Oct 12, 2026 · @Julio
Practical tips for students and beginners
The dilemma of those starting out
Every year, I get the same question from young people looking for their first job: "How can I get experience if no one gives me an opportunity to get it?" It's a fair question, and I've been hearing it for over 30 years, ever since I started recruiting.
The first thing I want to tell you is this: a resume without professional experience is not an empty resume. It's a resume that needs to be built differently, with different evidence and different language.
In my career, I've hired many people who had never worked. And I can guarantee that, in those choices, what convinced me was rarely their employment history. It was the attitude the resume revealed: curiosity, organization, willingness to learn, ability to finish what they start. Those who know how to show this, even without formal employment, immediately stand out.
In this article, I will show you, step-by-step:
- how to change the way you look at your own journey;
- which resume structure works best for beginners;
- how to write a compelling professional summary;
- what to include (and how to describe) projects, volunteering, internships, and activities;
- which skills to highlight;
- concrete examples, with "before" and "after" versions;
- how to complete your application with LinkedIn, cover letter, and interview.
At the end, you'll find a checklist to review your resume before sending it. Let's get to it.
First step: realize you have more to offer than you think
Most beginners make the same mistake: they look at their resume, see an almost blank page, and conclude they have nothing to show. In reality, you have a lot. You're just not calling it "experience."
Experience isn't just employment
Experience is any situation where you applied skills, took on responsibilities, or produced a result. Think about everything you've done, inside and outside the classroom:
- group projects and capstone projects;
- presentations, debates, and seminars;
- volunteering in churches, associations, NGOs, or community projects;
- helping with a family business, selling products, small services;
- organizing events, championships, school or community activities;
- online courses, workshops, and training;
- leadership responsibilities: class representative, team captain, monitor;
- personal projects: a blog, a channel, an app, a portfolio.
All of this shows what recruiters want to know: can you do the job, learn quickly, and get along with others?
What recruiters look for in a beginner
When I read a resume from someone without experience, I don't expect a long career path. I look for signs:
- Real interest in the field.* Did the candidate do something beyond the minimum?
- Initiative.* Did they pursue opportunities or wait for them to appear?
- Responsibility.* Did they complete courses, projects, commitments?
- Communication skills.* Is the resume clear and well-written?
- Growth potential.* Do they seem like someone worth investing time in?
None of these five signs require previous employment. They require you to make them visible.
Take an inventory
Before writing, grab a sheet of paper and answer honestly:
- What courses, training, and certificates have I completed?
- What projects have I done, alone or in a group?
- Where have I helped, organized, or led something?
- What tools and programs do I know how to use?
- What languages do I speak and at what level?
- What results can I show, even small ones?
This inventory is the raw material for your resume. Almost always, it surprises those who do it.
The ideal structure when you have no experience
When you have little formal experience, the order of sections changes. The goal is to put what favors you most first.
| Section | What to include | Tip | | --- | --- | --- | | Contact information | Name, phone, professional email, city, LinkedIn | A simple email, like firstname.lastname | | Professional summary | 3 to 4 lines about who you are, what you're looking for, and what you offer | Adapt to each job opening | | Education | Course, institution, year, GPA if good, relevant coursework | First, before experience | | Projects | Academic or personal projects with tools and results | The "heart" of a beginner's resume | | Experience and activities | Internships, volunteering, temporary jobs, leadership | Describe what you did, not just the name | | Skills | Technical, tools, and soft skills | Only those you can demonstrate | | Languages and courses | Level of each language, certifications, and training | Only what's relevant |
How many pages?
One. Without exception. If you have little experience, a well-organized single page is stronger than two pages full of irrelevant information.
Format and appearance
The rules for a clear resume apply even more strongly here:
- one column, legible font (Arial, Calibri), size 10 to 12;
- simple and conventional headings;
- no tables, "skill level" graphs, or images with text, so that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can read it;
- good spacing: white space on the page also communicates;
- PDF or Word file, named like FirstNameLastName_JobTitle.pdf.
About the photo
It depends on the country, sector, and job opening. If the company requests it, or if it's common in your market, use a professional photo: neutral background, appropriate attire, natural expression. Never use party photos, selfies, or group cutouts. If not required, you can leave it out without prejudice.
The professional summary: your first impression
The summary is the first text the recruiter reads. For those without experience, it's an opportunity to say, in a few lines, who you are and why it's worth continuing to read.
What to avoid
Avoid the empty phrases I see in hundreds of resumes:
- "Dynamic, motivated young person looking for an opportunity to grow."
- "Responsible, punctual person eager to learn."
These are phrases everyone writes and that say nothing concrete. Recruiters read them and forget them in the same second.
The formula I recommend
Who I am + what I can do + what I'm looking for + what I offer
Three to four lines, at most. See these examples:
Recent Business Management graduate, with accounting training and proficiency in Excel and Word. I completed a financial analysis project for a local SME and volunteered in organizing community events. I am seeking my first opportunity in administrative and financial roles to apply my skills and grow professionally.
Final-year Computer Engineering student, with web development projects (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and experience in teamwork on academic projects. I am looking for a junior developer internship to contribute practical solutions and continue learning.
IT Management Technician with certifications in networking and technical support, and practical experience in computer maintenance for family members and small neighborhood businesses. I am seeking a technical support position where I can develop skills and gain professional experience.
Why they work
Each of these examples has:
- a defined area, which helps the recruiter understand where the candidate fits in;
- concrete facts* (project, tools, volunteering), instead of adjectives;
- a clear objective, which shows direction;
- language close to the job description, useful for being found in searches.
Adapt to each job opening