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11+ Best Student Resume Templates (W/ Examples & Resources)

Writing an impressive resume as a student with no work experience can be a challenging task, often resulting in a generic document that fails to capture your full potential. 

This challenge intensifies in the face of a sea of applicants vying for the same role as you, making it all the more critical to stand out. 

Fortunately, we’re here to solve this problem! 

This article presents a selection of impactful student resume templates and examples that will help transform your raw skills and academic accomplishments into an impressive, attention-grabbing resume. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

12 Student Resume Templates

3 student resume examples, 5 other professional resources for students.

Let’s dive in!

#1. Creative Resume Template

The Creative resume template offers a visually appealing and unique design that can greatly benefit students. 

With a modern and innovative layout that leverages eye-catching colors, this template allows students to showcase their skills, experiences, and achievements all on one page. 

The template's artistic element can help you stand out from the crowd and make a memorable impression on potential employers by highlighting your creativity, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box, all of which are valuable attributes in today's competitive job market.

#2. Basic Resume Template

This resume template comes with a straightforward and clean design that offers numerous benefits to students. 

For starters, it provides a professional and well-organized structure that lets you present your skills, education, and experiences in a concise and effective manner. Not to mention, by positioning the skills section at the top of the resume, this template emphasizes your skills over your work experience (which is something you’re likely lacking).

This template can help any student, regardless of their standing, create a professional-looking resume that showcases their abilities and increases their chances of securing interviews and job opportunities.

#3. Combined Resume Template

Just like the name implies, this template is a perfect blend of two resume formats , namely the functional and the reverse-chronological format . 

This Combined template can arm you with a versatile and effective way to present your skills and professional experiences, as well as any relevant optional sections like certifications and personal projects. 

In a nutshell, the Combined template gives you the flexibility to leverage both the popularity of the chronological format and the impact you can make by emphasizing your skills and abilities. 

So, if you’re not sure which resume format works best for you or if you’re on the fence about a particular template, this stylish and impactful design might just be the choice for you. 

#4. Minimalist Resume Template

Novorésumé's Minimalist resume template offers a sleek and simple design that comes highly recommended for students. 

True to its name, this template aims to highlight only essential elements through clean aesthetics. Specifically, it lets students present their strong points and most noteworthy achievements concisely, eliminating unnecessary clutter. 

With a stylish color palette of pink and gray and a design that puts skills and work experience side by side, there’s no way you can go wrong picking this student resume template. 

#5. Traditional Resume Template

This template’s classic and time-tested design is guaranteed to work wonders for students looking to work in all fields, but especially those aiming for more traditional industries like banking or finance. 

Following a structured design that highlights all key resume sections, such as the resume objective , education, work experience, and skills sections, this template lets you include all your relevant information without your resume spilling over to page two . 

#6. General Resume Template

The General resume template is meant to offer you a versatile and adaptable format to showcase your qualifications, including your awards, your foreign language skills , your education, and much more. 

The header’s blue color is meant to grab recruiters’ attention to two of the most important resume sections–the contact information and the resume summary sections. 

Once you have their attention, you can wow them with other relevant sections such as your skills, work experience, and anything else you deem important. 

Easily customizable and practical to skim through, this resume template can make your application look good even if you don’t put too much effort into it. 

#7. Modern Resume Template

The Modern resume template is a great choice for students who want their resume to look sleek and stylish, and yet professional. 

By incorporating modern elements like horizontal lines and bold blue color, this template is a great choice for practically every field you apply to. 

By using the Modern template, students can present themselves as forward-thinking and professional candidates, increasing their chances of standing out from the competition.

#8. IT Resume Template

If getting into IT is your dream, then this resume template is for you! 

The team at Novorésumé specifically designed the IT resume template to cater to the needs of students in the field. Using a clean and modern layout , this template offers a comprehensive structure that highlights your relevant technical skills, certifications, and education history. 

And, if you have any professional experience in IT, even if it’s through freelance work, internships , or personal projects, this template can surely help you highlight it through the reverse-chronological format - a favorite among recruiters.

#9. Simple Resume Template

Sometimes, a simple resume template can be just the way to let your personality and achievements shine through. 

This is exactly what the Simple resume template does for students. 

With a straightforward and reader-friendly structure that strays away from extravagant design elements and flashy colors, this template aims to let your achievements do the talking. 

