resume samples for students in college

You control your data

We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy . If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

Choose type of cookies to accept

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

These cookies are essential for the Site's performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here .

This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To learn more visit our Privacy Policy

20+ Student Resume Examples & Templates for All Students

20+ Student Resume Examples & Templates for All Students

Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW

So you need to write a good resume for students.

Writing a student resume is not easy, but so is looking for a job as a student, after all. The challenge is always the same: so much competition, and seems like all of them have way more professional experience than you. It will take a perfect student resume to impress recruiters and get your foot in the door.

Seem impossible? I’m going to teach you how to make a job-winning student resume in a flash.

This guide will show you:

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

student resume templates

Sample Student Resume — See more resume examples here .

Below, you'll see a full student resume example to get you inspired. If you're looking for more specific information, we have resume guides no matter which level of education you’ve accomplished:

Are you in academia? Explore:

And if you're trying to get into school, read:

Student Resume Example

Junior Editorial Assistant

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/rickygrimes93

Career Objective

MA Student in English at Stanford University, made the Dean’s List for three consecutive years (2015-2017), with two study abroad experiences and a semester-long research internship in Oxford, UK looking to use my strong research and writing skills, as well as my expertise in contemporary literature in the position of Editorial Assistant at Penguin Random House.

MA in English, Stanford University

Expected to graduate in 2019

Favorite fields of study: American Poetry: From Modernism to Postmodernism, Creative Expression in Writing, Creative Nonfiction

Thesis title: "An Analysis of the Impact of 1940s Blues Culture on the Poetic Expression of the Members of Harlem Reneissance"

Key achievement: Awarded $15,000 2017 Drue Heinz Literature Prize for a collection of short stories "Your Latest Trick."

BA in Comparative Litarature, Stanford University

Favorite fields of study: Introduction to Literary Study: Comparison, Cosmopolitanism, and the Global Novel, Literature Gone Viral, Digital Humanities, Radical Arts, Re-thinking Derrida, Being as a Spectacle

Thesis title: "Towards the Derridian Decostruction of the Notion 'Biography' on the Basis of Julian Barnes' 1984 novel 'Flaubert's Parrot'"

Extracurricular activities and achievements:

Awards and Honors

Work Experience

Part-Time Editorial Intern

Faber and Faber, Stanford

2016-06–2017-09

Now that's an effective and simple resume template ! Let's see how it got made—

How to Get Started on Writing Your Student Resume?

Before you start writing your resume , ask yourself the following question:

What’s the most important difference between your student resume and any other piece of writing you’ve done so far?

Well—nobody really cares about your resume.

As a high school or college student, you’ve had all your writing assignments carefully reviewed and assessed by your supervisors.

This won’t be the case with your student resume. In fact, it will most likely get no more than 7 seconds of the recruiter’s attention, according to our HR statistics report .

How can you turn that 6-second glance into a 60-minute interview?

To begin with, choose the proper student resume format.

See—recruiters look for very specific information on a resume. A good resume format serves them this information on a silver platter.

It doesn’t matter if you’re writing an internship student resume, a high school student resume for a part-time gig, or a graduate student resume for your first job. The rules of a good student resume format are the same.

The most important thing about formatting your student resume is dividing it into sections.

What to put on a college student resume?

Your student resume could include the following sections:

Honors and Awards

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to make sure you’ll get your student resume format and layout the right way and grab every recruiter’s attention, here’s a must-read guide for you: Standard Resume Formats .

What sections should your student resume include

Once you’ve got this simple student resume outline , keep in mind some basic student resume formatting rules.

Here are the seven best resume tips you should follow:

Best resume tips you should follow

Pro Tip : After you finish writing, save your student resume in PDF . This way, your layout will remain intact. But double-check the job description. Some employers don’t accept PDFs. If such is the case, submit your student resume in Word.

Right, so now you’ve seen a sample college student resume layout and you’ve learned the most important resume design tricks.

Let’s break down each section of your chronological resume so that your resume makes you the future Steve Wozniak, Umberto Eco, Nikola Tesla, Iron Man, or whoever else you’re aspiring to become!

How to Put Contact Information on a Student Resume

Listing contact information on your student resume might seem like a walk in the park. Truth is, it’s not always as straightforward as you think!

Here’s what you need to include in your resume header :

Sample Student Resume Contact Information Section

Your First and Last Names That means, unless you use it on a daily basis, omit your middle name. You don’t want to seem pretentious.

Phone Number Even if you’ve got a landline, limit yourself to your cell phone number.

Professional Email Remember that email address you came up with when you were fourteen? [email protected] ? Time to retire this one and go for something more professional. In your email address, include only your given names. Also, choose a sophisticated provider like gmail or your private domain. For example: [email protected]

Social Media Handles But not all of them. Your LinkedIn profile is a must. If you’re using Twitter to discuss stuff related to your profession, this one also goes in here. If you’re targeting a creative or techie position, your student resume will be better off with links to your profiles on Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, or your Github account. The rule is simple—before you add any social media handle, just ask yourself if what’s in there presents you as a better candidate for this job. (Just review your accounts to make sure you’ve taken down any unprofessional content like those pictures of you playing beer pong in a sexy kitten costume from last Halloween.)

URLs to Personal Websites or Blogs Got a personal website with your portfolio? Run an industry blog? Show it off! Put the URL in your student resume contact info. Remember that we’re living in the digital era. That means recruiters can and will research you on the Internet.

Have a look at our two handy guides that’ll teach you how to take care of your online presence to impress employers and start getting more job offers: How to Check Your Online Presence Before Recruiters Look You Up and How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Summary & Profile To Get Jobs

How to Write a Resume Objective for a Student Resume

“Wow, this one’s really interesting.”

You want the hiring manager to say these words as soon as she sees your student resume.

Here’s how to make that happen:

Write a student resume objective and put it right below the contact information.

A resume objective is a short, snappy paragraph in which you say why you’re the perfect candidate.

The tricky part?

You have to make your student resume objective about your employer’s gain , not your personal benefit.

And the good news? There’s a proven formula for that.

How to write an objective for a college resume?

See how it works on an example of a college student resume objective. Let’s say our candidate majors in Business Administration.

Sample Business Student Resume Objective

Writing a high school student resume with no experience ? The formula is the same. Have a look.

In this high school resume objective example, the candidate’s looking for a part-time job as a server.

Sample high school resume objective

Nailed it. It’s a perfect objective to put on a resume for teens.

Notice how both the grad resume objective and the high school resume objective emphasize how the two candidates are going to use their talents to their future employers’ benefit.

Also—both sample student resume objectives above include the name of the prospective company.

That’s a strategy you have to use too. Sure, it means you cannot randomly spam your resume around. And that’s the point. Employers are more likely to give you a shot if you address them personally.

Pro Tip : Don’t make your student resume objective longer than 60 words. Some times a simple resume headline will do. Feel like it’s not enough? Follow up with a cover letter. Especially if you haven’t got much relevant experience , a good student cover letter is your best chance for getting a foot in the door!

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

Create the perfect resume

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

If you want to learn more about writing a professional objectives for student resumes and see student resume objective samples for various industries, have a look at this guide: 20+ Resume Objective Examples - Use Them On Your Resume (Tips)

How to Write an Education Section That Gets You the Job?

What goes under the summary of qualifications or resume heading statement on a college or high school resume?

That’s right, the Education section.

It’s time for all those courses you’ve slaved over for years to start paying off!

What to put in a student resume education section?

