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Clarify your career goals

Before you open a word processor, understand what type of role you are targeting. A resume for a bank teller position will be different from the one for a junior software tester role, as you’ll need to highlight different skills. Moreover, your resume should be written with a specific job and company in mind so that the recruiter could see how you fit into the role.

Stay on a combination resume format

There are three major resume writing formats. A chronological format emphasizes your work history and career progression and lists jobs in reverse chronological order. Although it's easy to write, it is not the best option for professionals with limited experience.

A functional format focuses on skills and competencies. While it is good for students and people in a new industry, this format is not liked by recruiters, thus, it is best not to use it.

If you have little or no experience, opt for a combination resume format. It begins with a brief career summary and a list of skills, and after that, you describe your past jobs (paid or unpaid). This format works well because it doesn't hide your work history as a functional resume does. It lists your jobs or projects in detail, yet, it presents skills and knowledge in the first place.

Keep it brief

The perfect length of your first resume is 1-1.5 pages. Include facts that are important for your potential employer and don't go much into detail. On the flip side, try and keep your resume no less than one full page. If you don't know what to write about, our resume writing service will share some ideas below.

Add a persuasive summary

In a student resume summary, you can add relevant hard and soft skills, university achievements and awards, and show your professional passions to make the reader interested. Focus on the competencies that present you as a great cultural fit as well.

Keep your summary to 3-5 sentences, and focus it on what the employer is looking for. In other words, if they are looking for an entry-level marketer with great communication and analytical skills, be sure to focus on these skills in your introduction.

Show off important skills

In every career field, employers look for pretty much similar traits in entry-level applicants. By highlighting the skills suggested below, you’ll stand out from your peers. So, here are the top skills to add to your student or career change resume:

• Project management
• Google Suite
• MS Office
• Verbal and written communication
• Social media management
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Customer service
• Problem-solving
• Industry-specific skills.

Focus on education

Until you have gained professional experience, your education is your biggest asset. Resume writers recommend that you put the Education section right after career summary and skills. Describe your education in detail: add relevant coursework, indicate GPA (if high), and mention any academic awards. Thus, you'll let the employer know that you have theoretical knowledge and are a result-oriented person.

Include unpaid experience and projects

If you didn't have a full-time job yet, it is okay to list any experience you had. Instead of Work Experience, you can create a section called Projects or Relevant experience and list internships, volunteering projects and similar activities there. Describe such projects as you would describe a full-time job: add a relevant title, and organization name, and list your responsibilities and achievements.

Thus, you'll show such skills as dependability, ability to work with other and willingness to work and learn, which employers appreciate. If you're not sure how to list your unpaid internship or a two-month student project persuasively, turn to our resume writing services near you and our experts will advise.

Add hobbies and interests

Recruiters are tired of resume cliches and buzzwords, so, they will appreciate it if you show your human side. The easiest way to do it is to highlight your hobbies and interests. Ideally, you need to build a personal connection with a person reading your resume. For this reason, do not include generic hobbies, such as "music, cooking, cycling". Be more specific about your interests: electronic music, vogue dance, European history, etc.

Avoid popular mistakes

If you’re writing a resume for the first time, you might make one of the popular mistakes. Once you have finished, check yourself:

• include all necessary resume sections: your name and contact information, summary, education, professional experience, and additional sections;
• use the same font size and type throughout the document so that it looks neat;
• use strong action verbs at the beginning of each bullet point;
• customize your resume for each job you are applying for;
• check the grammar, punctuation, and meaning of each sentence before sending a resume to the employer.

Attach a matching cover letter

Just like your resume, a good cover letter should be concise, written for a particular role and focused on the value you can bring to the employer. Plus, 49% of hiring managers believe that attaching a resume is a must.

Keep your letter to 3-5 paragraphs, focusing on your most relevant educational and unpaid experience. Use keywords from the job posting. In addition to knowledge and hard skills, try to show your personality, your goals, and how your values align with the employer's culture and mission. If writing a letter sounds too challenging, our resume service can help with that, too.

By following the above tips, you'll be able to create a resume that has a higher chance of an interview. Yet, if all resume rules are mind-blowing and you need a strong resume that would set you apart, it is best to rely on professional help. At Resumeperk, we offer help of local resume writers at a competitive price that entry-level professionals can easily afford. Plus, our resume writing consultants have created hundreds of entry-level resumes, and know how to make yours stand out.