How to Write a Resume with No Experience?

Are you getting ready to apply for your first full-time job?

Everyone has to start somewhere, and it is important to gain skills and experience in order to advance. However, securing a job when you have little or no experience can be a challenge.

This can be a catch-22 situation where you need to have work experience to get experience. The trick is creating an application that highlights your skills and education in the best way possible.

So, let’s take a closer look at how to write a resume with no experience that will make an impact.

Why Your Resume is So Important?

These days, most employers expect candidates to submit an application when applying for a job. Even if you are completing an online application form, you will usually be asked to attach a copy of your resume. This document presents yourself in a professional manner and provides a summary of your skills, education, and experience.

Failing to submit this document when it has been requested is likely to mean that you lose the job opportunity immediately. This shows that you are unable to follow direct instructions. Moreover, these days, everyone needs to grab the chance to present information that shows that they are the best candidate for a job.

It’s tough out there…

Most large companies employ hiring managers to sort through applications and other documents. Hiring managers usually receive stacks of documents, and they need to scan each one quickly. Therefore, it is essential to make sure your resume is as strong and compelling as possible.

Highlight your Education

If you have no work experience, it is best to lead with your education. This shows hiring managers that you have been focusing on becoming qualified for future employment. Let’s take a look at the different elements you can highlight in your education section.

Relevant coursework

Don’t be afraid to go into detail about any courses you have taken that are relevant to the job. These courses should prove that you have the necessary skills to do the job well. These could be technical skills such as math or computer science.

Most courses also involve writing and a focus on English that should not be overlooked. Many jobs involve writing, to a certain extent, as well as communication skills. Search the job description and look for ways to connect the skills you have gained through your coursework. 

GPA and honors 

If your grade point average is 3.5 or higher, make sure you highlight this fact. This shows hiring managers that you are intelligent and willing to work hard. You should also highlight any academic honors that you have received. 

Relevant projects

There may be projects that you have worked on as part of your coursework that connect to the job. Make sure you take the time to highlight these and document the role that you played. Briefly describe these projects and make it clear how they contributed to gaining relevant knowledge and skills. You can also create a separate section if you have completed several relevant projects.

Online courses and certifications

Completing an online course in your spare time is a great way to receive professional credentials. These credentials show that you are focused on your career and have specialist knowledge. You can provide a brief summary of the coursework if it is particularly relevant to the job you’re applying for. 

Feature Relevant Experience

There are lots of different types of experience that can be connected to the job you are applying for. The key is making sure the experiences you include highlight your professionalism, character, and interests. Let’s take a closer look at the types of experience you can include in this section. 

Volunteer experience

Volunteer work comes in a range of different forms and can showcase your abilities and community involvement. Even babysitting the neighbor’s kids can be used to show that you are trustworthy and dependable. Volunteer work also gives you hands-on experience that could be valuable for the job you are applying for.  

Part-time jobs

Taking on a part-time job while you are studying is a great way to gain experience and skills. Adding these part-time jobs is a good way to pad out your resume. Make sure you highlight any skills you developed that are specifically connected to the job you are applying for. 

Extracurricular activities

There are lots of productive ways to use your free time and gain new skills. Taking part in clubs shows that you have an area of interest and can indicate you work well alongside other people. For example, being a member of the student council shows that you have leadership skills and have operated as part of a team. 

Showcase your Skills

Next, in my How to Write a Resume with No Experience guide, showcasing your skills is one of the most important sections of your resume, and it shows what you have to offer. Take the time to make a comprehensive list of all your valuable hard and soft skills. You then need to review the job description and connect certain skills to the requirements. 

Examples of strong skills to highlight include:

Many of these skills are transferable, meaning that they can be applied to several different jobs and fields. Your coursework may have included the development of valuable skills such as digital marketing, data analysis, and research. All of these skills can help identify you as a strong candidate. 

Pay Close Attention to the Objective Statement

The objective statement is a short and impactful paragraph that appears underneath your contact information. You use this paragraph to introduce yourself and show what you have to offer. You also need to make it clear what you are looking for and why you are a better candidate than others.

Also, it’s one of the first things they see…

Most hiring managers scan the objective statement to see if candidates meet the requirements. If they don’t immediately see what they are looking for, they are likely to reject your application. Therefore, it is important to spend time refining your objective statement.

This paragraph should consist of two or three fairly short and impactful sentences. It should be clear why you are applying for the job and how the job matches your goals. You also need to highlight a few key skills and attributes that make you a particularly worthy candidate. 

