how to write an objective for a college resume

35 Impressive College Student Resume Objective Examples

The objective statement is the first place you get to pitch yourself to a potential employer. It’s the hook to draw a reader into looking at your resume in full. In your objective statement, you need to concisely convince the hiring manager that you understand what the job entails and that you are the best candidate for the job. Whether you are looking for a part-time job while studying, or for your first job out of college, you will want to make your very best first impression.

Examples of College Student Objective Statements

Below are some examples of objectives statements for college students and college graduates to guide you in writing a powerful opening to your resume:

• Computer science student seeking part-time work with ABC University in IT support, eager to gain first-hand experience while contributing to troubleshooting problems experienced by members of the university community.
• Courteous and responsible student with a stellar driving record and well-maintained 4-door vehicle seeking a position as a part-time rideshare driver.
• Recent graduate with B.S. in Accounting looking for a data entry and bookkeeping position at Fin Corporation, bringing excellent attention-to-detail, enthusiasm to learn and adaptability to take on new tasks.
• Flexible and joyful student pursuing a degree in early childhood education, seeking a role as a teaching assistant and coming with fluency in online tools and the capability to learn quickly.
• Dependable and flexible animal-lover seeking a position as a pet sitter with Creature Comforts LLC, coming with the ability to work independently and an excellent attention-to-detail.
• Reliable book enthusiast and current English major looking to work as a library assistant, bringing an understanding of the library system and an eagerness to learn library management processes.
• Self-motivated, focused and friendly student with a reliable car, insurance and a clean driving record seeking an on-demand runner or delivery driver position, coming with ability to provide a great experience to customers.
• Forward-thinking and dedicated team player seeking part-time work as a graphic designer with XYZ College, leveraging extensive knowledge of a wide variety of design software and tools, and superior command of layout principals and aesthetic design concepts.
• Responsible and outgoing student seeking a part-time host or waiting position at a restaurant, coming with two years of barista experience and an excitement for learning new skills.
• Highly motivated software engineering graduate with strong customer service and communication skills seeking to join Great North Casualty Company, leveraging ability to write code in JAVA, HTML5, and CSS3.
• Personable student looking for a part-time job as a sales clerk at a retail clothing store, coming with two summers of experience working at a café and gift shop.
• Punctual, responsible and hardworking student looking for a job as a barista at Café Coffee, leveraging a love of coffee, a team-oriented attitude, and an enthusiasm for making people smile.
• Emotionally mature and adaptable recent college graduate with a passion for bringing smiles to children, looking for a nanny position, coming with reliable transportation, CPR and First Aid certification, and references.
• Looking for a part-time job as a social media assistant at ABC Staffing, leveraging deep knowledge of various social media platforms, strong organizational skills and attention-to-detail to develop and maintain a professional and welcoming online presence for the benefit of the company.
• Chemistry student with an excellent academic track record, seeking a summer job as a lab assistant at First Labs to support research scientists and explore the possibility of pursuing a research career.
• Friendly and professional team player seeking a part-time job as a customer service associate, leveraging flexibility, great phone presence, and highly organized ability to work quickly and accurately.
• Accomplished student with an aptitude for programming, seeking part-time work with Big Time Realty in support of its IT requirements, bringing superior customer service skills, strong knowledge of various computer hardware and software, and an unbeatable work ethic.
• Outstanding mathematics student seeking part-time work as a math tutor, leveraging exemplary academic track record and ability to communicate complex mathematical concepts to children from primary to secondary levels.
• Detail-oriented accounting college senior (GPA 3.8) seeking a part-time job with Alton Accountants to gain practical experience in accounting, coming with knowledge from coursework and excitement about starting a career in accounting.
• Dependable student seeking weekend job as a lifeguard at Community Pool, leveraging Red Cross First Aid and CPR certifications, and three summers of experience in lifeguarding.
• Punctual and organized art student with a passion for oil painting seeks part-time job in an art supply shop, coming with two years of customer service experience gained through work in cafes and restaurants.
• To obtain a part-time dental office assistant position at Henley Clinic to utilize administrative experience while increasing knowledge of dentistry as a pre-med student.
• Reliable finance student looking to gain work experience as a part-time bank teller, coming with excellent customer service skills and an interest in banking.
• Political science student hoping to pursue a career in law, seeking a summer job as an office assistant at Gray Law Firm to gain first-hand insight into legal practice.
• To secure part-time work as an office assistant, experienced in providing administrative support as a receptionist and coming with fast typing ability (45+ wpm), superior organizational skills, and a desire to work hard.
• Mechanically inclined and reliable student seeking a part-time job at Cycle Store, bringing a passion for cycling and an understanding of cycle maintenance and repair.
• Self-starter and current culinary student seeking a part-time position as a kitchen assistant, confident in fast-paced kitchens and bringing skills in various cuisines.
• Statistics student planning on pursuing a career in business analytics, looking for a part-time job to gain understanding of practical applications of analyses and to contribute to fulfilling the analytical needs of a corporate team.
• Innovative and solutions-oriented student seeking a part-time position within a marketing agency to leverage creativity to gain practical experience for the benefit of the company.
• Art student seeking a part-time job as a receptionist at Art Museum, bringing excellent reception skills gained as a restaurant hostess and a passion for art, particularly oil painting.
• Hardworking and punctual student seeking warehouse packing work, bringing endless energy, optimism, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Biology student seeking to obtain a position as part-time receptionist at Medical Office, drawing on over two years of office support and reception experience.
• Enthusiastic sophomore seeking a part-time position as a tour guide at State University, looking to apply excellent communication and hosting skills gained as a waitress to show prospective students and their families around campus and give them insight into student life.
• Responsible and driven student eager to gain work experience through part-time work, willing to learn new skills and perform ad hoc duties as required.
• To obtain a part-time analyst position with Econo Analytics, bringing skills gained through mathematics and statistics studies, able to contribute insights into both macro and microeconomic trends.

Getting a good job that is in line with your career goals while you are still in college is a great way to roadtest your career choice and gain experience. If jobs within your future profession aren’t available, getting a different job with transferable skills is another good idea. Think about talking to people you know who might be able to put your resume in front of decision-makers. Whether you have a warm lead from someone in your network or are applying cold to an online job posting, make sure your objective statement is compelling and free from error. This is will get your resume noticed and make a strong first impression.

College Resume - Examples & Writing Guides for 2024

You’ve just sat down to write a college student resume.

An A+ resume that converts.

Whether you need a part-time job to cover your bills or a college internship for more experience, we are here to help.

This guide will take you through a simple step-by-step process of creating a college student resume. 

• An example of a finished college resume that works
• How to write a college resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your college resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

For some added inspiration, here’s a college student resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

The above example gets serious results, and yours will too. Simply follow the steps below.

Check out some of these related resume examples that you might be interested in:

• No Experience Resume
• Internship Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• High School Resume
• Teacher Resume

How to Format a College Student Resume

The first step when creating any resume is to pick the best resume format.

Formatting has a number of benefits, but mostly it allows the hiring manager to read your resume with ease.

The most common resume format for a college student is “functional” or “skill-based”, which allows the hiring manager to immediately see the benefits in hiring you. We recommend college students starting with this format.

Students will usually have stronger skills than their work history, which makes the functional resume a good choice. It’s also ideal for those who have gaps in their employment history.

Now that you have the best format, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use a College Student Resume Template

Before you go ahead with crafting your college student resume, you may want to use a college student resume template.

A resume that is neat and orderly will be a breeze for recruiters to read.

Oh, and it’s the best way to prevent formatting issues.

What to Include in a College Student Resume

The main sections in a college student resume are:

• Contact Information
• Volunteer Experience
• Extracurricular Activities

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification
• Personal Projects

Interests & Hobbies

But what should you write for each of these sections? Read on to find out.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Now, this section doesn’t require flair, but it must be factually correct. Messing up the contact section can mean the recruiter can’t contact you – oops! 

The contact information section must include:

• Title - In this case, “College Student” or “High-school Graduate”
• Phone Number – Proofread this multiple times
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not one from your childhood ([email protected]).
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location.
• Abigail Pearce - College Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Abigail Pearce - Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a College Student Resume Summary or Objective

So, this is a job you really want.

This may even be a job you NEED.

However, your competition is fierce. 

And with so much competition, you need to convince the hiring manager within the first few sentences.

To do this, use a resume summary or objective .

These are short paragraphs that go on top of your resume, just under your contact information. They give an overview of your entire resume.

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

Dependable marketing sophomore with 1 year part-time experience in a marketing internship to oversee marketing campaigns that maximise profit. Experience includes PPC campaigns, SMM, web design, brand development, and more.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

Current undergraduate sophomore in marketing with hundreds of classroom hours in marketing and sales related courses. Passionate about maximizing revenue with effective marketing campaigns. Experience includes creating campaigns for my own personal projects in my first term at College X. Skilled in WordPress, Facebook Ads Manager, Photoshop, ClickFunnels, and more.

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Those with some work experience should go with a resume summary. On the other hand, those who seriously lack work experience should go with a resume objective.

How to Make Your College Student Work Experience Stand Out

Recruiters like to feel confident that you can do the job. There is no easier way to do this than to list your work experience .

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

The Pizza Cabin

03/2019 - 01/2020

• Served food to 40+ people a night and multiple tables at a time.
• Educated customers on menu items and daily specials.
• Received 98% positive customer feedback.
• Engaged customers in a personal, yet professional manner, which helped me to win “Employee of the Month” 4 times.

To separate your resume from the competition, you should focus on your achievements instead of daily tasks. This will allow the recruiter to see the obvious benefits in hiring you.

Instead of saying:

“Served customers”

“Served food to 80+ people a night and multiple tables at a time”

Simply, the first statement is way too vague. There zero chance the recruiter will be impressed by this.

The second statement shows that you were able to serve 80+ people and multiple tables at a time. This tells the recruiter that you are able to work under pressured conditions and to time constraints – impressive!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Now, not every applicant will have worked in a similar job before.

If this is you, there is a simple way to get around this.

Simply call-upon crossover skills from any previous jobs.

For example, if you held a customer service role at a local pizza restaurant, you can talk about any crossover skills and experiences. Just like a sales associate, you would be able to show you used strong communication and sales skills.

As a student, make sure to check out our student resume guide!

