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Increase the possibility of getting the job you want with our entry-level resume templates.
Launching your career can feel like stepping into a vast, uncharted territory—especially when you’re drafting your first resume with minimal work experience.
Take a deep breath and remember, you have more to offer than you think! This guide is here to help you navigate creating an entry-level resume that stands out and positions you perfectly on the first rung of your professional ladder.
You’ll learn how to articulate your potential clearly and with confidence, ensuring that your resume contains the essentials. Our step-by-step list and beginner’s resume templates will make the process quick and easy.
Entry-Level Resume Example: Complete Template for Your First Job
The following is a basic template you can use to create your first resume. Don’t forget to replace the sample information with your own.
John Smith
Data-Driven Story Teller | Social Media and Brand Strategist
📍 Columbus, OH | 📞 (555) 123-4567 | 📧 johnsmith@email.com
Summary
Analytical and creative recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Ohio University. Skilled in social media marketing, content creation, and data analysis, paired with hands-on experience from a fast-paced internship at a local marketing agency and a mission-driven volunteer role with a non-profit. Known for diligence, dedication, and a collaborative approach to driving measurable results. Adept at utilizing Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and Canva to track engagement, optimize campaigns, and raise brand awareness.
Skills
Social Media Marketing | Content Creation | Data Analysis | Email Marketing
SEO Optimization | Copywriting and Editing | Customer Journey Mapping | Trend Analysis and Forecasting
Experience
Marketing Intern
BrightPath Digital, Columbus, OH
June 2024 – August 2024
- Increased engagement 20% by assisting in developing social media marketing strategies for clients.
- Created engaging content for various social media platforms, driving brand awareness and customer engagement.
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify trends and opportunities for client campaigns.
Volunteer Marketing Assistant
Community First Outreach, Columbus, OH
September 2022 – May 2023
- Increased followers by 30% within six months by managing the organization’s social media accounts.
- Boosted donations by 25% by designing and implementing email marketing campaigns to promote fundraising events.
- Coordinated with internal teams to develop promotional materials and digital content to support organizational initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Ohio University, Athens, OH
GPA: 3.7/4.0
- Relevant coursework: Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Market Research, Brand Management, Marketing Analytics, Business Communication
Certifications
- Google Analytics Certification, 2024
- Hootsuite Platform Certification, 2023
Projects
Marketing Campaign Analysis Project
Ohio University, Athens, OH
- Led a team in analyzing the effectiveness of various marketing campaigns, utilizing Google Analytics to track key metrics such as website traffic and conversion rates.
- Presented findings to faculty and industry professionals, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex data clearly and concisely.
Resume Coach’s AI resume builder can help you quickly and easily develop a resume like this one. It’s great for beginners, with instant suggestions to help you write a personalized application.
5 Key Sections in a Resume for Beginners
Every resume is different, but they are made from the same basic parts. The following are 5 sections that every resume should contain:
- Contact information: Your name, location, phone number, and email address.
- Resume summary: A brief description of your goals and why you’re a good fit for the job.
- Skills: Hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills that are relevant to the job.
- Work experience: Paid work or volunteering, internships, school projects, and other experiences, including quantifiable results when possible.
- Education: Your most recent school, location, and degree, whether in high school or college.
How To Write a Resume for Your First Job Step-By-Step
The entry-level job market can be highly competitive. Forbes reports that in 2025, only 30% of college graduates found work in their desired fields. That’s down 11% from the previous year.
The good news is that a well-written resume can help you get hired. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Choose the most effective format
- Add a resume header
- Write a resume summary
- Detail your education and your certifications
- Share any relevant experience
- List your skills
- Highlight your extracurricular activities
- Add additional sections
Don’t forget to analyze the job description and look for resume keywords. Using these wherever possible will help you stand out and make up for any lack of experience. It will also help your resume get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) software.
1. Choose the most effective format for an entry-level position
There are several common resume formats you can choose from, each with unique features and preferred uses. Which one is the best fit for you? Consider the table below.
| Format | Key Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological | Lists work history and education in reverse-chronological order, starting from the most recent and working back | Students or professionals with progressive experience |
| Functional | Emphasizes skills rather than experience; minimizes dates and may list experiences out or order | Career changers or candidates with little recent experience |
| Combination | Highlights skills first, then lists experiences in reverse-chronological order | Students and graduates with some experience and strong skill sets |
For an entry-level candidate, the best resume format is typically a combination format. This format allows you to highlight your relevant skills and achievements, even if you have limited work experience.
