student with no work experience . And as always, good luck!

Related posts to post-grad life and career

• 20 Things You Should Know By Your 20s
• How To Quit Your Job Gracefully
• 9 Ways To Prep For Life After College
• 7 Things No One Tells You About Post-Grad Life

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

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

No work experience? No problem! Everyone needs a resume for their first job but how do you write a resume with no work experience? We’re here to show you!

Writing a resume with no work experience is a cinch once you know how to play up your strengths with the right tools.

We’ve broken it down for you, step-by-step and section by section. Here’s how to make a resume with no experience.

• Prepare to write a no experience resume.
• Choose a format for your first resume.
• Pick a template for no work experience.
• Add your contact information to your no experience resume.
• Highlight your strengths in a no experience resume objective.
• Make a no experience resume skills section.
• Emphasize your education in your beginner resume.
• Add a section for licenses and certifications if needed.
• Add relevant experience to your first job resume template.
• Add optional sections to enhance your no experience resume.
• Proofread and save your first resume.

STEP 1 Prepare to make a resume with no experiencee

Preparation is essential when making a first time resume. Having your job information ready will save you time in the long run so you can put your best foot forward with confidence.

To prepare a beginner resume, take a close look at the job description and make note of the requirements.

Then think carefully and honestly about what you offer; you might be surprised! 

You could discover that you picked up skills and work experience to add to your no experience resume through

• School activities such as sports or the school orchestra.
• Clubs or organizations, like student council or sorority/fraternity.
• Community activities, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen.

As you reflect on your experiences, make note of awards, honors and other significant accomplishments like graduating magna cum laude or achieving the title of student body president. Consider the skills you gained through those experiences, especially soft skills , such as time management, and hard skills like research.

While you’re at it, make a list of your transferable skills , which are attributes that you can use for most jobs across industries. Examples of transferable skills are flexibility, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and interpersonal skills such as communication . Transferable skills are useful beginner skills for a resume.

Next, match all those skills and experiences you have acquired and your unique personality with the job requirements.

DID YOU KNOW?

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STEP 2 Choose a format for your first resume

Now that you’ve identified your job qualifications, here’s a secret on how to make a resume with no experience that many students and first-time job seekers don’t know about: You have to choose a suitable resume format before you can begin to make a resume for the first time.

There are three standard formats: chronological , functional and combination . Each one uses the same essential resume sections but organizes them differently.

The best resume format for a beginner resume is the functional resume format because it emphasizes skills over work experience. Many functional templates for first time resumes allow space for more than one skills section, so you can display a breadth of skills.

STEP 3 Pick a resume template for no work experience

A resume template is a great tool for organizing all of your job qualifications into your first resume. My Perfect Resume has several templates to choose from, so you’re sure to find a no experience resume template that works for you.

No experience resume templates

Need inspiration to make a resume with no experience? We offer hundreds of first resume examples, including free resume examples for students with no work experience, some work experience and special project experience. For example, you can find the perfect sample resume for high school students with no work experience; a cosmetology student resume example; and an example of a customer service student resume.

STEP 4 Add your contact information to your no experience resume

When you make a resume with no experience, it’s imperative that your contact information is up to date and easy to find. Always put it at the top, in the header of the no work experience resume template you choose.

Include your:

Full name Phone number Professional email address City and ZIP code

STEP 5 Highlight your strengths in a no experience resume objective

Every resume needs a summary or objective statement . For a beginner resume, we recommend a no experience resume objective, which is a two- to three-sentence statement that explains your job goal and highlights some of the valuable skills you offer. You could write a professional summary for a resume with no experience, but an objective works best for beginners because it states your career goals and intentions for the role.

For example:

Recent master’s of English graduate with California teacher credential and student teaching experience aiming to educate Edgewood Montessori School students in world literature while inspiring them to express themselves through writing. Critical and imaginative thinker with outstanding listening and speaking skills. Adept in Montessori teaching methodologies.

Notice how this example objective for a resume with no experience displays a mix of hard (“Educate”) and soft skills (“Outstanding listening and speaking skills”) and technical knowledge (“Adept in Montessori teaching methodologies”). It also tells the potential employer exactly what the job applicant’s goals are, such as “Aims to educate students… while inspiring them.”

STEP 6 Make a no experience resume skills section

Since you don’t have professional work experience, you have to let your skills carry you on your first resume, so put them directly below your resume objective where recruiters and hiring managers can see them right away.

We’ve already pointed out that soft skills are a big hit with employers, so if you lack technical skills for the job, play up the soft skills that can help you succeed in the role.

According to Nicky Garcia of talent management company Cappfinity, the top five most valuable soft skills employers want to see on beginner resumes in 2023 are:

• Curiosity: Potential employers want you to ask questions, investigate how things work and be excited about new experiences because it shows initiative. To display curiosity, you might highlight skills such as problem-solving, research or process improvement.
• Learning agility: Hiring managers love it when new employees can pick up new knowledge and skills quickly. To show you are an agile learner, add skills to your no experience resume like decision making and the ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Growth mindset: A growth mindset is a great asset to any company because it conveys persistence and the desire to overcome challenges. Skills such as risk-taking, the ability to see the “big picture” and a drive for self-development convey a growth mindset.
• Critical analysis: Potential employers want new hires who can make informed decisions, so if you can show that you are able to approach problems from several angles and offer a unique perspective, you will stand out.
• Collaboration: Hiring managers get excited when they see first time resumes in 2023 that display collaboration because most jobs require the ability to work with others. Verbal communication, open-mindedness and conflict resolution are three skills that show you’re a team player.

You can add more than one skills section to your resume template for your first job, but aim for a maximum of 20 words overall, or about five critical skills per section. Too many skills in a skills section might overwhelm recruiters and hiring managers and backfire, so be concise and focus on the required skills and soft skills that can help you succeed without experience.

Take this beginner job sample resume skills section, for instance:

Relevant Skills

Software development

• Coding (C++, Java, Python, CSS)
• Basic testing procedures
• Cryptography
• Cloud platforms

Soft skills

• Times management
• Problem-solving

 A whopping 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of recruiters use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter no experience resumes. Our guide to resume keywords can show you how to match your abilities to the job description so you can make it past ATS.

Browse our collection of more than 800 resume examples for more ideas We have several resume examples for a first job to inspire you!

STEP 7 Emphasize your education in your beginner resume

Display your education prominently on your first job resume template to emphasize your readiness for the job. On resumes with no experience, especially student resumes with no experience, highlight relevant coursework or participation in a study abroad program in this section.

The education section of a first job resume is where you show off academic honors and recognitions like graduating magna cum laude or summa cum laude below your school’s name.

Your education section should look like this beginner sample resume education section:

Bachelor of Science in Media Writing, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA – 2012-2016

• Graduated magna cum laude
• University Honors

STEP 8 Add a section for licenses and certifications if needed

If you are working toward or have specialized certifications and licenses for a job like nursing , accounting or teaching , you can create a separate section on your no experience resume  labeled “Licenses and Certifications” and place it just below your education section.