Details to add to your objective statement include:

Hobbies to Highlight 

When talking about how to write a resume with no experience, personal hobbies must be mentioned. Even your weirdest hobbies can show valuable characteristics if you connect them properly. The trick when doing this is thinking about the connected skills that these hobbies require. You can then add a couple of hobbies and show the types of skills. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular hobbies and the skills you can highlight. 

Music and art

If you are applying for a creative role, you need to highlight all hobbies that involve creativity. In addition to showing that you have talent, these hobbies infer you are patient and dedicated. They demonstrate that you have taken the time to develop yourself inwardly and devoted time to your passion.

Sports

Most sports require a rigorous training schedule that requires a high level of commitment. Therefore, this shows that you have dedication and are focused on achieving your goals. It also shows that you have physical strength and stamina, not to mention a healthy lifestyle.

Do they really care about that?

Hiring managers often actively seek candidates who play team sports. This shows that you have strong communication skills and the ability to work well as part of a team. If you were a team captain, this indicates that you have valuable leadership skills, so be sure to mention it. 

Video games

If you love playing video games, you may have been told in the past that you’re wasting your time. However, this fun hobby can actually teach you marketable skills that are sought by many hiring managers. These include focus, hand-eye coordination, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills. Some video games also involve teamwork and allow you to develop your leadership skills.

Moreover, if you are applying for a role that requires technological capability, this hobby is well worth highlighting. You can briefly describe the types of video games that you like to play and make sure that the skills you have developed through these games are highlighted in a compelling way.  

Podcasting and blogging

Both of these hobbies help you to develop strong communication skills. While blogging mainly focuses on written communication, podcasting is all about spoken communication. Both of these skills are valuable in industries like sales, customer service, and business.

Running your own blog or podcast also shows that you are committed and dedicated. This is particularly worth highlighting if the subject is connected to the job you are applying for. This shows that you have a genuine interest in the industry that goes beyond simply earning a salary. 

Board games

Playing board games is a great way to develop your strategic skills. Popular games like chess, Monopoly, and Settlers of Catlan also help you develop critical analysis capability. These are valuable skills, especially in the business world. Plus, being a competitive board game player can also indicate that you are able to remain calm under pressure. 

Playing board games helps you to develop strategizing and tactical skills. These are methods that help you create long-term goals and plans. Completing puzzles can also show that you are organized and focused on goals. 

Gardening

This traditional hobby is perfect for people who enjoy spending time outdoors. Gardening requires a lot of planning and patience, which are both valuable skills in the business world. This also shows that you know the value of taking time to unwind and are able to focus on small details. 

Cooking

If you like to get busy in the kitchen, don’t be shy to highlight this hobby on your resume. Cooking and baking help you develop the skill of following instructions accurately, as well as critical thinking. It is also essential to be able to manage your time effectively so that you don’t ruin dishes.

The skills that you learn through cooking and baking can be applied to a number of different jobs. They can translate to accounting, where time management is a very important element. This also shows that you are results-driven and have technical skills that are useful in engineering fields. 

Learning languages

This is an interesting hobby that also teaches you valuable skills. Moreover, many companies have international clients and would value employees who can communicate with them. Therefore, being proficient in more than one language can give you a real edge over the competition. Highlighting learning languages as a hobby also shows that you are focused on self-improvement and development. 

Reading

This popular hobby shows that you have discipline and are able to focus for long periods of time. Reading also hones your research skills and develops your thirst for knowledge. It also indicates an interest in learning, which is sure to resonate with many hiring managers. 

Ways to Make Your Resume Stronger

There is no trophy for coming in second place when it comes to being hired. If your resume fails to impress hiring managers, you will have trouble securing an interview. Here are some ways to help make sure this document is absolutely irresistible. 

Make sure your contact information is correct

If your document appeals to the hiring manager, they will probably want to reach out and arrange an interview. Some hiring managers prefer to do this by email, while others will want to give you a call. Double-check that your phone number and email address are correct and appear at the top of the document in clear sight. 

Choose the right format

There are different ways of formatting your resume according to the information you want to present. The three main types of official formatting are chronological, functional, and combination formatting. While you can choose any of these formats, you must stick to one and stick to its designated layout.

How to know what to choose?

When you are applying for your first full-time job, it is best to choose the functional format. This style clearly highlights your hard and soft skills, as well as your academic achievements. It is a good idea to take a look at a template that uses this style and use it as a guideline.  

