How to Make Resume for First Job: A Guide

Writing your first job resume might feel daunting, especially if you have little or no formal job experience. However, all job seekers must begin somewhere, and with the correct structure, content, and approach, you can write a resume that will capture the attention of any hiring manager.

In this post, we'll walk you through each step of how to make resume for your first job. You'll learn which format to use, what to include, how to write great bullet points, and how to highlight both your skills and real-world experience, whether it comes from school projects or volunteer work.

What is a resume and why does it matter?

A resume is a professional document that sums up your skills, educational background, and relevant experience. Its objective is to demonstrate to potential employers that you are a strong candidate for the position, even if you have never worked in a professional setting before. It is your unique marketing tool, so make sure it is formatted correctly, written clearly, and suited to each job description specifically.

A resume for a first job for a recent graduate emphasizes transferable skills, relevant coursework, and other accomplishments such as extracurricular activities or volunteering experience.

Job seekers crafting their first resume can benefit from using the Personal Salary Report because it provides precise and personalized salary benchmarks based on your job title, location, and market trends, helping you demonstrate to employers that you've done your homework on realistic compensation expectations

Types of resume formats you can use

When writing your first resume, it's critical to choose the right format. Each type provides advantages based on your background and the type of job you're applying for.

Chronological resume

This is the most traditional structure and is effective if you have some employment history, even if it is from part-time jobs or internships. It arranges your experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. If your job title or previous employers are well-known, this structure will help you stand out.

Functional resume

The functional resume is ideal for first-time job seekers looking for no experience resume because it focuses on your skills rather than your previous history. It enables you to highlight both hard and soft skills, such as time management, strong communication skills, and technical skills, and relate them to real-world examples from school projects, volunteer work, or personal projects.

Combination resume

This hybrid format combines chronological and functional styles. It begins with a skills section, followed by a brief employment history or relevant projects listed in reverse chronological order. It is ideal for job seekers who want to demonstrate both relevant skills and minimal work experience.

Targeted resume

A focused CV is designed for a specific job. It focuses solely on experiences and skills relevant to that specific job description. This approach takes longer to write, but it is extremely successful in capturing a hiring manager's attention-and increasing your chances of passing the applicant tracking system (ATS).

How to structure your first job resume

Begin with your full name, professional email address, phone number, and links to your LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio as these are the essential details that every resume must include. Make sure your email is short and acceptable; avoid nicknames or out-of-date aliases.

Instead of the traditional summary used by experienced professionals, create a succinct resume objective. This is a one- or two-sentence statement that describes your aims and what you bring to the role.

Example: A motivated high school graduate looking for an entry-level customer service position. Brings strong communication, time management, and teamwork skills gained from volunteer work and school leadership positions.

Include your educational information, such as your school's name and location, as well as your expected date and actual graduation date. Don't forget to mention any academic awards or accomplishments, and if your GPA is good, mention it. You can also include relevant coursework like social media marketing, commercial communication, and graphic design in your education section.

What to include if you have no job experience

Your first resume can still emphasize relevant real-world experience even if you haven't had a formal job yet.

Consider any volunteer work you've done, whether it was for neighborhood events, community drives, or school initiatives. These events demonstrate responsibility and initiative. You can also include school projects requiring collaboration, problem solving, or public speaking.

If you've worked on personal projects like starting a blog, running a small online business, or developing graphics, you can demonstrate your technical skills and creativity. Don't overlook your extracurricular activities; participation in organizations, sports teams, or student government can demonstrate leadership, dedication, and time management.

Use these experiences to demonstrate transferable skills such as organization, communication, and adaptability, which many potential employers appreciate more than previous job experience. Looking at resume examples online can also give you a clearer idea of how to format your experience and skills.

Highlight both hard and soft skills

Use a separate skills section to emphasize your best hard and soft skills. Concentrate on what is most relevant to the job description and use strong verbs to highlight them. Focus on the most relevant skills to the job description, combining hard and soft skills to show your fitness for the role. This part allows the applicant tracking system to match your resume with employer keywords.

Hard skills examples:

Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint
Canva, Google Docs
First aid training
POS systems
Social media scheduling tools

Soft skills examples:

Strong communication skills
Time management
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Adaptability

Tips to make a strong resume

Because this is your first resume, limit it to one page. Use easy-to-read typefaces such as Arial or Calibri, keep font sizes between 10 and 12 points, and use bold font solely for section headings and job names. Use consistent spacing, line breaks, and section headings to keep the resume clean and professional. A resume builder or a free resume template can help you get started with the layout. If the job description does not specify otherwise, save your resume as a PDF.

Spelling and grammatical errors can be a huge red flag for potential employers. Always have someone else review your CV and review it multiple times. Printing it out or reading it aloud can help you gain a new perspective.

Including extra parts on your professional resume can make a significant difference, particularly if you're writing a resume for a first job. Certifications like first aid, CPR, or basic computer skills can demonstrate that you are prepared and dependable. If you speak more than one language, stating your language skills can provide you with an advantage, especially in customer-facing positions.

Always read the job description carefully so you can tailor your wording to match the employer's priorities. When applying to a different job, create a new document to tailor your resume specifically for that role.

As optional sections, you may also highlight any professional affiliations, such as memberships in student clubs, academic organizations, or leadership groups, to demonstrate commitment and interest.

Finally, a well-written cover letter may bring everything together by emphasizing your passion for the position, explaining why you are a good fit, and providing context beyond your resume objective. Including this data demonstrates your commitment to your job search and can help you stand out to a hiring manager reviewing lots of applications.