How to Write a Resume Summary with Little or No Work Experience

Every good resume should have a resume summary.

Why? What’s wrong with an ‘objective statement’? Why do I need to write a summary instead?

Back in the day, an objective statement (‘I am a qualified accountant looking for an opportunity at your company’) was pretty much all most people added at the top of their resume, before diving into their career history and education.

With the rise of applicant tracking systems nearly twenty years ago, it quickly became apparent that the more (relevantly) keyword rich your resume was, the more likely it was to be put in the ‘Yes’ pile.

Even if the resume is read manually, the reader typically focuses on the top third before deciding to continue. In those 10 or so seconds it takes to skim it, they’re looking for hard evidence that you’re a likely match. So the objective statement morphed into a resume summary to quickly convince the recruiter that the person has the skill, will, and fit for the job.

More recently, the addition of a key skills box under the summary paragraph has become increasingly common, to speedily tailor your application for each specific opportunity.

Because it was so short and generic, the universally basic objective statement of the past was suitable for applicants with any level of experience. The modern resume summary, however, is a reflection of who you are professionally.

Which can be a bit more tricky for those of you don’t have much – or any – experience.

In that case, this article is for you.

In the following blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of writing an attention-grabbing resume summary, even if your professional track record is still in its infancy.

So, you might wonder, how exactly do you concoct a stellar summary with little to no prior full-time job experience? Scroll on to find out!

Understanding the Resume Summary

First, let’s start by dissecting what a resume summary looks like. Essentially, it’s a brief paragraph strategically positioned at the top of your resume to introduce yourself to prospective employers.

This short, snappy summary should encapsulate your top 3-4 key skills, plus any experience or knowledge areas relevant to the job you’re eyeing, in a storytelling format.

Typically, the focus lies on hard skills – those tangible, practical abilities acquired through training or education. Think project coordination, database management, or proficiency in specialized tools like ChatGPT.

Soft skills are more subjective, because they’re usually related to personality traits, which are harder to prove unless observed. That’s why hiring managers pay less attention to soft skills on paper, so don’t focus too much on these in your resume summary. They’re best for your cover letter and interview stories. But it still doesn’t hurt to highlight two or three highly relevant soft skills in your resume summary if you’re lacking on the hard skill side. We’ll look at that more shortly.

Crafting the Perfect Summary

Now, onto the nitty-gritty of crafting your summary. Aim for concise. Condense your spiel into a concise 3-4 sentence paragraph. Remember, it should be substantive enough to provide a snapshot of your professional persona, yet brief enough to maintain the reader’s interest.

Don’t forget to incorporate a key skills box beneath your summary. This serves as a handy extension, allowing you to spotlight specific skills tailored to the job in question. By doing so, you enhance your chances of securing that coveted interview slot.

Let’s take a look at some examples. We’ll start with someone who has a degree and some internship experience. We’ll then share an example of someone with a high school diploma and no work experience.

Example 1: University Graduate with Internship Experience

Our first example is Emily Garcia, an Economics and Business graduate hunting for entry-level positions in either field. She holds a degree and has completed two internships. Despite her limited work experience, Emily deftly weaves together the knowledge and skills gained from her academic background and internship stints into a compelling summary aimed at her target job types:

“I am an Economics and Business graduate with sound theoretical and practical knowledge of market supply and demand through my studies and international internship experiences. In addition to the strong strategic thinking capabilities needed to plan and execute profitable operations, I have excellent insight into the latest theories about how the economy works and can present explanations and guidance to top-level management. Through my critical analysis skills and insight, I am able to create strategies for profitably managing organizational resources in the most productive way possible.”

operations.

She’s also emphasized some relevant soft skills. Even though they’re subjective, it’s smart to highlight 2-3 highly relevant soft skills in your resume summary if you have limited or no work experience, to underscore your potential. So Emily has referred to strategic thinking and critical analysis, both of which are crucial in economics and other business-related roles.

And underneath her summary paragraph, in the key skills box, we can see Emily has added a more detailed drill-down relevant to the jobs she’s applying for:

So, that’s a resume summary for someone with qualifications and some internship experience. If you don’t have any internship experience but you have a degree, you can follow the same format. Just like Emily, refer to the skills gained through your studies.