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

Whether it’s a college junior resume or college sophomore resume, your education section is crucial.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter the information for your in-progress degree in the following format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Expected Graduation
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

Majoring in Marketing

University of Chicago

2019 - Present

• Relevant Courses: Principles of Marketing, Managerial Communications, Quantitative Methods, and Macroeconomics.

Now, you may have some questions on this section. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

• What if I haven’t completed education yet?

As we mention above, you should still mention your current place of education, despite not finishing yet

• Should I include my high school education?

If you have not yet finished your college degree, you should also include your high school education

• What do I put first, my education or experience?

Experiences are the priority, so those go first

Want more information? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a College Student Resume

You’ve got all the skills.

But here’s the thing –

Your competition is well-skilled too!

Show the hiring manager that you’re the top candidate by listing your best skills.

But what are the best skills for a college resume?

Create a list of hard skills and soft skills that you have developed so far in life, such as the following:

Hard Skills for a College Resume:

• Microsoft Office
• Typing Speed
• Copywriting

Soft Skills:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Team Player
• Decision-Making

Tailor your skills to the job description. You can have the best skills in the world, but the recruiter won’t appreciate them if they’re not relevant to the job.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 100+ must-have skills this year.

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section .

But the school bell hasn’t rung just yet.

You need your resume to stand out!

Acing the above sections should be enough to get you shortlisted, but adding the following sections could give you a further advantage over the other applicants.  

Awards & Certifications

Have you ever won an award?

Have you completed any third-party courses?

Do you hold any specialized certifications?

Regardless of what it is, if there is anything that you’re proud of, be sure to include it here.

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• Food Handlers Card & Food Safety Manager Certification 
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – Coursera Course

Need to speak multiple languages at your new job?

Yes or no, being able to speak a second language is impressive.

And with so much competition, this could be the difference.

Add a language section if you have space. 

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you may be wondering, “why would a recruiter want to know that I’m a part of the football team?”

Well, it allows the recruiter to get to know who you are on a personal level.

But it doesn’t stop there…

Certain hobbies demonstrate that you have soft skills, like teamwork and communication. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Your resume should now be ready to send.

No application is complete without a convincing cover letter.

In opposition to a generic resume, a personalized cover letter shows that you care about working for this specific company .

Here’s how to structure a winning cover letter:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, and location

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through their pile of resumes. As such, use concise language to mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

With the recruiter intrigued, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How are your top skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the recruiter for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to keep the conversation going. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help you achieve X” will work

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Building a college resume doesn't have to be hard.

Follow the tips in this guide for a college resume that is head & shoulders above the competition. 

Here are our best tips on how to create a college resume:

• Make your resume easy to read by formatting it correctly. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to hook the recruiter
• In your work experience section, highlight your most notable achievements to date
• Include a convincing cover letter to separate you from the competition

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume with No-Experience [21+ Examples]
• 21+ Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips For Job-Seekers
• Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]

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College Student Resume Objective: How to Write + Examples

College students are facing  high competition for entry-level jobs . The statistic reveals that only  86% of college graduates are employed . Landing an entry-level job is stressful, and you have to  compete with your peers who are working towards the same degree  as you. Moreover, as a student, you may lack and be unaware of  how to write a college freshman resume that would be of interest to a recruiter. For these and other reasons, your student objective for resume should be strong. Reviewing several career objectives with relevant skills is a great advice to follow.

Crafting a persuasive resume is your real chance to stand out. In particular, you need to start from the very first section that appears at the top of your resume – an objective. Today, the  top resume writers  from our company will explain why you should be using a career objective, how to write one as well as give some examples for your inspiration. So, open the word processor and grab a cup of coffee – let's start.

Stressed about your resume?

Resume writing can be tough if you have no experience you could write about. However, no experience is not a reason for stress, and our seasoned American and British resume experts can prove that. Send us all the information about your education, part-time jobs, research, and extracurricular activities, and we'll create a powerful resume that positions you well for your dream job. Our fees are affordable for any wallet, and we offer an additional 20% discount to college students.

Why use an objective instead of a summary?

Typically, our career experts recommended that the job-seekers use a career summary. This section concentrates on your most notable accomplishments, skills, and relevant experience so that upon its review the employer could know what your key selling points are.

But for a student resume, we strongly insist that you opt for an objective. Here are our top three reasons why:

✓ Firstly, as inexperienced young professional , you probably have no strengths and accomplishments to brag about. That's totally fine – you'll gain the practical skills and experience later – but at this point in your career, there isn't much to summarize so a resume objective makes more sense.

✓ Secondly , an objective makes career goals clear . Again, you have no prior experience, and the recruiter cannot see your strengths. So, you'll have to outline this information for them in 1-2 sentences of your summary, especially if you are applying for an entry level position.

✓ Finally , it allows you to show personality . Imagine a recruiter who reviews dozens of student resumes. All the applicants have similar education level and extracurricular activities, so it's quite complicated to make a choice. But if you manage to capture their attention with your objective, your interview chances will skyrocket. Yet, it is still important to ensure your objective statement matches job description and presents only relevant information.

Do not forget about workplace etiquette rules. Stay on a good note with colleagues. Focus on your professional skills and try to show your proven track record.

How to write a powerful resume objective?

To get noticed and shortlisted, you want to pour enough time and effort into crafting the statement that presents your best side to the employer. As you write, follow these principles:

✓ Use descriptive resume words

Descriptive resume words should be used carefully on a resume since overuse of them might turn the reader off. However, using 1-2 adjectives to highlight your personality traits can be a lot of good. Through these descriptive words you can reveal your attitude to work and working style. Some good examples of descriptive words are:  self-directed, organized, teamwork-driven, responsible, knowledgeable, disciplined , etc.

You can vary the choice of words depending on the position. For instance, if you're applying for an administrative assistant role, it's best to highlight that you are organized and deadline-oriented. Technical skills, organization skills, and soft skills are all part of the strong resume objective.

✓ Show what you expect to deliver

The resume objectives that are focused on your persona and your expectations are out of date. Good modern objectives also throw lights on what you can offer to the employer or even which results you plan to deliver if hired. Even if you are a high school student and working on crafting your high school student resume, you need to illustrate your academic knowledge as well as career goals. For instance, a sales rep may write something like ‘looking to deliver exceptional client service and great in-store experience'. This approach works great for two reasons. Firstly, it differentiates you from other applicants who only write about what they expect from the employer. And secondly, it shows that you have high professional standards and are eager to hit the ground running once hired.

✓ Briefly outline your professional goals

Since this section is called ‘Objective', you might also want to show what your goals are. Employers want to understand your desired career direction so that they can know if you're a right fit. Moreover, job search is a two-way process: you want to get hired by a company that allows you to realize your potential.

That's why it's helpful to include statements like ‘looking for a position with a company that offers extensive training in finance management'. If the company offers that, they'll appreciate your enthusiasm. You can choose to leave your goals out, though. Be sure to read multiple objective examples that highlight relevant skills in order to get an overall idea of how to draft powerful resume objective statements.

The examples of objectives

To get an idea of what a persuasive objective looks like, take a look at the examples offered below. Avoid copying these examples word for word. Your resume objective should be unique and reflect your educational and professional background. Career objective statement should be your own, unique, and relevant to your background and the accumulated experiences.

• Diligent and self-directed marketing student looking to leverage strong written communication, sales, and online marketing skills to help XYZ Company reach more customers and increase sales.

• Psychology major student seeking to apply research and communication skills in a position of Research Associate. Coming with strong learning abilities, attention to detail, and prior academic research experience.

• Hardworking and organized business management student seeking a summer internship position of a Business Analyst. Looking to apply selling skills, business acumen and communication etiquette to foster client relationships for XYZ company.

• Detail-driven student looking for an Administrative Assistant positon to apply knowledge of office procedures and equipment and multitasking skills to ensure excellent administrative support.

• Knowledgeable software engineering student seeking a Junior Web Developer position to write well-designed and efficient code using the best practices in web development.

Writing a student resume: General guidelines

Now that you are aware of how to write an impressive objective, it's time to take care of the rest of your resume as well. Follow our expert tips specific to college student resume writing:

•   Highlight academic accomplishments As a student, you should place the Education section above the Work Experience. Don't limit this section to the school name and degree – as a student, you can brag about any college-related accomplishments and strengths. In particular, you might want to highlight academic awards such as Dean's List and share the research paper or thesis topics if they align with your target job. It's also a good idea to list relevant coursework to show that you have the theoretic foundation needed for the position. Resume objectives for beginners can be oriented toward highlighting your academic experience only.
•   Experience is transferrable If you've worked as a cashier in Mcdonald's or a sales rep in a local accessories store, don't discount this stage. In particular, most typical college jobs teach such skills as sales, customer interaction, work ethic, time management, organization, and more. These skills will definitely be beneficial for your first ‘serious' job. If you had relevant internships or freelance jobs, that's even better as you can present them as relevant professional experience. Add organizational skills to your objective statement and you get a stronger presence on the job market.
•   Keep it to one page For a student resume, a one-page rule is a must. You don't have much experience, so your college activities will easily fit into one page. If you had lots of activities, volunteering projects or part-time jobs in college, consider removing the ones that are irrelevant to your target position to save the resume space. Recruiters are unlikely to read a student's resume that exceeds one page. By the way, if you want to strengthen your business writing skills, here's exactly how to do this:  https://resumeperk.com/blog/9-tips-to-improve-your-business-writing-skills
•   Consider the design Don't underestimate the importance of effective formatting in getting your resume liked by an employer. Good formatting will naturally draw the reader's eye to the most important information on a resume, and a design that is easy on the eye increases the chance that your resume will be read from top to bottom. However, be careful with resume templates and builders if you want to be original. They are good to use as long as you do not copy any information. The same rule applies to using career objective examples.

Bonus: 4 ways to find college student jobs

Curious  how to find a dream job after college graduation  as soon as possible? Make sure you are taking advantage of all available job-hunting methods. In particular, be sure to do the following:

• Job boards Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com, Monster.com, and more are the most popular resources for landing new jobs, so don't neglect them. You can search for jobs using various filters such as location, salary range, job level, and more. These boards also allow you to post your own resume and get found by recruiters.
•   Visit college career centers The career center in your college and university is a comprehensive resource to find job opportunities, get prepared for job interviews, and even get resume help. Many companies prefer to hire the top students once they graduate, so the college center may be a source of opportunities you won't find anywhere else.
•   Attend the job fairs Job fairs give you an opportunity to meet lots of employers, talk about career prospects with them, and hand in an enormous number of resumes in one day. In addition to the fact that you may land a job or an internship if the company representative likes you, it's also a great opportunity to expand your knowledge about existing career options in general. Job fairs are particularly good for people who are seeking an entry level position.
•   Use the power of social media Sign up for the companies that you'd like to work for in social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. This is the best way to stay updated and to be the first to hear about the fresh opportunities with them. You might also want to look for jobs on social media using hashtags.

