4 Entry-Level Resume Templates & Writing Guide

Creating your first resume doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Use our entry-level resume templates and step-by-step writing guide to make a job-ready resume that shows your potential.

1. College student resume template

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With its straightforward layout and color block headers, this template balances professionalism and approachability, making it perfect for college students entering the job market.

2. Internship resume template

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This template uses subtle design accents and a logical layout to highlight your education, relevant experience, and key skills to help you stand out in competitive internship pools.

3. Recent grad resume template

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A subtle dotted background and bold section headers give this template a distinctive look while keeping your qualifications front and center.

4. Assistant resume template

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This resume template combines modern fonts, bold headers, and strategic spacing to help you present your education and experience clearly and professionally.

How to write an entry-level resume

First, here’s an overview of how you should structure your entry-level resume and what you should write for each section:

Once you understand the layout, follow these steps to fill in each section with content that highlights your strengths, even if you don’t have much work experience yet:

Fill in your header

Your resume header is the first thing recruiters see, so keep it clean, professional, and easy to read. Include the essentials:

• Full name (in bold or slightly larger font)
• Job title (if applicable)
• Phone number (make sure voicemail is professional)
• Professional email address (ideally a variation of your name)
• City and state (full address optional)
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio link (if relevant)

For example:

Target your resume objective to the job you want

A resume objective is a 2–3 sentence professional introduction that:

• outlines your experience
• highlights your key skills
• sets out your career goals

Your resume objective is the first section employers will look at after your header, so it’s an important opportunity to explain why you’re a good fit for that specific role.

Here’s an entry-level resume objective example aimed at a specific position:

Highlight your relevant experience

To write an entry-level resume with no experience, fill your work experience section with:

• volunteer work
• internships
• part-time jobs
• self-employed work (freelancing, contract gigs, and side businesses)
• extracurricular activities (clubs, sports teams, and student government)
• relevant coursework
• hobbies and interests

Here’s an example of a work experience section with freelance and part-time work:

Video Editor (Freelance)

Various Vendors, August 20XX–Present

• Combine original, stock, and found footage to create videos for internet and television ads
• Accrued 100,000+ views on YouTube across 8 videos
• Reached Level 2 selling status on Fiverr within 4 months

Cashier (Part-Time)

Jack’s Grocery, June 20XX–July 20XX

• Rang up and bagged groceries for 50+ customers daily, promoting weekly sales specials during each transaction
• Managed an average of $2,000 per shift
• Led all cashiers with a 99.7% customer satisfaction rating

Detail your education

On an entry-level resume, your education section is often one of your strongest assets, especially if you don’t have much work experience yet. It gives employers a sense of your academic background, areas of interest, and relevant training.

First, add the following basic information for each degree you have:

• Degree name
• School name and location
• Graduation date or expected graduation date
• GPA (optional, include only if 3.5 or higher)

For example:

Then, you can add depth to your education section by including:

• Relevant coursework (e.g., Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, UX Design)
• Academic projects (especially if they reflect job-relevant skills)
• Honors or awards (Dean’s List, scholarships, etc.)
• Certifications or training (online courses, bootcamps, etc.)
• Clubs or leadership roles (e.g., Treasurer of the Finance Club)

These additions show initiative, skill development, and engagement, which are all things hiring managers value even in the absence of full-time work experience.

Here’s an example of an expanded education section:

Emphasize your skills

When hiring for an entry-level position, most employers assume you have little to no formal work experience, but they do want you to have the skills to handle your new responsibilities and quickly grow in your new role.

Check the job description to see which skills to emphasize on your resume. Then, list the ones you have in a dedicated skills section near the top or bottom of your resume, like this:

Your resume objective is a great place to highlight a few key strengths up front. This helps recruiters immediately connect your skills to the role, even before reading your full resume:

Motivated marketing graduate with strong communication skills and hands-on experience in social media management, copywriting, and campaign analysis. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team in an entry-level marketing role.

Finally in your relevant experience section, describe how you applied your skills to get results, like this:

• Created weekly social media content using Canva and scheduled posts via Buffer, increasing engagement by 15% over three months

Frequently asked questions about entry-level resumes

Here are answers to three of the most common questions asked about entry-level resumes:

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 hard skills you’ve obtained through study or other life experiences. It’s also a good idea to highlight your soft skills (also known as personal skills), as everyone develops soft skills throughout their lives.

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, a resume objective gives you a chance to briefly explain who you are, what type of role you’re seeking, and what value you bring, which is especially helpful if you lack extensive experience.

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.

Can I include high school experience?

Yes, but only if you’re a current high school student or recent graduate, especially if it includes relevant achievements or leadership roles. Remove it once you gain more college or professional experience.

More resources to help you get an entry-level job

Here are more resources to assist you as you seek a rewarding new career:

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