info@resumecroc.com

6 examples · Updated October 2026

Entry-Level Resume Examples and Templates

A strong entry-level resume proves you can do the job before anyone has paid you to do it. Lead with a targeted summary that names your strongest evidence (a degree, certification or hands-on work), and quantify school, part-time and volunteer results like real jobs.

Entry-Level resume at a glance

Best format
Reverse-chronological, one column, credential in headline
Length
1 page; 2 only for experienced career changers
Top skills
Customer service, Excel and Google Sheets, Written communication, Data entry accuracy
Key credentials
None required for most jobs, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), CompTIA A+ for help desk

6 entry-level resume examples for 2026

Below are 6 entry-level resume examples for different starting points, from no work experience to a career change, plus copy-ready summaries and objectives, skills, bullet points, ATS keywords and a free entry-level resume template. Each one is shown at true A4 size and comes with a free single-column Word version. Open any example to read it in full.

Swipe to see all 6 examples →

Jordan Ellis

Marketing and Communications

Columbus, OH · jordan.ellis@email.com · (555) 011-2043 · linkedin.com/in/jordanellis

About

Marketing graduate (BSBA, The Ohio State University) with an agency internship, a year of part-time marketing work for a nonprofit theatre and 2 years leading opening shifts at a busy campus café. Writes social and email copy, tests paid social and reports results in GA4. Seeking an entry-level marketing coordinator role.

Professional Experience

Marketing Assistant (Part-Time Contract), Greenmoor Community Theatre, Columbus, OH 2025-Present

  • Plan and schedule 12 Instagram, Facebook and TikTok posts a week for a 220-seat nonprofit theatre.
  • Wrote a 6-email spring season series in Mailchimp, lifting click-through rate from 2.1% to 3.4%.
  • Ran a $1,200 Meta ads test for the fall musical, cutting cost per ticket sale 27% by shifting spend.
  • Build a monthly GA4 and box office report that shows the board which channels actually drive ticket sales.

Marketing Intern, Tidewren Creative, Columbus, OH Summer 2024

  • Drafted social and email copy for retail and restaurant accounts that supported a 15% engagement rise.
  • Built weekly Google Analytics 4 reports and a shared Looker Studio dashboard for three clients.
  • Audited 40 local competitors’ social channels and summarized posting gaps for the account director.

Barista and Shift Lead, Campus Coffee Co., Columbus, OH 2022-2024

  • Trained 6 new team members on drinks, POS and closing checklists, and coordinated opening shifts.
  • Served 300+ customers on weekday mornings while keeping average drink wait times under 4 minutes.
  • Proposed a student loyalty punch card that the owner adopted, drawing 150 sign-ups in its first month.

Education

B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing), The Ohio State University, 2025 · GPA 3.7 · Dean’s List
Relevant coursework: Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Analytics, Business Communication

Certifications

Google Analytics Certification (Skillshop), renewed 2026 · HubSpot Content Marketing Certification (HubSpot Academy), 2026

Key Skills

Social media copywriting · Email marketing · Campaign reporting · Paid social testing · Content calendars · SEO basics · Competitive research · Presentation decks · Event promotion

Technical

Google Analytics 4 · Looker Studio · Meta Business Suite · Mailchimp · Canva · Microsoft Excel

Projects

  • Student marketing campaign: led a 4-person team that planned and ran a campus awareness campaign, reaching 2,000 students and growing a student club’s Instagram account 40% in six weeks
View full size
College grad

Entry-Level Marketing Resume (College Graduate) resume example

Recent college graduates with one internship, a part-time job and class or campus projects who are applying for entry-level marketing, communications or coordinator roles.

Template: Minimal · 1 page

Why this example works

  • Fills the months after graduation with real part-time marketing work, so there is no unexplained gap and the newest role is the most relevant.
  • Every bullet carries a number (posts a week, click-through rate, cost per sale), turning small-employer work into measurable proof.
  • Puts the degree, GA4 and HubSpot credentials on one page, matching the tools most entry-level marketing postings name.

Nia Coleman

Entry-Level Bank Teller

Raleigh, NC · nia.coleman@email.com · (555) 013-4471

Summary

Recent high school graduate seeking a full-time entry-level bank teller role. Brings a year of managing student funds and records as student government treasurer, two years of Saturday front desk volunteering and a self-run pet sitting business built on client trust. Microsoft Office Specialist in Excel, conversational in Spanish and available for Saturday and holiday-week shifts at any branch.

