Resume Format for Freshers—Writing Guide & Template

You’re a fresher wanting to go out into the world and live your life to the fullest. But first, you need to get a job.

Afraid you’ll get stale before you manage to do it? No worries. Here, I’ll show you how to write a resume for freshers that gets your foot in the door. I’ll explain all the nitty-gritty of creating the perfect resume format for freshers while ensuring it highlights your skills and strengths.

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Looking for specific fresher resume guides? See:

• College Freshman Resume
• Entry-Level Accountant Resume
• Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume
• Entry-Level IT Resume
• Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer Resume
• General Entry-Level Resume Guide
• Internship Application Resume
• Law Student Resume
• Recent College Graduate Resume
• Undergraduate Student Resume

Fresher Resume Sample

Here’s how to write a fresher resume that kickstarts your career:

1. Apply the Proper Resume Format for Freshers

You’ve finally graduated. Congratulations! I know the feeling of walking out with a diploma, eager to get that first serious job. The first problem on that road is, of course, your resume. You’ve likely never written one before.

First things first, your fresher resume requires a fresher resume format. Here’s exactly how to set it up:

• Use the chronological resume layout. You may not have multiple previous jobs that need showcasing, but this resume style is perfect for freshers, as it is the gold standard in the industry.
• Choose a professional resume font, set the margins on your resume to 1 inch, and have the spacing value at 1.15. This way, your fresher resume will have some valuable white space, preventing overcrowding.
• Make your fresher resume on one page. It’s the best resume length for a resume with no experience.
• Add these resume sections in this order: header, resume objective for freshers, education, work history (if you have any), skills, and relevant bonus sections.
• Save your resume in both PDF and DOC file types. If the company you’re applying to doesn’t specify their preferred file, send the resume in PDF. It’s immune to software and hardware incompatibilities and ensures formatting integrity.

If you’re applying for a job in a country that requires biodata and not a resume, see our guide on creating a biodata format. And if you want to go the classic route of handing out printed resumes to various local companies, ensure you have them printed on proper resume paper.

Expert Hint: Add only the necessary information to your resume header. Your name, job title, phone number, email address, and optionally links to your optimized LinkedIn profile, portfolio, personal website, or other applicable sites. In 99% of situations, don’t include an address on the resume.

2. Include a Tempting Objective for Resume for Freshers

The first thing the recruiter notices about your resume is the way it's formatted. The second thing is your resume introduction. And I’m not talking about a “Hello World” here. I mean your fresher resume profile.

If you have no professional work experience, the best choice for you is to start with a resume objective. A resume objective provides a snapshot of your career goals, skills, and aspirations, setting the tone for the rest of your resume. It's your chance to make a strong first impression and demonstrate your enthusiasm and potential as a candidate.

Here’s an example:

Resume Objective for Freshers—Example

Dedicated graduate with a Bachelor's degree in computer science, passionate about software development, seeking a junior Python Developer position at ProSnek. Proficient in Python programming, developing web applications, and automation scripts. Optimized codebase for a client's existing software project, reducing processing time by 15%. Eager to leverage technical skills and knowledge to contribute to innovative projects at ProSnek while continuously learning and growing in the field of software development.

Computer Science graduate wanting a job at Your company. Passionate about coding and a fast learner. Proficient in Python, PHP, and Revit.

This fresher resume objective highlights the candidate’s Bachelor's degree and important programming skills. It also showcases their eagerness to contribute to innovative projects while emphasizing a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, which greatly benefits a future employer.

If you secured internships and part-time jobs during your studies, you can opt for a resume summary. In it, focus more on your relevant work experience and professional accomplishments.

Resume Summary for Freshers—Example

Results-driven junior web developer with 1 year of experience as a freelance web developer. Successfully delivered over 10 fully functional websites, exceeding client expectations and garnering positive feedback. Proficient in front-end and back-end development, eager to leverage expertise to drive growth at Overweb.

Experienced junior web developer with 1 year of experience as a freelance web developer. Proficient in front-end and back-end development, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality websites for clients.

As you can see, a resume summary is used to showcase some sort of quantified achievement from your previous jobs, so go for it only if you have something good to show. After all, you can’t say “proven track record” and then prove nothing.

Even though a resume profile goes at the start of a resume, I recommend you finish writing all the other sections before tackling it. It’s easier to write once you have all of your qualifications neatly laid out in front of you.

Expert Hint: Start your fresher resume objective strong. Words like “Dynamic” or “Results-driven” inspire competence and are known as resume power words.

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3. Put a Spotlight on Your Education

You’re fresh out of the university. But your education doesn’t equal job experience. So how can you make your resume education stand out?

You can do it by emphasizing relevant coursework, academic projects, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate practical skills, industry knowledge, and a strong work ethic. Additionally, showcasing any honors, awards, or academic achievements can further highlight your dedication and capabilities despite limited job experience.

Education on a Resume for Freshers—Example

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University of South Carolina, Columbia

August 2019–May 2023

Relevant Coursework: Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Organization and Architecture, Database Systems, Software Engineering.

Clubs: Active member of the USC Computer Science Club. Participated in club activities, including workshops, hackathons, and coding competitions.