Is your resume up to scratch?

If you're writing your first resume, it may be hard for you to understand if it's good enough to land you a job. Your application should be perfect in terms of content, and orthography, and aligned with your aims. At Resumeperk.com, you can  find resume writing help  from the top professionals. Grab your 20% discount for the first discount. Hiring managers will definitely pay more attention to a resume that stands out. Whether you are a job seeker who is a recent graduate or looking for a mechanical engineer resume for 10+ years of experience, our experienced professionals are here to help you with every aspect of creating an impressive resume with a powerful resume objective.

Our experienced writers can create a powerful resume suitable for each position. However, you may also request a specific resume depending on the job you are applying for, thus it will be tailored individually for your profession:

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How To Write A Resume Objective Statement (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 5/18/2022

Resumes. We all know what they are. We all know how important having a good one is…and how much a bad one can hurt your ability to get your dream job. That’s why reviewing different resume objective examples is essential, ensuring you can create well-crafted, carefully targeted resumes for hiring managers.

So, how do you make sure your resume objective – and entire application – stands out? We’ll tell you. Come with us as we explore some resume objective statement examples, as well as tips on how to ensure yours shines.

What is a Resume Objective?

“My objective? Well, that’s easy. My objective is to get the job.”

Absolutely, we couldn’t agree more. But an objective on your resume is so much more than just writing, “Hey, hire me. I’m super awesome.”

So, what is an objective for a resume?

Well, according to the Marquette University College of Business Administration , “an objective statement is a concise, position-centered statement describing the value you can add and the needs you can fulfill.”

Our friends over at Indeed.com take it a step further, saying: “A well-written resume objective statement can be customized for the job you’re applying for and add value to your resume that sets it apart from other applicants.”

Essentially, a resume objective is a targeted snippet that clearly outlines your career direction while simultaneously positioning you as someone who fits what the employer is looking for exactly.

Sounds pretty ingenious, right? So why don’t more people have them on their resumes?

Resume objectives can be a bit controversial. Some people think they can make you look amateurish…which, if you don’t do it correctly, is absolutely true. But that can be said for any section of your resume.

Other schools of thought think that the objectives should be taken out entirely and replaced with the more popular “ resume summary statement .”

You may be wondering, “What if I use a resume objective and the hiring manager looks at it and laughs? Are they going to throw out my resume…or worse, put it on the wall of shame?”

Now, nobody is going to laugh at your resume objective as long as you use the right approach. Additionally, if your career is moving in certain directions, using a resume objective makes more sense than the alternatives.

When Should You Use a Resume Objective?

Are you relatively new to the job search market or lack work experience?

Are you changing industries?

Are you targeting a specific job or position?

If you answered “YES” to any of these above questions, then the resume objective is potentially perfect. If you answered “NO” to all of the above questions, you might be better off with a “Resume Summary Statement.”

For those of you in the middle of a career change or who might just be starting out, a resume objective statement allows you to define your goal to a potential employer…something that your work history might not otherwise be able to do for you.

Imagine how confused a hiring manager would be if they were looking for candidates to fill an office coordinator position and you sent in a resume with ten years of experience in marketing. Without an objective statement, the hiring manager might just assume your resume has been accidentally sent to them and simply discard it.

With an objective statement, you can not only let the hiring manager know that your resume IS in the right spot but also explain that you’re making the switch and show that your skill set does align with this new career path.

If you’re targeting a specific job or position, a resume objective statement can help reinforce that idea that you know EXACTLY what you’re after. That can work in your favor, too.

Overall, and most importantly, the biggest reason to put an objective on your resume is…it’s better than having nothing. Remember, your goal is to catch the hiring manager’s eye and stand out from the rest of the paper in that pile.

Common Mistakes

There are several common mistakes job seekers can make when writing their statement with the number one being using the same objective for every job application.

1) Using the Same Objective For Every Job Application

To obtain a job within my chosen field that will challenge me and allow me to use my education, skills and past experiences in a way that is mutually beneficial to both myself and my employer and allow for future growth and advancement.

Your goal is to be the ideal candidate and that means making sure you’re exactly what the hiring manager is looking for…and unless you’re applying to a cookie cutter factory in a cookie cutter job town where every job every employer is listing is exactly the same then I guarantee you 100% that your statement will NOT be a “one size fits all” statement.

2) Making It All About You

This is a trap that many job seekers fall into, as they can’t resist to use the objective to list off all of the things that they want to get out of the position.

Hi, I’m Joe Jobseeker and I really want a job in a company where I make a ton of money doing as little as possible. Oh, and a corner office. A company car would be nice too. While we’re at it, let’s talk benefits, retirement…and the company vacation policy.

Yes, we’re being over the top with this one, but we need you to look at this and laugh…because even a slightly toned down one where you list only what YOU want is going to come off just as ridiculous to the hiring manager as the one we’ve blown out of proportion.

3) Being Too Vague

Mistake number three is being vague. Like we said, this isn’t a one size fits all so by being ambiguous in the hopes of somewhat fitting what they’re looking for is going to get your resume sent directly to the circular file. (In case you don’t know, the circular file is the trash can. It just sounds fancier but the end result is the same…no job.)

Looking for a long term full time job where I can apply my extensive skills and knowledge to the position for which I am hired.

Blah. Who is this person? All we know by reading this statement is that they have skills and knowledge…but other than that, not much else. What skills do they have? Do they really apply to the job? And what knowledge can they draw from that will benefit the company? See what we mean? It’s so generic you could literally fit anything into those blanks…it’s like Resume Mad Libs!

4) Going On… And On… And On… And On… and zzzzzzzzzzzzz….

Mistake number four is being too long. This isn’t a novel. It’s a quick little blurb to catch their attention so they can bring you in for an interview…then you can get into more detail!

Not going to put one here. Why? Because the example we were going to do was going to be so long and ridiculous that you and everyone else reading this post would just get bored and move onto another article. Just remember, it’s all about short and sweet. Anything over a sentence or two is TOO LONG. Remember that.

5) Adding Absolutely No Value

Mistake number five is probably the worst…and the easiest to fall into (outside of mistake number two, the “all about me” statement.) Mistake number five is writing a statement that basically fills space but doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything about the value you bring to the table. This can also be confused with the too vague statement…

To obtain a position within my chosen field where I can utilize my skills as a hard-working, well-educated employee in exchange for a steady market-fair paycheck.

Congratulations. You’re educated and you’re hard working and you want to make money. So what? So are 90% of the people you’re going up against. Why are YOU the ideal candidate? What makes the hiring manager want to bring YOU in over everyone else? See what we mean?

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

How are you going to fulfill the needs of the company?

When writing your resume objective, you should always have the intention of answering this question.

How To Write An Effective Resume Objective

So how do you write a GOOD resume objective?

One thing every one of these bad examples has in common is the fact that not a single one of them is tailored to the position you’re looking for. Any hiring manager who looks at a resume with objectives like those is going to immediately move on to the next candidate.

Because whoever those potential hires are, they’re not ideal candidates. You need to not only catch the hiring manager’s eye; you must make sure that they look at your statement and say, “Here’s the perfect fit!”

So, how do you make it happen? Well, a really good place to start is by looking at the job description. According to Indeed.com , “…when you include an objective that’s specific to the job role, the recruiter is more likely to dig deeper and learn more details about your professional experience.”

After that, make sure it’s tailored to not only the position but the company as well. By incorporating a few tidbits that speak to the company’s mission and values, you can take that quick statement up a notch.

Nice, right?

Additionally, focus on how you’re a benefit to the company, not how the company can benefit you. Showcase value, ensuring you point out what you bring to the table.

Keep it short and sweet, too. Skip overblown adjectives in favor of action verbs, which will help “raise the energy levels” of your objective and ensure that it is more dynamic and interesting.

If you’re someone who is changing careers, demonstrate how your past experiences relate to your future tasks. The same goes for those who are just starting out or who are relatively inexperienced.

Resume Objective Examples

In some cases, nothing makes the points above clearer quite like a few resume objective examples. Here are a handful of samples, each targeting different situations.

New to Workforce, No High School Diploma

“Diligent, dedicated individual looking to apply communication and collaboration skills in a fast-paced customer service role. A self-motivated team player with an outgoing personality who’s ready to learn the ins and outs of a new industry and provide ample value to a retail employer.”

New to Workforce, No College

“Well-organized high school honor graduate with exceptional problem-solving and collaboration skills seeking opportunities in the office administration field where strong communication, time management, and research skills can provide excellent value to an employer.”

College Student, Aspiring Intern

“Current accounting student with an emphasis on accounts payable and accounts receivable seeking developmental opportunities with a local firm. Diligent, focused, and tech-savvy, looking to provide value to a skilled team.”

Recent College Graduate

“Hard-working business administration graduate with proven leadership and organizational skills. Looking to leverage knowledge or operational processes, emerging commercial trends, and supply machine management to increase efficiency and support broader productivity goals.”

Recent College Graduate with Internship Experience

“Honor graduate with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources and one year of experience at a leading staffing firm looking to leverage a deep understanding of leading ATS solutions, modern interview techniques, and conflict resolution strategies to support the goals of an enterprise-level HR department.”

Career Change

“Ambitious professional looking to leverage 5+ years of customer service experience and exceptional communication skills in the fast-paced field of real estate. Proven ability to build lasting, long-term relationships, understand client needs, and find solutions designed to ensure customer satisfaction.”

Career Change with New Education

“Experienced accounting professional and recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s in IT looking to leverage mathematical and analytical capabilities in a data analyst role with an enterprise-level employer. Impeccable attention to detail and organizational skills, as well as strong desire to learn and grow on the job.”

Targeting Specific Role

“Skilled software developer with 7+ years of experience with Java, Python, and C++ seeking out opportunities in team-oriented environments that prioritize Agile methodologies, Lean strategies, and DevOps principles to accelerate timelines and achieve challenging goals.”

