How to write a résumé as a new graduate with no experience

"No experience" usually means no full-time job. Almost every graduate has something to talk about: a final-year project, an internship, a club, a part-time job, or something they built out of interest. A résumé's job is to pick those stories and tell them in a way that fits the role.

A one-page outline for new graduates

1. Name and contact details: phone, a professional-looking email, province, and a portfolio link if you have one.
2. A two- or three-line summary: what you studied, what kind of work you want, and what you can do.
3. Education: institution, major, graduation year; add your GPA if it is a strength.
4. Projects and internships: the most important section, so place it high.
5. Activities and part-time work.
6. Skills: split into work skills, such as software you can use, and languages.

Turn projects into results

Do not just list the project name. Say what you did and what came of it:

• Instead of "Final project on a room booking system", write "Designed and built a meeting-room booking system for the faculty, used for real in the final semester."
• Instead of "Club treasurer", write "Kept the club's income and expense accounts for a full year and reported to the faculty each term."

Start with an action verb and add numbers when they are real. Never add numbers that did not happen.

Part-time work counts

A café job, selling online or tutoring shows you are punctual, can talk to customers and can be trusted with money. Write so those skills show, not just the shop name.

Adjust it for every job

Read the ad, note the words that keep coming up, and check that your résumé has something that answers them. Move the most relevant items to the top.

What to avoid

• Personal details the job does not ask for.
• Flashy layouts that are hard to read.
• A file called resume-final-2. Name it Resume_Name_Role.

Not sure which field to apply for?

If you are not yet sure which work style or industry suits you, look at Career Fit first, then choose which stories to tell in your résumé.

Start writing with the online résumé builder, and turn on LINE job alerts from your account page.