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Your First Resume: A Clean Slate

As a student, the idea of writing a resume can be intimidating, especially when job descriptions ask for "experience." But don't worry! A resume is simply a story about your capabilities, and you have plenty to talk about from your academic and personal life. The goal is to show potential employers that you are proactive, capable of learning, and have relevant skills.

What to Include When You Have No "Work" Experience

Think beyond traditional jobs. Experience comes in many forms. For a student resume, you'll focus on showcasing your potential through these key sections:

• Contact Information: This is simple. Your name, phone number, a professional email address (like FirstName.LastName@email.com), and your LinkedIn profile URL are essential.

• Objective or Summary: A brief, 1-2 sentence statement at the top of your resume.
• Objective: State your goal. Example: "A motivated and quick-learning Computer Science student seeking an internship to apply my skills in Python and web development."
• Summary: If you have some projects or key skills, you can summarize them. Example: "A detail-oriented finance student with a strong foundation in financial modeling and data analysis demonstrated through rigorous coursework and academic projects."

• Education: This is your strongest asset right now, so place it near the top. Include your university name, degree, expected graduation date, and your GPA (if it's above 3.0). You can also add "Relevant Coursework" to list classes that align with the job you're applying for.

• Projects: This is your new "Work Experience" section! Whether it was for a class or a personal hobby, projects are the best way to demonstrate your skills.
• For each project, give it a title, the date, and 2-3 bullet points.
• Use the Action Verb + What you did + The result/technology used formula.
• Example: "Developed a web-based inventory management system for a class project using React and Firebase. Implemented features for adding, tracking, and searching items, which demonstrated my full-stack development skills."

• Skills: Create a section that lists your technical and soft skills.
• Technical Skills: Programming languages (Python, Java), software (Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop), lab equipment.
• Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Leadership (especially if you can back it up with an example from a project or club).

• Extracurricular Activities & Volunteering: This section shows you're a well-rounded person.
• Were you a member of a club? Did you hold a leadership position? (e.g., "Treasurer, University Coding Club").
• Did you volunteer for an event or a cause? This shows initiative and community involvement.

Keeping it Clean and Professional

• One Page Only: As a student, your resume should never be more than one page.
• Simple Formatting: Use a clean, professional font like Calibri, Arial, or Inter. Avoid colors, graphics, or complex layouts that can confuse automated screening software (ATS).
• Proofread Diligently: A single typo can make you look unprofessional. Read your resume out loud, use a spell checker, and then ask a friend or career services advisor to read it.

By focusing on what you *have* accomplished in your academic career, you can build a powerful resume that opens the door to your first internship or job. Good luck!