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Popular entry-level resumes
You know you have the skills to thrive in an entry-level role, but you also have the potential to make a slick, visually appealing resume likely to catch a potential employer’s eye.
Your task is to adapt your academic achievements, skills and experiences into a concise, easy-to-read resume that covers all bases. Here’s an example of an effective resume, perfectly formatted and composed by a professional. What’s more, it was crafted using our very own Resume Builder.
We have more entry-level resumes to browse:
Now, let’s discuss choosing the right format.
How to write a resume for an entry-level position
Ready to turbo-charge your career? Start by learning how to write a resume that will get you called in for an interview.
So, how can you achieve this? You’ll require a well-organized resume outline, which should always include:
Now, let’s look at each part and talk about specific problems new job seekers might face.
STEP 1
Organize your header
As a newcomer in the job market, your resume should clearly convey your potential, professionalism and attention to detail. An important part of this impression comes from your resume’s header. It’s a small section, but it packs a big punch as one of the first things a hiring manager sees.
Here’s what you should always include in your resume header:
To improve your header even more, consider adding the following:
The design of your header should be simple and clean, mirroring your budding professional life. Stick to an unfussy, easy-to-read resume font and avoid overly decorative or colorful elements. Your skills and education are your spotlight now, not fancy design features (unless you’re a professional designer). Make sure every detail counts!
STEP 2
Share a snapshot of your professional journey
First impressions count, right? And there’s no better place to make a lasting impression than your resume profile.
Located at the top of your resume, your profile offers a quick look at your skills and experiences. This key section lets you show your worth and encourages the reader to look more closely at your resume.
If you’re an entry-level applicant, a resume objective can help you stand out. This short statement should express your career goals and explain why you’re the best fit for the job. Use this space to emphasize any skills you have that are relevant to the role, even if they’re not from previous jobs.
Professionals with at least three years of hands-on experience will benefit from a professional summary. These are typically four or five sentences that emphasize the skills, experiences and achievements you’ve had in your previous roles.
Ultimately, your profile should be laser-focused on one mission: convincing the hiring manager that you and the position are a match made in heaven.
To make this section as strong as possible, get to know the company. Look at their mission statement and what they value in their employees. Then, tailor your resume to highlight the skills and achievements that match what they’re looking for.
Writing Tip
Always tweak your resume profile for each job you apply for. Each job is unique, and by customizing your resume for each one, you can focus on the skills and experiences that matter most for that job. This approach makes you more relevant and can help you get past the application tracking system (ATS).
Entry-level resume summary for an entry-level engineering resume:
Determined and adaptable entry-level engineer with a strong foundation in mechanical system design, modeling and documentation. Developed proficiency using Revit and AutoCAD as key design and drafting tools during academic projects. Skilled in providing task-based support for engineering distribution, HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection and Energy Modeling. Demonstrated ability to assist with construction administration, perform mechanical calculations and conduct performance simulations. Committed to designing efficient layouts of mechanical systems.
Objective statement for an entry-level accounting resume:
As a recent graduate in accounting, my goal is to apply my knowledge and dedication to an entry-level position in the accounting field. Eager to handle responsibilities including accounts receivable tasks like invoicing and reconciliations, and accounts payable duties such as invoice processing and resolving discrepancies. Well-prepared to organize, maintain and safeguard accounting records while preparing journal entries and other reports. Looking forward to utilizing my skills and learning in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
STEP 3
Identify the most desired entry-level skills
Unless you’re transferring industries, an entry-level applicant might not have much professional experience, but you have gained important skills through your education, internships or volunteering. The key is to highlight these skills on your resume in a way that makes you stand out.
For instance, maybe you’ve used hard skills during academic projects or internships, like designing a website or writing a report. On the other hand, you’ve likely used soft skills in group projects or club activities, such as teamwork or leadership.
This isn’t a competition between hard skills and soft skills. Rather, they should work together to make you a well-rounded candidate.
Writing Tip
Highlighting transferable skills on your entry-level resume is crucial because it allows you to showcase your abilities that can be applied across different industries and roles.
Hard and soft skills for an entry-level resume
STEP 4
Emphasize relevant experiences
Starting out in your career, you might not have a lengthy work experience section. However, you can still make your resume stand out by focusing on your internships, academic projects or volunteer work. These experiences can help showcase your potential.
But the point is — when you add work experience to your resume, you really want it to leap off of the page.
Here are a few strategies to make your work history shine, even if it’s not extensive:
Writing Tip
Use bullet points to make your work history more readable. Bullets make it easy for hiring managers to quickly scan and understand your role and contributions. Keep each bullet point concise and focused, emphasizing measurable results and specific responsibilities.
Entry-level work experience example:
Volunteer Coordinator, Local Food Bank
Hebron, IN
May 2022 – Present
- Coordinated food distribution efforts, serving over 200 families each week.
- Led a fundraising event that raised $5,000, exceeding the target by 20%.
- Organized and scheduled volunteer shifts, managing a team of over 30 volunteers.
STEP 5
Your education should play a key role
When you’re an entry-level applicant, your education section becomes even more important. After all, with limited work experience, you should lean into other activities, some of which you pursued during your academic career.
Look at this as an opportunity to showcase your academic achievements and the skills you’ve gained during your studies.
Ultimately, your educational credentials should be presented in the following order:
In addition to the standard info, entry-level applicants might want to consider including the following to boost their chances:
Entry-level education example:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Capstone Project: Developed and executed a comprehensive marketing strategy for a local small business, resulting in a 15% increase in customer engagement.
STEP 6
Add one or two optional resume sections
Entry-level job seekers may lack extensive work experience in the industry — but that doesn’t mean you can’t pull together a great resume. Adding extra sections is one way to get around the experience gap.
To take your resume to the next level, you should consider adding categories like:
Writing tip
If you have received any honors and awards as an entry-level applicant, such as “Outstanding Intern of the Year” or “Student Leader of the Month,” it’s important to showcase them in a separate section of your resume.
By the way, you should choose a resume template that matches your job title and industry.
There are a ton of templates available to you — from professional designs appropriate for any field to bold and colorful creative templates great for career paths in entertainment or design. Ultimately, select a template that resonates with you.
Alternatively, you can download a resume template for Microsoft Word or Google Docs. But don’t forget that the final goal is to make a well-organized and easy-to-read resume for potential employers.
Entry-level resume examples by job title
A brilliant starting point for creating your entry-level resume is by checking out examples designed for your target role. Here are three examples of different entry-level positions to motivate you and guide you on your journey.
Entry-level digital producer resume
Entry-level web developer resume
Entry-level customer service resume
Why you should write a cover letter for an entry-level resume
At the start of your professional journey, a well-written cover letter can be your secret weapon.
Entry-level applicants are often vying for a position with a ton of other job seekers. A compelling cover letter offers you the unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from the crowd. It provides a space to explain the unique situations that have shaped your career trajectory which may not have found a place in your resume.
Maybe you’ve pursued a particular project during your academic years that’s relevant to the job, or you have a genuine passion for the field you’re seeking to enter. Our guide on how to write a cover letter will help you put these words on the page.
When you’re ready to write, take a look at our field-tested cover letter samples. Our tips on how to format your cover letter will also guarantee your application looks professional and organized.
If you’re worried about making mistakes, you’re not alone! You can always use our Cover Letter Builder. It generates sentences that are just right for entry-level jobs. You can also change it to make sure it sounds like you and talks about your best achievements.
P.S. Don’t forget to proofread your resume and cover letter before you submit your application!
Let’s review what you’ve learned as we wrap up.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
