good resume examples for college students with no experience

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22 College Student Resumes That Landed Jobs in 2024

College Student

Best for candidates with 3+ years of experience

With your job experience and a stunning resume layout, recruiters will be ready to give your application the official stamp of approval.

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Writing Your College Student Resume

Companies sometimes require that entry-level candidates have experience, but how do you get experience when even entry-level jobs make it difficult to apply?

Getting that first job or internship can be the most challenging part of your career. Fortunately, as a college student, you’re in a great position to get that first break you need. Once you get your degree, you’ll have the experience employers are seeking, but until then, how can you build an effective resume or write a cover letter as a college student?

After reviewing countless  resume samples , we’ve determined what types employers want to see from college students. Furthermore, we used that knowledge to create  22 college student resume examples to help inspire your resume in 2024 .

College Student Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This lets employers know when you can work full-time. Whatever you do, be honest. Stretching the truth won’t get you any points with employers. It’s better to be upfront and willing to learn a skill rather than try to succeed by the skin of your teeth.
• The golden rule on your college student resume is to lead with your strengths. If you’ve got a relevant internship, add it. If you’ve done any related class projects, list them. No matter what you include, make sure to highlight transferable skills.

Undergraduate Student Resume

• To impress the recruiter, demonstrate the dedication you have had in your previous posts despite minimal experience.

University Student Resume

• In that case, your university student resume can capitalize on your analytical skills, which helped identify cost-saving opportunities and cut overall expenses by six percent.

College Student No Experience Resume

• Luckily, there are a host of  resume templates  you can use to format your experience well, so long as you adjust based on your qualifications.
• For example, you can add or remove sections based on the amount of work history you have (or don’t have).
• For example, being on the club basketball team may feel irrelevant to business analysis. But by focusing on how you’ve organized practices and led a local volunteer effort, your  college student no experience resume  can point to qualities that might appeal to a thoughtful employer.

Current College Student Resume

• A reverse-chronological format is still the most accepted, but if you want to highlight your skills, try using a functional format instead.
• Adding relevant metrics shows that you know what matters to your employer and you’ve positively impacted your previous workplace.

College Student for Internship Resume

• That’s okay—you can weave in other things, like projects and part-time jobs. Of course, if you do have internship or job experience, put that at the top.
• It’s as easy as checking the  job description . Then just list your relevant abilities according to what matches the keywords listed by the employer.

College Student Assistant Medical Laboratory Technician Resume Example

• Do you have a unique interest related to science? Are you involved in a sport? Do you volunteer? All of these hobbies are great additions to your resume.
• If you’ve just graduated, you can bulk up your education section.
• Feel free to add any college awards you won and your GPA (if it’s higher than 3.5).

College Student HR Executive Assistant Resume

• As a rule of thumb, we recommend including one if you’re light on experience or are going through a substantial career change. Otherwise, leave it out in favor of work experience. 
• Good skills to include on an HR executive assistant resume are “talent acquisition,” “conflict resolution,” “legal compliance,” and “compensation/benefits.”
• An even more effective way to breathe life into your skills is to weave them into your work history or project bullet points.

College Student Case Assistant Resume

• Show off your personality using contrasting colors, classic fonts, and well-organized layouts. Our ready-to-build  resume templates  or handy  Google Docs interactive resumes  can help you keep your resume both tasteful and personable.
• If you don’t have certification, then now’s the best time to get it. Better late than never!

College Student Resident Assistant Resume

• Though an objective isn’t required, it can help employers see your skills and experience straight away.
• Just make sure to tailor it for every job you apply for by including the name of the employer, the position you’re seeking, and some matching keyword skills (that are true about you) gleaned from the  job description . 
• You also shouldn’t feel limited by your work experience. If you’ve done any relevant projects or have volunteered, include them! Employers love to see transferrable skills like collaboration, a good work ethic, and organization.

College Student Warehouse Worker Resume

• If you’re struggling to get going, consider using a  resume outline  to help you structure your experience—just don’t forget to fill out all the sections thoroughly!
• While it’s not impossible to land an excellent job without internships or experience, having some kind of work history, even in the form of projects, will allow you to be more picky and skim from the top of warehouse positions.

College Student Teacher Assistant Resume

• Adjusting formatting details, like the layout and header colors, can make your resume pop and reveal a bit about yourself. (Red and pink are bold, daring colors, while blue and green are calming.)
• Adding a  hobbies and interests section to your resume  can also help catch the eye of employers, provided you list hobbies that are relevant to the desired job, such as creative pursuits, volunteering, or research.
• Even if you’ve never had experience as a teacher assistant, you can instill confidence by demonstrating the impact of your communication skills. Did you effectively resolve an issue using negotiation? Write something that added helpful clarity? Show how you used communication to affect others positively!

College Student Biology Lab Technician Resume

• Don’t get too carried away here; after all, it’s still a resume and not a flier for a Wednesday Night Disco. But, one to two colors can be appropriate for all but the most conservative working environments. 
• Numbers can be frustrating to calculate and add to your resume, but trust us when we tell you that they make a world of difference. Hiring managers are consistently more willing to interview people with metrics on their resumes, as they convey job competence and confidence.

College Student English Tutor Resume

• Breaking up each work experience into bullet points can make your resume both easier to read (with fewer blocks of dense text) and easier to write.
• Instead of writing one big chunk of cohesive text, you can focus on pulling out as many highlights about your work history at each job as possible. 
• A project can be anything. Seriously, your final group project from that writing seminar counts, or you could highlight a blog you’ve been working on in your free time.
• Hint: Projects also make great stories to discuss on your college student cover letter .

College Application Resume

• Suppose you’re applying for a Bachelor of Arts in education. Express your passion for teaching and eagerness to advance your knowledge of education theories and practices. Even better, emphasize your long-term ambition to shape future generations through innovative education methods.

College Admission Resume

• Take a leaf from how Brian narrates his stints as a restaurant server, project presenter, and volunteer. Well-described, such experiences paint a picture of a well-rounded character who can take on varied challenges of an engineering program, enhancing their appeal in the eyes of the college admissions committee.

College Freshman Resume

• Use past projects to advantage here even if they’re only a year long. Clearly state how you used skills such as Canva and Microsoft Teams to make specific impacts during this time. Another great addition to your college freshman resume is any work experience under your belt.

Harvard College Resume

• You see reputable (and free) spell checkers like Grammarly? They’re your backstage crew making sure that your Harvard college resume is polished—no typos, grammatical mistakes, or punctuation errors in sight. And getting a friend or family member to take a peek? It’s always a brilliant move.

College Level Resume

• It’s a piece of cake. Maybe you’ve been a superstar nanny or the quickest cashier around. Identify competencies from these gigs, whether communication, time management, or leadership, and then blend them into your work experience. Simply put, connect the dots in your college level resume, and you’re golden.

College Student Academic Highlights Resume

• Say you have some work experience, but it’s not relevant to the job. That’s okay—instead of trying in vain to match the  job description , focus on transferable skills like customer service, organization, event planning, public speaking, and computer literacy.
• If you lack much work history, adding projects, coursework, or volunteer experience is the next best way to showcase your potential. You can also list your involvement in clubs, organizations, or peer mentorship.
• Write them like you’d write work experience by using active verbs and incorporating metrics (numbers).

First Year College Student Resume

• Your time contributing to a project is tangible evidence of your skills and experiences. Depending on what you include, it could showcase your communication and organizational skills or more technical abilities, like your proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Freshman College Student Resume

• Do you love gardening or nature photography? Awesome, it shows you’re inherently passionate about biology. Do you spend your time baking as well? It’s a sign that you know how to follow instructions and observe changes over time—skills that will come in handy as a lab assistant.

Related resume guides

• College Graduate
• Grad School
• Entry level

Before we dive into the difference between a  resume objective  vs. a  resume summary , let’s get some definitions out of the way:

• Resume objective : A statement of your qualifications, interests, and skills that make you a good fit for the role to which you’re applying.
• Resume summary : A summary of your past experience detailing your high-level accomplishments and projects.

When you’re applying for a job or internship as a college student, you likely won’t have extensive work experience. So, we’d recommend including a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

The goal of your resume objective is to set the stage for your resume. It should highlight your skills applicable to the job at hand, and it should be specific for each job to which you’re applying.

Most resume objectives are boring and generic. By taking the time to craft a customized and effective resume objective, you give yourself an edge over other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Before we dive into the rules for creating a strong resume objective, let’s look at some examples.

