You control your data
We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy . If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.
Cookie settings
Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .
Choose type of cookies to accept
These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.
These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.
These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.
These cookies are essential for the Site's performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.
To see a detailed list of cookies, click here .
This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To learn more visit our Privacy Policy
- Resume Examples
- 20+ Entry Level Resume Examples, Templates & Tips
20+ Entry Level Resume Examples, Templates & Tips
As seen in:
Writing an entry-level resume is a tough nut to crack. You might feel intimidated while reading job offers that ask for 5+ years of experience minimum. But even when you find entry-level job offers, you might start thinking: what if other candidates are better? What if their entry level resumes look more professional?
You need to start believing in yourself. And also boost your chances of getting the job you want. How? By following our advice and writing an entry-level resume that actually works.
This guide will show you:
- An entry-level resume example better than 9 out of 10 others.
- How to write an entry-level resume that lands more interviews.
- Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an entry-level resume.
- How to describe your experience on a resume for entry-level jobs.
Here's a sample resume for an entry level job made using our resume builder.
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 .
Sample Entry Level Resume— See more resume examples here .
Similar guides:
- Entry Level Software Engineer Resume
- Entry Level Information Technology (IT) Resume
- Entry Level Administrative Assistant Resume
- Entry Level Business Analyst Resume
- Entry Level Accounting Resume
- Entry Level Teacher Resume
- Resume With No Experience
- Resume for a Part Time Job
- Nursing Student Resume
- New Grad Nursing Resume
- Internship Resume
- Computer Science Internship Resume
- Engineering Internship Resume
- Tax Intern Resume
- College Graduate Resume
- Walmart Resume
- Student Resume and Resume Templates for Students
- High School Grad Resume
- College Athlete Resume
- Cashier Resume
- Data Entry Resume
- Uber Driver Resume
- Sample Resumes for 500+ Professions
What's the Best Format for a Entry-Level Resume?
Congratulations!
Out of 350 entry-level resumes, the hiring manager put yours in the "read again" pile.
Your secret isn't earth-shaking.
You just picked the right format for your entry-level resume.
Here's why format matters:
A bad college resume format buries your best qualities.
In most cases, use a reverse-chronological layout. It shows your best achievements first.
Use big headings, simple fonts, and white space to give the eyes a rest.
Keep it to one page. A resume for entry-level applicants is an elevator speech , not a Russian novel.
Finally, spell check. Nothing says, "needy employee" like a bunch of resume mistakes.
Pro Tip: Save your great entry-level resume as a PDF, since those preserve their format. Just make sure the job offer doesn't prohibit PDF resumes. Some do.
Feel like trying out other resume formats? See the college/high school student resume template up top. Then see this guide: 3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]
How to Write a Resume Summary or Resume Objective
Meet Kate, the inexperienced job candidate.
She's tossing and turning, and it's 3 am. How come?
Because she knows the average recruiter spends just seven seconds with each resume, as our HR statistics report shows.
Now the good news.
The right entry-level resume introduction can turn that time into a job.
A resume summary lists experience if you have lots of it. You shouldn't use it as an entry-level candidate.
A resume objective shows your goal. It's good for beginner resumes, but some experts say to shun it.
Here's the trick: merge the two, and you'll blow the other applicants out of the water.
Look at these two computer science entry-level resume objective examples:
Two Entry-Level Resume Objective Samples
First, a traditional college student resume objective:
What's wrong with it? It's needy but doesn't offer much. It'll sink like an X-Wing in the swamps of Dagoba.
But look at this next entry-level resume example:
In a first-time resume with no experience , the second of those samples really does the job. The hiring manager just stopped playing with her Fitbit.
But the real magic is, it didn't take a lot of time to build up that experience. Just a few side projects.
Now look at two entry-level business analyst resume objective examples.
Two Functional Entry-Level Resume Objective Samples
Once again, we'll start the old-fashioned way.
Look at the second of those basic resume samples. It'll get the recruiter to put down her Shake Weight.
Why? Because it's really a resume summary for an entry-level job. It adds experience where normally you wouldn't see it.
Now the $64,000 question:
How did a complete noob get experience like that?
I'll show that next.
Pro Tip: A great entry-level resume objective should be an eye-catching resume profile . It should read like an experience-stuffed resume summary, even though it isn't one. So include a couple attention-getting tidbits to whet the manager's appetite.
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, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Want more tips for a resume for a first job? Dig into the free entry-level resume template up top. Then see these guides: First Resume with No Work Experience Samples (A Step-by-Step Guide) , How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See ; and +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips)
How to Write an Entry-Level Resume with No Experience
"Nobody hires a noob."
Said people who get jealous when new employees get a job.
First rule: positions that insist on 1-2 years experience are often flexible.
Plus, it's easy to get experience fast for almost any job.
When writing entry-level resumes for students with no experience:
First , scour jobs you've had in unrelated fields. If you're aiming for an IT job, did you upgrade a computer in a waitressing job once? Or install some software in a construction position?
Second , get experience from little projects. Freelance. Volunteer. Take side-jobs. Look online for one-off gigs.
Even a task that takes a couple hours can look great on a resume for entry-level positions.
Check out these two data analyst entry-level resume examples:
Examples for Entry-Level Resumes with No Experience
Here are two resume examples for students with no work experience.
That first sample for an entry-level resume will make the hiring manager stop daydreaming about Sharknado .
It's still a resume for a first job. It still doesn't list 2+ years of experience. In fact, most of the experience it shows comes from summer jobs in college, freelance gigs, and volunteering .
Let's see that again, this time with a sample for an entry-level resume for a computer science job.
Entry-Level Resume Examples for Computer Science
Look at these two college student resume examples with little experience:
You probably gained some relevant experience from working on projects. Don't underplay that like the candidate above.
Do it more like this:
That second entry-level resume example will alter the recruiter's galvanic skin response.
And all it took was looking at past projects, and a little volunteering. Presto. Instant experience on a resume for a college student with no work experience until last week. Plus, action verbs give those bullet points a polished look.
See the example resume at the top of this guide for more. It also works as a resume template for teens .
Pro Tip: Looking for quick experience for a resume for entry-level jobs? Google your industry's name + "Reddit" + "how to get experience."
See How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume for more.
Is Your Education Section Wet Behind the Ears? It Might Be
"We've got to hire this one."
The education section of your entry-level resume can make the hiring manager say the words above.
It works even if you didn't graduate from MIT.
Just pick education bullet points that fit the job offer like spray-on pants.
It doesn't even matter if you've only been to high school.
Start with:
- School Name and Location.
- Years in School.
Then custom-fit those bullet points:
Two Entry-Level Resume Examples – Education
Look at these two college student resume examples:
Okay, so you went to school. You studied some, but not enough to ace it.
Now let's show a different side of you:
Poof. Suddenly the frog has turned into a prince, and he's got dental coverage.
To work this trick, just sit down with a pen, some paper, and the job offer. Find the lures in your past that speak to the recruiter's heart.
For more help, use the sample college student resume template at the top of this article.
Pro Tip: Should you add a GPA to a professional entry-level resume? If it's impressive, yes. Otherwise, it's a waste of the hiring manager's precious time.
Give your college student resume's education section the old college try. See this guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples] and How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume
How to Put Skills on a Resume for an Entry-Level Job
There's the earnest hiring manager. Her hair's a cyclone. Her eye-veins look like a map of greater Cleveland.
The culprit? A zillion entry-level resumes, all with the same skills list.
Listing skills is fine. But to get attention like a fireworks display, you need to walk the talk.
First , focus on the skills shown in the job offer.
Then demonstrate those skills, like this:
Entry-Level IT Resume Sample Skills and Experience Section
Let's say Karen's job description is in the IT field. It lists these skills: hardware installation , security , and software installation .
So, you add those to your basic entry-level resume, plus training for extra flair.
Here's the real secret:
Tie them to your experience, like this:
- Installed new retail computer system in a busy flower shop. Trained 5 staff members to use new payment processing system.
- Performed risk analysis for fast-paced doctor's office. Closed security holes in network, reducing breach and HIPAA risk by 95%.
- Installed new inventory tracking software for high-end bakery. Reduced inventory costs by 35%.
Wow, right? The hiring manager just forgot that awesome hipster meme she saw this morning.
Now, what skills should you add?
List of Skills to Put on a Entry-Level Resume
Of course the hard skills in a resume for entry-level jobs depend on your field.
If you're in data entry, you'll need 10-key typing skills. In customer service? Maybe Zendesk and MS Office.
But there are certain soft skills that look good on any entry-level resume.
Best Entry-Level Resume Skills ("Soft" Skills)
If you use the trick above, recruiters will notice you like you've been dipped in neon feathers.
Pro Tip: Don't lie about skills on your college student resume. If you do, you'll get tripped up in the interview.
Want to get your entry-level marketing resume skills section out of the beginner zone? See this guide: " +30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips) "
How to Add Certifications to Entry-Level Resumes
"OK. This young woman knows her stuff."
Certifications on an entry-level resume can make the hiring manager say just that. They can put you way ahead of other applicants.
But how should you display them?
If they're central to the job offer, put them in a special certification section, like this:
Accounting Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
If a certification is important enough, you can also show it after your name. You can even add it to first-time resume job descriptions.
You won't see high school student resume examples with certifications like CPA or CFA. But relevant certs like CPR or CDL are fair game in a high school resume.
Pro Tip: Display certifications central to the job offer first. Consider leaving unrelated certifications off a resume for an entry-level position.
Need more general entry-level resume tips? See these guides: Resume Dos and Don'ts: 50+ Tips & Advice on Building Great Resumes and What To Put On A Resume To Make It Perfect [Tips & Examples]
How to Add Other Sections for an Effective College Student Resume
"He doesn't have 10 years experience. But..."
What can you do to stand out when you're an entry-level applicant?
You can show you're a good fit with the right "other" sections.
I'm not talking about, "I watched every episode of Buffy 12 times."
I'm talking about facts that stick you to the job like an electromagnet.
That could mean testimonials, awards, test results, articles you've published, or anything else that gets attention.
Best Entry-Level Resume Sample "Other" Sections
Programming languages.