Core Competencies

Cash counting and balancing · Customer greeting and service · 10-key and mental math · Microsoft Excel (MOS certified) · Recordkeeping and receipts · Confidential information handling · Phone and email etiquette · Conversational Spanish · Scheduling and time management · Dependable attendance

Professional Experience

Student Government Treasurer, Larkmoor High School, Raleigh, NC 2025-2026

  • Tracked a $9,400 student activity budget in Excel, logging every deposit and purchase request.
  • Counted cash from 11 fundraisers with a second officer, matching each total to its deposit slip.
  • Cut prom check-in time in half with an alphabetized printout and a second check-in table.
  • Presented monthly budget updates to 40 class officers, answering questions on remaining funds.

Front Desk Volunteer, Pinebrake Family Resource Center, Raleigh, NC 2024-2026

  • Signed in 30-50 visitors each Saturday and directed them to food, job search and parenting programs.
  • Answered the main line and took messages for 6 staff members, including from Spanish-speaking callers.
  • Kept visitor sign-in sheets confidential and locked them in the records cabinet at the end of every shift.

Pet Sitter and Dog Walker (Self-Employed), Coleman Pet Care, Raleigh, NC 2023-Present

  • Built a repeat base of 14 client households by referral, holding house keys and alarm codes for each.
  • Schedule 8-12 visits a week around school in Google Calendar, with no missed visit since 2023.
  • Invoice clients and track payments and expenses in a spreadsheet, reconciling income every month.

Education

High School Diploma, Larkmoor High School, Raleigh, NC, June 2026 · GPA 3.6
Coursework: Accounting I, Personal Finance, AP Statistics, Spanish III

Certifications

Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps), Certiport, 2025

Technical

Microsoft Excel · Microsoft Word · Google Sheets and Calendar · 10-key calculator

Activities

  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): 2nd place, Personal Finance, 2026 regional conference
  • Varsity track and field, 4 seasons; team captain senior year, leading 30 athletes through warm-ups
View full size
No experience

Entry-Level Resume with No Formal Work Experience (High School Graduate) resume example

High school graduates and first-time job seekers with no formal employer history who can show responsibility through school leadership, volunteering, clubs or informal work such as pet sitting.

Template: Classic · 1 page

Why this example works

  • Treats treasurer duties, volunteering and pet sitting like jobs, so a resume with no employer history still proves cash accuracy and trust.
  • Aims every line at banking: budgets, balanced cash counts, confidential records and an Excel certification a branch manager can verify.
  • Stays on one honest page with no padding, which is exactly what a hiring manager expects from a first resume.

Tamara Price

Logistics Coordinator

Memphis, TN · tamara.price@email.com · (555) 018-5509 · linkedin.com/in/tamaraprice

Professional Summary

Warehouse team lead with 6 years in high-volume distribution, moving into an entry-level logistics coordinator role. Schedules dock appointments, resolves receiving discrepancies and builds Excel reports for a large fulfillment center. MSSC Certified Logistics Technician who knows Manhattan WMS, carrier check-in and the floor-level realities behind every shipment.

Professional Experience

Inbound Team Lead, Ridgeback Fulfillment, Memphis, TN 2024-Present

  • Lead 14 receivers on second shift, unloading and putting away 20-25 trailers a night for an apparel and home goods client.
  • Took over dock appointment scheduling in the yard system, cutting average driver wait time from 2 hours to 50 minutes.
  • Resolve 40+ receiving discrepancies a week by matching packing lists, POs and ASNs and emailing vendors.
  • Built an Excel dashboard of dock-to-stock time by vendor that the operations manager now uses in weekly client calls.

Inventory Control Associate, Ridgeback Fulfillment, Memphis, TN 2022-2024

  • Ran daily cycle counts across 22,000 bin locations, helping hold inventory accuracy at 99.6% through 2 annual audits.
  • Corrected 300+ mis-slotted SKUs in Manhattan WMS, reducing short picks on the morning pick wave.
  • Trained 9 new associates on RF scanner adjustments, the location audit process and how to escalate count variances.

Order Picker, Bellhaven Distribution, Southaven, MS 2020-2022

  • Picked 1,200+ units a shift with an RF scanner at 115% of rate, ranking in the top 10% of second-shift pickers.
  • Reported 12 rack and aisle hazards through the site’s near-miss program, earning a quarterly safety award in 2021.
  • Covered peak-season overtime both years, working 55-hour weeks from November through January.