Sample college student resume objectives

• “Recent college graduate with a degree in marketing looking for a full-time role where I can utilize my experience in social media and paid advertising to help an up-and-coming brand like Club Z! Inc. spread awareness and acquire more users.”
• “Diligent college student at the University of Pittsburgh who is equally committed to academic excellence (3.8 GPA) and service (student leader at the local food shelter) looking for an opportunity at Unidos as a part-time employee to utilize these talents to improve customer satisfaction.”
• “Recent graduate with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) seeking an opportunity within an established management organization to utilize my organizational and quantitative abilities. Epic seems to have a culture of empowering employees to have ownership over their problems, and that culture fits my work style perfectly.”

You can see that all of these resume objectives specifically mention the company that the student is applying to. Tailoring is the golden rule of resume objectives.

Here are some other rules to make your objective the best it can be:

• Again, take the time to  customize your resume objective for each company to which you’re applying .
• Don’t be afraid to inject your personality. Making an impression will help you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants.
• Keep it to two to three sentences.
• Mention any relevant skills or certifications you have for the role to which you’re applying.

College Student Resume Formats

One of the hardest parts of using a resume maker  as a college student is the blank page. The “getting started” part is overwhelming—you’re unsure what your resume should look like, let alone what should be in it!

When it comes to formatting your resume, the best advice is to keep it  simple . You need to convincingly make the case that you deserve an interview for the role to which you’re applying.

In short, your resume should likely contain the following sections:

• Header: This is your name and job title. Have your job title match the job title to which you’re applying.
• Resume objective: We talked about this above, a quick summary of your skills and what you’re seeking.
• Education: As a college student, this should include your anticipated graduation date, the field of study, and relevant classes.
• Skills: List six to ten technical skills relevant to your career.
• Work experience: If you have any relevant internships or part-time jobs, mention them here.
• Projects: Did you do any side projects that demonstrate your competency? Include them!

Not all of these sections need to be included in your resume.  Your resume should focus on your strengths.

If you don’t have much relevant work experience, you can omit that section in favor of discussing your projects or classwork.

However, no matter what format you choose, there are a few writing guidelines you should adhere to throughout your resume.

Formatting guidelines for your resume

• Keep your resume to one page! Your resume should only extend to a second page when you have 10+ years of experience.
• Avoid any spelling or grammar errors by double-checking your text and having a friend review your resume. Don’t let typos be the reason why you don’t get an interview.
• Break up your work experience into small, consumable bullet points. Nothing is harder to read than a big wall of text.
• Use reverse-chronological order to keep your most recent experience/projects at the top.
• Don’t include fancy images or graphics. It’s highly likely a computer will read your resume before a human ever does, and images are hard for computers to scan.
• Don’t list more than ten skills on your resume. (We’ll expand on this below.)

Skills to pay the bills

When building your skills section, it can be tempting to list any and every skill you know. You’ll have to resist this temptation.

Before a human reviews your resume, an automated system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will score your resume based on whether or not it includes the “right” keywords. These filters are largely screening for specific skills.

Doesn’t this mean that you should include as many skills as possible to beat the ATS? Unfortunately, you need to make your resume appealing to both the ATS and a human, and nothing is a bigger red flag to a hiring manager than a candidate with a laundry list of skills!

You’re much better off focusing on  six to ten skills you’re an expert in  than including more that you kind of know. Generally, if you wouldn’t be comfortable being interviewed on a given skill, don’t include it on your resume. 

Work Experience and Projects

In any resume, no matter the career stage, your work experience and projects should take up at least 70 percent of the overall space. These will decide whether you get an interview or not.

Once you have a few years of experience, then the size of your projects section will decrease as the size of your work experience section expands.

If you have an internship relevant to the job you’re applying for, this should be listed in your “work experience” section. As a college student, your work experience can also contain any part-time jobs you had while in school, even if they don’t seem relevant to the position to which you’re applying.

It’s not easy to balance work and school, so having a part-time job demonstrates responsibility and drive.

When talking about your work experience, there are a few key tips you should follow:

• Mention the skills you demonstrated on the job.
• Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible.
• Talk specifically about your role; avoid being too general.
• Use action verbs like “owned” or “led” to highlight your leadership abilities.

Numbers truly speak louder than words, especially on your resume. By providing numerical context around your work, you show your ability to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.

Compare these two descriptions of an internship. Which do you think would be more compelling to a hiring manager?

WRONG – general work experience descriptions

Marketing Science Associates April 2020 – Current, New York NY Digital Marketing Intern

• Created testing plan for Facebook ad copy
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy

RIGHT – specific, quantified descriptions

• Created A/B testing plan for Facebook ad copy, improving ROI by 15%
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs such as marketing spend, new leads, revenue generated, and ROI
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes which grew from 1,000 to 5,000 monthly organic visitors
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy, leading to client satisfaction of 99%

Projects can be anything

If you don’t have much (or any) relevant work experience for your resume, don’t fret. You can still  create a highly effective resume  by showcasing your projects.

As a college student, you’ve likely done a lot of class projects that are relevant to the job or internship you’re looking to get. This is the perfect place to talk about those projects. You can even mention projects you completed outside of class. Talk about your goals, the methods/skills you used, and the project’s outcome.

The key is to include anything that will convince the hiring manager you have the drive, skills, and ability to translate your academic knowledge to the real world and contribute to the roles for which you’re applying.

Here are some potential projects you can work on for different majors:

Project ideas for college students

• Are you a business student? Detail a case study that you analyzed and presented in a class.
• If you’re a marketing student, you can write a short blog post about how you’d improve the paid marketing strategy for a company you admire.
• As a graphic designer, this is a great opportunity to talk about some of the projects in your portfolio.
• If you’re looking for a data analyst role, talk about how you analyzed stock data to determine areas of opportunity.
• As a human resources major, you’ve likely created processes for companies as part of a class, so talk about that.
• Software engineering students complete meaningful coding assignments all the time. Discuss one of those or talk about your side project.
• If you’re looking to break into product management, discuss a hackathon you were part of or create a case study for a feature your favorite product is missing.

Basically, the projects you include on your resume can be just about anything. They simply have to demonstrate you know what is required of the kind of role you’re applying to, and that you can meet those requirements.

Your Education Section

As a college student, it should go without saying that you need to include an education section on your resume.

Here’s what you need to include in your education section no matter what:

• The school you’re currently attending (or recently graduated from). You do not need to include your high school.
• Your graduation date (or expected graduation date). You can give just the month and year.
• The kind of degree you’re working toward (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master’s, etc.).
• Your field of study.

Once you include all that, there’s more flexibility. If you have a strong GPA (greater than 3.5), you should include it, too.

If you don’t have much experience yet, then you can add relevant courses or awards to your education section, provided they’re relevant to the job for which you’re applying.

For example, if you’re applying for a role as a data scientist, then it makes sense to include any math, economics, or programming classes you completed.

Here’s an example of an effective education section for a college student looking for a marketing role:

If you received any awards or honors during your time in college, list them here. These can include getting on the Dean’s List, any department-specific awards relevant to your major, or formal recognition for your work or volunteer efforts.

Resume Builder for College Students

There you have it—we’ve discussed the building blocks to help you land a job or internship as a college student!

In summary, here are the keys to making an effective resume as a college student:

• Inject your personality into your resume objective and customize it for each company to which you apply.
• Your resume format should include a header, resume objective, skills section, education, and work/ project experience.
• Include any relevant internships or part-time jobs you’ve had during college and quantify the impact of your work.
• If you don’t have much working experience, include relevant projects you’ve completed either in the classroom or on your own time.
• Your education section is your chance to highlight classes you’ve completed that will convince the hiring manager you have the right tools for the job.

Finding a job or internship as a college student can be incredibly stressful. Building an AI resume  is a huge first step, so pat yourself on the back. After you’re done with the writing, you can  check your resume  against our AI-powered tips to see how your resume matches up.

Just remember, it does get easier after you get some experience first. We can’t wait to see where you’ll go!

• We’ll show you how, step-by-step • Real, practical tips and tools • 100% free

Resume Summary with No Experience: Examples for Students and Fresh Graduates

By Biron Clark

Published: December 18, 2023

Recent Grads | Resume/CV

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re looking for how to write a summary for your resume with no work experience , you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to walk you through exactly what to do, and then we’ll look at resume summary examples for entry-level job seekers, students and fresh graduates. 

