6 answers
Imani
Student
Maryland City, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
1864 views
How do I make my first resume?
I have never had a job so I don't have any experience to make a resume.
6 answers
Danuta Detyna
Career Expert, Certified Professional Resume Writer
12
Answers
Rzeszow, Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Danuta’s Answer
Hi Imani,
Creating your first resume as a student without job experience can seem challenging, but you can still make a strong impression by highlighting your education, skills, extracurricular activities, and any other relevant experiences. Here’s how to structure your resume:
1. Choose a Simple Layout
Start with a clean, professional template.
2. Contact Information
At the top of your resume, clearly list:
- Your full name
- Phone number (ensure your voicemail is professional)
- Professional email address
3. Objective Statement
An objective statement is a brief section where you explain your career goals and what you hope to gain from the positions you are applying for. This can help contextualize your application, especially if you lack work experience.
- Example: “Dedicated college student seeking a part-time position that will allow me to utilize my organizational and interpersonal skills.”
4. Education
As a student, your education is one of your main assets:
- List your high school or college, your graduation year (or expected graduation year), and your GPA if it’s above 3.0.
- Include relevant coursework, honors, or projects that align with the job you're applying for.
5. Skills
Highlight both soft and hard skills that are applicable to the job. These might include:
- Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management.
- Hard skills: Computer literacy, languages, or any specific tools you’ve used in school projects.
6. Extracurricular Activities
Include participation in sports teams, clubs, or other groups. These can demonstrate skills such as leadership, commitment, and the ability to work well in a team.
- Example: “Treasurer of the Student Council: Managed budget and organized school events.”
7. Volunteer Work
List any volunteer experiences you have. Describe your responsibilities and any notable achievements.
- Example: “Volunteer at Community Food Bank: Organized supply donations and assisted in distributing food to families in need.”
8. Awards and Honors
If you have received any awards or recognitions, either academic or extracurricular, list them here to showcase your achievements and dedication.
9. References
Adding a section for references is optional but recommended if you have connections from school, volunteer work, or extracurriculars who can vouch for your character and work ethic.
10. Keep It Concise
Your resume should be one page. Be concise in your descriptions without leaving out important information.
11. Proofread
Make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Ask someone else to review it to catch any mistakes.
Remember, the key is to focus on what you have done and how those experiences have helped you develop relevant skills for the workplace. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the most relevant experiences.
For more detailed tips and templates suitable for a first-time job seeker, consider reading this article: How to Write Your First Resume as a Student.
Creating your first resume as a student without job experience can seem challenging, but you can still make a strong impression by highlighting your education, skills, extracurricular activities, and any other relevant experiences. Here’s how to structure your resume:
1. Choose a Simple Layout
Start with a clean, professional template.
2. Contact Information
At the top of your resume, clearly list:
- Your full name
- Phone number (ensure your voicemail is professional)
- Professional email address
3. Objective Statement
An objective statement is a brief section where you explain your career goals and what you hope to gain from the positions you are applying for. This can help contextualize your application, especially if you lack work experience.
- Example: “Dedicated college student seeking a part-time position that will allow me to utilize my organizational and interpersonal skills.”
4. Education
As a student, your education is one of your main assets:
- List your high school or college, your graduation year (or expected graduation year), and your GPA if it’s above 3.0.
- Include relevant coursework, honors, or projects that align with the job you're applying for.
5. Skills
Highlight both soft and hard skills that are applicable to the job. These might include:
- Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management.
- Hard skills: Computer literacy, languages, or any specific tools you’ve used in school projects.
6. Extracurricular Activities
Include participation in sports teams, clubs, or other groups. These can demonstrate skills such as leadership, commitment, and the ability to work well in a team.
- Example: “Treasurer of the Student Council: Managed budget and organized school events.”
7. Volunteer Work
List any volunteer experiences you have. Describe your responsibilities and any notable achievements.
- Example: “Volunteer at Community Food Bank: Organized supply donations and assisted in distributing food to families in need.”
8. Awards and Honors
If you have received any awards or recognitions, either academic or extracurricular, list them here to showcase your achievements and dedication.
9. References
Adding a section for references is optional but recommended if you have connections from school, volunteer work, or extracurriculars who can vouch for your character and work ethic.
10. Keep It Concise
Your resume should be one page. Be concise in your descriptions without leaving out important information.
11. Proofread
Make sure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Ask someone else to review it to catch any mistakes.
Remember, the key is to focus on what you have done and how those experiences have helped you develop relevant skills for the workplace. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the most relevant experiences.
For more detailed tips and templates suitable for a first-time job seeker, consider reading this article: How to Write Your First Resume as a Student.
Karina B
Educator
88
Answers
India
Updated
Karina’s Answer
Hi,
The US professional resume is 1 page.