- Java, C++, C#, PHP, MySQL
- HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, JQuery
Conferences
- QCon New York
- Velocity Conference
- 3rd Place, SpOJ.com CodeWar
Additional Activities
- Attended Code For Princeton Hackathon 2016.
- President, TrogdorPenn gaming group. Increased attendance 250%.
- See my professional portfolio at mikeveres.com.
What "other" items will look good on an entry-level resume for your profession? Search for awards in your field, conferences, meetups, associations, and online competitions.
Don't discount writing articles or making videos about your industry. Even regularly listening to an instructional podcast can give a boost.
Pro Tip: In a job that calls for calm, even yoga classes can make a good entry-level resume addition. Take some time to think what activities will fit the job description.
Need help with the "other" sections in your high school student resume? See this guide: " +20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips) "
Here's the Most Common Myth About Cover Letters
"Nobody reads cover letters."
That's a bigger fib than Santa eating a free lunch with a minotaur..
Half the hiring managers don't read cover letters. To the others, they're essential.
That's why your great entry-level resume deserves an equally good entry-level cover letter.
The good news is, they're easy.
Keep your cover letter short and sweet. Use the hiring manager's name to make it personal.
Show you understand the problem. Then suggest how you can help.
You can add a fact you like about the company as well.
Then end it with a call to action. "I'd welcome the chance to talk about your needs" works great.
Pro Tip: Didn't get a call right away? Follow up to give your best entry-level resume and cover letter another chance.
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.
Need a template for your entry-level cover letter? Want more tips? See this guide: Entry-Level Cover Letter with No Experience Example & Writing Guide
Or get general tips from this article: How to Write a Cover Letter for any Job
How to Add Contact Info to Your First Time Resume
Did you botch your contact info?
If you're like most, you probably did.
Of course you listed:
- Updated Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
Michael Veres, [email protected] - 215-290-8372
But did you add a LinkedIn profile? Turns out 87% of all recruiters say they look at LinkedIn before they interview.
Pro Tip: Need a great LinkedIn profile for your professional entry-level resume? Check out our LinkedIn builder guide here .
Want more great tips to make an entry-level resume that works? See our guide: " Entry-Level Cover Letter with No Experience Example & Writing Guide "
Key Takeaway
Even with great entry-level templates to follow, writing your own is hard. Follow these tips to write the best resume for an entry-level job:
- Fit your entry-level resume to the job like spandex. To do it, read the job offer, then customize your bullet points.
- Put resume objective just below your contact info.
- The education section of even a high school student resume should pull its weight. Use it to show your schooling prepped you for the job.
- Add "other" sections that show you've got the chops. Anything that proves your job-related skills is fair game in an entry-level resume.
Do you have questions on how to write a resume ? Not sure how to describe your skills or achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! We love to help!
Don't miss out on exclusive stories that will supercharge your career!
Get a weekly dose of inspiration delivered to your inbox
Similar articles
30 Best Jobs for Teens Near Me (First, Part Time, Summer)
30 jobs for teens you can apply for today. See lists of the best teen jobs, including online jobs for teens and summer jobs for teens. Even better? You’ll learn a quick trick to unlock teen jobs on powerful job search sites to serve up real openings near you in seconds. Get that first job and start cashing real paychecks now!
College Resume Template for High School Students (2023)
How to write a high school resume for college application that kicks open the doors to a bright future? See our college admissions resume example, follow our tips, and get enrolled.
Consulting Resume Examples for a Consultant in Any Industry
A complete guide to creating a consultant resume with examples. Get resume writing tips on how to showcase your experience, education and achievements. Learn tricks to write a professional consultant cover letter.
Resume Summary Examples (No Matter How Much Experience You Have)
Quick Navigation:
What is an entry-level resume summary?
How to write a resume summary, resume summary examples.
An entry-level resume summary is your introduction to an employer. If you’re a recent graduate, student or teenager, it’s a great way to demonstrate your suitability for the role. If you are applying for an entry-level role, your resume summary will focus on how your skills and experience will benefit an employer. This article will help you to write a strong resume summary that will attract a hiring manager’s attention.
Here are some steps to follow when writing your resume summary:
1. First, write your resume to help you focus on your skills
As the name suggests, your resume summary is a collection of the key things an employer should know about you. It is much easier to write when you have completed the rest of your resume and identified your most relevant skills. When you write your resume summary, focus on how you could add value to the role you are applying for. There are no set rules, but it should be between one and four sentences long.
2. Second, describe your desired role and qualifications
Use strong words to describe yourself, including your most relevant qualities. State the position you are applying for and give details of your most recent qualification or achievement. You want to make the best impression possible, so focus on the key points. You can include more details about your skills elsewhere on your resume.
3. Then, showcase the most relevant parts of your experience
Your summary should reflect the requirements in the job description to identify which qualities the employer is most interested in. Review your skills and experience to see where they match. Draw attention to any specific outcomes you achieved. This will help focus the attention of a recruiter and show them exactly what you could bring to the role and how your skills could benefit the employer.
4. Nest, use the keywords from the job description
The job description lists everything the employer is looking for, so use the words they have used to describe your own skills. Consider your hard and soft skills and show how you have used them to achieve measurable goals. If you have work experience but from a role in a different sector, think about the transferable skills you gained and relate them to the job you are applying for.
5. Lastly, put your summary at the top of your resume
Your resume summary should go directly under your name and contact information. It is the first thing a hiring manager will see. They may decide whether to read more or not based on your summary.
Your first sentence should describe you with a positive adjective and state which role you are applying for. You can also list your most recent or relevant qualifications. Your second sentence will cover your top skills, relating them to the job description and ensuring you include both hard and soft skills. The last one or two sentences will cover any awards, achievements or certifications you have. You can also include any charity work or relevant interests in this sentence.
Here are some examples you can use when writing your own resume summary:
Examples of the first sentence of a resume summary:
‘Personable restaurant hostess currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biology from EdgeWater University.’
‘Passionate entry-level cashier possessing an associate of arts degree from EdgeWater Community College.’
‘Hardworking entry-level landscaper who recently obtained a GED certification.’
Examples of the second sentence of a resume summary:
‘Strong verbal and written communication skills combined with a hardworking attitude.’
‘Strong computer skills, including experience with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Adobe Creative Suite.’
‘Strong time management and organization skills.’
Examples of the last sentence of a resume summary:
‘Previous experience volunteering in local homeless shelters practicing food service and customer service.’
‘Possesses a CPR and first-aid certification.’
‘Passionate about aeronautics, technology and science.’
Examples of an entry-level resume summary:
‘Customer-focused retail worker who recently completed a bachelor of arts in English literature at Winterton University. Excellent communication skills and experience handling cash and using EPOS systems. Passionate about reading and theater and former editor of the college newspaper.’
‘Enthusiastic entry-level child care assistant with a diploma in childcare and a certificate in therapeutic play. Creative play leader with expertise in early education and five years’ experience as a babysitter for several different families. Volunteer with the Big Brothers of America with first aid certification and a clean driving license.’
‘Responsible entry-level veterinarian’s assistant has recently completed the GED at Summerview Community College. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to put pets and their owners at ease. Committed to animal welfare having volunteered at Happy Hearts animal shelter and assisted with their free vaccination program.’
Your resume summary should make your application stand out from the competition. A strong resume summary will increase the chances that a recruiter will read your resume in more depth. When applying for entry-level roles, focus on what you can offer an employer and how your personal qualities make you a good fit for the position. A strong resume summary will help you to make a positive impression and increase your chances of being invited for an interview.
7 Entry-Level Resume Examples That Landed Jobs in 2023
Getting your first full-time job can feel like the classic chicken or egg problem.
Companies want to hire professionals with years of experience, but then how in the world are you supposed to get that experience?!
Rest assured that it gets much easier to land new jobs throughout your career once you have your first experience under your belt.
To help you secure that first job, we've reviewed countless entry-level resumes to learn what works and what doesn't when building your own resume so you can line up more interviews.
We've created seven stellar entry-level resume samples and some superb resume-writing tips that have helped candidates across industries get their first break in 2023 .
Table of Contents
Entry-Level Data Analyst Resume Example
Entry-level marketing resume, entry-level recruiter resume, entry-level sales resume.
- Entry-Level Software Resume
Entry-Level Engineer Resume
Entry-level healthcare resume.
- Your Entry-Level Resume Template
- Resume Summary or Objective?
- Any Experience Is Good Experience
- Skills for Your Resume
Use this template
Why this resume works
- These projects don't have to be huge open-source types with thousands of users. Did you ever build a project to scratch your own itch? Then talk about it!
- With your projects, be sure to discuss the goal of what you were working on, what technology you used, and the outcome of the project.
- If you've had the chance to have an internship experience, then be sure to quantify the impact of that work on your entry-level data analyst resume. Did you save time? Increase revenue? Improve customer satisfaction? Any way to quantify your results will improve the quality of your resume .
- As a marketer, you know that the most important metric you ultimately need to drive is revenue. If you've had a marketing internship when applying for your first full-time role, you should focus on how your marketing efforts impacted the bottom line.
- Volunteering for a local business or charity to help them with marketing is a great way to get some preliminary marketing experience under your belt. You can then leverage this experience into landing your first full-time marketing role.
- In the resume skills section of your entry-level marketing analyst resume be sure to state all of the channels (both paid and organic) that you're comfortable with. Since you're looking for an entry-level role, this list doesn't need to be exhaustive! It's okay if that's one to two channels when you start your career.
- Lead with your strengths on your entry-level recruiter resume. More often than not, this will be your education.
- As you progress in your career, your education section will take up less and less space on your resume, but right now, it'll consume a sizable amount of real estate. Starting with a resume outline can help you fill in some of these important details.
- Great objectives (for entry-level) and summaries (for 10+ years of experience) mention the business by name, use power-packed, concise language, and sprinkle some metrics describing previous job achievements.
- Having a job, regardless of what it is, demonstrates responsibility — one of the most in-demand skills for entry-level candidates.
- With that said, you should still try to make your experience as relevant as possible to the sales role you're applying for. For example, to be successful in sales, you need effective time management skills. Thankfully, almost all jobs require the ability to manage time, so it's an inherently universal and valuable skill!