2. Add a resume header with important information
The headline at the top of your resume includes your contact information (name, location, email, and phone number) and useful links such as your LinkedIn profile or professional social media page.
You can also look for opportunities to include keywords from the job description, perhaps by listing your job title.
3. Write a convincing resume summary
If you hope to make a strong impression, a resume summary is the way to go. The summary highlights your skills, experience, and key achievements, showing employers what you can bring to the table. This is more impactful than a resume objective, which is focused on what you want.
Early-career candidates can include relevant coursework, internships, study abroad experiences, and language proficiency.
Example
Creative Graphic Designer | Visual Storyteller
Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design and a passion for transforming ideas into visually engaging designs. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration, with a keen eye for detail, color, and layout. Completed 15+ freelance projects, demonstrating creative flair and a strong commitment to delivering client-focused solutions.
You can use our AI summary generator to identify what you should include in your summary, even if you have little to no experience.
4. Detail your education and your certifications
The education section is usually the most important and relevant section for “freshers” writing an entry-level resume.
Therein, you will list your degrees along with the school name, location, and graduation date. You can also include details like your GPA, courses taken, special projects, certifications, and other experiences that highlight your skills and abilities.
💡Our expert’s advice
When it comes to certifications, don’t feel the need to list every single one you have. Pick the top 2-3 relevant certifications, based on industry and employer needs. If you’ve secured more than 10 certifications, you should consider creating a separate attachment where you list these and submit them under “supplemental materials.”
You can use this sample education section as a template for writing your own.
Example
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Minor in Business Administration
Wyoming State University, 2023
- Presented before an audience of 5,000 at State Public Speaking Competition
- Coursework included Social Media Management and Writing for the Internet
5. Share any relevant experience
If you’re applying for your first job with a resume, you may feel like you don’t have any work experience. But you likely have some experience you can list that demonstrates your qualifications. Make a list of any volunteer work, part-time jobs, projects, or internships you’ve been a part of.
Even unrelated positions can be valuable in that they helped you master important soft and transferable skills. Wherever possible, quantify the results of these skills by including numbers and accomplishments.
Example
Printery Intern
The Ohio Gazette | Cincinnati, OH | 2025
- Followed a major newspaper from file receipt to distribution.
- Applied concepts from logistical courses in analyzing vendor and customer needs, suggesting changes that could result in a savings of $2,500 per year.
- Observed daily print production workflows to better understand large-scale newspaper operations.
- Assisted in reviewing production timelines and communication between departments.
- Gained hands-on exposure to vendor coordination, inventory tracking, and quality control processes.
6. List your technical and transferable skills
It is important to balance the hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills you list on your resume.
Employers want to see that you can both handle the industry standard tools and get along with your team. In fact, in its Job Outlook 2025, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that about two-thirds of companies use skills-based hiring for entry-level positions.
You should also review the job description and make sure you include the required skills, if you have them. The following skills are essential when you make a resume for a first job:
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
- Good work ethic
- Interpersonal skills
- Multitasking
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Works well under pressure
If you’re not sure which skills you should include, check out our AI skills generator. It can provide instant suggestions based on your industry and job title.
7. Highlight your extracurricular activities
List any extracurricular activities where you held leadership positions or were actively involved in a team setting. This might include sports teams, school clubs, newspaper or yearbook staff, theatre groups, or student government.
These experiences demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, manage responsibilities, and contribute to group success.
Example
President, Marketing Club
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
September 2021 – May 2023
- Led weekly meetings to plan club events and discuss marketing trends.
- Organized guest speaker events and workshops to enhance members’ skills and industry knowledge.
- Collaborated with other club officers to develop marketing campaigns to increase membership and engagement.
Team Captain, Intramural Soccer Team
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
September 2020 – May 2022
- Organized team practices and coordinated game schedules.
- Fostered teamwork and camaraderie among team members to achieve common goals.
- Represented the team in league meetings and served as a liaison with university officials.
8. Add additional sections to round out your resume
There are several optional sections that you might choose to include on your resume. They’re especially beneficial when your resume is short and doesn’t fill one page.
Additional sections should add value:
- Languages
- Projects
- Hobbies and interests
- Student or professional associations
- Awards and honors
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How To Write Your First Resume for a Teenager
You might apply to your first job while you’re still a teenager. To do that, you’ll need a resume. Even if you have little or no work experience, you can draft a strong resume by focusing on your high school experience.
