It doesn’t matter what type of job you are applying for. Create an impressive resume, attach a well-crafted cover letter, and you’ll get calls for an interview soon enough.
Student Resume Examples
We prepared various student resume examples and templates to help you write your resume. You can also use our resume builder to create a standout and ATS-friendly resume in 10 minutes.
Graduate Student Resume
This resume is designed for graduate students seeking internships, research positions, academic roles, or full-time opportunities in their specialized field of study.
Job Description:
Graduate students typically pursue roles in research, academia, consulting, or specialized industries aligned with their studies. Responsibilities may include leading research projects, data analysis, writing reports or academic papers, and providing expert insights in their field.
Key Notes:
The resume should emphasize advanced coursework, research experience, publications, and leadership roles. Highlight problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and expertise in the chosen field.
Additional Tips
- Showcase Research & Publications: Highlight any research, papers, or presentations demonstrating expertise.
- Tailor Skills to the Role: Emphasize skills relevant to the specific job you're applying for.
- Highlight Advanced Projects: Include detailed descriptions of projects to illustrate the practical application of knowledge.
Undergraduate Student Resume
This resume is intended for undergraduate students seeking internships, part-time jobs, research opportunities, or entry-level positions related to their field of study.
Job Description:
Undergraduate students may pursue roles in various fields, including research, customer service, sales, marketing, and technical support. Responsibilities often include assisting in projects, conducting research, data analysis, and supporting team operations.
Key Notes:
The resume should highlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, internships, and relevant skills. Emphasis should be placed on adaptability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn.
Additional Tips
- Tailor for the Role: Highlight coursework, projects, and internships relevant to the position.
- Quantify Achievements: Use metrics where possible to show the impact of work.
- Professional Formatting: Ensure a clear and organized layout for readability by recruiters.
High School Student Resume
This resume is intended for high school students applying for part-time jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, or college admissions.
Job Description:
High school students may seek retail, customer service, tutoring, or community service roles. Responsibilities could include assisting customers, managing tasks, participating in team projects, and learning new skills on the job.
Key Notes:
Highlight academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, volunteer work, and relevant skills. Focus on enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and strong interpersonal skills.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Extracurriculars: Show involvement in clubs, sports, and volunteer work to demonstrate well-rounded skills.
- Emphasize Transferable Skills: Focus on soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership.
- Keep it Concise: Use clear formatting and concise descriptions for easy readability.
Student Resume with No Work Experience
This resume is designed for students with no formal work experience seeking internships, volunteer positions, or entry-level roles.
Job Description:
Students with no prior work experience may apply for roles in customer service, internships, administrative support, or volunteer positions. Responsibilities include assisting with tasks, learning on the job, and contributing to team projects.
Key Notes:
Focus on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal projects, and relevant skills. Emphasize enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and problem-solving abilities.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Projects and Volunteer Work: Showcase any personal projects, school activities, or volunteer work that demonstrate skills.
- Focus on Skills: Emphasize transferable skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
- Keep it Professional: Use clear formatting and professional language even without formal work experience.
Student Internship Resume
This resume is tailored for students applying for internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience in their field of interest.
Job Description:
Internships allow students to work professionally, assisting with projects, research, data entry, and team support. Responsibilities may include analyzing data, contributing to team meetings, and learning industry-specific tools.
Key Notes:
Highlight relevant coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, and skills that align with the internship role. Emphasize enthusiasm for learning, adaptability, and teamwork.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Relevant Skills: Focus on skills and coursework relevant to the internship.
- Show Initiative: Include personal or academic projects that demonstrate your initiative and passion.
- Customize for Each Role: Tailor the resume to the specific internship, using keywords from the job description.
Nursing Student Resume
This resume is for nursing students seeking clinical placements, internships, or entry-level nursing assistant roles.
Job Description:
Nursing students may pursue clinical rotations or internships in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. Responsibilities include patient care, administering medication under supervision, assisting in diagnostic procedures, and maintaining patient records.