Speaking of specific roles, we thought that it might be prudent to dig deeper into a couple careers that we get the most questions about (in terms of resume objectives). Here are our deep-dive articles into Teacher Resume Objectives , Customer Service Resume Objectives and Nursing Resume Objectives . Enjoy!

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it. We’ve covered what a resume objective statement is, who should use one, and how to properly execute it. Plus, there are some handy resume objective examples that can serve as inspiration.

While some people might claim that the objective statement for a resume is outdated, if done properly, it can make a difference. Use all of the information above to your advantage. That way, you’ll be one step closer to your dream job.

FREE : Resume Objective PDF Cheat Sheet

Ok the next thing you should do is get our handy Resume Objective Cheat Sheet PDF .

In it you'll get word-for-word sample resume objectives covering a variety of scenarios you can use right away .

CLICK HERE TO GET THE RESUME OBJECTIVE CHEAT SHEET

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Resume Examples & Samples

How to write a resume objective [guide and examples].

Adi Gaskell

Create a Resume in Minutes & Get More Job Interviews

Table of Contents

• What is a Resume Objective
• Resume Objective VS Resume Summary
• How to Create a Killer Resume Objective
• The Resume Objective Formula
• Show the Numbers
• Tailor your Objective to the Employer
• Tailor your Objective to the Job Description
• Use 3rd Person
• Common objective mistakes to avoid

A resume objective can make or break your chances of getting the job.

You’ve probably heard this before, but first impressions matter . A lot.

The first thing you say (and how you say it) to your new acquaintances can determine whether they think of you as a walking, talking confidence machine or a shy introvert .

Think of your resume objective as your first impression to the employer. Imagine you’re talking to the new guy or girl at the bar. The way you say “Hi, my name is X and I am a Y” determines whether or not they’ll ever talk to you again.

The same applies to the HR - unless you show who you are , what you do , and how you’re relevant in the very beginning of your resume, the chances of them wanting to get to know you are slim.

So, go grab your resume (we’ll wait), and let’s find out how to create a killer resume objective that’ll have recruiters literally chasing after you.

In this guide, we’re going to teach you…

• What’s a resume objective, and how is it different from a summary
• When to use a resume objective, and when a summary
• What a good resume objective looks like
• How to write a killer objective & land that job you’re aiming for

If you don't have a resume at hand, the best time to start writing one is now! Head over to our resume builder and give it a try! This guide is part of our bigger super-guide on how to make a resume . If you want to learn everything on making a resume, you might want to head over there.

WHAT IS A RESUME OBJECTIVE

#what-is-a-resume-objective.

A resume objective is, as the name suggests, the “objective” you’re trying to achieve with your resume.

For example…

• You’re planning on using what you’ve learned about marketing in college to help contribute to the company marketing efforts
• You want to take your experience in customer support & use it to transition into a job in sales
• You’re experienced in working with early-stage startups, and would like to offer your expertise in growth marketing to the company.

Essentially, it’s a small blurb which tells the recruiter why you’re applying to the job, and how you’re relevant.

Take the following as an example...

• Results-oriented phone-sales manager with a track record of success within the industry. Having closed deals worth over $ 450,000 , as well as training interns and entry-level salesmen . Looking to leverage the experience in phone sales to help StartupInc. Set up their initial sales operations and get some real traction .

In this case, the candidate mentions his exact experience , achievements , and how they can help . Reading this would literally turn the recruiter's eyes into dollar signs.

• I would like to exchange my services for items of monetary value , with which I can afford to cover my sustenance and leisure

This example, on the other hand, is horrible - and you can probably guess why.

Needless to say, it’s important to get your resume objective right - and we’ll explain how, exactly, a bit down the line.

RESUME OBJECTIVE VS RESUME SUMMARY

#resume-objective-vs-resume-summary.

A resume objective isn’t something you’ll use in every single resume .

In fact, it usually has 3 very specific uses…

• Student Resume - If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you need to mention at least something in your resume, right? That’s where an objective comes in - you can talk about how you can apply the knowledge gained in college to your future job.
• Career Transition - Let’s say you’ve worked in customer support for most of your career. Moving into a different field might seem out of reach - unless, of course, you can show the recruiter that your previous experience is relevant for whatever job you’re applying for. A resume objective can help show how your old experience is relevant to your new job.
• Specific Position - If you’re going for something extremely niche and specific to your field, a resume objective can show how, exactly , you can contribute. For example, you’re applying to a restaurant with a very exotic menu, you’ll main straight off that you have experience with that in the resume objective.

If your case doesn’t fit either of the situations we mentioned, then it might mean that what you really need is a resume summary .

So, what’s the difference you might ask?

An objective , for the most part, deals with your aspirations within the company. While you do mention your experience, it’s usually in the context of how you’re going use it for your employer.

• Digital marketer turned-PR-specialist looking to leverage the knowledge of the cyberspace to help YourCompanyInc establish relations with journalists worldwide. With over 4 years of experience in link-building, confident in being able to transfer the skills to the field of Online PR.

A summary, on the other hand, is, well, what the name suggests - a summary of your career. You would mention any relevant positions that you’ve held, the type of work you’ve done, achievements, etc.

• Established digital marketer with over 4 years of experience working for small to medium sized companies, helping them establish their online presence. Managed AdWords campaigns of over $ 2,000+ monthly budget, bringing in an average ROI of 120% . Digital Marketing BA from Boston University

Both of the examples above could, in fact, be of the same person. The difference here would be the focus - if the individual is applying for a job in AdWords marketing, they’d use the summary .

If, however, they wanted to transition into online PR, they would go for the resume objective .

If you just realized that what you actually need is a resume summary, we've got you covered there too! Learn 5 Steps To A Killer Resume Summary + Real Examples

HOW TO CREATE A KILLER RESUME OBJECTIVE

#how-to-create-a-killer-resume-objective.

Before we even get into the specifics, the most important thing to remember is that your resume objective should show that you are relevant .

As we’ve mentioned before, if your objective doesn’t catch the recruiter's attention, your resume gets a date with the paper shredder .

Your resume objective has to be just the right size . Meaning, long enough to capture and hold the recruiter’s attention, but not long enough for them to doze off. So, try aiming for around 4-5 sentences, that should be just about right.

By relevant, we mean that your resume should show the recruiter…

• How you can help achieve company goals (If you’re applying for a specific position)
• Why your skills are relevant for the job (If you are a student, in the middle of a career transition, or applying for a specific position)
• How you gained the said skills

So, let’s put that into a real example…

• Enthusiastic customer service manager looking to leverage 5+ years of experience in client-satisfaction for an entry-level position in sales. Work experience ranging from delivering a 5-star experience as a server in a restaurant, to working as a on-call technical support for MadeUpCompanyInc.

Now let’s analyze that step-by-step . In this case, the job-seeker is looking for a career change . So, point 2 and 3 should apply to their case (i.e, relevant skills and how they got them)

• The candidate mentions the relevant skills : customer support means that they’ve worked to ensure complete customer satisfaction, something that helps with a job in sales.
• They also mention how they got the skills - over 5 years of experience in serving & customer support. Everyone can say they have excellent customer support skills, but not everyone can prove it with experience.

Now, let’s see how that can go completely wrong...

• Incredibly smart and gifted recent business-school graduate (whose mom is very proud. See, letter of recommendation attached) looking to leverage their university degree to finally get the job they’ve been promised. Took all the relevant classes, so please don’t ignore this Email, I really need this.

In this case, the resume objective doesn’t do anything right…

• There’s no real mention of skills. “Smart and gifted” is extremely generic - the recruiter wants to know the EXACT skills that make you relevant.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s get into all the juicy details.

Need extra inspiration? Check out these resume templates .

THE RESUME OBJECTIVE FORMULA

#the-resume-objective-formula.

While reading examples might make it all seem super easy, sitting down and actually writing out yours can be a lot harder.

So, we “ standardized ” the process of writing a resume objective.

As we’ve already mentioned, there are 3 uses for an objective:

• Student Resume - You’re a recent-graduate with no real work experience
• Career Transition - If you’re transitioning to a different career and want to show that your skill-set is relevant
• Specific Position - You’re going for a very specific job

For each separate case, there’s going to be a minor difference in the formula, but the gist of it is…

A Killer Resume Objective = [Degree] + [Years of Experience] + [Specialization] + [Personality Trait(s) or Skills] + [Achivement(s)] + [Application]

Now, let’s look at each one by one:

[Degree] - Your highest degree (not mentioned unless you have a BA at least) , honors mentioned if applicable.

• BA in Advertising from Sheffield University
• MBA graduate from Harvard

[Years of Experience] - How long you’ve worked in your field (excluded in a student objective)

• With over 6 years of experience in the field of brand management.
• Having worked as a server for over 3 years now.

[Specialization] - Your expertise. This can either be a small mention ( Full-stack developer ) or a detailed achievements ( $ 10,000+ in sales in an average month ) or responsibilities ( Building up the SaaS back-end ground-up )

• Full-stack developer specialized in building up SaaS software ground-up
• Suave salesman, hitting and beating the monthly KPI of $10,000

[Personality Trait(s) or Skills] - Depending on how relevant your experience is, you either mention your personality traits that’ll help you with the job ( I’m a people-person, so I want to work in Sales ) or skills you gained from experience ( Communication skills from working as a server and interacting with 30+ people on a daily basis )

• People person with a passion for customer-success
• Having developed communication skills working as a server, interacting with 30+ people on a daily basis.

[Application] - How you’re going to use the [Skills] and [Years of Experience] in your new job.

• Use the communication skills picked up working as a server to excel at an entry-level job in sales
• Use 10+ years of marketing automation experience to help MadeUpCompanyInc . Save $10,000+ yearly

As a rule of thumb, you don’t have to use every single piece of the formula for your resume objective.

The only must-have is [Application] , since you need to explain how, exactly, you’re going to contribute to the company with your skills.

In the case of a student resume, you can replace [Years of Experience] with [Extracurricular Activities] - think, mentioning your responsibilities or achievements in a university club.

So, let’s take a look at an example for each specific case: Student Resume, Career Transition, Specific Position.

• Recent-graduate with a BA in Literature [Degree] looking for an opportunity to apply wordsmith skills [Specialization] as a copywriter for MadeUpCompanyInc . Unequivocal writing skills [Application] , having analyzed countless ancient literary texts over the 4 years spent in school. [Years of Experience (technically)]

In this case, while the student doesn’t have any experience working as a copywriter, he or she mentions how they’ve majored in Literature , which helped them gain Wordsmith skills .

