How To Write A Beginner Resume (With Tips And Example)

Beginner or entry-level resumes help fresh graduates and professionals with little or no experience showcase their skills and expertise. To make a positive first impression on the hiring manager and help distinguish your application from other candidates, beginners require a well-written resume. Learning how to write an entry-level resume can help increase the chances of your job application getting shortlisted. In this article, we discuss what entry-level resumes are, explain how to write a beginner resume, list some tips to consider while writing one and share a template and example for your reference.

What Is A Beginner's Resume?

Beginner or entry-level resumes serve as an introduction for the strengths, skills and academic credentials of fresh graduates to prospective employers. You may lack professional job experience as a newcomer, but highlighting the skills you have acquired through education, extracurricular activities and internships can help make a positive impression. A beginner resume is an excellent way to demonstrate your suitability for the job and help secure a desirable position at a company of your choice.

Related: Resume For Freshers: Guide With Template

How To Write A Beginner Resume?

Knowing how to write a beginner resume can provide freshers with an opportunity to introduce themselves when applying for jobs. As a fresher, you may want to present your skills, educational qualifications and internship experience in an appealing manner. By emphasising your skills on your resume, you can make it easier for a hiring manager to quickly gain a thorough understanding of your abilities. To create an impressive beginner's resume, follow these steps:

1. Conduct your research

As most freshers lack significant professional experience, it is best to conduct an analysis of different job postings. You can review different jobs in your industry and even consult human resource professionals or recruiters for advice, as this may assist you in identifying jobs that meet your requirements. Reviewing these job descriptions and qualifications can help you identify the relevant skills, qualifications and expertise employers look for when hiring employees. This can help you customise your resume by highlighting and including the right skills and keywords.

Related: How To Represent Skill Levels On A Resume To Get Hired

2. Start with your name and contact information

Begin your resume by writing your name and contact information. The inclusion of your contact information can make it easier for the hiring manager to contact you quickly. It is best to provide at least two different ways for the hiring manager to contact you. If you are applying for a job in a place other than your current location, you can also mention your current location here.

3. Begin with a professional summary

Start your beginner's resume by including a synopsis of your value proposition and the main reasons why you are suitable for the role. It is important to state a clear goal that you want to accomplish while also providing credentials relevant to each position you are pursuing. The summary statement can list your qualifications and training while also stating your skills, strengths and accomplishments.

Related: How To Write A Profile Summary For Freshers (With Examples)

4. Highlight your educational qualifications

Since freshers do not have significant professional experience, you may want to prioritise your educational credentials to show your potential and background knowledge. You can move the education section after your professional history as your experience grows over the years. In the education section, it can be essential to include information like the name of the institution or university, location, name of the degree programme and specialisation, along with the year of completion.

5. List your skills

Next, list and describe the skills you possess that can help support the company's goals. While listing your skills, ensure that you thoroughly study the job description to ensure that you are meeting the requirements of the employer. If you believe your skills do not match the job requirements, consider applying for other jobs instead.

Related: How To List Your Skills On A Resume (With Examples)

6. Add any additional relevant information

Depending on the job and your unique experience, you can consider adding additional resume sections. Internships, awards and accolades, volunteer experience and certifications are examples of these sections. To showcase the most essential skills for that specific job, so you can exclude information that is irrelevant or adds no value to your job application.

7. Format your resume

It can be essential for resumes to be neat and easy to read, with well-structured formatting, clear section headings and plenty of white space. For the hiring manager to review your resume easily, you can keep the formatting consistent and choose to bold, italicise or underline crucial information. You may also use larger font sizes for headings and your name and contact information to highlight it.

Related: Best Font For Resume: How To Choose Type And Size

8. Check your resume for errors

Proofread your resume and any other documents, such as cover letters, before submitting them. You can share them with a trusted adviser, lecturer, industry professional, friend, or anyone willing to provide their feedback. An error-free resume can help you appear more professional and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Related: How to Write a Cover Letter for Fresher Candidates (With Example)

Tips To Consider When Creating A Beginner's Resume

While creating your beginner's resume, consider the following tips:

• Limit your resume to one page. Keeping your resume to a single page can allow the hiring manager to review all relevant information quickly.

• Use a reverse-chronological format. Using a reverse-chronological format, you can mention your most recent qualifications and certifications first. This allows the hiring manager to see the relevant skills and experience you have gained over the last few years.

• Follow a template. A resume's layout and presentation are critical to its success. Using a professional and well-designed template allows you to prioritise key information.

• Use an appropriate amount of white space. It is advisable to format your resume with appropriate white space. This can help ensure that your resume is neat and easy to read.

• Use the right keywords. When writing the resume, ensure you include the right keywords, as most recruiters and hiring teams use software and tools to scan resumes for specific keywords.

• Choose a suitable filename. Name your resume with your first and last name or 'full-name-target-job-title-resume.' This can help the hiring manager, who may review several applications in a day, immediately identify your resume file.

Related: 10 Resume Writing Tips To Help You Land A Job

Beginner's Resume Template

Here is a template which tells you how to write a beginner resume and helps you to write your own:

[Full name]
[Contact number] | [Email address] | [City, State]

Professional Summary

[Include a short description of your qualifications, professionals goals and eligibility for the role.]

Education

[Course name], [Year of completion]
[Name of institute], [City, State]

• [major project-related or academic achievement]

• [major project-related or academic achievement]

[Course name], [Year of completion]
[Name of institute], [City, State]

• [Major project-related or academic achievement]

• [Major project-related or academic achievement]

Skills

[Include a list of relevant technical and soft skills relevant for the role.]

Experience (Optional)

[List any previous internship experience that demonstrates your industry understanding or highlights relevant skills.]

Achievements (Optional)

[Include any honours and recognition you have received in your list of accomplishments.]

Related: Resume For Freshers: Guide With Template

Beginner's Resume Example

You can refer to this beginner's resume example as a reference when writing your resume:

Kirti Sharma

+91-9876543210 | kirtisharma@email.com | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Professional Summary

Creative and passionate writer freshly graduated from Mumbai Regional University. A team player with exceptional leadership qualities, trained in digital and corporate writing. I am seeking a position as a content writer, where my skills in writing can be put to use in delivering innovative writing solutions to meet communication goals.

Education

BA in English Literature, Mumbai Regional University, 2021

• Secured first division in all subjects

• Participated in writing projects and college magazine editorship

• President of the Writing Club in college

Skills

• Digital skills: designing | digital marketing | search engine optimisation

• Interpersonal skills: leadership | communication | time management | empathy

Work Experience

Copywriter intern, Jan. 2020–Mar. 2020
Wavewood Communications, Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Developed writing content with the management and the creative team from conception to completion

• Used different content management systems to create and upload several blogs

• Assisted the strategy team in the execution of magazine content, e-newsletters, posters and other writing material for the department

• Consulted with clients to discuss article subjects

• Produced marketing campaigns according to industry trends

Certificates

• Writing Certification, Regional College of Arts, 2021

• Script Writing Certification, Young Storytellers Workshop, 2020

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.