For an entry level resume you may have little (or no) professional life to point to. That’s okay – every bit counts. Don’t be shy about your accomplishments. Evaluate your experiences and you will see that you’ve got more background than you think. It proper to include relevant coursework, master classes, and thesis/publications. Volunteer and extracurricular experiences can be useful as well – particularly if you worked in a leadership position.

 

Writing a resume can seem impossible for those who have little or no experience. However, keep in mind the following when trying to write an entry-level resume:

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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 Make sure to include your full name, telephone number and email address, though some may want to include their mailing address, too.

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CAREER OBJECTIVE

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This section is crucial for those who are at the beginning of their careers. Use this section, which should appear directly under your contact information, to provide three or four sentences of your upcoming goals.

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SKILLS AND TRAITS

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These skills listed here don’t necessarily have to come from the workplace or apply specifically to the jobs you are trying for. Software expertise, advanced IT knowledge, and strong interpersonal skills are all traits that are highly sought after in many different jobs today.

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EDUCATION

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When writing an entry-level resume, the education section should be listed before your actual employment experience. This is more beneficial if you are still attending school, but recent graduates can use this format as well.

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EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

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This is the part that is most difficult to fill out when you lack experience. If you do have any previous jobs, make sure to list them with as much helpful detail as possible. You don’t have to describe every menial task you did, but you’ll want to show off the skills and expertise that you have learned.

List solid achievements, as opposed to the small, everyday tasks. Even if you have very little professional experience to date, demonstrating the fact that you are able to make a positive impact with a company is a great way to show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed as a professional,

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VOLUNTEERISM

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List any volunteerism or community service that you’ve completed. Providing details of your volunteer experience is a great way to fill a resume that may be lacking in other areas. When listing such experience it is important to distinguish between paid positions and voluntary. Paid positions should be listed in a separate section and with the entirety of your employment experience.

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REFERENCES

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Finally, you’ll want to add a short listing of personal and professional references at the end of your resume. You probably won’t have an extensive list of contacts to draw from, especially if you are at the beginning of your career, but listing the contact information of your more reputable colleagues and friends may be enough to get your foot in the door.