Diversity JobsDiversity JobsDid you know that resumes aren’t just for people with prior work experience? It’s true– job seekers with little to no work history can create a resume that’ll guarantee they land the job. By showcasing relevant skills, interests, and accomplishments, you can apply for jobs with ease and confidence. Here’s a guide for writing a resume with no work experience.
An objective statement is a great way to give potential employers a quick overview of some important details. Most objective statements are 1 to 2 sentences long and are located at the top of your resume. As you begin to write your objective statement, ask yourself these questions:
> Who are you?
> What are you passionate about?
> What are your professional goals?
In many instances, resumes are a potential employers’ first impression of you. It’s your chance to shine on paper before officially meeting in person. Objective statements make it easy to do just that.
Did you know that recruiters skim resumes for an average of 7 seconds? With so little time to make a great first impression, the way you format your resume is crucial to your success. Keep these tips in mind as you create your resume:
>Have some white space. Resumes that are cluttered with words from margin to margin have a less likely chance of being accepted by recruiters. With seconds to skim your document, recruiters prefer to see structured sections with key words and statements.
>Make it one page. One page is enough space to list your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments. Having a resume that fits on one page is also helpful for recruiters as they scan your document.
>Have sections. A great resume is structured in a way that makes it easy for recruiters to read. If you’re creating a resume with no work experience, be sure to include headers that stand out. This way, recruiters can easily learn about who you are and what you’re passionate about.
Remember to include lists all throughout your resume. Complete sentences work for your objective statement, but when it comes to other information, keyword phrases are the way to go.
>Personal contact information. If a recruiter wants to move forward with your application, they’ll need a way to contact you. In your header, include your name; phone number; email; city, state.
>Obective Statement. Add a 1 to 2 sentence overview of your professional life at the top of your resume. These should be complete sentences that offer a general idea of who you are and what goals you have.
>Education. Include your education somewhere near the top or side of your resume. Be sure to specify your school/college, degree/certificate, and year. If you graduated with honors or earned an exceptional grade point average, you may include that information under this section.
>Accomplishment/Involvement. Have you ever held a leadership position? Volunteered with an organization? Won an award? All of this information is helpful to include under this section. Even with no work experience, it’s great for potential employers to see a candidate who works hard and goes above and beyond.
>Skillset. Whether you’re including work experience in your resume or not, adding relevant skills to your document can increase your chances of landing the job you want. By listing your soft and hard skills, employers can determine if you’re a great fit for the job. Feel free to list these skills on the side or within the second half of your document.
Writing a resume with no work experience is possible. You can showcase your unique skills, identify your goals, and format important information in a way that ensures you get the job you want. If you remember to list all your key information clearly, you’ll be sure to make a great first impression.
