How to Write a Resume With No Experience (2026) | Free Resume Template, by René Delescen on YouTube. 8 min 10 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 10 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Open a one-page, ATS-friendly resume template in Google Docs or Word. Avoid multi-column designs, graphics and text boxes, because applicant tracking systems can fail to read them.
Write your header with your full name, phone number, email and city. Add a link to your LinkedIn or portfolio if you have one. Leave out your photo, full street address and date of birth.
Put your strongest section first. For most students and graduates that is Education, followed by Projects, Skills and then any part-time or volunteer work.
Add a short summary only if it says something specific. Two lines naming your degree, target role and one relevant skill are enough. Skip it if you have nothing concrete to say.
Create a Projects section to stand in for work experience. List 2 or 3 school, personal or volunteer projects, and for each add a one-line result such as a grade, a number of users or a completed deliverable.
Fill in Education with your degree or diploma, school name, location and graduation date. Add your GPA only if it is strong, plus relevant coursework, honours or scholarships.
List 6 to 10 skills taken from the job ad, mixing technical skills like Excel or Python with soft skills like teamwork. Avoid vague words such as hardworking.
Add an Interests line only if it is short and relevant. Otherwise leave it out to save space for projects and skills.
Keep the resume to one page. Name the file Firstname_Lastname_Resume and export it as a PDF before sending.
Tips and common mistakes
Mirror the exact keywords from the job ad in your skills and project lines so the ATS matches them.
Describe projects with an action and a result, not a list of duties.
Keep formatting simple: one font, clear headings and no tables or icons.
Proofread out loud and have someone else check spelling and dates before you send.
Questions
Do I need a resume summary if I have no experience?
Only if you can make it specific. A two-line summary naming your degree and target role helps, but a generic one wastes space you could use for projects.
What can I put under experience with no job?
Use a Projects section for coursework, volunteering, side projects or hobbies with a real outcome. Describe what you did and the result in one line each.
Should I send my resume as Word or PDF?
Send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. A PDF keeps the layout intact, and name the file with your first and last name.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