Entry-Level Software Developer Resume
- Listing one to two programming languages you know really well is much wiser than mentioning four to five languages you have novice familiarity with. You'll end up looking foolish — or worse, dishonest during the interview!
- If you include a skill on your resume , you should be comfortable answering interview questions about it.
- Starting your engineering career is a classic catch-22. When you’re trying to get your first engineering job, employers say you need experience. But to get engineering experience, you have to get your first engineering job. Cue endless cycle.
- But although employers “require” you to have experience, what they really want is for you to have the skills to complete the job. More often than not, all you need is a degree and some soft skills like organization and project management in your resume’s skills section .
- Tailor it to match the job description's keywords, including them in a few of your work experience bullet points and your resume objective (if you decide to use an objective).
- Lastly, if you’re freshly out of school, you can leverage any projects you worked on that apply to the listed requirements. They're an excellent way to show your skills and initiative in place of work history.
- Starting off with the right resume template and formatting your resume properly can save you oodles of time and set you in the right direction as you begin writing your entry-level healthcare resume.
- Work in the form of internships, v olunteering, p rojects, and surprisingly, even relevant i nterests and hobbies can be included on your resume .
Related Resume Guides
- Entry-Level Business Analyst
- Entry-Level Recruiter
- Entry-Level Data Scientist
- Entry-Level Software Engineer
- Entry-Level Digital Marketing
- Entry-Level Sales
- Entry-Level Medical Assistant
- Entry-Level HR
- Entry-Level Product Manager
- Entry-Level Scrum Master
- Entry-Level Project Manager
- Entry-Level Brand Ambassador
- Entry-Level Accountant
- Entry-Level Nursing Assistant
- Entry-Level Computer Science
- Entry-Level Data Engineer
- Entry-Level Data Analyst
- Entry-Level Research Assistant
- Entry-Level Customer Service
- Entry-Level Social Worker
- Resume Examples for 2023
The Perfect Entry-Level Resume Template
There's no silver bullet when it comes to resume templates . You can use nearly any template and make an effective entry-level resume. Just be sure to follow a few rules:
- Make sure your resume is readable. Make the job of the person reviewing your resume as easy as possible.
- Keep your resume to one page. Your resume should only stretch to two pages when you have five or more years of experience.
- The resume sections you need: work experience, skills, education, and contact info. The rest are optional.
- Please, please, avoid spelling and grammar errors . Triple-check your resume; then, have a friend read it.
All of these rules are in service of one goal: make it as easy as possible for the person reviewing your resume to come away convinced that you deserve an interview for the role you're applying to.
Stretching your resume to two pages or inserting big blocks of text goes directly against this goal.
Insert plenty of white space, avoid really small font, and use big headings.
Resume Summary or Resume Objective?
Have you ever opened a book or article because the title was compelling just to read the introduction to be disappointed?
Think of the resume summary or resume objective as the introduction paragraph to your resume.
Before we dive into how to make an effective summary or objective, let's get some definitions out of the way:
- Resume summary: Used for experienced professionals to recap some of their career highlights.
- Resume objective: A short statement of a candidate's key skills or qualifications as well as why they're a good fit for a specific job.
As you can imagine, a resume objective is more suitable for an entry-level candidate.
Keep in mind that, unlike an introduction for a book, a resume objective is not required for your resume.
In fact, 95 percent of entry-level resumes should omit a resume objective!
Why? Because most resume objectives don't increase a candidate's chances of getting an interview.
To ensure you write a resume objective in the top five percent of applicants, follow these rules:
- Customize it for each job you apply to.
- Don't be afraid to be personal about why you're interested in the role or career you're applying to.
- Keep it to two to three sentences. Any more and it will be ignored by the hiring manager.
- State your top one to two qualifications for the role you're applying for.
I know, this seems like a lot to fit in two to three sentences. To help give you some inspiration, here are a few examples of effective entry-level resume objectives.
Entry-Level Resume Objective Examples
- "Prospective data analyst who strives to pose and answer questions with quantitative-driven insights. Through the development of personal projects I've learned the importance of having an iterative, hypothesis-oriented approach to analysis and I'm excited to leverage that approach at Acme Corp as a data analyst."
- "Recent computer science graduate with a passion for developing scalable web applications and working across the full stack. I’ve built two web apps from the ground up using React, Node, and PostgreSQL."
- "Retail sales associate with experience working directly with customers to ensure their satisfaction. Looking for an opportunity to work for a KPI-focused organization where I can grow like Acme Corp."
- "Recent marketing graduate with a passion for developing scale-able acquisition strategies through paid acquisition and SEO. I have experience creating and improving campaigns in the context of a big team and I worked independently to help local organizations start and grow their user acquisition."
Make Any Experience Relevant
What on earth are you supposed to include on your entry-level resume when you don't yet have relevant experience?
The answer, frankly, is anything that you can make seem relevant to the role you're applying for.
I'm a firm believer that any work experience has skills that are transferable to other jobs.
Hiring managers understand that early in your career you may not have a ton of relevant industry experience to draw on.
That's okay! Having a job, whether that's a part-time summer job or an entirely unrelated full-time position demonstrates responsibility.
So don't be hesitant to include any employment you've had in the past. Own it!
Still, there is another way to demonstrate to prospective employers that you're qualified to do the entry-level job you're applying to: projects.
These can be projects you did as part of a class or projects you undertook to satiate your own curiosity. Projects demonstrate a few things to employers:
- You have a real interest in the industry you're seeking employment in.
- You take initiative (a very desirable trait for entry-level candidates).
- A level of expertise in your field.
Projects can truly be anything. To give you a better sense of that, here are some project ideas for different entry-level positions:
Project ideas for entry-level resumes
Entry-level digital marketer
- Did you build a social media following for a club or organization you were part of or implement a successful SEO initiative?
Entry-level recruiter
- As part of a class, did you build out a comprehensive case study or hiring process for a real or fictional company? Talk about it.
Entry-level software developer
- Did you build a web app to help your friends decide on which movie to watch next? What kind of programs have you developed in class?
Entry-level business analyst
- Can you do a deep dive on a company you're interested in and build a presentation around a new market they can expand into or a new product offering they can develop?
Entry-level product manager
- Can you try to join a hackathon and shape the vision of a product to build? Can you choose your favorite consumer web app and detail any changes you'd make?
Entry-level data analyst
- Pose a question you've always wanted to answer; then collect and analyze data to answer that question and put it in a blog post.
Which Skills Should You Include?
When it comes to the skills to include on your entry-level resume, it's better to include a few skills you know very well than a laundry list of skills you kind of know.
Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. Isn't it a little suspicious for an entry-level candidate to be an expert in 10+ skills?
You should include your relevant skills in a dedicated "skills" section on your resume and also include the context in which you used those skills in a work experience or project.
How do you know what skills to list for a given job?
- If you're looking for a technical role, be sure to include programming languages or relevant technologies.
- Read the job description of the job you're applying to.
- If so, list those skills!
- If not, are there skills mentioned in the job description you have that weren't on your list?
It's important to customize the skills that you include on your resume for each job you're applying to because before a human reads your resume, an automated system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will read it.
The ATS is checking whether or not your resume contains certain keywords mentioned in the job description. So it's worth the time to customize your skills section for each entry-level role you're applying to!
Ready to build your resume?
Our free online tool will walk you through creating a resume that stands out and gets you hired at a top tech company.
- Beautiful templates with eye-catching designs
- Data-driven tips to help you make the most of your experience
- Step-by-step walkthrough so you know what to focus on
- Built by Google engineers with years of hiring experience
- Introduction
First, choose the right format
Second, tout your accomplishments, third, get inspired with resume-now’s resume examples, fourth, pick a template, 3 tips to make your resume stand out, 3 resume mistakes to avoid, entry-level examples by industry.
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.
Your resume format influences the resume example you choose and ultimately how you write your resume.
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.
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
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.
Select a Resume Template Carousel
Show — don’t tell
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
Don’t focus on you, don’t give away too much, what is considered entry-level experience, how do you write achievements on an entry-level resume, 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.
Advertisement
Entry-Level Resume Objective Examples Are Outdated--Use a Career Summary Instead
Trends are common in fashion, music, food, and, yes, even resumes. Case in point: Resume objectives are no longer considered requirements for resumes—the career summary is far more common nowadays and is critical to include when you’re applying for entry-level jobs and other full-time jobs . There are some similarities between the two, which we’ll talk about, but the ultimate goal of both is to quickly pitch yourself to a hiring manager.
Historically, entry-level objectives explained to a hiring manager what your ultimate goal was in your job search. Therefore, it was especially necessary to include resume objectives when job seekers were changing industries or targeting specific jobs or positions . (Entry-level job seekers would include a resume objective, regardless.)
A career summary, however, is more practical in that it tells a hiring manager about your professional qualifications and background. This can be especially difficult to write because you likely don’t have loads of work experience , but you do want to solidify the fact that you know the type of career you’re looking for and the value you’d bring to a company.
A good entry-level resume objective was practical and straight to the point, and so too is a good career summary (also known as a resume summary ). Here’s where one significant change lies: If you were open to being hired for any position, you could leave off a resume objective. But nowadays, every resume—even entry-level ones—should have a career summary.
Tips for Writing a Great Entry-Level Summary
A resume’s career objective would often point out the obvious. A typical entry-level resume objective would read something like: "Objective: To secure a role as a software engineer at Company X." Hiring managers will look at that and think, "Well, this candidate applied for that job, so I kind figured this out already." A career summary doesn’t waste space like that.
In fact, although a career summary is about your experience, what you’re really doing is showing a company how your skills can be of use in their business. So, in reality, it’s less about you and more about them. (A resume objective was the opposite.) In a couple of sentences, reflect to the recruiter how your background and experience aligns with the company's values, along with the value you could bring to the role.
To write an effective career summary, you need to research the company to which you’re applying and include specific language that references their mission and/or the position itself. When you tailor your resume to the job posting , you’re more likely to get a call for an interview.
Resume Objective Examples and Corresponding Career Summaries for Entry-Level Job Seekers
Once you’ve determined that including an objective will benefit your resume, here are some entry-level resume objective examples you may want to consider. Let’s say you’re applying to graphic design jobs at a popular company:
World-class design firm Company A is looking to hire an entry-level designer. Candidate must be passionate about design trends, be comfortable with Color Software Program, a creative problem solver, and eager to pitch in on multiple projects in our collaborative work environment.
