Student Resume Writing Guide
As a student, you have less work experience to show — and that is completely normal. Your resume should lead with your education, relevant coursework, and transferable skills, then support those with any part-time work, volunteer activities, clubs, or projects that demonstrate the qualities employers are looking for.
Who should use this template
- High school students applying for part-time or seasonal work
- University students targeting internships or campus jobs
- Students with limited formal work experience
Key skills for your student resume
Include these keywords in your skills section to match what recruiters and ATS systems look for in student resume template applications.
Resume example sections
Structure your resume with these sections in order for the best results with recruiters and ATS software.
- 1Contact Information
- 2Education
- 3Relevant Coursework
- 4Skills
- 5Work & Volunteer Experience
- 6Extracurricular Activities
Professional Summary Example
Motivated third-year business student at the University of Michigan with strong analytical and communication skills. Seeking a summer marketing internship to apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment. Experienced in event coordination through student government.
Work Experience Bullet Examples
- Coordinated a 200-person campus fundraiser, managing logistics, vendors, and volunteer schedule to raise $5,000 for local charity.
- Assisted retail customers as a part-time sales associate, maintaining a 4.9/5 customer satisfaction score.
- Led a 4-person team project on market analysis, earning top grade in MKTG 301.
ATS optimization tips
Include your expected graduation date and GPA if 3.5 or above.
List relevant coursework as a section when it directly relates to the job you are applying to.
Save as a plain .docx or PDF (not a scanned image) so text is machine-readable.
Mirror keywords from the job description verbatim — spelling counts.
Common resume mistakes to avoid
Leaving the resume blank because you "have no experience" — every job, volunteer role, or project counts.
Using a tiny font or cramming content to fill a page — white space is professional.
Including a photo, date of birth, or other personal details not relevant in the US/UK.
Ignoring the job description keywords and writing a generic resume.
Ready to build your entry level resume?
Use this free ATS-friendly student resume template as your foundation and fill in each section with your own achievements.