Write a Perfect Resume When You Have No Work Experience

1. Write a great introduction.

Your resume introduction can be a resume summary or a resume objective. A summary draws more on your past experience, so this will typically be better if you have a lot of volunteer experience or relevant academic projects. A resume objective is great for those who want to focus more on their relevant skills. An objective also states your goals with the position you’re applying to. You can write a great resume objective for an entry-level job even with no experience.

2. Emphasize key skills in your skills section.

Skills are one of your most valuable assets when you don’t have many years of experience in the job market. Include both soft skills and hard skills in your skills section. Hard skills are technical skills that must be learned, such as Microsoft Excel. Soft skills are interpersonal or social skills, like teamwork. Both types of skills contribute to making you a valuable applicant. Check the job description for key words that describe skills and apply them to your resume where applicable. Recruiters often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) software to sort resumes. Incorporating key words into your skills and other resume sections will make it more likely that your resume gets through the system.

3. Include a detailed education section.

An education section can be a major benefit to you in your job search when you have no work experience.

List the basics, such as the name of your school or training program, the location, and expected date of completion (if you haven’t finished yet). Then add relevant coursework, academic achievements such as honors received, or even clubs or associations you are a member of.

4. List your volunteer experience, internships, or other valuable experiences.

If you don’t have professional experience, consider other experiences you do have for your resume. This can include volunteer work, internships, or unpaid work. A part-time or seasonal job can also be listed as work experience. Experience of any kind that shows the hiring manager that you have accountability and competency in a given area can be good for your resume. It also shows that you spend your time purposefully and are familiar with work environments. If you are struggling in your job search due to a lack of job experience, then consider taking on a part-time or volunteer position to list on your resume.

5. Make use of extra sections such as achievements or certifications.

There are other sections you can include on your resume to enhance it further. If your resume is still a little short after completing the above sections, then you may decide to include:

• Certifications
• Achievements and awards
• Extracurricular activities such as academic clubs