Looking for your first job? That’s an exciting milestone—congratulations!
A key part of your job search is crafting a strong resume, and if you’re wondering how to write a good CV with no work experience, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a resume is, how to make a resume for your first job, and provide some easy-to-use templates to help you get started. Let’s dive in!
Need a little more resume inspiration? Check out these creative resume ideas.
What is a resume?
Let’s start with the basics. A resume is a document that summarizes your education, work experience, skills, and achievements. It’s usually one or two pages long and serves as an introduction to potential employers.
Think of it as a marketing tool for yourself. You want to highlight your strengths and make a good first impression. Your resume also describes the things you’ve accomplished. Even though this is a resume for your first job, there’s a good chance you’ve accomplished great things in your personal life.
How to make a resume for your first job
Now that you know what a resume is, let’s get down to the brass tacks of how to make a resume for your first job.
Choose a resume format
There are two main types of resume formats:
- Reverse chronological: This format lists your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent activity. You can include internships, student jobs, or any other position you’ve held that’s relevant.
- Functional: This format emphasizes your skills and achievements rather than your work history. It’s a great option if you don’t have much work experience yet, but still want to highlight your strengths.
You can go with either format, although you may find it tougher to do reverse chronological since you don’t have any job experience. However, if you held many different student jobs or relevant positions during your time at a university, you might use this format.
Include your contact information
Include your full name, email address, phone number, and any relevant social media handles. You want to make it as easy as possible for employers to contact you. Be sure to use a professional-sounding email address and not one you’ve had since high school.
Write a resume headline
A resume headline sits at the top of your resume, right below your name and contact information. It should be a short phrase or sentence that summarizes your value proposition. It’s a great place to highlight any unique skills or achievements that make you stand out.
For example: “Highly motivated and detail-oriented recent graduate with strong communication and leadership skills.”
Include a resume summary or objective
A resume summary or objective is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume that highlights your career goals, relevant skills, and experience. This section is especially important for entry-level job seekers as it can help showcase how you can add value to an organization despite having limited work experience.
If you have some work experience, you may want to write a resume summary, which focuses on highlighting your most impressive achievements and qualifications. On the other hand, if you don’t have much professional experience yet, consider writing an objective that explains what type of position you are seeking.
For example: “Recent psychology graduate seeking an entry-level position in a counseling center to utilize strong communication and problem-solving skills.”
Detail your education and relevant coursework
Your education section should list your academic achievements, starting with the most recent degree or certification. If you had a really good GPA in school make sure that you include that in this area.
This is also a good place to mention any relevant coursework that may be beneficial for the position you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a marketing role, mentioning coursework in advertising or social media can show your knowledge and passion for the field.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Marketing, XYZ University
GPA: 4.0
Relevant coursework: Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Brand Management
List any relevant experience
Yes, this is your first resume, which means you won’t have much on-the-job experience to list. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t include any relevant experience. You can include internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or even part-time jobs that have helped develop your skills.
When listing these experiences, make sure to highlight the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Also, don’t be afraid to use transferable skills from these experiences, like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, to showcase your potential value as an employee.
Example:
Marketing Intern
ABC Company
- Assisted in developing social media campaigns which increased engagement by 20%
- Participated in market research projects
- Collaborated with team members on marketing strategy
Describe your skills
You also need to have a section where you describe your relevant skills. This is where you can highlight any technical or soft skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Technical skills can include proficiency in software or tools, while soft skills can include communication, leadership, and adaptability.
When listing your skills, make sure to provide specific examples of how you have utilized these skills in previous experiences. Also, don’t forget to mention if you have any certifications related to the skill.
Example:
- WordPress, Ghost, and Webflow
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Certified in Google Ads and Analytics
Highlight your achievements
Lastly, don’t forget to showcase your accomplishments. Employers want to see tangible results and how you have made a positive impact in previous roles.
When listing your achievements, quantify them with numbers or percentages. This demonstrates the extent of your contributions and highlights your ability to achieve results.
Example:
- Increased sales by 15% through implementing new marketing strategies
- Received employee recognition award for exceptional customer service
- Managed a team of 10 volunteers and successfully organized multiple fundraising events, raising $10,000 for charity
5 resume ideas for your first job
To help you get started, here are five resume templates you can customize to the job you’re applying for.
Professional graphic designer
This modern template features a clean and professional design, perfect for showcasing your creativity and technical skills. With sections for education and skills, you can highlight your relevant qualifications in an eye-catching way.
Sleek black-and-white
Featuring a sleek black-and-white color scheme and a modern, sophisticated look, this template is perfect for those in the corporate world or any industry that values professionalism. With clearly labeled sections for experience, education, and skills, you can effectively showcase your qualifications and achievements.
Elegant blue
Elegant and stylish, this resume template is perfect for anyone seeking their first job. It has plenty of room for your education and experience, while also allowing you to highlight your unique skills and personality. The blue color accents add a touch of creativity and make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Modern blue, black, and white
If you’re searching for a modern resume template with a touch of flair, look no further. The color bars on the top and side perfectly frame the main area of the resume. Use this template to show off your skills, while also highlighting any experience you may have. With its clean and sleek design, this resume is sure to make a great impression on potential employers.
Sparse black-and-white
Featuring ample white space and a sleek black header, this modern resume template is perfect for those who want to keep things simple yet stylish. It’s perfect for industries such as technology, design, and marketing where a modern touch is highly valued. With its minimalist design, it’s sure to catch the eye of hiring managers and make you stand out from other candidates.
How to make a resume for your first job with Picsart
Picsart makes it really easy to make your first resume. Start from scratch with our resume maker or use one of our professionally-designed resume templates.
You can customize everything from the color to the resume font to the background image of your resume. Work on the design of your resume until it truly represents your aesthetic and personality.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make a resume for a first job, you should be feeling excited! You have great things coming your way, and a well-designed resume will surely help you land that first job. So get started crafting a resume that’s going to help you stand out from the crowd. Happy job hunting!
