college essay guy resume template

How to Write a College Resume (That Doesn’t Put Readers to Sleep)

You’re a college student staring at your resume, desperately trying to make your experience babysitting your cousin sound as impressive as running a Fortune 500 company. 

You’re not alone. In fact, nearly 50% of recent college grads say they feel underqualified for entry-level jobs because their resumes don’t showcase enough relevant experience. The pressure’s real, and when you're just starting out, it can feel like you have more empty space than actual accomplishments.

The good news is that a college student resume doesn’t really need to list a ton of professional roles. It’s all about telling your story in a way that highlights your unique skills and achievements. Maybe that summer lifeguard job taught you teamwork, or leading a club improved your leadership skills. 

This guide is here to show you exactly how to turn those seemingly everyday experiences into a college student resume that’ll have recruiters and admissions officers saying, “This one’s got potential!”  

What’s a College Student Resume Anyway?

A college student resume isn’t just a boring list of classes and grades but rather your chance to show who you really are —your accomplishments, your interests, and how you spend your time outside of the books. 

And no, you don’t need a bunch of fancy job titles to make it look impressive. Wondering what does a college resume look like if you don’t have much work experience? Things like volunteering at local events, tutoring classmates, or even participating in campus clubs all count as valuable experience.

Think of your resume for college student as a place to tell your story. Employers and admissions officers don’t expect you to have a lot of professional experience. Instead, they’re looking to see how you’ve used your time to grow and build skills that are relevant for the future, like leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork—all of which you can develop through your college major and extracurriculars..

And remember, this isn’t just for when you graduate. A well-crafted college resume can help you land internships, scholarships, or even get into that exclusive campus club you’ve been eyeing. 

So don’t worry if it’s not packed with traditional “work” experience. Just focus on showing off what makes you unique. 

And if you’re struggling to put it together, you can always check out an online essay writing service to polish your drafts.

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Why Do You Even Need a Resume for College Student?

You might be wondering, “Do I really need a resume if I’m just a college student?” Absolutely! A college resume is more than just a formality. Here’s why:

• Applying for Internships & Scholarships: Many colleges, like Stanford and the University of California, expect students to submit a resume when applying for competitive internships and scholarships. 
• Building Your Personal Brand: A resume shows your strengths, experiences, and ambitions. It’s a great tool for telling your story and creating a strong first impression. If you’re unsure how to start, using ChatGPT to write a resume can help you get those ideas down.
• Getting Involved on Campus: Some colleges even require a resume for certain student leadership positions or programs. Whether it’s for a research opportunity, becoming a club president, or scoring a spot in an honors society, a solid resume can be your ticket in.
• It’s a Good Habit! The earlier you start working on your resume, the easier it is to keep it updated. As you build more experience, you’ll have a polished document ready to go for any opportunity that comes your way.

So, while not every college will demand one for admissions, having a standout resume can open doors you didn’t even know were there. 

How to Write a College Resume That Makes You Look Like a Pro

What exactly should go on your college resume? 

Break it down into sections that highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements. Don’t worry if you’re missing professional roles: things like class projects, leadership in clubs, and even that summer job at the local ice cream shop can all fit in!

Name and Contact Information

This section might seem straightforward, but you’d be surprised how often it’s done incorrectly or not included at all! It’s the first thing recruiters or admissions officers see, so you want to make sure it’s clean, professional, and easy to read:

• Full Name : Your name should be the largest text on your resume. Avoid nicknames or abbreviations and use your full name as it appears on official documents. Example : Jane Elizabeth Doe
• Email Address : Make sure your email is professional and clear. This means no usernames like [email protected] . Use a variation of your name instead, like [email protected] . If you don’t have a professional email, it’s worth creating one. Example : [email protected]
• Phone Number : Include your mobile number, making sure to use the correct format with parentheses or dashes for readability. Double-check it! One wrong digit and you could miss out on important calls! Example : (555) 123-4567
• Home Address : You can include your full home address or just the city and state if you prefer more privacy. This is useful for employers to see if you’re local, but it’s not mandatory. If you’re applying for remote roles, you can even skip it. Example : 123 Maple Street, Apartment 2A, New York, NY 10001
• LinkedIn and Personal Website : If you have a LinkedIn profile, personal website, or an online portfolio, definitely include those links. Use the full URLs to avoid broken links, but remove the “https://” for a cleaner look. Example : linkedin.com/in/janedoe janedoeportfolio.com

Remember, your contact information should be at the top of your resume, easily visible and well-organized!

Education and Academic Accomplishments

In the Education section, don’t just list where you study. Present your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any special honors or awards you’ve earned along the way:

• School Name and Location : List your current college or university, along with its location. You can also include your high school if you’re a freshman or sophomore and don’t have much college experience yet. Example : University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA
• Degree and Major : Clearly state your degree and major. If you’re still working towards your degree, include your expected graduation date. This helps readers understand where you are in your academic path. Example : Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Expected Graduation: May 2025 Minor in Business Administration
• GPA (Optional) : If your GPA is above a 3.0 and you’re proud of it, include it. Otherwise, skip it! Example : GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Completed “Data Analysis and Visualization” course, utilizing Python and Excel to develop data-driven reports.
• Led a research project on renewable energy, analyzing the impact of solar power adoption on local communities.

Make sure everything is listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first), and don’t be afraid to add a little context. 

Work and/or Volunteer Experience

This is where you bring your experiences to life, whether it’s a paid job, an internship, or volunteering. Even if it doesn’t seem “fancy,” every experience has something valuable to offer:

• Job or Volunteer Title, Company/Organization Name, and Location : Start with your role title, followed by the organization name and location. This helps readers quickly understand where you worked and in what capacity. Example : Sales Associate The Local Bookshop, Los Angeles, CA (Retail)
• Dates of Employment : Include the start and end date in month/year format. If it’s a current position, write “Present” as the end date. Example : June 2021 – Present
• Managed inventory and restocked shelves, maintaining 100% product availability during peak seasons.
• Led a team of 5 volunteers in organizing a community food drive, collecting over 300 canned goods for local shelters.

By organizing your Work and/or Volunteer Experience section this way, you’re telling a story about your professional development. 

