6 examples · Updated October 2026
Recent Graduate Resume Examples and Templates
A strong recent graduate resume proves you can do the job before anyone has paid you to do it. Name your degree and target role in the first lines, then show internships, projects, campus jobs and coursework as evidence, each with a tool and a result.
Recent Graduate resume at a glance
- Best format
- Reverse-chronological, one column, degree in headline
- Length
- 1 page; 2 only with 8+ years’ work
- Top skills
- Microsoft Excel, Data analysis (SQL, Python), Written and presentation communication, Research and problem solving
- Key credentials
- Degree, major and graduation date, Google or HubSpot certificates, FE (NCEES) or SIE (FINRA)
6 recent graduate resume examples for 2026
Below are 6 recent college graduate resume examples, from no-experience grads to engineers, finance majors and adult learners. Use any recent graduate resume sample here as a model for your new graduate resume, then borrow the copy-ready summaries, skills, bullets, ATS keywords and free graduate 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.
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Maya Patel
Computer Science Graduate | Software Engineer
San Jose, CA · maya.patel@email.com · (555) 013-3390 · linkedin.com/in/mayapatel · github.com/mayapatel
Summary
Computer Science graduate (B.S., San Jose State University, 2025) with a software engineering internship, a year of nonprofit contract development and undergraduate data research. Ships tested full-stack features in Python, JavaScript (React, Node.js) and SQL. Seeking a new grad software engineer role on a product team.
Core Competencies
Python · JavaScript and TypeScript · React · Node.js and Express · SQL and PostgreSQL · REST API design · Unit and integration testing (pytest, Jest) · Git and GitHub Actions · Docker · AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda)
Professional Experience
Software Developer (Part-Time Contract), Tarnwick Literacy Foundation, San Jose, CA 2025-Present
- Built a React and Node.js app matching 400+ volunteer tutors with students, saving staff 6 hours a week.
- Designed the PostgreSQL schema and REST API for scheduling, cutting double-bookings from 15 a month to 1.
- Set up GitHub Actions CI that runs 180+ Jest and Supertest tests on every pull request before merge.
- Containerized the app with Docker and deployed it on AWS for under $40 a month in hosting costs.
Software Engineering Intern, Nimbuswell Tech, San Jose, CA Summer 2024
- Built and shipped 2 REST API endpoints in Python (FastAPI) for a notifications feature serving 50,000 users.
- Wrote unit and integration tests that raised coverage on the team’s billing module from 60% to 85%.
- Closed 14 backlog bugs and demoed the shipped feature to 30 engineers at the summer intern showcase.
Undergraduate Research Assistant, SJSU Data Lab, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 2023-2024
- Cleaned and merged 2 million rows of public transit data in Python (pandas) for a faculty-led ridership study.
- Automated a weekly data-quality report with SQL and Matplotlib, saving the lab about 4 hours each week.
- Presented ridership-gap findings to 60 attendees at the university’s spring research showcase.
Education
B.S., Computer Science, San Jose State University, May 2025 · GPA 3.8 · Honors Program
Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Databases, Web Development, Machine Learning
Certifications
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Amazon Web Services), 2025
Technical
Linux · VS Code · Postman · Jira · Figma
Projects
- Job Board Web App: React, Node and PostgreSQL app with search and authentication, deployed with 300+ users
- Expense Tracker: Python and SQLite budgeting tool with data visualization, open-sourced on GitHub
Why this example works
- Counts post-graduation contract work as real experience, so the year after graduation reads as shipping software, not a gap.
- Every technical bullet names the stack and a result (users, test coverage, hours saved), which is what engineering screeners check.
- A GitHub link plus deployed projects with real users let a hiring manager verify her skills in minutes.