Here’s how to make a licenses and certifications section for a resume with no experience effectively.

Create a bullet point for every license or certification you have and list them in reverse-chronological order with:

• The title of the certification, course or license.
• The name of certifying agency or body.
• The date you obtained each certificate.
• The expiration date of your certificate, if applicable. If you have not yet finished the course, write “In progress” and the expected date of completion.

CPR Certificate

American Red Cross, October 2021 Expires: October 2023

STEP 9 Add relevant experience to your first job resume template

If you’re thinking of leaving the work experience section off of your no experience resume, don’t sell yourself short. Every potential employer will scan your beginner resume for some kind of relevant experience, so take the time to fill it out.

The trick to filling out a first job resume work experience section is to think of work experience in broader terms.

Remember when you were preparing how to write a resume with no experience way back at the beginning of this guide? Look at your notes and you will probably find at least one experience to add to your work history section.

• Internships
• Student teaching
• Coaching or mentoring
• A role in a student organization
• Community service
• Volunteer experience
• A personal project

Studies show that 34% of hiring managers reject resumes that do not display quantifiable achievements in the work experience section, so whatever you do, highlight your accomplishments, not your responsibilities.

Hiring managers want to know your contributions, so for each experience you add to your first resume, add one to three bullet points that highlight measurable accomplishments, and start every bullet point with an action verb for even more impact.

Excellent Action Words for a Resume With No Experience

To make the best impression, your no experience resume should be tailored to the job , so only include relevant experiences. It’s fine to change the title of the job history section of your resume with no work experience template to “Relevant experience” to drive home the point.

STEP 10 Add optional sections to enhance your no experience resume

Want to know how to make a resume with no job experience and stand out? Add optional resume sections on your resume. If you have room on one page, by all means, show off your academic or community awards, scholastic honors or scholarships, personal or school projects, language proficiency and job-relevant hobbies.

Here’s a no experience resume sample for an optional awards section:

• George Polk Award for National Reporting (2020)
• Conscience-in-Media Award (2018)
• Clio Awards (2016)

STEP 11 Proofread and save your first resume.

Typos and grammatical errors are the most common and costly beginner resume mistakes. According to the Motley Fool, around 77% of hiring managers reject resumes that contain errors, so don’t set yourself up to fail. After you make a resume with no experience, proofread it more than once and ask someone else to check it for you before sending it to a potential employer.

Making a resume with no experience is about more than how you organize and write it. A polished first-job resume means you also have to name your document professionally and save it in an appropriate file format.

Here’s how to name and save a no experience resume correctly.

Always put your name at the front of your resume file name because it makes it easy for hiring managers to remember you when sorting through hundreds of beginner resumes for a job application.

No job experience resume examples

We want you to succeed, so we’ve created these resume with no experience examples just for you. Pick a beginner resume sample below and use it with our Resume Builder to build a professional no experience resume in minutes!

Babysitter: Emphasized Template

The two-column resume format is ideal to fill in a resume when you don’t have a lot of work experience. This template also features a two-toned header that gives it a creative and artsy vibe perfect for less traditional roles.

Accountant: Centered Template

Some jobs require a more traditional template for resume and this layout offers the best of both worlds. The horizontal line on top gives it a nice pop of color while the italic headers and crisp look impart a professional vibe

Bartender: Remarkable Template

The use of white-space and the way each section is divided, makes this layout easy to navigate. The bold header also ensures that your name will be quickly spotted.

Programmer: Managerial Template

This template features a prominent header that sets you apart from the crowd and two-columns with different colors. The colors are customizable, making it appropriate for different job fields and titles.

Social Media Manager: Original Template

As the name suggests, this design is unique and very friendly on the eyes. The four quadrants make the information easy to write and also easy for the employer to find.

Web Developer: Essence Template

This modern, sleek and clean layout helps present your information in a well-organized manner. The shaded header also gives it a nice edge that sets it apart from standard resumes.

Resume formatting tips

When writing a resume with no work experience, every detail matters. These tips will help ensure you make a perfect resume every time.

• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of your document.
• Choose an appropriate resume font  type and size and stick to it throughout your resume. Good font choices are Arial Calibri, Helvetica and Times New Roman in 12-point size.
• Ensure proper spacing between sections of your document. The best practice is to use a single space, but adding extra space between section headers and section body text can sometimes look better, depending on font type and how much content you add to your resume.
• Left-align your page content.
• Use bullet points to emphasize your skills and achievements

Our beginner resume templates will ensure your first-time resume is formatted correctly every time!

Write a cover letter to accompany your beginner resume

Now you know how to make a resume with no work experience and create an attractive document with a beginner resume template and our Resume Builder.

But wait! There’s more.

Landing a job interview takes more than a perfect first job resume. If you want to beat the competition, you need a strong cover letter to complement your resume.

Approximately 53% of hiring managers prefer candidates who write cover letters because they show motivation, so writing one for every no experience resume you send can boost your chances of getting hired.

Plus, a well-written and correctly formatted cover letter can give you the chance to tell employers more about your background than a resume can — a bonus for first-job applicants. Use a cover letter as a chance to introduce yourself and connect with prospective employers by telling them why you want the job and why you are the best match for it.

We can show you how to write a cover letter with inspiration from our professional cover letter examples . When you’re ready, choose a cover letter template and use our Cover Letter Builder to make a professional cover letter with no experience effortlessly.

How to make a resume with no experience: Important takeaways

Now you know how to build a resume with no experience! But before you run off to build the perfect resume and cover letter, take these key points about writing a resume with no experience.

• The functional resume format is the best option for a no experience resume because it highlights your relevant skills over work experience.
• Transferable skills are your best friends when creating a resume with no job experience.
• You must tailor your beginner resume for every job you target.
• Most companies use ATS to screen resumes which can only read first job resumes with standard formatting.
• Add optional resume sections like awards or important coursework if they apply to you and you can’t fit them into other sections of your no experience resume template.
• A resume template, combined with our Resume Builder, is the easiest and fastest way to make a resume with no experience.

How to make a resume with no experience FAQ

Should i use a resume template with no experience.

If you want to know how to write a resume for a job with no experience quickly and easily, a beginner resume template is the way to go.

Templates organize your qualifications in a way that ATS can understand and potential employers can read easily. Templates also make it easy to tailor your resume for every job and they add style to your no experience resume with professional designs.

When you use one of our resume templates with our Resume Builder, you’ll get expertly written suggestions for every section of your resume, eliminating guesswork.

Plus, you can edit your resume as you go along and after you proofread it. You will be able to create and send your no experience resume in minutes.

If you are a recent graduate, see our high school graduate resume templates for expertly crafted examples and professional writing tips. 

Which skills should I include in a student resume with no job experience?

Display hard and soft skills in your no-experience resume and focus on transferable skills that translate to any job title and industry.

Top skills for a beginner resume in 2023 include:

• Interpersonal skills
• Collaboration
• Verbal and written communication
• Active listening
• Analytical thinking
• Intercultural competence

Need a standout resume for a college application? Check out our top tips for writing a high school resume for a college application .