That depends on the highest degree of your education. The rule of thumb is: include only your highest degree. The only exception? If you’re doing or have done a Master’s degree, include also your Bachelor’s. On a college grad resume, omit your high school.

Anyways—always put your current or most recent educational institution at the top. Then, follow it with the previous ones. Skip high school if already in college.

In each education entry, include:

These are included in a basic resume for students. But a basic student resume won’t impress anyone.

How much do you want this job? This much ? Good. So let’s boost your student resume education section.

To make your resume more impressive, add the following to your education entries:

Pro Tip : Listing your GPA is optional . In general, add it only if it’s higher than 3.5. The most important part? Be consistent. If you list more than one educational institution you’ve attended—either include all GPAs or none.

Let’s have a look at some examples of student resume education sections.

Education Section on a Recent College Graduate Resume: Example

2017 BSc in Marketing and New Media University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 3.9 GPA

Favorite fields of study : Global Media Systems, New Perspectives on B2C Marketing, Macroeconomy Basics, Film Theory, Marketing of the Media

Thesis title : “The Paradox of Luxury Goods Marketing—Examined”

Key achievements and extracurricular activities:

President of the undergraduate student board from 2015 until 2016

Dean’s List 2014 and 2016

Started and run a discussion club on new trends in AI and Virtual Reality

Even if this candidate doesn’t have a lot of experience, her education section makes hiring her a no-brainer.

What if you’re still studying and only have some college education ? Include an expected completion date like this:

Education Section on a High School Resume: Example

Flowerville High Expected completion date - 2019 Current GPA - 3.7

Key achievements:

Student Body President and AP Student

Awarded the Best School Theatre Performer Prize in 2017

If you want to learn more amazing tips and tricks on how to put education on a student resume to make recruiters want to interview you, read our handy guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]

Your Work Experience Section Is Still Vital

Thinking: Oh, but I don’t have any professional experience... ?

Let me stop you right there.

You’re writing a student resume . Recruiters are aware that, as a student, you haven’t had the time to pursue a full-blown job in your field.

Yet 91% of recruiters want to see experience on your resume.

That’s rough, but remember: they want to know you’ve got what it takes to hit the ground running in your new job.

Prove them you can!

On your student resume experience section, list all your past professional experiences. Think you don’t have any? Think again. Even the smallest activities count.

Such as? Have a look.

Sample Student Resume Work Experience Section Entries

Even if some of the gigs you’ve done in the past aren’t related to your industry, you should still put them in the work experience section. This way, you’ll show that you’re dependable, well-organized, responsible, and willing to self-improve. (Remember: always show your strengths on the resume .)

Here’s what employers value most in a college student resume (or any student resume for that matter):

Just as you did with education, list your work experiences in reverse-chronological order. Start with the last one, then add the one before it, then the one before, and so on.

What else should a resume include ?

Want to have a look at a high school and college resume examples? Here you go.

Sample Undergraduate Student Resume for Internship: Work Experience Section

Events and Marketing Intern Adidas Originals, 06-2017 - 10-2017 Boston, MA

Created and maintained lists of media contacts

Researched opportunities across online media channels

Produced product pitches and press kits

Supported event organization

Notice how the candidate used action words in the description of his duties.

What do I mean by that?

“Created,” “researched,” and “produced” sound so much better than “responsible for creating, researching, and producing.” You want to come across as an achiever , not merely a doer .

And what if you’ve got no internship experience to showcase yet? Say, you’re writing a high schooler resume and the only job you’ve done so far was at a fast food chain.

Here’s an example of a high school resume experience section.

High School Student Resume Sample: Work Experience Section

McDonald’s (06-2016 - 09-2016) Swing Manager

Took accurate food orders

Prepared the world famous McDonald’s food

Ensured items were well-stocked

Motivated crew members to do well in their current positions so they can move on to new roles

This candidate might not have an all-star professional experience. But the entry above clearly shows that she’s dedicated, attentive to detail, and a good team player!

Alright. So now you’ve got your education and work experience sections taken care of. Job done?

Not yet. Here’s where the student resume skills section comes in!

If you ever need a recap of resume best practices, see: How to Create a Resume for Any Job

How to Put Skills on a Student Resume?

You’ll want to do two things with your skills. First, make a separate skills section . Put your strongest, most relevant skills here.

By relevant , I mean these skills that will help you perform well in the job you’re trying to land. (Yes, that means you’ll have to skip your amazing dancehall skills in a resume for an accounting internship.) Next, have a look at a job description. See some skills-related words?

Ask yourself how many of these skills you have. Quite a few?

Good! Pepper these skills throughout your student resume. Include some in your resume objective, coursework description, and experience section.

Pro Tip : Pay special attention to soft skills . Are you a good writer? Do you have sales experience? What about leadership skills? Soft skills are valuable in almost any position. Put your strongest soft skills as close to the top third of your high school or college resume as possible.

One last thing: be as specific as possible when talking about your skills, especially hard skills .

For example, don’t say that you’re “Computer Literate.” What does that even mean? That you can spell out the name of your PC brand?

Instead, say that you can create and test data source connections in Microsoft Performancepoint Server. That’ll clearly indicate your proficiency level, right?

A recent study found out what skills employers value most in their student candidates:

What skills employers value most in their student candidates

A good list of skills is crucial for every student resume. Want to learn more about employability skills ? Here’s the guide you need: 30+ Resume Skills Examples to Put on a Resume

The Secret Behind Additional Sections on a Student Resume

Most students end their resumes with their skills section.

And that’s one of the reasons they struggle to get a job.

Want to outshine other candidates? Add an additional section to your graduate resume. Show hiring managers that your skills and experiences have been awarded and appreciated by others.

Here are three types of sections you could add to your student resume to make it perfect:

You could add a separate section if you received quite a few awards in school (or, you can also add honors and awards to your resume education section if you received only one or two, e.g. dean's list .)

If you graduated with Latin honors, such as magna cum laude or summa cum laude , or were the valedictorian or the salutatorian of your graduating class, you can put that in your education section next to your degree.

Have a look at this master’s student resume example.

Sample Student Resume: Honors and Awards Section

Purdue University 2005 - 2009

BA in English Literature - Valedictorian, Magna Cum Laude

Other honors and awards could include:

Any academic award or scholarship.

Academic Honors - participation in an honors program, making the Dean’s List, or acceptance into honors societies (campus, national, or international).

Work-related awards or honors (these can go in an honors and awards section or under the relevant job in your experience section).

Activities and Associations

Adding an activities and associations section is good for high school student resumes and for recent college graduate resumes with little to no experience.

It gives you a chance to show where and how you developed certain skill sets. Pick those activities that reflect the type of work you’ll be doing and illustrate skills you found in the job description.

Sample Student Resume: Activities and Associations Section

Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scoutmaster

Provided guidance and assistance for scouts wishing to achieve a higher rank.

Your activities can range from on-campus student body organizations, publications , and clubs to volunteer work, athletics, and other activities off campus.

Adding a hobbies and interests section boosts just about any resume.

And it’s a super easy section to put on a student resume because you probably have a lot of hobbies and interests beyond your school activities.

The key is matching your hobbies to your future company’s work culture. Want to learn exactly how to do it? Here’s a guide you’ve been looking for, give it a read: Attractive Hobbies for a Resume (20+ Interests & Activities)

Student Cover Letter: Yes, You Do Need It

Actually, it’s your best chance.

Because as a student, you probably don’t have enough achievements to fill up your resume up to the brim.