Kendra Ellison
Human Resources Assistant | B.S. Psychology, 2026
Atlanta, GA · kendra.ellison@email.com · (555) 014-7721 · linkedin.com/in/kendraellison
Skills & Tools
Summary
Psychology graduate (B.S., Georgia State University, May 2026) seeking an entry-level human resources assistant or recruiting coordinator role. Four years of campus and retail jobs built core HR skills: structured interviewing, onboarding, scheduling, conflict resolution and confidential record keeping. Skilled in Excel, Qualtrics survey design and SPSS analysis.
Professional Experience
Resident Assistant, Georgia State University Housing, Atlanta, GA 2024-2026
- Supported 48 first-year residents with semester check-ins, referring 12 to counseling or tutoring.
- Mediated 20+ roommate conflicts with written agreements and follow-ups, escalating only 2 to housing staff.
- Documented incidents in the housing case system within 24 hours, keeping student records confidential.
- Ran 16 floor programs on budgeting, wellness and career prep, averaging 30 attendees on a $600 budget.
Student Admissions Ambassador (Part-Time), Georgia State University Admissions, Atlanta, GA 2023-2026
- Led 120+ campus tours for prospective students and families, averaging 4.8 of 5 on visitor surveys.
- Helped interview and select 10 new ambassadors each spring, scoring candidates on a structured rubric.
- Answered 40+ applicant emails and calls a week in the CRM, routing complex cases to counselors.
- Trained 6 first-year ambassadors on tour routes, safety procedures and common financial aid questions.
Sales Associate and Shift Lead (Part-Time), Dunmarsh Outfitters, Atlanta, GA 2022-2024
- Onboarded 9 new hires with a first-week training checklist the store manager adopted storewide.
- Built the weekly Excel schedule for 14 part-time associates, cutting last-minute call-outs by half.
- Opened and closed the store 2 shifts a week, balancing cash drawers and resolving customer escalations.
Education
B.S., Psychology, Georgia State University, May 2026 · GPA 3.7 · Dean’s List, 6 semesters
Relevant coursework: Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Statistics, Research Methods, Social Psychology
Certifications
Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate, 2025 · aPHR (HRCI), exam scheduled December 2026
Capstone Research
- Surveyed 210 student employees on onboarding and job satisfaction in Qualtrics, analyzing results in SPSS
- Presented 3 onboarding recommendations to campus employment staff, 2 adopted for fall 2026 hiring
Why this example works
- Reframes resident assistant, ambassador and retail work as HR skills: interviewing, onboarding, scheduling, conflict resolution and confidentiality.
- The capstone survey on student employee onboarding ties her psychology degree directly to the HR role she wants.
- An Excel certification and a scheduled aPHR exam show initiative and narrow the no-HR-experience gap.
Gabriel Ortega
Financial Analyst | B.S. Business, Finance, 2026
Indianapolis, IN · gabriel.ortega@email.com · (555) 015-2048 · linkedin.com/in/gabrielortega
About
Finance graduate (B.S. in Business, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, May 2026) with internships in corporate FP&A and commercial banking. Builds variance, forecast and DCF models in Excel and turns them into one-page summaries managers act on. Passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and registered for the Level I CFA exam. Seeking a financial analyst or rotational program role.
Professional Experience
FP&A Intern, Velmora Medical Devices, Indianapolis, IN Summer 2025
- Built a budget-versus-actual model for a $38M product line, flagging $1.2M in freight overruns.
- Automated the weekly sales flash report in Power BI, cutting prep from 5 hours to 45 minutes.
- Rebuilt the 18-month revenue forecast for 3 sales regions, narrowing backtested forecast error from 9% to 4%.
Commercial Banking Intern, Owlbrook Community Bank, Bloomington, IN Summer 2024
- Spread financials for 25 small-business borrowers and calculated debt service coverage ratios.
- Drafted industry and risk sections for 6 credit memos on loans from $250K to $2M.
- Built a covenant tracker for 60 loans that flagged 3 late borrower reporting packages.
Equity Analyst, Student Investment Club, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 2023-2026
- Covered 4 industrial stocks for the club portfolio using DCF and comparable-company models.
- Pitched 2 buy ideas the committee adopted, which returned 18% and 11% over the next year.