Training

  • Completed the company’s 12-hour lead development course on safety coaching, attendance and shift handoffs, 2024
  • Excel for operations course, LinkedIn Learning, 2025
View full size
Hourly experience

Entry-Level Logistics Coordinator (From Warehouse Team Lead) resume example

Hourly workers with 3 to 6 years in warehouse, retail or food service jobs who are moving into their first office or coordinator role in the same industry.

Template: Side panel · 1 page

Why this example works

  • Names the target job in the summary and shows the coordinator tasks already done as a team lead, so the step up looks earned.
  • Bullets favor office-side work (scheduling, discrepancies, reports) over physical tasks, which is what a logistics hiring manager screens for.
  • A promotion to team lead plus an MSSC credential prove reliability and ambition for a first salaried role.

Applying through an online portal? Use the Word download: it is the same resume in a single-column, ATS-safe layout. Keep this two-column design for emailing and networking.

Monica Alvarez

HR Coordinator, aPHR

San Antonio, TX · monica.alvarez@email.com · (555) 019-6612 · linkedin.com/in/monicaalvarez

Summary

aPHR-certified HR professional moving into an entry-level HR coordinator role after 16 years in restaurant operations, the last 7 as a general manager responsible for hiring, payroll approval, scheduling and employee relations. Now supporting recruiting, onboarding and HRIS audits as a part-time HR intern at a youth services nonprofit. Bilingual in English and Spanish and comfortable explaining pay and policy questions to hourly staff.

Key Skills

Hourly recruitingInterview schedulingOnboarding and orientationForm I-9 complianceHRIS data auditsPayroll and timekeepingEmployee relations recordsFLSA wage and hour basicsTraining designBilingual: English and Spanish

Professional Experience

Human Resources Intern (Part-Time), Ambervale Youth Services, San Antonio, TX Mar 2026-Present

  • Coordinate hiring for 12 youth counselor and case aide roles, scheduling 60+ interviews across 4 managers and tracking candidates in a shared pipeline.
  • Rewrote 8 counselor job postings for Indeed and LinkedIn in plain language, doubling qualified applicants per opening within a month.
  • Submit and track background checks for every new hire under the youth safety policy.
  • Audited 140 employee files in BambooHR, correcting 38 missing emergency contacts, job codes and certification expiration dates before the annual review.
  • Rebuilt the new hire orientation deck and checklist, cutting first-day paperwork time from 3 hours to 90 minutes for each incoming staff cohort.

General Manager, Larkspur Table Group, San Antonio, TX 2019-Feb 2026

  • Led 2 full-service restaurants with 65 hourly employees and 5 managers, coaching each manager on interviewing, documentation and fair scheduling.
  • Hired and onboarded 250+ hourly employees over 7 years with a structured interview guide and scoring sheet that both locations adopted.
  • Cut 90-day hourly turnover from 58% to 34% by adding a 2-week onboarding plan, a buddy system and 30-day check-ins for new hires.
  • Approved biweekly payroll in Toast for both restaurants, catching overtime and tip-credit errors with a pre-payroll checklist before each submission.
  • Kept every Form I-9 complete and on time, passing a 2023 company I-9 audit with no errors.

Assistant General Manager, Larkspur Table Group, San Antonio, TX 2015-2019

  • Built the restaurant’s first server and host training program, with written checklists, shadow shifts and a sign-off quiz for every new hire.
  • Scheduled 40 hourly employees weekly in 7shifts, following federal and Texas child labor hour limits for employees under 16.
  • Documented coaching and write-ups consistently, helping the company win all 3 contested unemployment claims before the Texas Workforce Commission.
  • Lowered labor cost from 31% to 29% of sales by scheduling around hourly sales data.

Shift Supervisor, Brindlecove Kitchen, San Antonio, TX 2012-2015

  • Supervised 8-10 employees a shift and ran opening and closing, including cash and safe counts.
  • Screened walk-in applicants and recommended 20+ hires to the owner, 15 of whom stayed with the restaurant longer than a year.
  • Trained every new server and busser on the menu, the POS and food safety procedures.

Server, Brindlecove Kitchen, San Antonio, TX 2010-2012

  • Served 25+ tables a shift while completing an associate degree at night, earning promotion to shift supervisor within 2 years.
  • Translated for Spanish-speaking guests and coworkers during busy weekend and holiday shifts.