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are the part of your college student resume that let you show what you’re passionate about and what you’ve been up to outside of your coursework:

• Activity Name and Your Role : Start with the name of the club or organization, followed by your role in it. If you were more involved (like a team captain or club treasurer), include that title so it’s clear you took on responsibilities. Example : President, Robotics Club XYZ University, 2020 – Present
• Coordinated weekly meetings and competitions, growing club membership by 25% over one year.
• Led a team of 10 in designing a robot for a national competition, winning 2nd place out of 50 teams.
• Skills Learned : Include a sentence or two about what you learned from the experience and how it’s relevant to your future goals. This helps connect your extracurricular activities to the larger narrative of who you are and where you’re headed. Example : “Being President of the Robotics Club taught me how to lead a team, manage budgets, and solve complex problems. I discovered a passion for engineering and learned how to turn ideas into tangible results.”

Honors and Awards

This part of your resume for college student is where you get to say, “Look at all the cool things I’ve accomplished!” It’s like your own little trophy shelf on paper:

• Award Name and Organization : Write down the name of the award, along with the name of the school, club, or organization that gave it to you. If the award name isn’t super obvious (like “Gold Leaf Award”), add a short note about what it’s for. Example : Dean’s List XYZ University, Spring 2023
• Why It’s Impressive : Include a line or two that describes what the award recognizes. Did it honor your academic excellence, leadership, or community service? How competitive was it? Be specific, but keep it short and straightforward. Example : Given to students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher, placing in the top 10% of the class.
• National Merit Scholar, awarded to 1 of 50 students nationally for academic excellence.
• 1st Place in University Science Fair out of 150 entries for research on renewable energy solutions.

Skills, Interests, and Achievements

This part is like the “bonus features” section. Think of it as a way to show who you are, not just as a student, but as a well-rounded person:

• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (created designs for 3 student projects)
• Fluent in Spanish, Intermediate in French (studied abroad in Spain for one semester)
• Love hiking and exploring new trails (I’ve covered 20+ trails so far!)
• Big fan of coding games for fun. I’m currently working on my third game.
• Certified in Digital Marketing from HubSpot Academy
• Completed a half-marathon and placed in the top 10% of my age group

When organizing your experiences, if you’re not sure what to include, a college paper writing service can help you pinpoint which projects or roles best showcase your strengths.

College Resume Format and Design

You’ve probably heard that what’s inside matters most, but when it comes to college resume templates, appearance is just as important. Your resume is like a first impression, so it needs to be clean. After all, you don’t want to lose points because your resume looks like a cluttered mess. 

Here’s how to make sure your format and design stand out for all the right reasons:

• Font Choice : Choose a professional, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, Georgia, or Arial. Avoid overly decorative fonts or ones that are too small. A font size between 10-12 points for the main text is a good guideline.
• Stick to One Page : Keep your resume concise. Admissions counselors or recruiters often skim through dozens of resumes, so making yours a quick read is a big plus. Don’t go beyond one page unless you have extensive experience to share.
• Use Headings and Bullet Points : Organize your resume with clear headings (like “Education” and “Experience”) and bullet points for easy scanning. Use bold or italicized text to highlight key information, but don’t go overboard — less is more.
• White Space Is Your Friend : Leave 1-inch margins and space between sections to give your resume a professional look. This makes it easier on the eyes and more inviting to read.
• Be Consistent : Create a consistent style for each section. If you’re using bullet points, make sure they’re uniform throughout. If you’re using headings, use the same font size and style for each one. 

Resume Examples for College Students

We’ve put together 4 different college resume templates designed to match various levels of experience and needs. Pick the one that works best for you, customize it, and make it your own!

More College Student Resume Tips

Creating a college admission resume that captures your strengths and achievements takes some brainstorming and a bit of strategy:

And that’s a wrap! 

Creating a college resume doesn’t have to be a stressful, checkbox-filling exercise. Just think of it as putting together a reel of everything you’ve done and all the skills you’ve picked up along the way. So, give it one last look, hit that “save” button, and get ready to knock those applications out of the park. 

College Essays That Tell Your Story

Your experiences, your achievements—our writers create personal statements and essays that show who you are, not just what you’ve done.

How to Write a College Resume?

What should go on a college admission resume, how long should a resume be for a college student.

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Cengage Group. (2021, June 16). New Cengage Report Finds Recent College Graduates Feel Underqualified to Enter the Workforce . Cengage Group. https://www.cengagegroup.com/news/press-releases/2021/new-cengage-report-finds-recent-college-graduates-feel-underqualified-to-enter-the-workforce/

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Resume for College Application – Examples & Template

July 8, 2024

College application resumes are different from professional resumes. There’s a certain way your resume for college applications should be to ensure your profile stands out. In one page, your resume will need to cover your academics, background, extracurricular activities and achievements. So to be asked to complete a resume, on top of everything else that goes into the college application? We know, it sounds like a lot. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Down below, we’ll dive right into what a college resume is and how to write a college resume. You’ll even find three college application resume examples and a college application resume template to help you start your own.

Let’s have a look at how to begin your resume for your college applications.

What goes into a college application resume?

A resume for your college application, otherwise known as your high school resume, should be one page long. It’s a space for you to show colleges all of your most important activities and achievements that they wouldn’t necessarily know in other parts of your college application. The overall objective of the college application resume is to demonstrate the bigger picture of who you are. It’s essentially a summary of what you’ve done, assembled in a way that serves as a snapshot of your greatest achievements.

There are a few core sections that will go into your college application resume:

– Contact information: Your full name, home address, email and phone number should be at the very top of your college application resume. The header of your resume should have all of this information. This includes any LinkedIn page or personal website that showcases your achievements. – Educational details and academic accomplishments: The full name of your high school and the dates of when you attended should go here. This is where you’ll include your GPA, your AP or IB courses, your ACT or SAT scores and your class ranking, if it’s significant.

College Resume Template (Continued)

Extracurricular activities and work experience: Any special volunteering, internships, part-time jobs, or even had a unique experience studying or working abroad? You should mention those moments here. This section of the resume will amplify what kind of person you are in the community around you. To better understand you as an applicant, admissions officers want to know where you spend your time outside of school. Did you have any leadership positions? Was there a special job or position you had? – Awards and honors: If you have any accomplishments that you’re proud of, you should list them here. This is the part of the college application resume to list achievements like your first prize in a district-wide writing competition or your Most Valuable Player award in your tennis team. Remember, both academic awards and extracurricular awards can be mentioned, so be sure to include any relevant recognitions. – Special skills and interests: Let’s say you speak more than one language and you’re passionate about all things student leadership. Perhaps you know everything about computers. This part of the college application resume is where you should list those unique skills. Think of strong skills and interests you possess, while making sure they reflect your overall college application profile and ambitions. If you have any particular interests or even hobbies that can strengthen your application, then go for it.