Objective: To build a long-term career in graphic design with opportunities for career growth. Summary: As a lead designer of State University’s student newspaper, I look forward to staying on the cutting-edge of design trends as I progress throughout my career.
Objective: To enhance my educational and professional skills in a stable and dynamic workplace. Summary: I welcome the chance to advance my formidable knowledge of Color Software Program even further at Company A, which is renowned for exceptional design.
Objective: To solve problems in a creative and effective manner in a challenging position. Summary: I enjoy creative problem solving and getting exposure on multiple projects, and I would excel in the collaborative environment on which your company prides itself.
Objective: To obtain employment with a company that offers a positive atmosphere to learn and implement new skills and technologies for the betterment of the organization. Summary: I’m eager to join the collaborative work environment at Company A and learn everything I can about the latest in design and technology. As a fast learner and team player, I would thrive here.
Objective: To obtain an entry-level graphic design position at a respected organization and utilize the educational qualifications I’ve obtained at State University. Summary: A job at Company A is my ultimate career goal, and I believe working at such cutting-edge design firm will inspire me to enhance my skills and collaborate within a positive atmosphere.
Objective: To bring my strong sense of dedication, motivation, and responsibility to Company A, and to utilize my design qualifications obtained through State University. Summary: In addition to my design qualifications obtained through State University, I will bring a strong sense of dedication, motivation, and responsibility to Company A, which is renowned for cutting-edge design and a collaborative work atmosphere.
Objective: To obtain an entry-level position as a junior designer that will allow me to utilize the skills gained at State University and build a long-term career in design. Summary: The Color Software Program skills I gained at State University would be of great value to your cutting-edge design projects. As an entry-level designer, I look forward to helping Company A continue to dominate the design industry.
Get an Objective Review
Writing an eye-catching career summary can be difficult for entry-level job seekers, but highlighting your educational achievements, skills relevant to the position, and positive attitude can help your resume stand out from the crowd. Want to make sure you're on the right track? Get a free resume evaluation today from Monster. We can show you where your resume needs some improving so that you can start off your career strong.
Most Helpful In Resumes
Concierge Resume Sample
By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor
Interpreter Resume Sample
By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor
Recruiting Coordinator Resume Sample
Nail technician resume sample, two-column resume template.
By Camilla Andersson, Monster Contributor
How To Write an Entry Level Resume (Examples & Templates)
We’re often asked, “How do you write an entry-level resume ?” and “Where can I find entry-level resume templates and examples?” because writing a resume for your first job can feel overwhelming.
If you’re here, you’ve probably never written a resume before or perhaps don’t have much work experience, and you need to write one that highlights your relevant skills, experiences, and extracurricular activities that convinces an employer to hire you .
The good news is that you can write your entry-level resume like a pro and land your dream job. Our team at MatchBuilt asked expert resume writers, career coaches, and HR managers for advice on how to write a resume for an entry-level job.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a candidate with professional experience, you’ll find everything you need to create a beginner resume for your next job application.
At MatchBuilt, we are dedicated to helping entry-level job seekers write winning resumes . For more tips on resume writing, check out similar topics such as how to say that you’re a fast learner on your resume , how to say you trained someone on your resume , and 50 other tips for an effective resume . Post Contents Why It’s Important to Have an Effective Resume Top Tips on How to Write an Entry-level Resume 1. Put Your Contact at the Top of Your Resume 2. Tailor the Resume to the Job You Are Applying For 3. Emphasize Your Education 4. Showcase Your Skills 5. State Your Experience A. Volunteer Work B. Projects C. Internships or Apprenticeships D. Organizations 6. Use Keywords 7. Include a Summary of the Resume 8. Format Your Resume Properly A. Use a Professional Font B. Use Correct Margins C. Use Headers 9. Proofread the Resume Carefully Entry-Level Resume Examples & Templates with Google Docs 1. Google Doc “Spearmint” Entry Level Resume Example Template 2. Google Doc “Serif” Entry Level Resume Example Template 3. Google Doc “Coral” Entry Level Resume Example Template 4. Google Doc “Swiss” Entry Level Resume Example Template 5. Google Doc “Modern Writer” Entry Level Resume Example Template Action Word and Descriptive Synonyms for Resume Action Word Synonyms for Responsible Action Word Synonyms for Experience Action Word Synonyms for Managed for Resume Action Word Synonyms for Developed Action Word Synonyms for Worked Action Word Synonyms for Utilize Final Thoughts on How to Write an Entry-level Resume Need More Help? Check Out These Videos on How to Make a Resume for Your First Job
Why It’s Important to Have an Effective Resume
A resume is one of the documents employers need job seekers to submit when applying for an entry-level position. Without an effective resume for prospective employers to review, your chances of getting hired are very slim, as a potential employer can quickly dismiss your application. An effective resume does the following.
- Sells your different skills, qualities, relevant coursework, and relevant work experience
- Shows your eligibility for a particular job
- It acts as a path to subsequent steps, such as interviews and prescreening
Top Tips on How to Write an Entry-level Resume
When writing an entry-level resume , you want to prove to your potential employer that you have the skills necessary for the role you applied for. It would help if you assured them that despite not having much experience, you could be of great value to their organization. A good resume can vouch for you, making it easier to kickstart your career. We have compiled expert tips to help you craft your resume like a pro.
1. Put Your Contact at the Top of Your Resume
Include your contact information at the top of the resume . The details should contain your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL . You may also include a link to your online portfolio or personal website if the job you’re applying for allows for that.
Your location address isn’t mandatory on your resume . However, you may consider including it if the job you’re applying for is near your home. If it’s located far away, including your location is not advisable. You risk getting disqualified if the company feels that they need to help you relocate. And, if they don’t have a relocation budget, they might choose someone who lives nearby.
If you’ve to include your location in such a scenario, then the best thing to do is include that you plan to move from your current location to the city where the company is based.
Mimi from Starkflow, a company that helps you recruit top remote talent , gave the following advice concerning writing your contact information in a resume .
Your name and contact information should always be at the top of your resume . You must include your phone number, a professional-sounding email address, and LinkedIn URL.
2. Tailor the Resume to the Job You Are Applying For
You need to modify your resume to the vacancy you’re applying for. Many entry-level job seekers use the same resume when applying for jobs, which is a huge mistake.
By tailoring your resume to match each job you apply for, you’ll stand out from the other applicants. Additionally, you’ll show great enthusiasm for the job, and that’s why you made an effort to thoroughly go through the job description and tailor your resume to match it.
On top of that, it shows that you understand the hiring manager’s needs and are ready to help the company achieve its goals.
To make your resume relevant to the job you are applying for, start by reviewing the job description to understand what the employer needs. Then, review your resume and start tailoring your skills to the described roles .
Mimi also added that you need to
Take a close look at the job description and prepare your resume for the specific job. You want to match the language as closely as possible regarding particular keywords. Most companies use applicant tracking systems (or ATSs)—programs that scan your resume looking for keywords found in the job description and forward the resumes with the most matches to a hiring recruiter. So be cautious and list keywords exactly as they appear in the job description.
3. Emphasize Your Education
A candidate’s education is one of the most important things recruiters check when reviewing resumes. They want to hire a candidate whose educational background fits their open role. Having relevant education can set you apart from other candidates , increasing your chances of getting hired.
When writing about your education, you should do it chronologically and clearly. But first, you need to review the job specifications again to determine the education levels you must include in the resume .
Some of the things you should include in the education section are:
- The schools you attended
- Field of study
- The degree you have
- Your majors or minors
- Any applicable coursework, academic recognition, and other educational achievements
You don’t have much working experience when writing an entry-level resume . Therefore, you can focus on the education section and make it detailed. You can also write this section below the summary or contact information section.
If you had vast experience, you’d make this section very brief and instead focus on your working experience. You’d also write the education section with Dean’s List honors , if applicable, at the bottom of your resume .
4. Showcase Your Skills
Displaying your skills in a resume is essential. However, only include the skills and core competencies relevant to the job vacancy you’re interested in. Your chances of getting hired increase if your skills closely match those in the job specification. As an entry-level applicant, your skills can be your selling point. Create a separate skills section at the top of your resume and highlight them there.
When writing the skills section, include both the hard and soft skills. Hard skills, such as hand-eye coordination and technological skills, are quantifiable and teachable. Soft skills are more interpersonal skills, including communication, team building, and leadership.
These skills, including soft skills, may also be helpful if a recruiter uses a tracking system when scanning resumes. The tracking systems search for specified skills in the form of keywords, and if your resume doesn’t have them, it is likely that it won’t be reviewed.
Remember to be honest. A job specification stating that a candidate should possess specific skills shouldn’t make you say that you have the skills while you don’t. You might be asked to demonstrate your prowess in such skills or explain how you achieved them, and that would lead you into trouble after a recruiter realizes you weren’t honest.
5. State Your Experience
You may not have worked full-time before as an entry-level candidate, meaning you don’t have much experience. If you’ve ever held any part-time job, include it in the experience section. Don’t mind whether it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for or not. Previous employment shows potential employers that you’ve some working experience and can complete tasks. Other things you can include in the experience section include:
A. Volunteer Work
If you’ve ever participated in any volunteer work, include the details in the work experience section. Volunteer work also counts, especially if you were actively engaged in a specific role.
B. Projects
Are there projects you undertook as part of your coursework? Include them, too, in this section. Projects can showcase your skills and interests, especially when applied to the position you have applied for.
C. Internships or Apprenticeships
If you’ve been on an internship or apprenticeship program, state that in the work experience section. Even if the internship was in a different field from what you’re applying for, it could increase the chance of being hired.
D. Organizations
If you have participated in an organization, that also counts as experience. It even gets better if you have been in a leadership position. It discloses your leadership skills and experiences working with others.
Kirk Hazlett , an adjunct professor with Curry College, gave the following insights regarding what to write if you don’t have much working experience.