The sections on your resume can be:
1) Header: name, address, phone number, mail, web page or LinkedIn page whichever you prefer
2) Education (schools, degrees, relevant coursework)
3) Experience (academic projects, other projects)
4) Skills (including soft skills)
5) Interests & activities
The section that includes details about your 'Experiences' (academic projects, research projects/experiences, other projects) is 50% or more of your 1 paged resume. Any competitions where you won award/prize as well as any professional memberships that you might have can also be included.
Hope this helps.
The US professional resume is 1 page.
The sections on your resume can be:
1) Header: name, address, phone number, mail, web page or LinkedIn page whichever you prefer
2) Education (schools, degrees, relevant coursework)
3) Experience (academic projects, other projects)
4) Skills (including soft skills)
5) Interests & activities
The section that includes details about your 'Experiences' (academic projects, research projects/experiences, other projects) is 50% or more of your 1 paged resume. Any competitions where you won award/prize as well as any professional memberships that you might have can also be included.
Hope this helps.
Cristina Fore
Registered Nurse, Nurse Leader
8
Answers
El Paso, Texas
Updated
Cristina’s Answer
This is a great question that I’m sure others are wondering about. If you have access to a computer, try using the program the computer has where you would normally type a paper for your English class (think Microsoft Word). The program will have templates (examples of resumes) for you to choose from so you can create a resume.
After you find a template you like, don’t think about the information you can’t include because you’ve never had a job; instead, focus on information about yourself that you can include. One of the best ways to create your first resume is to include activities or clubs that you belong to at school or participate in around your community. Do you play sports, are in a school club, or do volunteer in your community? These are some examples you can use on your resume. You might consider including information about classes you’re taking or have taken and include your GPA.
In your “Objective Statement,” you can tell the employer why you’re interested in working at their business and what great things you can bring to the position you’re applying to. Are you organized, a fast learner, reliable, or a team player? These are examples of qualities that hiring managers look for.
After you fill out your information and write your objective statement in your resume, be sure to proofread it or ask a trusted teacher to review your resume with you. This will help to make sure your resume looks and sounds professional. Good luck!
Pick a resume template & enter your contact information.
Write an objective statement.
Include classes you’ve taken, your GPA, & special skills you have.
Include your school activities, organizations, sports, and your volunteering experiences.
Proofread your resume or ask a trusted teacher to help.
After you find a template you like, don’t think about the information you can’t include because you’ve never had a job; instead, focus on information about yourself that you can include. One of the best ways to create your first resume is to include activities or clubs that you belong to at school or participate in around your community. Do you play sports, are in a school club, or do volunteer in your community? These are some examples you can use on your resume. You might consider including information about classes you’re taking or have taken and include your GPA.
In your “Objective Statement,” you can tell the employer why you’re interested in working at their business and what great things you can bring to the position you’re applying to. Are you organized, a fast learner, reliable, or a team player? These are examples of qualities that hiring managers look for.
After you fill out your information and write your objective statement in your resume, be sure to proofread it or ask a trusted teacher to review your resume with you. This will help to make sure your resume looks and sounds professional. Good luck!
Cristina recommends the following next steps:
Toshiba L Bullard
TX
6
Answers
Cypress, Texas
Updated
Toshiba L’s Answer
Hi there!
Microsoft Word has several resume templates available. You can pick a basic and simple resume template. If you do not have any work experience , you can exclude that part but focus on the skills that you do have. For example if you learn computer or customer service related skills in high school, you can add those. Any volunteer type of work . Im not sure what type of work you are looking for but many business have internship or rotational programs also. Good luck!
Microsoft Word has several resume templates available. You can pick a basic and simple resume template. If you do not have any work experience , you can exclude that part but focus on the skills that you do have. For example if you learn computer or customer service related skills in high school, you can add those. Any volunteer type of work . Im not sure what type of work you are looking for but many business have internship or rotational programs also. Good luck!
Briana Pelle, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech language pathology
149
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Briana’s Answer
Cristina's answer was great. I just have a few things to add. If you don't have any past work experience, it's a good idea to include a coverletter with any applications you send. The coverletter should be edited for each job position you're applying to, and it goes more into your background, personal values, personal goals, and why you are interested in working for the one specific employer. You can look up resume cover letter examples to get an idea of what to include.
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Imani,
As many other said, there are many templates on the web to build your first resume. A lot of templates come with
You (as name, address, how to contact you ...)
You education and skills
Projects/professional experience
Other projects relevant to the job you are applying to
Patents and publications
Eventually: hobby, interests
As many other said, there are many templates on the web to build your first resume. A lot of templates come with
You (as name, address, how to contact you ...)
You education and skills
Projects/professional experience
Other projects relevant to the job you are applying to
Patents and publications
Eventually: hobby, interests
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