Key Notes:
Highlight clinical experiences, patient care skills, certifications (e.g., CPR), and strong interpersonal abilities. Emphasize compassion, attention to detail, and teamwork.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Clinical Rotations: Detail specific rotations and responsibilities.
- Certifications Matter: Include all relevant healthcare certifications.
- Soft Skills: Emphasize empathy, communication, and teamwork.
Computer Science Student Resume
This resume is intended for computer science students seeking internships, part-time jobs, or entry-level roles in software development, IT support, or research.
Job Description:
Computer science students often pursue software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and IT support roles. Responsibilities include coding, debugging, developing software applications, and supporting technical operations.
Key Notes:
Highlight technical skills, programming languages, relevant coursework, and hands-on projects. Emphasize problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and teamwork.
Additional Tips
- Showcase Projects: Include personal or academic projects that demonstrate technical expertise.
- Certifications Help: Add certifications in coding languages or tools (e.g., AWS Certified Developer).
- Quantify Impact: Highlight how your work improved performance or solved problems.
Law Student Resume
This resume is intended for law students seeking internships, clerkships, or entry-level legal assistant roles.
Job Description:
Law students may pursue internships at law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or non-profits. Responsibilities include legal research, drafting legal documents, assisting attorneys in case preparation, and attending court proceedings.
Key Notes:
Highlight legal coursework, internships, moot court participation, and research skills. Emphasize attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Legal Experience: Emphasize internships, moot court, and legal research roles.
- Tailor to the Role: Customize your resume based on the firm’s focus area (e.g., corporate law, criminal law).
- Professional Formatting: Use a clean, formal layout with clear section headers.
Medical Student Resume
This resume is intended for medical students seeking clinical rotations, research opportunities, or internships in healthcare settings.
Job Description:
Medical students may pursue clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics, research internships in medical labs, or volunteer roles in healthcare organizations. Responsibilities include patient care, conducting medical research, assisting in diagnostic procedures, and maintaining patient records.
Key Notes:
Highlight clinical rotations, research experience, medical certifications, and technical skills. Emphasize teamwork, patient care, and attention to detail.
Additional Tips
- Detail Clinical Rotations: Include the department, hospital name, and responsibilities.
- Highlight Research Experience: Mention published works and research contributions.
- Certifications Matter: List all relevant certifications such as BLS and ACLS.
Engineering Student Resume
This resume is for engineering students applying for internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions in fields such as mechanical, electrical, civil, or chemical engineering.
Job Description:
Engineering students often work on designing, analyzing, and testing systems or products. Roles may involve CAD design, simulations, project management support, and fieldwork.
Key Notes:
Highlight technical skills, software proficiency (e.g., AutoCAD, MATLAB), relevant coursework, and hands-on projects. Emphasize problem-solving skills, innovation, and attention to detail.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Technical Skills: Showcase proficiency in industry-standard software and tools.
- Detail Projects: Include hands-on projects, capstone work, or competitions.
- Certifications Add Value: Mention relevant certifications (e.g., CSWA, OSHA).
Student Teaching Resume
This resume is intended for education students seeking student teaching placements, internships, or entry-level teaching assistant roles.
Job Description:
Student teachers assist in classroom instruction, lesson planning, and student assessment under the supervision of a certified teacher. Responsibilities may include leading classroom activities, managing student behavior, and developing lesson plans.
Key Notes:
Highlight teaching-related coursework, classroom experience, lesson planning skills, and certifications (e.g., CPR, Child Development). Emphasize communication skills, creativity, and classroom management.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Classroom Experience: Include student teaching, internships, or volunteer teaching roles.
- Emphasize Certifications: List certifications related to teaching or child development.
- Showcase Skills: Focus on lesson planning, classroom management, and student engagement.
Accounting Student Resume
This resume is intended for accounting students seeking internships, part-time roles, or entry-level accounting positions.
Job Description:
Accounting students often pursue internships at accounting firms, corporations, or financial institutions. Responsibilities include bookkeeping, financial reporting, tax preparation, and auditing support.