Education

Associate of Arts, San Antonio College, 2012

Certifications

Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR), HR Certification Institute (HRCI), 2026 · ServSafe Manager Certification, National Restaurant Association, renewed 2023

Technical

BambooHR · Toast Payroll · 7shifts · Indeed and LinkedIn postings · Excel · Google Workspace

Professional Development

  • Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2025-Present
  • Completed 40 hours of LinkedIn Learning courses on employment law and HR metrics, 2025
  • Attends monthly roundtables at a local SHRM chapter on Texas employment law and recruiting practice

Volunteer

  • Mock interviewer at a workforce nonprofit’s monthly job readiness workshops, coaching 25+ adult job seekers on interview answers since 2024
View full size
Career change

Career Changer Starting an Entry-Level HR Role (Restaurant Manager to HR Coordinator) resume example

Experienced professionals with 10+ years in another field who are starting over in an entry-level role and need to show transferable results without looking overqualified.

Template: Bold header · 2 pages

Why this example works

  • Leads with the aPHR and the target title, so the reader sees an HR candidate first and a restaurant manager second.
  • Rewrites 16 years of operations work in HR terms: hiring volume, turnover, payroll accuracy, I-9 compliance and documentation.
  • Earns 2 pages because the earlier roles add HR evidence, while the current internship proves she can do the coordinator job now.

Elijah Danso

IT Help Desk Technician, CompTIA A+

Minneapolis, MN · elijah.danso@email.com · (555) 017-3364 · linkedin.com/in/elijahdanso

Skills & Tools

Windows 10 and 11macOS and iOSActive DirectoryMicrosoft 365 adminHardware diagnosticsPrinter setupTCP/IP, DNS and DHCPTicketing (RepairDesk, osTicket)Remote support (Quick Assist)Hyper-V

Summary

CompTIA A+ certified IT support candidate with 4 years of hands-on device repair and volunteer help desk work. Comfortable with Windows 11, macOS, Active Directory and Microsoft 365 account tasks, documents every fix in a ticketing system and explains problems in plain language. Seeking a Tier 1 help desk role.

Professional Experience

Device Repair Technician, Pocketwell Device Repair, Minneapolis, MN 2022-Present

  • Diagnose and repair 15-20 phones, tablets and laptops a day, from screens and batteries to SSDs.
  • Back up customer data before every laptop repair, with no data-loss complaints in 1,200+ tickets.
  • Log symptoms, parts and test results in RepairDesk so any technician can pick up a ticket mid-repair.
  • Cut laptop turnaround from 3 days to under 2 by stocking the 10 most-used parts ahead of demand.

Volunteer Tech Help Desk, Birchwick Senior Center, Minneapolis, MN 2022-Present

  • Run a weekly help desk for seniors, closing 25+ email, password and printer requests a month.
  • Created and licensed Microsoft 365 accounts for 12 center staff in the admin center, adding MFA to each.
  • Upgraded 14 lab PCs to Windows 11 before Microsoft ended Windows 10 support in October 2025.
  • Removed fake tech-support pop-ups from 6 members’ laptops and wrote a 1-page scam warning handout.

Crew Trainer (Part-Time), Halvard’s Burger Bar, Minneapolis, MN 2020-2022

  • Trained 10+ new crew members on the POS, food safety steps and the drive-thru headset system.
  • Fixed register printer and kitchen screen glitches by reseating cables, avoiding most vendor calls.

Education

Associate of Arts coursework (30 credits), Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN, 2020-2021

Certifications

CompTIA A+ (Core 1 and Core 2), 2026 · Google IT Support Professional Certificate (Google, via Coursera), 2025

Home Lab Projects

  • Built a Windows Server domain in Hyper-V with 20 test users, groups and password Group Policy rules
  • Practiced Tier 1 tickets in a free osTicket instance, writing a knowledge-base article for each fix
View full size
IT help desk

Entry-Level IT Help Desk Technician (Certifications, No Degree) resume example

Self-taught or certificate-trained candidates with repair, retail or volunteer tech experience who are applying for Tier 1 help desk, desktop support or IT support jobs without a degree.

Template: Skills first · 1 page

Why this example works

  • Names CompTIA A+ in the headline and summary, a credential many help desk postings ask for when a candidate has no degree.
  • Translates repair-shop work into help desk language: tickets, data backups, turnaround times and plain-language explanations.
  • The home lab and Windows 11 upgrade prove Active Directory and operating system skills that a repair job alone would not show.

Dominic Ruiz

Apprentice Electrician

Fort Worth, TX · dominic.ruiz@email.com · (555) 016-2287

Profile

Licensed Texas apprentice electrician and 2026 graduate of a 3-year high school CTE electrical program, with 1,500+ hours on residential and light commercial jobs under journeyman supervision. Holds an OSHA 10-Hour card and NCCER Electrical Level 1. Seeking a registered apprenticeship with steady hours, classroom training and a clear path to a journeyman license.