Education
B.S. in Business, Finance major, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, May 2026 · GPA 3.6
Relevant coursework: Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling, Investments, Intermediate Accounting
Certifications
Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam, FINRA, passed 2025 · Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), Bloomberg, 2025
Key Skills
Three-statement modeling · Budget variance analysis · Revenue forecasting · DCF valuation · Credit analysis · Excel (XLOOKUP, pivot tables) · Power BI · Bloomberg Terminal · FactSet
Exams in Progress
- Level I candidate in the CFA Program (February 2027 exam)
Leadership
- Treasurer, Latino Business Student Association: managed a $12,000 annual budget, signed 4 corporate sponsors and ran 6 recruiting events
Why this example works
- Two internships in different tracks (FP&A and commercial banking) keep him competitive for both analyst and credit training programs.
- Dollar amounts, hours saved and forecast accuracy prove modeling skill instead of simply listing Excel as a skill.
- The SIE, BMC and a registered February 2027 Level I CFA exam answer the credential questions finance recruiters ask early.
Why this example works
- Names the new degree in the headline and summary, so a degree requirement is visibly met even though experience leads the page.
- Thirteen years of steady promotions, from material handler to operations manager, show growth and earned trust.
- The capstone extra links coursework to a real pricing decision, proving the degree adds value on the job.
Why this example works
- EIT after his name and in certifications tells engineering managers he has passed the FE exam and is on the PE track.
- Treats senior design like a job, with team size, budget and sponsor adoption, the strongest proof a new engineer has.
- Co-op bullets quantify cost, machining time and root cause work, the same metrics his future manager reports.
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.
Claire Donovan
Marketing Specialist | Email, Social and Paid Media
Chicago, IL · claire.donovan@email.com · (555) 017-6612 · linkedin.com/in/clairedonovan
Profile
Marketing coordinator with 16 months of full-time experience at a direct-to-consumer pet food brand, after an agency internship and campus social media work. Plans and optimizes email, paid social and search campaigns in Klaviyo, Meta Ads Manager and Google Ads. BBA in Marketing, 2025. Seeking a marketing specialist role.
Professional Experience
Marketing Coordinator, Thistlecove Pet Nutrition, Chicago, IL 2025-Present
- Own 3 weekly email campaigns and 6 Klaviyo automations for a 120,000-subscriber list, growing email revenue 41% year over year.
- Manage a $25K monthly Meta and Google Ads budget with the paid media lead, lowering cost per acquisition from $38 to $29.
- Launched a 40-creator influencer seeding program with tracked discount codes, generating 2.1M views and 1,900 first orders in 6 months.
- Built a GA4 and Looker Studio dashboard with UTM naming standards, giving the team one weekly view of channel revenue.
Marketing Intern, Wrenlock Creative, Chicago, IL Summer 2024
- Drafted social copy and content calendars for 4 agency clients, with 60+ posts approved and published over 10 weeks.
- Pulled monthly performance data for 3 clients from Meta Business Suite and Google Analytics into client-ready slides.
- Researched 6 competitors and built the comparison slides for a new-business pitch to a regional grocery chain, which the agency won.
Social Media Assistant (Part-Time), Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 2023-2025
- Planned and posted Instagram and TikTok content for campus events, growing the account from 4,000 to 9,500 followers.
- Filmed and edited 30+ short promo videos in CapCut and Canva, with the top-performing reel reaching 85,000 views.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Marketing, Loyola University Chicago, May 2025
Certifications
Google Ads Search Certification · HubSpot Email Marketing Certification · Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate
Key Skills
Email automation (Klaviyo) · Meta Ads · Google Ads · GA4 and Looker Studio · A/B testing · Influencer marketing · Copywriting · Shopify · Canva and CapCut
Why this example works
- Experience now leads and education sits below it, with GPA and coursework dropped, the right shift after a full year of full-time work.
- Owns channel results (revenue, cost per acquisition, first orders) instead of tasks, signaling she is ready for a specialist title.