Putting together the resume for your college applications can be a tedious process, so it’s best to pay careful attention to every line. You’ll want to focus on the format , style of language , brief but concise descriptions and crucial details .

Resume for College Application – Examples & Templates

College resume template #1.

Here are three different resume examples for college applications. They’ll go from the most basic college application resume to the most detailed:

1) For a standard college application resume, take a look at this student interested in studying anthropology or literature in college. The following is a very standard college application resume:

Dakota Lee 909 Park Avenue Portland, Oregon (012) 345-6789 [email protected]

Bloomington High School, Class of 2024 GPA: 3.85

• Lead students (K-6) in all camp-related activities relating to literature immersion.
• Organize art projects three days a week with senior counselors.
• Coordinate students’ final art show for parents.
• Assisted graduate students in their anthropology research 4 hours every week.
• Presented at the end of every month my own research findings between literature and anthropology.
• President, Student Anthropology Club: 2021-Present
• Vice President, Bloomington Book Club: 2022-Present
• Team Captain, JV Tennis Team: 2021-Present
• First Chair Violinist, Symphony Orchestra: 2022-Present
• High Honors List: 2024
• Principal’s List: 2023-2024
• National Honors Society: 2021-2024
• Most Valuable Player, JV Tennis Team: 2023-2024
• Languages: Spanish, French, Japanese
• Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop

College Resume Template #2

2) The next college application resume includes more details than the resume above, with a different layout. You’ll find that there is a short description of the student’s character and interests under a section called “Educational Goal” at the top:

Jon Jackson 678 Orange Street Austin, Texas (123) 456-7890 [email protected]

Educational Goal

Diligent, driven student with a passion for business and economic development. Dedicated to improving the livelihood of small businesses across the state of California. Focused on collaborating with business leaders, community organizers and students across the country to create a stronger, more sustainable economy.

High School Diploma                                                                                                                    2024 Springfield High School Austin, Texas GPA: 3.98 Courses: AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Macroeconomics, AP US History, AP Spanish

Austin Chamber of Commerce – Student Representative                                                     2021-2024 Austin, Texas – Served as representative of public schools across the city of Austin, advocating for student perspectives on Austin’s economic initiatives. – Developed campaigns and city-wide initiatives to encourage more student involvement in local elections, distributed pamphlets door-to-door to invite neighborhoods to participate in city-wide census polls. – Relayed information from commerce meetings back to our school district. – Advocated for the support of small businesses. – Created a bimonthly “Student Visit Day” to continue open communication between decision makers and high school student leaders across Austin.

• President, Business Club 2021-Present
• Treasurer, Young Economists 2022-Present
• Student Volunteer, Save the Children 2022-Present
• Editor, Springfield Student Gazette 2022-Present
• High Honors List 2024
• Principal’s List     2023-2024
• National Honors Society     2021-2024
• Best Student Entrepreneur, Business Club     2023-2024
• Languages: Spanish, German, Arabic
• Advocacy, Debate, Public Speaking
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop

College Resume Template #3

Now let’s look at a college application resume that has a different structure and even more details. Keep in mind the first two resumes you just saw above:

Cassandra Zimmerman Los Angeles, CA ✦ (012) 987-6543 ✦ [email protected]

Driven student with a track record of community and student leadership. Passionate about women’s rights and girls’ education, eager to make a difference through service and mentorship. Committed to applying my leadership and communication skills to contribute to my college community, I am excited to major in business marketing and sociology to create a better working environment for women around the world.

High School Diploma                                                                                       Expected in June 2024 Valley High School Los Angeles, CA GPA: 3.88 – Awards: Academic Achievement Award (2021-2023), Community Service Excellence Award (2022-2023), Student Role Model Award (2024) – Courses: AP Microeconomics, AP Literature, AP European History, AP Spanish, AP French – Clubs: Journalism Club, UNICEF Club, Girls Empowerment Club, Entrepreneurial Club – Sports : Track and field team captain

• Critical thinking
• Innovation and adaptability
• Project management
• Organization and coordination

Professional Skills

Leadership – Led a team of 10 senior students across the Los Angeles School District to meet with the Mayor of Los Angeles and discuss our hopes for women in business. – Steered the track and field team as team captain, maintaining a positive spirit throughout every season. – Initiated the weekly column of our student newspaper to focus on areas of local community improvement. Communication – Showcased results from community polling to 50 members of the school district leadership. – Proactively participated in journalism club, leading student investigation pieces on local incidents affecting women-led businesses. – Collaborating across different school clubs to foster an interdisciplinary education and promote a united community. Computer and Technology Proficiency – Highly skilled in Microsoft Excel to aggregate and process data, while also proficient in the entire Microsoft Office Suite applications. – Adept in creating social media campaigns on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and TikTok.

Work History

University of Southern California, Young Leaders Internship                                      2022-2024 Los Angeles, CA YMCA Girls Leadership                                                                                                 2021-2024 San Francisco, CA

Volunteer Experience

UNICEF Local Chapter Volunteer                                                                             2021-2024 Volunteered as a student leader UNICEF member for our local chapter every month. Disseminated pamphlets and helped organize Los Angeles events that focused on girls’ education. Mentoring freshmen with All Hands On Deck                                                            2022-2024 Served as a mentor to freshmen students across the Los Angeles Unified School District. Coordinated activities with arts organizations and businesses across the city to help struggling students have more access to educational and extracurricular resources. Dog Rescue Volunteer                                                                                                 2021-2024 Participated as a weekly volunteer at the local animal shelter to help clean, feed and walk dogs. Promoting adoption events and animal rescue awareness across the city.

College Application Resume Styles

By looking at the resumes for college applications above, you’ll see that the three are quite different from each other. The first was a very simple college application resume example, while the second was a bit more informative, though not entirely. The third college application resume example provided more background information and relevant details. However, it’s always important to keep in mind that you’ll want your college application resume to be around one page.

The top general tips for writing your resume for college applications are:

1) Write your contact information and professional email address. Make sure your email address is something that colleges won’t have to think twice about.