How to Write a Summary For Your Resume With No Experience:

First, a resume summary is different than an objective . And it’s much better. Putting an objective on your resume is outdated and unnecessary. Resume objectives are useless because they don’t share anything the hiring manager doesn’t already know (such as “my goal is to obtain a position in the ___ industry”). So what we’re doing here is better and will help your resume stand out from people who simply put an objective. Whereas, the resume summary gives a quick highlight reel of your qualifications, education, and more. If you’re not sure what a resume summary actually is, check out this article on 10 resume summary examples . And while it’s easier to figure out what to put if you’ve built up some work experience, you can still write an effective resume summary with no work experience whatsoever.

So in this article, I’m going to show you how. What should go into your summary when you don’t have any work experience? 

1. Put academic accomplishments and leadership

What did you study? Did you just graduate with a degree? Mention that. If you took a leadership role in your class projects, or clubs/groups at your school, you can mention that too. Leadership doesn’t need to be in a job to get the hiring manager’s attention! Taking a leadership role in a sports environment is impressive as well. You’re not going to mention specific accomplishments in your resume summary usually (you can do that later in your resume), but you can say things like “proven leadership” or “natural leader”, etc.

2. Put your interests and passions

Are you passionate about startups and technology? Great, put that. Want to make a difference in the world, and focus your career on social impact? Mention that. This can include the grades you received, but also leadership positions you led, and clubs/groups you participated in.

3. Put “hard” skills

If you’re proficient in any tools, technologies, etc… you can include that in your resume summary. Don’t list 20 things. That’s what your “Skills” section is for. But pick the three or four things that are most relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Coming up in this article, we’re going to look at two resume summary examples for people with no experience. .. and in the second example, you’ll see how this would look.

4. Include soft skills

Are you great at analytical thinking? Do you love working as a part of a team? Are you great at multi-tasking and handling a fast-paced team environment? While these shouldn’t be the main focus of your resume summary section, they can be worth mentioning. It’s especially good to include soft skills that you see mentioned in the job description.

For example, if you see they mention wanting someone who’s great at multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment, and you feel that describes you well, then your resume summary is the perfect place to include this.

5. Put statements that will grab the employer’s interest and make them want to ask you questions!

If you mention leadership they’ll want to ask you more about your leadership experiences. That’s a good thing. Remember, whatever you put, they’ll probably ask you about. So as you write your summary for your resume, try to think about what you want them to discuss with you, and what you want a chance to talk about. And try to “tailor” your resume to fit the companies you’re applying to. If you’re applying to large corporations don’t start your summary by saying “Startup enthusiast”.

3 Resume Summary Example for Students, Fresh Graduates and Entry-Level Job Seekers:

In this section, I’m going to share three examples of how to write a summary for your resume with no experience. You can use these resume summary examples as a student, entry-level job seeker, or any job search where you don’t have experience:

Resume Summary with No Experience – Example #1: Economics Student

Enthusiastic, highly-motivated Economics student with proven leadership capabilities, who likes to take initiative and seek out new challenges.

In this example above, you’re showing that you completed your Economics degree and have an interest in the subject, and you’re mentioning leadership and making the reader want to learn more about this. You’re also making yourself sound ambitious and motivated at the end, which is always a good thing (I’m referring to the part that says “who likes to take initiative and seek out new challenges). Notice the format too. This is how I recommend phrasing it. Don’t say “I am a ___”. Just start with the descriptive words.

This is a simple yet effective resume summary example for students OR recent graduates.

Resume Summary with No Experience – Example #2: Fresh Graduate in Computer Science

Computer Science graduate passionate about data engineering and machine learning. Highly-capable leader, having led multiple Senior class projects to completion. Proficient in a range of modern technologies including Python, Java and Scala.

This is another good example of a student or fresh graduate resume summary that still shows your skills and academic focus, even if you have no formal work experience.  In this entry-level resume summary example, you’re highlighting accomplishments and leadership as a student and you’re also showing that you’re passionate about your work. Saying you’re passionate about data engineering is much better than just saying, “Looking for a job in data engineering.” They’ll know you’re looking for jobs because you applied. Taking up space to say it is a bad use of this area of your resume, and is why I never recommend having a resume “Objective” section. The summary exists instead of an “Objective” and is much better.

The example above also included some great programming keywords (Python, Java, Scala) to help get past any automated application systems and grab the hiring manager’s attention very quickly when they first look at your resume. If you work with any tools or technologies that have names like these, you can include it in your entry-level resume summary if you’d like. Other examples of tools/technologies: Photoshop, MS Excel, etc.

If you decide not to include these on your resume summary, make sure to include them elsewhere such as your Education or Skills section .

Resume Summary Example with No Experience #3: Math Student Graduating Soon

4th year mathematics student passionate about statistics and data analysis. Proven project leader. Active member of Boston University’s Mathematics Club. Speaker at 2018 “New York Young Mathematicians Conference.”

This resume summary example for students shows how you can list accomplishments even if you’ve never formally worked before. Did you participate in any clubs at school? Have you led any class projects? These are impressive pieces you can add to your resume summary with no experience formally working. 

How to Write a Resume Summary For Students/Fresh Graduates – Quick Recap

• Skip buzzwords like “hard-working” and put real academic accomplishments instead, like projects you produced and tasks you led
• Include what you’re interested in and passionate about to show them why you are applying for this position
• Mention hard skills like “Java Programming” or “Excel,”  especially if they’re listed on the job description
• Include soft skills as well like, “excellent at multi-tasking”, especially if you saw these keywords anywhere on the job description
• Include statements in your resume summary that will catch the employer’s interest and make them want to talk with you and ask you more. Remember – the entire goal of your resume is to get invited to interview. So if you did anything unique like giving presentations, working in an internship , participating in a school club, etc., you can include this in your entry-level resume summary.

If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a great entry-level resume summary that will stand out and catch a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention so you can get more interviews.

After you write your entry-level resume summary, here are two more articles that may be helpful when job searching with no experience:

• The best times of year to job search
• How to create a great elevator pitch for job hunting

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), are resume writers worth it, don’t say you’re a quick learner on your resume, what do recruiters look for in a resume, chronological resume: the best format (and how to write it), the 3 best colors for a resume, career change resume: examples and tips from experts, what makes a good resume 9 ways to know, how long should a resume be, walk me through your resume: answer examples, 7 thoughts on “resume summary with no experience: examples for students and fresh graduates”.

This site was pretty helpful in guiding me throughout my school resume, would love other tips would do well.

This is a great guide. If only schools were actually interested in teaching children real life skills like this.

Hi, I am a student who has been finding it very difficult to make resumes due to the lack of working experience. I am currently trying to find a job while studying at the same time. I am in University completing a certificate and will soon be applying for a BA in Psychology and Criminolgy. However, I wish to apply for a part time job in the fashion industry. Can you please leave me some tips about what I can do to ensure that I can find a job without needing experience.

Your page has really helped, Thank you.

Hi, I’m a job seeker with 2 years experience working as a cart collector at grocery store and an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, is this a good professional summary?: “Reliable team member with a keen interest in information technology and other applications. Capable of handling multiple projects within deadlines. Eager to apply my professional and academic background as an Administrative Assistant at Bogdan Contracting.”

I’ve been job seeking since October 2018, I’m hoping I can start a career in tech support as soon as possible.

Hi Marcais,

I think it sounds pretty good. My least favorite part is the first word, though. “Reliable” sounds pretty average/boring. Sure, you show up, do your job, etc. That’s what I think when I hear “reliable”. But not much more.

I’d look for a better word to lead off with.

I would like to say thank you for making this article about writing a summary for a resume. For the past couple of months, I have been struggling to find someone who can help me with that because I don’t have a lot of experience in my field (i.e. engineering). I do have one question though. Is it appropriate to use first-person nouns in the summary section? I have seen people do that, but I find it quite odd.

Please let me know as soon as you can. Thank you.

Hi Frances,

I’d avoid saying, “I” if that’s what you’re asking.

Just say “Led team of 7 people to accomplish ___”

Just start without a pronoun.

Another example: “Highly-accomplished accounting professional who has ____”

Comments are closed.

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Blog Resume Help College Freshman Resume

College Freshman Resume Examples and Writing Tips

As a freshman in college, it can be difficult to write a resume with little or no formal work experience.