What should I put on a resume for a first job?

When writing a first job resume, cover all the basics: your contact information, an objective statement, your education, relevant skills and experience. Experience does not have to be in the form of a professional job. You can add volunteer and community experience, school activities and projects.

Should I put references on a no-experience resume?

Never add job references to your resume for a job with no experience. Save the extra space on your resume for details about your qualifications. If a hiring manager wants references, they will let you know. Writing a resume for an internship? See how to write an internship resume for additional guidance. 

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• American Society of Employers, “Soft Skills Vs. Technical Skills –Where is the Balance?
• Coursera, “Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job”
• Finances Online, “83 Must-Know Resume Statistics: 2022 Data on Length, Cover Letters & Valuable Skills”
• Garcea, Nicky, “These are the Top Five Skills You Need to Get Hired in 2022”
• Hill, Carly, “How to craft a data-driven social media resume that stands out (template included)”
• Smith, Morgan, “The 10 most in-demand skills employers want to see on your resume right now”
• Skill Survey, “Can You Identify and Measure the Impact of Employee Soft Skills?”
• Tarallo, Mark, “The Hard Truth About Soft Skills”
• Thompson, Evan, “Top Soft Skills in Demand”
• TeamStage, “Resume Statistics: Cover Letters and Common Mistakes in 2022 ”

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How to Make a Resume With no Experience

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Kellie Hanna, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

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‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

Resume Summary with No Experience: Examples for Students and Fresh Graduates

By Biron Clark

Published: December 18, 2023

Recent Grads | Resume/CV

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re looking for how to write a summary for your resume with no work experience , you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to walk you through exactly what to do, and then we’ll look at resume summary examples for entry-level job seekers, students and fresh graduates. 

How to Write a Summary For Your Resume With No Experience:

First, a resume summary is different than an objective . And it’s much better. Putting an objective on your resume is outdated and unnecessary. Resume objectives are useless because they don’t share anything the hiring manager doesn’t already know (such as “my goal is to obtain a position in the ___ industry”). So what we’re doing here is better and will help your resume stand out from people who simply put an objective. Whereas, the resume summary gives a quick highlight reel of your qualifications, education, and more. If you’re not sure what a resume summary actually is, check out this article on 10 resume summary examples . And while it’s easier to figure out what to put if you’ve built up some work experience, you can still write an effective resume summary with no work experience whatsoever.

So in this article, I’m going to show you how. What should go into your summary when you don’t have any work experience? 

1. Put academic accomplishments and leadership

What did you study? Did you just graduate with a degree? Mention that. If you took a leadership role in your class projects, or clubs/groups at your school, you can mention that too. Leadership doesn’t need to be in a job to get the hiring manager’s attention! Taking a leadership role in a sports environment is impressive as well. You’re not going to mention specific accomplishments in your resume summary usually (you can do that later in your resume), but you can say things like “proven leadership” or “natural leader”, etc.

2. Put your interests and passions

Are you passionate about startups and technology? Great, put that. Want to make a difference in the world, and focus your career on social impact? Mention that. This can include the grades you received, but also leadership positions you led, and clubs/groups you participated in.

3. Put “hard” skills

If you’re proficient in any tools, technologies, etc… you can include that in your resume summary. Don’t list 20 things. That’s what your “Skills” section is for. But pick the three or four things that are most relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Coming up in this article, we’re going to look at two resume summary examples for people with no experience. .. and in the second example, you’ll see how this would look.

4. Include soft skills

Are you great at analytical thinking? Do you love working as a part of a team? Are you great at multi-tasking and handling a fast-paced team environment? While these shouldn’t be the main focus of your resume summary section, they can be worth mentioning. It’s especially good to include soft skills that you see mentioned in the job description.

For example, if you see they mention wanting someone who’s great at multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment, and you feel that describes you well, then your resume summary is the perfect place to include this.

5. Put statements that will grab the employer’s interest and make them want to ask you questions!

If you mention leadership they’ll want to ask you more about your leadership experiences. That’s a good thing. Remember, whatever you put, they’ll probably ask you about. So as you write your summary for your resume, try to think about what you want them to discuss with you, and what you want a chance to talk about. And try to “tailor” your resume to fit the companies you’re applying to. If you’re applying to large corporations don’t start your summary by saying “Startup enthusiast”.

3 Resume Summary Example for Students, Fresh Graduates and Entry-Level Job Seekers:

In this section, I’m going to share three examples of how to write a summary for your resume with no experience. You can use these resume summary examples as a student, entry-level job seeker, or any job search where you don’t have experience:

Resume Summary with No Experience – Example #1: Economics Student

Enthusiastic, highly-motivated Economics student with proven leadership capabilities, who likes to take initiative and seek out new challenges.

In this example above, you’re showing that you completed your Economics degree and have an interest in the subject, and you’re mentioning leadership and making the reader want to learn more about this. You’re also making yourself sound ambitious and motivated at the end, which is always a good thing (I’m referring to the part that says “who likes to take initiative and seek out new challenges). Notice the format too. This is how I recommend phrasing it. Don’t say “I am a ___”. Just start with the descriptive words.

This is a simple yet effective resume summary example for students OR recent graduates.

Resume Summary with No Experience – Example #2: Fresh Graduate in Computer Science

Computer Science graduate passionate about data engineering and machine learning. Highly-capable leader, having led multiple Senior class projects to completion. Proficient in a range of modern technologies including Python, Java and Scala.

This is another good example of a student or fresh graduate resume summary that still shows your skills and academic focus, even if you have no formal work experience.  In this entry-level resume summary example, you’re highlighting accomplishments and leadership as a student and you’re also showing that you’re passionate about your work. Saying you’re passionate about data engineering is much better than just saying, “Looking for a job in data engineering.” They’ll know you’re looking for jobs because you applied. Taking up space to say it is a bad use of this area of your resume, and is why I never recommend having a resume “Objective” section. The summary exists instead of an “Objective” and is much better.

The example above also included some great programming keywords (Python, Java, Scala) to help get past any automated application systems and grab the hiring manager’s attention very quickly when they first look at your resume. If you work with any tools or technologies that have names like these, you can include it in your entry-level resume summary if you’d like. Other examples of tools/technologies: Photoshop, MS Excel, etc.

If you decide not to include these on your resume summary, make sure to include them elsewhere such as your Education or Skills section .

Resume Summary Example with No Experience #3: Math Student Graduating Soon

4th year mathematics student passionate about statistics and data analysis. Proven project leader. Active member of Boston University’s Mathematics Club. Speaker at 2018 “New York Young Mathematicians Conference.”

This resume summary example for students shows how you can list accomplishments even if you’ve never formally worked before. Did you participate in any clubs at school? Have you led any class projects? These are impressive pieces you can add to your resume summary with no experience formally working. 

