Entry-Level Resume Templates (Free to Download)

How to use our entry-level resume templates

To use one of our templates in Microsoft Word:

1. Choose a free template you like and click Free Download
2. Select Download for Word if prompted to choose a file format
3. The template pack will download to your computer
4. Unzip the file and install any included fonts
5. Open the template in your color of choice
6. Replace the sample text with your own details and qualifications
7. When finished, select Save As → PDF to keep the formatting consistent on any computer

To edit a template in Google Docs:

1. Choose a compatible template and click Free Download
2. Select Open in GDocs
3. Click Make a Copy to open the file in Google Docs
4. Replace the sample text with your own information
5. When finished, select Download → PDF Document

What to write in each section of your template

Our entry-level templates are quick and easy to fill out, even if you’re writing your resume with no previous experience.

Here’s what to write for each section so that your resume covers all the essential information that the employer will be looking for.

Header

List the following details so employers can contact you if they want to move your application forward:

• Full name
• Professional email (e.g., full.name@email.com)
• Phone number
• Town/city and state (full address is not necessary)

Objective

In your resume objective (also called an introduction, summary, or profile), summarize who you are and what makes you a good fit for the job. You should include:

• Your profession and years of experience (if any)
• 1–2 relevant skills or achievements
• A career goal or the value you bring

Keep this section brief. 1–3 sentences is plenty.

Education

If you’re a recent college graduate, your education section should go near the top of your resume. List your most recent program first, and include:

• School name
• Location
• Degree or program
• Graduation date (or expected date)

Boost this section with relevant coursework, academic honors, or your GPA (if 3.5 or higher). These optional details will help make up for limited work history.

Experience

Your relevant experience can include:

• Paid jobs
• Internships
• Volunteer experience
• Clubs where you held a leadership or helping role

List your experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Each entry should include the following details:

• Job title
• Organization
• Location
• Start and end dates
• 3–5 bullet points describing achievements or responsibilities that show the relevant skills and knowledge you used

When describing your work experience, you should show how the role prepared you for the job you’re applying for.

Skills

Treat this section as a shortlist of the skills that match you to the job.

List up to 10 relevant hard skills (like software or tools). You can also include any certifications that you’ve completed (e.g., a CPR certificate).

Additional sections

Some of our entry-level resume templates include additional sections that can help strengthen your job applications early in your career.

We explain how to format these sections below. You can also delete these sections if they aren’t relevant to your background or target position.

Hobbies and interests

Including the right hobbies and interests helps you show enthusiasm for the role and align yourself with the culture of the company you’re applying for. Still you should only include this section if your other resume sections are looking thin.

List hobbies and interests that demonstrate skills relevant to the job:

• Team sports
• Creative pursuits
• Photography or design
• Language learning

Projects

A projects section is most useful for entry-level jobs in software development, design, marketing, data analysis, and writing. Projects let you provide concrete examples of your skills when you don’t have work experience.

List each project in reverse order, starting with the most recent, and include:

• The project name
• Your role (if it was a group project)
• Date completed
• A link to the project, if available (like a GitHub repo or portfolio site)

Focus on projects that relate to the job you’re applying for, and use 2–4 bullet points to describe what you built and the results.

Tools to help you fill in your entry-level resume template

Quickly fill out your template and complete your resume with these free writing tools:

• Resume summary generator: Creates an effective professional summary that highlights your key skills and qualifications
• Bullet point generator: Converts job duties into results-focused accomplishments
• Skills generator: Recommends important industry keywords based on your role
• AI resume generator: Automatically drafts a complete resume from a short prompt about your work history
• ATS resume checker: Checks your resume for ATS-friendly formatting and parsability

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are some additional questions you might have about writing your entry-level resume.

What should I put in the work experience section on an entry-level resume?

On an entry-level resume, your work experience section can include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, freelance projects, or campus leadership roles — anything that shows responsibility and transferable skills.

How do I professionally say I have no experience?

Never say you have no experience on your resume. Employers are interested in what you can offer them, not what you lack.

If you have no formal work experience, focus on the skills you’ve obtained through study or other life experiences.

If you can show the employer that you’re a well-rounded, hard-working individual with knowledge of their field or industry, they’re much more likely to consider you for an entry-level position.

Do I need a resume objective?

Yes, you should include an objective. Your introduction briefly explains who you are and what value you bring. This information tailors your resume to the role and shows the employer how your qualifications relate to the position they’re hiring for.

How long should an entry-level resume be?

An entry-level resume should be one page long. Since you’re just starting out, focus on including only the most relevant information, such as your education, skills, internships, volunteer work, and key accomplishments.

Should I put high school experience on my resume?

Only put high school experience on your resume if you’re still in high school student or have recently graduated, especially if it includes relevant achievements or leadership roles. Remove it when you finish college or have more than a year of work experience.