Professional Experience

Electrical Apprentice, Halberd Electric Services, Fort Worth, TX Jun 2025-Present

  • Joined as a 2025 summer hire, worked 12 hours a week in senior year, now full-time.
  • Rough in boxes, pull wire and set devices in 2-3 new homes a week under a journeyman.
  • Bent and installed 600+ feet of EMT with offsets and saddles on a retail finish-out.
  • Made a van restock checklist that cut mid-day supply house runs from 4 a week to 1.

Build Volunteer, Ironbark Home Repair Collective, Fort Worth, TX 2024-2026

  • Installed grab bars and rebuilt porch steps for 9 older homeowners on weekend crews.
  • Cut and fastened framing and decking for 3 wheelchair ramps built to a 1:12 slope.
  • Logged tools out and in at every build, cutting missing tools to zero in 2025.

Stock Associate (Part-Time), Tolliver & Grange Hardware, Fort Worth, TX 2023-2025

  • Stocked electrical and plumbing aisles 15 hours a week and learned the part numbers.
  • Helped 20+ shoppers a shift find the right wire and boxes, asking a lead when unsure.
  • Cycle-counted 1,800 SKUs each quarter, keeping aisle counts within 2% of the system.

Education

High School Diploma, Trinity Hollow High School, Fort Worth, TX, 2026 · CTE electrical pathway

Certifications

Apprentice Electrician License, TDLR (active) · OSHA 10-Hour (2025) · NCCER Electrical Level 1 (2026)

Key Skills

Rough-in and trim-out · EMT conduit bending · Wire pulling and terminations · Device and fixture installs · Print reading · Multimeter testing · Lockout/tagout · Jobsite safety

Additional

  • Valid Texas driver’s license, reliable transportation and a full set of personal hand tools
  • Available for overtime, 6 a.m. starts and Saturday work during busy build seasons
  • SkillsUSA Electrical Construction Wiring: regional winner and state qualifier, 2026
View full size
Skilled trades

Entry-Level Electrical Apprentice (High School CTE Graduate) resume example

High school and trade school graduates applying for registered apprenticeships or helper jobs in electrical, HVAC, plumbing or other skilled trades.

Template: Timeline · 1 page

Why this example works

  • Names the apprentice license, OSHA 10 and NCCER credentials in the summary’s first two sentences, the first things a contractor or apprenticeship committee checks.
  • Frames every task as work done under journeyman supervision, claiming real skills without overstating an apprentice’s scope.
  • Counts a hardware stocking job and volunteer builds as trade experience because the bullets tie them to parts, tools and safety.

Entry-Level resume summary examples

Copy the summary that matches your level, then swap in your own numbers, systems and specialties.

Entry-level resume with no work experience
Dependable recent high school graduate seeking a first full-time job in retail or customer service. Brings 2 years of weekend volunteering at a public library help desk, a robotics club treasurer role and solid Excel skills. Learns new systems quickly and is available evenings, weekends and holidays.
Entry-level college graduate
Communications graduate with a nonprofit fundraising internship and 3 years of part-time campus jobs. Writes clear donor emails and social posts, manages contact data in Salesforce and Excel, and helped a spring appeal beat its goal by 18%. Seeking an entry-level development or marketing coordinator role.
Entry-level IT help desk
CompTIA A+ certified help desk candidate with 2 years of part-time campus IT experience resetting passwords, imaging laptops and fixing classroom AV problems. Documents every ticket clearly in ServiceNow and explains fixes without jargon. Seeking a Tier 1 support role on a team that values fast, friendly resolution.
Skilled trades apprentice or helper
Recent trade school graduate with 900 hours of hands-on HVAC lab training, EPA Section 608 Universal certification and an OSHA 10-Hour card. Comfortable with brazing, refrigerant recovery equipment and reading wiring diagrams under a technician’s direction. Seeking an HVAC apprentice or helper position with a residential service company.
Hourly worker moving into an office role
Retail shift lead with 4 years opening and closing a high-volume store, now seeking an entry-level administrative or operations assistant role. Builds weekly schedules for 18 associates, reconciles daily deposits and manages vendor deliveries and email in Microsoft 365. Known for accurate paperwork and calm problem-solving.
Career changer starting at entry level
Former middle school science teacher with 8 years of curriculum design experience, moving into an entry-level instructional designer role. Builds lessons around measurable learning objectives, creates e-learning modules in Articulate Rise and recently redesigned a small company’s employee onboarding course as a freelance project.
Entry-level resume objective example
Detail-oriented accounting student graduating in May 2028, seeking a summer 2027 accounts payable internship. Brings Excel pivot table and XLOOKUP skills, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User credential and 2 years of daily cash reconciliation as a campus bookstore cashier.

