Applying for your first job is exciting, but writing your first resume to get that job can feel overwhelming. You might be unsure where to begin and have a lot of questions, such as “Do I have the necessary skills?” “How can I get a job when I have no experience?” “Should I include an Experience section if I don’t have any jobs to list?”
Introduction
Don’t fret! It’s definitely possible to write an eye-catching and interview-winning resume without work experience. You might be surprised to find you’re more qualified than you think. You most likely have the experience, skills and knowledge to get the entry-level job you want.
On this page, we’ll help you choose and leverage entry-level resume examples to use as guides when writing your resume. Our professional resume examples show you how to highlight your education, extracurricular activities, soft skills, volunteer work and community activities to create a stand-out entry-level resume.
Looking for Cover Letter ideas? See our sample for Entry Level Cover Letter Examples
First, choose the right format
Your resume format influences the resume example you choose and ultimately how you write your resume.
Experience SectionSkills Section
Sales Associate Resume Example – Functional
We recommend the functional resume format for those who are just entering the job market with little to no work history. This “skills based” format highlights your achievement by placing skills at the forefront while minimizing lack of industry specific work experience.
Medical Assistant Resume Example – Combination
The combination format, which plays up skills while giving some weight to experience, is better if you have some work experience, say through a college internship or externship, or if you’ve had some part-time or summer jobs, even if they’re not directly related to the job or industry you’re applying for.
Second, tout your accomplishments
Once you’ve picked your resume format and example, it’s time to flesh it out with all the relevant information. No matter which format you use, know that there are basic elements every resume should have:
- Contact information: Make sure employers can easily reach you for an interview! Always include your full name, email address and phone number. There are pros and cons to adding your mailing address, but we suggest you add it to cover all your bases.
- Objective statement: Take a moment to introduce yourself. An objective statement is a great way to give employers an overview of why you are interested in the position and what you bring to the table.
- Skills: An entry-level resume needs a strong skills section, especially when you lack work experience. Do your best to showcase skills that match the requirements in the job description. As our resume examples demonstrate, you should be specific and provide context for your skills.
- Education: This section works hand-in-hand with your skills section to make up for a lack of work experience, so it’s important to emphasize it. List any degrees, job-related coursework and online classes, certifications and licenses.
- Experience: As an entry-level job applicant, you might have to be a bit creative when filling out the experience section of your resume. List all internships, externships, or part-time jobs that match the job description or industry you’re applying for. Volunteer activities count, too — just label those experiences as such.
- Awards or accomplishments: You should weave accomplishments into your experience section, but also adding a separate section on an entry-level resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Some examples include: Volunteer of the Month; first prize in an art competition; captain of your community sports team; and scholarships, academic honors, and even the raising of funds for charity.
Third, get inspired with Resume-Now’s resume examples
Examples are a great source of inspiration when you’re not sure how or where to start. When it comes to writing resumes, professionally created resume examples can help new job seekers kick-start the process and finish with a polished, eye-catching resume hiring managers will want to read.
When used as guides, resume examples can help you:
- Organize your resume
- Choose the best words to showcase your qualifications
- Pick a design template to match your industry and experience
- Decide which information to include
Fourth, pick a template
An expertly designed resume template is the perfect tool for creating a successful entry-level resume. Templates help ensure your resume is polished, well-organized and professionally designed. They can save you time by providing optimal keyword CTA examples, editing tools and multiple file formats to choose from. Let your resume example of choice help you pick the best template for your entry-level resume.
3 tips to make your resume stand out
- CustomizeIn order to have a chance at getting the job, your resume must be relevant to the job you’re applying for. To that end, target specific keywords from the job description and weave them into your skills, experience and achievements. Everything you present should match the exact position sought.
- Show — don’t tellGive details and offer measurable results. Instead of “Sorted and distributed food for community food banks,” for example, write something like, “Sorted 300 boxes of food and distributed meals to more than 100 seniors once a week on behalf of community food banks.”
- ProofreadSeems like an obvious tip? You might be surprised how many hiring managers turn away resumes with typos, poor formatting, inconsistencies, spelling and grammar errors, and missing information.
Resume for [name]
[Company name]
Date: [date]
[Name]
123 Getaway Place, Anytown, USA 12345
[Phone number] | [email address]
Objective: To find a job with a company that values my skills and experience as well as my desire to contribute to the success of their mission. I will work hard to prove myself worthy of the trust you place in me.
Experience:
Conclusion
In a nutshell, your resume should always be clean and easy to read. Focusing on the content is the most important thing, but make sure it’s laid out well as well. By doing this, you won’t need an expert knowing which fields of work you’re heading into. This will only make your resume more effective.
