Everyone starts with no work experience. The good news: employers hiring for entry-level jobs, internships and first part-time roles do not expect a long work history. They want evidence that you are reliable, can learn quickly and have relevant skills. This guide shows how to write a resume with no experience, section by section, with examples for high school students, college students and career starters.
The best format for a resume with no experience
Use a clean, one-page reverse-chronological layout and put your strongest material first. For most first-time job seekers, the order looks like this:
- Contact information
- Resume objective or summary
- Education
- Projects, volunteering and activities
- Skills
- Certifications, awards or languages (optional)
Avoid graphics-heavy templates. Many employers, including large retailers and restaurant chains, use applicant tracking systems; a simple layout is easier for them to read. Our guide to ATS-friendly resume format explains why.
Write a short objective
With little experience, a two-line resume objective that names the role and what you bring works well:
Reliable high school senior with strong math skills and two years of volunteer experience at a community food pantry. Seeking a part-time cashier position where I can provide friendly, accurate customer service.
Computer science student at Arizona State University with hands-on Python and SQL experience from class projects. Looking for a summer IT support internship to apply my troubleshooting skills.
Make education work harder
Include your school, expected graduation date, and anything relevant: GPA if it is 3.0 or higher, honors, relevant coursework and major projects.
Lincoln High School, Denver, CO — Expected graduation: June 2027
GPA: 3.6 · Honor Roll (4 semesters) · Relevant coursework: Business, Accounting I, Computer Applications
Experience that counts (even without a job)
Employers value any experience where you took responsibility. Present it exactly like a job, with bullet points that start with action verbs (see our list of resume action verbs):
| Type of experience | Example bullet |
|---|---|
| Volunteering | Served meals to 60+ guests every Saturday at a community kitchen and trained 3 new volunteers |
| School project | Built a budgeting app in Python with two classmates; presented it to 40 students and teachers |
| Club or sport | Treasurer of the robotics club: tracked a $1,200 budget and organized two fundraisers |
| Informal work | Babysat for three families on a regular schedule, managing homework time and meals for children aged 5–10 |
| Family business | Helped in the family grocery store on weekends, restocking shelves and serving customers |
Choose skills employers ask for
Look at three job ads for the role you want and note the skills they repeat. Common entry-level skills include customer service, cash handling, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, time management, teamwork and languages. Only list skills you can demonstrate. Our ATS Keyword Generator pulls the important skills out of any job ad in seconds, and our guide on how to list skills on a resume shows how to format them.
Example: resume with no experience
Jordan Lee
Austin, TX · (512) 555-0147 · jordan.lee@email.com
Objective
Friendly, dependable high school senior seeking a part-time barista role. Comfortable in fast-paced environments and eager to learn.
Education
Westlake High School, Austin, TX — Expected May 2027 · GPA 3.4
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer, Austin Animal Shelter — 2025–present
• Welcomed visitors and answered questions at the front desk on weekends
• Cleaned and restocked kennels on a fixed schedule with a team of 5
Skills
Customer service · Cash handling (school store) · Teamwork · Spanish (conversational) · Google Workspace
Fictional example for illustration.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the resume nearly empty instead of using projects and activities.
- Using an unprofessional email address.
- Adding a photo, age or full home address (not expected in the US).
- Exaggerating responsibilities you did not have.
- Sending the same resume to every job without adjusting the objective and skills.
Applying in the UK or Ireland? See our CV personal statement examples for students and people with no experience.
Frequently asked questions
What do I put on a resume if I have never had a job?
Education, school projects, volunteering, clubs, sports, informal work like babysitting or tutoring, and relevant skills. Present them with action-verb bullet points.
Should I use a resume objective or a summary?
With no experience, a short objective that names the job and your strongest qualities is usually clearer. Once you have relevant experience, switch to a summary.
How long should a first resume be?
One page.
Do I need a cover letter for my first job?
If the application allows one, yes. It is a chance to show motivation. See our guide on how to write a cover letter.
Conclusion
A resume with no experience works when it highlights what you have done: education, projects, volunteering and real skills, written with strong action verbs. Keep it to one page, tailor it to each job and keep adding experience as you go.