How To Write a Resume With No Experience
Writing a resume for a first job when you don’t have any work experience can be challenging, but there are still strategies to craft a compelling document. Focusing on other aspects, such as your transferable skills, education, and other relevant accomplishments, shows you have what it takes to succeed in the role. Learn how to make a resume with no experience in this guide.
Why Having No Experience Is Not a Barrier
Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you’re applying for an entry-level position, having little to no work experience is expected. However, a prospective employer may still require a resume, and knowing how to write a resume with no experience can ensure you stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market.
Employers are increasingly looking for employees who are good culture fits, meaning they exemplify the company’s values and mission statement. Many companies are willing to provide on-the-job training if the candidate can show they are well-rounded, work well with others, and are eager to learn new skills. Including your academic background, extracurriculars, volunteer work, and transferable skills on your resume can do just that.
Key Sections To Include in a Resume With No Experience
Contact information
How to write a resume with no experience starts with including a header with your basic contact information. This should include your name, phone number, and email address at a minimum. If you work in a creative field, link your portfolio as well.
Resume objective statement
When creating a resume for a first job, start with a compelling resume objective statement. This is just a couple of sentences that detail your goals, skills, and enthusiasm for the position.
Education
If you’re deciding how to make a resume with no experience, focus on other important information, such as your education. Current students or recent graduates can list relevant coursework, honors, and achievements alongside the usual degree, school name, and graduation date.
Skills section
Include a bulleted skills list in your resume for a first job. This should include technical skills, such as Microsoft Office proficiency or social media management, and soft skills, such as communication and culture competency.
Volunteer work and extracurricular activities
Knowing how to make a resume with no experience is largely about leveraging nonwork experiences. This includes volunteer work and extracurricular activities. These unpaid roles can be just as valuable when highlighting your leadership, collaboration, and aptitude for professional growth. For example, you could note how you organized a charity bake sale and how much you raised for a local shelter.
Certifications and online courses
Virtual courses and certifications can help you learn valuable skills when ready to enter the workforce. Add completed certifications on your resume in the education section — or under a separate header if you have multiple — with the title of the certification, the awarded body, and the expiration date, if applicable.
No-Experience Resume Examples
Look at these examples to learn how to make a resume with no experience that still gets the hiring manager’s attention.
- Retail Sales Associate
- Administrative Assistant
- Social Media Assistant
[Your Name]
[Your Address] | [Your City, State, ZIP] | [Your Email] | [Your Phone Number]
Objective
Detail-oriented and organized college student with strong administrative and problem-solving skills, seeking an entry-level administrative assistant role. Proficient in managing schedules and records, and committed to fostering efficient workflows.
Education
Associate Degree in Business Administration
Central Community College, Denver, CO
Expected Graduation: May 2024
- GPA: 3.7/4.0
- Relevant Coursework: Office Management, Accounting Basics, Business Communication
Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Organizational and Multitasking Skills
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Data Entry and Filing
- Customer Service
Certifications
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification, Awarded: March 2023
Volunteer Work
Office Assistant Volunteer
Community Development Organization, Denver, CO
July 2022 – August 2022
- Organized and digitized records for increased accessibility
- Assisted with scheduling and confirmed appointments for clients
Extracurricular Activities
- Treasurer, Business Club
Managed club finances and organized fundraising initiatives - Member, Debate Team
Developed critical thinking and public speaking skills
Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
FAQs About How To Write a Resume With No Experience
If you don’t have a strong work history, show the hiring manager that you’re eager to learn, get along well with others, and have a strong work ethic. These transferable skills can help you demonstrate aptitude for a job when you’re learning how to make a resume with no experience. A resume for students with no experience, for example, may focus on relevant coursework, leadership skills from athletics or extracurricular activities, and communication and collaboration skills from group projects.
Regarding how to write a resume with no experience, such as for a first job, review the other parts of your life to see your skills and qualities that could make you a successful employee. For example, if you’re applying for a retail sales position, being extroverted and knowing how to research information are valuable skills to include. Keep in mind that you don’t need a long resume, either. A resume for someone without experience may only be half a page long, and that’s okay, as long as all of that information is relevant to the position.
It’s best to keep everything on your resume related to the position, but part-time jobs and internships count as work experience. Including these shows that you already have some professional work history and can help you create a stronger resume for a first job as a full-time employee.