If you are working, say, as a part-time waiter, don’t list your duties as “wait tables; clean tables.” Highlight “customer service,” “problem-solving,” and “attention to detail.” And, if you’ve been doing this job for a while, point out your longevity. If you have been/are involved in a team-leader role in high school or college sports activities, highlight that aspect of your activity. Don’t say “played high school soccer.” Say (IF you did!) “As team captain led us to a series of victories.” List your employment (if you’ve had more than one job over the years) in reverse chronological order, starting with what you’re doing now and working backward. Have a clear start and stop dates for each job.
6. Use Keywords
Like optimizing your LinkedIn profile , you’ll want to do the same for your resume . The old way of writing resumes is no longer working. Nowadays, it’s hard for recruiters or hiring managers to notice your resume if you don’t include some keywords. Some companies use an ATS where the system first searches for keywords that match the job specification in a resume . Your resume won’t qualify for further review if they’re not detected.
In this case, keywords refer to individual words or phrases related to a particular job specification . These can be a candidate’s skills, credentials, abilities, and qualities.
Now that you know the importance of using keywords in a resume , how do you get them? It’s simple. Start by reading the job ad. You’ll realize the description has some keywords you can use. Still, you can search for similar ads and see the keywords that have been used.
You can also get them by searching the “about us” section of the company’s website. You’ll learn what they value most and use the same as your keywords.
For example, if the company emphasizes creativity as one of the skills they value most, use that as one of the keywords in your resume . However, be careful not to overstuff keywords to make your resume pass through the tracking system.
Mary Guirovich , author of “God’s Not Done with You: How to Advance Your Career,” commented on resume keywords.
Write your resume for the recruiter- then optimize it for the applicant tracking system (ATS). While it’s important to include keywords from the job description to get past the tracking system, your resume is ultimately reviewed and evaluated by a human. If you focus on stuffing in keywords and tricking the system, your resume will likely not appeal to the recruiter. Tailor your resume for each position and naturally use the keywords and job title from the job description. Applicant tracking systems count the number of times keywords exist but don’t try to trick the system by adding in a keyword section or putting text in white, thinking you will trick the system because the ATS converts all of your text to one color and Live in Abundance.
Searching for keywords can be time-consuming and demanding but worth the trouble. It increases the chances of your resume getting noticed and prove to recruiters that you’re a good fit for the role you’re interested in.
7. Include a Summary of the Resume
Include a summary of your resume just below your contact information. In the past, people used this section to write resume objectives . However, writing an objective section is slowly becoming outdated and replaced by a resume summary.
To write the summary, describe who you are as a candidate . This is the best approach for entry-level job seekers.
Including some of your future career goals , such as where you want to be in the future, is also allowed. When you get some experience later, you can talk about your career achievements or past roles.
Although a resume summary is optional, it’s advisable to include it as it allows a recruiter to connect personally with you as an individual rather than just a job seeker.
Mary Guirovich agreed with this and shared the following comments.
Show your personality- When the recruiter reads your resume , you want them to see you as a person, not just a list of skills. Adding a resume summary is a great way to stand out and show your personality, excitement, and enthusiasm to do the position and work for the company. For example, you are in marketing and applying for a job with a company that sells pet supplies. A summary is a great opportunity for you to share your love of pets and your desire to work for a brand you have shared values with.
Additionally, it briefly describes your skills, experience, and objectives, allowing you to highlight your most important assets. That makes it easier for the recruiter to scan your profile and see whether it fits the job description when you have the right qualifications, increasing your chances of getting noticed.
8. Format Your Resume Properly
You may have impressive skills and experience, but a recruiter won’t look at your resume twice if you don’t format it properly. That’s why you need to pay attention to how to format your resume to make it professional and readable .
Here are some tips to guide you on how to format a resume
A. Use a Professional Font
The kind of font you use in your resume matters a lot. Ensure you use a professional font. Some of the professional fonts you can use include Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial Narrow, Georgia, and Cambria. The size of the font you also use matters. Depending on your font type, it should be between 10 and 12 points. Make sure the section headers and your name have a larger font than the rest of the sections.
B. Use Correct Margins
1″ margins are the most commonly used in resumes, especially for entry-level job seekers. Since you may not have a lot information in your resume , the 1″ margin is ideal for the resume to fit on a single page.
C. Use Headers
Use headers for every section in your resume . Make the header different from the rest of the text by using a larger font and making it bold. You can also underline it. For example, if you’re talking about education, the header for that section should be “education.”
Using flashy, attention-capturing graphics when writing a resume may be tempting. However, this isn’t advisable, especially when making an online application. This is because your resume may be passed through an ATS, which only parses text.
Mary Guirovich had this to say concerning resume formatting.
Keep the Formatting Simple: Applicant tracking systems prefer simple-to-read fonts and formats, and the recruiters agree. Avoid using graphs, tables, hyperlinks, images, headers, footers, logos, columns, uncommon section headings, templates, borders, and fancy fonts. Stick with a standard resume format over a functional resume layout, as ATS has a harder time reading functional resume formats without dates and often through them out. Use bold text, common headlines, and bullet points , limit to one page and leave white space. Last but not least is the file type a Microsoft Word Doc or PDF is most widely accepted by tracking systems.
Kirk from Curry College also had something to say about formatting.
Keep your resume to one page, neatly laid out, and in readable font size. I usually advise a 12-point font size, no less. Don’t get fancy with design. Use a simple, easy-to-read, easy-to-follow layout. Your resume will be one of the hundreds of resumes that the HR person or hiring manager will review. Make it memorable. More important, make it relevant!
9. Proofread the Resume Carefully
With many people looking for work, you must put in a lot of effort and make no mistakes when applying for a job to stand out. After writing your resume and including all the necessary information, you need to proofread it and ensure it doesn’t contain errors . Something simple, like a typo, can disqualify you from getting your dream job.
And proofreading does not only involve checking whether there are any typos or sentence construction issues. It also involves checking whether you have included the correct information, tailored the resume to the job post, and used the right keywords.
After doing all that, read it word by word, line by line. This makes it easy to spot missing words, misused words, double words, etc. Check the contact information too, and ensure it’s accurate. A simple mistake in the contact information section can make it impossible for a recruiter to contact you. You don’t want that after all the effort you’ve put into writing your resume .
In addition, it’s also advisable to have someone proofread the resume for you. It’s usually easier for another person to identify mistakes in a written document. It doesn’t have to be a professional editor. Even a friend or family member can help you with that.
Entry-Level Resume Examples & Templates with Google Docs
Below are entry-level resume examples and templates for your use. Simply click on the image to view the Google doc resume . From there, you can save the resume as any type of document you’d like (Google Docs, Word, etc.). You can also save it as another Google doc to begin editing.
To quickly find examples and resumes on Google Docs, launch the Google Docs app (create an account if you haven’t already). Then, from the home page, click on “Template Gallery” and scroll down until you find the resume templates. Pick a template and start editing.
Each entry-level Google Doc resume example is easy to navigate and minimalistic. Most of the templates are ideal for both recent graduates and seasoned pros.
You can easily add or replace any section you wish. So, if you’re unhappy about the skills section being so high up, just replace it with a professional summary or a career objective.
1. Google Doc “Spearmint” Entry Level Resume Example Template
2. google doc “serif” entry level resume example template.
3. Google Doc “Coral” Entry Level Resume Example Template
4. Google Doc “Swiss” Entry Level Resume Example Template
5. Google Doc “Modern Writer” Entry Level Resume Example Template
Action Word and Descriptive Synonyms for Resume
When creating your resume , it’s helpful to use synonyms for common works, so you are repetitive when discussing your skills and experience. Here are a few action words and descriptive synonyms for your resume .
Action Word Synonyms for Responsible
- Spearheaded
- Implemented
- Accountable
Action Word Synonyms for Experience
- Accomplished
- Professional
Action Word Synonyms for Managed for Resume
- Coordinated
- Administered
Action Word Synonyms for Developed
- Established
Action Word Synonyms for Worked
- Communicated
- Collaborated
- Participated
- Contributed
Action Word Synonyms for Utilize
- Specialize in
Final Thoughts on How to Write an Entry-level Resume
When writing an entry-level resume , aim to increase your chances of being hired as high as possible. To do this, include your contact information and your resume summary. Highlight your skills and experience, and remember to use keywords.
Additionally, format your resume properly to make it easily readable and professional. After writing the resume , proofread it thoroughly to ensure it’s error-free.
Need More Help? Check Out These Videos on How to Make a Resume for Your First Job
By, Mark Matyanowski
As the founder of MatchBuilt, a premier career coaching and recruiting firm, I am passionate about helping individuals transform their professional lives.
With a successful track record of supporting job seekers in securing positions at top companies across industries, our team is dedicated to providing expert guidance and support every step of the way.
From sharpening resumes and elevating LinkedIn profiles to providing interview preparation and career advancement strategies, our blog is a wealth of knowledge, drawing from our extensive experience working with hundreds of clients and positively impacting the lives of thousands of job seekers.
At MatchBuilt, we believe in empowering individuals to pursue their passions and reach their career goals, regardless of industry experience or formal education.
Career Sidekick
- Interview Prep
Interview Answers
- Career Advice
- Resume Builder
Resume Summary with No Experience: Examples for Students and Fresh Graduates
300+ Interview Questions Answered.
300+ Interview Questions with Expert Answers.
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
Popular Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself.
4 Examples of How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in Interviews.
Why should we hire you?
Best Answers to "Why Should We Hire You?" (4 Samples).
Why did you choose this job?
Eight answers to "Why Did You Choose This Job/Career?".
What to say in a job interview
Top 20 Essential Interview Questions and Answers.
Why did you apply for this position?
3 Example answers for why you applied.
Popular Resources
Thank you email after interview.
4 expertly written sample emails for after your interview.
Follow up email after interview
No response after an interview? Here's how to follow up by email.
Resume summary examples
10 Resume summary examples that will get you interviews.
Signs an interview went bad
15 Signs your interview didn't go well.
Best excuses to miss work
9 Good reasons to miss work.
Biron Clark
Biron Clark is a former executive recruiter who has worked individually with hundreds of job seekers, reviewed thousands of resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and recruited for top venture-backed startups and Fortune 500 companies. He has been advising job seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job search and land high-paying, competitive positions.
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.
Privacy Preference Center
Privacy preferences.