Key Notes:
Highlight proficiency in accounting software, coursework in financial and managerial accounting, internships, and certifications. Emphasize attention to detail, analytical skills, and understanding of financial regulations.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Software Proficiency: Emphasize knowledge of accounting software like QuickBooks and Excel.
- Include Certifications: List relevant certifications and progress toward CPA.
- Showcase Analytical Skills: Demonstrate ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
Finance Student Resume
This resume is intended for finance students seeking internships, analyst roles, or entry-level positions in financial services, banking, or investment firms.
Job Description:
Finance students typically pursue roles in financial analysis, investment banking, corporate finance, or accounting. Responsibilities may include financial modeling, data analysis, budgeting, and assisting in investment decisions.
Key Notes:
Highlight finance-related coursework, technical skills, internships, and certifications (e.g., CFA Level 1). Emphasize analytical thinking, attention to detail, and proficiency with financial tools.
Additional Tips
- Emphasize Technical Proficiency: Highlight software tools like Excel, SQL, and Tableau.
- Certifications Matter: Include CFA, BMC, or other finance-related certifications.
- Quantify Achievements: Use metrics to showcase impact, especially in financial modeling and analysis.
Dental Student Resume
This resume is intended for dental students seeking internships, externships, or assistant roles in dental clinics or research positions.
Job Description:
Dental students typically assist in patient care, dental procedures, and oral health education. Responsibilities include conducting dental assessments, assisting in procedures, and participating in dental research.
Key Notes:
Highlight clinical experiences, dental procedures, relevant coursework, and certifications (e.g., CPR, Radiology). Emphasize patient care, attention to detail, and manual dexterity.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Clinical Experience: Include details of procedures assisted with or performed.
- Certifications Matter: List relevant certifications like BLS and Radiology.
- Showcase Research Contributions: Mention any dental research or publications.
Cybersecurity Student Resume
This resume is intended for cybersecurity students seeking internships, entry-level security analyst roles, or research positions.
Job Description:
Cybersecurity students often pursue roles in IT security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. Responsibilities include monitoring security systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing protective measures.
Key Notes:
Highlight cybersecurity certifications, technical skills, internships, and relevant coursework. Emphasize knowledge of security protocols, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Certifications: Emphasize certifications like Security+ and CEH.
- Showcase Technical Skills: Include programming languages and security tools.
- Detail Internships/Projects: Mention specific cybersecurity tasks and achievements.
MBA Student Resume
This resume is intended for MBA students seeking internships, consulting roles, or management positions.
Job Description:
MBA students often pursue roles in consulting, finance, marketing, or operations management. Responsibilities include strategic planning, financial analysis, project management, and business development.
Key Notes:
Highlight leadership experience, business strategy skills, internships, and certifications. Emphasize analytical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding of business operations.
Additional Tips
- Highlight Leadership Roles: Emphasize leadership experience in projects or organizations.
- Include Certifications: List relevant certifications like PMP and Six Sigma.
- Showcase Business Impact: Detail how you contributed to business growth or efficiency.
Social Work Student Resume
This resume is intended for social work students seeking internships, field placements, or entry-level roles in social services.
Job Description:
Social work students often work in roles related to case management, community outreach, and client advocacy. Responsibilities include supporting clients, conducting assessments, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Key Notes:
Highlight field placements, volunteer work, and relevant coursework. Emphasize empathy, communication skills, and cultural competency.
Additional Tips
- Emphasize Field Experience: Detail internships, field placements, or volunteer roles.
- Highlight Soft Skills: Showcase empathy, communication, and cultural competency.
- Include Certifications: List relevant certifications, such as trauma-informed care.
How to Write a Student Resume
Your high school or college student resume does not have to look fancy. Employers know you're new! Focus on your eagerness to learn and any relevant skills you have on your student resume.
First internship? No worries, focus on transferable skills.
Key Components of a Student Resume:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, skills, and extracurricular activities.
- Optimize for ATS by using clear formatting and relevant keywords from the job description.
- Structure your resume with a strong header, professional summary/objective, education, experience, and skills sections.
