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How can I make my resume stand out if I don't have much experience since beginning college?

I've recently started school a year ago, and sadly I haven't been as active as I could have been. Now, I am applying for jobs but I am getting no replies. I was redoing my resume and realized that most of my volunteer work come from high school and that the experience is irrelevant now. #business #jobs #resume #employers

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Erica’s Answer

Hi Tiffanie!


No experience is ever irrelevant! If you spent your time on it at some point, you learned something, which makes it valuable!


I'm assuming you're in college now, which is really great because college has a ton of opportunities! Just by recognizing you want to do more means you're halfway there.


If your school offers research opportunities, go for it! It's a great way to learn about the industry, and most importantly, yourself! Undergraduate research is meant to be a learning opportunity for you, so usually they don't have very strict criteria for hiring research assistants. If you find yourself really enjoying it, perhaps you can create your own research project or find a paid position.


Join lots of clubs and if you enjoy it, take on some leadership skills! Volunteering opportunities are also everywhere, and if you don't find one you like, create your own! Most places are very happy to welcome someone who is willing to dedicate their time. College is the time to do things for free in order to get great experience to prep you for the future.


Focus on what you enjoy doing. Finding things to do simply to fill your resume won't be beneficial in the long run. One day if someone asks you what made you join Company A, your answer might not be very strong if you only joined it so it would "look good" on your resume. Future employers will recognize honesty and true passion in what you do. You want everything on your resume to be something you are or were passionate about. It will tell an awesome story.


Good luck!

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Crystal’s Answer

Hi Tiffanie,


I'll add two things:




  1. You can organize your experience, volunteer or otherwise, based on the job to which you are applying. In other words, put your relevant experience first. You can separate your experience into 2 categories: Relevant Experience and Other Experience.




  2. Write a cover letter that explains how your drive and (relevant) experience make you a valuable employee. For example, if you apply for a job at a retail store and you have no retail experience but you have volunteered in a soup kitchen, then you have transferable experience: you have assisted people. Therefore, you have customer service experience: you have been courteous and (possibly) patient. If you have played a sport, then you have learned to work well with others. Just sharing this information in a cover letter shows the prospective employer that you are thoughtful and determined.




Good luck in your search. Be well.
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Ken’s Answer

Hi Tiffanie!


Here are some tips from experts that might help!


https://www.themuse.com/tags/interviewing-for-a-job
https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-steps-to-applying-for-a-job-when-you-dont-meet-the-requirements
https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-convince-an-employer-to-take-a-chance-on-you-and-ignore-the-more-qualified-candidates
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Simeon’s Answer

The best you can do with no experience is to list any classes or clubs that you've been in and put bullet points under your education and club experience to explain some of the specific skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Don't forget to network and build connections with fellow students, teacher, and recruiters.
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