How to Write a Resume with No Experience: Complete Guide with Examples & Templates

Staring at a blank resume template? According to a TopCV survey (2025, 1,000 graduates), more than half of graduates (56%) feel unprepared for the job market, and about 16% cite resume writing as one of their most difficult tasks. Every entry-level job asks for experience, but how do you get experience without a job? The catch-22 feels impossible, and your half-page resume isn't helping.

Here's the truth: your resume isn't empty—you're just using the wrong language. That group project where you coordinated five people? That's project management. That retail job where you handled difficult customers? That's customer service and conflict resolution. We'll show you how to translate what you've done into what employers want to see, with clear structure, real examples, and ATS optimization tips.

Essential Resume Structure for Entry-Level

Your entry-level resume needs six essential sections. No more, no less. Here's what to include and what to skip.

What to Include (6 Sections)

1. Header - Name, phone, email, LinkedIn, location (city, state only)
2. Professional Summary - 2-3 sentences highlighting your goals and strengths
3. Education - Degree, school, graduation date, relevant coursework, GPA (if 3.5+)
4. Experience - Academic projects, internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work
5. Skills - Technical skills, software, languages, certifications
6. Projects (optional) - If you have strong academic or personal projects worth highlighting

What to Skip

Don't waste space on these outdated elements:

1. Objective statement ("Seeking a challenging position...") - use a professional summary instead (objective statements are outdated and waste valuable space)
2. References section ("References available upon request") - they'll ask when needed (this is assumed, no need to state it)
3. Photo (unless applying internationally)
4. Personal information like age, marital status, or hobbies (unless directly relevant)

The One-Page Rule

Keep your entry-level resume to one page. According to a CV Genius survey (2024, 625 hiring managers), 25% of recruiters prefer one-page resumes, while 50% consider two pages optimal. While two pages may be acceptable for experienced candidates, one-page resumes are especially valued by recruiters at small companies and for entry-level candidates—which is why we recommend sticking to one page.

If you can't fill a full page, that's fine. A strong half-page is better than a padded full page. Focus on quality content, not quantity.

How to Write Each Resume Section

Let's break down how to write each section when you don't have traditional work experience.

Professional Summary for Entry-Level

Your professional summary is 2-3 sentences at the top of your resume. Focus on what you offer, not what you want.

Formula: [Your background] + [Key strengths/skills] + [What you're seeking]

Example: "Recent Business Administration graduate with strong analytical and project management skills demonstrated through academic leadership roles. Experienced in data analysis, team coordination, and client communication from university projects and volunteer work. Seeking entry-level marketing coordinator role to apply digital marketing knowledge and grow with a dynamic team."

Education Section (GPA, Coursework, Honors)

For entry-level candidates, education is often your strongest section. Make it work for you by including:

• Degree and major (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Marketing)
• University name and location
• Graduation date (or expected graduation date)
• GPA - According to NACE (Job Outlook 2025), only about 46% of employers use GPA as a screening filter. Career experts recommend including GPA only if it's 3.5+ on a 4.0 scale. If below 3.5, skip it and highlight other achievements instead
• Relevant coursework (3-4 courses directly related to target role)
• Academic honors (Dean's List, scholarships, cum laude)

Example:

If you don't have a high GPA, focus on relevant coursework and academic honors instead.

Experience Section (Academic, Volunteer, Part-Time)

This is where the magic happens. You're going to translate your experiences into professional language.

The key: focus on transferable skills, not job titles.

Use this format for each experience:

• Position/Role | Organization | Dates
• 2-4 bullet points using action verbs
• Quantify results whenever possible

Notice how each example focuses on skills and results, not just duties. That's the key to making your experience stand out.

Skills Section (Hard, Soft, Technical)

List skills in three categories:

Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML/CSS, Python, SQL

Marketing Skills: SEO, Social Media Marketing, Content Writing, Email Marketing, Market Research

Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership, Problem-Solving, Time Management, Teamwork

Tip: Match your skills to the job description. If the posting mentions "Google Analytics" and you've used it in class, include it. Even if you're not an expert, basic familiarity counts—you can learn more on the job.

