How To Write A Resume For Students With No Experience

A question often asked is “How To Write A Resume” when you have no work experience? So, how do you make a students resume stand out if they have not yet had any employment experience?

This is a great question I am going to address in this article for all the students out there.

So, let’s start with some basics…

Firstly, don’t make up for your lack of experience with a really colorful student resume. Stick to a well known font like Arial or Times Roman size 11-12 on plain white background. Limit your resume to 1 -2 pages only

Basic Information

Put your name, address, phone numbers and email address at the top of your resume. Check these for accuracy!

Your Objective

Now, add a heading for resume objective in bold type. Add one sentence showing your reason why you are applying for a position. To state you need the money is not acceptable, you need to delve a little deeper into your long term goals and provide a objective that fits into the businesses needs. For example:

“Since I enjoy being around people and would like to gain employment in a people oriented environment where I can refine my people skills and provide a high level of customer support”

Transferable Skills

This is the first important part of the resume to highlight to the employer how exactly you can help them. By adding transferable skills (instead of work experience on the front page) the prospective employer sees firstly everything positive that you can bring to the business that you have learned through life experience, or at school - which will make a great first impression!

Make your list under the heading in bullet points for ease of reading. Limit the wording to specific describable skills.

An example is how you may find that you enjoy being around people, are a great talker. So this would be added as:
- Friendly and polite manner when dealing with the public

Now as you can see that is a great skill to have that does not have to come from a work experience background.

Think about your other skills that would benefit an employer such as:
- Neatly dressed and takes pride in appearance
- Naturally inclined to pay attention to detail
- Responsible, reliable and mature personality
- Flexible availability around school commitments

Add 6-10 skills that you can think of. You may like to ask friends, teachers or family what they think you would be good at within a work environment.

Work Experience

If you have had any work experience through your school program then add the details in here. Simply list year and business on the first line. Then underneath state the position.

Then add “Duties:” on the next line followed by several bullet points of the main tasks you performed.

If You Had No Work Experience

Have you been involved in a club such as cubs, scouts or a community project? Have you been involved in sport after school or a hobby? You can add the details here under community work/groups instead of work experience.

Education

List your current school and year level and underneath in bullet point any subject you think may benefit the job. Any high grading can be added for value also if you have performed well.

References

Before adding anyone to be a referee it is important to ask for their permission. Think about any willing teachers, friends or family and add 1-2 of them. This is so that the employer is able to confirm your reliability and skills against someone. It is vitally important to check with anyone you add here before hand for their permission.

Finally, ensure your resume is honest but only emphasise the positive points. We all have good points about us we can draw upon to have an outstanding students resume! Good luck with your job hunting.