Want one written around your own experience? Try the free resume summary generator.

Best skills for a entry-level resume

List the skills the job posting names, in the same wording, and prove the important ones in your experience bullets.

Hard skills

  • Microsoft Excel (formulas, sorting, pivot tables)
  • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar)
  • Data entry and recordkeeping
  • Customer service and issue resolution
  • Cash handling and reconciliation
  • Scheduling and calendar management
  • Social media and content basics
  • Basic IT troubleshooting
  • Inventory and stock management
  • Written business communication
  • Research and note-taking
  • Workplace safety basics (OSHA 10)
  • Bilingual communication (if fluent)

Soft skills

  • Reliability and punctual attendance
  • Coachability: acting on feedback quickly
  • Clear communication with customers and coworkers
  • Time management across school, work and volunteering
  • Problem-solving within your role
  • Teamwork during busy shifts
  • Attention to detail
  • Initiative: spotting and fixing small problems

Tools and software

  • Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
  • Google Workspace
  • Canva
  • Square or Toast POS
  • Zoom
  • Slack
  • Salesforce or HubSpot CRM (basic)
  • Zendesk or Freshdesk ticketing
  • Handheld RF scanners (warehouse and retail)
  • Trello or Asana task boards

Certifications

  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certiport
  • CompTIA A+, CompTIA
  • Google Career Certificates (IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management), Google via Coursera
  • OSHA 10-Hour card, OSHA Outreach Training Program
  • ServSafe Food Handler, National Restaurant Association
  • First Aid/CPR/AED, American Red Cross or American Heart Association
  • Intuit QuickBooks Certified User, Certiport

Entry-Level resume bullet point examples

Strong bullets pair an action verb with a specific task and a measurable result. Adapt these to your own numbers.

School and class projects

  • Built a 12-tab Excel budget model for a group finance project, earning the top grade in a class of 45.
  • Surveyed 220 students for a statistics capstone on dining hours, and the dining office used the findings to extend late-night service.
  • Designed a 5-page WordPress website for a local animal rescue as a class project, which the rescue still uses for adoptions.

Part-time and hourly jobs

  • Answered 40-60 calls a shift at a veterinary clinic front desk, booking appointments and sending reminder texts that cut no-shows 20%.
  • Closed the grocery deli alone 3 nights a week, completing cleaning and temperature logs that passed every county health inspection.
  • Checked out and reshelved 200+ library items per shift, with 99% shelving accuracy in weekly spot checks.

Volunteering and leadership

  • Recruited and scheduled 35 volunteers for a 5K fundraiser that raised $8,200 for a local food bank.
  • Tutored 6 middle school students in algebra each week, raising their average quiz score from 68% to 81% in one semester.
  • Launched a peer mentoring program that paired 24 first-year students with upperclass mentors, and 22 of them returned for sophomore year.

Internships and first professional roles

  • Cleaned and merged 3 years of donor records (4,000+ rows) in Excel, removing 600 duplicates before a year-end mailing.
  • Took over meeting notes and action-item tracking for a 9-person project team within 3 weeks of starting an internship.
  • Wrote 25 product descriptions for a home goods retailer’s website, 18 of which the marketing manager published without edits.

Certifications and self-directed learning

  • Completed the Google Data Analytics Certificate in 4 months while working 30 hours a week, finishing with a Tableau Public dashboard.
  • Earned the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel certification on the first attempt after 6 weeks of evening practice tests.
  • Learned basic SQL through free online courses and used it to answer 10 sales questions from a public dataset in a portfolio project.

Action verbs for a entry-level resume

Start each bullet with a precise verb instead of “responsible for”.

  • Organized
  • Coordinated
  • Scheduled
  • Tracked
  • Reconciled
  • Processed
  • Prepared
  • Resolved
  • Trained
  • Tutored
  • Led
  • Launched
  • Created
  • Built
  • Designed
  • Drafted
  • Researched
  • Analyzed
  • Presented
  • Improved
  • Reduced
  • Streamlined
  • Recruited
  • Restocked
  • Installed
  • Troubleshot
  • Documented
  • Earned
  • Completed
  • Balanced

Find more by category with the free action verb finder.

Best resume format for a entry-level

Use a reverse-chronological entry-level resume on 1 page in a single-column layout. Name your strongest proof (a degree, certificate or license) in the headline or the first line of your summary so it shows before any job. Only career changers with 10+ relevant years should consider 2 pages.

