FresumeAn entry-level resume has to make a little experience look like a lot of potential. Employers hiring for first professional roles screen for relevant skills, education, and any experience — internships, part-time work, or projects — that shows you can do the job. This guide has a real annotated example, what to include, and how to stand out.
How do you write an entry-level resume?
Lead with a short summary and a skills section tuned to the role, then education and any experience. With limited history, an internship, a capstone project, or part-time work becomes your proof. Quantify wherever you can, tailor the resume to each posting, and keep it to one page.
- Open with a targeted summary. Two lines naming the role and your strongest relevant skill or experience.
- Use internships and projects as experience. They carry real weight for a first professional job.
- Mirror the posting. Match the skills and keywords the job description repeats.
Taylor Brooks
Chicago, IL | [email protected] | (312) 555-0166 | linkedin.com/in/taylorbrooks
Summary: Recent marketing graduate with internship experience running social campaigns and analyzing performance. Seeking an entry-level marketing coordinator role to grow content and reporting skills.
Experience
- Marketing Intern, Lakeside Agency (Summer 2025): Ran 3 client social accounts, growing combined followers 18% and scheduling 90+ posts using Buffer.
- Content Assistant, University Newspaper (2024–2025): Wrote and edited 25+ articles and grew the newsletter open rate from 21% to 29%.
- Barista, Northside Coffee (2023–2024): Handled high-volume service reliably across 20 hours a week.
Education: B.A. Marketing, University of Illinois, 2025 — relevant coursework in digital marketing and analytics.
Skills: Social media marketing, content writing, Google Analytics, Canva, Buffer, email marketing, communication, organization.
What should an entry-level resume include?
Include a header, a targeted summary, an experience section (internships, part-time, and projects), education, and a skills section matched to the role. Add certifications or a portfolio link if relevant. Keep it to one clean, single-column page and export a PDF.
Start from an ATS-friendly template, check it against the posting with the ATS resume checker, and browse resume examples by role to mirror the right keywords. Applying with no experience at all? See our resume with no experience guide.
How do you stand out with an entry-level resume?
Quantify your impact and tailor every application. Numbers — followers grown, articles written, open rate improved — turn a thin resume into evidence. Then match the skills and keywords to each posting so both a recruiter and the ATS see the fit. A targeted one-page resume plus a short cover letter beats a generic one sent everywhere.
Skills and keywords for an entry-level resume
Applicant tracking systems rank resumes by how closely your skills match the job description, so with little work history your skills section carries extra weight — list the ones that map to each posting.
Hard skills and technical keywords
Hard skills / technical:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Data entry and record keeping
- CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project and task management tools (Asana, Trello, Notion)
- Basic reporting and spreadsheet formulas
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Point-of-sale (POS) and inventory systems
- Social media and content platforms
- Typing and 10-key data proficiency
- Relevant certifications (Google Analytics, HubSpot, OSHA, First Aid/CPR)
- Foundational SQL or coursework projects
Soft skills
Soft skills:
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and willingness to learn
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Reliability and strong work ethic
Mirror the exact terms each job description repeats, then run your draft through our free ATS resume checker to spot missing keywords before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
01What should an entry-level resume include?
A header, a targeted two-line summary, an experience section built from internships, part-time work, and projects, your education, and a skills section matched to the role. Add certifications or a portfolio link if relevant. Keep it to one clean, single-column page and export a PDF.
02How do you write an entry-level resume with little experience?
Lead with a summary and skills tuned to the role, then use internships, capstone projects, and part-time work as your experience. Quantify results where you can — followers grown, projects shipped, hours worked reliably — and tailor the resume to each posting so the keywords match.
03How do you make an entry-level resume stand out?
Quantify your impact and tailor every application. Numbers turn thin experience into evidence, and mirroring the keywords in each posting helps both a recruiter and the ATS see the fit. A focused one-page resume with a short, specific cover letter outperforms a generic version sent everywhere.