Cover letters do what even best resumes can’t. They tell a story . And humans love stories a lot more than data sheets.

In your student cover letter, you can explain your passion for the industry, talk more about your skills and support them with solid evidence.

Do employers read cover letters ?

45 out of 100 recruiters won’t even be bothered to open your student resume if there’s no cover letter attached. So writing a cover letter basically doubles your chances of landing that interview.

Yes. You read that right. There’s no arguing with stats, is there?

You can learn how to write a cover letter that gets every recruiter hooked and excited to interview you with help from:

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

matching set of resume and cover letter

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Getting your first job is hard work. Preparing your graduate resume shouldn’t be. As a student, you’ve got the skills and education it takes to do a good job. It’s just harder to convince a hiring manager that you’ve learned to apply them.

How to write a student resume

Here's a recap of how to write a student resume:

All check? Get ready for interview calls! Need more details? Still not sure how to make the perfect student resume? Write us a comment with your problem and we will help you solve it. Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions about Student Resumes

How do you write a college resume.

Like writing any job application, it’s important to include all of the essential parts of a resume . Follow these steps to write a college student resume tailored to the job :

1. Add your full name, contact information and LinkedIn profile at the top of the resume .

2. Write a professional career objective statement (or a resume summary if you already have some relevant experience to put on your resume ).

3. List any relevant work experience you have.

4. Make an education section that gives in-depth info about your qualifications.

5. Create a list of skills relevant to the job.

6. Add certifications, awards, or conferences you attended.

7. List languages you know , including your proficiency levels.

8. Mention interests that can make you stand out from other applicants.

9. Fit the information in one page—you may want to pick a one-page resume template for help.

Remember that your education must work to your advantage. Don’t simply list the school you attend or graduated—add relevant coursework, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, student projects, organizations you joined, and other things that show you have versatile experience. You may also consider putting references on your resume .

How to make a resume for a high-school student?

Getting good jobs for teens may be difficult. To create an effective high-school student resume , follow these steps:

1. Add your name, surname, and contact details at the top of the resume .

2. Write a career objective or a resume summary that can catch the recruiter’s attention.

3. Mention any relevant work experience, such as part-time jobs, tutoring, babysitting, etc.

4. Expand your education section with extracurricular activities, school projects, etc.

5. Make a list of skills you’ve got that are relevant to the job description.

6. List additional information on the resume , such as certifications or awards you received.

7. Add languages you know, and mention the proficiency levels, too.

8. Put hobbies you’ve got that may show useful knowledge and relevant abilities.

Use a professional resume layout to show you’re serious about getting a job. Then, write a brief message to email your resume to an employer .

What type of resume should students use?

That’s a valid question, as using the wrong format is a big resume DON’T . The reverse-chronological format is recommended for most college and high school students. It’s favored by recruiters, it’s scannable by ATS resume software, and it’s easy to read because it has a logical resume structure . Students with little to no work experience can list the education section right after the resume objective or summary in order to make their academic accomplishments stand out and make a good impression.

Other than the reverse-chronological format, students may also go for a combination resume . This resume format highlights the skills together with the candidate’s experience.

How to put college on resume if you haven't graduated yet?

Students who haven’t graduated don’t need to worry about listing college on a resume. Simply, instead of writing the year of graduation, they may say “Expected graduation in…” or “Expected to graduate in …”

When creating a college resume, students should focus on expanding their education section. Don’t just simply write your major and years of study! Add relevant coursework, academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, academic projects, and anything else that shows your abilities, like scholarships or Phi Beta Kappa membership .

If you’re already in college, you don’t need to describe your high school experience in much detail. Just add the name of the school and years of study. Your high-school grades and other additional info shouldn’t be included in your resume .

How do you write a resume if you have no experience?

Everyone feels self-conscious about not having enough work experience. Some are even tempted to lie about their career in a resume , but that’s a very bad idea. If you truly haven’t worked before, you must think of other types of experiences that might back you up in a student resume. These might include:

If you lack experience to put on a resume, consider participating in volunteer projects in your area, signing up for an online certification course to learn a new high-income skill , or spending your free time in a constructive way. It might not sound as relaxing as Netflix & Chill, but it may pay off in your future!

What to write ‘about me’ in a resume for students?

It’s important to describe yourself professionally in a resume . But rather than simply writing something about yourself, opt for a resume summary or a career objective. These types of resume profiles are more valuable for hiring managers, as they provide a better overview of the candidate’s qualifications.

When writing your resume profile, remember to include:

That’s one of the elements that make a good resume . Your student’s resume profile should be about 3–4 sentences long, so much shorter than a typical school essay!

Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW

Don't miss out on exclusive stories that will supercharge your career!

Get a weekly dose of inspiration delivered to your inbox

Similar articles

50 Best Resume Tips 2023: Great Tricks and Writing Advice

50 Best Resume Tips 2023: Great Tricks and Writing Advice

Don’t have much time, but need a good resume ASAP? Here’s a master list of the best resume tips out there, plus a bonus to make your life easier.

How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Writing Guide for 2023

How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Writing Guide for 2023

How to write a resume that will get you the job you're looking for? This step-by-step guide will show you the best resume examples, and you can write a resume in a few easy steps.

Top 10 Employability Skills: Definition & List of Examples

Top 10 Employability Skills: Definition & List of Examples

Employability is the ability to gain and maintain employment. You need a certain set of skills and personality traits, and proper education to be able to find a job and meet its requirements.

13 College Student Resumes That Landed Jobs in 2023

College student resume with less than 1 year of experience

Looking for your first job or internship while a college student is analogous to the old "chicken or the egg" problem.

Companies seem to demand that entry-level candidates have experience, but how do you get experience if even entry-level jobs won't let you apply?

Getting the first job or internship can be the most challenging part of your career. Fortunately, as a college student, you're in a great position to get that first break you need. Once you get your degree, you'll have the experience employers are seeking, but until then, how can you build an effective resume as a college student?

After reviewing countless resume samples , we've determined what types employers want to see from college students. Furthermore, we used that knowledge to create 13 college student resume examples to help inspire your resume in 2023 .

Table of Contents

College Student Resume

College Student Resume for Internship

College student resume no experience, current college student resume.

College Student Academic Highlights Resume

College student resident assistant resume, college student warehouse worker resume, college student teacher assistant resume, college student biology lab technician resume, college student english tutor resume.

College Student Resume Example

Use this template

College Student Resume Example

Why this resume works

College Student Resume for Internship Example

College Student Resume No Experience Example

Current College Student Resume Example

College Student Assistant Medical Laboratory Technician Resume

College Student Assistant Medical Laboratory Technician Resume Example

College Student Human Resources Executive Assistant Resume

College Student Human Resources Executive Assistant Resume Example

College Student Case Assistant Resume

College Student Case Assistant Resume Example

College Student Academic Highlights Resume Example

College Student Resident Assistant Resume Example

College Student Warehouse Worker Resume Example

College Student Teacher Assistant Resume Example

College Student Biology Lab Technician Resume Example

College Student English Tutor Resume Example

Related Resume Guides

Resume Objectives for College Students

Before we dive into the difference between a resume objective vs. a resume summary , let's get some definitions out of the way:

When you're applying for a job or internship as a college student, you likely won't have extensive work experience. So, we'd recommend including a resume objective instead of a resume summary.

The goal of your resume objective is to set the stage for your resume. It should highlight your skills applicable to the job at hand, and it should be specific for each job to which you're applying.

