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How to Make a Resume with No Experience for the First Job

You’ve got no experience. None. Zip. Nada. Zilch. NO “other jobs.” This guide will show you to write a resume with no experience that will get you hired in your first job.

Tom Gerencer
Career Writer at ResumeLab
How to Make a Resume with No Experience for the First Job

“We’d love to hire you. But—”

 

You’ve got no relevant experience.

 

How can you ever get a job?

 

Well—

 

You’ve got life experience.

 

Trust us. You’ve done things that make you valuable. You’re not a toddler.

 

You just need to know how to write a resume with no experience and present your skills in a proper way. 

 

In this guide you'll see:

  • A resume with no experience sample better than most.
  • How to make a resume with no experience for your first job
  • What to put in a resume with no work experience so it’s not blank.
  • How to make a no experience resume that gets phone calls

 

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder for free. Start by choosing a resume template.

 

Create your resume now

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWno experience resume example

 

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

 

Want some other first time resume with no experience samples? See our guides:

 

And if you're looking for resume examples for specifinc jobs see these guides:

 

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples for over 280 jobs.

 

Resume with no Experience Example You Can Copy and Use

 

Bobby Schock

Programmer

 

Personal Info

 

Phone: 903-879-0637

E-mail: bobbyzschock@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/bobbyzschock

www.bobbyschock.com

 

Summary

 

Energetic programmer skilled in Java and web app design. Seeking to provide efficient coding for Alcoa. Created several apps in Java and C, including a chess game and API-linked to-do list that syncs with Google Sheets. Took 2nd place price in Codewars Novice Division contest in 2018.

 

Education

 

BS Computer Science, Austin College

2015–2019

Game Development & Design

  • Wrote 3 game applications with Unreal gaming engine.
  • Modeled 20+ 3D objects.
  • Received Ladd Scholarship for mobile game app design study.
  • My article in school paper on multiplayers was linked to by Engadget.

 

Data Science and Analytics

  • Commended by two professors for data analytics skills.
  • Created mock medical health care system app.
  • Used polling data to create election poll accurate within +/- 5%.

 

Cloud Computing

  • Excelled in cloud computing classes, maintaining 4.0 GPA.
  • Created and maintained 3 virtual machines.
  • Pursued a passion for cloud security coursework.

 

Machine Learning

  • Created neural networks project that was written up in school paper.
  • Wrote flower classifying app that won school AI fair 3rd prize.

 

Projects

 

Coding Projects

Various

2014–2019

  • Created own chess game in Java. Added functionality to store multiple user profiles and games in online MySQL database.
  • Developed to-do list synced with Evernote and Google Sheets via API. Included persistent notifications for urgent tasks.
  • Worked as part of a team of 3 programmers to develop a RESTful API that interfaced with IMdB to pull movie data.
  • Wrote C code for a simulation of a soccer game using existing game concepts. Wrote algorithms for passing and randomizing.

 

Portfolio Website

 

BobbySchock.com

 

Awards

 

2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018

 

Additional Activities

 

  • Attended ByteHacks Hackathon 2018.
  • Founded the HomeStarSleeper Coding Group with 21 members.
  • Walk dogs at the Cadillac County Animal Shelter 1x per month.
  • Member of a weekly road cycling club.

 

Certifications 

 

  • Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Java
  • Zend Certified PHP Engineer

 

Hard Skills: Java, web app design, PHP, Python, debugging, hardware installation

 

Soft Skills: teamwork, communication, critical thinking, problem solving

 

 

How to Make a Resume With No Work Experience?

 

1. Use the best resume format for your no experience resume.

2. Write an eye-catching resume objective.

3. Highlight your education section.

4. Put relevant experience & skills from your hobbies and interests.

5. Use the right keywords to match your skills with the job ad. 

5. Include additional sections to wow hiring managers.

6. Attach a cover letter for the maximum impact. 

 

Let's elaborate on each point, so you'll fully understand how to make a resume for the first job: 

 

1. Use the Right Format in a Resume With no Experience

 

Danger.

 

You want the job. But—

 

So do hundreds of others.

 

And they have lots of experience.

 

How can a resume with no work experience compete?

 

Don’t panic.