As featured in *

What to put on a college freshman resume

College freshman resume template, college freshman resume examples, 4 tips for writing a college freshman resume, additional resources, frequently asked questions about resumes for college freshmen.

To help you assemble the best application possible, below we have a variety of resume and cover letter writing guides, examples, and templates made just for students.

Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

Here’s what to include on a resume as a college freshman:

• Contact information
• Resume introduction
• Educational background
• Work or relevant experience
• Your key skills
• Relevant hobbies, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities

1. Contact information

List your contact information in your resume header so that it can be seen straight away. At a minimum, include the following information:

• First and last name
• Phone number

Make sure that you use a professional-sounding email address (e.g. [email protected], or your college email address).

You can also include your LinkedIn profile or a link to your portfolio website (if you have one) to give employers a more comprehensive picture of your experience and qualifications.

2. Convincing resume introduction

Your resume introduction is a short section at the start of your resume that summarizes your key strengths and qualifications.

Including an introduction on your resume is essential for college freshmen, because it gives you an opportunity to show you have the skills and motivation to carry out a job, internship or scholarship, even if you don’t have much work experience.

The best type of resume introduction for a college freshman is a resume objective because it gives you the opportunity to draw attention to your career goals.

Here’s an example of a well-written college freshman resume objective:

College freshman resume introduction example

Hardworking History major with extensive writing and editing experience. Honor student with a 4.0 GPA and Editor-in-Chief of the college newspaper. Superb research, organizational, and communication skills.

3. Detailed education section

As a college freshman, your education is a large part of your overall experience. To reflect that, your resume education section should be thorough and detailed.

When you have more experience, your education section can be lower down and less detailed. But for now, include this section at the top of your resume with as much relevant information as you can.

Your education section should list the following information for your college and high school:

• Major and level of degree
• College name
• Location of the school (including the city and state)
• Expected graduation date (both the month and year)
• Your GPA (but only if it’s above 3.0)
• Any awards or honors

Also include the dean’s list on your resume if you’ve made the list during your freshman year.

You could also include relevant coursework on your resume to demonstrate that you’re interested in and have background knowledge of the job or internship you’re applying for.

For your reference, here’s a sample of a well-written college freshman education section:

College freshman resume education section

B.A. Political Science / 3.7 GPA Miami University Coral Gables, FL Expected graduation: June 20XX Dean’s List: Fall 20XX

Relevant coursework: Political Power in American Cities; Justice and Law; Data Science for Politics; Introduction to Statistical Methods; Research Design

Class of 20XX / 3.5 GPA Smith High School Miami, FL Graduation: June 20XX Academic Honor Roll

4. Relevant experience

If, like most college freshmen, you don’t have much work experience, swap out your “Work Experience” section for a “Relevant Experience” section. This allows you to provide a more accurate picture of your skills and achievements.

If you have no professional experience to highlight, use this section to list any of the following experiences (as long as they’re relevant to the job you want):

• Internships
• College coursework
• Volunteer work
• Study Abroad
• Extracurricular activities
• Hobbies and interests
• Choirs, orchestras and other musical ensembles

Don’t forget to explain the main duties that you took on and the relevant skills that you gained. Any experience can prove that you are a good fit for the job.

Here’s an example of what a relevant experience section from a college freshman’s resume looks like:

College freshman relevant experience example

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Information Desk Assistant MUSC Children’s Hospital 20XX–Present

• Greet hospital patients and visitors and provide guidance in finding the proper patient room, clinic, and department
• Process and distribute mail and newspapers to patient rooms
• Assist wheelchair-bound patients in reaching their desired destinations

Volunteer One80 Place Homeless Shelter 20XX–20XX

• Organized a successful schoolwide canned food drive that collected 400+ cans in one month (November 2016)
• Assisted in biweekly meal preparation and lunch service on Saturdays
• Processed incoming food donations and organized food pantry, developing new systems of grouping items by expiration date to reduce monthly food waste by 15%

Consider becoming a resident assistant at your university to gain valuable job experience.

5. Diverse mix of skills

Include a mix of hard and soft skills in your resume skills section to demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded candidate capable of tackling a variety of challenges. As a college freshman, you’ll probably find it easier to prove that you have soft skills , such as:

• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Time management
• Multitasking
• Reliability
• Creative thinking
• Critical thinking
• Conflict resolution
• Good work ethic

Don’t worry if you haven’t got many technical skills yet — most other freshmen won’t either. But you do probably have more hard skills than you think, so don’t forget to include them on your resume if they’re relevant to the job you want. These include:

• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace
• Typing speed (words per minute)
• Foreign language skills
• Social media
• Driving license

Here’s a college freshman resume template that you can paste into Microsoft Word or Google Docs and fill out. It includes an outline for each resume section, and what information you should list in each section.

1. Resume Heading

FIRST AND LAST NAME

2. Resume Summary

College freshman majoring in [major name]. Seeking to leverage my competence in [job-specific hard skills] to fill the [position name] position at [company name]. A [positive personality trait] worker aiming to contribute to [company name]’s goals and take on more responsibility as quickly as possible.

3. Education

Degree level and major / GPA (if above 3.0) College Name – City, State Expected graduation: month and year Honors and awards: [optional] Relevant coursework: [optional] Class of […] / GPA (if above 3.0)

• Include a bullet-point list of your main duties and achievements.
• Make sure you add numbers to these bullet points.

Earlier Volunteer/ Internship/ Extracurricular Experience Title Employer Name/ Location/ Start Date – End

• If you’re no longer carrying out this role, make sure you use past tense verbs in your bullet points (e.g. ‘Chaired a student committee on diversity’ / ‘Performed in venues around the world’ / ‘Created and executed lesson plans’, etc.).
• List any relevant skills
• Include a range of hard skills and soft skills
• Be as specific as possible. Mention the actual names of software or tools you’re able to use.

To help you put together the ideal resume as a college freshman, here are some college freshman resume examples to take inspiration from:

College freshman resume sample (text version)

Hardworking History major with extensive writing and editing experience. Honor student and Editor-in-Chief of the college newspaper. Superb research, organizational, and communication skills.

Towson University, Towson, MD Bachelor of Arts in History (3.8/4.0 GPA) Expected graduation date: May 20XX

Relevant coursework: Political Power in American Cities; History of the United States Since the Civil War; Women in the 20th Century; Research Design

Saint Gabriel High School, Baltimore, MD Class of 20XX National Honors Society Member

Information Desk Assistant MUSC Children’s Hospital / 20XX – Present

• Greet hospital patients and visitors and provide guidance in finding the proper patient room, clinic, and departments • Process and distribute mail and newspapers to patient rooms • Assist wheelchair-bound patients in reaching their desired destinations

Volunteer One80 Place Homeless Shelter / 20XX – 20XX

• Organized a successful schoolwide canned food drive that collected 400+ cans in one month (November 2016) • Assisted in biweekly meal preparation and lunch service on Saturdays • Processed incoming food donations and organized food pantry, developing new system of grouping items by expiration date to reduce monthly food waste by 15%

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Expert in Microsoft Office, with a focus on Excel • Bilingual in Hindi and English • Web and tech savvy, require little to no training

Internship resume

College resume

Scholarship resume

Now that you know what to put on your college freshman resume, here are a few tips for making it perfect.

1. Stick to one page

College freshmen should always use a one-page resume . This gives you plenty of space to list your relevant skills and achievements, while making it easy for employers to read.

Anything longer is hard to justify when you don’t have much experience, and can make it hard for employers to find the information they’re looking for.

The best resume templates for 2024

One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

2. Use the right resume format

As a college freshman, it’s important that you communicate your most notable qualities as quickly as possible. That’s why formatting your resume properly is essential.

You should start by using a chronological resume format, with your education placed towards the top of your resume, followed by your experience section. Your experience should list your most recently held position at the top, with your least recent position at the bottom.

Here’s an example of what that looks like in action:

College freshman resume format example

Towson University, Towson, MD Expected graduation date: May 20XX Bachelor of Science in History (3.8/4.0 CPA)

Relevant coursework: Political Power in American Cities; History of the United States Since the Civil War; Women in the 20th century

Information Desk Assistant MUSC Children’s Hospital 20XX-Present

Volunteer One80 Place Homeless Shelter 20XX-20XX

• Organized a successful schoolwide canned food drive that collected 400-1- cans in one month (November 2016)

This format is ideal for freshmen because it puts your most marketable quality (your education) right at the top of your resume, and then provides an easy-to-read overview of your relevant experience.