Most resume objectives are boring and generic. By taking the time to craft a customized and effective resume objective, you give yourself an edge over other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Before we dive into the rules for creating a strong resume objective, let's look at some examples.

Sample college student resume objectives

You can see that all of these resume objectives specifically mention the company that the student is applying to. Tailoring is the golden rule of resume objectives.

Here are some other rules to make your objective the best it can be:

College Student Resume Formats

One of the hardest parts of building your resume as a college student is the blank page. The "getting started" part is overwhelming—you're unsure what your resume should look like, let alone what should be in it!

When it comes to formatting your resume, the best advice is to keep it simple . You need to convincingly make the case that you deserve an interview for the role to which you're applying.

In short, your resume should likely contain the following sections:

Not all of these sections need to be included in your resume. Your resume should focus on your strengths.

If you don't have much relevant work experience, you can omit that section in favor of discussing your projects or classwork.

However, no matter what format you choose, there are a few writing guidelines you should adhere to throughout your resume.

Formatting guidelines for your resume

Skills to pay the bills

When building your skills section, it can be tempting to list any and every skill you know. You'll have to resist this temptation.

Before a human reviews your resume, an automated system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will score your resume based on whether or not it includes the "right" keywords. These filters are largely screening for specific skills.

Doesn't this mean that you should include as many skills as possible to beat the ATS? Unfortunately, you need to make your resume appealing to both the ATS and a human, and nothing is a bigger red flag to a hiring manager than a candidate with a laundry list of skills!

You're much better off focusing on six to ten skills you're an expert in than including more that you kind of know. Generally, if you wouldn't be comfortable being interviewed on a given skill, don't include it on your resume.

Work Experience and Projects

In any resume, no matter the career stage, your work experience and projects should take up at least 70 percent of the overall space. These will decide whether you get an interview or not.

Once you have a few years of experience, then the size of your projects section will decrease as the size of your work experience section expands.

If you have an internship relevant to the job you're applying for, this should be listed in your "work experience" section. As a college student, your work experience can also contain any part-time jobs you had while in school, even if they don't seem relevant to the position to which you're applying.

It's not easy to balance work and school, so having a part-time job demonstrates responsibility and drive.

When talking about your work experience, there are a few key tips you should follow:

Numbers truly speak louder than words, especially on your resume. By providing numerical context around your work, you show your ability to contribute meaningfully to your workplace.

Compare these two descriptions of an internship. Which do you think would be more compelling to a hiring manager?

WRONG - general work experience descriptions

RIGHT - specific, quantified descriptions

Projects can be anything

If you don't have much (or any) relevant work experience for your resume, don't fret. You can still create a highly effective resume by showcasing your projects.

As a college student, you've likely done a lot of class projects that are relevant to the job or internship you're looking to get. This is the perfect place to talk about those projects. You can even mention projects you completed outside of class. Talk about your goals, the methods/skills you used, and the project's outcome.

The key is to include anything that will convince the hiring manager you have the drive, skills, and ability to translate your academic knowledge to the real world and contribute to the roles for which you're applying.

Here are some potential projects you can work on for different majors:

Project ideas for college students

Basically, the projects you include on your resume can be just about anything. They simply have to demonstrate you know what is required of the kind of role you're applying to, and that you can meet those requirements.

Your Education Section

As a college student, it should go without saying that you need to include an education section on your resume.

Here's what you need to include in your education section no matter what:

Once you include all that, there's more flexibility. If you have a strong GPA (greater than 3.5), you should include it, too.

If you don't have much experience yet, then you can add relevant courses or awards to your education section, provided they're relevant to the job for which you're applying.

For example, if you're applying for a role as a data scientist, then it makes sense to include any math, economics, or programming classes you completed.

Here's an example of an effective education section for a college student looking for a marketing role:

undefined

If you received any awards or honors during your time in college, list them here. These can include getting on the Dean's List, any department-specific awards relevant to your major, or formal recognition for your work or volunteer efforts.

Resume Builder for College Students

There you have it—we've discussed the building blocks to help you land a job or internship as a college student!

In summary, here are the keys to making an effective resume as a college student:

Finding a job or internship as a college student can be incredibly stressful. Building your resume is a huge first step, so pat yourself on the back. After you're done with the writing, you can check your resume against our AI-powered tips to see how your resume matches up.

Just remember, it does get easier after you get some experience first. We can't wait to see where you'll go!

Ready to build your resume?

Our free online tool will walk you through creating a resume that stands out and gets you hired at a top tech company.

Appointments

Resume Reviews

Undergraduate’s student resume samples

The World's Smartest Resume Builder

Home Resume Examples College Student Resume

College Resume Example

June 24, 2022 | By the Resume Genius Team | Reviewed by Conrad Benz

Writing a resume as a college student without formal work experience can be tough. Check out our college resume example, writing tips, and template to ensure you submit an application that's guaranteed to edge yourself above other entry-level candidates.

A resume example from a college student with little work experience

If you’d like to freshen up your application, our array of free resume templates has some cutting-edge options.

More College Student Resume Samples & Templates

Research Assistant Resume

Graduate Assistant Resume

College Student Resume Template (Text Format)

The way you format your resume is important — it affects what details readers see first.

[email protected]

456 Fullerton Drive / Los Angeles, CA 90024

English major seeking to use research and writing experience in the role of Junior Research Associate at Wexford Inc. I believe my fast learning abilities, commitment to succeed, and relevant studies make me the perfect fit for this position. Awarded multiple honors based on merits and expected to graduate with a B.A. in English from UCLA in June of 2023.

B.A. ENGLISH / 3.7 GPA

UCLA / Los Angeles, CA

Expected Graduation: June 2023

ENGLISH / 4.0 GPA

Westwood Community College / Los Angeles, CA

UCLA / Fall 2021 & Spring 2022

TAU SIGNMA HONORS SOCIETY / UCLA / 2021

PHI BETA KAPPA HONORS SOCIETY

Westwood CC / 2020

Relevant Experience

Literary impacts: shakespeare / study abroad research program / england.

BEACON TUTOR / Westwood Community College / Los Angeles, CA

3 Tips for Writing a College Student Resume

Learning how to put together a resume for the specific job(s) you want will help you land more interviews.

Whether you’re entering the workforce or preparing a grad school resume to continue your academic career, writing a convincing student resume without work experience is challenging.

Luckily, you can still submit an offer-worthy application without professional work experience (even if you’re writing a college freshman resume ).

An infographic breaking down what to put on a college student resume

Here are three writing tips to help you make a professional resume that’s sure to convince hiring managers you’re the right candidate for the job or internship:

1. Emphasize your education

Getting a degree is a full-time job. Employers understand this – but it’s up to you to explain how your education qualifies you for the position you want.

Writing a detailed education section is key to creating a successful college resume.

Here are seven education-related details you’ll need to include on your college resume:

Additionally, include any relevant coursework you completed for your degree that shows employers you have the background knowledge and qualifications required for the job or internship you’re applying to.

Here’s an example of a detailed, complete education section on a college student’s resume:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science New York University, New York City, Graduated May 2022 GPA: 3.8/4.0 Relevant Coursework: International Politics, Economics, Public Polling, Data Analysis, Electoral Process Honors: cum laude

2. Swap out “Work History” for “Relevant Experience”

While you may not have years of work experience, that doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience that employers will also find valuable.

Whether through volunteer activities , internship experience , or extracurriculars, you likely have qualifications you can use to replace formal work experience to meet the job requirements.