Your situationFormatLengthLead with
No work experience (first job)Reverse-chronological, with school roles and volunteering as experience1 pageSummary, school leadership, volunteer and informal work
College graduateReverse-chronological, degree named in the summary1 pageDegree, internships, part-time work, relevant coursework
Certificate or bootcamp graduateReverse-chronological with a projects section1 pageCertifications in the headline and summary, hands-on projects, related part-time work
Skilled trades apprentice or helperReverse-chronological, credentials named in the summary1 pageApprentice license or registration, OSHA 10, CTE or trade school hours
Hourly worker moving into an office roleReverse-chronological1 pagePromotions, coordinator-type tasks, software, certifications
Career changer with 10+ yearsReverse-chronological, new title and credential in the headline and summary1-2 pagesNew certification, bridge experience, transferable results

Every example above follows these rules. Browse more layouts in our free resume templates.

How to write an entry-level resume that gets interviews

An entry-level resume gets interviews when every line answers one question: can this person learn the job fast and show up reliably? Open with a short, targeted summary, then use education, internships, projects and skills as evidence, because early in a career they count as much as job titles.

Turn what you have into proof. Internships, part-time jobs, coursework, volunteering and student projects all show skills employers want, so describe them with action verbs and results rather than duties. A campus project or weekend job shows teamwork, reliability and initiative once you add numbers.

Keep it focused and honest. One clean page is right for almost every entry-level resume: a clear summary that names your strongest proof, recent experience first and a skills list matched to the posting. Never pad or invent experience; a tight, targeted first resume beats a long, vague one.

Entry-level resume with no experience: what to list instead

If you are writing a first job resume with no paid work history, your experience section can hold anything where someone relied on you. Give each entry a title, organization, dates and 2 to 4 bullets with numbers, exactly as you would for a job.

  • School leadership: class officer, club treasurer, team captain, yearbook editor
  • Volunteering: food banks, libraries, shelters, youth sports, places of worship
  • Informal work: babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care, tutoring, shifts in a family business
  • Class, capstone and personal projects, with what you built and the result
  • Certifications you can earn in days or weeks, such as an OSHA 10-Hour card, First Aid/CPR/AED, a food handler card or Microsoft Office Specialist

Entry-level resume objective vs. summary (with examples)

Use a summary on most entry-level resumes, written with an objective’s focus: name the job you want, then give two or three facts that show you can do it. An old-style objective about what you hope to gain wastes the most-read lines on the page.

Weak: ‘Seeking an entry-level position where I can grow my skills.’ Strong: ‘Recent marketing graduate with an agency internship and Google Analytics certification, seeking an entry-level marketing coordinator role.’ The strong version names the role, the proof and the tools in one sentence.

Entry-level resume skills and ATS keywords

Many applicant tracking systems let recruiters filter applicants by keyword, and some score how closely a resume matches the posting. Use the job’s exact title, software and skill phrases in your summary, skills and bullets where true. A skill with no supporting bullet carries little weight with recruiters.

Entry-level postings repeat a small set of keywords: customer service, Microsoft Excel, data entry, scheduling, communication and teamwork, plus field terms such as POS, CRM, ticketing, OSHA 10 or forklift. Run your draft through an ATS checker and add any keyword the posting stresses that you can honestly claim.

What hiring managers look for on an entry-level resume

Hiring managers expect to train an entry-level hire, so they screen for signs you will show up, learn fast and stay. These are the signals they look for first.

  • Reliability: steady attendance, long volunteer commitments, jobs held during school
  • Coachability: promotions, added duties and certifications earned on your own time
  • Basic tools: Excel, email and the software or equipment the posting names
  • Fit: a summary that names their job title, not a generic objective
  • Clean execution: no typos, a professional email address and one tidy page

Entry-level resume: what to include vs. what to avoid

✓ Include✗ Avoid
A summary that names the exact entry-level job title you are applying forA generic objective such as ‘seeking a position where I can grow’
Education with your graduation or expected date, GPA if 3.5 or higher, honors and relevant courseworkDuty lists with no results, such as ‘responsible for helping customers’
Internships, part-time jobs, volunteering and school leadership written like real jobsInflated job titles or invented experience to fill space
A number in most bullets: customers served, budgets tracked, hours logged, results improvedHigh school details once you have college credits or a degree
Certifications and licenses with the issuing body, such as Certiport, CompTIA or your state licensing agencyAn unprofessional email address or casual social media links
Projects with what you built, the tools you used and the outcomePhotos, date of birth, full street address or Social Security number
A skills section that mirrors the job posting’s keywords‘References available upon request’ (bring a separate reference list instead)
Your availability (evenings, weekends, start date) when applying for shift-based jobsMulti-column graphic templates, text boxes and icons that ATS software misreads