So, if your professional journey is already rich in accomplishments or if you’re one of those people who think simplicity is always the right choice, then you just found your match. 

#10. Functional Resume Template

Just like the format it’s named after, the Functional resume template lets you highlight your skills and qualifications upfront, which is perfect if you don’t have enough work experience to list.

What makes this template even more impactful is the minty color that grabs recruiters’ attention, the perfectly aligned sections, and the way it leverages symbols to show your proficiency in say, foreign languages or technical skills . 

#11. Skill-Based Resume Template

The Skill-Based resume template does just what the name implies - it provides students with a valuable format that emphasizes their key skills and competencies. 

This template allows students to highlight their relevant abilities and qualifications, regardless of their work experience . By organizing their resume based on skills rather than professional achievements, students can effectively showcase their strengths and demonstrate their suitability for a particular role. 

This resume template lets you focus on your most marketable skills, making it easier for potential employers to quickly identify your strengths and match them with job requirements.

#12. College Resume Template

Are you a college student looking to land your first gig? Then the College resume template is just what you need. 

Specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of college students, this template offers a comprehensive structure that lets you highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities , internships, and relevant coursework.

The College resume template lets you effectively showcase your education, skills, and experiences in a concise manner and contemporary style. The resume’s design is tailored to the specific needs of college students, increasing your chances of impressing potential employers and securing your next entry-level position!

#1. High-School Student Resume

#2. College Freshman Resume

#3. Internship Resume 

Picking the right template for your resume is just a small first step toward landing your first gig. 

There are several other things you’ll need to do during your job hunt , such as networking with the right people, applying for the right positions for you, and continuously honing your skills. 

Here are some resources that are guaranteed to come in handy: 

• Professional Networking | What Is It & Why It Matters . Networking is an excellent way to lay solid career foundations and make professional connections you can even use down the line. This article outlines all the benefits of professional networking and gives you 9 essential tips to get it right.
• 30+ Jobs for Teenagers (Where & How to Look) . These jobs are perfect for students of all ages, from high school freshmen to college seniors, so start digging.
• 101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume . Without a solid work experience section, your skills section is the most important part of your resume. Do it justice by going through the most essential skills every resume should have in 2024.
• How to List Computer Skills on a Resume . Nowadays, 92% of jobs require digital skills , according to the National Skills Coalition. Since students and younger professionals are more likely to be well-versed in digital skills, it’s good to know how to list such skills in your resume. Learn how with our article!
• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 . Cover letters are still an essential part of job applications, so you shouldn’t submit one without attaching a cover letter. If you think writing a cover letter is even harder than creating a resume, though, head over to our dedicated article to become a cover letter pro.

Conclusion 

By now, you should have realized how important it is to find the right student resume template if you want to land your dream job. 

We hope our list meets your preferences and can help you on your career path as effectively as possible! 

For more resources and career advice, make sure to visit our blog ! 

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25+ free resume templates for college students

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Canva has become the go-to resource for creating resumes and for good reason: they already have tons of (mostly free) templates and their design interface is super easy to use. Definitely check them out!

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10 Free Résumé Templates for Students

Creating a résumé is difficult at any age, but for high school or college students, it can be even harder. Without years of experience, assembling a professional and impressive résumé is challenging. To get off to a solid start, consider using one of these student résumé templates.

Tip: check our Microsoft student discounts article to see all the savings you qualify for. You might even have access to a free Office and Microsoft 365 subscription.

1. High School Student CV Résumé Template

2. title student résumé template, 3. it professional student résumé template, 4. black and gray college résumé template, 5. black and blue college résumé template, 6. simple high school student résumé template, 7. student résumé and cover letter template, 8. designer student résumé template, 9. simple blue high school résumé template, 10. navy blue line college résumé template.

Availability : Microsoft Word

For a simple layout that includes all the sections you need, check out this High School Student CV Résumé template . It provides a neat and clean, black-and-white design that not only makes it easy to edit, but easy to read as well.

• Education and experience sections right at the top below your contact details
• Sections for achievements, volunteer experience, interests, and computer skills
• Compact formatting to easily expand areas and add more items

Availability : Microsoft Word and Apple Pages

If you’d like an option with a bit of flair, consider this Title Student Résumé template . It’s ideal for including a title like Assistant Dean of Students, as shown in the template. It also offers an attractive color scheme and layout for going beyond the basics.