- Keeps the internship and campus job short, so the full-time role fills most of the page.
Recent Graduate resume summary examples
Copy the summary that matches your level, then swap in your own numbers, systems and specialties.
Recent college graduate with a B.A. in Communications (May 2026) and 3 years of part-time customer service and campus media work. Wrote and edited 40+ articles for the student newspaper, ran its Instagram account and met weekly print deadlines. Comfortable with Google Workspace, Canva and WordPress. Seeking an entry-level communications or marketing assistant role.
Computer science graduate (B.S., 2026) with a backend internship and 3 deployed projects in Java, Python and SQL. Built a Spring Boot inventory API with 90% test coverage and contributes to an open-source data library. Comfortable with Git, Docker and code review. Seeking a new grad software engineer or backend developer role.
Accounting graduate (B.S., May 2026, GPA 3.7) working toward CPA licensure, with a public accounting internship covering 2 audit engagements and 40+ individual tax returns. Skilled in Excel, QuickBooks and audit sampling, and fluent in Spanish. Seeking a staff accountant or audit associate role starting in January.
Civil engineering graduate (B.S., 2026) and Engineer in Training (EIT) with 2 summer internships in site development and stormwater design. Drafts plan sets in Civil 3D, runs hydrologic models and logged 300+ hours of construction inspection. Seeking an entry-level civil or land development engineer role on a path to PE licensure.
Human resources coordinator with 18 months of full-time experience supporting recruiting and onboarding for a 600-employee healthcare company. Schedules 50+ interviews a month in Workday, runs new-hire orientation and keeps I-9 records audit-ready. B.S. in Psychology, 2025, and aPHR certified. Seeking an HR generalist role.
MBA graduate (2026) with 5 years of supply chain experience in consumer goods before business school. Led a summer internship pricing project that identified $2.3M in margin opportunities for a national food brand, and consulted for 2 startups through the school’s venture lab. Seeking a strategy, operations or leadership development program role.
Returning graduate who completed a B.S. in Information Technology in 2026 after 9 years in retail store management. Supervised 25 employees and ran inventory and loss prevention for a $6M store, and now adds network administration, help desk ticketing and CompTIA Security+ certification. Seeking an IT support or systems administrator role.
Want one written around your own experience? Try the free resume summary generator.
Best skills for a recent graduate 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 (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, charts)
- Data analysis (SQL, Python, R or SPSS)
- Research design and literature review
- Technical and business writing
- Presentation design (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
- Project planning and scheduling
- CRM data entry and reporting (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Financial modeling and budgeting
- Social media content creation
- Survey design (Qualtrics)
- CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
- Programming (Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Foreign language proficiency
Soft skills
- Learning new tools quickly
- Clear written communication
- Meeting deadlines across classes and jobs
- Teamwork on group and capstone projects
- Taking feedback and iterating
- Customer and client service
- Initiative (starting projects, clubs or side work)
- Professional reliability and follow-through
Tools and software
- Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)
- Google Workspace
- Slack and Zoom
- Tableau or Power BI
- Python and Jupyter Notebook
- Git and GitHub
- Canva and Adobe Express
- Qualtrics
- Salesforce or HubSpot
- Asana or Trello
Certifications
- Google Career Certificates (Data Analytics, Project Management, UX Design)
- HubSpot Academy certifications (Inbound, Content and Email Marketing)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Amazon Web Services)
- Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam (FINRA)
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (NCEES)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (Certiport)
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR), HRCI
Recent Graduate resume bullet point examples
Strong bullets pair an action verb with a specific task and a measurable result. Adapt these to your own numbers.
Internships and co-ops
- Analyzed 18 months of customer churn data in SQL as a product analytics intern, pinpointing an onboarding drop-off the team fixed next release.
- Drafted 12 press releases and media lists as a public relations intern, earning coverage in 5 regional outlets for a client launch.