They also mention their writing skills , as well as backing it up by saying how they’ve developed them (4 years analyzing texts). As a given, writing skills are essential for a career in copywriting, and relevant for the company.

• Technical support expert looking to leverage 3+ years [Years of Experience] of communications experience [Skills & Application] at a position in account management. BA in Social Sciences [Degree] , and a passion for customer success, having maintained a performance indicator above 3.5 / 4 for 2 years straight [Specialization & Application] .

As we’ve mentioned before, when switching careers, you need to emphasize how your skills & experience will transfer.

Here, the applicant talks about switching from technical support to account management. They straight-off say how they’re relevant by talking about 3 years of communication experience [Years of Experience, Skills and Application] .

Then, the job-seeker gets more specific on how they’re good at their job: 3.5 / 4 performance indicator for 2 years straight [Specialization and Application]

• SEO consultant [Skills] with over 10+ years of excellence [Years of Experience] looking to help MadeUpCompanyInc . jump-start their content strategy [Application] . Specialized in working for SMBs [Specialization] , typically bringing results within 6-8 months. Driven over $10,000+ monthly revenue for the average client. [Specialization]

Here, the applicant is very experienced and is looking for something extremely specific . Think, trying to acquire a new client, for example, or a high-level role in a new company.

It mentions the consultant’s expertise with [Years of Experience] and [Skill] . It also proves [Specialization] : working with SMBs, results in 6-8 months, revenue driven $10,000+.

Now that you’ve got the formula down, there are a couple more best practices you’ll need to remember...

SHOW THE NUMBERS

#show-the-numbers.

When it comes to writing your resume contents, you should always try to quantify everything as much as possible.

Numbers can show how good, exactly, you can are at your job.

Increased sales

Drove $20,000+ of sales within the first month through cold-calling

See the difference between the two examples?

The first doesn’t really tell you anything. Increased sales is nice and all, but how much ? By doing what ?

So whenever you have the chance, quantify your achievements in your resume objective.

Accomplishments can be used in most sections of your resume, not limited to the resume objective. Learn How to Mention Accomplishments on Your Resume (10+ Examples) here!

TAILOR YOUR OBJECTIVE TO THE EMPLOYER

#tailor-your-objective-to-the-employer.

As we’ve already mentioned, your objective is all about the recruiter .

You have to show them how you’re relevant and why they should care about your application.

So, your resume objective has to be as personally-tailored to the job & company as possible.

Tailoring isn’t limited specifically to your objective. If the objective catches the recruiter's interest, your resume has to maintain it. So, when creating your resume, always keep the recruiter’s needs in mind.

I.e, the resume should mention all the required skills, personality traits, etc.

What that means is - yep, you guessed it - you’ll have to have a different resume objective for each company you apply to .

This, however, doesn’t have to be hard. Whatever the case is, you’ll have to have a different resume for each field you’re applying for.

You can’t apply for an IT job with the same resume you applied for a marketing gig.

So for each field you’re going for, you should have a completely separate resume .

If you’re going for one specific field, however, your objective doesn’t have to be much different. Create 3-4 separate iterations with different company names, and you’re gold!

Tailoring isn't specifically limited to the resume objective - it applies to every section. Learn How and Why To Tailor Your Resume to the Job (10+ Examples) you're applying for here.

TAILOR YOUR OBJECTIVE TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION

#tailor-your-objective-to-the-job-description.

Today, it’s very common for companies to use Applicant Tracking Systems in order to skim through the resumes.

On their part, this makes sense. Google, for example, received about 20,000 resumes per week.

The way ATS works is by matching your resume to a job description. If the job description mentions knowing “Python” as required, the ATS will filter out all the irrelevant resumes - that is, anyone who doesn’t have Python mentioned.

While a resume objective is not the only place to optimize your resume for keywords (you can also do that in the skills section, or work experience), you might want to mention anything that seems extremely important.

So, let’s say the the JD mentions looking for a CFO with 5 years of experience.

Expert CFO with over 5 years of experience in managing company finances…

Finance guy with finance experience

USE 3RD PERSON

#use-3rd-person.

The general “ standard ” with your resume objective is to have it written in 3rd person. Why?

Does that make sense?

Probably not . Should you stick to it? In most cases. It's a more familiar sight for the recruiter, after all.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t experiment. If you want to do something more creative with your resume, It’s your call!

Common Objective Mistakes to Avoid

As long as you follow all the instructions we’ve mentioned above, you’re going to do just fine.

A lot of people, however, tend to mess up with their resume objective.

So, just-in-case, we’re going to mention a couple of things you shouldn’t do.

PackING it With Buzzwords

“Team Player. Leadership! Diversity. Critical thinking.”

Most people tend to make their resume objective a bit too generic , mentioning only some soft skills and nothing else.

Whenever you make a claim on your resume, not just your objective, you’ll need to back it up with facts. Resume hell is littered with “Critical Thinkers” and “Leadership Skills.”

So, to avoid that, whenever you finish with the objective, re-read it from the perspective of a recruiter.

• Team-playing, critical-thinking individual with amazing leadership skills. Looking to use the aforementioned skills to rock the job.

Anything that’s overly generic and buzzwords-y will just get ignored by the recruiter.

Lack of Customization

An objective has to be personally-tailored to the employer.

That’s the main idea of an objective statement to begin with - to show the employer how you’re going to be a valuable asset for THEM.

If your objective statement says that you’re an excellent C++ programmer , for example, and the job means dealing with web development in Ruby on Rails .

The recruiter really doesn’t care if you’re good at C++. Hell, you could have an IQ up in the stratosphere, and they’re not gonna care unless you’re a good web dev.

Even if the other parts of the resume mention that you’re good at web dev too , your resume will get discarded long before the recruiter reaches any other section.

So, what you can do is create an objective template - something that can apply to all the jobs you’re going for, and have one sentence specifically meant for whichever position it is.

Adding Zero Value

You should always keep in mind the purpose behind your resume objective: as an introduction to the rest of your resume.

A lot of times, job-seekers use their objective as a re-hash of their resume. I.e, mention something or another about the work experience and call it a day.

Unless your objective adds some sort of values to your resume, you might want to cut it out completely.

By value, we mean something like:

• If you’re a recent graduate: A thing or two you learned from college, and how that helps with the job
• If you’re transitioning to a different career: Information on how your skill-set transfers to the field.
• If you’re applying to a specific position: How your skill-set will add value to the company in some way

And we’re finally here!

Now that you’ve learned all there is to know about resume objectives, you’re ready to start the job-search and go places. High-up, career-related places .

If you want to learn more about creating a resume, you might want to give our super-guide on How to Make a Resume [The Visual Guide] a try.

Now that you know how the resume objective works, how about you put your knowledge into practice! Head over to our resume builder & take the first step to a brand new job!

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30+ Resume Objective Examples (Plus, Tips on How to Write Yours)

Resume objectives are a bit controversial. Some career experts see them as outdated, while others believe job seekers can still use them to their advantage. Although resume objective statements have slowly been replaced by resume summaries, they remain useful in certain situations—and that's why you should know how to write one, just in case.

For instance, if you're changing careers and your previous work experience doesn't quite match the new role you're after, an objective statement could help communicate your professional goals to the hiring manager. Likewise, if you're a recent graduate or looking to relocate, you could use this section of your resume to highlight these intentions.

We've gathered 32 resume objective examples—plus, some tips on how to craft one that grabs the hiring manager's attention.

What is a resume objective

A resume objective is a brief statement outlining your short-term career goals, usually one to two sentences long. It should be tailored to the specific job or industry you're pursuing and is placed at the top of your resume, just below the header.

What is a good objective for a resume, and when are they welcomed? That's what we'll show you in a moment.

When you should use a resume objective

Resume objectives aren't quite the norm these days, so they should be only used when you need to clarify why you're applying for that particular role or company. Here are three situations where using an objective statement is a good idea:

• If you're doing a career pivot: A resume objective can guide recruiters on your career goals and prevent you from being disqualified when transitioning to a new field.
• If you're changing locations: Applying for jobs outside your current state or city can leave recruiters uncertain about your location; a resume objective can clearly express your willingness to relocate.
• If you're a recent graduate: Since you likely have little to no work experience to show, a resume objective can give a glimpse into who you are and what you aim to achieve.
• If you've worked in a variety of roles: When your work history is all over the place, a resume objective statement can be a helpful tool to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in your next role .

Resume objective vs. resume summary

A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in a position, while a resume summary focuses on skills, accomplishments, education, and relevant experiences for the role.

“Think of the resume objective as your career aspiration and the summary as your professional snapshot,” says Angela Tait, People Operations Specialist and Founder of Tait Consulting . “The objective sets your sights forward, while the summary looks at your past and present achievements.”

How to write a resume objective

If you decide to write a resume objective, it'll be the first thing recruiters see on your resume, right after your name and contact information. This means their first impression will be based on how well-written your objective statement is. Here are key tips to do it right:

1. Mention your area of expertise

“Start by mentioning your area of expertise and the role you are applying for,” Tait says. This way, you let the employer know right away about your background and what you want to achieve professionally.

2. Show how you can add value to the company

Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. “Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to,” Tait says. “For instance, ‘ Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp.’”

3. Highlight skills relevant to the role

Once again, to write an effective resume objective, keep in mind the role you're going for. “Focus on how your skills and interests align with that specific job opportunity,” says Conor Hughes, certified in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Consultant at SMB Guide .

For example, for a software developer, skills in programming with languages like Java, C++, and Python are pretty important. Meanwhile, a graphic designer should highlight technical skills in creating and editing visual projects using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.

4. Optimize your statement for ATS machines

These days, most resumes get scanned by an ATS robot before reaching human recruiters. So, it's crucial to optimize your objective statement for these ATS machines. How? “Use keywords from the job description to show you have the relevant abilities they're looking for,” Hughes says.

If a job posting specifies “experience in copywriting” and “SEO optimization” as requirements, you should incorporate these exact keywords in your objective statement—and wherever else they fit on your resume. Using just “SEO” or only “copywriting” might not be enough; precision is key.

Need some help? Here's how to read the job description the right way —so you can stop sending resumes into the void.

