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How to Make a Resume With No Experience

No jobs to list yet? You still have plenty to put on the page.

A first resume is one page that shows you are reliable, can learn and can work with people. School projects, volunteering, activities and things you do at home all prove that. Here is how to write each part, with a sample you can follow.

What to put on a resume when you have not had a job

1. Start with the basics

  • Your name, city and state, phone number and an email address with your name in it.
  • One or two lines saying the kind of job you want and when you can work.
  • Your school and the year you finish, or the training you completed.

2. School projects

  • Pick one or two projects where you had a clear part: you led the group, did the research, built something or presented.
  • Say what you did and what came of it: "Planned the tasks for a four-person team and finished a week early."
  • Classes count too: a business, cooking, shop, computer or health class is training an employer can use.

3. Volunteering

  • List it like a job: what you did, where and for how long.
  • Food pantries, church or community events, cleanups, helping coach younger kids and tutoring all count.
  • Use numbers when you can: "Packed about 100 boxes each Saturday."

4. Activities

  • Sports, band, clubs, student council and faith or youth groups show you turn up and work with a team.
  • Add any role you held: captain, section leader, treasurer, the person who organized the schedule.
  • Two or three strong ones are better than a long list.

5. Transferable skills

  • These are skills you already use that a job also needs.
  • Watching younger siblings shows responsibility. Handling money at a fundraiser shows you can run a register. Helping at a family business is customer service.
  • Speaking two languages, being on time, following instructions and staying calm when it gets busy are all skills. Write them down.

6. Finish it properly

  • Keep it to one page, in a plain font, with the same style for every heading.
  • Only write what is true. An interviewer may ask about any line.
  • Check the spelling twice, then ask a teacher or parent to read it.

Turn everyday things into resume lines

Instead of

I babysit my brother.

Write

Care for a younger sibling after school three days a week, including meals and homework.

Instead of

I was in a group project.

Write

Organized tasks for a four-person class project and presented the results.

Instead of

I play soccer.

Write

Varsity soccer, two seasons. Practice five days a week while keeping up with classes.

Instead of

I helped at church.

Write

Set up and served at monthly community meals for about 80 people.

Sample resume with no work experience

Sample resume. The person and details are made up.

Jordan Rivera

Houston, TX | (713) 555-0142 | jordan.rivera@example.com

Objective

Reliable and motivated student seeking a part-time cashier or stocker position. Ready to learn quickly, show up on time and contribute to the team.

Education

Example High School, Houston, TX. Class of 2027.

Skills

  • Customer service
  • Handling cash and making change
  • Teamwork
  • Showing up on time
  • Google Docs and Sheets
  • Following written instructions

School Projects

  • Led a four-person team for a semester business class project; planned the tasks, kept the schedule and presented to the class
  • Ran the cash box for the school fundraiser and balanced it at the end of each day

Volunteer and Other Experience

  • Sorted and packed food at a neighborhood food pantry on Saturdays for six months
  • Help at a family landscaping business in summer: loading equipment and talking with customers
  • Watch two younger siblings after school three days a week

Clubs and Activities

  • Varsity soccer, two seasons
  • Volunteer tutor for middle school math

Availability

Evenings · Weekends · Reliable transportation

Languages

English, Spanish

References

Available on request

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