Cookie settings
This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To learn more visit our Privacy Policy
Entry Level & Beginner Resume Examples, Templates and Tips
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Entry-Level Resume Example
Objective statement, work experience, certifications, 1. choose the best entry-level resume format, 2. write a compelling beginner resume objective statement, entry-level resume objective examples, 3. highlight your hireability in the entry-level resume education section, entry-level resume example—education, 4. expand your entry-level resume with some experience that’s relevant, entry-level resume example—work experience, 5. add a relevant skills section to your entry-level resume, what are relevant skills to put on a resume, 6. stand out with additional entry-level resume sections, entry-level resume example—extra sections, 7. amp up your entry-level resume with a great cover letter, was it interesting here are similar articles.
50+ Best Resume Tips, Advice, Dos & Don'ts, and Mistakes to Avoid
Resume Layouts: Best Examples for 2023 (+Writing Tips)
15+ LaTeX Resume Templates and CV Templates for 2023
12 Tips for Writing an Entry-Level Resume That’ll Get Your Career Started Right (Plus an Example)
Hot jobs on the muse.
Getting an “entry-level job” sounds like it should be easy, but when you pull up job descriptions and see the lists of skills and experiences companies are looking for, the prospect can be overwhelming. You know you’re ready to start a great career, but how do you convince someone to give you an entry-level job? That’s where an entry-level resume comes in. You may already have a resume you created to get a job while in high school or college , or to land an internship , but making a resume for an entry-level job can be a little different.
A resume is a document that showcases to potential employers why they should hire you. Generally, past work experience makes up the bulk of it. So what do you do when you’re just getting started and don’t have much (or any) past work experience to put on a resume? Or what if you do have past jobs, but you’re not sure if they apply to the entry-level job you’re looking at?
Read on to find out what recruiters are looking for in an entry-level resume and get tips for making your own—and skip to the end to get an example.
What Are Recruiters Looking for in an Entry-Level Resume?
Despite any horror stories you may have heard about entry-level jobs that require five or more years experience, most companies consider people with zero to three years of work experience to be candidates for entry-level jobs. And recruiters looking at these resumes adjust their expectations accordingly.
With “entry-level resumes, you go in with the assumption that someone isn’t going to have a lot of experience,” says Muse career coach Yolanda Owens , founder of Career Sensei and college corporate recruiter for over twenty years. So what are they looking for in an entry-level resume? How are they making judgements about entry-level candidates?
When recruiters look at an entry-level (or any) resume, they want to know why you’re applying for the job. If you majored in accounting and everything on your resume focuses on that, but you applied for a job in marketing, recruiters aren’t going to understand why and they’ll probably move you to the rejection pile. But if you show that you had a marketing internship you excelled in or took a lot of communications and marketing classes, that makes your motivations a whole lot clearer.
Your resume is a single page that is supposed to convince the person who reads it to call you for an interview. So it has to be relevant to the job they’re hiring for. That’s why you shouldn’t send out the exact same resume to every company with an entry-level opening. You’re unlikely to ever get a response that way. Instead, make sure you know why you’re applying for each role and tailor every section on your resume accordingly.
Personality
There are two major components to every single hiring decision: qualifications and personality. When you join a company, you’re joining a team, and hiring managers want to know that you’ll be a great addition. So where you can, you want to make sure your resume shows who you are as a person and how you’re unique among all the other applicants in the pile.
As a recruiter, Owens would often reject resumes where she could tell that the candidate “sprinkled in a bunch of buzzwords” and didn’t attempt to show the individual beyond the piece of paper. That’s because she couldn’t picture who they’d be as an employee and as a colleague. And don’t think that there’s a “correct” personality for every workplace. Every company (or even team within a company) has its own environment and group dynamics, and there’s definitely somewhere where you’ll be at home, just as you are.
Your resume summary (more on that below) is a great place to show your personality, as are your accomplishments and choices of activities.
Transferable Skills
When you’re first joining the workforce, you’re going to be lighter on skills that come directly from a past job in your field. That’s inevitable, and recruiters know it. Instead, they’re looking for your transferable skills . These are skills that you’ve used and developed through past experiences—including part-time jobs, internships, classes, and extracurricular activities—that can be applied to a number of different career paths. These might be things like communication, organization, time management, customer service, teamwork, and general office skills. For example, if you’ve worked in a fast food position, you likely have customer service experience that will translate to a sales position.
As you look back on all of your experiences, think about what you learned that could serve you well in the workplace. Did you have to figure out how to communicate with a group that disagreed? Did you have to plan a lot of small pieces of a large project in order to get everything done by a deadline? Did you have to work within a budget or convince local businesses to donate something or a charity event? These types of things are transferable skills. Just make sure they’re related to the description of the job you’re applying for before you put them on your resume, says Muse career coach Jennifer Smith , founder of Flourish Careers and former college recruiter.
Leadership Experience
Recruiters love to see leadership experience on a resume. Not because they expect you to fill a management role (obviously!), but because it signals to recruiters that you have some teamwork skills, know how to make decisions, and may have experience working with budget among other things—all in a somewhat professional capacity, Owens says.
“College provides a lot of opportunities for folks to be leaders,” Smith says, whether that’s through clubs and professional groups, fraternities and sororities, volunteer organizations, or sports teams, and leaders of these groups are often required to do things that often come up in a professional work environment. So look for opportunities to call attention to leadership experience on your resume. Even if you didn’t hold an official position, if you took the lead on organizing something that still counts.
If you held a leadership role in a past job, whether that’s as a store manager, assistant manager, shift lead, new employee trainer, or even a senior team member with additional responsibilities, definitely highlight that as well. Even if it’s not exactly on your current career path, it’s very valuable experience that proves you have a number of transferable skills.
So now that you know what recruiters are looking for on an entry-level resume, how do you go about putting one together?
1. Put Your Contact Information Front and Center
Your name and contact information should always be at the top of your resume. This includes your phone number, your email address (make sure it’s a professional-sounding one), and your LinkedIn URL (you do have a LinkedIn profile , right?). If it’s applicable to the field you’re trying to enter, you might also consider a link to your personal website or online portfolio .
As an entry-level candidate, you might be wondering whether or not to include a location—especially if you just finished school and intend to move somewhere new. The answer depends. If you’re applying to jobs where you currently live, go ahead and include your city and state—full mailing address not needed. If you’re applying to jobs in an area where you’re definitely planning to move, you can leave off your current location and write “Relocating to [City, State]” at the top of your resume or mention your plans to move in your cover letter.
If you’re not sure where you’re headed, Smith recommends leaving your location off your resume. If you list an out-of-area location, you risk getting disqualified by a recruiter who has no relocation budget. But if you leave it off entirely, you could land an interview and allow the company to learn more about you before discussing location. This isn’t likely to create a relocation budget where none exists, but it will get you considered for a role if you’re able to move without financial support from the company.
2. Use a Resume Summary to Help You Stand Out (Optional)
Below your name and contact info, consider adding a resume summary (not an outdated resume objective ). A resume summary consists of a few short sentences describing who you are as a candidate and as a person. For later-career candidates, a summary often talks about past full-time roles and key career achievements, but as an entry-level candidate you can use this space to get a bit more in-depth about who you are. Resume summaries are completely optional, but this is a place where you can really make a connection with a recruiter and have them think of you as a person, and not just words on a page.
In a resume summary you can (briefly) describe your key skills, what you’re passionate about, and what you have to offer this organization that’s going to set you apart. Candidates just entering a field often have fresh ideas and a lot of energy and enthusiasm, Smith says. And a resume summary is a great place to show that off.
Perhaps most importantly, your summary should also look to the future. After you describe who you are, spend a sentence or two talking about where you want to go and what you hope to bring to this specific job.
Here’s one example of what a resume summary might look like for an entry-level candidate:
Enthusiastic and creative recent grad with passion for communications, design, and the environment. Created graphics and written copy as part of social media strategies to grow personal, business, student group, and cute dog social media accounts by a combined 2 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Active in Rutgers’ chapter of the Sierra Club for 4 years and dedicated to helping educate people about climate change.
3. Emphasize Your Education
If you’ve ever looked at the resume of someone several years into their career, you may have noticed that their “Education” section was at the bottom of the page. But this isn’t the case for entry-level resumes. Putting your education right below your contact information or summary (along with your graduation date or expected graduation date) immediately lets the reader know that you’re in the very early stages of your career, Owens says. This adjusts their expectations of what sort of experience you’re likely to have, so they won’t go in looking for several past jobs in your field when you’re about to showcase mostly internships, coursework, extracurricular activities, part-time or temporary jobs, and unrelated jobs.
Beyond your graduation date, you should list the name of each school you’ve attended after high school, its location, your degree (bachelor’s, associates, master’s, etc.), your major, and any minors or concentrations. If you don’t have a college degree, you should list the name of your high school, its location, and your graduation date. If you did any study abroad programs, list those as their own schools, but make it explicit that they were study abroad programs. This is also the section to list any relevant certificate, training programs, or online classes that you’ve completed along with the school or organization you completed them through and the date (or anticipated date) of completion.
Under the applicable school, you should also list any honors, scholarships, and awards you received along with a short description of what each accolade is or why you were given it. You should list your GPA if the job description asks for it. Otherwise it’s optional, but only list it if it’s above a 3.5.
From there, you want to consider the job you’re applying to when deciding what else to share. If you completed a capstone project, thesis, or another major project, you should list that, but tailor your description to the specific job. For example, let’s say you did a capstone project that involved coming up with a business plan. If you’re applying for software development positions, emphasize the part of the project where you coded a website from scratch. But if you’re pursuing a marketing role, you might want to call attention to the way you planned to advertise your business to potential customers.
You can also list relevant coursework, but make sure it’s obvious why it’s relevant. For example, say you have a business degree and took five finance classes without a formal concentration. When you apply to finance roles, listing those courses will show that you have background knowledge. If you have a general biology degree and are applying to work in a neuroscience lab, you can list the neuroscience and anatomy courses you took. A “relevant coursework” bullet point can also show how you obtained a key skill for the job you want. But don’t just list classes you think sound impressive unless they’re directly relevant to the job you’re applying to.