Now we’ll take a look at what to do if you don’t have any experience to highlight.

Example 2: High School Diploma Only

What should you do if you don’t have a degree or any training? What can you write about in that case?

No problem! Simply draw upon skills from foundational qualifications like your high school diploma, and put a bit more emphasis on relevant soft skills.

In this example, Federico Pazzi has gone back to his secondary school diploma to emphasize knowledge and skill areas he acquired there. Because he took business-related subjects in the final years of school, we can pull several of these into his resume as knowledge areas.

“I am a multilingual high school graduate with a strong foundation in business and accounting principles acquired through my Maturità diploma. As well as excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, I have a keen understanding of economics and finance. I am eager to apply my knowledge and learn new skills in a dynamic work environment.”

So even though he doesn’t have any third level qualifications or work and extracurricular experiences, he’s listed out his major high school subjects and language skills. All of which are relevant to potential employers for entry-level opportunities. He’s also referenced relevant soft skills such as his analytical, communication, and problem solving abilities.

Just like Emily Garcia in the first example, Federico has also included a skills box underneath his summary paragraph. In it, he’s inserted specific skills and knowledge areas relevant to entry level jobs he’d be suitable for, such as business management, financial analysis, data analysis, accounting, entrepreneurship, business law, and many more.

You might have noticed that he’s added team leadership and coaching to his key skills box. That’s because Federico has also drawn on his experience as a football team captain in his spare time. Any extracurricular experiences can be useful sources for skills and experiences to mention, especially for entry-level applications. And just like Emily, Federico can tailor any of these for specific opportunities.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, writing a compelling resume summary with little or no significant work experience boils down to strategic storytelling. It’s almost always possible to find hard (and soft) skills to reference from your foundational qualifications such as a high school diploma, alongside extracurricular experiences like sports or volunteering, plus any internships or part-time jobs.

Feel free to use these two examples for inspiration when writing your summary.

If you’d like to dive into resume writing in more detail, check out the JobLeads on-demand digital video course on how to craft the perfect resume. Plus, take advantage of our limited-time offer for a free resume review by our seasoned career coaches! Learn more about both possibilities at JobLeads.com

In the meantime, the very best of luck with writing your resume summary!

Key takeaways

• Crafting a compelling resume summary without significant work experience is achievable by strategically showcasing skills and knowledge areas acquired through education, internships, or other experiences relevant to the job you’re applying for

• Keep the resume summary concise: just 3-4 sentences providing a snapshot of your professional persona

• Include a key skills box under the summary to further highlight additional specific skills tailored to the job, enhancing your chances of securing an interview

• Soft skills, such as critical thinking and communication, can also be strategically emphasized to further boost your candidacy

• Even without a degree or extensive training, leverage foundational qualifications (such as a high school diploma) and relevant soft skills to strengthen your resume

• Strategic storytelling and skillful emphasis are key to crafting a standout resume summary that resonates with potential employers

For more insights, tips and strategies related to this topic, be sure to read our other articles: What’s an elevator pitch - and how will it land me great jobs? & Why do companies want experience for entry-level roles? & Why JobLeads is Your Career Services Netflix

Related questions

How can I make my resume summary stand out if I only have volunteer experience?

When you have only volunteer experience, highlight the skills and achievements gained during your volunteer work. Focus on leadership roles, projects you've managed, or any measurable impact you made. Tailor your resume summary to show how these experiences align with the job you're applying for, demonstrating your capability and commitment.

Should I include soft skills in my resume summary when lacking work experience?

Yes, including soft skills in your resume summary is crucial when you lack work experience. Highlight skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued by employers and can help bridge the gap between your limited experience and the job requirements.

How can education be effectively highlighted in a resume summary?

If you have little work experience, emphasize your educational achievements in the resume summary. Mention relevant coursework, projects, academic awards, or any internships that align with the job. Showcasing your education can demonstrate your knowledge base and readiness to apply what you’ve learned to the professional world.

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