Emurse

Whether you are creating your resume for college applications or you are in the midst of your very first job hunt, writing a resume without any work experience can be a daunting challenge.

As an addendum to our guide on how to write an entry level resume, here are a few tips on beefing up the content of your resume when you are running short on work experience!

Not all experience is gained on the job. Highlight your volunteer work. Include bullet points with details of responsibilities you held and the experience you gained.

Include specific details on any academic achievements or awards that you have won. Extracurricular activities and honors offer the same opportunity. Think of any possible details that might be worth noting.

Second place in the Florida Science Fair Competition.
- 1 of only 4 representatives from the Orange County school district to travel to Tallahassee.
- Worked with the TAs from UCF on replicating my project on kinetic energy for their classes.

Excel in a particular hobby or interest? Include them. Many hobbies offer the chance to improve your organizational skills, sociability or written communication. Even though your hobby is something that you consider to be fun, it can also be very valuable to you when preparing your first resume!

When you are thin on experience, references can make all the difference. Consider supplying a list of references with not just their contact information, but also details on your relationship to them. Personal references can count for quite a lot early on!

For more instructions on how to write your first resume, check out our entry level resume guide!