4. Show That You Have the Right Experience for the Job
On a resume for somebody further along in their career, “experience” almost always focuses primarily on current and past paid jobs. For an entry-level candidate, experience can come from many places:
- Relevant internships, apprenticeships, or co-ops are the first thing that many recruiters will look for on an entry-level resume. But they’re far from the only thing that counts as experience. Most recruiters and hiring managers recognize that not everyone can afford to do an internship—particularly in fields where they often pay little or nothing.
- Part-time or full-time jobs are still professional experience even when they’re not directly related to your future career path. They’re a great place to look for those transferable skills, and they show hiring managers that as a baseline, you have experience showing up, completing tasks, and getting along in a workplace environment. Further, “if someone worked and went to college they’re obviously juggling a lot,” Smith says, and that speaks to a candidate’s work ethic and time management skills.
- Volunteer work also counts as experience especially if you led the effort or played a big part in it, Smith says. Volunteer work can show a wealth of transferable skills whether or not it’s directly relevant to your field—but definitely emphasize it if it is.
- Activities, organizations, and affiliations show your interests and personality, but they can also show transferable skills and leadership experience. If you were in a leadership or officer position, you likely had to organize well, communicate effectively, manage your time, and motivate other members of your group. You may have also had to deal with money or show good customer service. Even if you didn’t lead the group but consistently participated, you likely showed these skills and can list what you did as part of the organization.
- Relevant projects can be things that you did on your own or as part of your coursework. If you took classes in school that were not part of your major, but are relevant to the jobs you want to pursue, highlighting a project is a great way to showcase your interests and skills outside of your major. The same goes for if you pursued something non-academic like starting an online business. Even if the project doesn’t directly map onto the job you want, you can still demonstrate transferable skills.
Once you know what experience you want to talk about, you should decide how you’ll split it up into sections. You can use the bullets above that apply to you and make each its own section—labeled “Internship Experience,” “Volunteer Work,” “Activities,” and more—or you might want to have “Related Experience” and “Other Experience” sections if the experiences that are most directly relevant to your job search span across several of the above categories. You can also do things like combine internships and paid jobs into a single section called “Professional Experience” or list relevant projects in the education section. What’s most important is presenting your story in a way that’s easy to read and makes it clear why you’re the right person for the job.
5. Craft Strong Bullet Points
When it comes to listing your experience, just stating your past positions or the activities you were part of isn’t enough. Under every entry, you need to include bullet points describing what you did and what you achieved. These bullet points might be the most important part of your resume with the most real estate devoted to them, so they deserve time and attention.
“Don’t focus on the mundane daily duties, talk about your accomplishments,” Owens says. If you were a salesperson in a retail store, recruiters know the basic job duties that entails. But they won’t know that you made more sales than anyone else in the month of December—unless you tell them. If you had an internship with a major company in your field, it’s likely that you assisted the staff with daily tasks, but it’s unique to you that you were part of a team that conceived of a new marketing campaign that boosted sales by 50% in a month and wrote the copy for the campaign’s social media posts. In your bullet points, write about “what you did that made the project, company, or job better and what you did that moved the needle,” Owens says.
Whenever possible, you want to quantify your bullet points in order to be more specific and memorable and to call attention to the results you got. Which sounds better? “Led tutoring sessions,” or, “Led tutoring sessions for up to 30 students twice a week, leading to an average 10% test score increase”?
These bullet points are also where you can work in your transferable skills. If these skills are things like software or techniques, be sure to name them. If they’re softer skills like organization, communication, or collaboration, you can use action verbs to insert them into your bullet points seamlessly. Anyone can list out skills in a skills section (and you should), but putting them into context shows the person reading your resume how you’ve actually used your skills in real-life situations and how you’ll use them to help their company.
6. Show Off Your Skills (Again)
Your resume should also have a skills section where you list out all of the skills you have that match what a job description asks for. Don’t list skills you don’t have just because you think they sound good. If someone asks (and they will), you should be able to explain how you obtained this skill or how you’ve used it.
This section is often the place to focus on software and technical skills, Smith says. Technology changes so rapidly that new grads and other entry-level folks are often more up to date in this area than later-career professionals, so you definitely want to use that to your advantage.
Make sure to be specific, Owens says. Don’t list “coding” in your skills section, list out the programming languages you know. Don’t say “project management software,” say “Asana” or “Trello.” You also want to keep it modern. Unless the job description specifies it, “typing” doesn’t need to go in your skills section. The same goes for general “Microsoft Office,” though listing specific programs or skills like “Excel” or “pivot tables” is still fair game.
7. Include Relevant Keywords
As you’re preparing your resume for a specific job, take a close look at the job description and note the language they use. You want to match this language as closely as possible when it comes to the specific keywords. For example, if they’re looking for someone who has experience with Final Cut Pro, don’t just put “video editing” on your resume—make sure to include “Final Cut Pro” in your skills section (assuming you actually know how to use it!).
Why? Many companies use applicant tracking systems (or ATSs) —programs that scan your resume looking for keywords found in the job description and forward the resumes with the most matches to a hiring manager or recruiter. While this software is getting more advanced and adept at recognizing synonyms and different phrasing, it’s always best to be cautious and list keywords exactly as they appear in the job description.
8. Format Your Resume So It’s Easy to Read (by Computers and Humans!)
You may have seen those fancy, flashy resumes with graphics and tables to show your skills. You may even be tempted to shell out some money for a heavily designed template. Don’t.
If you’re applying online, you should assume your resume will have to pass through an ATS. The software parses text only, so not only will much of your formatting be lost, your text could even get left out or jumbled if the ATS can’t “read” it.
ATS aside, actual human recruiters often only have a few seconds to take a first look at a resume, and you want to make sure they can find what they’re looking for quickly. This means your resume should be highly skimmable with easy-to-read formatting, clear section headings, and lots of white space. Smith looks for resumes that are “smart, succinct, and professional looking” and, to be clear, “professional looking” doesn’t mean highly stylized.
So keep your formatting consistent and use bold, italics, and underlining when you want text to stand out. You can also make headings and your name a larger font size and use color in a way that emphasizes but doesn't distract. Stick to the classic fonts as well—no Comic Sans, handwriting fonts, or anything that doesn’t come preinstalled on most word processors.
As an entry-level candidate, your resume should never be more than one page, but don’t feel the need to add fluff to stretch it. Recruiters understand that you’re just starting out and they’d rather see strong, relevant experience than filler.
9. Tailor Your Resume for Every Job Posting
Throughout this article, you’ve seen that the content of a section or bullet point depends on what the job description says. That means that you should be changing your resume for every job posting. Yes, it’s more work than just submitting the same doc every time. But recruiters want to look at your resume and quickly see why you’re the right person for this job, and if you don’t take the time to make your case for this job, you’re likely to be overlooked.
If you want to make a base resume to pass to people in your network who aren’t hiring for specific jobs or for you to start with to get your formatting right, you should do this by pulling up several job descriptions in your field to get a feel for what companies are generally looking for. You can also create a resume outline that lists all of your experiences and skills in one place so you have a document to draw from to make tailoring easier.
10. Proofread!
Proofread your resume to check for any typos or grammar mistakes—then step away for a few hours or days and come back to proofread it again. You can even start reading from the bottom section to help you see the text a bit differently and make it less likely you’ll skim absentmindedly.
Once you’re sure your resume is completely error-free, ask someone else to read it, too. A new set of eyes will often catch things you overlooked.
An Example Entry-Level Resume
So what does all this advice look like in action? Take a look at this example entry-level resume for a recent college grad applying to a social media job with an environmental nonprofit. You’ll see the emphasis on experience that directly relates to a role like this.
Download sample entry-level resume here
As you begin your first big job search, you might feel overwhelmed or like you’ll never get a job. And yes, some companies do post listings with unrealistic standards for entry-level hires, but that doesn’t mean there are no companies out there looking for true entry-level candidates .
Believing in yourself is a big part of job hunting when you first start out, Smith says. Know that you do have something to offer companies and be confident in your capabilities. And if trying to fit a job description has you feeling like you can't be yourself on your resume or in your interview, it might be a sign that this role or company isn’t right for you, Owens says. But don’t worry, there’s another position out there that is.
- Skip to main content
- Skip to footer
Resume Genius
The World's Smartest Resume Builder
Home Resume Help Entry Level Resume
Entry Level Resume: Examples, Template, & How to Write
January 2, 2023 | By Sebastian Morgan | Reviewed by Samuel Johns, CPRW
If you’re writing an entry level resume with or without experience, our template, examples, and writing tips will help you get hired.
Whether you’re applying for your first job, have just graduated, or are switching careers, you need to write an impressive entry level resume to compete with other applicants.
Even if you don’t have much relevant experience, employers are much more likely to take a professional interest in you if you send them a resume that:
- highlights the right skills and knowledge
- shows a thorough understanding of the job
- demonstrates your passion for the specific industry or position
This guide will show you how to write an entry level resume to help you land your first part-time, full-time, or graduate job.
To help you write yours, we’ve also included four entry level resume examples , an entry level resume template you can edit, and detailed writing tips on putting together an excellent application for your first job.
Entry level resume examples
Effective entry level resumes convince employers that an applicant is ready for work in their industry by emphasizing the right skills and relevant knowledge.
Convincing an employer that you have the right skillset can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to find work in a field that requires lots of technical knowledge (like medicine or engineering).
But a great entry level resume will side-step that problem by highlighting your transferable skills , education, and passion for the job. These qualities can show that you understand the job you’re applying for and are ready to grow in your potential role.
This entry level job resume is a great example to follow because it uses a resume format that focuses on the applicant’s industry knowledge rather than their years of experience.
Download This Free Example
And here are three more entry level resume examples with varying levels of experience:
Entry Level Data Analyst Resume
Entry Level IT Resume
Entry Level Nurse Resume
Download These Free Examples
Here’s a list of even more entry level resume examples to give you an idea of how to write your first resume for specific jobs and positions.
Entry-level resume examples for specific jobs
- Entry Level Cyber Security Resume
- Entry Level Financial Analyst Resume
- Entry Level HR Resume
- Entry Level Marketing Resume
- Entry Level Sales Resume
- Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume
The applicants who wrote these beginner resumes obtained basic industry knowledge and skills by completing internships or getting work experience in other industries. It’s also possible to write a great entry level resume when you apply for your first job — for example, by focusing on your education section and choosing the right skills for your resume .