- Emphasize transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.
- Include internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs to showcase experience, even if unpaid.
- Use bullet points, white space, and professional fonts to ensure readability.
- List certifications, technical skills, and language proficiencies to strengthen your resume.
- If applicable, add relevant extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or personal projects.
- Keep your resume concise (one page preferred) and proofread for clarity and professionalism.
The Layout of a Student Resume
The resume format for most college and high school students who are job seekers is simple and straightforward. Allow us to reiterate that you are not expected to have resumes packed with skills and experience.
You can impress a hiring manager by creating a clean, organized high school or college student resume. Do not exaggerate information or your skills. Just be honest with everything you include on your resume.
The Structure of a Student Resume
A typical student resume format depends on your profile, the job ad, or the position you are applying for. Just make sure it has all the essential information, such as your name, a header, a student resume objective and/or resume summary, and contact details. Also, include an education section with your expected graduation date, achievements, extracurricular activities, and other relevant coursework.
You may also add any work or volunteer experience, hard and soft skills, and other important information. A student's resume is ideally in reverse chronological order. It shows the most recent educational attainment or experiences, if any.
Let’s go through all the important sections of a student resume.
Let’s visit all the important sections of the customer service resume.
Header
The header of a resume is like a business card. It shows your name, your title, and contact information.
You can use that as your title if you are a high school student. The same goes for college students unless they have advanced skills or previous work experience.
The header does not have to be fancy. Avoid adding too much information, such as your exact home address, age, gender, height, weight, and other details irrelevant to the job ad. A header typically includes the following:
- Your name
- Contact number
- Professional email address
- General location
- Website or blog, if any
Example of a Header for Student Resume
CORRECT
Frances Cook College Student, Arts
+1-123-123-1234
francescook2002@gmail.com
Daytona Beach, FL
francescook.net
INCORRECTFrances Cook College Student, Arts
Female, 19 years old
160 cm, 70 kg
+1-123-123-1234
252 W Orange St., Daytona Beach, FL
francescook2002@gmail.com
francescook.net
Twitter and Instagram: @frances.cook.rocks
Choosing Your Student Resume Title
In professional CVs, the resume title usually includes credentials or previous positions the applicant holds that are relevant to the job ad. In student resumes, especially if you are writing a resume for a part-time job, your first full-time job, or internship application and you have no work history yet, you can write your completed coursework, what you are studying about, or your course major that’s related to the job description.
Most students would say, high school student or college student. You can further personalize this by including what you do best. For example, if you feel you will be doing a good job as a graphic designer, you can include that in your title. Instead of saying you are just a student, you can write a resume title that says, “College Student, Illustrator”.
You may also write your college course “College Student, Business Administration”.
As a recent graduate, you may include your most important academic achievements. For example, dean’s list or magna cum laude. If you are still in school today, aim to become part of the dean’s list. Do some volunteer work. A student’s resume can be impressive enough to catch a hiring manager's attention when you write a good title that stands out from the rest.
Summary or Objective
The resume summary includes your best achievements, experiences, and skills. This is a short statement, typically 2 to 3 sentences long. Be as straightforward as possible.
Alternatively, career experts recommend writing a student resume objective instead.
A resume objective is best for a high school, college, or recent graduate with little experience. It allows you to impress hiring managers by letting them know your passion and career goals.
Student resume objective examples
Student Resume Objective:
General Student Resume Objective:
High School Student Resume Objective:
College Student Resume Objective (No Experience):
Internship Resume Objective:
Part-Time Job Resume Objective:
Recent Graduate Resume Objective:
INCORRECT
Work Experience
Employment experience plays an important role in resumes. Check out our resume examples to see how work experience is usually listed. Your experience, which allows you to put your skills into practice, gives you an edge over other candidates. This can result in more interviews and eventually getting hired.
However, it is understandable that most students do not have professional experience yet. During your job search, you can look for ads that do not require experience. You can also try applying for jobs that require experience if you are confident with your skills.
