How to Write a Resume for Entry Level Jobs

Landing your first job? It can feel like a huge challenge! One of the biggest hurdles? Creating a great resume, especially if you don't have tons of work experience. Don't worry! This guide will show you how to write a resume for entry level jobs that will impress, even if you're just starting out.

Understanding the Entry Level Resume Landscape

Before we jump in, let's talk about what employers look for. They know you're new. So, what do they care about?

• Potential: Can you learn and grow?
• Skills: What skills can you bring from school, clubs, or volunteering?
• Enthusiasm: Are you excited about the job and the company?
• Attention to Detail: Is your resume perfect and error-free?

Knowing these things helps you write a resume that really stands out. And that's key for any job search. It shows that you are ready for the challenges and learning opportunities of a new job.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

Okay, time to pick a format. How you lay things out is key when you're learning how to write a resume for entry level jobs. There are three main types:

1. Chronological: This lists your work history with the most recent jobs first. It's best if you have a solid work history, even if it's entry-level work.
2. Functional: This format focuses on your skills, not just your work history. This is good if you have gaps in your work experience, or if your experience isn't directly related to the job you want.
3. Combination: This blends both of the above, showing off both your skills and your work experience. This is often the best for entry-level jobs, because it lets you highlight your strengths.

For most entry-level jobs, a combination format is a great choice. It lets you show off what you can do. If you have very little work history, try a functional format. No matter what, make sure it's clean and easy to read!

Essential Resume Sections: What to Include

No matter what format you choose, every entry-level resume needs certain things:

Contact Information

This is easy, but important! Include:

• Your Full Name
• Your Phone Number
• Your Email Address (make it professional!)
• Your LinkedIn Profile URL (this is optional, but a good idea)

Make sure all of this is correct! And use a professional email, like [email protected]. No old or silly email addresses!

Resume Objective or Summary (Optional)

This gives a quick overview of your skills and goals. It's optional, but it can really help you stand out. So what's the difference?

• Objective: This says what job you want and what you hope to do. It's a bit old-fashioned, but still works sometimes.
• Summary: This highlights your best skills and what you can do for the employer. It's more modern and often preferred.

Example Objective: "To get an entry-level marketing job where I can use my skills to help the company grow."

Example Summary: "Recent Marketing graduate with a passion for social media and data analysis. Eager to join a marketing team."

Pick the one that best shows you off! Keep it short (2-3 sentences) and focused on the job search.

Education

Your education is one of your biggest strengths as an entry-level candidate. List these things:

• The Name of Your School
• Your Degree (or when you expect to graduate)
• Your Major and Minor (if you have one)
• Your GPA (if it's good, like above 3.5)
• Any Relevant Coursework
• Any Awards or Honors (like Dean's List)

Highlight any classes or projects that relate to the job. Applying for a software job? List your programming courses! This is key to showing you're ready, even without a lot of career advice experience.

Skills

This section is super important. It shows what you can do, even if you don't have tons of work experience. Break your skills into categories:

• Technical Skills: Software like Microsoft Office, Adobe, or coding languages.
• Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, etc.

Give examples whenever you can. Instead of "Communication Skills," write "Excellent written and verbal communication skills, shown through presentations and group projects." Numbers help too! Instead of "Good at Excel," write "Proficient in Excel, used to analyze data." Be honest!

Experience (Even if It's Not "Traditional")

You might not have had tons of "real" jobs. But you do have experience! Think about:

• Internships: What did you do? What did you learn?
• Volunteer Work: Did you lead a team or solve problems?
• Extracurricular Activities: Were you in clubs or sports? What role did you play?
• Personal Projects: Did you build a website? Make an app?
• Freelance Work: Even small jobs count!

Use action words and focus on what you achieved. Instead of "Answered phones," write "Provided great customer service by answering phones and solving problems, leading to a 15% increase in happy customers." That's the way to present it.

Awards and Recognition

List any awards, scholarships, or honors you've gotten. It shows you're good at what you do.

Projects

Did you do any cool projects in school or on your own? Tell people about them! What did you do? What skills did you use? This is great for showing off technical skills.

Volunteer Experience

Volunteering shows you care and that you have valuable skills. List your roles, the organizations you worked with, and what you did. Highlight teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Writing Powerful Bullet Points: The Key to Success

Your bullet points are the heart of your resume. Here's how to make them great:

• Start with Action Verbs: Use strong words like "Managed," "Developed," or "Analyzed."
• Focus on What You Achieved: Not just what you did, but what the result was.
• Use Numbers: Show the impact of your work.
• Tailor It: Read the job description and match your bullet points to it.
• Use the STAR Method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Give context!

Example (Weak): "Answered customer phone calls."

Example (Strong): "Answered over 50 customer calls per day, solving problems and improving customer satisfaction scores by 10%."

Tailoring Your Resume to Each Job Application

The biggest mistake? Sending the same resume to every job! Don't do that! Read the job description carefully. What skills do they want? Then, change your resume to match.

• Change Your Skills Section: Put the most important skills first.
• Reword Your Bullet Points: Use the same words as the job description.
• Add Relevant Projects: Show how you can meet their needs.

Taking the time to do this shows you really want the job and have the right skills. That's important career advice.

Formatting and Design: Making a Good First Impression

How your resume looks is almost as important as what it says. Make it easy to read and professional. Here's how:

• Use a Clean Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are all good choices.
• Be Consistent: Use the same font size, spacing, and margins throughout.
• Use White Space: Don't cram everything in! Give it room to breathe.
• Use Bullet Points and Headings: Make it easy to scan.
• Proofread!: Check for typos and grammar errors. Have someone else read it too!

Consider using a resume template. There are lots of free and paid ones online.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Entry-Level Resume

Here are some things to avoid:

• Typos: A huge turnoff!
• Generic Statements: Be specific about your skills.
• Lying: Never, ever lie on your resume!
• Irrelevant Information: Focus on what's relevant to the job.
• Using a Functional Resume When You Shouldn't: If you have some work experience, use a combination or chronological resume instead.
• Sending the Same Resume to Every Job: Tailor it!

Where to Find Resume Examples and Templates

Need some help getting started? There are lots of resources online:

• Resume.io: Lots of templates and a resume builder.
• Canva: Customizable templates and design tools.
• Zety: Examples and pre-written phrases.
• Microsoft Word: Basic templates.

Use these for inspiration, but don't just copy and paste! Make it your own.

Final Thoughts: Taking Your Resume to the Next Level

Writing an entry-level resume can be tough. But if you follow these tips, you can create a resume that shows off your potential and gets you noticed. Focus on your skills, achievements, and relevant experience, even if it's not "traditional" work. Tailor it, proofread it, and be confident!

Spending time on your resume will really increase your chances of getting the job you want and starting your career. Good luck with your job search!

And don't forget to seek out career advice from mentors or online resources. You got this!