2) Begin with education . Colleges know that you won’t have a lot of work experience. They’re academic institutions, so first and foremost, they’re interested in your academic performance. Start your college application resume with your education.

3) Bulleted lists over paragraphs. Elaborate on your achievements and experiences with brief descriptions in bullet points, not in lengthy paragraphs . Admissions officers will want to read clear and concise descriptions that are straight to the point.

4) Use strong action verbs that empower you. If you led a group of children at camp or presented your research in front of a committee, use an action verb that encapsulates your responsibilities. This means that instead of writing “It involved leading groups of children…” try something like “Directed groups of children to…”

5) One page does the trick. It’s tempting to want to make your resume as long and informative as possible. But the moment that happens, the quicker the reader will lose interest. College admissions offices are looking through thousands of applications. Keeping your college application resume concise will only work in your favor. Doing so is also a great exercise for future job applications and helps you decide what you really want to focus on sharing.

As seen from the examples above, you can personalize the style of your college application resume. But a general college application resume template will look like the following:

Your name Home address, City, State (Your) phone number | [email protected]

The name of your high school                                                                City, State, Year of Graduation

GPA: Your score ￭  SAT: Your score  ￭  ACT: Your score

Relevant Coursework : The names of any relevant, important classes

Your role, The name of your experience                                                                      City, State, Year

• Description of your experience.

Awards/Honors

• The name of your award: Date you were awarded

Description of your award. Any specific numbers and information that provides more context.

Additional Skills

List your skills that are relevant to your overall college application. They can be both professional and unique skills.

Resume for College Application – Examples & Template – Additional Resources 

• How to Complete the Common App Activities Section
• How to Complete the Honors Section on the Common App 
• 300 Best Colleges in the US
• Common App Essay Prompts 2024-25
• 10 Instructive Common App Examples 
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay 
• Application Strategies

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24 College Student Resumes That Landed Jobs in 2024

• College Student Resumes
• College Student Resumes by Role
• College Student Resumes for Academics

Writing Your College Student Resume

Companies sometimes require that entry-level candidates have experience, but how do you get experience when even entry-level jobs make it difficult to apply?

Getting that first job or internship can be the most challenging part of your career. Fortunately, as a college student, you’re in a great position to get that first break you need. Once you get your degree, you’ll have the experience employers are seeking, but until then, how can you build an effective resume or write a cover letter as a college student?

After reviewing countless  resume samples , we’ve determined what types employers want to see from college students. Furthermore, we used that knowledge to create  24 college student resume examples to help inspire your resume in 2024 .

College Student Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This lets employers know when you can work full-time. Whatever you do, be honest. Stretching the truth won’t get you any points with employers. It’s better to be upfront and willing to learn a skill rather than try to succeed by the skin of your teeth.
• The golden rule on your college student resume is to lead with your strengths. If you’ve got a relevant internship, add it. If you’ve done any related class projects, list them. No matter what you include, make sure to highlight transferable skills.

Undergraduate Student Resume

• To impress the recruiter, demonstrate the dedication you have had in your previous posts despite minimal experience.

University Student Resume

• In that case, your university student resume can capitalize on your analytical skills, which helped identify cost-saving opportunities and cut overall expenses by six percent.

College Student No Experience Resume

• Luckily, there are a host of  resume templates  you can use to format your experience well, so long as you adjust based on your qualifications.
• For example, you can add or remove sections based on the amount of work history you have (or don’t have).
• For example, being on the club basketball team may feel irrelevant to business analysis. But by focusing on how you’ve organized practices and led a local volunteer effort, your  college student no experience resume  can point to qualities that might appeal to a thoughtful employer.

Current College Student Resume

• A reverse-chronological format is still the most accepted, but if you want to highlight your skills, try using a functional format instead.
• Adding relevant metrics shows that you know what matters to your employer and you’ve positively impacted your previous workplace.

College Student for Internship Resume

• That’s okay—you can weave in other things, like projects and part-time jobs. Of course, if you do have internship or job experience, put that at the top.
• It’s as easy as checking the  job description . Then just list your relevant abilities according to what matches the keywords listed by the employer.

College Student Assistant Medical Laboratory Technician Resume Example

• Do you have a unique interest related to science? Are you involved in a sport? Do you volunteer? All of these hobbies are great additions to your resume.
• If you’ve just graduated, you can bulk up your education section.
• Feel free to add any college awards you won and your GPA (if it’s higher than 3.5).

College Student HR Executive Assistant Resume

• As a rule of thumb, we recommend including one if you’re light on experience or are going through a substantial career change. Otherwise, leave it out in favor of work experience. 
• Good skills to include on an HR executive assistant resume are “talent acquisition,” “conflict resolution,” “legal compliance,” and “compensation/benefits.”
• An even more effective way to breathe life into your skills is to weave them into your work history or project bullet points.

College Student Case Assistant Resume

• Show off your personality using contrasting colors, classic fonts, and well-organized layouts. Our ready-to-build  resume templates  or handy  Google Docs interactive resumes  can help you keep your resume both tasteful and personable.
• If you don’t have certification, then now’s the best time to get it. Better late than never!

College Student Resident Assistant Resume

• Though an objective isn’t required, it can help employers see your skills and experience straight away.
• Just make sure to tailor it for every job you apply for by including the name of the employer, the position you’re seeking, and some matching keyword skills (that are true about you) gleaned from the  job description . 
• You also shouldn’t feel limited by your work experience. If you’ve done any relevant projects or have volunteered, include them! Employers love to see transferrable skills like collaboration, a good work ethic, and organization.

College Student Warehouse Worker Resume

• If you’re struggling to get going, consider using a  resume outline  to help you structure your experience—just don’t forget to fill out all the sections thoroughly!
• While it’s not impossible to land an excellent job without internships or experience, having some kind of work history, even in the form of projects, will allow you to be more picky and skim from the top of warehouse positions.

College Student Teacher Assistant Resume

• Adjusting formatting details, like the layout and header colors, can make your resume pop and reveal a bit about yourself. (Red and pink are bold, daring colors, while blue and green are calming.)
• Adding a  hobbies and interests section to your resume  can also help catch the eye of employers, provided you list hobbies that are relevant to the desired job, such as creative pursuits, volunteering, or research.
• Even if you’ve never had experience as a teacher assistant, you can instill confidence by demonstrating the impact of your communication skills. Did you effectively resolve an issue using negotiation? Write something that added helpful clarity? Show how you used communication to affect others positively!