How to Write a Resume Summary For Students/Fresh Graduates – Quick Recap

• Skip buzzwords like “hard-working” and put real academic accomplishments instead, like projects you produced and tasks you led
• Include what you’re interested in and passionate about to show them why you are applying for this position
• Mention hard skills like “Java Programming” or “Excel,”  especially if they’re listed on the job description
• Include soft skills as well like, “excellent at multi-tasking”, especially if you saw these keywords anywhere on the job description
• Include statements in your resume summary that will catch the employer’s interest and make them want to talk with you and ask you more. Remember – the entire goal of your resume is to get invited to interview. So if you did anything unique like giving presentations, working in an internship , participating in a school club, etc., you can include this in your entry-level resume summary.

If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a great entry-level resume summary that will stand out and catch a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention so you can get more interviews.

After you write your entry-level resume summary, here are two more articles that may be helpful when job searching with no experience:

• The best times of year to job search
• How to create a great elevator pitch for job hunting

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), career change interview tips, resume tips and more, how much does a resume writer cost (average price and ranges), walk me through your resume: answer examples, applying for jobs out of state this resume tip can help, how long should a resume be, how to put direct and indirect reports (and other data) on your resume, what makes a good resume 9 ways to know, 11 common resume mistakes to avoid, career change resume: examples and tips from experts, 7 thoughts on “resume summary with no experience: examples for students and fresh graduates”.

This site was pretty helpful in guiding me throughout my school resume, would love other tips would do well.

This is a great guide. If only schools were actually interested in teaching children real life skills like this.

Hi, I am a student who has been finding it very difficult to make resumes due to the lack of working experience. I am currently trying to find a job while studying at the same time. I am in University completing a certificate and will soon be applying for a BA in Psychology and Criminolgy. However, I wish to apply for a part time job in the fashion industry. Can you please leave me some tips about what I can do to ensure that I can find a job without needing experience.

Your page has really helped, Thank you.

Hi, I’m a job seeker with 2 years experience working as a cart collector at grocery store and an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, is this a good professional summary?: “Reliable team member with a keen interest in information technology and other applications. Capable of handling multiple projects within deadlines. Eager to apply my professional and academic background as an Administrative Assistant at Bogdan Contracting.”

I’ve been job seeking since October 2018, I’m hoping I can start a career in tech support as soon as possible.

Hi Marcais,

I think it sounds pretty good. My least favorite part is the first word, though. “Reliable” sounds pretty average/boring. Sure, you show up, do your job, etc. That’s what I think when I hear “reliable”. But not much more.

I’d look for a better word to lead off with.

I would like to say thank you for making this article about writing a summary for a resume. For the past couple of months, I have been struggling to find someone who can help me with that because I don’t have a lot of experience in my field (i.e. engineering). I do have one question though. Is it appropriate to use first-person nouns in the summary section? I have seen people do that, but I find it quite odd.

Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you.

Hi Frances,

I’d avoid saying, “I” if that’s what you’re asking.

Just say “Led team of 7 people to accomplish ___”

Just start without a pronoun.

Another example: “Highly-accomplished accounting professional who has ____”

Comments are closed.

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How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 5 Tips

Writing a resume with no formal work experience means emphasizing other aspects of your life that’ll showcase your skills and passions—like your education, and involvement in activities like extracurriculars or volunteering.

Having dedicated sections for a summary and a list of skills can round out your resume.

Resume with no experience: Template

Templates can help you organize your thoughts, inspire you with ideas, and take the guesswork out of how to format your resume. And regardless of how much experience you have, starting a resume from scratch can be daunting. 

Here’s a resume template you can use if you have no work experience .

Here’s the resume filled out below.

Read more: How to Get a Job with No Experience: A Job Seeker’s Guide

How to write a resume with no experience: 5 tips

If you have no experience you can point to in your resume, highlight your education, include relevant non-work experience, list your skills, and include a summary. Get started by using a template.

1. Highlight your education.

If you have little work experience, emphasizing your education is a great way to showcase your strengths, interests, and background.

Some items you’ll want to consider including in the education section of your resume are:

Relevant coursework: Be sure to list any courses that will emphasize skills that can be helpful for the job. These might include courses that focus on technical skills—like economics, math, or computer science. But don’t forget the importance of courses like English or writing that can show your competence in communication or other human skills. Look through job descriptions to see what kinds of skills are desirable for the field you’re interested in.

GPA and honors: A strong grade point average (GPA) can indicate a willingness to work hard and an aptitude for your field. Experts recommend listing your GPA if it’s at 3.5 or above [ 1 ]. If you’ve received any academic honors, it’s a good idea to list them, too.

Relevant projects: If you’ve completed projects in classes that are particularly relevant to the job you’re applying to, list and briefly describe them. If you have more than one, this can be its own section.

Certifications and online courses: If you’ve completed any coursework outside of school or received a professional credential, list these under the education section as well.

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2. Include relevant experience.

When you first start putting together a resume, you might feel like you don’t have any relevant experience to refer to. But a little digging into your life could unearth several experiences that show your professionalism, interests, and character—all things a potential employer can consider important.

You can include the following in a section titled “Relevant Experience”:

Volunteer experience: Volunteering demonstrates your community involvement, ability and willingness to work with others, and your interests. It might even have gained you some hands-on experience in a related field. 

Part-time jobs: Maybe you worked part-time while you were in school, tutored or babysat kids, or helped your parents out at their small business. If you’re applying for your first full-time job, don’t shy away from including these. Part-time jobs can demonstrate your employability and experience with key skills like customer service.

Extracurricular activities: Whether you played sports, were part of a cultural club, or participated in student council, extracurricular activities can help show a willingness to explore your interests, develop new skills, and work on a team. Don’t forget to include any leadership positions you might have held in these activities.

3. List your skills.

Chances are even if you don’t have any formal work experience, you probably have skills that will be useful in the field. Look through several job descriptions of positions you’re interested in to see what skills are commonly requested. 

The relevant skills you’ll choose to list will likely depend on the job, but might  include: 

Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

Communication

Computer programming

Social media

Foreign languages

Public speaking

Customer service

Not sure if you have the skills you need to land the job you want?

Try emphasizing your transferable skills , like critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork. Or try taking some coursework in essential skills in your field— data analysis , IT , UX design , and digital marketing skills are all in demand across many industries.

You can also look out for entry-level jobs , which typically have fewer skill requirements than other jobs.

4. Include a summary.

A resume summary is a brief description of your experience and qualifications. Usually one to three sentences long, a summary gives recruiters a way of quickly understanding your background and assets as a worker. 

Don’t forget to emphasize traits and skills that fit the job you’re applying to. You can also include a sentence about your objective —what type of job you’re looking for. Here are two examples:

Recent college graduate with background in computer science and communications. Seeking to leverage strong skills in Python, C++, and public speaking for full-time engineering opportunity.

Curious and hard-working high school honors student with passion for working with children and one year experience baby-sitting. 

5. Use a template.

Eliminate the stress of coming up with your own layout by using one of the many resume templates you can find online—like this one . 

Customize any template you find to fit your needs and tastes. A word processing program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs can be helpful here. Need access to one? Try approaching your local public library. If you’re a student, your school library will likely have resources you can use. You can also create a Google account for free.

