What hiring managers actually look for
Recruiters screening entry level applicants focus on potential over pedigree. Here is what they prioritize:
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Relevant skills over job titles. Hiring managers know you may not have held a formal role in your field yet. They scan for transferable skills, software proficiency, and keywords that match the job posting. Tailor your skills section to every application.
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Clarity and professionalism. A clean, well organized resume signals that you take the opportunity seriously. Typos, inconsistent formatting, or cluttered layouts can knock you out before your qualifications are even reviewed.
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Evidence of initiative. Internships, volunteer work, relevant coursework, and personal projects all demonstrate drive. Managers want to see that you have sought out opportunities to learn and contribute, not just waited for someone to hand you a role.
If your resume communicates these things in the first 7-second scan, you'll make it to the detailed read. Everything below is about making that happen.
How to structure your resume, section by section
The order matters. Here's what a strong entry level resume looks like from top to bottom:
1. Contact header
Keep your header simple and professional. Include your full name, phone number, email, city and state, and optionally a LinkedIn URL.
Jordan Mitchell
[email protected] · (555) 482-1039 · Denver, CO · linkedin.com/in/jordanmitchell
2. Summary or objective
An objective statement works well for entry level resumes because it tells employers what you bring and what you are looking for. Keep it to two or three sentences and mention the specific role or industry.
Strong: "Organized and detail oriented business administration graduate with customer service experience and strong proficiency in Excel, Word, and CRM platforms. Seeking an entry level operations coordinator role where I can apply my analytical skills and passion for process improvement."
3. Education
For entry level candidates, education often carries more weight than experience. List your degree, school name, graduation date, GPA if above 3.3, and relevant coursework or honors.
4. Skills
Create a dedicated skills section with 8 to 12 relevant skills. Mix technical skills with workplace competencies, and prioritize skills mentioned in the job description.
Microsoft Office Suite · Google Workspace · Customer Relationship Management · Data Entry · Scheduling · Written Communication · Problem Solving · Team Collaboration
5. Experience / Activities / Projects
Include any paid work, internships, volunteer roles, or academic projects. Focus on accomplishments and results rather than listing duties.
Strong: "Managed front desk operations for a 200 person office, handling 40+ daily calls and coordinating visitor check-ins, earning a 95% satisfaction rating on quarterly feedback surveys."
6. Additional sections
Consider adding certifications, languages, professional memberships, or relevant extracurricular activities. These sections help fill your resume and demonstrate well roundedness, but only include items that add genuine value.
Key skills to include
Entry level roles across industries share a common set of valued competencies. Customize this list based on the specific position you are targeting.
Tip: Mirror the exact phrasing from the job posting whenever possible. If the listing says 'client relations,' use that phrase instead of 'customer service' to improve your chances with applicant tracking systems.
Resume summary examples you can steal
Use one as a starting point, then swap in your own technologies, numbers, and achievements.
"Detail oriented communications graduate with internship experience in office administration and strong proficiency in scheduling software, document management, and client correspondence. Eager to contribute organizational skills and a proactive mindset to an entry level administrative assistant position."
Why it works: It connects the degree to the target role, names specific tools, and shows enthusiasm without being vague.
"Customer focused professional with three years of retail experience transitioning into an entry level account coordinator role. Proven ability to manage competing priorities, resolve issues efficiently, and maintain positive client relationships in fast paced environments."
Why it works: It reframes retail experience as relevant corporate skills and specifies the target position clearly.
"Motivated self-starter with 200+ hours of nonprofit volunteer coordination, including event planning, donor communication, and social media outreach. Seeking an entry level marketing assistant position to apply hands-on organizational and communication skills."
Why it works: It quantifies volunteer work and directly ties those activities to the target role's requirements.
"CompTIA A+ certified professional with hands-on experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues in academic lab environments. Looking for an entry level IT support specialist role where I can leverage technical knowledge and a commitment to excellent end user service."
Why it works: It leads with the certification, provides context for hands-on experience, and clearly states the goal.
Writing strong experience bullets
Every bullet point should answer: "What did you do, and why did it matter?" Use this formula:
Before and after examples:
Helped with data entry tasks in the office.
Processed 150+ customer records weekly in Salesforce with 99.2% accuracy, reducing data cleanup time by 30%.
Worked at the customer service desk.
Resolved an average of 25 customer inquiries daily, maintaining a 4.8/5 satisfaction score across two quarters.
Was part of a team that organized events.
Coordinated logistics for 6 campus events with 100 to 300 attendees each, managing vendor contracts and volunteer schedules.
Strong action verbs for entry level resumes:
Coordinated · Managed · Processed · Resolved · Organized · Implemented · Streamlined · Delivered · Maintained · Analyzed · Communicated · Facilitated · Trained · Documented · Supported · Scheduled
7 mistakes that get entry level resumes rejected
Using a generic objective statement
Phrases like 'seeking a challenging position' tell employers nothing. Every word on your resume should be specific to the role and company you are applying to.
Listing job duties instead of accomplishments
Hiring managers already know what a cashier or intern does. Show them what you achieved in those roles by using numbers, percentages, or concrete outcomes.
Including a photo or personal details
In most industries, adding a headshot, age, or marital status is unnecessary and can introduce bias. Stick to professional contact information only.
Overloading with irrelevant skills
Listing every skill you have ever heard of dilutes your resume. Focus on 10 to 12 skills that directly match the job posting.
Poor formatting or inconsistent design
Mixing fonts, using random bold or italic styles, and cramming text into margins makes your resume hard to read. Use a consistent template throughout.
Submitting the same resume for every job
Each application deserves a tailored resume. Adjust your summary, skills, and bullet points to align with the specific job description.
Forgetting to proofread
Spelling errors and grammatical mistakes signal carelessness. Read your resume out loud, use a spell checker, and have someone else review it before submitting.
What to do if you have no professional experience
If your work history is thin, shift the focus to what you have done outside of traditional employment:
Lead with education and coursework
List relevant classes, academic projects, and your GPA if it is strong. Group projects where you took a leadership role are especially valuable.
Highlight volunteer and extracurricular work
Treat volunteer positions like jobs. Use the same action verb plus result format to describe what you accomplished.
Include personal or freelance projects
Built a website? Managed a social media account? Organized a community event? These demonstrate real skills that employers value.
Get a quick certification
Free or low cost certifications from Google, HubSpot, or Coursera can fill gaps and show initiative. Many can be completed in a weekend.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an entry level resume be?
One page. Hiring managers spend an average of 7 seconds on an initial resume scan, so keep it concise and focused on your strongest qualifications.
Should I include my GPA on an entry level resume?
Include it if it is 3.3 or higher. If your major GPA is stronger than your cumulative GPA, list that instead. After one to two years of work experience, you can remove it.
Is an objective statement or summary better for entry level?
An objective statement works well when you have minimal experience because it tells employers what you are pursuing. A summary works better if you have internships or relevant projects to highlight.
What if I only have retail or food service experience?
That experience counts. Reframe it using transferable skills: customer service, cash handling, conflict resolution, multitasking under pressure, and team coordination are all valued in corporate settings.
Do I need a cover letter with my entry level resume?
Yes, unless the posting explicitly says not to include one. A cover letter lets you explain your motivation and connect your background to the role in ways a resume cannot.
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Start Building, It's FreeRelated resume guides
Step by step instructions for writing your very first resume from scratch.
Strategies for building a strong resume when you have no formal work history.
Tailor your resume for internships, campus jobs, and post-graduation roles.
Get your first job with a resume that highlights your potential and readiness.
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