How to Write a Killer Entry-Level Resume [Example + Tips for Beginners]

For a starter job seeker, the lack of previous work experiences might pose a difficulty in landing an ideal job. Luckily, there are certain ways to showcase your capabilities in the resume even with almost no previous working experiences. 

An entry-level resume or beginner resume is a perfect go-to resume style for beginners or those who are looking for an entry-level position since it will highlight more on their skills and relevance to the job.

Since there are a lot of competitions out there, it is vital to submit a well-written entry-level resume to secure the recruiter’s attention and to convince them that you are the perfect candidate for the entry-level position. It is also important to adjust your entry-level resume specifically to certain positions. 

This article will cover the key points as well as some entry-level resume examples to aid you in drafting a killer beginner resume.

A detailed and organized entry-level resume is the first essential to give a professional touch to your resume with no work experience. 

1. Resume Header (Personal & Contact Information)

The resume header is the first section where the recruiter could attain basic information about the applicant; therefore, it is essential to provide clear personal and contact information in this section, in case the recruiters are interested in having a follow-up meeting with applicants. 

2. Resume Title

A resume title is one short sentence that represents the whole resume. Crafting a catchy and creative resume title is very important and takes a little practice and creativity. 

3. Resume Summary

A resume summary for an entry-level resume is a deciding matter for the recruiter on whether the applicant has what it takes for the job position. Most recruiters will look at the brief 2 to 3 paragraphs of the applicant’s description before deciding to take a closer look at the entire entry-level resume. Hence, writing an exceptional resume summary will make your beginner resume look more compelling.

4. Resume Objective

The resume objective is no other than the goal and purpose, and what they want to achieve or accomplish in that specific job.

5. Skills

The skills section is just as important as the other section. This is the section where the applicants could show the hirer that they are more suitable than other applicants for this opportunity. They could showcase the hard skills they have learned as well as the soft skills they are attributed with.

However, less is more when it comes to resumes’ skills section. you should only include relevant skills that could make yourself shine for this position. The secret is to read through the job description and include specific skills they are looking for. 

6. Work Experience

With the same rules applied, applicants could include working experiences that are related to the job opening. It is to give the recruiter an idea of what they have been doing and achieved in the previous field, and how suitable they are for the current position.

7. Education

The education section is a great way for you to shine, especially for a beginner resume with no experience.

8. Additional information (Projects, Certifications, Awards, etc.)

Feel free to include additional information such as projects, certifications, and awards to show your previous outstanding performance. It could also help you to stand out and land a job if the information is highly relevant to the job.

How to write an entry-level resume and what entry-level resume format should be used?

1. Reverse-Chronological

The reverse-chronological resume format is a format where people list out their previous experience from the latest to the oldest. Known as the most common and preferred resume format by the recruiters and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it also comes with some disadvantages.

✅  Pros: Highlights your experiences, which is one of the most important things that employers look for during recruitment.

❌  Cons: Since it listed your previous experience chronologically, it will become very obvious if you have gap years or irregular career progression.

2. Functional

Contrary to the reverse-chronological format, the functional resume format puts more emphasis on the applicant’s skills, especially on the applicable or transferable skills from the previous job. Applicants can decide whether to use this for the entry-level resume format if they have more applicable skills than progressive working histories.

✅  Pros: Highlights your skills as the selling point of your resume.

❌  Cons:

• Not an ATS-friendly format.
• The skills should be quite relevant to the current position.
• Questionable previous working history.

3. Combination

As the name goes, it combines skill sets with bullet points that list out the relevant working experiences. This format could show that applicants have enormous working experience. 

✅  Pros: Highlights both your experiences and skills.

❌  Cons: 

• Space-consuming
• Not an ATS-compliant format
• Repetitive working experience

After getting to know how to make an entry-level resume, there are several valuable tips to make your entry-level resume more complete.

These tips are also relevant on how to write an entry-level resume with no experience.

1. Include only relevant experiences and skills.

Since beginners lack notable working experiences to be put into their beginner resume, they need to focus instead on applicable skills and the relevance to the position they are applying for. 

It is good to let the recruiter know that regardless of the lack of experience, you have got the skills and potential for that position. 

2. Create an eye-catching resume design.

You could include interesting designs to make your beginner resume more beautiful and stand out from the rest.

You could refer to some beginner resume templates or entry-level resume templates on the internet as references. 

3. Use action words.

Use action words, especially in the accomplishment sections. It provides clear ideas on what the applicant has accomplished in the past. Action words are also believed to deliver more impact on the readers and show positive vibes of the applicant.

4. Exchange “Work Experience” section with non-work experiences.

Beginner resume with no experience could opt to switch their “Work Experience” section into: 

• Extracurricular activities:
  Some recruiters love applicants that have participated in some extracurricular activities. The applicants could sell themselves as having the ability to work in some organizations, or the leadership capability while working in a team.
• Volunteer/Social work experience:
  Volunteer/ social work experience could also show how active the applicants were. Some volunteer/ social work experience could also provide amazing relevant skills or experiences which will bring the first job resume to another level.

5. Include other sections:

As a plus point, if the applicants have completed certain projects or acquired specific certifications that are relevant or could be useful for the position they are applying for, they could include those achievements into the entry-level resume. Remember to include the notable achievement details of the project. 

Including hobbies & interests into your first job resume could also let the hirers understand your personality better. It could exhibit certain skills and the possible learning direction of the applicants. 

There are several different elements and formats depending on the entry-level resume’s field of application.

Entry-Level Engineering Resume

• Tailor the entry-level engineering resume as relevant as possible to the job specification
• Play around skills and work experience with a combination resume format
• Attach cover letter that includes your personal touch on your strength and motivation

Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume

• Consider using reverse-chronological resume format
• Include professional skill sets and certifications if there are any. Certain skills and certifications are in high demand among software engineers
• Light up the entry-level resume by adding hobby, interest, and foreign language proficiency

Entry-Level Finance Resume

• Include certification and credibility
• Write an eye-catching professional summary
• Mention education background and relevant coursework

Entry-Level Data Analyst/Scientist Resume 

• Create a reverse-chronological entry-level data analyst resume
• Support the lack of working experiences with university projects and achievements
• Integrate GitHub or Kaggle profile in the personal information section

Entry-Level Customer Service Resume

• Utilize functional resume format
• Include skills and language ability
• Be clear on your capability and what you have got to offer

Entry-Level Project Manager Resume

• Highlight educational background 
• Include any previous experiences in the organization
• Emphasize the ability to work as a team

Entry-Level Nurse Resume

• Use a functional resume format
• Include previous work experiences or internships
• Increase credibility with education background, certification, and license

Entry-Level Human Resources Resume

• Feature applicable and transferable skills
• Take advantage of ATS by including relevant keywords
• Follow the PAR (Problem, action, result) rules in the achievement section

Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume

• Use combination resume format by emphasizing skills supported with work experience
• Include both hard skills and soft skills, certifications if there are any
• Craft a well-written education section with relevant notable courses and projects

Entry-Level Marketing Resume

• Use a reverse-chronological resume format
• Incorporate social media account, especially if you have a great social presence
• Make the best out of the education section