How to Build a Resume (Resume Writing Guide 101)
Quick resume guide with resume templates, resume examples, and expert tips on how to write a resume fast.
You’ve got no experience. None. Zip. Nada. Zilch. NO “other jobs.” No freelance work or past work history. Get hired anyway with this top-notch resume with no experience sample.
“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 put those details in the right resume format.
In this guide:
Save hours of work and get a resume like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 18+ resume templates and download your resume now.
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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
Data Science and Analytics
Cloud Computing
Machine Learning
Projects
Coding Projects
Various
2014–2019
Portfolio Website
BobbySchock.com
Awards
2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018
Additional Activities
Certifications
Hard Skills: Java, web app design, PHP, Python, debugging, hardware installation
Soft Skills: teamwork, communication, critical thinking, problem solving
Want some other first time resume with no experience samples? See our guides:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples for over 200 jobs.
Now here’s how to make 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 lkittle to no experience it is important to pick the right resume format. Stick to the time-tested reverse-chronological format.
Then use these tips:
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.
“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 six 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:
These resume with no experience examples will start you off:
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.
You don’t have work history. But—
You’ve done things to impress them.
To write a great resume with no work experience, 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.
Education
BS Computer Science, Austin College
2015–2019
GPA 2.9
Game Development & Design
Data Science and Analytics
Cloud Computing
Machine Learning
Education
BS Computer Science, Austin College
2015–2019
Bang.
That first resume with no experience sample 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.
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.
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.
These resume with no experience examples show how:
Job ad wants these skills: (1) Java (2) MySQL (3) API (4) collaboration (5) writing algorithms.
Personal Projects
Coding Projects
Various
2014–2019
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 builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.
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:
BSA, Eagle Scout
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 resume skills can get you started:
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
Cloud Computing | Interpersonal Skills |
MS Office | Communication |
Data Visualization | Collaboration |
SEO | Problem Solving |
Economics | Leadership |
Programming Languages | Adaptability |
ERP Systems | Organization |
CRM Systems | Detail Oriented |
Customer Service | Critical Thinking |
Sales | Time Management |
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.
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:
Portfolio Website
BobbySchock.com
Certifications
Awards
2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018
Additional Activities
Additional Activities
Hint: I’d hire #1.
That first no experience resume sample pumps up your skills.
It also shows your passion.
Are you getting the picture? It’s not about your work history.
Expert Hint: Write a cover letter. The hiring manager will spend more time reading your resume with no work experience. Tip: don’t brag. Talk most about the job.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
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.
Here’s how to write a resume with no 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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