Start building skills for an in-demand career in project management, data analytics, UX design, IT support, sales, or social media marketing with a Professional Certificate from industry-leading companies like Google, Meta, and Hubspot. Gain hands-on experience through job-relevant projects you can add to your resume or portfolio.

Article sources

CNBC.  “ This is the only time you should include a GPA on your resume,  https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/31/when-to-include-your-gpa-on-your-resume.html.”  Accessed May 19, 2023.

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How to Write a Resume With No Work Experience

Whether you’re a student, you’ve just graduated, or if you’ve been with one company for a long time, creating a resume when you have little to no work experience can be a challenge.

However, though it can seem intimidating, it’s completely possible to catch a potential employer’s eye – with or without a great deal of professional experience.

Here are three essential job seeker tips perfect for new grads, students, and candidates changing their career paths that will help you land the interview without years of experience on your resume.

1. Write a Summary

While objectives are a thing of the past, summaries work well for people who have limited work experience. They’re the best place you can explain why you should get the job on your resume, instead of listing an impersonal series of dates and places.

All you need to do is write a sentence or two about who you are as a potential employee and any relevant skills or achievements.

As well, if you recently graduated from high school or college, mention your new status in your summary. It will help explain why you have limited experience.

2. Highlight Your Skills

While you may have little or no work experience to discuss on your resume, you’re sure to have skills that you may have acquired in school or while volunteering that qualify you for the job.

One way to highlight them is to break down these skills into individual lists of hard and soft skills for your resume. Draw employers’ attention to these relevant soft and hard skills as a heading and list achievements related to these skills under the appropriate heading.

Check out an example of a functional resume here .

[sc name=”cta-create-resume-1″]

3. Don’t Forget Unpaid Work Experience

Internships or volunteer opportunities can still count as work experience. If you worked as an intern or volunteered for a significant period of time, include the position on your resume.

Since you already listed your skills on your resume, you don’t need to rehash this information when you are listing internships and volunteer work. Just be sure that you mention the company or not-for-profit organization, the months and years you were in the position and your title.

If you earned any awards specific to one of these positions, it makes sense to list it under the associated position, as well.

Even With Little to No Work Experience…

Building a resume when you have limited work experience can be tough, but it’s definitely possible to make it work. Everyone has to start somewhere, but you don’t have to send in a sparse resume when you are new to the job market.

Emphasize the hard and soft skills that make you the best person for the job with a resume summary and a  functional resume template .

Plus, there are countless ways you can enrich your job application outside of your resume. Try building up your personal brand using social media or learn how starting a blog could help you get your dream job here .

Just starting out in your career? Take advantage of Resume.com’s free resume samples and  resume templates for your resume to get your job hunt started successfully! Publishing your resume on Resume.com will also allow employers search for your resume online! Don’t forget to check out our online job listings to get started on where to apply!

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• Resume Examples
• Resume for Internship: Template & Guide (20+ Examples)

Resume for Internship: Template & Guide (20+ Examples)

Our customers have been hired by:

You're about to see a perfect internship resume example. But first—

As a college student, you know how hard it is to get a decent internship. You may also wonder: why would anyone waste their time writing an internship resume and competing for work that doesn’t pay ? Why not graduate, then get your first entry-level job?

Here’s the thing: internships offer you a leg up when it comes to landing your first decent job. What’s more important, internships can help you find out what that that first job should be .

This guide will tell you:

• How to find an internship that’s right for you.
• How to write a resume for an internship. 
• How to write a resume objective for an internship resume.
• What to do once you’re done with your internship experience. 

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

Create your resume now

Sample internship resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .

Not applying for an internship, but want to talk about this experience? See How to List Internships on a Resume

For more, see:

• Engineering Internship Resume Example
• Software Engineering Internship Resume Example
• Computer Science Intern Resume
• Tax Intern Resume
• Resume for a Part-Time Job
• Resume for First Job
• College Student Resume
• College Application Resume
• Undergraduate Resume
• College Scholarship Resume
• Teen Resume
• College Freshman Resume
• Engineering Resume
• Journalism Resume
• Law Student Resume
• How to Put Athletics on a Resume
• How to Put Phi Beta Kappa on a Resume
• Resume Example for Any Job (500+)

Internship Resume Example

Sienna Hernandez

Intern Applicant

123-456-7890

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/sienna.hernandez

Dedicated and proactive Computer Science student seeking an internship at InternInnovate Hub to apply strong problem-solving skills and coding abilities to foster innovative solutions. Eager to utilize Python, Java, and C# expertise to contribute to the company's objectives. Won the 'Best Student Project' award at university for a mobile app development project.

Software Development Intern

ExperienceCraft Interns, Buffalo, NY

June 2020–August 2020

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Assisted in developing software solutions using Java and C#.
• Participated in brainstorming sessions, contributing with innovative ideas.
• Assisted with bug tracking and resolution.
• Worked closely with a team of developers and learned about Agile methodologies.

Key Achievement:

• Developed a project management tool as part of a team, which increased productivity by 20%.

Web Development Intern

InternSphere Solutions, Buffalo, NY

September 2020–December 2020

• Assisted in the design and development of web applications using Python and Django.
• Conducted website testing and identified areas to improve user experience.
• Collaborated with a cross-functional team to work towards common objectives.

Key Achievement: 

• Developed a client's e-commerce site, leading to a 30% increase in online sales.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

August 2018–Present

Relevant extracurricular activities

• Member of the Coding Club
• Participant in the University's Hackathon

Academic achievements

• Dean's List 2019, 2020
• Best Student Project Award 2020
• Problem-solving
• Python, Java, and C# programming
• Web Development
• Agile methodologies
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Attention to detail

Certifications

• Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer, Oracle, 2020
• English—Native proficiency
• Spanish—Advanced proficiency
• Building and coding robots.
• Volunteering at local coding boot camps for high school students.

What is an Internship Resume?

An internship resume focuses on your transferable skills, education and other abilities rather than your work experience. It can be hard to write, as without an extensive work history it can be difficult to know what to include in your resume

2. Looking For Leads - What to do Before Writing an Internship Resume

What is an internship?

An internship is a temporary position offering college students or recent graduates work experience. Some business will pay their interns. Others won't. 

Okay, but why waste time writing a resume for an internship and not getting paid for work?

What’s the difference between a college internship resume and a student resume anyway?

Let me ask you a question.

Imagine you’re looking for your first job. Would you rather: 

• Have a resume full of relevant work experience ? 
• Have a resume with little to no work experience?

Sure, you can always add that one summer job flipping burgers and your work study library job to your experience section. Still that equates to almost zero relevant work experience. 

And that’s especially true if you’re not planning on being a cook or a librarian. That’s why internships aren’t a complete waste of time. 

Internships are a way to boost your student resume before you graduate. 

Also, internships are great opportunities for you to test a job. 

Let's say you have your heart set on working in a particular industry. An internship is a great way to put that desire to the test. How do you know you’re going to like it if you don’t try it first?