To clarify to the hiring manager that you’re not listing professional work experience, change the title of your experience section from “Professional Experience” to “Relevant Experience.” This allows you to make the most out of your qualifications by providing a more accurate summary of your achievements and skills.

In your college student resume’s relevant experience section, make sure you highlight the experience you’ve gained while at school. This could include any of the following:

Additionally, because you’re supplementing “professional experience” with “relevant experience,” you’ll need to treat it the same as any work experience section by adding hard numbers to your bullet points.

Adding hard numbers helps highlight your accomplishments for a hiring manager by showing them exactly how you contributed to a team or project through percentages, statistics, or monetary values.

Here’s an example of how to include study abroad experience on your college student resume (with hard numbers added):

Improved freshman-level writing scores by 40% through group lessons as well as supplementary one-on-one tutoring Arranged and conducted interviews with 10+ individuals, ranging in profession from librarians to actors to historians

Including hard numbers in your work experience is a great way to showcase what you’re capable of to a hiring manager. And they’ll be impressed that an undergraduate student can display their achievements in a measurable fashion.

3. Include a diverse mix of skills

Even as a current college student, it’s possible to develop a wealth of relevant hard and soft skills through your coursework and extracurriculars.

When writing your college student resume, you’ll need to include a strong resume skills section that includes relevant skills like:

Consider also listing any specific technical skills you’ve picked up through a class, like:

Additionally, emphasizing your soft skills is a great way to improve your resume if you have minimal work experience. Soft skills are always valuable for nearly any job because they’re not teachable and help you excel in almost any workplace.

College student resume template

Here’s a college student resume template you can copy and paste into Microsoft Word or Google Docs and fill out. It includes an outline for each resume section and a description of what type of information you should include:

1. Resume Heading

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 895 555 555 | Address: 4397 Aaron Smith Drive Harrisburg, PA 17101 | Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/yourproﬁle

2. Resume Summary

College student majoring in [major name]. Seeking to leverage my competence in [job-specific hard skills] to fill the [position name] position at [company name]. A [positive personality trait] worker aiming to contribute to [company name]’s goals and take on more responsibility as quickly as possible.

Degree level and major / GPA (if above 3.5) College Name – City, State Expected graduation: month and year Honors and awards: [optional] Relevant coursework: [optional]

Class of […] / GPA (if above 3.5) High School Name City, State Graduation: month and year Honors and awards: [optional] Relevant subjects / coursework: [optional]

Relevant experience

Most Recent Volunteer/ Internship/ Extracurricular Experience Title

Employer Name/ Location/ Start Date – End Date [you can just write ‘present’ rather than an end date if you are still carrying out this role]

Earlier Volunteer/ Internship/ Extracurricular Experience Title

Employer Name/ Location/ Start Date – End

Be as specific as possible. Mention the actual names of software or tools you’re able to use.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to fill out a template, use a resume builder with options to add non-traditional work experience. Using a builder can significantly speed up the job application process by helping you make your resume quickly and with as little effort as possible.

Finally, here are some related resumes and cover letters to help you in case our college student resume example and writing tips don’t provide all the tools you need:

Looking for more resume, cover letter, and CV examples related to a college student resume?

Cover Letters:

Click to rate this article

Related Articles

Image showing how a resume objective should look on a well-written resume.

54+ Resume Objective Examples & Writing Help

October 20, 2022 | By Aaron Case, CPRW

How to write a resume in one page concept, highlighting how to make a resume for a job

How to Make a Resume for a Job in 2023

February 3, 2023 | By Conrad Benz

resume summary hero, highlights the resume summary statement of an admin assistant resume

45+ Resume Summary Examples (& How to Write)

January 27, 2022 | By Conrad Benz

A woman standing in front of some key resume tips such as "keep your resume concise" and "read the job description for keywords"

30+ Best Resume Tips to Help You Land a Job

August 18, 2022 | By Conrad Benz

Skills for Resume Featured Image

112+ Job Skills for Your Resume: List & Examples

December 21, 2022 | By Corissa Peterson

College application resume

How to Write a Resume for a College Application

February 14, 2022 | By Eva Chan, CPRW

types of resume paper available today

Resume Paper: 5+ Best Resume Paper Types

February 16, 2022 | By Nick Herschel

A hero image for the resume formats page.

The Best Resume Format in 2023

February 3, 2023 | By Ida Pettersson

Resume Tools

Cover Letter Tools

Career Tools

© 2023, Sonaga Tech Limited. All rights reserved

ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland.

College Student Resume Example & Writing Guide

College Student Resume Example & Writing Guide

Stepping out into the professional world as a college student or fresh graduate can seem difficult and confusing, with so many options on the path to a good job. Fear not! We're here to help with one of the most important tools you need for an easy, confidence-boosting start — your college student resume.

Resume.io is here to help with job-winning resources for success. That includes more than 300 occupation-specific writing guides and corresponding resume examples , plus field-tested templates and builder tools to help you create both resumes and cover letters.

You can give yourself a winning edge with the right methods for creating an awesome college resume. You might actually get a dream job right out of the gate, with a little luck and a toolbox of insights. That’s precisely the purpose of this college student resume example and writing guide.

This writing guide, backed by college student resume examples, will cover the following topics:

Choosing the best resume format for a college student

Let's get started!

How to write a college student resume

Lack of work experience is what usually makes student or graduate resumes inherently different from most others. But you can still build a strong professional profile to impress anyone!

Generally, a college student resume should be structured to include the following sections:

Resume header

College Student - Key sections college student resume

College Student - Do and Don't

Keywords and ATS

Automated recruiting technology is a reality in today's job market and hiring practices. You'll need to understand the nature of applicant tracking systems (ATS) to pass this technical barrier to getting an awesome position.

ATS software is designed to help recruiters and hiring managers sort through hundreds of resumes. This is done by automatically processing, analyzing and scoring your resume based on keywords. As a result, certain vital sections of your resume will require extra attention. Don't worry ... it's not as hard as it seems. We've got you covered!

According to Jobscan , 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS systems. In smaller businesses, the percentage isn't as large, but still quite sizable. Understanding that your resume will first be viewed by automated software before any human eyes see it is critically important.

Optimizing for keywords

Keywords are essential if your resume is being submitted online through an automated system, website or to any large employer. They greatly increase the chances that your resume will reach an actual human specialist, rather than being lost in software limbo.

How do you choose the correct keywords? It's much simpler than it seems.

Method #1: Analyze the job description.

The terms that describe job qualifications and requirements are often the same ones that the ATS searches for when processing your resume. So pay attention to what’s obvious and give yourself an easy advantage. Stay consistent with the employers' terminology in your resume wording.

U.S. survey results show that in general, 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes. Automated screening technology can become a resume black hole. If you're sending your resume through an ATS channel, keywords may be the deciding factor whether a recruiter will actually get to see it.

U.S. survey results show that in general, 75% of resumes are never seen by human eyes. Automated screening technology can become a resume black hole. If you're sending your resume through an ATS channel, keywords may be the deciding factor whether a recruiter will actually get to see it

Method #2: Research the industry and the employer's website.

Familiarizing yourself as much as you can with your future employer can be a huge benefit. Not only will you understand more clearly what the potential job will be like, you'll also get a sample of the language used by the company.

For instance, suppose you are applying for a job in education and are undertaking some general research as a possible source of keywords. Take a look at some of our education resume examples for ideas. Even an all-purpose source like this might provide useful statistics or direction for deeper research.

The most commonly used chronological resume format is designed as a straightforward way for job candidates to organize their experience and qualifications below employer headings and dates, in order from most recent to earliest. But for college students or recent graduates who lack work experience, other resume formats may be more suitable.

