How to Write a Resume with No Experience

Learn how to craft a compelling resume even if you have no prior work experience. Instead of focusing on job history, highlight key elements that matter to employers, such as your education, skills, passions, and extracurricular activities.
 

When writing a resume without formal work experience, emphasize areas that showcase your strengths such as your education, volunteer work, and extracurricular involvement. Including dedicated sections for a resume summary and a skills list can make your application stand out. Follow these expert tips and use resume templates to create an impressive resume for your first job.
 

Resume with No Experience: Template

Using a resume template can help you organize your thoughts, generate ideas, and eliminate the guesswork when formatting your resume. Whether you have extensive experience or none at all, starting a resume from scratch can feel overwhelming. A well-structured template provides guidance and ensures your resume is professional, clear, and easy to read.
 

▶️ View Course: Writing a Resume
 

What to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience: 5 Tips

If you have no prior work experience, you can still create a strong resume by highlighting your education, including relevant non-work experiences, listing your skills, and adding a summary.
 

1. Highlight Your Education

If you have little work experience, emphasizing your education is a great way to showcase your strengths, interests, and background.

Some key elements to include in the education section of your resume are:

• Relevant Coursework: List courses that highlight skills useful for the job. These might include technical subjects like economics, math, or computer science, as well as communication-based courses like English or writing. Reviewing job descriptions can help you identify the most relevant coursework.

• GPA and Honors: A strong grade point average (GPA) demonstrates dedication and aptitude in your field. If your GPA is above 3.5, consider including it. Additionally, list any academic honors or awards received.

• Relevant Projects: If you’ve completed class projects that align with the job you’re applying for, list them and provide a brief description. If you have multiple projects, consider creating a separate section for them.

• Certifications and Online Courses: If you've taken courses outside of school or earned professional certifications, include them in your education section to showcase your initiative and expertise.
   

2. Include Relevant Experience

When creating your resume, you might feel like you lack relevant experience. However, by reviewing your past activities, you may discover valuable experiences that demonstrate your professionalism, interests, and character—qualities employers appreciate.

Consider adding the following under a section titled “Relevant Experience:”

• Volunteer Experience: Volunteering shows your commitment to community involvement, teamwork, and personal interests. It may also provide hands-on experience in a related field.

• Part-Time Jobs: If you’ve worked part-time while in school, tutored, babysat, or helped in a family business, include these experiences. Even if they weren’t in your target industry, they showcase employability, work ethic, and valuable skills like customer service.

• Extracurricular Activities: Activities such as sports, cultural clubs, or student government demonstrate a willingness to develop new skills, collaborate, and take initiative. Be sure to highlight any leadership positions you held within these activities.
   

🔷 Read more: Understanding Technical Skills for Resumes: Key Examples
 

3. List Your Skills

Even without formal work experience, you likely have valuable skills that can be relevant to your desired job. Reviewing job descriptions can help you identify commonly requested skills.

Some key skills to consider including in your resume are:

• Research

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Communication

• Computer Programming

• Leadership

• Social Media

• Foreign Languages

• Public Speaking

• Customer Service
   

🔷 Read more: Top 10 Skills for Video Editors: Enhance Your Resume

▶️ View Course: Writing a Tech Resume
 

Enhancing Your Skill Set to Improve Job Prospects

Developing in-demand skills can also improve your job prospects. Highlight transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Additionally, consider taking courses in areas like data analysis, IT, UX design, or digital marketing, which are highly sought after across various industries.

▶️ View Course: The Complete Resume, LinkedIn & Get Your Dream Job Course!

Entry-level jobs often require fewer technical skills, making them a great opportunity to gain experience while building your resume.
 

4. Include a Summary

A resume summary is a brief statement about your experience and qualifications. Typically one to three sentences long, it gives recruiters a quick understanding of your background and strengths.

Emphasize key traits and skills that match the job you're applying for. You can also mention your career objective—what type of job you're seeking. Consider these examples:

• Recent college graduate with a background in computer science and communications. Seeking to leverage strong skills in Python, C++, and public speaking for a full-time engineering opportunity.

• Curious and hard-working high school honors student with a passion for working with children and one year of babysitting experience.
   

How to Write a Resume Summary with No Experience

Start by reviewing the job description to identify key skills and qualities the employer is looking for. Then, highlight achievements from your education, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or internships that demonstrate your abilities. Incorporate relevant experiences to showcase your strengths effectively.

5. Use a Template

Eliminate the stress of designing your resume layout by using one of the many templates available online. Resume templates provide structure, helping you focus on content rather than formatting.

Customize any template to fit your needs and preferences. Programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer accessible templates. If you need access to these tools, consider visiting a local public library or using your school’s library resources. Alternatively, creating a free Google account gives you access to Google Docs, where you can find and customize resume templates effortlessly.
 

🔷 View the list of Resume and CV Writing courses