writing a resume when no work experience

How to Write a Resume With No Work Experience in 2024 (+Examples)

May 5, 2024
In Resumes & Cover Letters

Struggling to write a resume with no work experience? It can feel impossible to stand out when you have little to no job history to showcase. The pressure to impress employers, paired with the fear of being overlooked, can leave you feeling stuck. How do you highlight your potential when you don’t have past jobs to back it up? Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to craft a powerful resume, even with zero work experience—complete with examples that will help you shine.

How to write a resume with no experience (with examples)

1. identify your goals for writing a resume with no experience, 2. choose a suitable resume format for a no-experience resume, 3. write a strong resume objective, 4. create your education section , 5. highlight your skills on a resume with no work experience.

6. List your relevant experience

7. Include your volunteer work

8. tailor your resume for each position even with no experience , 9. write and attach a strong cover letter , sample resume with no work experience.

Start by clarifying your career objectives and determining which positions and industries you want to target. This step is critical because it helps you decide which skills and experiences to emphasize on your resume.

To stand out, your resume must show that you can add value to the company and understand the role you’re applying for. To do this, you need to know what employers are looking for. Follow these two simple steps:

Research job listings that align with your career goals and interests.
Identify key skills and qualifications that appear frequently, such as certifications or specific skills. Incorporate these keywords into your resume to ensure it aligns with what employers are seeking. This approach will help your resume capture attention and improve your chances of success.

Read more: How to Research a Company for an Interview: A 10-Step Guide

For a no-experience resume, the functional resume format is the most suitable. This format emphasizes your skills and abilities over work experience, making it ideal for those who lack traditional job experience. Here’s why it works:

Skills-focused : Highlights relevant skills, such as communication, leadership, or technical abilities, rather than job history.
Education and projects : You can emphasize academic achievements, coursework, internships, volunteer work, or personal projects.
Customizable : It allows you to tailor the resume to the job you’re applying for by showcasing skills that align with the job description.

The functional format helps you showcase what you can bring to the table, even without prior job experience.

Read more: What’s the Best Resume Format for 2024? [Pros vs Cons]

A resume objective is a brief introductory statement that describes your professional goals. Unlike a resume summary , a resume objective is suitable for a resume with no experience because it focuses on the value you could bring in the future. On the other hand, a resume summary presents existing achievements and expertise.

A resume objective should be no longer than three to four sentences and include the following information:

Your field of study and highest education
The skills and experiences that are relevant to the position
Your motivation for applying to this particular position

Just like with contact information, you don’t need to give your resume objective a separate heading. Instead, you can place it under your header.

Example #1: Resume objective for freshers

Example #2: resume objective for students with no experience.

Read more: Resume Objective Examples for 2024 [+How-to Guide]

In your education section, highlight degrees, certifications, and training that align with your career goals, making sure you present yourself appropriately—neither overqualified nor underqualified.

Start by listing your educational background in a simple outline format. This doesn’t need to be perfect right away—just focus on documenting your achievements.

What to Include:

Degrees and certifications earned
Name of the degree
Institution name (college, university, or training school)
Years attended
GPA (if 3.40 or higher)
Honors or awards
Relevant coursework
Exchange programs or study abroad
Extracurricular activities or online courses that are relevant to the job

Tailor this section to reflect your qualifications and strengthen your candidacy.

When building your skills section, focus on relevant, transferable skills that align with the job you’re applying for. Start by reviewing the job description to identify key skills and qualifications you already have. Remember to include both soft and hard skills, as employers value both.

Soft skills like team leadership, communication , and self-management are useful in any job.
Hard skills , such as using specific software or speaking a foreign language, come from specialized training or education.

Since soft skills are harder to teach, employers often prioritize them when hiring for entry-level roles. If you lack some of the hard skills, don’t worry—most companies appreciate candidates who are quick learners and adaptable.

Be selective about the skills you list, ensuring they are relevant to the role. For example, if you’re applying for an administrative assistant position, focus on skills like organization or customer service, rather than coding or trade-specific abilities. Tailoring your skills to the job ensures your resume stands out.

Read more: 30 Top Skills for a Resume (With Examples)

5. List your relevant experience

Creating your experience section can feel challenging if you lack formal work experience, but there’s still plenty you can showcase. Based on your background, consider including:

Academic Projects

One of the easiest ways to add experience is by highlighting academic projects. Whether it’s a software program you developed in a coding class, a marketing plan you designed, or a website you built, these projects demonstrate valuable skills. If you’re a high school or college student, this is an excellent way to show your abilities without formal work experience. You can also include relevant hobbies or interests that provided transferable skills. Don’t hesitate to list extracurricular activities as well—they show dedication and drive.

Internships

Paid or unpaid internships are invaluable for gaining practical work experience and expanding your professional network. If you’ve completed an internship, be sure to include it.

To do so, list your internship title and function—be specific. For example, instead of just “Intern,” use “Sales Intern” if your role was in the sales department. Then, include the company name, location, and the duration of the internship. Follow this with a bulleted list of your responsibilities and achievements, ensuring they align with the job you’re applying for. Tailoring these points will make your experience more relevant and impactful.

Work experience examples:

Marketing Internship YXPic, LLC. Miami, FL 2017 – 2019

Managed firm social media accounts.
Analyzing different social media outlets for viral content.
Posted engaging content on the company’s Facebook page, which resulted in a 25% increase in customer interaction.

