Entry Level Resume: 7 Tips to Get Noticed (2025 Guide)
Writing an entry level resume feels like a chicken-and-egg problem: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. The good news is that hiring managers don't expect you to have a long work history — they expect you to show potential, skills, and a clear fit for the role. Here's how to structure a resume that gets past the bots and lands you an interview, even with zero formal experience.
Lead with a Strong Summary, Not an Objective
Most entry level resumes start with an "Objective" statement that sounds like a form letter: "Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills." Instead, write a 2-3 sentence professional summary that highlights your education, key skills, and enthusiasm. For example: "Recent communications graduate with hands-on internship experience in social media scheduling and content creation. Proven ability to write engaging copy and analyze engagement metrics using Google Analytics. Eager to contribute to a fast-paced marketing team." This immediately shows the hiring manager who you are and what you bring, rather than what you want.
Use a Skills-First Format
Since you lack work experience, your skills section should sit right below your summary — before your education or any volunteer roles. This is called a "skills-first" or "functional" resume format. Create a clean two-column list of hard skills (software, tools, languages) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving). Tailor these skills to the job description. If the posting asks for Excel, make sure "Excel" appears exactly as written — many applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for exact keyword matches.
Turn Education into a Selling Point
Your education is your strongest asset when you're entry level. Include your degree, school, graduation year (or expected), and any relevant coursework, honors, or academic projects. If you have a high GPA (3.5 or above), list it. You can also add a "Relevant Coursework" line to show knowledge in specific areas — for example, "Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Management" for a CS grad. If you took any online certifications (Google, HubSpot, Coursera), list them under a separate "Certifications" subheading to add credibility.
Showcase Projects, Volunteer Work, and Internships
Don't have paid work experience? Use projects and volunteer roles to prove your skills. Create a section called "Projects" or "Relevant Experience" and describe 2-3 things you've done — a class project, a freelance gig, a club event, or a volunteer initiative. Use bullet points with action verbs and quantify results whenever possible. For example: "Managed social media for a campus event that drew 200 attendees, increasing event page engagement by 40%." This shows you can apply your skills in a real-world context.
Quantify Your Achievements — Even Small Numbers Count
Numbers make your resume concrete. Instead of saying "Responsible for cash handling," say "Handled $500+ in daily transactions with zero discrepancies." Instead of "Helped organize a fundraiser," say "Co-organized a fundraiser that raised $1,200 for local shelter." Even in entry level roles, you can quantify: number of customers served, percentage of improvement, size of budget, number of team members you collaborated with. This makes your resume stand out from the generic pile.
Keep It to One Page and Use Simple Formatting
Recruiters spend about 6–8 seconds scanning a resume. Keep yours to one page, use a clean font (Arial, Calibri, or similar), and set margins to 0.5–1 inch. Use bold for section headers and job titles, and use bullet points — not paragraphs. Avoid graphics, tables, or fancy icons because ATS software often can't read them. Save your resume as a PDF (unless the job posting asks for Word) and name the file professionally: "YourName_Resume.pdf" — not "resume_final_FINAL_v3.pdf."
Customize for Each Application
You can't send the same resume to every job. Read the job description carefully and adjust your summary, skills, and bullet points to mirror the keywords and requirements. For example, if the job asks for "customer service experience," make sure your volunteer role at a food bank highlights "interacting with diverse customers." This takes extra time, but it dramatically increases your chances of getting past the ATS and showing you actually care about the role.
Practical Takeaway: Your 5-Step Checklist Before Submitting
- Tailor your summary to the exact job title and company.
- Mirror the skills listed in the job description.
- Quantify at least 3 bullet points with numbers.
- Proofread twice — or have a friend check for typos.
- Save as PDF with a clean filename.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Should I include a photo on my entry level resume?
In the US and most of Europe, no — photos are not standard and can lead to bias. Exceptions exist in some countries (e.g., parts of Europe, Asia), but unless the employer specifically asks, it's safer to omit it.
Q2: How long should an entry level resume be?
Strictly one page. You don't have enough experience to fill two pages, and a one-page resume shows you can prioritize information. If you're struggling to fit everything, cut older or less relevant details.
Q3: What if I have no work experience at all?
Focus on your education, projects, volunteer work, and transferable skills. You can also include a "Professional Development" section with online courses or certifications. Every experience counts — even babysitting, tutoring, or organizing a community event shows responsibility.
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