- Reconciled brokerage 1099s and partnership K-1s for 25 trust returns in CCH Axcess as a tax intern, clearing partner review with no corrections.
Class, capstone and research projects
- Led a 4-person capstone team that built a demand forecast for a local coffee roaster, cutting projected overstock 20% in a pilot.
- Designed and tested a low-cost water filtration prototype in senior design, removing 95% of turbidity at a third of commercial unit cost.
- Wrote a 40-page honors thesis on remote work and burnout, surveying 300 employees and presenting at a regional undergraduate conference.
Part-time and campus jobs
- Tutored 25 students a semester in statistics at the campus learning center, with regular attendees averaging a half-letter-grade improvement.
- Answered 60+ calls a shift at the university IT help desk, resolving 85% of password and Wi-Fi tickets on first contact.
- Worked 25 hours a week as a restaurant server while carrying a full course load, training 6 new staff on the POS system.
Leadership and student organizations
- Raised $14,000 as philanthropy chair for a student organization, more than doubling the prior year’s total with a peer-to-peer campaign.
- Grew a campus consulting club from 12 to 45 members and signed 3 local nonprofits as pro bono project clients.
- Organized a 300-attendee career fair with 28 employers as vice president of the business student association.
Action verbs for a recent graduate resume
Start each bullet with a precise verb instead of “responsible for”.
- Analyzed
- Built
- Designed
- Developed
- Launched
- Led
- Organized
- Coordinated
- Researched
- Presented
- Automated
- Tested
- Modeled
- Drafted
- Tutored
- Trained
- Mentored
- Streamlined
- Reduced
- Increased
- Raised
- Delivered
- Implemented
- Documented
- Evaluated
- Programmed
- Pitched
- Recruited
- Facilitated
- Onboarded
Find more by category with the free action verb finder.
Best resume format for a recent graduate
Use a 1-page, single-column, reverse-chronological recent graduate resume. Name your degree, major and graduation date in the headline or summary, then lead with the experience closest to the job: internships, co-ops, projects or campus roles. Use 2 pages only with 8+ years of prior full-time work.
| Your situation | Format | Length | Lead with |
|---|---|---|---|
| No internships or related experience | Reverse-chronological, with projects and campus roles as experience | 1 page | Degree, capstone, transferable part-time and campus work |
| Internships or co-ops | Reverse-chronological | 1 page | Internships with tools and results, then education |
| Technical degree (computer science, engineering) | Reverse-chronological with skills and projects sections | 1 page | Languages or CAD tools, GitHub or portfolio, FE exam or EIT |
| 1-2 years after graduation | Reverse-chronological, education below experience | 1 page | Full-time role and results; drop GPA and most coursework |
| Master’s or MBA graduate | Reverse-chronological | 1 page | Graduate degree, pre-degree work results, leadership |
| Adult learner with 8+ years of work | Reverse-chronological | 2 pages | Experience and results, with the new degree in the headline and summary |
Every example above follows these rules. Browse more layouts in our free resume templates.
How to write a recent graduate resume that gets interviews
A recent graduate resume gets interviews when it presents your degree as a launch pad, not a limitation. State your degree, major and graduation date up front, then prove your skills with internships, projects and campus jobs, each with a tool and a result.
Target every application. Mirror the job title and skills in the posting, lead with the internships and projects closest to the role, and cut anything that does not support it. A focused, well-organized graduate resume beats a generic one sent to every opening.
Keep it to one page. Hiring managers screening new graduates compare many similar candidates, so a tight page where each bullet has a number reads as stronger evidence than two pages of coursework and duties.
Recent graduate resume with no experience
With no internships, let projects and part-time work do the heavy lifting. Describe class projects, research, a capstone and personal builds like jobs: your role, the tools you used and the outcome, such as a client adopting your recommendation.
Part-time, campus and volunteer jobs count. A resident assistant, tutor, server or admissions ambassador uses skills employers hire for: training people, handling conflict, managing time and following procedures. Write those bullets with numbers, such as residents supported, shifts scheduled or new hires trained.