Let’s not forget the two most important benefits:

• The opportunity to exercise your skill set in the real world.
• The opportunity to do some serious networking.

Okay, so let’s say I’ve convinced you. Now, what?

Well, you’ll have to find an internship that’s right for you and send a carefully constructed internship resume sample. 

How do you find the right internship? Start by creating a wish list. 

Ask yourself:

• What kind of work do I want to try?
• What kind of work culture would suit me?
• What kind of professional and personal interests do I have?

Let’s say you’re a Journalism major and a sport enthusiast. Landing an internship at a big newspaper would be a major accomplishment. But you might get more out of working for a small sports publication.

Once you know what you want, you can start your research.

You’ll need to do research every step of the way. 

• To know what companies are looking for interns.
• To know what to put on your summer internship resume.
• To know how to answer questions during your interview.

Start by researching companies that are looking for interns. Make a short list of those that match up with your wish list. 

There are a lot of factors that go into choosing an internship.

Here’s a few:

• Is it possible to get an internship where you live or will you have to move?
• Can you afford to move? How can you offset those costs?
• Will moving improve the likelihood of you getting hired down the road?

Feel like there's just  too much  to keep in mind when writing your intern resume? We've got you covered. Get our free checklist and make sure you always submit a perfect resume that gets you that dream internship: 46 Things You Need To Do Before You Send Your Resume

Pro Tip:  Some companies offer dormitory style housing for interns. And if moving is a priority, give yourself extra time to deal with the logistics.

Another thing to consider is what to include on your intern resume. Nothing comes to mind? Read our guide: " What to Put on a Resume to Make It Perfect [Tips & Examples] "

3. Get in Touch With a Hiring Manager Before Writing Your Internship Resume

Here’s how to get an internship : 

The ideal starting place is your school’s career resource office. 

Why? First, many companies post their internship opportunities on career boards at schools.

Second, you can get help with building your internship resume sample. At the very least, you can find someone who will proofread the final copy.

Next, tap into your network. 

Your network can play a huge role in helping you find the perfect internship.

Who qualifies as “your network?” 

• Professors and Advisors
• Colleagues and Peers 
• Alumni Students
• High School Contacts
• Relatives 
• Relatives of Peers
• Community Professionals

If you know someone who works in your industry or who may have connections, don’t be afraid to reach out to them. Yes, it’s intimidating but also well worth it.

Here’s an example email script that you can follow:

Hello [Insert Name of Contact - Use Appropriate Titles],

This is [Insert Your Name]. We met at / You know me from / I am a close friend of [Insert person, place, or thing]. I hope things are going well for you.

I am contacting you because I am finishing up my studies in [Insert Your Major]. I understand that you have connections within my industry as well. Would it be possible for us to meet in person or chat by phone?

I’m looking for internship opportunities right now, and I would love to get your advice and insights. Here’s my phone number [Insert Phone Number]. Is it okay if I add you as a contact on LinkedIn?

Thanks for your time,

[Insert Your Name] 

The message is short and to the point. It allows you to express your needs without being demanding. Plus, you're also complimenting the recipient by asking for meaningful advice and insight.

The letter also gives the recipient several options for helping you. 

They may have nothing more to offer than advice on how to create your internship resume. 

On the other hand, they may offer you an internship that’s a perfect fit for you.

Cold call your dream companies .

Let’s say specific companies top your wish list. You want to work in fashion. 

Maybe not The Devil Wears Prada . But you’ve got a shortlist of publications, ateliers, agencies, and retailers you wouldn’t mind trying on for size.

You research them. There are no internship programs. Now, what?

Time to find a person you can use as a point of contact. In the meantime, connect with the company via social media. Explore their websites and look at other job offers. 

Once you’ve gained some valuable insight, you can try cold calling the company. That means picking up the phone and talking to your point of contact. 

Otherwise, you can send a personalized email expressing your intentions and interest.  

Do keep in mind that you'll want to establish contact before sending a sample resume for an internship. 

Ask your contact person if you may send your sample internship resume despite the lack of open positions. And then wait until they give you a green light to send your documents.

• The company may keep your summer internship resume on file and call you when an opportunity does arise. 
• You’ll gain valuable insight into the way the company recruits. 
• You’ll have an opportunity to figure out how to make a resume for an internship. 

What’s better than cold calling your dream company? Meet a representative in person. Okay, why not date Ryan Gosling while I’m at it? 

While, it might sound a little far fetched, there are ways to connect face-to-face: 

• Job Fairs 
• Community Events
• Industry Events 
• Extracurriculars

All you have to do is introduce yourself when the opportunity presents itself. There’s nothing like a face-to-face meeting to get someone interested in taking you on as an intern.

Pro Tip:  Even if a face-to-face meeting doesn't result in an internship, you're adding valuable contacts to your network. Remember to add them on LinkedIn.

Want to know how to optimize your student LinkedIn profile for future employers? Read our guide: " How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Summary & Profile to Get More Jobs "

Our resume builder will give you tips and examples on how to write your internship resume for college students - the same advice a hiring manager would give you. You can easily copy them straight into your resume - it will save you a ton of time.

4. Online Resources For Finding Internships And Connections

If you are still struggling, here are a few resources to add to your arsenal:

Use LinkedIn to search for internships and to build a strong professional profile. 

To optimize your profile, include recommendations from professors. Show off your volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and achievements.

The platform is a great place to get started on a master, first time internship resume that you’ll tailor for individual positions later.

To search for internships, click on the jobs tab and type “internships” in the search bar. You can filter down to those that relate to your degree program.

One point to remember: 

Companies pay to post. That might limit what you can find to offers from large business and organizations. 

Internships.com 

A lot of smaller companies look for interns on internship.com because it is free. The site lists over 100,000 internships from around the world. Some are paid, others not.

As one of the largest American job boards, you can find offers from most companies on Glassdoor . You can also find reviews of what it’s like to work for different companies.

Search by career field and geographic location. Glassdoor draws its offers from companies, job boards, and partner organizations.

Alumni Networks

Check out the alumni network at your college. Alumni who are in positions to hire interns will often start by leaving offers at their alma mater’s career office. Alumni usually want interns from their colleges, so make this one of your first stops.

Check out Google. Yes, it sounds too easy. But you can find all sorts of things when you search for paid and unpaid internships in your field. 

You will find opportunities that supply all details, requirements, and deadline dates. And you can even search by geographical area. 

Internmatch.com

There are over 30 companies advertising for internships on internmatch.com. One benefit is that you can receive notifications for relevant positions after registering.

If you want to work in the nonprofit sector, this is the place to search. 

The list also includes international positions. There are both paid and unpaid listings, and the variety is far-reaching.

If you do decide to apply for a position abroad, keep in mind that they may ask for a CV instead of a college resume for an internship. 

What's the difference between an international CV and a college student internship resume? 

There's not  much of a difference, but you'll want to check out CV requirements for different countries. You'll also want to make sure you follow whatever instructions your given. 

Pro Tip:  Another online resource is intern resume templates. If it's your first resume, a template can help you put the right things in the right places.  

