How to Write a Resume with No Experience

Are you just entering the workforce? Do you think having a resume is unimportant?

The primary reason you should have a resume prepared to land a job is simple, and it may seem really obvious…

You need a resume because all of the candidates you are competing against have one.

The first impression your resume leaves on an employer can make or break your chance of landing a job. Set yourself apart by using simple phrases that include keywords important to your desired job’s responsibilities.

You may ask “Why do I need a resume if I don’t have any experience?”

If you have limited to no work experience, having a well written resume is even more necessary! Read our 6 tips on how to write a resume when you lack experience:

1.) Include A Resume Summary

A resume summary statement serves as an introduction to employers that highlights your qualifications and relevant background for a specific job. Even with no related work experience, you can still write a summary with the relevant skills you have gained in school, volunteering, etc.

2.) Format Your Resume 

Having a well-formatted resume makes your resume easier to read and highlights your most relevant skills and experiences. Some basic tips include: try to limit your resume to one page to keep information concise, keep your font size to 10,11, & 12, and use past tense when describing past education/experience and use present tense for current experience.

Using a resume template can relieve the stress of manually formatting your resume. There are a lot of free resume builders online including on here – Resume Template .

3.) Pay Attention To Details

When you lack experience, an error-free resume is key to make you stand out. Make sure there are no punctuation, spelling, or other errors that will make your resume look unprofessional. Then, have a friend or family member read it to make sure you didn’t miss any errors.

4.) Highlight Education & Skills

In lieu of work experience, you should focus on your education and the skills you acquired during your educational years.  Even if you’re a high school graduate, you can include any electives and relevant coursework. For example, you can discuss learning about collaborating with a team while playing on a basketball team or gaining customer service skills when you were a secretary assistant in school.

5.) Reference Any Volunteer Work

When you lack experience and education, including volunteer work that highlights your talents or where you learned a new skill should be put on your resume. Only include extracurricular activities and hobbies if they are relevant to the position and have equipped you with skills that would be useful for the job role.

6.) Customize Your Resume to Each Job

Tailoring your resume to a specific position instead of one generic resume can help you stand out when you lack work history. When you find a position you are interested in, make sure you read in detail what the employer is looking for in a qualified candidate.

From the skills listed in the job description, take the ones you have and place them in your resume. Adding these skills into your resume is important because many companies use applicant tracking systems to scan for keywords. This helps them filter applicants and can help set yourself up for success against candidates who might have more experience.

Writing your first resume can be a daunting task, especially when you have limited work experience. But, by creating a compelling resume today, you’ll be able to build on it as you grow your skills and experience throughout your career!

Have your resume but don’t know the next step? Apply online at Job1USA.com or contact a Job1USA Career Agent today to find your new career!