 

When you have little to no experience it is important to pick the right resume format. Stick to the time-tested reverse-chronological format.

 

Then use these tips:

 

Resume with no Experience Format

 

 

Expert Hint: Save your no experience resume as a PDF. PDF resumes work no matter what screen hiring teams view them on, and ATS readers can read them.

2. Write an Eye-Catching Resume Objective

 

“She’s got no experience... but still!”

 

You’ve got little time to make a first impression.

 

Most hiring teams glance at resumes. You’ll get about seven seconds before trash-time.

 

But there’s hope.

 

A resume with no work experience for college students or high school can still wow them. It starts with a solid resume objective.

 

Use:

 

  1. One adjective (energetic, hard-working)
  2. The job title (nanny, programmer, cook, retail associate)
  3. How/whom you’ll help (provide efficient coding for Alcoa)
  4. Best relevant accomplishment (2nd place price in Codewars contest)

 

See examples of how to make a resume with no experience that shines:

 

Resume Objective for a Resume with no Experience

Good Example
Energetic programmer skilled in Java and web app design. Seeking to provide efficient coding for Alcoa. Created several apps in Java and C, including a chess game and API-linked to-do list that syncs with Google Sheets. Took 2nd place price in Codewars Novice Division contest in 2018.
Bad Example
Recent college graduate with no experience working full time as a programmer yet, but highly skilled in Java, C, and PHP. A fast learner and a good communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.

See the difference?

 

Even a high school resume with no work experience can soar. If you start it with a bang.

 

It’s those details. I’ll show more in the next section.

Expert Hint: Write the summary for your resume with no experience last. If you write it first, you’ll spend too much time head-scratching and won’t think of good achievements.

 

3. Education Is Key in Your Resume for the First Job

 

You don’t have work history. But—

 

You’ve done things to impress them.

 

To write a great no experience resume, dig into the online job posting. It’s stuffed with resume keywords.

 

Does that sound complicated?

 

They’re just skills, duties, and responsibilities.

 

These first time resume with no experience samples show how:

 

Let’s say the job ad wants skills in game development, data science, cloud computing, and machine learning.

 

Resume for College Student with No Experience—Education

Good Example

Education

 

BS Computer Science, Austin College

2015–2019

GPA 2.9

 

Game Development & Design

 

  • Wrote 3 game applications with Unreal gaming engine.
  • Modeled 20+ 3D objects.
  • Received Ladd Scholarship for mobile game app design study.
  • My article in school paper on multiplayers was linked to by Engadget.

 

Data Science and Analytics

 

  • Commended by two professors for data analytics skills.
  • Created mock medical health care system app.
  • Used polling data to create election poll accurate within +/- 5%.

 

Cloud Computing

 

  • Excelled in cloud computing classes, maintaining 4.0 GPA.
  • Created and maintained 3 virtual machines.
  • Pursued a passion for cloud security coursework.

 

Machine Learning

 

  • Created neural networks project that was written up in school paper.
  • Wrote flower classifying app that won school AI fair 3rd prize.
Bad Example

Education

 

BS Computer Science, Austin College

2015–2019

  • GPA 2.9
  • Graduated in June of 2019

Bang.

 

That first resume with no experience example has everything.

 

Didn’t do that many projects?

 

You can also list sports teams, school groups, clubs, projects, and other academic pursuits. Use each one to show relevant skills. That's how you make your resume with no experience shine. 

Expert Hint: Just graduated high school? A high school resume with no work experience can even show classes you were passionate about, or teacher kudos.

4. Put Life in a No Experience Resume

 

Oh no!

 

Your resume with no work experience is blank!

 

They’ll never hire you.

 

That’s not true. You’ve done more than you think.

 

The key?

 

Think about the job needs. Is it a nanny job? Programming? Cooking? Waiting tables? What about retail?

 

Each of those needs certain skills.

 

For example, say you want to be a nanny. Have you looked after your little brother/sister? Put that in your no-experience resume.

 

Or maybe you want to be a line cook? Have you cooked for family or friends? Yep—that warrants mention on a resume.

 

Check the examples of how to make a resume with no experience look like you've actually worked: 

 

Job ad wants these skills: (1) Java (2) MySQL (3) API (4) collaboration (5) writing algorithms.