Consider adding how to make an internship resume using a template to your list of things to research. Otherwise, be sure to choose a traditional resume fromat.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Still not sure how to layout your first time college internship resume? Which resume format should you use? Read our guide: " 3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples] "

5. Here’s How to Write a Summer Internship Resume

Congratulations! You’ve made it this far. 

Now, you have a decent list of internship opportunities to pursue. 

So, it’s time to write your internship resume. Your college student internship resume is going to look a lot like a regular student resume.

So, what’s the difference?

You’re applying for an internship. Hiring managers aren’t going to expect you to have work experience. 

That’s why your undergraduate student internship resume may look a little different than the student resume you make after graduation. The end goal is to make sure that your student resume looks different by packing it with internship experience. 

Still, a resume for an internship should meet the standards of any other resume. Because you have little to no work experience, your resume should be one page.

You should use a standard resume format for an internship resume, such as the reverse-chronological resume format. 

Contact Information 

As you might expect, you’ll want to start your resume with contact information . Include your name, phone number, and email address. 

You don’t need to include an address , especially if you’re applying for a position out of state.  

If you have a personal website or blog that is relevant, it’s a good idea to add a link. You can also pique the hiring manager’s interests by including your social media handles.

Resume Objective

You’ll want to include a resume objective statement after your contact information. A resume objective tells a hiring manager where you are now and where you want to go. 

At the same time, it focuses on the needs of the employer. Not your needs and goals. 

Here’s a sample resume objective for an intern resume:

Want to know how to write the best objective on a resume for an internship? Want more samples? Read our guide: " +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips) "

And see some examples written especially for students here: " College Resume Objective Examples "

Education 

You may have work experience, but it’s unlikely that you have much work experience in your field. That’s okay. As a college student, hiring managers expect that. 

That’s why you’ll want to lead with your education section instead of your work experience. After all, most of the relevant skills you have come from your education at this point. 

If you’re like most interns, you haven’t finished your studies. In that case, here’s an example of how to put your education on a college student internship resume:

University of Dayton (2014 - present)

Expected to graduate in 2018 with a BA in Psychology. Current GPA - 4.0.

Also, add a coursework description . List classes and projects that are most related to the type of internship you’ve chosen. 

Remember to tailor this to the internship description. You might want to add different classes and projects for different internship applications.

Want more examples of how to put your education on a college student internship resume? Read our guide: " How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples] "

As for work experience , you can't quite pack your undergraduate student resume with internship experience yet. But what you can do is include any odd jobs you’ve had in the past. 

Adding jobs, even when they aren’t related to your field or industry, show that you’re responsible and you know how to work.

You can also add volunteer work or nonprofit work. Your experience section is also where to put internships on a resume. 

As you complete internships, you’ll add them to your experience section as “jobs.” That’s the main difference between an undergraduate student internship resume and a student resume upon graduation.

Even if you're writing a first time internship resume, you can always jazz up your experience section. Read our guide: " +80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession " 

You’ll want to do two things with your skills. 

First, make a skills section. Put your strongest, most relevant skills here. 

Next, pepper skills from the internship description throughout your college intern resume. Include some in your resume objective, coursework description, and experience section.

You’ll want to pay special attention to soft skills. Are you a good writer ? Do you have sales experience? What about leadership skills ? 

Soft skills are valuable in almost any position. Put your strongest soft skills as close to the top third of your resume for an internship as possible. 

Want to know which skills hiring managers want college students to have? Read our guide: " +30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips) " 

Additional Sections

Is your skills-based internship resume looking a bit empty? 

You should definitely consider adding a section for hobbies and interests . Again, your focus should be on demonstrating your skills and experience. Choose hobbies that require skills relevant to the internship.

If you’ve noticed that the company has a particular work culture, you can also choose hobbies that reflect that type of work culture. 

For example, if it’s a fast-paced work environment that requires a lot of teamwork , choose sports as your hobby.

Finally, add a section for research projects , extracurriculars , or publications . 

Want more advice and examples of how to write a resume as a college or high school student? Read our guide: “ Complete Guide to Writing a Student Resume [13 Tips, Examples] ”

6. Finishing Touches - What to do Before Sending Your Internship Resume

Before you send your college student internship resume for the first time, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration. 

First, check if you've received detailed instructions on how to submit your student resume for an internship. 

Instructions might include:

• Acceptable File Formats
• Email Subject Line
• Name of the Contact Person
• Where to Upload Your Resume
• Other Items to Include
• These are not friendly suggestions. 

Often, failure to follow these instructions could result in instant rejection. 

Remember, many companies have systems in place to screen emails and resumes. Use the wrong subject line or file type, and your summer internship resume could get black-holed. 

Imagine missing out on a great internship because you couldn't follow instructions.

What do you do if you’re interested in a company, but haven’t been able to find internship opportunities?

You might have to send your resume for an internship “cold.” But, you’ll still want to personalize it as much as you can. If you can get the name of the hiring manager that works best. 

At the very least you should try to get the name of the HR contact person.

This isn’t the ideal way to make contact, but if it’s your only choice it’s worth a try. 

Here are three other things you need to do:

• Write a cover letter . 
• Proofread your college intern resume.
• Tailor your resume to every internship offer.

You will definitely want to research the company as much as possible. Research is the only thing that will help you to tailor your resume to the company’s needs.

A good resume and cover letter aren’t focused on your needs. They’re tailored to the needs of the business. Here are few things to remember.

Personalize Your College Internship Resume And Cover Letter

You should address both documents to an individual whenever possible. Never send the same summer internship resume and cover letter to the businesses on your list. See complete sample of a cover letter for an internship here .

Use Relevant Keywords

Use keywords from the internship description in your resume. 

The person reading your resume will scan for keywords. To find the right keywords, take a look at the duties, job requirements, and qualifications. You are looking for specific skills, years of experience, etc...

When you write your resume, you’ll want to make sure you include these keywords where you can.

Make Sure Mandatory Keywords Are Near The Top of Your Resume 

Some of the keywords that you use will refer to skills and experience that are mandatory. 

In other words, if you don’t have that skill or the required experience,  you aren’t qualified to do the job. 

For example, the job offer might say that leadership skills are a must. Make sure these keyword skills come first.

If you're really struggling to find relevant experience to list, you might actually want to list irrelevant experience on a resume . Something is better than nothing (but if you folllow our guide you should have a lot of  something !)

7. How to Clean Up Your Online Presence 

Let's say you don’t include information about your social media accounts in your contact information section. 

You should still expect potential employers to look into your online activity first thing after reading your summer internship resume. 

Remember that even if your posts are set to private, nothing you post ever goes away. It’s better to use good judgment, to begin with. That’s why you should start using social media as a professional tool now. 

Start a blog relating to your field or your interests. Connect with businesses and leaders in your niche. Start a professional website to use as your online portfolio. 

Many college students go with WordPress because it has free and inexpensive. Instagram is a great option if you want to display pictures of your work. 

And most important of all, make sure you’re on LinkedIn. 