• Main section for listing personal accomplishments and professional skills
• Smaller sections on the side for contact details, objective, and education
• Neat bar scale to show each proficiency at a glance

If it’s the information technology field you want to enter, this IT Professional Student Résumé template is a good choice. With a simple layout, the template offers a subtle bit of color to make the sections stand out. You also have designated spots for specific IT-related skills.

• Sections for programming languages, software tools, operating system platforms, and database management systems
• Includes necessary sections for objective, education, skills, experience, and interests
• Two-page layout is easily scalable for more or less details

To make a bold statement, this Black and Gray College Résumé template has dark outlines and headers, along with a spot for your photo. The compact one-page layout offers the sections you need to impress.

• Main section highlights your bio, education, and work experience
• Smaller section on the side accommodates skills, languages, and interests
• Plenty of space to include all necessary details

Black and Blue College Resume is similar to the Black and Gray but uses an even darker color scheme for the main section. The blue header with a spot for your photo really pops. It also offers a smaller font for an uncluttered appearance.

• Main section for all details including education, experience, skills, and a bio
• Attractive contact information section at the bottom for your email address, phone number, and city
• Bar graph design for showing off your skills at a glance

Availability : Google Docs

For a basic resume with a bit of pizzazz, you’ll like this Simple High School Student Résumé template . It offers a nice white background for each section, with splashes of a single blue-green color for that little extra.

• Two main sections for education and recommendations, perfect for high school students
• Handy section on the side for a photo, contact details, awards, and skills
• Neat and clean design for a solid one-page résumé

Good to know : check out these résumé templates for Google Docs for more options.

If you prefer a résumé that comes with a cover letter , this is the template for you. With the Student Résumé and Cover Letter template , you have a great combo that includes a consistent design and all of the sections you need.

• Main résumé section offers a roomy spot for your objective and experience
• Side area for contact details, education, and references
• Easily customizable cover letter with a place for the recipient’s details on the side
• Location for your photos at the top of both the letter and résumé

When you want to highlight current or previous projects, this Designer Student Résumé template is perfect. Add links and descriptions for your projects at the top, then complete the remaining sections with the information you need.

• Unique design includes a spot for your photo, with education and experience directly beneath
• Clear bottom section to include skills with icons, a portfolio URL, your progress, and hobbies
• Simple three-color theme for subtle accent colors

Availability : Canva

For a simple layout with an attractive design, look at this Simple Blue High School Résumé template . There are dark blue borders separating the main section, with your experience and background in the side section to not be distracting.

• Easily switchable work experience and academic background areas
• Spots for a personal profile, honors and achievements, contact details, and interests
• Clean and neat minimalistic design

The Navy Blue Line College Résumé template provides a lovely dark blue header, with spots for your name, photo, and (optionally) title. The sections in the main area are nicely positioned for easy reading or scanning.

• Six sections arranged neatly without appearing cluttered
• Places to include your profile, strengths, contact details, interests, and backgrounds
• Roomy enough to include additional work or academic experience

You can build your first résumé with ease using one of these templates for students. For additional help while you’re completing your education, check out student templates for Notion to help with assignment planning, school and job scheduling, and note-taking.

Image Credit: Pixabay . All screenshots by Sandy Writtenhouse.

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With her BS in Information Technology, Sandy worked for many years in the IT industry as a Project Manager, Department Manager, and PMO Lead. She wanted to help others learn how technology can enrich business and personal lives and has shared her suggestions and how-tos across thousands of articles.

College Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
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How To Write a College Student Resume

• Computer Science

College Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

• Math College Student Resume Example
• Computer Science Student Resume Example
• Marketing Student Resume Example

Joseph Corbin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Motivated student with strong academic performance in high school, including an “A” average for Mathematics. Demonstrated success in a leadership role through multiple school athletics and work activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore and understand new topics.

