They call it a Catch 22, named for the famous classic novel by Joseph Heller, and defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a difficult situation or circumstance “from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.” In this case, the problem is that you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. Is there any solution? Yes, there is, and we can help.
If you have no work experience, there’s a pretty good chance you’re quite young, and you also have no resume writing experience. So, you should probably head over here and read this article about the basics of how to write a resume. Once you're done that, you'll be better equipped to begin. You'll know that your resume should include the following information:
Name and contact information
Professional summary
Work history
Education credentials
Essential skills
You must also include keywords relevant to the job description and highlight your key selling points and biggest achievements. Focus on what you have accomplished that sets you apart as a top performer, and use numbers to quantify these accomplishments wherever possible.
How to write a resume with no experience
But all this assumes you've got some numbers and professional accomplishments behind you. What about when you don't? Don't worry. There are several things you can do to grab an employer's attention to land the job you want. These include sticking to a simple formula, making your education section relevant, highlighting your valuable skills and experience, including freelance and volunteer experience, and putting extra emphasis on your cover letter.
You’re not applying for a C-Suite position for your first job
In almost every imaginable scenario, you’re probably not applying for a senior management role for your first job. Most people who have never worked are fresh graduates or young people at the very beginning of their careers. There are other potential situations. Perhaps, for example, you were a stay-at-home parent from a young age, and your circumstances have changed. These things happen. Whatever the case, the job you're applying for is probably an entry-level role. And for these jobs, hiring managers know not to expect too much experience.
Some tips for writing a resume with no work experience
Here are some fundamental tips for writing a resume with no work experience.
Stick to a simple formula. Don’t get fancy. A person using big words can come off as trying to hide the fact that they have no idea what they're talking about. Choose a simple template or layout and stick to a basic formula. This is a “functional” resume, which is one that focuses on skills rather than chronological experience.
Highlight your valuable skills and what makes you awesome. Your skills are extremely important when you have no experience. So, put a lot of emphasis on those. Remember that soft skills are just as essential as hard skills. Soft skills are personality traits or qualities, like people skills, communication skills, and time management. In contrast, hard skills are practical learnings you can apply to the job, like coding, spreadsheets, and analytics. Or, to use a skilled trades example, operating a Bobcat or Skid Steer.
Make your education relevant. If you’ve recently graduated or are still in school, flush out your education section to include courses and work that is relevant to the role. Rather than just listing your program and degree, explain what you studied and what you learned.
Put extra emphasis on your cover letter. You’ll need to include a cover letter with your resume. Use this letter to say what makes you a good fit for the role and why the hiring manager should choose you over another candidate with more experience. Focus on what you can bring to the table rather than what you want to get for yourself.
Your resume should include the following sections:
Headline: Your name, the job title for which you’re applying, and your contact information. Do not include this information in an actual “header” section of the resume, which, like the footer, is separate from the rest of the document. Software systems that read resumes may have trouble reading information in headers and footers. So, include it in the body. Use the exact title of the job you’re applying for and customize this for each application. Also include your social media links, at least your LinkedIn page, and your Instagram, if relevant.
Summary: A short paragraph summarizing your skills and qualifications and highlighting why you’re a great fit for the role. Really focus on this section and grab the reader’s attention. It’s your best shot at making a great first impression. Summary statements are the new replacement for the "objective" statement, which is dated and less effective.
Education: List the schools and programs you attended and make this information relevant to the job where possible. Because you don’t have work experience, you can use this space to highlight what you have learned and where your proficiencies are. If you made the Dean’s list, mention that and list any clubs or projects that make you look like a person engaged in the world around you and interested in learning.
Skills: Make a list of all your skills and pull relevant ones to list here. Really think about what you’re good at and what can bring value to a company. Look at keywords in the job description and list those as well.
Experience: Yes! You might have a coop or work placement to list. If so, you’re already off to a great start. If you don’t, you still might have more experience than you think. Volunteer experience can come in handy here. So can freelance experience. If the career you’re after is something you can do as a freelancer, start doing that. Do free work for friends and family to get something under your belt that you can list on a resume.
Sample resume with no work experience
Lila Lepage, Social Media Marketing Specialist,
[email protected], 123-456-7890
Linkedin/Instagram (15K followers)/TikTok (9,050 followers): @lilalepage
SUMMARY
Driven and creative social media marketing specialist recently graduated with a diploma in Media Communications from Bowie College. Skilled at storytelling, growing social media audiences, and creating engaging content. Excellent copywriting and interpersonal and communications skills. A wiz with Photoshop and Canva and short video creation.
EDUCATION
Bowie College, Media Communications Diploma, 2021-2022
4.0 GPA
Developed proficiencies in writing, graphic design, web design, social media, videography, storytelling across multiple platforms, corporate video production, photo editing + design software, research, media communications, and project management.
Frank Black Secondary School, High School Diploma, 2020
Activities: School social committee, Oscar International Student Film Festival, winning entry, Best Director
SKILLS
Social media strategy
Content creation and ideation
Communication skills
Creative thinking
Interpersonal skills
Marketing
Verbal and written communication
Organizational skills
Presentation skills
Time management
EXPERIENCE
2020, Work Placement, Pixie Media Agency
Four-month work placement with Pixie Media Agency, working with various clients, including fashion, food, and hospitality, creating and managing social media accounts. Played an integral role on the digital marketing team, responsible for coordination and execution of social media strategy across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Helped develop marketing campaigns, implement new strategies for brands, and grow cross-platform audiences.
2018 – present., Freelance, Toronto, ON
Developed and continue to maintain social media pages for:
Gaga Gift Baskets. Implementing strategy from the ground up for a gift company that designs unique and amazing baskets. Growing an engaged Instagram following of 5K+ followers and generating multiple sales leads. Write and design posts and maintain brand presence.
Stooge and the Iggys. Created and managed social media for award-winning rock band. To date, have grown to an audience of 4K+ followers on TikTok and 2500 followers on Instagram. Increased band’s brand presence and ticket sales for live shows. Write and design posts and maintain accounts.
VOLUNTEERING
Welcome House. Maintain Facebook and Instagram pages with a focus on growing cause awareness and generating donations for local refugee house offering shelter to newly-arrived asylum seekers. Effectively communicate the House mission and have helped raise thousands of dollars. I also volunteer in the kitchen, making weekly meals for residents and assisting with driving, taking people to appointments, and grocery shopping.
LANGUAGES: French (fluent)
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Music (I play guitar), refugee causes, yoga, playing Go
Don't be afraid of trying. Use the 75% rule.
Note that you should not be scared away by job postings for these entry-level roles that list a huge collection of requirements, including advanced degrees and five years of experience in software systems and coding languages only developed three years ago. The people who write these postings don't often know what the role entails, so they write long wish lists that sound like delirious fantasies. In reality, the person who gets hired isn’t going to have all the requirements. So, if you possess about 75% of them, apply anyway.
These guidelines should give you the basics of a pretty good starter resume. Use it to apply for jobs you think you will enjoy and be good at, which will help you advance to the next stages of your career.
