How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience | Tips, Tricks & Examples
Imagine being in a situation where you’re out of money, and the one last penny seems like the most important thing in the world.
Starting your career can feel the same way. Even seemingly small experiences—like managing social media for a family member, helping at a restaurant to record sales, taking on a leadership role in a student club, or writing content for a company without pay—can suddenly become valuable.
These activities now contribute to your skills and experiences, which can be highlighted on your resume.
Big Question: How do you structure these experiences on a resume so they align with the job description? Let’s walk through how to write a resume without formal work experience.
How to Write Your Resume: The Basics
1. List Out Your Contact Information
This is the first part of the resume, and you should never omit it because it allows employers to contact you. It should include:
Full Name
Job Title
Phone Number
Address
Email
LinkedIn URL
Website (Optional)
Portfolio (Optional)
Add your role underneath your name section to help your resume pass through an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), as it is a keyword in your CV. Make sure to include an active email and phone number.
Since LinkedIn is now considered an important part of any resume, stay active by posting or reposting relevant content.
Example
2. Write an Attractive Summary
Give an overview of your skills, achievements, and what you can offer. It is critical as it creates a lasting impression on the recruiter. Use this opportunity to highlight how you stand out and outline your career goals.
How to Write a Summary
Study the Job Description: Carefully read and understand the job description to tailor your summary or objective to the specific role.
Avoid creating a summary for one role (e.g., Media Specialist) when applying for another (e.g., Digital Marketer).
Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description, such as skills, tools, or platforms. If the job description doesn’t mention a skill or tool you are proficient in, include it if it aligns with the role.
Highlight Your Skills: Focus on the skills most relevant to the job description and demonstrate how they align with the role.
Keep It Brief and Concise: Your summary or objective should be short, typically between three to six sentences.
Examples of Summaries
3. Highlight Your Skills
Including a skills section in your resume lets the recruiter quickly identify your strengths and capabilities. While your skills may be referenced in other sections, having a standalone section helps emphasize your qualifications.
Skills can be categorized into two types: Hard (or Technical) Skills and Soft Skills.
Hard or technical skills are specific skills that are acquired through training, education, and practice. They are job-specific skills.
Soft Skills, on the other hand, are transferable skills that cut across any field. They are essential for building relationships, resolving issues, and adjusting to workplace demands.
Examples
4. Internships & Volunteer Experience
How to Write the Internships & Volunteer Section
Internship/Volunteer Position or Role: Clearly state the position you held during the internship or volunteer work, such as Marketing Assistant, Media Intern, or Teaching Intern.
Organization or Company Name: Include the name of the organization you worked with to show credibility.
Location: Specify the city, state, or country where the organization is located.
Dates: Provide the start and end dates of your internship or volunteer work (month and year).
Responsibilities and Achievements:
Highlight the tasks you performed and the responsibilities you undertook.
Showcase any significant achievements in the role.
Tailor these points to align with the job description of the position you are applying for.
Pro Tips
Use Actionable Verbs:
Start each responsibility or achievement with a strong verb, such as built, achieved, acquired, or collaborated. Avoid starting sentences with pronouns like "I."Quantify Achievements:
Use numbers, percentages, or other measurable indicators to demonstrate your impact (e.g., "Increased company ROI by 10%."). Be honest and avoid exaggeration.
Example
5. Projects
Projects are a great way to demonstrate hands-on experience, whether from school, extracurricular activities, or personal initiatives. They can showcase your ability to apply skills in practical settings, whether individually or as part of a team.
How to Write a Project on a Resume
Project Title:
Clearly state the title of the project to summarize its focus. For example, "A Case Study of Food Contamination in Lagos."Description:
Provide a brief overview of the project, your role, and its purpose.Highlight Achievements:
Outline specific accomplishments or results from the project. Use bullet points and actionable verbs to describe your contributions.
Example
Project: A Case Study of Food Contamination in Lagos
Conducted research on food contamination across 10 markets in Lagos, analyzing samples for bacteria and pesticides.
Designed and distributed surveys to assess food handling practices among vendors and consumers.
Analyzed data and created actionable recommendations for improving food safety.
6. Extracurricular Activities
This section highlights activities you participated in outside academics, such as competitions, events, or memberships in clubs and sports teams. Ensure the activities are related to the job description or your skill.
Examples
Event Coordinator, Science Club
Organized an inter-school science fair that attracted over 200 participants and secured 15 sponsors.
Collaborated with a team to manage logistics, budgeting, and marketing for the event.
7. Certifications
Certifications demonstrate your expertise, qualifications, and commitment to personal and professional development. They are a valuable addition to your resume, especially when tailored to the job description. However, avoid overcrowding this section with irrelevant or outdated certifications.
How to Write the Certification Section
Certification Name:
Clearly state the full name of the certification, e.g., AFP Short Courses, Scrum Master, etc.Issuing Organization:
Mention the organization that issued the certification, such as Google, Udemy, or Coursera.Date Issued:
Provide the month and year the certification was earned.
Examples
8. Awards and Achievements
This section highlights exceptional accomplishments in academics, extracurricular activities, or professional endeavors. It serves as a track record of your excellence and adds credibility to your profile.
How to Write the Awards and Achievements Section
Award Name:
State the name of the award or recognition, e.g., Microsoft Specialist of the Year.Issuing Organization:
Include the name of the organization or institution that presented the award.Date Earned:
Mention the month and year the award was issued.
Examples
Winner, National Essay Competition – Education Advancement Foundation | September 2021
Secured 1st place among 500 participants for a paper on youth empowerment.Best Project Presentation Award – University of Benin | May 2023
Recognized for delivering an innovative solution during the annual science exhibition.
9. Use Education as a Selling Point
Your educational background serves as a strong foundation, especially if you lack work experience. State your qualifications, relevant coursework, and academic achievements strategically to make a positive impression.
Focus on aspects that align with the job requirements to demonstrate your skills.
What to Include in the Education Section
Degree Name: Clearly state the full name of your degree.
Name of Institution: Include the name of the university, college, or educational institution.
Graduation Year or Expected Graduation Year: Mention the year you graduated or are expected to graduate.
CGPA (Optional): Include your CGPA only if it is a first-class, honourary, or best-graduating student.
Examples
Download A Free Resume Template Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do you say you got a first on your resume?
A: To indicate that you received first-class honors, use terms recognized in your country.
Example:
B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, First Class Honours (Top of Class, 2023)
B.Sc. in Computer Science, First Class Honours.
Q3: What should I use instead of "I am" in a resume?
A: It is advisable to write in the third person to maintain professionalism. Avoid using the first person, as it looks unprofessional. For example, instead of “I am an experienced project manager,” write “Experienced Project Manager.” Most importantly, avoid using pronouns.
Q4: How should I end a resume?
A: To end your resume, recheck your experience section, add certifications, review for grammatical errors, ensure it’s formatted correctly, and make sure your skills, achievements, and certifications are tailored to the job you're applying for.
Q5: What tense is advisable to use in a resume?
A: Both past and present tense can be used. Use past tense for roles, internships, and experiences that have ended, and present tense for ongoing roles, internships, or volunteer activities.
Q6: How can I make my resume stand out?
A: To make your resume stand out, tailor it for each job application by customizing the skills and experiences you highlight.
Use action verbs, quantify your achievements where possible, and keep the layout clear and professional. Avoid overly fancy designs, as recruiters often use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
Download A Free Resume Template Here
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