Key Skills 

• Complex problem-solving
• Data analysis
• Group leadership
• Mathematics
• Microsoft Excel
• Team collaboration

Graduate, Benjamin Franklin High School, Philadelphia, PA | August 2018 to June 2022

• “A” average in all Mathematics classes, including AP Calculus

High School Athletics

Spring Track Team 

Co-Captain (Senior year)

• Voted into team leadership role; coordinated with the head coach to help organize meets and answer various questions from team members
• Served as a valued mentor and resource to underclassmen

Member (all four years)

• Gained and demonstrated a strong sense of dedication and teamwork
• Contributed to team’s placing in the top four out of 18 high schools in the region for three consecutive years

Work Experience

Host / Server / Team Lead, Domino’s Pizza, Philadelphia, PA | Summer 2018 and 2019

• Greeted visitors and took and served food orders in a fast-paced environment
• Proposed several changes to the order entry process for servers and delivery drivers, improving efficiency and collaboration among the two groups
• Helped restaurant place No. 3 in the region for customer satisfaction in July and August 2019

Hobbies & Interests

Avid reader (six or more books per month) | Painting | Running

Advanced proficiency in Spanish (A- average for classes taken in all four years of high school)

Rob Smith  (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Columbus, OH 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Efficient and hardworking student with a strong interest in computer science. Draw on technical knowledge base covering UX design, JAVA, MySQL, and HTML. Demonstrated success objectively measuring software performance while participating in a rapid development cycle.

• Efficiency improvement
• Group collaboration
• Independent research
• Technical troubleshooting
• User experience (UX)

Graduate, AAE High School, Columbus, OH | August 2018 to June 2022 3.7 GPA | Top 10% of graduating class

Tech Support, XYZ Company, Columbus, OH | June 2020 to present

• Quickly and professionally respond to various tech support tickets
• Install hardware and software as needed to maintain systems
• Work with managers to develop rapid response systems to major tech threats
• Co-design and deliver educational materials to staff on proper tech use

Retail Sales Associate, Smith Clothing Company, Columbus, OH | August 2019 to May 2020

• Gained strong foundation in positive customer relations
• Operated cash register and balanced the till at end of day (EOD)

Certifications

• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+
• Nielsen Norman Group UX and UX Master

John Miller (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Columbus, OH 12345 | LinkedIn | Portfolio

High school student with a strong interest in marketing and advertising. Freelance graphic design professional with a growing portfolio and client relationships with major local nonprofits. Enjoy collaborating on a team to explore topics and solve complex challenges.

• Data visualization
• Graphic design
• Marketing strategy
• Task prioritization
• Writing and editing

Candidate: Diploma, Douglass High School, Columbus, OH | expected June 2023 3.8 GPA | SAT scores: 760 math, 680 verbal (1440 combined)

High School Athletics and Activities

Member, Debate Team | August 2020 to present

• Collaborate closely on a 10-person team to research debate topics and form and organize compelling arguments

Member, Cross-Country Running Team | Fall 2021 and 2022

Freelance Graphic Designer, XYZ Company, Columbus, OH | April 2018 to present

• Conceptualize and create diverse marketing materials to spec
• Engage and partner with marketing teams to design campaigns and track return on investment
• Design logos and event graphics for client nonprofits
• Make infographics using data provided by sales teams
• Developed an award-winning print ad for a local coffee shop

Library Materials Associate, Community Library, Columbus, OH | June 2014 to April 2016

• Greeted students and verified account status for check-out
• Helped students find and incorporate various research sources
• Set up display technology for individual and group use
• Managed schedules for meeting and study rooms
• Reshelved materials at EOD

Technical Skills

Adobe InDesign, Photoshop | Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

When applying to colleges, you may find some schools require a resume . You can write a great resume for your college applications by showing your relevant high school and other experiences and emphasizing how you’ve explored topics and pursued your interests. Incorporating this theme into each section of your resume can increase your chances of being accepted into your preferred college or university. The advice and examples provided below can guide you in achieving this goal.

1. Summarize your college student qualifications in a dynamic profile

Your resume profile should catch admissions officers’ interest by giving the top reasons they can expect you to engage actively in their campus community. Can you share some instances from your life where you have exhibited curiosity and dedication toward excellence? Your answer to this question can lead to your best profile points. For example, maybe you’ve earned an “A” average in the school subject likely to become your college major. Or perhaps you’ve done freelance work that’s helped you develop a hobby into a possible career track. With details like these at the top of your college resume, you can show your potential to thrive in a college setting.

Profile Example

Motivated student with strong academic performance in high school, including an “A” average for mathematics. Demonstrated success in a leadership role through multiple school athletics and work activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore and understand new topics.