Link your proof. For technical and creative fields, a GitHub, portfolio or writing samples link turns skill claims into evidence a hiring manager can check in two minutes.
Where to put education, GPA and coursework on a graduate resume
Make your degree visible in the first few seconds: name it in your headline or summary, then give it a full Education section with school, degree, major and graduation month and year.
Add your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher, or if the employer asks for it. Use your major GPA when it is stronger. Dean’s list, Latin honors and scholarships belong on the same line.
List 4 to 6 relevant courses only when they match the job, such as Financial Modeling for an analyst role. Once you have a year of full-time work, drop coursework and usually GPA, and let experience lead.
Resume keywords for recent college graduates (ATS)
Recruiters search and filter applicant tracking systems using the words in the posting, so reuse its job title, tools and skills wherever they are true for you. Write each acronym in full once, such as Securities Industry Essentials (SIE).
- Job titles: Analyst, Coordinator, Associate, Junior Developer, Engineer I, new grad
- Tools: Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Salesforce, SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Cloud
- Methods: data analysis, financial modeling, A/B testing, root cause analysis, user research
- Credentials: degree name, EIT, SIE, Google or HubSpot certifications, AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Programs: new grad program, rotational program, leadership development program, co-op
Recent graduate resume: what to include vs. what to avoid
| ✓ Include | ✗ Avoid |
|---|---|
| Degree, major, school and graduation month and year, named again in your summary | An objective that only says what you want, such as ‘seeking a challenging position’ |
| Internships, co-ops, research and capstone projects written like jobs, with results | High school details once you have a college degree |
| Part-time, campus and volunteer roles that show transferable skills | Every course you took, or coursework unrelated to the job |
| Tools and software from the posting (Excel, SQL, Python, SolidWorks, Salesforce) | A GPA below 3.0, or a degree listed without a graduation date |
| GPA of 3.5 or higher, dean’s list, honors and scholarships | Duty-only bullets (‘responsible for’) with no tools or results |
| A portfolio, GitHub or writing samples link for technical and creative roles | Photos, date of birth, full street address or an unprofessional email address |
| Certifications and exams that fit the field, such as the FE exam, SIE or Google certificates | A second page padded with clubs you only attended |
| Student organization leadership with numbers (members, budget, events) | Multi-column, graphic-heavy templates that applicant tracking systems misread |
How to write a recent graduate resume
- Pick a target role. Choose one job title per version of your resume, such as Financial Analyst or Junior Developer, and collect 3 to 5 postings. Their repeated skills and tools become your keyword list and decide which experiences make the page.
- Write a headline and summary. Put the target title and your degree under your name, then write a 3-sentence summary: degree and graduation date, your two strongest relevant experiences, and the role you want. Name tools, not traits.
- List experience that proves skills. Include internships, co-ops, research, part-time and campus jobs, newest first. Give each 2 to 4 bullets that start with an action verb, name a tool or task and end with a measurable result.
- Add projects and a portfolio. When work history is thin, add a Projects section or treat your capstone as a role. State the problem, your part, the tools and the outcome, and link a GitHub, portfolio or writing samples.
- Complete your education section. List degree, major, school and graduation month and year. Add GPA if 3.5 or higher, honors and 4 to 6 relevant courses. Put certifications and exams, such as the FE exam or SIE, in their own section.
- Tailor and proofread. Mirror each posting’s job title and skills, keep everything on one page, and read the resume aloud to catch errors. One typo can cost a new graduate an interview when hiring managers compare similar candidates.
- Check ATS fit. Use a single-column layout with standard headings, save it as PDF unless the portal asks for Word, and run it through an ATS checker to confirm your keywords and dates parse correctly.
Cover letter tip for a recent graduate
Open with the role and one internship or project result that matches its biggest requirement, then connect your capstone or coursework to a problem the team works on. State your graduation date and start availability, and close by asking for an interview. Keep it to 3 short paragraphs.
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