How to write an entry-level resume

  1. Pick one target job. Choose the entry-level job title you are applying for and collect 3 to 5 postings for it. Highlight the skills, tools and certifications they repeat; those become your keywords and decide what goes near the top.
  2. Lead with a clear summary. Write 2 to 3 sentences that name the target role, your strongest proof (a degree, certification, internship or hours worked) and one result. A targeted summary tells employers who you are when a job title cannot.
  3. Put your strongest proof at the top. Name your degree, certification or license in the headline under your name or the first line of your summary, so it is the first thing a reader sees. List experience newest first, and move education above it only if you have no jobs, internships or volunteer roles yet.
  4. Use education and projects as proof. List coursework, capstones, class projects and student leadership with the same detail as jobs: what you did, the tools you used and the result. Early in your career these show real, job-ready skills.
  5. Write action and results, not tasks. Start each bullet with an action verb, describe the task and add a number such as customers served, money tracked, hours, accuracy or growth. Quantified results from a part-time job show initiative and impact.
  6. Match the posting’s keywords. Mirror the job title and the exact skill and software names from the posting in your summary, skills list and bullets, as long as each one is true for you. This helps recruiters find you when they search applicants by keyword.
  7. Keep it to one focused page. Fit everything on a single, well-targeted page in a single-column layout, save it as PDF or DOCX as the application requests, and run it through an ATS checker before you apply.

Cover letter tip for a entry-level

Name the exact entry-level role and where you found it, then give one specific example from school, work or volunteering that matches the posting’s top requirement. Say why this employer interests you, mention your availability or start date, and close by asking for an interview.

Start from our cover letter templates or draft one in seconds with the cover letter generator.

Entry-Level resume FAQ

How do I write an entry-level resume with no experience?
List the experience you do have: school leadership, volunteering, informal work such as babysitting or pet sitting, class projects and certifications. Give each entry dates and 2 to 4 bullets with numbers, open with a summary that names the job you want, and keep everything on 1 page.
What should an entry-level resume include?
An entry-level resume should include your contact details, a short targeted summary, education, experience (internships, part-time jobs, volunteering or projects), a skills section matched to the posting, and any certifications or licenses. Add availability for shift work, and an extra section only when it adds new evidence.
How long should an entry-level resume be?
One page. Hiring managers expect a short resume from someone early in their career, and a tight page forces you to keep only your strongest evidence. The exception is a career changer with 10 or more years of relevant prior work, who can use 2 pages.
Should an entry-level resume have an objective or a summary?
Use a summary, written with an objective’s focus. Name the entry-level role you want, then add 2 or 3 facts that prove you can do it, such as a degree, certification or measurable result. A traditional objective that only states what you hope to gain is outdated.
What skills should I put on an entry-level resume?
Start with the skills the job posting names, then add tools you can actually use, such as Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, a POS system or a CRM. Include 2 or 3 soft skills that your bullets prove, like reliability or customer communication, rather than a long list of adjectives.
What is the best format for an entry-level resume?
Reverse-chronological in a single column works best for nearly every entry-level resume, because recruiters and applicant tracking systems read it easily. Name your strongest proof in the headline and summary: the degree for new graduates, certifications or a license for trades and IT, and promotions for hourly workers moving up.
Should I put my GPA on an entry-level resume?
Include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher or the employer asks for it, and drop it after your first year or two of full-time work. Honors such as Dean’s List or a scholarship can stand in for a lower GPA.
Should I put high school on my resume?
List your high school diploma if it is your highest education or an apprenticeship or posting asks for it. Include GPA, coursework and activities only while you are a student or recent graduate. Once you have college credits or a degree, high school can come off to save space.
How do I make an entry-level resume ATS-friendly?
Use a single-column layout, standard headings (Summary, Experience, Education, Skills) and the posting’s exact job title and keywords where they are true. Avoid tables, text boxes, images and key details placed in headers. Save it as DOCX or PDF as the application asks, and test it with an ATS checker.
How do I write an entry-level resume for a career change?
Lead with the new target title, any certification or training for the new field and recent bridge experience such as an internship, volunteering or freelance projects. Then rewrite earlier jobs to highlight transferable results, like hiring, scheduling or budgets, and cut duties the new employer will not care about.