Entry level resume template
Replace the information on this entry level resume template with your information to make a resume that gets you hired:
1. Resume Heading
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 895 555 555 | Address: 4397 Aaron Smith Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17101 | Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
2. Resume Title
[Job Title] With [# Years of Experience / Best Skills]
3. Resume Summary or Objective
Expand on your resume title by listing more relevant skills, the name of the position you want, and how you plan to help your target company in 3–5 sentences or bullet points.
4. Relevant Skills
First Skill
- Include a bulleted list of accomplishments related to this skill
- Quantify (add numbers to) these bullet points whenever possible
Second Skill
- List any accomplishments or responsibilities that demonstrate this skill
- If you no longer perform a task, use past tense verbs to describe the experience
- Be as specific as possible — mention the names of software or tools you’ve used
5. Work History
Most Recent Job Title
Employer Name / Location / Start Year – End Year
Earlier Job Title
6. Education
Degree / Diploma Name / Major
University / High School Name, Location | Start Date – End Date
7. Additional Resume Section
- Here’s where you can add other relevant information
- For example, this section could be any of the following: publications, languages, volunteer experience, or relevant hobbies
How to write an entry level resume
First, here’s an overview of how you should structure your entry level resume and what you should write for each section:
This entry level resume is highly effective because it highlights skills and experience that are relevant to the position.
The applicant has expanded their education section and included a section highlighting their marketing experience in place of a traditional work history section.
Organizing the resume in this encourages the employer to focus on the applicant’s skills instead of their years of experience, which is great for an applicant with little or no formal work experience.
Here are five more steps you can take to make your entry level resume just as effective:
1. Use a professional entry level resume title
Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for entry level jobs. Make your application stand out by writing an attention-grabbing resume title that includes your:
- most impressive skill or accomplishment
Below are three good resume title examples for entry level applicants like you. Note how these headlines use title capitalization, don’t have periods, and fit on one line:
- Accomplished Graphic Designer Upskilling in UI/UX Design
- Recent Graduate With a BSc in Economics and a US Treasury Internship
- Volunteer Fundraiser Seeking to Apply Sales Skills in the Private Sector
2. Write your resume objective around the job you want
A resume objective is a 2–3 sentence professional introduction that:
- outlines your experience
- highlights your key skills
- sets out your career goals
Your resume objective is the first section employers will look at after your resume header. As it’s longer than your resume header, it’s also a crucial opportunity to explain why you’re a good fit for the specific role.
Here’s an entry level resume objective example aimed at a specific position:
3. Choose the right resume format
Because you’re applying for an entry level job, you probably don’t have much formal relevant experience. That’s okay if you use the right resume format for your situation.
The functional resume format features an expanded skills section with headers and bullet points detailing relevant achievements and experiences for each skill you include. This layout is perfect for showing the hiring manager that your relevant skills make up for your lack of work history.
Here’s an example of how to use a functional resume format to showcase your skills if you’re writing an entry level resume with no experience :
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Technical Expertise Comfortable using industry-standard security software, like McAfee SIEM and FireEye CMS Practice debugging with OllyDbg and WinDbg Fluent in SQL, able to manage large datasets with Microsoft SQL Customer Service Resolve student tech issues in person and via phone, email, and text message Outgoing and friendly, regularly hosting meet & greet parties for incoming freshmen Part-time cashier experience at various fast-food restaurants
Download This Functional Resume Example
4. Emphasize your relevant entry level skills
When hiring for an entry level position, most employers assume you have little-to-no formal work experience in their industry.
But most employers do want you to have the knowledge to successfully handle your new responsibilities and quickly grow in your new role.
As a result, putting the right beginner skills on your resume often determines the success of your job application.
Best beginner skills to include on an entry level resume
The entry level skills that are most popular with employers tend to be transferable between industries and allow you to think critically and work well with others.
Consider both industry-specific skills and personality-related traits relevant to the job you are applying for.
Here are some entry level skills that you’re likely to see on a job ad in 2023:
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Computer skills
- Adaptability
- Conceptual skills
- Language skills
- Decision making
- Teamwork skills
- Time management skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Customer service skills
- Organizational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Basic graphic design (e.g., Canva, Figma)
- Photo editing software (e.g., Photoshop)
- Data skills
- Social media skills
Choosing the right beginner skills for your resume
Employers clearly state what kind of applicants they are looking for in the job ad. Read the job description, requirements, and responsibilities carefully and make a list of the skills they mention and the skills you think are necessary to perform well in the role. Use this list of skills as a guide when planning what to put on your resume.
5. Show your relevant experience
Employers have a strange understanding of the term “entry level job.” In a recent analysis of 3.8 million entry level positions on LinkedIn, 38.4% asked for at least three years of relevant work experience — with even greater demand in technical industries like software and IT services (60.3%) and manufacturing (50%).
But don’t worry, those figures don’t mean you’re locked out of your desired industry.
To write an entry level resume with no experience, fill your entry level resume with:
- volunteer work
- internships
- part-time jobs
- self-employed work (freelancing, contract gigs, and side businesses)
- extracurricular activities (clubs, sports teams, and student government)
- relevant coursework
- hobbies and interests
Here’s how to format part-time jobs and freelancing work as entries in your resume’s work experience section:
Video Editor (Freelance) Various Vendors, August 2021–Present Combine original, stock, and found footage to create videos for internet and television ads Accrued 100,000+ views on YouTube across 8 videos Reached Level 2 selling status on Fiverr within 4 months Cashier (Part-Time) Jack’s Grocery, June 2021–July 2022 Rang up and bagged groceries for 50+ customers daily, promoting weekly sales specials during each transaction Managed an average of $2,000 per shift Led all cashiers with a 99.7% customer satisfaction rating
Frequently asked questions about entry level resumes
Here are answers to three of the most common questions asked about entry level resumes:
- What is a good summary for an entry level resume?
- How do I professionally say I have no experience?
- What are entry level skills?
1. What is a good summary for an entry level resume?
If you’re writing an entry level resume, it’s best to write a resume objective, not a resume summary.
Great resume objectives are 2–4 sentences long and highlight your knowledge, skills, and any relevant experience you have, as well as outline your career goals for the employer.
2. How do I professionally say I have no experience?
Never say you have no experience on your resume. Employers are interested in what you can offer them, not what you lack.
If you have no formal work experience, focus on the hard skills you’ve obtained through study or other life experiences. It’s also a good idea to highlight your soft skills (also known as personal skills), as everyone develops soft skills throughout their lives.
If you can show the employer that you’re a well-rounded, hard-working individual with knowledge of their field or industry, they’re much more likely to consider you for an entry level position.
3. What are entry level skills?
Entry level skills are the skills and abilities you need for an entry level position. Naturally, entry level skills differ from job to job and can be hard or soft skills.
Some examples of entry level skills include:
- knowledge of a specific programming language
- strong writing skills
- attention to detail
- graphic design skills
More resources to help you get an entry level job
Here are more resources to assist you as you seek a rewarding new career:
- How long should a resume be?
- Best font for a resume
- How to size resume margins
- How to write a cover letter
- How to format a cover letter
- Interview tips
Click to rate this article
Related Articles
54+ Resume Objective Examples & Writing Help
October 20, 2022 | By Aaron Case, CPRW
How to Make a Resume for a Job in 2023
February 3, 2023 | By Conrad Benz
45+ Resume Summary Examples (& How to Write)
January 27, 2022 | By Conrad Benz
30+ Best Resume Tips to Help You Land a Job
August 18, 2022 | By Conrad Benz
112+ Job Skills for Your Resume: List & Examples
December 21, 2022 | By Corissa Peterson
The Best Resume Format in 2023
February 3, 2023 | By Ida Pettersson
- Resume Templates
February 4, 2023 | By Geoffrey Scott, CPRW
Resume Paper: 5+ Best Resume Paper Types
February 16, 2022 | By Nick Herschel
Resume Tools
- Resume Builder
- Resume Examples
- How to Make a Resume
- Resume Format
- Resume Summary Generator
- Resume Help
Cover Letter Tools
- Cover Letter Builder
- Cover Letter Templates
- Cover Letter Examples
- How to Write a Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Format
- Cover Letter Help
- What Is a CV?
- How to Write a CV
- CV Templates
- CV Examples
Career Tools
- Thank You Note Samples & Templates
- Resignation Letter Samples
- Letter of Recommendation Templates
- Business Letter Formats
- Career Advice
- Forgot Password
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
© 2023, Sonaga Tech Limited. All rights reserved
ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Jobs are important for several reasons: they provide workers with personal feelings of self-worth and satisfaction and produce revenue, which in turn encourages spending and stimulates the larger economy. Jobs provide personal and economic ...
An entry-level position is a job that requires little or no experience and starts the employee out at an introductory level in the company. Although it is entry-level, that does not necessarily mean there are no prerequisites for the job. S...
A job analysis is important to ensure that a company’s selection process in order to choose applicants are valid and defensible. Job analysis can be used to plan a workforce, strategize future needs of the company and help fill key roles th...
Include internships and other experiences · Quantify accomplishments · Highlight applicable skills from the job description · Focus on what you do
Best Entry-Level Resume Skills ("Soft" Skills). Leadership; Communication; Detail Oriented; Teamwork; Self Motivated; Honesty; Adaptability
An entry-level resume summary is your introduction to an employer. If you're a recent graduate, student or teenager, it's a great way to
Great objectives (for entry-level) and summaries (for 10+ years of experience) mention the business by name, use power-packed, concise language
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
Objective: To obtain an entry-level position as a junior designer that will allow me to utilize the skills gained at State University and build a long-term
When writing the skills section, include both the hard and soft skills. Hard skills, such as hand-eye coordination and technological skills, are quantifiable
How to Write a Summary For Your Resume With No Experience: · 1. Put academic accomplishments and leadership · 2. Put your interests and passions · 3. Put “hard”
Use the reverse-chronological format on your first-time resume. Write a compelling beginner resume objective. Upgrade your entry-level resume by describing your
In a resume summary you can (briefly) describe your key skills, what you're passionate about, and what you have to offer this organization that's going to set
Best beginner skills to include on an entry level resume · Analytical skills · Attention to detail · Computer skills · Adaptability · Conceptual