Pro Tip : The most important aspect of creating an online professional persona is to be consistent. You want to reflect what you've outlined in your resume for an internship. 

Ready to send your college student internship resume? Want to know some secret tips before you do? Read our guide: " How to Email Your Resume to Get More Job Offers (Examples) "

And one more thing:  do write a cover letter for your internship. You'll find out exactly how to do it here: Internship Cover Letter: Sample and Writing Guide

8. Here’s How to Stay in Touch with Contacts After an Internship

After you send your summer internship resume, ace the interview, and dazzle your employer, it’s time to say goodbye. 

But you’re not done yet. 

The last thing you need to do is ask for a letter of recommendation. 

As far as timing goes, ask for a letter of recommendation about two weeks before your internship is due to end. 

That gives your supervisor time to consider your performance. They will also have time to write something thoughtful.

Do keep in mind that asking for a recommendation is a delicate matter. 

Ask your supervisor to meet with you. 

A meeting allows you to discuss your experiences and show your gratitude. You can also review your accomplishments and efforts. 

Remember that it’s okay to approach more than one person for a letter of recommendation. 

When you land an internship, you never know who you might connect with. You can also ask for a letter of recommendation if someone took an interest in your career, offered you advice, or acted as a mentor.

You’ll also want to send thank you emails. Send individual emails to each of your team members and supervisors. Mention specific experiences that you shared, and what you learned.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Yes, landing and surviving an internship may seem exhausting. Luckily, with a proper internship resume, it's going to be easier than you think. Just remember to follow the key strategies:

• Customize every resume you send out to match the internship description.
• At the top, put a resume objective—in it, don't write what you want out of the internship. Focus on what you have to offer!
• Spice up your resume with your academic and extracurricular achievements.
• Don't omit the skills section. Let them know what your best, most relevant skills are!

What do you think? Did an internship lead to the job of your dreams? What about internship horror stories? Do you have an interesting tale of caution?

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://career.berkeley.edu/find-opportunities/internships/housing-for-interns/
• https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm

Frequently Asked Questions about Resumes for Internships

How to make a resume for an internship.

To write a resume for a student who is looking for an internship:

• Start with a resume header containing your contact information .
• Follow with a strong resume objective that serves as an opening statement.
• Describe your work experience , if you have any, or list volunteer work .
• Add education to your resume , with 1–2 bullet points on your most significant academic achievements.
• Decide which skills to add to your resume based on the internship description. 

For more tips on how to get an internship, read this article: How Do I Get an Internship?

How to write a resume for college internships?

To make an outstanding resume for a college student applying for internships for the first time, do the following:

• Go with the reverse-chronological resume format .
• Make sure your college resume for internships has a proper resume structure and includes the right resume sections (including ones that feature additional information ).
• Write a good resume objective and describe relevant soft and hard skills to show your value.
• Create a targeted resume that caters to each specific position (i.e., not just one general resume that you sell to every employer).

How to put an internship on a resume?

First, you must keep in mind that employers look for relevant experience , so you need to decide if the internship provided it and is worth mentioning. Then, describe it like you would any regular work experience on a resume , indicating you were an intern.

See a dedicated guide on how to include your internship on a resume that explains the process in greater detail: How to Add an Internship to Your Resume

How to write a resume objective for internships?

An internship resume with no experience calls for a resume objective . Unlike a resume summary that breaks down the most prominent career highlights, this focus statement on your resume for internships should center around transferable skills and what you want to accomplish .

However, the main goal of both is to show your value to the potential employer. To do this:

• Tailor your resume to the job description to match those expectations.
• Bring out relevant academic achievements on your resume to reflect your potential.

When applying for internships online, should you include a cover letter with your resume?

Even if it’s not directly requested, writing an internship cover letter is a great idea. In the case of a resume for recent graduates who don’t have a lot of experience, it’s a chance to properly explain your motivations and competencies, persuading the hiring manager you’re the best candidate for the position.

Why shouldn’t you put your GPA on your resume for internships?

You should only put a GPA score on your resume if it’s high. Otherwise, it may do more harm than good to your application.

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It’s kind of hard to get a job without experience, right? Your college years are the best time to get experience and build an impressive résumé you’ll be proud to submit to prospective employers as you near graduation! Here are eight ways to get started:

Be a student worker . If your financial aid package includes FWS, RSWP or APS, you have a great opportunity to get experience right here on campus. Offices all across campus have a variety of positions available, and you may even find one that aligns with your major! Visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website for information and a link to get started by completing the FAFSA. Look for available positions here .

Get a part-time job off campus . Restaurants, retailers, service industries and more throughout Johnson City and the Appalachian Highlands have openings for part-time positions, and they welcome Bucs to apply! 

Volunteer . Non-profit, health care, social services, and other organizations in the community thrive with the skills, hard work and compassion of volunteers. Look around for organizations that align with your interests and skills and reach out to see what they have available. 

And check out Volunteer ETSU! Not only can Volunteer ETSU and ETSU Serves connect you with service opportunities both on campus and in the community, but involvement in this organization gives you the chance to develop leadership skills as you focus on a variety of social issues and plan/coordinate projects like community agency fairs, blood drives and more. ETSU also offers Alternative Breaks and Service Saturdays , and many student organizations have their own official philanthropies.

Study abroad . Taking a semester-long or short-term course in another country can be the experience of a lifetime! Benefits include gaining a better understanding of another culture, developing language skills, making new friends, gaining confidence as you learn to navigate life outside the U.S. (exploring new places, finding grocery stores, using different currencies) and so much more. Visit ETSU Education Abroad to look at available opportunities and sign up for an interest session to learn more.

Take a community-engaged learning course . “ Go Beyond the Classroom : Community-Engaged Learning,” ETSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan, is an integral part of the university’s reaffirmation and accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Students have a variety of ways to engage in experiential learning opportunities, including classes with community-engaged learning components, identifying a real-world problem and working to solve it through the ETSU Elevates Pitch Competition, and other community contributions .

Get involved in student organizations . Did you know ETSU has more than 250 student organizations ? Join professional organizations in your field of study. Seek out leadership positions in other organizations you may participate in, such as fraternities and sororities, faith-based groups, special interest organizations and more. Membership in student organizations helps you make friends, network, gain teamwork and communication skills, engage with diverse groups of people, and give back to the community while taking a break from the books and having fun!

Get an internship . Internships can give you valuable real-world experience in your chosen field and help you network and make contacts who can help you in your job search. And if you’re undecided, an internship early in your college experience can even help you determine whether a prospective career is the right choice.  

Visit ETSU’s Office of Career Services often . Whether you’re a freshman, a senior, a grad student, or even an alum, Career Services can help! Not only can the staff help you take all of the above and craft an impressive résumé – and even tailor that résumé to fit specific job offers – Career Services offers so much more to help you go from enrolled to employed . They host career fairs and networking events, and can also help with career exploration; match you up with internships, experiential learning opportunities and job offers; conduct a mock interview; help you pick an outfit; and take a professional photo for you.

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