Real Entry-Level Resume Examples

Here are two complete resume examples showing how to structure your resume based on your situation. Use these as templates, but customize them to match your own experience and target roles. Looking for the right roles to apply to? Check out our guide to best entry-level jobs in 2026.

Example 1: Recent Graduate Resume

Alex Chen | Los Angeles, CA | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/alexchen

Professional Summary Recent Business Administration graduate with strong analytical and digital marketing skills. Experienced in social media campaigns, data analysis, and team coordination through academic projects and volunteer work. Seeking an entry-level marketing coordinator role.

Education Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | UCLA | Graduated May 2025 GPA: 3.7/4.0 | Dean's List | Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, Analytics, Consumer Behavior

Experience Marketing Project Lead | UCLA Marketing Course | Jan 2025 - May 2025

• Led team of 5 to develop social media campaign for local business, generating 2,000+ impressions
• Conducted market research and competitor analysis, presenting findings to class of 30+ students
• Managed project timeline and deliverables, completing 2 weeks ahead of schedule

Volunteer Social Media Manager | Local Animal Shelter | Sep 2024 - Present

• Create weekly social media content, increasing follower engagement by 35%
• Track analytics and adjust strategy based on performance data

Skills Technical: Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Canva, Microsoft Office Marketing: Social Media Marketing, Content Creation, SEO Basics Soft: Communication, Leadership, Time Management

Example 2: Current Student Resume

Jordan Martinez | Chicago, IL | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jordanmartinez

Professional Summary Business student with 2 years of customer service experience and strong organizational skills. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work with diverse teams, and deliver results in fast-paced environments.

Education Bachelor of Science in Business | DePaul University | Expected Graduation: May 2026 GPA: 3.5/4.0 | Relevant Coursework: Business Communications, Operations Management

Experience Retail Sales Associate | Target | Jun 2023 - Present

• Provide customer service to 50+ customers daily, maintaining 95% satisfaction rating
• Train 3 new employees on POS systems and store procedures
• Manage inventory restocking and organization for electronics department

Academic Project: Business Process Improvement | Fall 2025

• Analyzed local restaurant's operations and identified 3 efficiency improvements
• Presented recommendations to business owner, resulting in 15% faster service times

Skills Technical: POS Systems, Microsoft Excel, CRM Software Business: Customer Service, Inventory Management, Training & Development Soft: Communication, Problem-Solving, Adaptability

ATS Optimization Tips

HR analyst estimates show that up to 75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a recruiter ever sees them, and approximately 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS for initial resume screening. Here's how to make sure yours passes—these seven tips will help your resume get past ATS and into a recruiter's hands:

1. Use standard section headings—"Experience", "Education", "Skills" (not creative names)
2. Include keywords from job description - Copy exact phrases (e.g., "social media marketing" not "online marketing")
3. Save as .docx or PDF - Check the job posting for preferred format
4. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers - ATS can't read them properly
5. Use standard fonts - Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman (10-12pt)
6. Left-align text - Don't use columns or unusual layouts
7. Use bullet points - Easier for ATS to parse than paragraphs

ATS Optimization Quick Check

• [ ] Standard section headings used
• [ ] Keywords from job description included
• [ ] Saved as .docx or PDF
• [ ] No tables or text boxes
• [ ] Standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• [ ] Left-aligned text
• [ ] Bullet points for experience

Test your resume against real entry-level jobs on FoundRole to see which keywords employers are looking for.

Conclusion

Your resume isn't empty. You have content—you just needed the right framing. With an ATS-optimized structure, professional language for your experiences, and clear examples, you're ready to start applying with confidence.

Create your resume today using the templates and examples above. Start with your education and skills, then translate your academic and volunteer experiences using the action verbs and frameworks we covered. Your first job is waiting.

Your resume is ready. Now find the right entry-level roles on FoundRole. Set up job alerts and start applying today. The sooner you start applying strategically, the sooner you'll land your first role.

Now that your resume is ready, learn how to find your first job with our complete 10-step guide.