Academic Projects

• Software Development Project: Developed a web-based inventory management system using Python and Django framework. Designed user interfaces, implemented database functionality, and conducted testing to ensure system reliability and performance.
• Machine Learning Research Project: Investigated applications of machine learning algorithms for image classification. Implemented convolutional neural networks using TensorFlow framework and evaluated model performance on benchmark datasets.

I have some tips for making your fresher resume education section even better. Include your GPA only if it’s high—at least 3.5. Also, if you participated in abroad studies, don’t hesitate to mention it. 50% of IES Abroad alumni said that abroad studies helped them secure their first job.

4. Showcase Work Experience if You Have It

As I previously mentioned, you may not have any work experience at all. But if you do, it will do wonders for your fresher resume. Internships, part-time gigs, freelancing, and other types of employment give you invaluable experience. One that will set you apart from the competition.

To properly showcase your experience, you must create a section full of strong resume bullet points. Take a look:

Fresher Resume Example—Work Experience

Work Experience

Freelance Python Developer

Various Clients

January 2023–January 2024

• Developed and deployed 5 fully functional web applications for clients, resulting in a 20% improvement in overall website performance.
• Optimized codebase for a client's existing software project, reducing processing time by 15%.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve software issues, achieving a 92% client satisfaction rate.

Freelance Python Developer

Various Clients

January 2023–January 2024

• Deployed web applications for clients, ensuring functionality.
• Optimized codebase for existing software projects.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve software issues.

These two examples show the exact same candidate with the same achievements. But, the first one shows actual, quantified impact, making their resume much more appealing.

And since you’re applying for an entry-level position, relevance in your job experience isn’t the be-all and end-all. If you’re applying to be a Python developer, but your previous job was as a cashier, you can still showcase valuable, transferable skills, such as customer service skills or time management.

5. List Vital Skills

Skills are perfect for targeting job keywords on your fresher resume. You’ll easily spot what the company wants you to know in the job posting. List about 5–10 skills on your resume that target their wants. Make it a mix of hard and soft skills.

Soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal qualities gained through life experiences, while hard skills are specific technical abilities, expertise, and knowledge required to perform tasks related to a particular job.

Here are some of the best work skills most fresher resumes will benefit from:

Skills in Resume for Freshers

• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Leadership
• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution
• Computer skills (MS Suite)
• Programming
• Graphic design
• Project management
• Customer service
• Data analysis
• Engineering
• Marketing skills
• Administrative skills
• Web development

Expert Hint: If you’re having trouble localizing resume keywords to target, you can ask AI for help with your resume. If you want to learn more, see this guide on having ChatGPT help you with writing a resume.

6. Supplement Your Fresher Resume With Bonus Sections

If your fresher resume was a movie, adding good bonus sections would give it a “certified fresh” status on Rotten Tomatoes. Include 1–3 of these sections:

• Certifications: Include any relevant certifications or courses completed, especially if they relate to your field of study or desired career path.
• Volunteering: Highlight any volunteer work or community service activities you have participated in, demonstrating your commitment to giving back and making a positive impact.
• Languages: If you are proficient in multiple languages, consider adding a section to showcase your language skills, which can be valuable in today's globalized workforce.
• Software: Create a separate section to list software programs, tools, and technologies that you are proficient in. This can include programming languages, database management systems, design software, and other relevant tools
• Personal Projects: Share any personal projects or initiatives you have undertaken that demonstrate your passion, creativity, and problem-solving abilities
• Hobbies & Interests: Include hobbies that demonstrate skills or qualities relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a marketing position, hobbies like blogging, social media management, or photography can showcase your creativity and digital marketing skills.
• Memberships: Showcase professional memberships that present your knowledge and willingness to learn from others.
• Extracurricular Activities: Showcase involvement in clubs, sports teams, student organizations, or other extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership, teamwork, or other valuable skills.

See how it works in action:

Bonus Sections on a Resume for Freshers

Certifications

• Python Institute Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP), June 2023
• Coursera: Python for Everybody Specialization (University of Michigan), May 2022

Known Software

• SQLite, MySQL
• Python
• PHP
• Flask

Personal Projects

Online Bookstore Web Application

• Developed a full-stack web application using Flask framework and MySQL database. Deployed the application on the Heroku platform for a live demonstration.

Hobbies

• Synchronized swimming
• Collecting stamps

Memberships

• Cheesemaster - Cheese-making society

Remember, if something doesn’t add value to your fresher resume, don’t include it on a resume at all.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter and send it with your fresher resume. Some companies might ask you for a letter of motivation instead, so read our guide and don’t get caught off-guard.

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Key Points

For a fresher resume that secures you your first job:

• Ensure the format of your fresher resume is easy to read and navigate by using clear headings, bullet points, and concise language.
• Highlight your degree, relevant coursework, academic projects, and any honors or awards you've received. Emphasize your GPA if it's strong.
• Include any relevant skills, internships, or part-time jobs that demonstrate your qualifications for the desired position. Focus on technical skills, soft skills, and any hands-on experience you've gained, even if it's through coursework or personal projects.
• Customize your resume for each job application by researching the company and job requirements.

Do you have any questions about writing a fresher resume? Need help with setting up the proper resume format for freshers or choosing the right fresher resume skills? Ask me in the comments below. I’ll happily 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.