Undergraduate College Student Resume: Sample & Templates

There’s so much entry-level work out there, but—

It’s not just a matter of grabbing the first job that comes along.

You have classes to work around, a campus to stay near, homework to do, and papers to turn in.

Finding a great fit isn’t easy, and beggars can’t be choosers.

So don’t be a beggar:

Write an undergraduate college resume that pulls in interviews and gives you options.

In this guide:

• A sample undergraduate college resume better than most.
• How to create the perfect undergraduate college resume job descriptions.
• How to write a resume for undergraduate college student jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an interview.

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There’s sooo much out there for undergrads—check out some of our other guides, you’re sure to find something:

• College Application Resume Examples
• College Student Resume Examples
• High School Graduate Resume Examples
• Research Assistant Resume Examples
• Student Resume Examples
• Teaching Assistant Resume Examples
• Tutor Resume Examples
• Technical Support Resume Examples
• Technical Writer Resume Examples
• Volunteering Resume Examples

Undergraduate College Resume Template

Now here’s how to write an undergraduate college resume they’ll love:

1. Use the Right Undergraduate College Resume Format

Picture this:

The hiring manager scrolls partway through your undergraduate college resume—

Closes the file, right-clicks on it, and—

Clicks “delete”.

Seems a little mean-spirited, but then:

You were wasting her time with a resume that was all over the place.

Make sure your resume format inspires confidence, not irritation. Here’s how:

Undergraduate College Resume Format

• Use the chronological resume format—it’s what’s expected.
• Go with a low-key resume font like a Noto in 10–11pt.
• Leave the margins of your resume at one inchand spread things out nicely.
• Limit yourself to a one-page resume. You won’t need more than that for many years yet.
• Include the following resume sections: Resume Header, Profile, Experience, Education, and Skills. Make good use of additional sections, too.

Default to saving your resume in PDF but always check that something else isn’t required instead.

2. Impress With an Undergraduate College Resume Profile

Start your undergraduate college resume with a compelling pitch.

That’s what your resume profile is for.

Got some experience under your belt?

Then go with a career summary.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, reliable, dedicated)
2. Job title (Cashier, Barista, Research Assistant)
3. Years of experience (1+, 3+)
4. How you’ll help (provide excellent IT support)
5. Two or three of your most impressive achievements (delivered 85% of all assigned tasks 2+ days ahead of schedule)

These undergraduate college resume examples show how:

Undergraduate College Resume Examples—Resume Summary

Enthusiastic Electrical and Electronics Engineering junior with 2+ years’ experience working in both educational and retail roles. At Sparky’s Tools ‘n’ More, maintained a 4.93 / 5.00 customer satisfaction rating while bringing in an additional $500+ per month in upsales. Seeking opportunity to apply proven customer service skills in helping 3D Prints Is Us cement its position as market leader.

College junior with 2 years’ work experience. At Sparky’s Tools ‘n’ More, helped customers with product selection and managed to upsell many orders at POS. Seeking opportunity to join a great team while moving up through the retail space.

Neither one is bad—

But there’s only one winner in a job hunt.

It’s the first one that’s focused on what the candidate can do for the employer and that backs up its claims with numbers.

But—

What if you have little or no experience?

Write a career objective and zero in on achievements from your studies and any volunteer or internship work you’ve done.

Resume Objective for Undergraduate Students

Enthusiastic Electrical and Electronics Engineering junior with a year’s experience working as a peer-program college tutor. Of those students who shared their results, 66% improved by a full grade or more while 80% of all students tutored referred a friend. Seeking opportunity to apply proven interpersonal skills in helping 3D Prints Is Us cement its position as market leader.

No experience in sales but have a good track record of picking new skill sets up quickly. Previously worked as a peer-program tutor with really good results.

Again:

Concrete and focused on bringing benefits to the employer—experienced or not.

The second one is all about lacks and wants—employers don’t care what you want.

Stuck?

That’s normal. Here’s a tip:

Leave writing your resume profile until last—

You’ll be able to do a much better job that way.

3. Write Effective Undergraduate Work History and Skills Sections

It’s simple:

Show you can do it by describing how you’ve done it in the past.

Use your resume work history section to showcase relevant achievements.

How to write a job description for undergraduate students:

1. Read back over the job ad.
2. Take note of any skills and duties mentioned there.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to bring benefits to past employers.
4. Write resume bullet points that condense all this into accomplishment statements.

These undergraduate college resume examples show how:

Undergraduate College Student Resume Job Description

Sales Representative

Sparky’s Tools ‘n’ More

2020–present

• Advised customers on tool selection, earning a 4.93 / 5.00 POS satisfaction rating.
• Upsold 15% of transactions at POS, bringing in an extra $500+ per month.
• Maintained a working knowledge of over 200 products and materials.
• Trained and partially supervised 11 new employees.

Sales Representative

Sparky’s Tools ‘n’ More

2020–present

• Advised customers on tool selection.
• Upsold as many transactions as possible at POS.
• Maintained a working knowledge of much of the store’s inventory.
• Trained and partially supervised new employees.

Miles apart.

Anyone can claim they’ve got what it takes—

Use your job descriptions to show you’re the one they’re looking for.

And one more thing—always include a resume skills section.

But:

Don’t just spam your resume with all the impressive-sounding skills you found online.

Less is more—be selective.

Let the job ad be your guide.

Aim for a mix of hard and soft skills—

Here’s a list to give you some ideas of where to start:

Skills for an Undergraduate College Resume

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4. Make Your Education Section Into a Key Selling Point

Your education is probably the biggest thing happening in your resume—

List your degree (with major), school, and expected graduation year.

Then:

Add a couple of bullet points that speak to key skills.

This undergraduate college resume example shows how:

Sample Undergraduate College Resume

BE Electrical and Electronics, University of Illinois at Chicago

Expected graduation: 2023

• Pursuing a passion for circuit design project work.
• Volunteered part time at the Physics Department Microscope Museum.

Writing a resume for an undergraduate college student with no experience? 

Fill out your education section even more by including projects, classes, and accomplishments that show you’ve got the skills to succeed.

Expert Hint: If you have little work experience only, move the education section above the work experience section. If you have zero experience whatsoever, omit the experience section completely.

5. Spike Your Resume With Added Sections

Resume profile, work history, education, skills—

Not a complete picture at the best of times—

Even less so when you don’t have much experience.

So fill in the blanks.

Add one or two extra resume sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards on a Resume
• Hobbies and Interests Lists
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two undergraduate college resume examples show yes vs no:

Undergraduate Student Resume—Extra Sections

Awards

• MVP, Solar Car Challenge, 2020.
• Customers’ Choice Award, Tools ‘n’ More, Q2 2020.

Languages

• Farsi – native speaker
• English – native speaker

Hobbies

• Playstation 5
• Twitch

Languages

• Farsi

The second one breaks the two cardinal rules:

Always be as specific as you can and only mention things that are directly relevant to the job at hand.

One last thing:

You’ll need to include a cover letter with your undergraduate college resume.

Unless you’ve been specifically asked to do so, leaving this step out could spell disaster for your application.

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Key Points

For an undergraduate college resume that punches well above its weight:

• Use the undergraduate college resume template up top. It’s based on tried-and-true principles.
• Put work and/or school achievementsin your resume profile, work history, and education sections to show what you’re capable of.
• Pick the right undergraduate student resume skills. The job ad will tell you what the “right” skills are in your particular case.
• Write an undergraduate college student cover letter. It’s your non-optional opportunity to state your case and showcase your enthusiasm for the job.

Still not sure how to go about writing your undergraduate college resume? Drop us a line down in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to get back to you.

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