If you already have internship or part-time job experiences, you may include them in this section. Alternatively, you can highlight your volunteer experience, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.
Examples of professional experiences for a student resume
Have you been volunteering lately? Do you have personal achievements that are relevant to the job post? An entry-level job doesn’t necessarily require actual work experience. Highlight what you have done so far instead.
For example, high school students do not have any professional experience to write. Instead, small jobs you’ve done in the past and volunteer work can be added to your resume instead.
Pet Care Provider – Daytona Beach, FL
June 2016 – September 2020
Helped friends and neighbors walk their dogs once a day. Responsible for keeping pets in great behavior while walking several blocks to and from the community park.
Soup Kitchen Volunteer – Daytona Beach, FL
July 2019 – Present
Consistent weekend and holiday volunteer in the community soup kitchen. Assigned to manage volunteer schedules and organize and maintain inventory of donations. Assisted in the preparation and distribution of meals.
If you are already in college, you can stop listing or at least decrease the number of small jobs you are writing on your resume. Instead, you can add actual work experience, highlight school achievements and volunteer jobs, and include your part-time jobs, if any.
Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, FL
Student – Paralegal Studies
August 2020 – Present
- Currently pursuing a two-year associate degree course in Paralegal Studies prior to entering formal law school. Completed coursework includes Business Administration, Business Law, Computer and Internet Literacy, Legal Writing and Drafting, Paralegal Office Systems, and more.
- Earned Dean’s List recognition on my first two terms.
- Volunteered to be part of the outreach programs of the college’s social services department.
- Wrote a three-part feature article for the college paper.
Warm Cup Café, Daytona Beach, FL
Barista, Server, and Cashier
July 2019 – May 2021
- Welcome customers coming into the café and offer daily specials or menu items.
- Keep track of regular customers as well as their usual orders to provide exceptional customer experience.
- Prepare coffee and other beverages and food items according to the store’s preferred style and techniques.
- Update the café’s inventory and ensure that all stocks are filled up regularly.
- Keep the café’s surroundings clean, sanitary, and presentable.
Education
The education section of your resume includes details of your school, college, or university and your field of study. You may also include your GPA or any other relevant achievements.
Should You Start with Education or Work Experience?
Depending on your profile or what you believe is more impressive, you can start with either education or work experience on your resume. For instance, if you do not have plenty of work experience, then it’s best to start with the education section.
How to Properly List Your Education in a Student Resume
An education section typically includes the school, university, or college name and location, your degree, and years of study.
Example of Education Section of a Student Resume
Below is an example of how to write your educational background on your resume. If available, add relevant training and certification.
Associate of Arts Degree
Daytona State College, School of Humanities and Communication
Daytona Beach, FL
Expected to graduate in May 2025
Skills Section
If you do not have a work history yet, the skills section of your resume gives you an opportunity to impress hiring managers. You can add both soft and hard skills to this section.
During your job search, keep in mind the job title and description. Pay attention to these, as some skill requirements are usually indicated there. If you have those skills, make sure they are included in your resume.
Write skills on your resume as some companies use an applicant tracking system that will allow them to search keywords. Some of those keywords might be the skills they’re looking for. Having those on your resume will make your application easily seen and get on top of the pile.
What are the best skills to put on a student resume?
Hard skills are measurable and can be learned through training or experience. Soft skills are what make you the right applicant for the job. Combine both types of skills in one section or you can list them down in bullet points separately.
Hard Skills
- Coding skills
- Photography skills
- Videography skills
- Video editing skills
- Copywriting skills
- Customer service skills
- Research skills
- Graphic design skills
Soft Skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Integrity
- Problem-solving skills
- Multitasking skills
- Creativity skills
Projects and Certifications and Additional Sections
There’s no other place to start than the beginning. Most people begin their professional careers as a student. While you might not have plenty of experiences or skills right now, you will eventually earn those through time. For now, you have to make sure that your resume stands out.
Additional headings are helpful especially if you still have a lot of empty space on your resume. We aren’t encouraging you to add irrelevant details to your student resume. Rather, include more information that might help you win the job.