5. Make it as concise as possible

Recruiters go through resumes really fast—that's one of the reasons two-page resumes aren't usually recommended. When writing your resume objective, keep it concise. “To one or two sentences max,” Hughes says. Remember, the goal is to give enough information about why you're applying for that role, not to share your whole life history.

32 resume objective examples to guide you

Now that we've covered the basics, here are 32 good examples of objectives for resumes categorized by job title and different professional situations, like career pivoting and entry-level positions. Use these examples as a guide, and don't forget to inject your own personality and core information.

General resume objectives examples

1. career change.

Copywriter with five years of experience, now transitioning into the UX Writing field, looking to leverage my writing and content creation skills to create digital experiences that drive business growth. Strong background in content strategy and data-driven decision making.

Find UX writer jobs on The Muse »

2. Relocation

Experienced customer service representative relocating to New York in July, seeking employment with an established customer support agency. I bring my strong communication skills , conflict resolution and customer retention ability developed in seven years working in the industry.

Find customer service jobs on The Muse »

3. Entry-level

Creative marketing graduate seeking a social media assistant entry-level position at a fast-growing marketing agency. My goal is to apply my strong storytelling and creative writing skills to create impactful content for clients and foster professional development.

Find marketing jobs on The Muse »

Compassionate and enthusiastic elementary school teacher with four years of experience teaching young students. Seeking to leverage my creative ideas, multitasking and organizational skills to create a safe and stimulating environment where children can play and learn.

Find teacher jobs on The Muse »

Registered nurse with three years of experience in patient care , currently specializing in pediatric nursing. Seeking to join the Grey Hospital nursing team and bring my knowledge of patient care and my critical thinking skills to foster a safe and empathic environment for patients.

Find registered nurse jobs on The Muse »

6. Journalist

Seasoned journalist seeking a News Reporter position at the USPN channel. I bring my five years of experience working on live television, interviewing sources, gathering and reporting information in fast-paced environments.

Find journalist jobs on The Muse »

Seeking a litigation paralegal position at The Law Group. I bring my three years of experience in conducting legal research, processing legal documents, and witness preparation for deposition and trial.

Find lawyer jobs on The Muse »

8. Architect

Experienced architect relocating to Houston, Texas in August. In my 10 years of experience in the architecture industry I was able to work both in industrial and residential projects, holding high proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Find architect jobs on The Muse »

9. Real estate specialist

Passionate and proactive real estate specialist with solid experience in lease negotiation and facility management. Looking for a similar role to manage a real estate portfolio, implementing strategies to improve profitability and cost effectiveness.

Find real estate jobs on The Muse »

10. Waiter/Waitress

Seeking a waitress position at a local, family-led restaurant where my two years of experience in customer service and hospitality industry would contribute to create an exceptional experience to customers, guests, and clients.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for tech professionals

11. software engineer.

Software engineer with 5 years of experience in the banking industry, pivoting to the customer service industry to foster professional growth. Deep knowledge of object oriented programming, experienced with Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and relational database schema design.

Find software engineer jobs on The Muse »

12. Software developer

Computer science graduate seeking an entry-level position as software developer. I bring my experience with Git, Java, and Python, as well as strong documentation abilities and communication skills .

Find software developer jobs on The Muse »

13. Data scientist

Experienced data scientist, seeking a senior position in the e-commerce industry. My goal is to leverage my ability to write complex and efficient SQL queries to extract data and translate business needs into analytical frameworks.

Find data scientist jobs on The Muse »

14. SEO analyst

SEO analyst, passionate about SEO and digital audience growth. 7 years of experience with site migrations, SEO analytics tools (Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, and SEMRush), reporting and sharing data insights, and making data-driven decisions.

Find SEO analyst jobs on The Muse »

15. UI/UX Designer

Mid level UI/UX Designer, seeking employment in a fast-growing tech startup. Solid experience with user-centered design principles, knowledge of responsive design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Find UI/UX Designer jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for creative jobs

16. content writer.

Results-driven content writer with two years of experience writing for blogs and websites. Skilled in SEO, creative copywriting, and storytelling, looking forward to applying my skills and creative ideas to help XYZ build an engaged audience.

Find content writer jobs on The Muse »

17. Graphic designer

Creative graphic designer seeking an entry level-position in the education industry. Proficient with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, and After Effects, quick learner with strong time management skills.

Find graphic designer jobs on The Muse »

18. Video editor

Outcome-oriented video editor, proficient with Final Cut, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Seeking employment in the entertainment industry where I intend to apply my extensive experience in storytelling and project management to create engaging stories.

Find video editor jobs on The Muse »

19. Social media manager

Experienced social media professional, seeking a manager position at a high-growth company. I bring my in-depth knowledge of social media strategy and five years of agency experience creating content that is engaging and exciting to the community.

Find social media manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for administrative roles

20. front desk.

Highly energetic tourism and hospitality graduate, looking for a front desk clerk position. 1.5 years of experience in customer service. Strong time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quick and adapt in fast paced environments.

Find front desk jobs on The Muse »

21. Receptionist

Looking for a receptionist position in the real estate industry. Three years experience in customer-facing roles, communication and leadership skills, ability to work with tight deadlines focusing on all aspects of a task or project.

Find receptionist jobs on The Muse »

22. Administrative assistant

Seeking an administrative assistant role in the healthcare industry. I bring five years of experience in customer service, advanced Excel skills, and ability to multitask to perform my duties in a timely and efficient manner.

Find administrative assistant jobs on The Muse »

23. Human resources

Human resources graduate, looking for an entry level human resources generalist position with ABC company to apply my strong verbal and written communication skills , analytical abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft applications to provide hands-on assistance to the HR team.

Find human resources jobs on The Muse »

24. Logistics

Logistics supervisor seeking a manager position at AABB company. I bring my extensive experience in global logistics operations and project management to enhance supply chain and logistics efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.

Find logistics jobs on The Muse »

25. Executive assistant

Seeking an executive assistant role at XYZ company. I'm an experienced professional with strong interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, and attention to detail to provide timely and high quality administrative office support to senior level leaders.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse »

26. Office manager

Experienced administrative assistant seeking an office manager position in a fast-paced work environment to apply my written communication skills, time management, prioritization, and planning abilities and provide exceptional service and foster professional growth.

Find office manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for sales jobs

27. sales assistant.

Problem solver and team player sales professional, seeking a sales assistant position in a challenging work environment. I bring my experience supporting high acquisition organizations, willingness to learn, and winning team spirit to support sales teams.

Find sales assistant jobs on The Muse »

28. Sales manager

Dynamic sales manager seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry to develop strategic sales plans and achieve revenue and market share objectives. Two years of experience in pharmaceutical sales plus three years of experience in general sales, excellent communication and leadership skills.

Find sales manager jobs on The Muse »

29. Cashier

Recent high school graduate looking for a cashier position at a company with a culture of recognition and excellence. One year of experience in retail sales, strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to represent the company in a professional manner.

Find cashier jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for finance careers

30. banking.

Seasoned relationship banker looking to secure an investment banking analyst position at Bank of America. 15 years of experience in the banking industry, advanced knowledge of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to develop and expand relationships with stakeholders.

Find banking jobs on The Muse »

31. Accounting

B.S. graduate in accounting seeking an entry-level accounting associate position to use my growth mindset, desire to learn, and organizational skills to ensure financial goals are achieved and foster professional development.

Find accounting jobs on The Muse »

32. Financial analyst

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) looking to secure a senior position in a competitive and results-driven work environment. 10 years of experience in financial analysis in banking and technology industries, advanced Excel and SQL skills, and ability to articulate analysis outcomes and relevant insights.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse »

Key takeaways

Resume objectives aren't the favorite of most recruiters, but they still serve a purpose. If you're career pivoting, relocating, applying for your first job, or have a diverse professional background, an objective statement can help the hiring manager understand your career goals and how they align with the job opportunity.

However, in other circumstances, using a resume summary might be more appropriate. (Here are 20 resume summary examples to make writing your own easier .)

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How To Write Your First Resume With No Work Experience

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Find a Job You Really Want In

You may think your lack of work experience pulls you out of the running for most jobs. While having limited or no work experience may narrow your job search down, it doesn’t eliminate you entirely. Just because someone has a lot of experience, doesn’t mean they will have stellar application materials.

Whether you’re right out of college or have no work experience, we’ll go over how to write your first resume with no work experience, we’ll go over what counts as work experience, and provide an example resume with no work experience to help get you started on yours.

Key Takeaways:

You will want to focus on your education and any experiences you have when you don’t have any work history.

If you do not have a college education, list your most recent education experience, like the date of your high school graduation or when you received your GED.

It’s important not to lie on your resume to make it seem like you have more experience than you do because it can come back to haunt you.

Tailoring your resume and using keywords is a great way for your resume to stand out.

How to write a resume for a first job with no experience

First resume with no experience example, what counts as work experience for your resume, what do you put on your resume if you don’t have a college education, how a career objective is different than a career summary, should i send a cover letter, tips for writing your first resume with no experience, writing a resume with no work experience faq, final thoughts.

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When you write a resume with little or no experience you will have to craft it differently, and you will want to focus on your education and skills section. Here is a more detailed list of how to write a resume for a first job with no experience:

Contact information. The first thing you want to add is your contact information. You should include:

First and last name

Phone number

Email address

A link to a professional profile

It’s important to keep in mind that if you have been using a school email, or your email isn’t professional, create a new one. Once you have graduated that email won’t be active anymore and no employer wants to see an email from when you were in middle school.

Include a career objective. This is a statement that summarizes what you have to offer the company and why the position fits well into your career goals.

Education. This is the section you really want to emphasize. On a regular resume you would include your work experience, but since you don’t have any, this section should be at the top.

If you have a college degree or a technical degree, the experience you have gained from that alone is important to emphasize on a resume. And since those experiences are likely recent, you have fresh, up-to-date knowledge about the field, which is a great asset. Here’s what to include in this section.

Name of degree

Name of institute or university

Location of institute or university

Graduation date

GPA (optional)

Relevant coursework (optional)

Honors (optional)

Work experience. Now since you don’t have much work experience you can add any relevant experience for the job. This could include internships, part-time work, or any organizations that you have been in. We will go over more on what you can consider work experience later on.