3. Use strong action verbs

You should always use resume action verbs when talking about your experience on your freshman resume. These powerful verbs help put the focus on your accomplishments by actively describing what you’ve done.

For example, don’t just say that you led a volunteering project. Write that you chaired, coordinated or organized an aspect of this project. This way, you demonstrate to employers what you’re capable of achieving if hired.

25 action verbs for your college freshman resume

4. Write compelling bullet points

One common mistake too many job seekers make is listing their responsibilities or duties passively with phrases like “Responsible for”, or “Tasked with.” Describing your experience this way won’t give employers any sense of how you approached your duties, or what results you achieved.

Here’s how to use your bullet points to make a stronger impact:

Add numbers to quantify results

A simple yet effective way to showcase your talents is to use numbers that show employers the scope of your experience and accomplishments. Not only does using numbers make your achievements stand out, it makes your resume more memorable.

Here’s an example of a resume bullet point without a number:

Organized monthly meetings for the environmental club, planned eco-friendly initiatives, and engaged with new members to increase participation

Here’s the same point with numbers added:

Spearheaded monthly meetings for the environmental club with 50+ attendees, launched 5 major eco-friendly campus initiatives, and boosted membership by 30% through targeted outreach and engagement strategies

See what a difference it makes?

You don’t need to use complicated metrics, either. The numbers you add can specify how many projects you worked on, how many customers you helped, or the amount of time you spent working on something.

Use a formula

If you’re not sure how to write impactful resume bullet points, try using a helpful formula (or several)! Here are three you can try:

1. Action verb + task + result or outcome + quantifiable data (if applicable)

This formula provides a classic framework for your resume bullet points, emphasizing what you did, how you did it, and the impact of your action.

“ Led a team of 10 volunteers in a campus clean-up initiative , collecting over 200 pounds of waste , which contributed to a 20% improvement in the local environmental audit scores .”

2. Challenge faced + action taken + skills used + result

You can use this formula to demonstrate problem-solving skills and adaptability. It helps you showcase how you tackled a particular challenge, the skills you applied, and the outcome you achieved.

“Faced with declining engagement in the debate club , devised and implemented a new digital marketing strategy using social media analytics , enhancing member participation by 40% within the first semester .”

3. Contribution + method or technology used + benefit to the organization or team

This formula focuses on your contribution to a project or task, how you accomplished it (including any tools, software, or methodologies used), and how it benefited the team or organization (something employers always love to know).

“ Developed a new member onboarding process using Google Forms to streamline data collection , reducing onboarding time by 25% and improving newcomer satisfaction rates. ”

Mix and match these formulas to show employers your range of skills and accomplishments.

Here are some extra guides to help you build a strong college freshman job application:

• How to write a resume with no experience
• How to put an internship on your resume
• How to use the Harvard resume template
• Resume for internship sample
• Internship cover letter sample
• Resume example for teens
• College student resume example
• Undergraduate resume examples
• Student resume examples
• Entry level cover letter example
• Sorority resume: example & writing guide
• How to list a fraternity or sorority on your resume
• Resume example for a part time job
• Resume for your first job

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about writing a college freshman resume:

How do you write a resume as a college student with little experience?

Here’s how to write a college student resume without professional experience:

• Focus on your academic achievements : Highlight your GPA (if above 3.5), relevant coursework, academic awards, and projects. These can demonstrate your commitment, intellectual engagement, and area of expertise.
• Include extracurricular activities : Including clubs, sports, and other activities can show leadership, teamwork, and other important transferable skills.
• Add volunteer work and community service : These experiences showcase your work ethic, compassion, and areas of interest. Highlight any initiatives you led or the impact your work had on the community.
• Feature part-time jobs and internships : Even roles that might seem unrelated to your intended career path can demonstrate key skills you need to get in the door, such as reliability, communication, and time management.
• Tailor your skills section : Include both hard and soft skills relevant to the jobs you’re applying for. Language proficiency, computer skills, and certifications can be particularly valuable.

Should a freshman in college include high school experience on their resume?

Yes, as a freshman you should include high school experience on your resume. High school achievements can demonstrate foundational skills and achievements.

However, as you grow in your college career, you should begin to replace achievements from your high school education with more current and relevant college experiences, internships, and jobs.

What should a college freshman resume look like?

Here’s what a college freshman resume should look like:

No matter what you put on your resume, make sure it looks flawless by using a professionally-designed resume template .

Corissa Peterson

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) & Content Editor

A dedicated member of the Resume Genius team with a passion for the career space, Corissa is always looking for ways to create useful resources for job seekers, from writing job-specific resume samples to crafting in-depth articles on how to ace interviews. Corissa graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Philosophy and a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. Corissa’s articles have been published on Diversity Jobs, Recruiter.com, Teachstone, and Jobillico, among others, and her career advice has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, GOBankingRates, and UpJourney. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

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How to Make a Resume for College Students with No Experience

Brandi Glass

• 4 min read.

Writing a resume when you’re still in college and don’t yet have any professional experience can be intimidating. It’s hard to know what to fill that blank page with, and you can start to feel insecure.

However, you don’t need to worry. Even if you’ve never held a job, there are still plenty of things you can highlight on your resume. With a careful choice of structure and a bit of mind-mapping, you can craft a stellar resume that will impress recruiters.

Keep reading as we break down how to make a resume for college students with no experience.

Pick the Right Resume Structure

There are three main types of resumes: traditional, functional and hybrid. Traditional resumes detail your career history in chronological order — and as a student with no experience, this is rarely the right choice for you.

Functional resumes, meanwhile, focus on skill sets. They allow you to emphasize what you’re capable of rather than how many years of experience you have, but the downside is that recruiters can be left with several questions. Only opt for this if you have never had a job, internship, volunteer role or any other position of responsibility.

Hybrid resumes , meanwhile, are a great choice for college students with limited work experience. They lead with your skill sets but also briefly detail your education and any roles you may have held.

When writing a hybrid resume, simply place your skill sets beneath the executive summary so they’re the first thing a recruiter reviews. Under that, you can add your education and work history.

Focus on Your Skills

You might not have a long list of relevant work experience, but that doesn’t mean you lack valuable skills. Think carefully about the skills required for the positions you’re applying for and when you’ve had to use them before. You might be surprised by how many examples you can think of.

Try to include five to eight skills in the skills section of your resume. Beneath or next to each one, add evidence. For example:

*Strong oral communication skills

• Member of college debate team
• Tutored students in math, helping them raise their grades from a C to an A*

Emphasize Your Education

As a college student, your education is one of your strongest assets. Move it up on your resume so that it sits above your work experience, and if you have a GPA of 3.5 or above, add that too . Don’t forget that you can include your major GPA instead if it’s higher.

Your education isn’t just about getting a certificate for your resume, however. During your years at college, you have likely participated in numerous projects, activities and student organizations. Many of these will have transferable skills for the world of work.

For example, perhaps you helped organize a fundraising event, wrote for the student newspaper or simply led a group presentation that scored a particularly high grade.

You can include your associations and extracurricular activities in the education section, while accomplishments can also be mentioned in the skills section.

Draw on Volunteer and Intern Experience

Have you ever helped out with a trash pickup event, raised money for charity or interned? All of these can make a positive impression on recruiters, especially if you present them well. For example, if you ran a marathon to raise money, this shows dedication, goal setting, fundraising skills and strength of character.

Of course, the more recent the experience, the better. Recruiters want to know who you are now, so there’s no point including that you baked cupcakes for a school raffle in sixth grade. However, you can still include activities from high school. Just remember that the further back the experience was, the more impressive it has to be to justify mentioning it on your resume.

Mention Part-Time Jobs

Do you truly have zero experience, or do you just have zero experience relevant to the field you want to go into?

Any work experience is positive, so go ahead and include part-time roles from high school and college. At the very least, they will show that you managed to keep a job and have experience of being managed and/or working in a team. Recruiters will infer that you are reasonably punctual, professional and responsible.

That said, if you take the time to mind-map your roles and responsibilities, you’ll probably discover this part-time work is more impressive than you first realized. Jobs like babysitting are often overlooked, but they have many transferable skills .

Don’t dismiss the value of your part-time work experience. It might be just what you need to stand out from other applicants.

