Do you need help writing a resume without work experience? No problem. While it might seem like an impossible task, there are plenty of other skills and traits you can still highlight on a resume with no work experience. Consider the following tips to get started.
Tips for Writing a Resume Without Work Experience
Tip 1: Emphasize Your Education
First, if you are writing a resume without work experience or writing a resume for high school students with no work experience, use extra space on your resume to highlight your education. In addition to listing your school/college/university with the degree program, graduation date, and GPA (if above a 3.0), consider adding a “Relevant Coursework” section and listing out the courses you have completed or are currently taking that are relevant to your career field or the job opportunity. The course title and the semester in which you took it are sufficient. Here are some example:
EDUCATION
Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
- Estimated Graduation Date: May 2022
- Minor: Mathematics
- Cumulative GPA: 3.5
- Dean’s List (Fall 2018, Spring 2019), President’s List (Fall 2019)
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Engineering Physics II (Fall 2019)
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes (Fall 2019)
Mechanical Properties (Fall 2019)
Basic Materials (Spring 2019)
Engineering Graphics (Spring 2019)
Engineering Physics I (Fall 2018)
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (Fall 2018)
Tip 2: Exemplify Your Soft Skills
Next, if you are writing a resume without work experience, I want to encourage you to find ways to provide examples of your soft skills. After all, exceptional soft skills are more important than hard skills and subject matter knowledge as they are innate. The others can be taught.
The biggest mistake I see young professionals and students make when writing a resume or interviewing is simply saying they have skills but failing to provide tangible and relevant examples. Anyone can say they have time management skills, employers are interested in how you have demonstrated those. The same goes for communication skills, leadership skills, etc.
Let’s say you consider yourself to possess above-average communication skills. Now, I want you to think of ways you have demonstrated those communication skills or situations that allowed you to develop those skills. Those situations and examples are what we want to include on your resume. Here is an example of a Skills Section on a resume with no work experience.
SKILLS
Communication Skills
- Earned an A in Public Speaking course and mastered effective oral presentations
- Wrote article summarizing Engineering Club involvement in campus newspaper
Leadership Skills
- Currently serving as Reporter for the K-State Engineering Club
- Served as Team Leader and managed project for Engineering Graphics Group
Time Management Skills
- Effectively managed 15 credits of rigorous engineering coursework with involvement in campus activities while maintaining a 3.5 GPA
Tip 3: Highlight Involvement, Activities, and Volunteer Efforts
Just because you are writing a resume without work experience doesn’t mean you don’t have other experience you can highlight! Have you volunteered? Are you involved in on-campus activities? Have you engaged in community-based organizations? Don’t underestimate the impact these experiences can have on a resume, a job application, or during an interview.
Depending on your involvement and experiences, you can name a section of your resume accordingly. A few example resume section titles could be “Activities & Awards,” “Volunteer Experience,” “Extra-Curricular & Community Involvement.” Below is an example.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- K-State Engineering Club (August 2018 – Present), Reporter (August 2019 – Present)
- Pinewood Middle School Engineering Competition Volunteer Judge (March 2019)
- K-State Activities Fair Student Volunteer (September 2019)
- Salvation Army Bell Ringer (December 2018)
Final Thoughts on a Resume without Work Experience
While it can be easy to focus on what we might think we are missing, I urge you to emphasize your selling points. Instead of a scarcity mindset, embrace an approach and a mindset that highlight your greatest assets, skills, and natural gifts. A company will teach you and train you for the job; as a result, finding the right personality fit is typically a bigger priority for hiring managers. Emphasizing your soft skills and a strong desire to learn will take you far! These same tips apply to writing a resume for high school students with no work experience as well!
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Are you still feeling unsure about writing or revising your resume or want help finding the right job/internship/opportunity? Let’s chat! I specialize in helping students, recent graduates, and young professionals establish themselves in their respective industries. Get your career started on a positive note, book a free consultation today!