Computer Skills and Certifications
A lot of students have computer skills and even some certifications. You may include those on your resume. For example, the knowledge using Microsoft Office, Google Suite, graphic design applications, and more would look great on your resume.
Interests
Should you still add interest to your resume? This isn’t necessary at all. However, depending on the job you’re applying for, as well as your profile, you can add your interests to your resume. Use your best judgment and be careful when adding this as an additional resume heading. Sometimes, adding interests may even be inconvenient for certain jobs.
Languages
This section is especially useful for fresh graduates or students who recently studied foreign languages in school.
Spanish – SIELE
English – IELTS
You may add any certification you received for languages. Alternatively, you can simply add your written and spoken skill level on that specific language.
English – Native, Fluent Speaking and Writing Skills
Spanish – Advanced Speaking and Writing Skills
Expert ChatGPT Prompts for Student Resume
Use our expert ChatGPT prompts to perfect your student resume even more. Adjust the prompts based on your student status, major, key skills, specific industry, or career goal to get the best results.
ChatGTP prompt for writing Summary
Formula:
Example Prompt:
Output:
🔧 You Can Adjust:
- [Student Status] → High school student, college freshman, senior, recent graduate, etc.
- [Major] → Computer Science, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, etc.
- [Key Skills] → Data analysis, graphic design, marketing, coding, leadership, etc.
- [Specific Industry or Career Goal] → AI in business, financial analysis, cybersecurity, software development, etc.
ChatGTP prompt for writing Experience
Formula:
Example Prompt:
Output:
🔧 You Can Adjust:
- [Student Status] → High school student, college freshman, senior, recent graduate, etc.
- [Job/Internship Role] → Marketing intern, software engineering intern, research assistant, etc.
- [Industry/Company Type] → Digital agency, fintech startup, nonprofit, consulting firm, etc.
- [Original Bullet Point] → Any previous experience that needs improvement or quantification.
ChatGTP prompt for highlighting skills
Formula:
Example Prompt:
Output:
Technical Skills:
- Mobile App Development (Swift, Kotlin, Flutter)
- UI/UX Design (Figma, Adobe XD, Wireframing)
- Front-End Development (React, HTML/CSS, JavaScript)
- Database Management (MySQL, Firebase)
- Agile & Scrum Methodologies
Soft Skills:
- Problem-Solving
- Creative Thinking
- Time Management
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Adaptability & Willingness to Learn
🔧 You Can Adjust:
- [Student Status] → High school student, college sophomore, recent graduate, etc.
- [Company Type] → Tech startup, corporate firm, marketing agency, nonprofit, etc.
- [Specific Goal or Project] → Software development, branding, cybersecurity, digital marketing, AI, etc.
ChatGTP prompt for writing a Cover Letter
Formula:
Example Prompt:
Output:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Mechanical Engineering Internship at Tesla. As a recent graduate in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, I have developed expertise in CAD design, thermal dynamics, and materials engineering. Through hands-on coursework and independent projects, I have applied SolidWorks and AutoCAD to design innovative mechanical systems. I am eager to bring my problem-solving mindset and technical skills to Tesla’s groundbreaking engineering team.
🔧You Can Adjust:
- [Student Status] → High school student, college senior, recent graduate, etc.
- [Company Name] → Tesla, Google, Deloitte, local businesses, etc.
- [Specific Tools/Technologies] → Photoshop, Python, Excel, data analytics, customer service software, etc.
ATS-Friendly Tips
To ensure your student resume gets past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), follow these tips:
Use a Simple, Clean Layout
- Choose a professional resume template with clear headings and sections (e.g., Education, Experience, Skills).
- Avoid using graphics, tables, or fancy fonts - stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Optimize for Keywords
- Carefully review the job description and include keywords that match the role (e.g., “data analysis,” “customer service,” “content creation”).
- Use industry-specific terms for hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
Use Standard Section Headings
- ATS systems scan for traditional headings like:
- Education
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Certifications
- Projects
- Volunteer Experience
Avoid Fancy Formatting
- Do not use columns, text boxes, images, or excessive bold/italic text.