 

How to Write a Resume with No Experience

Good Example

Personal Projects

 

Coding Projects

Various

2014–2019

  • Created own chess game in Java. Added functionality to store multiple user profiles and games in online MySQL database.
  • Developed to-do list synced with Evernote and Google Sheets via API. Included persistent notifications for urgent tasks.
  • Collaborated in a team of 3 programmers to develop a RESTful API that interfaced with IMdB to pull movie data.
  • Wrote C code for a simulation of a soccer game using existing game concepts. Wrote algorithms for passing and randomizing.

Nailed it.

 

In a nanny resume with no experience, call that section, “Personal Nanny Experience.”

 

Same with a no experience resume for cooking or retail. Call it “Personal Cooking Experience” or “Personal Customer Service Experience.”

 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume maker now.

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWcreate your resume now

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume maker now.

 

 

5. Prove Your Skills in a no Experience Resume

 

This is key:

 

Don’t just list your skills.

 

Anyone can write a list.

 

You have to prove them.

 

How?

 

Let’s say you want to prove leadership and problem-solving skills.

 

So—find a life event where you used those skills.

 

Then put them in bullet points like this:

Good Example

BSA, Eagle Scout

 

  • As patrol leader, led patrols of 8 male and female scouts on 10-mile hikes and overnight campouts. Organized meals and delegated duties.
  • Used problem-solving skills to provide group safety in thunderstorms and earn 43 merit badges.

You can use any life event, club, group, or effort to prove your skills.

 

You’ll need both soft and hard skills on your resume with no work experience for college students or high school students.

 

“Soft skills” are transferable skills that work in any job.

 

Those are qualities like interpersonal skills, communication, efficiency, and work ethic.

 

“Hard skills” are technical skills like MS Office or cloud computing.

 

This list of top skills to put on a resume can get you started:

 

Resume With No Experience Skills

 

Soft Skills:

 

Hard Skills:

  • Cloud Computing
  • MS Office
  • Data Visualization
  • SEO
  • Economics
  • Programming Languages
  • ERP Systems
  • CRM Systems
  • Customer Service
  • Sales

 

Here you can find even more technical skills 

Expert Tip: Don’t have the skills the job wants? Take some online classes from Udemy, Lynda or MadBright. You’ll beat the pants off the other resumes with no experience.

6. Add Extras to Your Resume with no Experience

 

Still coming up short?

 

Your resume with no work experience must fill the page—but not with “filler!”

 

Wow them.

 

How?

 

With extras that show related skills.

 

You can add resume sections for:

 

You don’t need all of those.

 

Just the ones that show off your finest hours!

 

These no experience resume examples get it going:

 

How to Write a Resume With no Experience—Extra Sections

Good Example

Portfolio Website

 

BobbySchock.com

 

Certifications 

 

  • Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Java
  • Zend Certified PHP Engineer

 

Awards

 

2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018

 

Additional Activities

 

  • Attended ByteHacks Hackathon 2018.
  • Founded the HomeStarSleeper Coding Group with 21 members.
  • Walk dogs at the Cadillac County Animal Shelter 1x per month.
  • Member of a weekly road cycling club.
Bad Example

Additional Activities

 

  • Swimming.
  • Collecting shoes.

Hint: I’d hire #1.

 

That first no experience resume example pumps up your skills.

 

It also shows your passion.

 

Are you getting the picture? It’s not about your work history.

Expert Hint: Make sure you know how to write a cover letter. The hiring manager will spend more time reading your resume with no work experience if you also attach one. Tip: don’t brag. Talk most about the job.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

Key Points

 

Here’s how to make a resume with no experience: 

  • Use the no experience resume template up top. It stops the “can’t get a job without experience” cycle.
  • Focus on life accomplishments. Put them in your objective, education, and “extra” sections.
  • Zero in on skills they need. They’re your best resume keywords, and they’re in the online job ad.
  • Include a cover letter. Talk about the job a lot. Give evidence you’re a good fit despite lack of experience.

 

Got questions on how to write a resume with no work experience for college students? Writing a teen no experience resume and don’t know where to start? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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Tom Gerencer
Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert at ResumeLab. Tom has been featured on BBC News, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, Fast Company, and dozens of other outlets. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

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