Include a Portfolio

You might not have relevant professional experience, but that doesn’t mean you’ve never produced good work. In many fields, a well-presented portfolio might be more valuable than a long list of previous jobs.

Programming, design, social media management, fashion, marketing, photography: whatever your target industry is, take the time to build a strong online portfolio. Make sure your best work is the first thing viewers see when they open it. Ask tutors and mentors for feedback on it, and include similar samples to what you hope to do when on the job.

You can include a link to your portfolio under your contact details, as well as in your cover letter.

Resume Templates Designed for Students with No Experience

Your resume should underscore your strengths while also being customized to the role in question, whether that’s an internship, summer job or an entry-level position at your dream company. Even if you don’t yet have any professional experience, there are still plenty of things you can highlight on your resume.

What’s more, with the right resume template, you’ll find crafting a strong resume is surprisingly easy. Here at Rocket Resume, we have dozens of resume templates perfect for college students with no experience . Each one is customizable, professionally presented and machine-readable.

Plus, our resume builder will walk you through selecting the ideal structure and headings based on your experiences and education. It will even suggest recruiter-approved phrasing to help you underscore the value of volunteer experience and part-time work.

Applying for your first job as a college student or recent graduate is often a nerve-racking experience. However, with a good resume, you’ll be well-positioned to apply for jobs, impress recruiters and discuss your skills and background with confidence.

It will only take you 10 minutes to do, so build your resume now .

• English (UK)
• Resume Examples

College Student Resume Examples & Templates to Use in 2024

Writing a resume for a college student doesn't have to be hard, even if you don't have any experience. Follow our guide and learn how to write a job-winning college student resume.

Most college student resumes have a major problem.  They lack experience.

To get hired, you must show you’ve got the skills, even if you haven’t used them. The key is knowing how to show your education on a resume for college student.

This guide will show you:

• A sample resume for college students better than most.
• How to make the best college student job description for resumes.
• How to write a college student resume that proves you’re hirable.
• What college student resume skills you should list

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

Are you in the first place? If you need a college application resume or a college internship resume, see these guides:

• Academic CV Template
• Internship Resume
• Undergraduate College Resume
• Engineering Internship Resume
• College Application Resume
• High School Graduate Resume
• High School Student Resume
• No Experience Resume
• Teen Resume
• College Graduate Resume
• Medical Student Resume
• Graduate School Resume
• Student Resume
• Sorority Resume
• Law Student Resume
• Nursing Student Resume
• Engineering Student Resume
• Entry Level Mechanical Engineer Resume
• Entry Level Accounting Resume
• Computer Science (CS) Student Resume
• Science Resume
• Logistics Resume
• Chemistry Resume
• Budtender Resume
• McDonald's Resume
• Nonprofit Resume

Writing a first job resume with no experience? See our guide:  How to Write an Entry-Level Resume with No Experience [10+ Tips]

Want to write a job-specific college student resume? See our  Resume Examples for Every Profession .

College Student Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

Feel free to copy-paste this great sampe resume for college students:

Sheila Miller

Marketing Specialist

Personal Info

Phone: 609-374-6598

Email: [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/sheilazmiller

twitter.com/sheilazmiller

Career Objective

Talented marketing specialist with a passion for SEO and SEM. Seeking to use strong interpersonal and creative skills to improve ROI at MDC Jones. As a student leader of AMA's UMaine chapter, raised membership by 30%. SEO web publishing project got 20K views/mo.

Education 

B.S. Business Administration, University of Maine

2015–2019

• Student leader, American Marketing Association. Raised membership 30%.
• Maintained 4.0 average in core marketing classes.
• Completed senior project in SEO web publishing.
• Captain, Varsity Swim Team, increased donations 25%

Full Semester SEO Project

• Created website that got 20,000 views per month.
• Used SEMRush to identify topics with high traffic.
• Used SEO techniques to rank in top 3 in Google for 60% of targeted terms. 

Monthly Science Fiction Podcast

• Produced weekly podcast with 2,000+ listeners.
• Created social media marketing campaign with 1,500 followers.
• Developed email marketing campaign that slashed churn by 20%.
• Interviewed 2 experts per month, including George R. R. Martin.

Marketing Experience 

2011–2016

• As sporting goods shop employee, created SEO blog that got 6,000 visits per month, increasing sales by an estimated 15% per year.
• Created email marketing campaign for college bookstore generating $11,000.
• As waiter at Pizza Hut, collaborated closely with team of 25 employees. Participated in store-wide project to raise efficiency by 35%.
• Built and marketed own landscaping business for 4 years. Through heavy flyer campaign, grew to 3 employees and 30+ regular customers.

Marketing Certifications 

AMA PCM (Professional Certified Marketer)

•  Google Analytics Certification

Conferences

2017 & 2018 MozCon

Publications

2018 Article on SEM linked to by  Fast Company.

2017 Spoke about SEM on  The Marketing Student Podcast

Additional Activities

• Member, AMA
• Leader, local caving club. Raised membership 50%.

Hard Skills:  SEO, SEM, email marketing, WordPress, sales funnel management

Soft Skills:  Interpersonal skills, creative thinking , communication, writing, analytical thinking

College students  are post-high-school students admitted to a college or a university. They enter the working world with the education needed to do a variety of jobs, but no experience. That’s why a college student resume must focus on relevant achievements that show key skill abilities.

Now here’s how to write a resume for college student they’ll love:

1. Start With the Best College Student Resume Format

Apoorly-formatted college student resume confuses the reader. If they’re confused, they won’t see why you’re such a perfect fit. Use these resume formatting tips to get your points across:

College Student Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological format .
• Fill it with resume fonts like either Cambria or Garamond in 10–12pt.
• Add 1-inch margins, large headings, and occasional white space.
• Make a one-page resume . College students don’t need more.
• Use these resume sections : Header, Objective, Experience, Education, Skills, and “Other.”

Expert Hint: Save your college student resume in PDF form   unless the employer specifically says otherwise. PDFs stay formatted across all devices and platforms.

2. Write a Great Resume Objective for College Students

They won’t actually read your college student resume. They’ll skim it in six seconds. If you don’t grab them in that time, they’ll move on to the next eager applicant.

So, a  resume objective for college students has a Herculean job to do.

• One adjective (talented, creative, personable)
• Job title (marketing specialist, engineer)
• How you’ll help (raise ROI, cut lead times)
• Nicest few achievements (student leader of AMA, web project got 20K views/mo)

These college student resume examples show how:

College Student Resume Objective—Example

The first of those college student resume examples will get dozens of interview requests. The second works if you know the boss’s mother. The key?

Wrack your brain to find your biggest accomplishment the hiring manager will like. And remember, write your resume objective last. Writing it first is like sitting for the final exam before you’ve taken the class.

Expert Hint: Got a few years of professional experience? Write a college student resume summary instead. It’s an alternative resume introductory statement for more experienced candidates. 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

3. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

It’s frustrating. You don’t have experience, but they won’t hire you without it.

Get ready for a sigh of relief. You’ve got enough experience to get the job. The crux here is to put your resume education section first, then show it like a series of jobs or “projects.” Just pick the ones that show the skills the job ad wants.

These resume examples for college students show how:

College Student Resume Education—Example

Job posting wants skills in 1) leadership , 2) marketing , 3) SEO , 4) podcasting , 5) social media , 6) email marketing .

Education  

• Student leader , American Marketing Association. Raised membership 30%.
• Maintained 4.0 average in core marketing classes .
• Captain, Varsity Swim Team, increased donations 25%.

Full Semester  SEO   Project

Monthly Science Fiction  Podcast

• Graduated in June of 2019

You can prove yourself without the dreaded “5 years of experience.” You could just as easily have had a section called “Student Leader, American Marketing Association” or “Captain, Varsity Swim Team.”

It all comes down to what you think are your most eye-catching accomplishments. And what skills the job posting values most.

Expert Hint: Don’t clutter up your resume for coleege student with terms the hiring team won’t recognize. “Produced Weekly Podcast” works better than “Jilliboam Tribbins Podcast.”

4. Write a Tempting College Student Job Description

You don’t have experience yet. They know it. You know it. Everybody knows it. But, don’t list summer jobs on your college student resume with no work experience. Instead, show achievements from those jobs that put key skills in your trophy case.

How to write a college student work history for a resume

• Build your skills list from the online ad.
• Think of times you used those skills in summer jobs or part-time jobs.
• Show those things in a combined work experience section.
• Add numbers to give scale to your abilities.
• Skip the long list of menial jobs.