College Student Biology Lab Technician Resume

• Don’t get too carried away here; after all, it’s still a resume and not a flier for a Wednesday Night Disco. But, one to two colors can be appropriate for all but the most conservative working environments. 
• Numbers can be frustrating to calculate and add to your resume, but trust us when we tell you that they make a world of difference. Hiring managers are consistently more willing to interview people with metrics on their resumes, as they convey job competence and confidence.

College Student English Tutor Resume

• Breaking up each work experience into bullet points can make your resume both easier to read (with fewer blocks of dense text) and easier to write.
• Instead of writing one big chunk of cohesive text, you can focus on pulling out as many highlights about your work history at each job as possible. 
• A project can be anything. Seriously, your final group project from that writing seminar counts, or you could highlight a blog you’ve been working on in your free time.
• Hint: Projects also make great stories to discuss on your college student cover letter .

College Application Resume

• Suppose you’re applying for a Bachelor of Arts in education. Express your passion for teaching and eagerness to advance your knowledge of education theories and practices. Even better, emphasize your long-term ambition to shape future generations through innovative education methods.

College Admission Resume

• Take a leaf from how Brian narrates his stints as a restaurant server, project presenter, and volunteer. Well-described, such experiences paint a picture of a well-rounded character who can take on varied challenges of an engineering program, enhancing their appeal in the eyes of the college admissions committee.

College Freshman Resume

• Use past projects to advantage here even if they’re only a year long. Clearly state how you used skills such as Canva and Microsoft Teams to make specific impacts during this time. Another great addition to your college freshman resume is any work experience under your belt.

Harvard College Resume

• You see reputable (and free) spell checkers like Grammarly? They’re your backstage crew making sure that your Harvard college resume is polished—no typos, grammatical mistakes, or punctuation errors in sight. And getting a friend or family member to take a peek? It’s always a brilliant move.

College Level Resume

• It’s a piece of cake. Maybe you’ve been a superstar nanny or the quickest cashier around. Identify competencies from these gigs, whether communication, time management, or leadership, and then blend them into your work experience. Simply put, connect the dots in your college level resume, and you’re golden.

College Student Academic Highlights Resume

• Say you have some work experience, but it’s not relevant to the job. That’s okay—instead of trying in vain to match the  job description , focus on transferable skills like customer service, organization, event planning, public speaking, and computer literacy.
• If you lack much work history, adding projects, coursework, or volunteer experience is the next best way to showcase your potential. You can also list your involvement in clubs, organizations, or peer mentorship.
• Write them like you’d write work experience by using active verbs and incorporating metrics (numbers).

First Year College Student Resume

• Your time contributing to a project is tangible evidence of your skills and experiences. Depending on what you include, it could showcase your communication and organizational skills or more technical abilities, like your proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Freshman College Student Resume

• Do you love gardening or nature photography? Awesome, it shows you’re inherently passionate about biology. Do you spend your time baking as well? It’s a sign that you know how to follow instructions and observe changes over time—skills that will come in handy as a lab assistant.

College Student Education Resume

• A career objective statement is typically a brief 1-3 sentence pitch that highlights your inspiration for the role (internship, in this case), but with a twist—it’s better custom-fitted to match the hiring company’s needs. Plus, it’s a sweet spot for reiterating your enthusiasm to contribute to the potential employer’s goals.

College Student Social Work Resume

• In your college student social work student resume, right after your work experience, slide in your Projects section. It’s a good spot to detail experiences like that community outreach workshop or mental health seminar you attended. And when you talk about your wins, throw in some numbers to beef up your credibility.

Related resume guides

• College Graduate
• Grad School
• Entry level

Before we dive into the difference between a  resume objective  vs. a  resume summary , let’s get some definitions out of the way:

• Resume objective : A statement of your qualifications, interests, and skills that make you a good fit for the role to which you’re applying.
• Resume summary : A summary of your past experience detailing your high-level accomplishments and projects.

When you’re applying for a job or internship as a college student, you likely won’t have extensive work experience. So, we’d recommend including a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

The goal of your resume objective is to set the stage for your resume. It should highlight your skills applicable to the job at hand, and it should be specific for each job to which you’re applying.

Most resume objectives are boring and generic. By taking the time to craft a customized and effective resume objective, you give yourself an edge over other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Before we dive into the rules for creating a strong resume objective, let’s look at some examples.

Sample college student resume objectives

• “Recent college graduate with a degree in marketing looking for a full-time role where I can utilize my experience in social media and paid advertising to help an up-and-coming brand like Club Z! Inc. spread awareness and acquire more users.”
• “Diligent college student at the University of Pittsburgh who is equally committed to academic excellence (3.8 GPA) and service (student leader at the local food shelter) looking for an opportunity at Unidos as a part-time employee to utilize these talents to improve customer satisfaction.”
• “Recent graduate with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) seeking an opportunity within an established management organization to utilize my organizational and quantitative abilities. Epic seems to have a culture of empowering employees to have ownership over their problems, and that culture fits my work style perfectly.”

You can see that all of these resume objectives specifically mention the company that the student is applying to. Tailoring is the golden rule of resume objectives.

Here are some other rules to make your objective the best it can be:

• Again, take the time to  customize your resume objective for each company to which you’re applying .
• Don’t be afraid to inject your personality. Making an impression will help you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants.
• Keep it to two to three sentences.
• Mention any relevant skills or certifications you have for the role to which you’re applying.

College Student Resume Formats

One of the hardest parts of using a resume maker  as a college student is the blank page. The “getting started” part is overwhelming—you’re unsure what your resume should look like, let alone what should be in it!

When it comes to formatting your resume, the best advice is to keep it  simple . You need to convincingly make the case that you deserve an interview for the role to which you’re applying.

In short, your resume should likely contain the following sections:

• Header: This is your name and job title. Have your job title match the job title to which you’re applying.
• Resume objective: We talked about this above, a quick summary of your skills and what you’re seeking.
• Education: As a college student, this should include your anticipated graduation date, the field of study, and relevant classes.
• Skills: List six to ten technical skills relevant to your career.
• Work experience: If you have any relevant internships or part-time jobs, mention them here.
• Projects: Did you do any side projects that demonstrate your competency? Include them!