Like every consideration when preparing your resume, the format you choose should depend on the type of job and industry, and how best to present yourself as an ideal match.

In cases where specialized knowledge and skills are just as important as where you have worked until now — if not more so — a functional resume may be your best bet. It offers greater flexibility to emphasize your most relevant strengths up front in a section labelled “Experience.”

A hybrid, or combination, resume format offers even more versatility. Job seekers can integrate chronological and functional elements in the most applicable manner, and perhaps even put their education section higher up on the page.

Other resume examples

For more ideas and inspiration, check out these writing guides and resume examples from the related education category:

Never underestimate the importance of a distinctive resume header to set yourself apart from other candidates. An eye-pleasing header design gets your resume noticed for the right reason. Not only does it contribute to the document’s overall reader-friendliness, but also readily identifies who you are and how you can be contacted for an interview.

Resume summary example: energy and determination

Rarely does a college student or new graduate have much to showcase in the way of rich work experience. But what you can have is a college student resume that paints a picture of a determined, positive and productive personality. This is what your summary is for. It's your personal story. In fact, it may be your best chance to stand out from hundreds of other applicants, including college students with similar educational backgrounds.

So make sure not to squander this valuable opportunity by merely copying and pasting a block of generic text. Instead, catch the recruiter's eye off the top, in the very first line of your resume summary. Show that you've done your homework and that you have what it takes to succeed.

Basic rules and tips

The whole point of the resume summary is to project a certain character and image, which is relatively easy to do in this more flexible freeform resume section. Since we're dealing with first impressions and perceptions, that image needs to be purposefully crafted. Here are some examples of possible content:

Eye-tracking tests have shown that recruiters take around six or seven seconds to decide if they should move on to the next resume. This is why it's important for your resume summary to be creative, positive and energetic.

What does a summary look like? The most common type of summary is also the one we recommend as the default for any job applicant with some work experience.

Here is a resume summary example for a college student with teacher's assistant experience, which you can customize:

Enthusiastic and dedicated college student with experience teaching and supporting elementary level classrooms in multiple schools. Highly adaptable professional with experience working with students of different backgrounds and learning needs. Adept in common elementary classroom procedures, and able to adapt to changing circumstances. Highly dedicated to supporting all aspects of student learning and overall well-being, by being the best possible support to the head teacher.

Resume summary for a college student with no experience

If you have no experience, your summary can be a goal statement — perhaps a bit more imaginative but still relevant and focused. Just aim for a general description combining a variety of past projects, personal qualities and life experiences.

Remember, no employer is expecting to see a 10-year work summary on your college student resume. Concentrate on projecting a positive, productive image to make a strong first impression.

Below is a goal statement-style resume summary for a college student seeking a customer service job. Be sure to check out the customer service resume writing guide as well — this is a great career-starter field .

You can find a resume goal statement example below for a college student without experience.

Young professional with great interpersonal skills, some light experience in service jobs and basic customer-business interactions. Freshly graduated, but with existing skills from part-time work, social projects, college initiatives and numerous extracurricular activities. Determined to be an asset to any customer service team by providing positive experiences and impressions for clients. Possess certificates from acting classes, conflict resolution seminars. Familiar with CRM systems, confident PC user.

College student resume education example: an academic profile

The education section is where differences are usually most apparent between the resume of a college student and someone already in the workforce. Instead of an employment history section, which takes precedence in the latter instance, a college student's life experience is split between two sections: (general) experience and education.

According to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics , 43% of full-time undergraduate students and 81% of part-time college students were employed in 2018. Many companies are looking for college students for entry-level or part time work, so it's completely normal to show your academic profile and achievements.

Include academic achievements and milestones below the college and degree, just as an experienced job applicant would describe work-related accomplishments in the employment history section.

Use action verbs — words that convey movement and energy — to write descriptive statements in your education section. Since these entries are substituting for a "duties and achievements" type summary, you need to use the same approach as more seasoned professionals use for their work experience descriptions.

Present scores, numbers and other samples of quantified results. Do you have a high GPA — maybe above 3.5? Mention that. It's going to become less relevant after you’ve gained a few years of job experience. But for now, it's a great demonstration of your success as a college student, and the main way for a hiring manager company to assess your qualifications.

Below is an education section from a college student resume example.

Resume experience sample: the secret advantage

Many college students and new graduates simply give up on this resume section. Without a history of employment , many job seekers don't see the point. You do, however.

So let's look at how this resume section can give you an edge by reflecting your life experience and your vibrant, productive personality.

College Student - Experience example: the secret advantage

According to studies done by the American Association of University Professors, the "ideal" work time for college students is 10 to 15 hours a week. Surveys have shown that working less or more actually decreases your chances of staying in college. This trend shows that the competition for part-time work is increasing in the college environment.

Statistics from the Department of Education show that students who work 12 hours per week or less actually have stronger grades, perhaps because working forces them to have better discipline and time management skills.

Below is a resume example for a college student with experience as a teacher's assistant.

CV skills example: the tools for the job

The skills section of a college student CV should be defined by the job you're looking to attain. Even at this early stage of life, job seekers often have more relevant skills and professional qualities than they give themselves credit for. The trick is to choose and describe them correctly on your CV.

Step 1: Create a master list

The master list is a free-form document — electronic or or even a piece of paper — where you write down every skill and quality you can think of. Keep your master list handy for reference whenever a new job opportunity arises. Grab it for easy cherry-picking to tailor each new version of your specific resume to the job application.

Step 2: Use industry knowledge

This depends heavily on what job you're seeking and for what purpose. As a college student there are typically two possibilities. One is a temp job to pay the bills and acquire experience. The other is more farsighted — an internship or entry-level position in a job related to your degree or education focus.

Make sure to understand the difference between hard skills and soft skills and how to assess their relative importance to specific jobs and employers. Hard skills are pragmatic tools used in daily duties (for instance, computer skills or math aptitude) while soft skills relate to social interactions, self-management, teamwork and so on.

Step 3 : Analyze the job description

Once you've found an actual job application or opportunity, it's time to tailor your resume and skills section to the job listing. We've talked about keywords already, and the point of this step is to satisfy both the hiring specialist and the ATS. Pay attention to the skills terminology used in the job description and make sure your skills outline matches the same wording if possible. This may seem trivial but may become the difference between getting a job interview or the actual job, and being filtered out by a bot.

Check out a college student resume sample for the skills section below.

Resume layout, design and formatting: looks matter

Layout, design and formatting considerations are vitally important for a successful college student resume or CV . There are two main reasons for this: visual perception by humans and processing compatibility with automated systems.

Make it easier on recruiters. Employ chunking, which makes the text more readable and digestible by breaking it into bite-sized pieces. This is achieved through the use of white space and graphical elements such as boxes, lines, images and other formatting that improves legibility.

Recruiters are likely to pay a lot more attention to your resume if you apply a visually attractive, suitably-formatted template based on research-backed design principles. This is where Resume.io can help you shine above other job applicants. Our CV templates are created by professionals and field-tested with hiring specialists.

Faulty formatting is the reason 21% of all resumes in the U.S. run into problems or are filtered out by the ATS. Confusing or unreadable layouts, charts or images are common reasons. Avoid formatting problems with our tested templates!

Which is the best resume template to use?