Lawn mowing and trimming Miami, FL 2015 – 2017

From early spring until mid-fall, mow, edge, and trim lawns.
Maintained seven lawns weekly throughout the season.
Developed customer service skills to earn referrals and get more clients.
In six months, I went from having 2 to having 10 clients.
On lawn service, I earned and kept a five-star-rated page on Facebook

Volunteering demonstrates your commitment and desire to put your skills to use. And nothing makes a recruiter happier than a dedicated employee. You may include it on your resume whether you volunteered at a soup kitchen or helped gather rubbish in the countryside. Most employers consider volunteer experience alongside paid professional experience. Thus, you should always aim to include volunteer work that displays your abilities or where you learned a new relevant skill on your resume.

Volunteer work should be stated in the same way as your employment experience section on your resume. So mention the organization’s name, location, the time you worked there, and a bulleted description of your responsibilities.

Volunteer work on resume with no experience examples:

Freelancing & Volunteering Phoenix, AZ 2017 – 2019

Designed posters and created a Facebook page to assist a local community in promoting a series of garage sales events.
Wrote promotional pieces and 20+ professional product evaluations for a small technology website.
Converted a family member into an Apple customer by convincing him of the benefits of iOS over Android-based on his needs.
Supervised a team of two regular news and content writers for a musical band’s fan site mentioned in a local newspaper.
Planned and led games and activities for groups of elementary school students.
Completed a course on the basics of efficient marketing on Udemy.

Nursing Volunteering Experience American Pulmonary Disease Association 2018 – 2018

Provided patient education to 8 patients weekly.
Performed an average of 13 health checks per week.
Received praise from facility management for outstanding patient contact.
Oversaw physical therapy sessions for 5 patients bi-weekly.

Customizing your resume for each job application is crucial for making a strong impression, especially if you lack work experience. To maximize your chances of landing an interview, tailor your resume to fit the specific position you’re applying for.

Start by reviewing the job description to identify the required skills and qualifications. Match these with the skills you have and include them in your resume. Each job listing may use different keywords and highlight various responsibilities, so adapting your resume to each position’s unique requirements will help you stand out.

Most companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes, so incorporating relevant keywords from the job description is essential. You can find these keywords in the job listing or in similar job advertisements. Tailoring your resume this way increases the likelihood that it will pass through the ATS and catch the hiring manager’s eye.

About half of job applicants include a cover letter with their resume, and submitting a well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance your chances of success, even if your professional experience is limited.

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume. While your resume outlines your experiences, the cover letter connects those experiences to the specific job you’re applying for. To create an outstanding cover letter, follow these steps:

Follow professional formatting : Ensure your cover letter adheres to standard professional correspondence guidelines.
Craft an engaging introduction : Start with a compelling introduction that introduces yourself and encourages the reader to continue.
Highlight your skills : Detail your skills and explain how they can benefit the organization.
Demonstrate cultural fit : Describe why you are an exceptional fit for the company’s culture.
Include a call to action : Conclude with a clear call to action, such as expressing your desire for an interview.

Keep your cover letter concise and relevant—like your resume, it should be straightforward and to the point.

Read more: How To Write a Cover Letter With No Experience in 9 Steps [2024]

Example of a resume with no work experience

Sarah Brown 58 South St, Phoenix, AR [email protected] (123) 456-7890

An independent and driven business administration student with demonstrable proficiency in business, procurement, sales, and marketing. I am eager to use my theoretical knowledge and introduce the most current industry standards to the company.

EDUCATION Phoenix High School Phoenix, AR Class of 2020 (3.9 GPA)

EXPERIENCE Sales Intern ABC Company 2021-Present

Assisted the sales regional sales manager in ad hoc tasks.
Took notes and shared them with attendees at weekly team meetings.
Prepared monthly reports for 7 international clients.
Uncovered a bookkeeping error, saving the department 5% of yearly expenses.

Soup Kitchen Volunteer Phoenix, AR 2020 – 2021

Acted as weekend/holiday volunteer manager at a local soup kitchen.
Organized volunteer shifts and monitored the input of donated food.
Aided with preparing and delivering meals on Sundays and major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Pet Sitter Phoenix, AR 2018-2020

Established and operated a profitable pet sitting service.
Offered services including dog walking, feeding, and yard maintenance to locals in a 5-mile radius.
Acquired and maintained 13 clients, arranged and attended visits, coordinated appointments, and managed client relationships.
Collaboration
Bookkeeping
Attention to detail
Microsoft Office

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

National BA Honor Society
Volunteer Club President and Treasurer of the Phoenix High Cheerleading team

How to write a resume with no work experience FAQ

What should i put on a resume if i have no work experience.

If you have no formal work experience, focus on your education, relevant skills, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, personal projects, and certifications. Highlight anything that showcases your abilities and potential.

Can I still get a job with a resume and no experience?

Yes! Many entry-level positions and internships are designed for candidates with little or no experience. Employers often look for potential, skills, and enthusiasm. With a well-written resume, you can still stand out by highlighting your relevant experiences and transferable skills.

How do I make my resume stand out without job experience?

To stand out, focus on creating a clean, professional format and tailoring your resume to each job. Use action words, highlight your achievements, and emphasize transferable skills. Including volunteer work, internships, and relevant projects can also make your resume stronger.

Is a cover letter necessary if I have no work experience?

Yes, a cover letter can be crucial when you don’t have work experience. It allows you to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your skills, education, and experiences make you a strong candidate. A well-written cover letter can help make up for lack of experience.