As a high school student, you’ve done things that translate to hirable skills, such as:
- Computer classes (computer skills)
- Shop classes (technical or trade skills)
- Home economics or culinary classes (food service skills)
- Public speaking or making presentations (verbal communication skills)
- Writing reports, papers, or essays (research and written communication skills)
- Sports teams and clubs (teamwork and leadership skills)
See a first job resume sample in action:
Maya Thompson
Motivated and Reliable | Fast Learner | Team Player
📍 Raleigh, NC 27610 | 📞 (555) 123-4567 | 📧 maya.thompson@email.com
Objective
Enthusiastic and dependable high school student ready to gain hands-on experience and contribute to BrightMart Retail as a Sales Associate. Recognized for a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and ability to learn quickly and adapt to new environments. Skilled in communication, organization, and teamwork, with a passion for doing quality work and supporting others.
Education
High School Diploma
Riverside High School, Raleigh, NC
Expected Graduation: May 2027
Relevant Coursework:
- Advanced Mathematics
- English Literature
- Computer Science
- Social Studies
- Science & Biology
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively
- Quick learner with a proactive approach to tasks
Extracurricular Activities
President, Debate Club
Riverside High School, Raleigh, NC
- Led weekly meetings to discuss debate topics and practice argumentation skills.
- Organized and participated in inter-school debate competitions, earning Best Speaker at the Wake County Student Debate Invitational.
Member, Riverside High School Soccer Team
Riverside High School, Raleigh, NC
September 2020 – May 2023
- Developed teamwork and leadership skills through regular practice sessions and competitive matches.
- Represented the school in district-level tournaments, contributing to team success and sportsmanship.
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Tutor
East Raleigh Community Center, Raleigh, NC
June 2022 – August 2023
- Provided academic support to elementary and middle school students in math and English.
- Assisted with organizing and facilitating educational workshops and activities.
Additional Information
- Strong work ethic and willingness to take on new challenges.
- Excellent time management skills, balancing academic studies with extracurricular activities and part-time responsibilities.
- Seeking opportunities to gain hands-on experience and make a positive impact in a professional environment.
Try Our AI Builder and Entry-Level Resume Templates
Are you looking for a resume maker for students with no work experience? Try using our resume templates for beginners for quick, expert help. Our resume builder is AI-powered to give you instant feedback and suggestions.
Choose from a variety of samples tailored to entry-level positions to provide a solid foundation for your resume. Customize them to fit your needs and stand out to potential employers.
Our AI content generator will help you fill out your resume easily with personalized suggestions.
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Powered by ChatGPT, it provides instant, natural language suggestions tailored for applicant tracking systems.
FAQs
Focus on your education, skills, and any relevant activities rather than work experience. Include school projects, extracurriculars, or volunteer work that show responsibility and teamwork.
Use clear sections, simple formatting, and action verbs. Tailor your resume to each job by highlighting skills mentioned in the job description, and keep it concise (ideally one page).
Your first resume should be one page in length. Since you don’t have much work experience, you may find it challenging to fill a whole page. Think about transferable skills from your academic or extracurricular activities.
You can also adjust the formatting to help your information fill the page. For example, you might use a 12 or 13-point font instead of a 10-point font. You could also increase the margins or spacing a bit.
Employers don’t expect you to know everything or have a long list of skills when applying for your first job. Instead, they want to see evidence of positive qualities.
You can demonstrate qualities like a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and being a team player through your academic, extracurricular, and part-time work experiences.
You should include the basic sections that are expected in all resumes: contact information, a summary, skills, education, and experience.
You can also consider adding additional sections to add value and fill the page. These might include hobbies, languages spoken, or awards received.
Yes! Some job applications even require a cover letter. Even if they don’t, the cover letter shows your work ethic and attention to detail. It also gives you more space to highlight your abilities and what you can bring to the job.
You can use ResumeCoach’s AI cover letter generator to help create a customized cover letter based on your resume, the job description, and the industry.
You have experience; you just have to think outside of the box and consider everything you’ve done. Focus on transferable skills, relevant coursework, volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your capabilities and enthusiasm.
Show your willingness to learn, adaptability, and passion for the role or industry. Additionally, express your eagerness to contribute, grow, and make a positive impact within the organization.
Our online Resume Builder comes with extra capabilities
- Editor available in 13 languages
- Create several resumes and cover letters
- Secure permanent storage
- Usable on a variety of devices
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