How to write a resume with no work experience.

Curious about how to write a resume with little to no experience yet uncertain about where to begin?

You can still create an effective resume even if you have no work experience or a limited amount of it. Focus on other sections of the resume, such as your education, skills, and achievements. Highlight anything that shows you are a good candidate for the job. For example, if you have volunteer experience or internships, be sure to include those. You can also list any relevant coursework, student projects, or professional certifications you have completed.

Will companies look at a resume with no work experience?

Yes, many companies will still look at a resume with little to no experience. Although work experience is one of the most important parts of a resume, it’s not the only factor employers consider when looking for candidates.

There’s more to a candidate’s potential than employment history, and sometimes getting a job offer is about how you present the value you can provide, showcase your skills, and use strategic formatting to capture attention.

If you’re trying to build a resume with little to no experience, read our recommendations below.

1. Highlight your value in your resume.

Just because you don’t have extensive work experience doesn’t mean you can’t bring value to a potential employer.

You should consider highlighting any skills, abilities, and knowledge you’ve gained from your education, internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that relate to the job you’re applying for.

2. Include these five sections in your resume.

If you have little actual experience, it’s important to show that you are a motivated and capable individual ready to learn and grow in the workforce. The sections that you should include in a resume are:

• Contact information. Include your address, email, and phone number where the employer can reach you.
• Education. If you don’t have an undergraduate degree, show your high school and year of graduation, plus any relevant college coursework in progress. (If you have a postgraduate degree, you need only mention your undergrad degree.)
• Skills. List any special skills you have developed that may be relevant to your desired job and any that demonstrate discipline or character.
• Achievements. This section can include accomplishments that indicate a strong work ethic, desire to learn, and extraordinary motivation.
• Work experience. Employers respect honest work of any type, but they do watch out for gaps in work history. Even if this section has little content, you should list any jobs you have held. If you have no work experience but xhave done volunteering, you can include that.

3. Have clear and accessible resume formatting.

A resume that’s easy to read and that is professionally formatted usually leaves a positive impression on prospective employers and recruiters, which may compensate for your lack of work experience. When you’re creating your resume, make sure you follow these guidelines:

• Have a clean and consistent layout. Use headings and bulleted lists to organize information and skills and make your resume easier to read and scan.
• Use a sensible font. Try not to use fancy fonts that may be hard to read. Instead, use classic fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
• Keep a logical flow. Start your resume by listing your contact information and then continue by writing an objective summary, noting your education, and adding any experience or skills you have.
• Use proper spacing. Avoid cramming too much information on the page.

Should a resume be one page or two pages long?

When composing a resume with minimal professional background, you might ask, “Should a resume be one page, or does it need to look more extensive despite a lack of experience?”

Resumes should never be more than two pages long, and a resume with no significant work experience is probably better organized as a one-page document so that it doesn’t look either bare or obviously padded. It’s essential to be concise and focus on the most relevant information.

Pro tips on how to make a resume without much experience.

Some additional tips to help you craft an effective resume, despite having little experience, are:

• Emphasize your skills.
• Include a strong resume objective.
• Focus on your education section.
• Proofread your resume.
• Make it easy to understand and read.

The best way to format a resume is by converting the resume to a PDF so that it can be accessed on any device and shared effortlessly. A PDF will also allow reviewers within the hiring organization to add and edit comments using a PDF editor.