Skills. Your resume’s skills section is where you can really line up your background with the job, even if you don’t have any formal experience. First, review the job description and highlight all of the action verbs and skills. The two types of skills to include and highlight on your resume are:

Hard skills are generally things that you must be taught to do through schooling or on-the-job training. These skills are measurable.

Soft skills are the intangible interpersonal qualities that make you pleasant to work alongside. They cannot be taught, but you can certainly improve your soft skills through experience.

For a resume with no work experience, you likely have more soft skills than hard skills. That’s okay — just be sure that you’re highlighting the soft skills that the employer values most, based on what you find in the job description (time management, collaboration, and communication are popular ones).

Awards and certifications (optional). This is the place to add anything you think might show off some of your skills to the employer. This can replace any degrees that you might not have completed yet. Having them shows that you are eager to continue learning and you have some experience.

Here is an example of writing a first time resume with no experience. Be sure to tailor your resume to each job you are applying to.

John Smith [email protected] 123-456-7890 September 12, 2023 OBJECTIVE Recent graduate with a degree in English seeking a position as a High School English teacher . Strong skills in written and verbal communication and the ability to work in a team environment. EDUCATION Penn State University Major: English Graduation Date: May 2023 GPA: 3.4 Honors: Deans List Fall 2020 through Spring 2023 SKILLS Strong written and verbal communication skills developed through coursework and extracurricular activities. Ability to work effectively in a team environment, as demonstrated in group projects and team sports. Proficient at identifying and solving problems logically and efficiently. Excellent time management skills honed through balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments.

Past experiences or short-term work can count as work experience for your resume. Here is a more detailed list of what both of those include:

Past experiences. There are all kinds of acceptable forms of work experience you can put in a section titled “experience” versus “work history.” It’s all about the framing, folks. Some of these include:

Internships

Volunteering

If you are still feeling uncomfortable about the blank space under your experience section, start filling it up. Yes, you read that right — find some new experience to put in the experience section.

Short-term work. If you are facing a resume deadline that is quickly approaching, gathering experience might not be feasible. If you know you will be applying for a job in the next few months and don’t have any experience, then it’s the perfect time to be on the lookout for short-term work opportunities .

There are many short-term opportunities that are open to freelancers. Anyone can become a freelancer . It is essentially a position in which you get paid to do contract work with no benefits and rarely guaranteed hours.

But that’s okay — because you don’t need all the perks of a full-time job yet. Think of doing freelance work as your stepping stone to a full-time job or internship . So work a few extra hours to bulk up some small gigs to add to the experience section.

Other options include volunteering , writing articles, and internships. Anything to help make it look like you’ve been putting some effort into getting real-world experience for this type of job.

If you are in college currently and have not graduated, include your expected graduation date on the resume.

Maybe you have a college education or a high school diploma, but you are worried about your GPA. If you do not have a competitive GPA (a GPA of 3.5+) you can opt to not include your GPA on your resume . If you are many years past your graduation date, you can also consider not including your GPA.

When writing a resume for a first job with little or no experience, you will want to write a career objective instead of a resume summary statement . You are probably wondering what the difference is between the two. And yes, there is definitely a difference.

A career summary is a statement that summarizes your work history section and gives some details about what type of worker you are and how you will fit the role. A career objective, on the other hand, is a statement that summarizes what you have to offer the company and why the position fits well into your career goals.

Examples of Career Objectives:

Career objective example

A dedicated worker with a BA in Marketing from the University of Connecticut. Looking to join the XYZ Inc. marketing team to aid in developing digital marketing campaigns that drive traffic and increase conversions. Background in consumer psychology and collaborative projects, including creating materials for UCONN’s writing center.

Highly motivated graphic designer hoping to obtain an entry-level position to leverage skills with Adobe Suite. Trained in modern graphic design elements and integration.

Recent graduate with a degree in Finance seeking a position at a reputable financial institution. Strong skills in mathematical modeling, market research, and personal finance tools like Quickbooks and Excel.

The only time you shouldn’t send a cover letter is if the company specifically asks applicants not to. A cover letter can help boost your application’s chances of success if you don’t have much work experience.

A resume answers the “who, what, where, when” while your cover letter answers the “how” and “why.” A cover letter should show the hiring manager how you’ll do the job better than the competition, as well as show off your intrinsic motivation

You should tailor to the job for each cover letter you send. Do some research on the company’s culture , mission, and values, and try to show how you’re the perfect cultural fit.

Just keep your cover letter to under one page long and about 200-400 words ( shorter is usually better ).

You should proofread your resume and don’t lie or exaggerate any of your skills. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when making your resume:

Proofread. It’s so important to proofread before you submit your resume. Take an extra few minutes and look over for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Make sure all of your dates and information are correct.

It can come across as unprofessional to submit a resume with mistakes. You can even have a friend look it over for anything you might have missed.

Don’t lie. Don’t lie about anything on your resume. If you don’t have any work experience or didn’t join any clubs while in school, it’s okay. Everyone has to start somewhere. If you do end up lying, be prepared for your boss to find out and potentially fire you.

Tailor to each job. Take a few minutes are reread the job description to include any relevant skills to your resume. Doing this will help your resume get noticed by a hiring manager and show that you are the right candidate for the position.

Pick a simple format. You want to make sure your resume is easy to read. A hiring manager usually only takes about six to seven seconds to read a resume before moving on. You don’t want them to spend that time trying to figure out what your text says.

Use keywords. Take some time and look over the job description and look for keywords. It’s a great way to tailor your resume to each job while highlighting the skills that they are looking for.

Apply for the roles that fit your skills. When you don’t have experience, you want to find jobs that fit your skills. This means focusing on entry-level jobs or internships. These jobs are often looking for candidates with little or no experience.

How do you say you have no experience but are willing to learn?

An example of saying you have no experience but are willing to learn is “While I don’t have the necessary experience, I believe my enthusiasm and willingness to learn makes me a strong candidate for this position.” This answer shows the interviewer that you are excited and enthusiastic about the position and you are highlighting your willingness to learn.

Can you still get a job without experience in the field?

Yes, you can still get a job without having experience in the field. When applying for jobs without experience, you want to apply for entry-level positions and highlight all of your transferable skills. You should also consider any volunteer work or internships that you have done.

What can be used on your resume when you don’t have experience?

When you don’t have experience for a job, you can use the following on your resume:

Past experience such as internships or volunteering.

Short term work such as freelancing.

Extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports

Many hiring managers want someone who has the experience to prove a candidate has a good work ethic, but not too much experience that they can’t be molded to the job. Luckily for you, with the tips listed in this article, you will be able to show hiring managers that you are just that person.

It can be scary to apply with other candidates who have a lot more experience, but when it comes to applying for jobs, one of the best skills you can learn is how to frame yourself as the perfect candidate.

Emphasize what you can bring to the position. Be honest but don’t sell yourself short. Highlight what you have accomplished and your enthusiasm for the position and you will be one step closer to landing the perfect job. In the meantime, check out Zippia’s resources for finding your first job.

Champlain College Online – Writing a Resume When You Have No Relevant Experience

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Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

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• Guide to Writing a Great...

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

16 min read · Updated on February 13, 2024

No work experience? No problem.

The ol' catch-22: you need a job to get experience, but you need experience to get a job. Either way, you need a resume, and what you don't need is to panic. 

Just because you don't have skills that are relevant to the job, or experience in a traditional work setting, doesn't mean you can't craft a convincing first job resume. Whether you're a high school or college student, you may be wondering: how do you write a resume with no work experience? Well, we'll tell you with these expert tips.

1. Choose the best format for a resume with no experience

There are a few dominant resume templates in use today:

Chronological

Hybrid - a blend of the chronological and functional formats

A  chronological resume format  lists a candidate's work experience in reverse-chronological order and a functional resume format focuses on highlighting the candidate's hard and soft skills and achievements, rather than work experience. While the functional and hybrid resume formats can be attractive options for job seekers with little relevant experience, most employers and hiring managers prefer a chronological format.

Aside from hiring managers preferring it, it's best to use a reverse chronological resume for two additional reasons:

It's the most used format in the US, making it easy for hiring managers to review and find the information they're seeking

It's the most liked by employers' applicant tracking systems, or ATS. If an ATS can't read your resume properly, it might not get into the hands of a human reader - even if you're the perfect candidate for the job

The primary sections of a reverse chronological resume are:

The heading (with your contact information)

Resume summary

Work experience (which will be substituted with other sections when you have no work experience)

Education 

2. Incorporate your contact information 

Now that you've chosen the best format for a resume with no experience, it's time to complete each section. The first section of your resume is the header section. This is the section that includes your name and contact information. In this section, you'll provide:

Phone number

Email address

Location and zip code

LinkedIn  or professional website URL (optional)

Your name should sit above your contact information in a larger font size than the rest of the information included in the header. You also want to ensure you use a professional sounding email address. Using something like “[email protected]” or “[email protected]” will likely come across as unprofessional and won't gain you any points for the “yes” pile. A good choice is to use your name (or a combination of your initials and surname), instead. 

Here's an example of how to list your contact information at the top of your resume:

Joseph Smith

555.555.5555 | [email protected] | WV 26250 | linkedin.com/in/jsmith28

3. Include a strong summary statement

The next section of your resume, your Resume Summary, will fall just below your contact information. Your resume summary is not to be mistaken for a resume objective. 

Resume objective statements , where you state exactly what career goals you wish to achieve, have mostly fallen out of fashion. This is largely because you want to focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you. A resume summary statement, on the other hand, sums up who you are professionally at the top of the page in two to five sentences and serves as the first impression you give a hiring manager to entice them to keep reading. 

For a resume with no experience, your resume summary can still pack a punch. Include some of the key skills you have relevant to the job, while emphasizing your major and any type of experience that speaks to your ability to succeed.

Here's an example of a resume summary for a recent grad with a human resources degree:

Human resources graduate with diverse knowledge base in employee relations, benefits design, employment law, and policy design. Avid learner with solid written and verbal communication skills and a strong desire to support all levels within an organization for improved employee morale and productive collaboration. 

4. Substitute the Work Experience section with other types of experience

Writing a resume with no experience can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, recruiters and hiring managers are seeking candidates that have a robust background, regardless of experience level. Here are some sections you can substitute in lieu of a Work Experience section:

Internships

Graduate assistantships, extracurricular activities.