Not all of these sections need to be included in your resume.  Your resume should focus on your strengths.

If you don’t have much relevant work experience, you can omit that section in favor of discussing your projects or classwork.

However, no matter what format you choose, there are a few writing guidelines you should adhere to throughout your resume.

Formatting guidelines for your resume

• Keep your resume to one page! Your resume should only extend to a second page when you have 10+ years of experience.
• Avoid any spelling or grammar errors by double-checking your text and having a friend review your resume. Don’t let typos be the reason why you don’t get an interview.
• Break up your work experience into small, consumable bullet points. Nothing is harder to read than a big wall of text.
• Use reverse-chronological order to keep your most recent experience/projects at the top.
• Don’t include fancy images or graphics. It’s highly likely a computer will read your resume before a human ever does, and images are hard for computers to scan.
• Don’t list more than ten skills on your resume. (We’ll expand on this below.)

Skills to pay the bills

When building your skills section, it can be tempting to list any and every skill you know. You’ll have to resist this temptation.

Before a human reviews your resume, an automated system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will score your resume based on whether or not it includes the “right” keywords. These filters are largely screening for specific skills.

Doesn’t this mean that you should include as many skills as possible to beat the ATS? Unfortunately, you need to make your resume appealing to both the ATS and a human, and nothing is a bigger red flag to a hiring manager than a candidate with a laundry list of skills!

You’re much better off focusing on  six to ten skills you’re an expert in  than including more that you kind of know. Generally, if you wouldn’t be comfortable being interviewed on a given skill, don’t include it on your resume. 

Work Experience and Projects

In any resume, no matter the career stage, your work experience and projects should take up at least 70 percent of the overall space. These will decide whether you get an interview or not.

Once you have a few years of experience, then the size of your projects section will decrease as the size of your work experience section expands.

If you have an internship relevant to the job you’re applying for, this should be listed in your “work experience” section. As a college student, your work experience can also contain any part-time jobs you had while in school, even if they don’t seem relevant to the position to which you’re applying.

It’s not easy to balance work and school, so having a part-time job demonstrates responsibility and drive.

When talking about your work experience, there are a few key tips you should follow:

• Mention the skills you demonstrated on the job.
• Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible.
• Talk specifically about your role; avoid being too general.
• Use action verbs like “owned” or “led” to highlight your leadership abilities.

Numbers truly speak louder than words, especially on your resume. By providing numerical context around your work, you show your ability to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.

Compare these two descriptions of an internship. Which do you think would be more compelling to a hiring manager?

WRONG – general work experience descriptions

Marketing Science Associates April 2020 – Current, New York NY Digital Marketing Intern

• Created testing plan for Facebook ad copy
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy

RIGHT – specific, quantified descriptions

• Created A/B testing plan for Facebook ad copy, improving ROI by 15%
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs such as marketing spend, new leads, revenue generated, and ROI
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes which grew from 1,000 to 5,000 monthly organic visitors
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy, leading to client satisfaction of 99%

Projects can be anything

If you don’t have much (or any) relevant work experience for your resume, don’t fret. You can still  create a highly effective resume  by showcasing your projects.

As a college student, you’ve likely done a lot of class projects that are relevant to the job or internship you’re looking to get. This is the perfect place to talk about those projects. You can even mention projects you completed outside of class. Talk about your goals, the methods/skills you used, and the project’s outcome.

The key is to include anything that will convince the hiring manager you have the drive, skills, and ability to translate your academic knowledge to the real world and contribute to the roles for which you’re applying.

Here are some potential projects you can work on for different majors:

Project ideas for college students

• Are you a business student? Detail a case study that you analyzed and presented in a class.
• If you’re a marketing student, you can write a short blog post about how you’d improve the paid marketing strategy for a company you admire.
• As a graphic designer, this is a great opportunity to talk about some of the projects in your portfolio.
• If you’re looking for a data analyst role, talk about how you analyzed stock data to determine areas of opportunity.
• As a human resources major, you’ve likely created processes for companies as part of a class, so talk about that.
• Software engineering students complete meaningful coding assignments all the time. Discuss one of those or talk about your side project.
• If you’re looking to break into product management, discuss a hackathon you were part of or create a case study for a feature your favorite product is missing.

Basically, the projects you include on your resume can be just about anything. They simply have to demonstrate you know what is required of the kind of role you’re applying to, and that you can meet those requirements.

Your Education Section

As a college student, it should go without saying that you need to include an education section on your resume.

Here’s what you need to include in your education section no matter what:

• The school you’re currently attending (or recently graduated from). You do not need to include your high school.
• Your graduation date (or expected graduation date). You can give just the month and year.
• The kind of degree you’re working toward (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master’s, etc.).
• Your field of study.

Once you include all that, there’s more flexibility. If you have a strong GPA (greater than 3.5), you should include it, too.

If you don’t have much experience yet, then you can add relevant courses or awards to your education section, provided they’re relevant to the job for which you’re applying.

For example, if you’re applying for a role as a data scientist, then it makes sense to include any math, economics, or programming classes you completed.

Here’s an example of an effective education section for a college student looking for a marketing role:

If you received any awards or honors during your time in college, list them here. These can include getting on the Dean’s List, any department-specific awards relevant to your major, or formal recognition for your work or volunteer efforts.

Resume Builder for College Students

There you have it—we’ve discussed the building blocks to help you land a job or internship as a college student!

In summary, here are the keys to making an effective resume as a college student:

• Inject your personality into your resume objective and customize it for each company to which you apply.
• Your resume format should include a header, resume objective, skills section, education, and work/ project experience.
• Include any relevant internships or part-time jobs you’ve had during college and quantify the impact of your work.
• If you don’t have much working experience, include relevant projects you’ve completed either in the classroom or on your own time.
• Your education section is your chance to highlight classes you’ve completed that will convince the hiring manager you have the right tools for the job.

Finding a job or internship as a college student can be incredibly stressful. Building an AI resume  is a huge first step, so pat yourself on the back. After you’re done with the writing, you can  check your resume  against our AI-powered tips to see how your resume matches up.

Just remember, it does get easier after you get some experience first. We can’t wait to see where you’ll go!

Recent College Graduate Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Recent College Graduate Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)

Most popular recent college graduate resumes.

