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?”
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.
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.
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3 tips to make your resume stand out
Customize
In 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 tell
Give 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.”
Proofread
Seems 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.
3 resume mistakes to avoid
We all make mistakes, sure. But there are times when a mistake — even a seemingly small one — can have big consequences. Don’t pay the price (the job!) when it comes to your resume. Here are three mistakes to avoid.
Don’t lie or exaggerate
Chances are you’ll get caught — with far-reaching consequences, such as getting a bad reputation which could hinder your ability to get hired down the road. As an entry-level job candidate you want to leave a positive impression and keep doors open. So start by being honest; if you’re not qualified for the job, move on and find a closer match.
Don’t focus on you
Employers want to know what you can do for them, so skip the life stories, don’t talk about what you want from the position and leave your hobbies out of it. Instead, talk about your skills, education and experience in a way that demonstrates how you can help the company with their goals.
Don’t give away too much
TMI (too much information) is a resume killer because, well, no one will read it. Instead, hiring managers want to see specific, relevant, concise details that show exactly why you’re the answer to their prayers. So get to the point with a few powerful bullet points in each section for the most impact.
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FAQ
What is considered entry-level experience?
Entry level experience means someone has very little or no experience in a field or type of work. Some entry-level jobs require candidates to have six months to one year of related job experience, while others don’t expect candidates to have direct work experience and are willing to train new employees or allow them to learn on the job.How do you write achievements on an entry-level resume?
Achievements come from a variety of places outside of a job. Entry-level job seekers often have many achievements to add to their resumes if they know where to find them. Internships, volunteer work, school projects, community or school activities and apprenticeships provide ample opportunities for resume-worthy accomplishments.What is a good summary for an entry-level resume?
A good entry-level resume summary should be written in the form of an objective statement because candidates seeking entry-level work do not have the experience required for a professional summary statement. A good objective statement is 3-5 sentences long. It includes keywords from the job description; is focused on the employer and not the candidate; expresses interest in the job; and promotes the candidate with action words.