Resume.io's templates come in four categories: modern , professional , simple and creative . Each offers a range of unique styles appropriate for different jobs, employers and industries. Want to apply for an internship at a prominent consulting company? Try the professional category. Looking for a job as a starting graphic designer or photographer ? Go for creative. Or simply go to the top of this example to check out the college student resume sample we used there and make it your own by using our builder tool .

Think carefully and evaluate what your template choice says about you as a candidate. The same brightly colored template that showcases your creative flair for an education position might come across as too casual or unprofessional for a respected medical institution job.

Why a visual resume is essential in 2023

The importance of a visual elements in your resume is as important as its content. Effective job searches start with visually striking, technically functional and a content-optimized Resume

Key takeaways for a college student resume

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2023

Background Image

Recently graduated and looking for a job?

Or maybe you’re still in college, applying for your first internship?

Whichever the case might be, you’ll need a strong resume to stand apart from all the competition.

And yes - the whole process can seem super scary if you don’t have a lot of work experience.

After all, what can you even include in your resume, if you’ve never worked a day in your life?

Worry not, we’ve got your back!

It’s actually pretty easy to create a compelling resume, even if you’re just a student starting out their career journey.

And in this guide, we’re going to teach you how. Here’s what we’re going to cover:

Let’s dive in:

What to Include In a Student Resume

First things first, let’s talk about which sections to use on a student resume.

The essential sections for a student resume are:

If you don’t have much work experience, you can also use the following optional sections to stand out:

Of course, you don’t have to include ALL of these sections, just the ones that are relevant for your resume.

Now, let's dive into all these sections one-by-one, and explain how to do each right.

Show Contact Information on Your Resume - How-To & Examples

contact information student resume

Contact information is the most critical section on any resume ever.

Sure, it’s not that hard to mess up, but if you make a single typo - you risk messing up your whole application because the HR manager couldn’t get in touch with you.

It goes without saying that you should double-check , and even triple-check that everything in this section is up-to-date and accurate.

Here’s what you should include in your contact information section for your student resume:

Must have information:

Optional information:

What NOT to include:

job search masterclass

Student Resume: Summary or Objective?

Did you know that the HR manager spends around 6 seconds, on average, scanning each resume they get?

That’s right.

Your carefully worded resume just gets 6 seconds to convince the recruiter that you’re relevant.

So, how are you supposed to do that?

Why, by using a resume summary or objective, of course!

If you’re new to resumes, a summary/objective is a short statement that goes on top of your resume. It’s main use is to show the recruiter that you’re relevant in a single glance.

Here’s what that looks like:

resume summary students

Now, you’re probably wondering, what’s the difference between a summary, and an objective? Here’s your answer:

Now, let’s explain how to write each:

How to write a student resume summary

A resume summary is a 2-3 sentence summary of your career achievements and work experience that goes at the top of your resume.

You’d go for a resume summary if you got started with your career early, and already have 2-3 years of work experience (if you don’t, you just go for a resume objective! More on that later).

Here’s what a resume summary might look like for a recent college grad:

“Recent college graduate with a B.A. in English from University X seeking an entry-level job as a content writer. Previous experience includes working as an English tutor for 2 years at University X, having worked with 100+ students, helping them improve their essays. In addition, managed a personal blog about tech, publishing over 40 articles in the last 3 years.”

Don’t have a lot of work experience?

Here’s how to write a resume objective instead:

How to write a resume objective as a student

A resume objective , as we mentioned before, is basically the same thing as a resume summary, but with a focus on goals, objectives, skills, and education instead of work experience.

In your student resume objective, you include:

Here’s a student resume objective done right:

“Finance student with a 3.92 GPA seeking an entry-level Financial Analyst position at Company X. Skilled in financial data analysis, and reading financial sheets, with excellent knowledge of accounting and tax legislation. Hoping to help Company X improve their activity-based accounting techniques and grow within the company.”

Now, let’s move on to the next section: education.

Emphasize Your Education and Certificates

Education is one of those sections that sound simple to structure, but requires a lot of details.

You insert all the schools you attended in chronological order and done. You move on, right?

There’s a ton of details that make up an education section.

See? Not quite so simple, is it?

Let’s start with the basics: how to list education on a resume , how to format it, and what to mention within.

Here’s what a typical education entry includes:

Here’s what that might look like on a real resume:

education on student resume

If you don’t have much relevant work experience, make sure to put your education section on top of work experience.

And finally, here’s some other essential tips on your education section:

Now, let’s move on to the next section on your student resume: work experience.

How to List Your Work Experience as a Student

When applying for a job, the number one thing recruiters want to know is if you can really do it right.

And one sure way to check that is to look at your past experience .

But what if you don’t have any?

Don’t worry, we’ll cover that below!

If you DO have work experience, here’s how you list it on a student resume:

How to list work experience as a student

When listing your previous jobs, you should follow a reverse-chronological order, and go with the standard work experience format.

Which is as follows:

And here’s what that looks like in practice:

work experience on student resume

For more tips and tricks on how to best present your work experience, check out our complete guide to the work experience section.

Student Resume FAQ

Should you list irrelevant work experience in a student resume?

Most students don’t have much professional work experience.

What they DO have is some experience doing part-time work during university, summer break, etc.

So, you’re probably wondering, is your part-time summer server experience something you mention in your resume?

The answer is yes.

Even though the experience is probably not relevant for the job you’re applying for, it shows the recruiter that you have SOME work experience.

2. What to do if you don’t have any work experience?

Here’s the thing:

Most college students don’t!

And this shouldn’t stop you.

For most entry-level jobs, the HR manager knows that the candidates are students with not much work experience (and that’s OK!).

Instead of work experience, you can focus on the following sections:

Here’s a student resume example that focuses on volunteer experience and personal projects instead of work experience:

volunteer projects on student resume

Best Skills to Mention on a Student Resume

Another must-have section for your college resume is the Skills section .

Here, you want to mention your expertise and why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

How do you do that?

Let’s take a look.

There are 2 types of skills you can mention:

A good resume should aim for a mix of both, soft and hard skills.

And if written correctly, the skill section can look something like this:

skills on student resume

Now, when listing skills on your resume, here are a few essential tips to keep in mind:

And for a student resume , here are a few of some of the top skills almost every single employer will value:

Now, you might be wondering - but isn’t just about everyone ‘communicative’ and ‘flexible’?

And you’d be right!

Mentioning buzzword skills only for the sake of sounding smart will get you nowhere.

To really show that you do have these skills, you want to back them up with the rest of your resume.

For example, if you say you have “critical thinking” as a skill, you could have a work experience section that emphasizes that.

In other words: show, don’t tell.

Now, if you have some space left in your student resume, here are some other ‘nice-to-have’ optional sections you could mention.

5 Other Awesome Sections to Include in a Student Resume

The sections we’ve covered so far are essential for any student resume.

They’re going to be your bread-and-butter. Get those sections right, and you’ll land any job you apply to.

But consider the following situation:

The HR manager has to make a decision between 2 near-identical student resumes, with very similar work experience and backgrounds.

Even if the following sections might not be relevant at first glance, they might end up being the deciding factor between you getting the job or not.

You should only ever mention the following sections in your student resume - IF you have the space for them.

Hobbies and interests

Why would I want to include my hobbies in my resume, you might ask?

Sure, it’s not going to be the section that gets you hired.

It will, however, give the recruiter some insight on what you’re like as a person, and what are your interests.

When the hiring manager is faced with 2 near-identical resumes from 2 equally-qualified candidates , the deciding factor might come down to your personality and interests .

Not sure which hobbies to mention in your resume? Check out our comprehensive guide on 40+ hobbies and interests to put on your resume for a full list!