Volunteer Work

Hobbies and Interests

When you include these additional types of experiences on a resume, you can include them as a standalone section or create a “Relevant Experience” section. Depending on the type of experience you're including, you might find it's best to use a section heading that aligns with the type of experience (“Internships” for internships, “Volunteer Work,” for volunteer work, and so on). 

Landing paid or unpaid college internships  are one of the best weapons you have against "experience required." Not only do they give you some real-world work experience, they also allow you to network and make connections that can put you in a job later. When applying for a job without experience, be sure to list any internships you've completed. 

If you haven't had an internship, consider applying for one as a step before an entry-level job.

Here's an example of how to include an internship on your resume:

Finance Intern

New York Secretary of State Office, New York, NY

Jan 2021 - May 2021

Reconciled budget sheets for quarterly processing

Supported accounting team in year end tax return audits 

Analyzed 15 budget reports over a two-month period to ensure accurate data reporting 

Similar to internships, a graduate assistantship secured during school is also a great way to gain valuable experience to include on a resume. Graduate assistantships are paid opportunities provided to graduate students. They typically involve part-time teaching or research within their field of study. 

Here's an example of how to include an assistantship on your resume:

HR Graduate Assistant

West Virginia University School of Business and Economics, Morgantown, WV

August 2020 - May 2021

Reviewed 100 collective bargaining agreements to identify and document similarities and inconsistencies throughout

Worked with academic Professors to develop research guidelines for future assistants

Volunteer work

When surveyed, the majority of employers say that they take  volunteer experience listed on your resume , such as being a soup kitchen volunteer, into consideration alongside paid work experience. So any volunteer work that highlights your talents or a new skill should be put on your well-prepared resume. 

You'll list volunteer work in a similar way to how you would list internships and actual work experience:

Animal Transport Volunteer

Friends for Life Animal Shelter, Philippi, VA

April 2022 - Present 

Working with local shelters to transport animals to and from shelters and foster homes

Assisting in cleaning kennels and common areas to support sanitation efforts

Spearheading animal supply drive, collecting $10K worth of supplies

Though it might not seem like it at first, extracurricular activities can add a lot of value to your resume in lieu of work experience, if you can relate them to the job you're applying to. For example, if you were an officer for a club during college or a captain of a sports team, these roles speak to leadership ability. 

In general, these types of activities show you have the ability to collaborate with others. It also shows you have the ability to keep up with school work while being involved in other areas outside of school, which speaks to time management and organizational skills. 

Here are some of the top extracurricular activities to include on a resume with no experience, as well of some of the skills they help to highlight:

Artistic endeavors: speaks to creativity, problem solving, perseverance, ability to learn 

Sports: speaks to teamwork, collaboration, hard work, problem solving, conflict resolution

Club leadership roles: speaks to leadership, organization, perseverance, time management

General club membership: speaks to time management, community involvement, prioritizing

Student government: speaks to leadership, public speaking, time management, problem solving, organization

Here's an example of how to list extracurricular activities on a resume with no experience:

Student Council Vice PresidentBelington High SchoolAugust 2020 - May 2021

Spearheaded clothing drive to support the homeless in the state of Virginia

Wrote and delivered 3 speeches to the student body focused on student wellbeing, fundraising events, and life beyond high school

Special Projects

If you completed job-related projects during high school or college, they can be a valuable addition to your resume. Personal projects are also game for a resume with no experience, if they're relevant to the job. 

Here's how you might list a personal project on your resume:

Social Media Campaign

Sparkle and Shine Fundraising Event

February 2022 - Mar 2024

Created social media campaign to support fundraising efforts for local children's shelter, supporting education in underprivileged youth

Increased followers by 25% in two months

Generated leads that converted to $3,000 in donations

Here's how you might list school projects on your resume:

Beaumont University

Masters in Counseling and Development

Career counseling planning design for women with chronic fatigue syndrome

Group counseling proposal for friends and family members of those who have mental health challenges

Behavioral health program design to work with males ages 18 to 30 with adverse childhood experiences

Hobbies and interests

It's more common today than ever before to include hobbies and interests on a resume - they help to provide insights into who you are as a person, to enhance your resume story. Hobbies and interests require soft and hard skills, many of which are required to succeed on the job, and they can especially be useful to fill in gaps when you lack work experience.  

For additional information on how to list hobbies and interests on your resume with no experience, refer to “ How to List Hobbies and Interests on a Resume (With Examples) .”

An award can signal to an employer to take note, since they're a distinction that speaks to your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Adding an Awards section is an excellent way to showcase your ability to succeed in lieu of work experience. 

When you list an award, include the award and issuing institution. For example:

2023 Science Olympiad Award recipient, Science Olympiad Foundation

Certifications

Acquiring certifications provides an excellent opportunity to add value and fill in gaps in terms of skills and work experience. There are a lot of opportunities to secure certifications for free through sites like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and  Grow with Google . Certifications not only highlight your skills but also show that you're focused on personal and professional development, which employers appreciate in candidates.  

You can list certifications in a standalone Certifications list or with your Education section. For more information on how to best include certifications on a resume with no experience, refer to “ How to List Certifications on a Resume (with examples) .” 

5. Include your education 

When you have work experience, it's common to include your Education section after your Work Experience section. However, on a resume with no experience, many opt to list and emphasize their education after the resume summary. This is largely due to the fact that your education is what's most relevant to employers when you're straight out of school. 

Also, in lieu of a Work Experience section, especially if you're running thin on any of the relevant experience options listed above, you can expand and focus on the  education section on your resume  to highlight the marketable skills you've developed. What can you do well that this job requires? What will be useful to the hiring company? What have you done in school and what have you studied that has prepared you for assuming this job?

This is generally a little easier if you're a college graduate with specialized education, but even a high school graduate can talk about their electives and relevant coursework, why they wanted to take them, and what they learned from the class. It's also acceptable to include any awards, scholarships, honors, or any student clubs and committees you participated in. For example, if you were on the Dean's list, include it. 

Many also wonder if they should include their GPA on their resume. The short answer is yes, if it's 3.5 or higher. This level of achievement highlights your potential and the hard work you're willing to put in for success. 

Here's the order to list items in your Education section, with items 5 to 8 being optional:

Degree issued

Issuing institution

City and state of institution 

Graduation date (or expected graduation date, if in progress)

Relevant coursework

Student committees

Here's how your education might look laid out on your resume:

Bachelors of Science - Psychology (3.5 GPA, magna cum laude)Maryland State University

Relevant coursework: human growth and development, assessment, treatment planning, abnormal behavior

6. Emphasize your skills

Even when you don't have actual work experience, you have definitely acquired skills to support you on the job, which can set you apart from the competition. Be sure to highlight both hard and soft skills on your resume. You can do this by including a Skills section near the end, or by adding a Core Competencies section just below your Resume Summary. 

You also might be wondering what the difference is between hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills that are measurable and learned. Softs skills are tangible skills that are difficult to measure. 

Examples of valuable hard skills on a resume include:

Mathematics

Computer skills

Data analysis

Project management

Social media

Language skills

Here are some common soft skills employers seek in their employees:

Communication

Problem solving

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Working well under stress

7. Add a cover letter

Even if one isn't required, it's generally a good idea to send a short cover letter along with your resume. Cover letters are where your personality comes out and you can use them to make the case for why you're the perfect candidate for this job. 

A standout cover letter can convince an employer to bring you in for an interview, even if your resume itself doesn't have all the things they'd like to see. Your cover letter provides you with the opportunity to show a bit of personality and express why you're interested in the job, as well. Be sure your cover letter uses the same font and style as your resume, for consistency. 

Elements you should never include on a resume

While there are many elements you should consider adding to your resume, career experts say there are a few things you should never include because they waste space, don't tell the employer anything relevant, or could damage your personal brand. This list includes, but is not limited to: 

Employment references

Writing samples

Photos  of yourself

Do not add this information to your resume unless an employer or recruiter asks you to provide it. 

Additional tips for a resume with no work experience 

As you develop your resume with no experience, here are a few more tips to consider. 

Take stock of your achievements and activities

Make a list of absolutely everything you've done that might be useful on a resume. From this list, you'll then need to narrow down what to actually include on your resume. Different things might be relevant to different jobs you apply for, so keep a full list and pick the most relevant things from it to include on your resume when you send it out. This will help you to identify which sections to include in lieu of work experience.

Pay attention to technical details

When editing your resume, make sure there are no punctuation, grammatical, spelling, or other errors that will make your resume look unprofessional. Then, have a friend or family member read it again to catch any mistakes you might have missed — you can't afford a typo or missing word as a candidate with no prior work experience. Also, be sure to vary your language and use action verbs throughout your resume to keep your reader engaged.

Keywords, keywords, keywords!

Most employers use some form of  applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan and sort resumes . This may seem unfair, but it's the reality of modern-day hiring. To combat this, you'll want to come up with, and include, a list of keywords in your resume when applying for any job. The best place to  find these keywords  is in the job post itself, or in ads for similar jobs. One caveat: don't use meaningless "buzzwords," such as "go-getter," "team player," and “detail-oriented." Unfortunately, sometimes these buzzwords are the only keywords listed in the ad. If that's the case, you'll need to sneak them in alongside your detailed accomplishments and academic achievements.

Customize your resume for each job you apply to

The last and most important thing to remember when creating a good resume is to  customize it for every job to which you apply . Different job postings are going to have different keywords, different job duties listed, and so on. Appealing to each individual employer's needs and job requirements is the best strategy for getting your application noticed and hopefully landing your first job.

Relevant experience goes beyond work experience

At the end of the day, the only perfect resume is the one that gets you the interview. Regardless of whether you have work experience or not, it's still possible to stand out by highlighting other types of experience that relate to the role. 

Even once you're comfortably employed, be prepared to tweak and update your resume to get noticed with each job application you submit. In the meantime, use any type of relevant experience to help you shine and land an interview. Sooner or later, you'll land that job - and gain that much-coveted relevant work experience.

Tackling this kind of resume isn't easy. If you've recently graduated or are in an entry-level job search, a  professional resume writer  can prepare you for success.

This blog was originally written by Riya Sand and has been updated by Ronda Suder. 

Recommended reading:

5 Things You Should Always Include on Your Resume

Should You Include Social Media on Your Resume?

How to Be a Great Candidate Even If You're Under-Qualified for the Job

Related Articles:

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Is Your Resume Inspirational? If Not, Here's How to Fix It

7 Ways You Try Too Hard in Job Applications

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