Don’t overlook technical skills

The technical skills you have learned and developed can help you stand out as an expert in your field. Therefore, it is important to identify the technical skills required for the job and highlight them on your application. Not only does this show that you understand the job, but also that you will be able to rise to the challenge.  

Don’t be dull

The hiring manager will probably read a large stack of applications before they get to yours. Many of these applications are likely to be fairly similar, which can make them get lost in the pile. You need to make this document as dynamic as possible so that the hiring manager keeps reading. 

Inject your personality

Hiring managers want to get a feel for who candidates are and what they want. Adding some personal attributes to your objective statement helps show how you approach different tasks. This will help hiring managers to picture you doing the job and ascertain if you’ll be a good fit. 

Include details of internships

It is a good idea to complete an internship while you are still in college. If you can’t secure a paid internship, an unpaid internship can still be a valuable experience. More importantly, this will give you the chance to gain skills and experience that you can showcase when applying for jobs. When describing your internship, always include details that are directly connected to the job you are applying for. 

Highlight relevant extracurricular activities

You may think that the things you choose to do in your spare time are not relevant to your application. The trick is showing how you use your free time to develop valuable skills. Find ways to add extracurricular activities that have taught you marketable skills.

Make sure your email address is professional

Most people create a joke email address while in high school or college. This email address might include your nickname or an inside joke between friends. However, this email address will not fly with hiring managers, and it’s best to create a separate account for work-related emails. 

Avoid unnecessary information

Knowing what not to include is just as important as knowing which information to add. Don’t include a photograph of yourself unless you are specifically asked for one. Otherwise, your resume is likely to look unprofessional.

Other unnecessary information includes:

Pack in the keywords 

An applicant tracking system is usually used by large corporations to scan and sort applications. This software is programmed to look for certain keywords and forward resumes containing these keywords to hiring managers. If your application does not contain the expected keywords, it is likely to be rejected.

Therefore, it is essential to liberally sprinkle keywords throughout your resume. These are often buzzwords and terms that refer to your skills and abilities. You can get an idea of the expected terms by closely reading the job description for the role. 

Include a cover letter

It is a good idea to create a cover letter to go with your resume. This is essentially a short letter that can be copied into the body of an email or uploaded with your application. It should consist of two or three paragraphs that show who you are and what you’re looking for.

Where to start?

Before writing your cover letter, you need to do a little research into the company. Make sure you pay attention to the company values and highlight aspects that appeal to you. You can then use these details to show why you want a job and why you would be the perfect fit. Even better, find out the name and job title of the hiring manager and address them directly in your cover letter. 

For more information, check out our informative guides on How to Start a Cover Letter, the Best Cover Later Format, How Long Should A Cover Letter Be, How To Address A Cover Letter, and How to End a Cover Letter.

Customization is key

It is paramount to tailor each application you make to the specifics of the job. You need to make sure that the requirements in the job description are directly answered in your application. This helps you to appeal directly to hiring managers and prove why you are right for the role.

The devil is in the details

It takes time to create the perfect resume. All your hard work will be wasted if your document is full of grammar and spelling mistakes. Take the time to read the document aloud and ask someone else to check it for you as well. 

Stand out from the crowd

Last but definitely not least, try to include details that interest and excite the reader. These should be elements that make the hiring manager want to know more about you. Think about what makes you truly special and what will help give you an edge over others.

Need More Help with Getting that Edge?

We can help you with every detail of creating the perfect resume with zero experience. So, check out How to Write an Entry-Level Resume Objective, some Top Entry-Level Resume Objective Examples, and Resume Accomplishments Examples To Illuminate Your Strengths.

Or, you might want more detail on How to Tailor Your Resume to a Specific Job Description? We even have specific job descriptions to work from, including everything from a Picker Job Description, USPS Mail Processing Clerk Job Description, to an Accounting Administrator Job Description, or a Computer Programmer Job Description. Simply use our search facility to search for your job title!

Back to today’s topic…

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Resume with No Experience

Creating a resume is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. The goal is to show the hiring manager that you are the perfect person for the job. If this document doesn’t present your skills properly, you are unlikely to be contacted for an interview.

Therefore, it is important to take the time to make this document as strong and compelling as possible. Make sure every detail is directly connected to the job you are applying for. There should also be details that ensure you stand out from the crowd.

All the best with getting the job you want!