• Entry-Level Analyst
• Entry-level
• Resume Text Examples
• How To Write an Recent College Graduate Resume
• College Graduate
• Recent College Graduate
• Recent College Graduate with No Experience

Entry-Level Analyst Resume Example

Internship Resume Example

Student Resume Example

Entry-level Resume Example

Recent College Graduate Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Sophia Rodriguez (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Los Angeles, CA 90024 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophiarodriguez

A highly motivated recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. A proven track record of supporting social media campaigns, content creation, and digital strategy as an intern at a premiere marketing solutions firm.

Marketing Intern , Bright Media, Los Angeles, CA | May 2023 – August 2024

• Developed and executed social media campaigns that increased audience engagement by 30%
• Conducted marketing research and presented insights to improve campaign effectiveness
• Collaborated with the marketing team to develop blog content, contributing to a 20% increase in website traffic
• Social media marketing
• Content creation
• Data analysis
• Google Analytics
• Marketing research

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA | 2024

• Google Analytics Certified, Google, 2023

Why this recent college graduate resume example is strong:

This resume showcases the valuable hands-on marketing experience the candidate cultivated during their internship. Featuring quantifiable achievements gives the applicant a distinct competitive advantage over other entry-level job seekers in the marketing space.

David Thompson (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | New York, NY 10001 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidthompson

A recent college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in project management, data analysis, and strategic planning. A proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams as an intern to execute business intelligence projects.

Project Management Intern , Horizon Corp, New York, NY | January 2023 – April 2023

• Supported the project manager and a diverse cross-functional team in executing business intelligence projects to inform business strategy for a construction company
• Performed comprehensive analysis of financial statements and data to identify opportunities to reduce procurement costs by up to $20,000 per project
• Attended meetings with project teams and stakeholders to discuss findings
• Project management
• Business strategy
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Business intelligence

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) New York University, New York, NY | 2024

Project Management Essentials, Coursera | 2024

This resume focuses on highlighting the project management skills the candidate garnered during their internship. The bullet points emphasize the applicant’s ability to generate positive business results using eye-catching numbers, which are sure to appeal to potential employers.

Yaling Zhang (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Seattle, WA 98101 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yalingzhang

A recent college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English, specializing in content writing, editing, and marketing research. A strong history of crafting engaging blog posts and articles to drive community engagement and awareness for a nonprofit organization.

Content Writer , Seattle Nonprofit Initiative, Seattle, WA | June 2023 – August 2024

• Authored 20+ blog posts and articles for a nonprofit organization delivering critical resources, counseling, and emergency housing to the community’s homeless population
• Crafted engaging content to raise awareness of services and drive charity donations
• Managed the organization’s Facebook page and created weekly posts to raise awareness of upcoming events and ongoing initiatives

English Capstone Project, University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2023 – June 2024

• Wrote a 30-page research paper exploring the economic conditions and community impact of gentrification in Philadelphia, which included a detailed analysis of the transformation of Northern Liberties and Fish Town over a 20-year period
• Content writing
• Communication

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) English University of Washington, Seattle, WA | 2024

HubSpot Content Marketing Certified, HubSpot, 2023

Why this recent college graduate with no experience resume example is strong:

This resume demonstrates the candidate’s exceptional writing capabilities by leveraging their volunteerism and English capstone project. The articles and blog posts they created for the nonprofit effectively illustrate how they can apply their expertise in content development in fast-paced, professional environments.

Jake Williams (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Chicago, IL 60601 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jakewilliams

A recent college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance, specializing in financial analysis, market research, and data-driven decision-making. A proven track record of performing rigorous financial modeling to enhance data visualization for a premiere financial services firm.

Finance Intern , City Financial Services, Chicago, IL | May 2023 – August 2024

• Conducted market research and analysis to support investment decisions for a premiere financial services firm in collaboration with a team of analysis
• Performed comprehensive financial modeling to enhance data visualization for cash flow projections and key market indicators
• Presented findings to senior analysts to improve the accuracy of financial forecasts

Financial Analysis Projects, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL | May 2022 – August 2024

• Managed financial modeling and statistical analysis for a simulated plant-based food company, developed financial reporting capabilities and conducted market research to evaluate long-term financial risks and outlook
• Financial analysis
• Market research
• Financial modeling
• Data visualization
• Data-driven decision making

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Finance University of Illinois, Chicago, IL | 2024

Bloomberg Market Concepts, Bloomberg, 2023

Why this entry-level analyst resume example is strong:

This resume highlights the candidate’s comprehensive knowledge of finance and business intelligence. The bullet points convey the valuable experience they’ve gained during their internship, which also demonstrates how they can perform comprehensive financial analysis for potential employers.

Melissa Anderson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in human resources (HR), specializing in employee relations, recruiting, and HR administration. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance onboarding processes and drive employee engagement and satisfaction.

HR Intern , Coulthart Lawfirm, Seattle, WA | January 2024 – June 2024

• Coordinated with the HR team to streamline the recruitment process, which reduced time-to-hire by 26% through effective resume screening and interview scheduling
• Performed HR administrative tasks, including maintaining accurate employee records, processing payroll, ensuring compliance with legal requirements

HR Intern , Hanson Legal Associates, Seattle, WA | January 2023 – April 2023

• Delivered support throughout the recruitment life cycle, screened candidates, scheduled interviews, and created job descriptions, contributing to a 15% reduction in time-to-hire
• Assisted with the development and implementation of new HR policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in collaboration with the human resources teams, which improved onboarding time by 12%
• HR administration
• Employee onboarding
• Employee engagement

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources University of Washington, Seattle, WA | 2024

Why this internship resume example is strong:

This resume effectively showcases the valuable HR experience the applicant has cultivated through their internships. The candidate can also point to meaningful numbers to enhance the impact of the bullet points, which is sure to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Allison Rosenberg (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio Seattle, WA 12345

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, specializing in social media, communication, content writing, and brand messaging. Adept at developing and implementing engaging content to grow brand awareness and expand social media presence.

