Looking for your first job is exciting, but it’s also surprisingly challenging. Often, creating an entry-level resume is tricky since you don’t have much – if any – job experience to include. Fortunately, there are options available that can help you round out your resume to make it more compelling. If you’re creating an entry-level resume, here are four things to include:
1. Resume Summary
A resume summary is a brief synopsis of what you bring. It’s a chance to highlight a relevant achievement or two and skills the hiring manager wants to find. Essentially, it serves as a one-to-three-sentence elevator pitch, allowing you to immediately set the tone and draw the hiring manager in, increasing the odds that they’ll keep reading.
As an entry-level candidate, you don’t have to focus solely on traditional work experience when creating your resume summary. Discuss your education, volunteer efforts, industry certifications, and similar details. You can also mention a goal for the position or the start of your career, allowing you to round it out a bit if necessary.
2. Skills
The skills section is an area that lists your relevant capabilities as quick bullet points. It’s a simple way to showcase critical knowledge areas and abilities, particularly skills the hiring manager lists as must-haves in the job ad.
Your skills section only lists the competency, not where, when, or how it was acquired. Usually, you want to include nine or 12 relevant skills, separating each bullet point with tabs to create makeshift columns. Also, use the exact wording featured in the job ad when possible, as that increases your odds of looking like a match to an automated resume screener.
3. Education
As an entry-level candidate, listing your education above your work history works in your favor if you’re a recent graduate looking for your first job. It lets you highlight a critical credential immediately, making a difference.
You can expand this section if you have career-related certifications or licenses. Title it “Education and Certifications,” “Education and Licenses,” or something similar, and list your relevant credentials in that area.
4. Experience
Entry-level candidates must remember that relevant experience isn’t limited to traditional jobs. While you can list those if you’ve been employed previously, volunteer positions, internships, and similar experience also qualify.
You should also consider other strategies you used to enhance your capabilities, such as freelance work, temp jobs, or personal projects. Any of them may help fill out your experience area. Just ensure the content is relevant to the job you’re trying to land, as that’s what makes the strongest impression overall.
Are You Looking for an Entry-Level Job?
If you want to start your career on the right foot, Premier Staffing Inc. makes finding your ideal entry-level position simple. Contact us to learn more about our open jobs today.