2. Add a compelling section featuring your college student experience

Use your resume’s experience section(s) to give examples of exploring and pursuing topics that interest you. Colleges and universities generally want students who are engaged, diligent, and curious about the world. So view your experience from this perspective and write down anything that reflects your gaining or showing these qualities.

You aren’t limited to details about work experience, especially if the jobs you’ve held so far don’t speak to your career interests. On a resume for college applications, the strongest experience section will often come from a different area. For example, maybe you’re most proud of having been on the debate team or teaching yourself HTML outside school. Below is a list of possible experience sections you might develop on your resume:

• Community service
• High school athletics
• Internship experience
• Personal accomplishments
• School clubs and societies
• Study abroad experience
• Summer coursework

Experience Example

Spring Track Team

3. Include education and certifications relevant to college students

View your resume’s education section as another chance to show active engagement in learning. Give basic details about your high school. But also feel free to name study areas or materials that have sparked your interest and may become a focus for you at the college level. For example, if your English classes have let you choose from a reading list for each unit, you could name some of the books or texts you decided to read and why. Also note any AP classes you’ve completed, school awards you’ve won, or other distinctions you’ve earned, like a high GPA or class rank. These can all help admissions officers see your potential.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your high school education, along with any certifications you’d like to add to your resume. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Candidate: Diploma, High School Name, City, ST | expected graduation date
• [Select study areas or materials of interest]

Certification

Certification Name or Title , [Awarding Organization] | [Year]

Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023

4. List college student-related skills and proficiencies

Add a key skills section to show how you excel in a learning environment. For instance, maybe you like to research a topic independently, or you prefer the stimulation of working in a group. On the other hand, perhaps you’re open to learning by various methods. Whatever your learning style, you can highlight it in your key skills section so admissions officers see how you’d apply yourself at their school. Below are some common keywords for college student resumes:

5. Consider adding personal hobbies or interests

You may have heard that hobbies and interests should be left off a resume. While this is often true for regular job seekers, it doesn’t apply to aspiring college students. Hobbies and interests can be a strong feature of your college application resume because they help show your all-around sense of curiosity. Feel free to highlight them in a separate section, typically toward or at the bottom of your resume.

Hobbies and Interests

How To Pick the Best College Student Resume Template

For college applicants, a clear and straightforward resume template is usually best. Opt for a visual design that lets the admissions officer quickly review your most relevant information. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: College Student Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for college student resumes -.

For aspiring college students, good resume verbs will relate to the process of learning and discovery – think “explored,” “researched,” or “uncovered.” But there are various others you might use to describe your school, work, and other life experiences so far. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your college application resume:

How do you align your resume with each college application? -

The National Center for Education Statistics forecasts that total undergraduate enrollment will increase by about 9% (to nearly 17 million students) between 2021 and 2031. 

To optimize your resume for each college application:

1. Take cues from what you know about the school. 2. Refer to their website, brochures, notes from the campus tour, or any other information you’ve gathered on what the school is known for and what you’re most drawn to about it. 3. As you look over these materials, highlight words or phrases that are repeated or emphasized.

These terms can tell you what details you may want to feature in your resume profile or key skills sections (as long as they’re accurate to your experience).

For example, say you’re drawn to the college’s study-abroad program. Consider using your profile to showcase any travel or exchange programs you’ve done, along with your foreign language skills. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each college opportunity.

What is the best college student resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for admissions officers to learn about your pertinent skills and background. It’s also easiest for you to align with your goals.

With the Combination format, you focus on your most relevant skills and experience in your experience section(s) and an intro section. (This combination of experience and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also add a highlights or awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can (a) position yourself for your desired school program and (b) give admissions officers a clear, quick view of what you offer.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

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• How To Build a Resume for College Applications Learn More
• How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume Learn More

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• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More
• The Best Fonts for Your Resume Learn More

How to Create a Resume Using Canva

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These Are My Top 5 Canva AI Tools: Here's Why

4 creative ways to use a printer scanner, i tried 3 professional ai headshot generators: this one was best, key takeaways.

• Canva is a user-friendly platform that offers options for creating a resume, including starting from scratch or using a template.
• The process of creating a resume on Canva involves selecting a design, customizing the background, choosing elements like shapes and graphics, adding text, and filling out sections.
• Canva also allows users to add links or other visual elements to their resume and provides the option to group elements for easy editing and organization.