• Copywriting
• Brand marketing

Marketing Intern, Roque & Harmen Legal Associates, Seattle, WA | February 2023 – June 2023

• Provided support to the marketing team for all digital initiatives, including copy for social media posts, blog content, and strategy development
• Contributed to a 150% increase in click rates and a 100% increase in followership on LinkedIn over a three-month period
• Attended meetings with the marketing department to discuss social media strategy

Social Media Coordinator , Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA | January 2022 – May 2023

• Coordinated with a team of three students and a faculty advisor to schedule and write posts for university social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
• Created engaging social media posts to raise awareness of university events, groups, programs, and announcements, resulting in a 60% increase in followership

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing Seattle Central College , Seattle, WA September 2019 – June 2023

Social Media Marketing Certification, Hootsuite Academy, 2023

Why this student resume example is strong:

This student resume excels in capturing the candidate’s academic achievements and internship experience. It shows the applicant’s passion for marketing, emphasizing their ability to create impactful content that resonates with target audiences.

Alicia Jameson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] San Diego, CA 12345 LinkedIn

A financial analyst with entry-level experience, specializing in investment strategy, market analysis, financial analysis, and risk management. Adept at coordinating with investors to evaluate return on investment (ROI) potential and risks for acquisitions and investment opportunities.

Entry-level Financial Analyst, Coleman Financial Firm, New York, NY | May 2024 – present

• Perform comprehensive financial analysis on business financials, product use cases, and market indicators to inform investment decision-making for a premiere financial firm
• Conduct due diligence on an investment in a start-up food delivery service based on competitive analysis and cash flow, resulting in a potential ROI of up to 150%
• Coordinate with financial analysts and accounting teams to evaluate risk factors and conduct financial reporting on investment opportunities

Financial Analyst Projects, Columbia University, New York, NY | September 2020 – May 2021

• Manage financial modeling for a simulated retail business, which included evaluating company financials, developing financial reporting, and performing market research to assess risks and long-term financial outlook

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Finance  Columbia University, New York, NY | September 2017 – May 2021

• Investment strategy
• Risk management

Why this entry-level resume example is strong:

This resume excels in conveying the candidate’s expertise in financial analysis during the early phases of their career. Highlighting their contributions to the 150% increase in ROI for a potential investment opportunity helps set them apart from other entry-level job seekers.

How To Write a Recent College Graduate Resume

Crafting an impactful resume can be challenging for recent graduates looking to establish themselves in their field. Lacking hands-on experience immediately places you at a disadvantage, but it’s possible to overcome this with the right content strategy. To attract potential employers, emphasize academic achievements, internships, and transferable skill sets that show you have the knowledge and talent to succeed in the position. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of the resume-building process to aid you during the early phases of your career.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your college graduate qualifications

To make a strong first impression on the hiring manager, you need a compelling opening summary that demonstrates why you’re the ideal candidate. Start by mentioning your degree and three to four skill sets that the company is looking for. Round out your paragraph with unique details that can help differentiate you from the crowded field of applicants.

For instance, if you’re targeting a position as a social media coordinator, emphasize your passion for developing engaging content that resonates with target audiences. If you’re looking for an entry-level role in finance, emphasize your talent for analyzing complex financial data to inform business decisions and strategies.

Strong Profile Example

A recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and experience in content creation, social media management, and brand strategy. Proven ability to drive engagement through targeted marketing campaigns. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for digital marketing.

Weak Profile Example

A recent graduate with a degree in marketing. Interested in social media marketing and content creation.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional college graduate experience section

This is often the most difficult resume section for recent graduates, as your work history is likely to be limited. That said, leveraging your academic achievements, internships, and volunteer experience is a great way to compensate. As you craft your bullet points, focus on demonstrating how you’ve successfully applied your industry skills in the early stages of your career. In the example below, the candidate showcases how they utilized their writing talents to support a nonprofit organization. Although this is an unpaid position, the experience is extremely valuable, as it shows that the applicant is capable of crafting impactful content for both articles and social media posts.

Strong Professional Experience Example

Volunteer experience, weak professional experience example.

Intern, Marketing Department, Bright Media, New York, NY | May 2023 – August 2023

• Helped with marketing campaigns
• Wrote blog content
• Assisted with social media accounts

3. Include relevant college graduate education and certifications

As a recent graduate, your education and certifications need to be prioritized, especially if you lack hands-on experience or internships. In addition to your degrees, you can also highlight your GPA, academic awards, and relevant coursework that matches the job posting. If you find yourself struggling to generate traction during the job search, consider obtaining an industry certification to help increase your chances of landing the interview.

• [Degree Name — Major]
• School Name, City, ST or online | [Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA | 2024

Certifications

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
• [Description]

4. List pertinent key college graduate skills

In today’s job market, most companies utilize some form of applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify qualified candidates. To pass the initial screening process, you need to incorporate industry skills that align with the needs of potential employers. For example, if you’re targeting an entry-level position as a financial analyst, you might highlight skills such as financial modeling, data visualization, and market research. Below, you’ll find a broad list of potential keywords you may encounter while pursuing entry-level job opportunities:

How To Pick the Best Recent College Graduate Resume Template

Choose a clean, simple resume template that highlights your education and skills. Avoid overly complex designs that may not pass through ATS. Focus on structure and readability, making sure your key qualifications are easy to spot.

Frequently Asked Questions: Recent College Graduate Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for recent college graduate resumes -.

Utilizing action verbs is a great way to help hiring managers visualize your contributions during your internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteer experience. That said, it’s important to diversify your usage of action verbs to keep your content engaging and impactful. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of verbs you can use to build your recent graduate resume:

How do you align your resume with a recent college graduate job description? -

Aligning your resume with the job description is essential for recent graduates. As you begin crafting your content, be sure to carefully review the posting to identify specific qualifications and skills the organization is looking for. Even if you lack hands-on experience, you can still demonstrate how you’ve utilized these specific skill sets during your academic program.

For instance, say you were pursuing an entry-level position as a software developer. In this situation, you might showcase an application you developed to demonstrate your exceptional programming skills and knowledge of Python.

What is the best recent college graduate resume format? -

The reverse-chronological format is the most effective for recent college graduates. This format ensures that your most recent educational qualifications and relevant experiences are listed at the top. Even if you don’t have extensive work experience, you can still showcase internships, volunteer work, academic projects, or relevant extracurricular activities.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Always include a cover letter when applying for a job as a recent college graduate. Use the cover letter to highlight your passion for the role, explain why you are a good fit, and expand on any relevant experiences or projects you mentioned in your resume. For guidance, check out our recent graduate cover letter guide .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

Check out Related Examples

Entry-Level Resume Examples and Templates

Internship Resume Examples and Templates

Marketing Resume Examples and Templates

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• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More