- Stick to bullet points for easy scanning.
Save as a Word or PDF File
- Some ATS systems struggle with PDFs, so unless the job posting specifies, submit your resume in both .docx and PDF formats to ensure compatibility.
List Skills in a Separate Section
- Create a dedicated Skills section using keywords from the job posting.
- Example:
- Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Microsoft Excel
- Soft Skills: Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving
Use Reverse Chronological Order
- List education and experience from most recent to oldest.
Include Relevant Experience (Even If Unpaid)
- Internships, freelance projects, volunteer work, and coursework projects count as experience if they relate to the job.
Customize Your Resume for Each Application
- Modify the resume summary, skills, and experience to match each job description.
Use Simple, Keyword-Friendly Job Titles
- Instead of “Social Media Wizard,” use “Social Media Intern” for ATS recognition.
Avoid Headers and Footers for Key Info
- Put contact details in the main body, as some ATS systems do not read headers/footers.
Student Resume Emerging Trends for 2025
Here are the top 10 emerging trends for student jobs in 2025:
1. AI & Automation Skills in High Demand
- Employers are looking for AI literacy, data analysis, and automation skills, even for entry-level roles.
- How to Adapt: Highlight experience with ChatGPT, Python, Excel automation, or AI-driven tools in your resume.
2. Digital & Remote Work Experience
- More companies are hiring students for remote internships and part-time roles.
- How to Adapt: List any remote work experience or online collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Notion, Zoom).
3. Skill-Based Resumes Over Degree-Based Hiring
- Employers prioritize skills over traditional education, focusing on certifications, personal projects, and micro-credentials.
- How to Adapt: Add a “Certifications” section for online courses (e.g., Google Analytics, HubSpot, LinkedIn Learning).
4. Hybrid & Gig Work Opportunities
- Many students now balance freelancing, internships, and gig work (Upwork, Fiverr, DoorDash, etc.).
- How to Adapt: Include freelance projects or gig work in a “Work Experience” or “Projects” section.
5. Video Resumes & Portfolios
- Short video resumes (30-60 sec) and personal websites/portfolios are gaining popularity.
- How to Adapt: Create a LinkedIn portfolio, GitHub, Behance (for design), or a short intro video showcasing your skills.
6. Emphasis on Soft Skills & Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Employers seek students with problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
- How to Adapt: Showcase soft skills with real examples (e.g., "Led a team project, improving efficiency by 30%").
7. Sustainability & Social Impact Roles
- Many companies prefer candidates involved in sustainability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and social impact.
- How to Adapt: Include volunteer work, sustainability projects, or DEI initiatives on your resume.
8. LinkedIn & Social Presence Matter More Than Ever
- Recruiters actively search for students with strong LinkedIn profiles, personal branding, and digital presence.
- How to Adapt: Optimize LinkedIn, write engaging posts about your field, and network with professionals.
9. ATS-Optimized Resumes Are Essential
- Many companies use AI-driven ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), making keyword optimization necessary.
- How to Adapt: Use simple formatting, keyword-rich descriptions, and tailored resumes for each application.
10. Micro-Internships & Short-Term Projects
- Instead of long internships, students are landing micro-internships (1-3 months) and project-based roles.
- How to Adapt: Mention short-term projects, hackathons, or consulting gigs to show hands-on experience.
Cover Letter
Truth be told, many students wouldn’t even bother writing a cover letter. Some would submit their resume in person, while others would do it online. You should know that cover letters are very important if you want to succeed in your job application. This is another way to make your application stand out.
Your cover letter must be customized and personalized for each job post. Addressing the hiring manager directly and mentioning their company gives them the impression that you are genuinely interested in the job.
Furthermore, the cover letter is another opportunity to introduce yourself and let your future employer know why you are the right person to hire.
Download a Student Resume Guide
We’ve put together a simple guide that includes:
- Student resume sample
- Key points for writing your student resume
- Additional expert tips to perfect your resume
- Handy checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the important details.
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