College Student Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Job ad wants these college student skills: (1) SEO (2) email marketing (3) collaboration .

Marketing Experience  

Joseph’s Sporting Goods

Retail Clerk

2018–2019

• Stocked shelves.
• Served customers, maintaining friendly attitude.
• Operated register.

2017–2018

• Waited tables, restocked salad bar.
• Opened and closed restaurant.

The first of those college student resume examples bonds you to the job. All the second does is show you’ve worked for money.

Also, don’t just kitchen-sink a bunch of college student resume skills. Anyone can do that. So again, look to the job posting. Then prove your skills with achievements from school and part-time work. For inspiration, see these skills to put on a resume  that employers crave:

College Student Resume Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Communication
• Collaboration or teamwork
• Strong work ethic
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Organization
• Customer service
• Analytical thinking
• Critical thinking
• Physically fit
• Self confidence
• Self motivated
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Good attitude
• Dependability
• Perceptiveness
• Coordination

Expert Hint: Networking is so, so, so important. It’s cliche, but it’s so true and can’t be overstated. Learn to network like your life depends on it. Your college student resume will thank you!

5. Enhance Your College Student Resume With These “Other” Sections

Your coleege student resume can’t peter out after experience and education. If it does, you’ll look as generic as a freshman on orientation day. You’ve got to add more skills proof. And it helps to show you’re well-rounded.

So, add a few extra-curricular bonus resume sections:

• Awards & Honors
• Freelance Work
• Volunteer Experience
• Continuing Education
• Relevant Coursework
• Scholarships
• Foreign Languages
• Certifications

These two college student resume examples clear the cobwebs:

College Student Resume—Extra Sections

Marketing Certifications  

Google Analytics Certification

• Avid Fortnite player
• Enthusiastic about the environment

Clap your eyes on that.  The first of those college student resume examples shows you live and breathe your trade. The second shows you can fog up a mirror.

Finally, have a LinkedIn profile or other online portfolio. Need some help? See our guide: Use LinkedIn Like a Pro: Hot Tips for Students and Recent Grads

Expert Hint: Write a college student cover letter. Half the hiring teams will ditch your college student resume unless you write one (even though that isn’t fair!) So don't let them discard you straight away. Learn how to write a cover letter .

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

Resume for college students that gets jobs recipe:

• Use the college students resume template  up top. It’s got all the requisites for getting hired.
• Put achievements in your college student resume. They are the only way to prove you’re skilled.
• Choose your job skills wisely. Get them from the top part of the online job ad.
• Write a college student cover letter. Prove you know the job’s needs and list a couple of big school achievements that show you can fill them.

Got questions on how to write a great resume  for college students? Not getting any love with your college student resume with no work experience? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages.

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11+ Best Student Resume Templates (W/ Examples & Resources)

Writing an impressive resume as a student with no work experience can be a challenging task, often resulting in a generic document that fails to capture your full potential. 

This challenge intensifies in the face of a sea of applicants vying for the same role as you, making it all the more critical to stand out. 

Fortunately, we’re here to solve this problem! 

This article presents a selection of impactful student resume templates and examples that will help transform your raw skills and academic accomplishments into an impressive, attention-grabbing resume. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

12 Student Resume Templates

3 student resume examples, 5 other professional resources for students.

Let’s dive in!

#1. Creative Resume Template

The Creative resume template offers a visually appealing and unique design that can greatly benefit students. 

With a modern and innovative layout that leverages eye-catching colors, this template allows students to showcase their skills, experiences, and achievements all on one page. 

The template's artistic element can help you stand out from the crowd and make a memorable impression on potential employers by highlighting your creativity, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box, all of which are valuable attributes in today's competitive job market.

#2. Basic Resume Template

This resume template comes with a straightforward and clean design that offers numerous benefits to students. 

For starters, it provides a professional and well-organized structure that lets you present your skills, education, and experiences in a concise and effective manner. Not to mention, by positioning the skills section at the top of the resume, this template emphasizes your skills over your work experience (which is something you’re likely lacking).

This template can help any student, regardless of their standing, create a professional-looking resume that showcases their abilities and increases their chances of securing interviews and job opportunities.

#3. Combined Resume Template

Just like the name implies, this template is a perfect blend of two resume formats , namely the functional and the reverse-chronological format . 

This Combined template can arm you with a versatile and effective way to present your skills and professional experiences, as well as any relevant optional sections like certifications and personal projects. 

In a nutshell, the Combined template gives you the flexibility to leverage both the popularity of the chronological format and the impact you can make by emphasizing your skills and abilities. 

So, if you’re not sure which resume format works best for you or if you’re on the fence about a particular template, this stylish and impactful design might just be the choice for you. 

#4. Minimalist Resume Template

Novorésumé's Minimalist resume template offers a sleek and simple design that comes highly recommended for students. 

True to its name, this template aims to highlight only essential elements through clean aesthetics. Specifically, it lets students present their strong points and most noteworthy achievements concisely, eliminating unnecessary clutter. 

With a stylish color palette of pink and gray and a design that puts skills and work experience side by side, there’s no way you can go wrong picking this student resume template. 

#5. Traditional Resume Template

This template’s classic and time-tested design is guaranteed to work wonders for students looking to work in all fields, but especially those aiming for more traditional industries like banking or finance. 

Following a structured design that highlights all key resume sections, such as the resume objective , education, work experience, and skills sections, this template lets you include all your relevant information without your resume spilling over to page two . 

#6. General Resume Template

The General resume template is meant to offer you a versatile and adaptable format to showcase your qualifications, including your awards, your foreign language skills , your education, and much more. 

The header’s blue color is meant to grab recruiters’ attention to two of the most important resume sections–the contact information and the resume summary sections. 

Once you have their attention, you can wow them with other relevant sections such as your skills, work experience, and anything else you deem important. 

Easily customizable and practical to skim through, this resume template can make your application look good even if you don’t put too much effort into it. 

#7. Modern Resume Template

The Modern resume template is a great choice for students who want their resume to look sleek and stylish, and yet professional. 

By incorporating modern elements like horizontal lines and bold blue color, this template is a great choice for practically every field you apply to. 

By using the Modern template, students can present themselves as forward-thinking and professional candidates, increasing their chances of standing out from the competition.

#8. IT Resume Template

If getting into IT is your dream, then this resume template is for you! 

The team at Novorésumé specifically designed the IT resume template to cater to the needs of students in the field. Using a clean and modern layout , this template offers a comprehensive structure that highlights your relevant technical skills, certifications, and education history. 

And, if you have any professional experience in IT, even if it’s through freelance work, internships , or personal projects, this template can surely help you highlight it through the reverse-chronological format - a favorite among recruiters.

#9. Simple Resume Template

Sometimes, a simple resume template can be just the way to let your personality and achievements shine through. 

This is exactly what the Simple resume template does for students. 

With a straightforward and reader-friendly structure that strays away from extravagant design elements and flashy colors, this template aims to let your achievements do the talking. 

So, if your professional journey is already rich in accomplishments or if you’re one of those people who think simplicity is always the right choice, then you just found your match. 

#10. Functional Resume Template

Just like the format it’s named after, the Functional resume template lets you highlight your skills and qualifications upfront, which is perfect if you don’t have enough work experience to list.

What makes this template even more impactful is the minty color that grabs recruiters’ attention, the perfectly aligned sections, and the way it leverages symbols to show your proficiency in say, foreign languages or technical skills . 

#11. Skill-Based Resume Template

The Skill-Based resume template does just what the name implies - it provides students with a valuable format that emphasizes their key skills and competencies. 

This template allows students to highlight their relevant abilities and qualifications, regardless of their work experience . By organizing their resume based on skills rather than professional achievements, students can effectively showcase their strengths and demonstrate their suitability for a particular role. 

This resume template lets you focus on your most marketable skills, making it easier for potential employers to quickly identify your strengths and match them with job requirements.

#12. College Resume Template

Are you a college student looking to land your first gig? Then the College resume template is just what you need. 

Specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of college students, this template offers a comprehensive structure that lets you highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities , internships, and relevant coursework.

The College resume template lets you effectively showcase your education, skills, and experiences in a concise manner and contemporary style. The resume’s design is tailored to the specific needs of college students, increasing your chances of impressing potential employers and securing your next entry-level position!