This one’s pretty simple.

Are you bilingual? Maybe even trilingual?

You should ALWAYS mention that in your resume!

Most companies are pretty international nowadays. And even if the position you’re applying for doesn’t need any specific language skills, it can still come in handy at some point.

To list languages in your resume, simply write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

It goes without saying that you should never lie about your language skills.

You never know when the interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language.

Awards and Certifications

Do you have a piece of paper with your name on it that says why you’re so smart and qualified?

It could be an award from a competition, or an online certificate .

Whichever the case, as long as it’s relevant to your job - you can include it in your resume to further back up your expertise.

Publications

Are you a freelance writer? Or worked with your university’s student paper?

You can include any relevant works you published (online, academic journal, etc.) with an URL in a publications section.

Extracurricular activities

Still have some space on your resume and an activity or two that you didn’t get to mention until now?

Extracurricular activities are always a great addition.

Whether they’re related to the job or not, they’ll still show one thing:

You’re hard-working and committed.

Here’s what that might look like on a resume:

Public Speaking Club

Founder and President

09/2018 - 09/2019

You get the point.

3 Job-Winning College Student Resume Examples

Looking for more resume inspiration?

Check out the 3 different student resumes below to see what a job-winning resume might look like.

College Resume Example

college resume sample

M.A. Student Resume Example

master student resume example

High School Resume Example

high school resume sample

Key Takeaways

And there you go.

That’s how you create a powerful student resume from scratch!

Now, let’s quickly summarize everything we’ve learned so far:

Need some more guidance on everything job-search? Check out our career blog for the latest industry-leading advice and more actionable guides.

Recommended reading:

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

College Student Resume Template for MS Word

Table of Contents

Introduction

Securing a job as a college student can be a challenge. Hiring managers are often looking for a combination of skills and experience, and someone working on a degree may not have a long history of relevant positions in the field. Your best bet as a student is to create a winning resume . Use the college student resume template for Word below to write a strong summary statement, skills section, work history, and education section that impresses the hiring managers.

Create My Resume

Writing Your Summary Statement

The first step to creating a resume that makes an impact on hiring managers is to write a compelling summary statement. This section gives an overview of what you can offer to the employer. It’s important to customize your statement so that it reflects what the employer is looking for.

Candidates can write a summary statement as a paragraph or as a bulleted list. Keep it short by including no more than three details or sentences. Here’s what to include:

• Hard skills specific to the industry

• Soft skills or personal qualities

• Top selling points or impact

You can follow the lead of the college student resume template for Word and write your own statement such as these examples:

Highly capable college student with an impressive record of academic success. Experience leading committees and teams throughout campus and getting the job done. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.

Enthusiastic and dependable college student with experience working in a variety of jobs. Focused on being a top team player and helpful addition to any workplace. Strong attention to detail and ability to stay on task efficiently.

Highly successful college student with a consistent 4.0 GPA throughout academic career. Critical thinker with an ability to adapt to any type of work setting. Committed to providing excellent service to customers.

College Student:

• College student dedicated to academic excellence

• Experience with customers

• Friendly and outgoing

Writing Your Skills Section

Any college student who wants to get hired must demonstrate value to an employer with a strong skills section. This is a list of top qualities and industry skills that are relevant to the open position. In the college student resume template for Word, you can see how an example list of skills looks to the employer. Brainstorm some of the top attributes you possess and put them into a bulleted list format. Here are some best practices to make this section effective:

• Order the details by placing the most important skills at the top

• Target each skill to the exact industry and job you’re seeking

• Give specifics, such as computer program names and numbers

Here are some example skills that college students may use in crafting this part of the resume:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Experience with money handling

• Customer service skills

• Leadership background

• Reliable with a strong work ethic

• Top communication skills

• Ability to work well with a team

Writing Your Work History Section

Once you get to the work history section of your resume, you can begin to expand on your experiences with more extensive details. As shown in the college student resume template for Word, there may be a variety of different work experiences that could be relevant to the job you’re trying to land. College students may need to include part-time jobs or volunteer positions because of the lack of a lengthy career history. Here are some other helpful tips:

• Populate your work history with duties that are similar to the job posting requirements

• Include specific action verbs for each detail from your career

• Highlight your accomplishments as much as possible

• Use measurable details, such as numbers and percentages

Here are some example work history details for a college student:

• Headed a volunteer action group that reduced campus paper waste by 25 percent

• Chaired the college student council committee, improving student participation by 30 percent

• Tutored a group of three middle school students and helped them develop stronger math skills

• Greeted new students at freshman orientation in August

Writing Your Education Section

The education section of your resume is the final part of your document. Experienced candidates may have a short listing of their academic history. Recent graduates and students can add more details, including their GPA, coursework, and clubs or organizations, like in the college student resume template for Word. Here are some helpful tips for this part:

1. Start by listing your most recent academic experience

2. Give information about your academic degree program and the school

3. Highlight any awards or achievements from your college experience

Here are two examples of an education section for a college student’s resume:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing – in progress

Winner of the Presidential Scholarship

Vice President of a service fraternity

Miller University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Basic Life Saving Certification – 2014

American Red Cross, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Science in Communications – in progress

Achieved Dean’s List each semester

Coursework in Media Writing, Corporate Messaging, and Business Communication

Raleigh University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Certification in Microsoft Office – 2016

Microsoft Academy, Springfield, North Carolina

Ready to build a strong resume?

resume samples for students in college

IMAGES

20+ Student Resume Examples & Templates for All Students
Sample Resume Format for Students
50 College Student Resume Templates (& Format) ᐅ TemplateLab
College Student Resume Sample & Writing Tips
Student Resume Format
College Student Resume Example Sample

VIDEO

How To Create Resume?? |Do's and Don't |For Freshers and experienced |Resume Formats
FREE Resume Samples and Templates
Tips in Writing your Resume'
How to write a resume with no work experience
How to write a resume
How to write a resume

COMMENTS

College Student Resume Examples 2023 (Template & Guide)
Data-driven, results-loving finance student with experience assisting clients with banking, managing assets, deposits and withdrawals, counting
20+ Student Resume Examples & Templates for All Students
A high school or college student resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes. How to write a student resume that will land you more
13 College Student Resumes That Landed Jobs in 2023
A reverse-chronological format is still the most accepted, but if you want to highlight your skills, try using a functional format instead. When
Undergraduate's student resume samples
Undergraduate's student resume samples. Sample Consulting Resume. Click image to view resume. Key features: Candidate interested in consulting
College Student Resume Example (With Tips And Template)
College student resume template · 1. Resume Heading · FIRST AND LAST NAME · Email: · 2. Resume Summary · Education · Degree level and major / GPA (if
College Student Resume Examples & Writing tips 2023 (Free Guide)
Create sections in your college resume arbitrarily without research and careful consideration. Bloat low-priority optional sections (such as hobbies) to steal
Free printable, customizable college resume templates
Whether you're looking for an internship or a part-time job, make your application stand out with college student resume templates you can customize and
Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2023
Recently graduated and looking for a job? Or maybe you're still in college, applying for your first internship? Whichever the case might be, you'll need a
Undergraduate Student Resume Examples
Undergraduate Student Resume Examples ... Technical Resume (Computer Science/Engineering) ... Mt. San Antonio Community College, Walnut, CA.
College Student Resume Template for Microsoft Word
Frustrated by a lack of job offers and interest from hiring managers? Transform your application by using this college student resume template for Word.