#1. High-School Student Resume

#2. College Freshman Resume

#3. Internship Resume 

Picking the right template for your resume is just a small first step toward landing your first gig. 

There are several other things you’ll need to do during your job hunt , such as networking with the right people, applying for the right positions for you, and continuously honing your skills. 

Here are some resources that are guaranteed to come in handy: 

• Professional Networking | What Is It & Why It Matters . Networking is an excellent way to lay solid career foundations and make professional connections you can even use down the line. This article outlines all the benefits of professional networking and gives you 9 essential tips to get it right.
• 30+ Jobs for Teenagers (Where & How to Look) . These jobs are perfect for students of all ages, from high school freshmen to college seniors, so start digging.
• 101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume . Without a solid work experience section, your skills section is the most important part of your resume. Do it justice by going through the most essential skills every resume should have in 2024.
• How to List Computer Skills on a Resume . Nowadays, 92% of jobs require digital skills , according to the National Skills Coalition. Since students and younger professionals are more likely to be well-versed in digital skills, it’s good to know how to list such skills in your resume. Learn how with our article!
• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 . Cover letters are still an essential part of job applications, so you shouldn’t submit one without attaching a cover letter. If you think writing a cover letter is even harder than creating a resume, though, head over to our dedicated article to become a cover letter pro.

Conclusion 

By now, you should have realized how important it is to find the right student resume template if you want to land your dream job. 

We hope our list meets your preferences and can help you on your career path as effectively as possible! 

For more resources and career advice, make sure to visit our blog ! 

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Writing a resumé with no experience

Getting your first full-time job is an exciting milestone. It’s the start of your independence and a big part of establishing life as an adult. But before you can take that first step there’s something you need to do: write your resumé.   

Writing an eye-catching resumé is one of the biggest challenges for first-time job seekers. It’s an essential part of applying for jobs , but if you don’t have any work history to share, your resumé can feel a little bare. This is especially the case when it comes to resumés for students with no experience.

In this article, we show you how to make a standout resumé with no experience, with resumé examples and a first-job beginner resumé sample that you can use as a guide when crafting your own.

Downloadable resumé template

If you’re not sure how to write a resumé with no job experience, you can start by downloading one of our free resumé templates . With no job history, you will have to tailor the template to only showcase skills, qualifications and extra-curricular experiences. You can refer to the template as you review the rest of this article, where we cover the content to include in each section. 

Resumé template sections

Even a resumé with no experience can include quite a bit of information, even if you’re removing the job history section. Here are the sections you should include:

• Contact information:  your phone number, email address and any social media links.
• Resumé summary (optional): a sentence or two about who you are and what you can offer.
• Objective statement (optional): a sentence or two about your goals and aspirations .
• Education: a summary of your academic achievements and qualifications.
• Skills:  a list of relevant skills you can bring to the role.
• Projects or special coursework: if you have any school or tertiary projects that are relevant to the role.
• Volunteer experience:  a summary of any charitable, non-paid work you’ve done.
• Extracurricular activities:  any sports clubs or hobby groups you’re in.
• Awards:  a list of any relevant awards you’ve received.
• References available on request: a note to say that references can be provided – or if the rest of your resumé is light, you might want to include your references on it.

As you can see, there’s plenty of information you can include on your resumé, even when you’ve never had a job before. You don’t have to include all of the above, though. Only include details on your resumé that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can put in each section.  

Contact information

The contact information section of your resumé with no experience is where you list the ways that any prospective employer can get in touch with you. This does not have to include your address, but should have your phone number and your email address. Here’s a simple beginner resumé example for contact info:

• Name: your first and last name – include your pronouns in parentheses after your name, if desired
• Email:  triple-check for accuracy and make sure it’s a professional-sounding address
• Phone: phone number with area code
• Social Media:  links to any social profiles you want to include

Resumé summary

A resumé summary can be a good way to start your resumé, because it gives the hiring manager a quick idea of who you are and the skill set you offer. This is a chance to make a good first impression, so keep it concise, highlighting your main goals, skills, aspirations and unique selling points.

For example:

“Bi-lingual media graduate with proficiency in video-editing apps and social media content creation. Excellent communication skills, with majors in scriptwriting, speech writing and journalism.” 

Objective statement  

The next (optional) part of your resumé for students with no experience is an objective statement . This is similar to a summary, and can be used instead of a summary, if you have some professional experience. The difference between a resumé summary and an objective statement is that the latter should demonstrate your key skills and sum up your main goals in applying for this particular role or job. It should show your ambitions and career aspirations.

“Finance honours graduate with a background in accounting, looking to launch a career in forecasting and budget planning as a financial analyst. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with proficiency in Oracle, Axiom and IMB financial planning software.”

The education section is one of the most important parts of a resumé with no experience. Here’s where you list the schools, colleges, universities and other establishments you’ve attended, alongside the qualifications you have. There’s no need to include any grades, unless they are particularly impressive or it’s required by your field. List the subjects you took and the projects you completed, if they’re relevant to the job.

2020–2023 Bachelor of Engineering Science, University of Technology Sydney Courses: Civil Engineering, Data Science Engineering, Chemical Process Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering 

2018-2019 Higher School Certificate, Sydney Science College Courses: Mathematics Extension 2, Science Extension 1 (Major Project: The Most Efficient Power Transmission Methods)

You may not have any experience, but you likely still have some of the skills employers look for . Here’s your chance to list them, tailoring them to the requirements of the job you’re applying for. On a resumé with no experience template, skills are listed in bullet-point form and in two columns. Include any languages you know, other than English. If you have mastered a few different software packages you can also list these out in a separate section called Software Proficiency.

• Excellent written communication 
• Typing (60 wpm)
• Basic bookkeeping
• Project management

Software Proficiency

• Microsoft Word (advanced)
• Microsoft Excel (advanced)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (advanced)
• Illustrator (intermediate) 

Projects or coursework 

Many resumé or CV examples for students with no experience list projects or coursework relevant to the job. This can showcase knowledge or abilities in a field, without having any professional history.

For example: 

2019 HSC Major Work

MYTHOLOGY (paper, clay, metal): A series of sculptures influenced by indigenous culture. Using traditional hand-building techniques, referencing dot paintings and incorporating mineral pigments. Work featured in ArtExpress 2022.

Volunteer experience 

Volunteer work always looks good on a resumé. It shows that you have empathy and the motivation to work outside of receiving a salary. Volunteer work is as valuable on a resumé as paid work and often teaches transferable skills that any employer would find valuable. List out any volunteer experiences you have had, highlighting skills you learned that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. 

Animal attendant, Adelaide Dogs’ Home Duties: cleaning dog crates and kennels, walking and socialising dogs, liaising with customers, administering medications, processing sales Skills:  Customer service, data entry, POS inventory management, maintenance and cleaning, dog-walking, data entry

Extracurricular activities

Your graduate resumé should include any extracurricular activities relevant to your field. In this section, list hobbies, sports or other interests, with particular focus on those that are relevant to the role. This section can be called Extracurricular or Hobbies and Interests and can include things like sports memberships, any instruments you play (and your level), any special-interest groups you belong to, like bird-watching, chess or salsa dancing. Even if your hobbies aren’t relevant to the job, it can be useful to list them, as they help make you more memorable to the hiring manager and paint a picture of a well-rounded person .  

Hobbies & Interests

• Tennis – member of Carlton Gardens Tennis Club since 2020
• Piano (grade 8)
• Member of the Carlton Community Choir
• Recording music 

Awards or honours 

In a resumé with no experience you should list any special awards or honours you’ve attained. This might include sports awards or academic prizes you won at school or university. It’s a chance to highlight unique achievements that are relevant to the role. If it’s not relevant, you don’t need to include it – just leave this section off your resumé. 

Awards & Accolades

• Alfred Deakin Medal 2019, Deakin University
• Nominated for 2017 AIS Emerging Athlete 

References available on request

At the bottom of your resumé, include a note that references are available on request. Most of the time, employers check references in the final stages of an interview, so they’re not required up front. However, if you have high-profile or well-respected referees you think will help you make a strong first impression, feel free to include them. For someone with no work experience, it’s okay to provide character references from former teachers, club leaders and even family friends. 

There are many ways you can make a resumé with no experience stand out from the rest. Even without official employment, there are skills, qualifications and experiences you can highlight to demonstrate that you’d be a great person for the job. Remember to tailor your resumé to the role and let your positive attitude shine through in your resumé summary. 

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