Creating a resume is a time-consuming, yet important process—especially if you’re starting from scratch. Luckily, there are online design platforms that can help you achieve the perfect resume for the job.

Canva is a great resource to use for any style of resume you’re looking to create, especially since you have options during the building process. You can start from a blank canvas or fill out a template with your information.

In this article, you’ll learn how to create a resume using Canva, either by starting from scratch, or with a template.

Creating a Resume on Canva From Scratch

Canva's user-friendly platform makes it simple to navigate and easy to build a document, even if you're starting with a blank page. Feel free to dig into a few more tips to get the most out of Canva once you're ready to elevate your design. But first, let's nail the basics.

Here's how to create a resume on Canva.

1. Start With a New Page

On Canva’s main page, go to Create a Design and type in Resume . Several types of resumes will appear in the search. Make sure to click on Resume with the measurements of 8.5 x 11 in.

2. Change the Background

Blank designs start with a white page on Canva’s Editor page . If you want to change the color, click Background Color towards the top left-hand corner of your workspace. This will bring up a list of colors that you can use.

You can also click the + icon to bring up the Color Picker , to give you an even bigger range of options.

3. Choose Your Elements

Next, click on the Elements tab to find the shapes and graphics. Be aware that elements with a crown on them aren't free as they are part of the benefits of the Canva Pro subscription .

Using a basic shape to emphasize your resume is always a safe choice, we're going to pick one to use in the top corner of our resume. To find these shapes, go to Elements > Shapes > See All . Choose a shape that you think helps accentuate your resume.

If you can’t find one you like, you can always type in a shape name in the search bar. The shape will appear under the headings Shapes, Graphics, Photos, and more.

Make sure to alter the size if need be. You don’t want anything too large that takes over the design. If you want to change the color, use your color picker in the top left-hand corner of your workspace to do so. You can see how the shape is arranged in the next step.

4. Add Your Header

After you're done adding any Elements, click on the Text tab. You'll see several different ways to insert written content into your resume.

Canva creates heading/subheading combos for different types of documents. Plus you can also choose to insert a heading, subheading, or body text individually.

If you click on a heading/subheading combo, you’ll find it's too big for the header. It’ll also be in the wrong spot. To fix this, click on one of the anchor points of the text box and drag that point inwards. Once it's the right size, position your mouse over the text box, click and hold, then move the box to the right spot.

When you move the text box, you might see pink lines pop up in different positions. These pink lines are guides to help you line up your text with the shapes on your page.

To change the alignment of your text from centered to left-justified, click on the Alignment button to see a menu with the different options.

To change the font, click on the text you want to adjust—no highlighting is needed. Then, click on the font drop-down menu in the top left-hand corner. Pick a font from the choices available.

To change the text to say something different, click inside the box and start typing.

5. Add Your Professional Profile

Having a professional profile is very important for your resume. Make it a quick, one-to-two-sentence blurb for why you're awesome and why you should be hired.

To add your own, click Add a Subheading in the Text tab. Rename the subheading to "Professional Profile" or something meaningful to your industry. Choose a clear font and then position the text box on the page under your heading.

Next, click on Add a little bit of body text . This will open up a new text box where you can fill out your profile. Once done, position it beneath the “Professional Profile” subheading.

If you're not sure where to begin writing, you can try some of these tips for writing a resume headline that gets noticed .

6. Add a Divider

After your professional profile, you may want to add a graphic element to separate your profile from the rest of the resume.

To create one, go to Elements > Shapes > Lines and find the line you want to use. Something simple and non-obtrusive is recommended, so it doesn't draw attention away from the top of the page. Reposition it and change the size and color as needed.

7. Fill Out Your Sections

Next is filling out the different sections of your resume. List your contact details, accomplishments, work history, and education. Just make sure not to list things you don’t need on a resume .

To add the text boxes, follow the same instructions for creating text as the last step.

An easy way to keep your formatting the same across each section is to copy the subheading and body text from the professional profile. Once copied, just change the text inside the box.

8. Add Links or Other Visual Interest

Most of the time, you want your resume to be simple, so it’s easy to read. However, if you’re applying online, adding visuals to your online resume can be a nice touch. If you don't have any visual material that's relevant, including a few links can be incredibly useful (e.g. links to your portfolio, previous publications, or personal website etc.)

Adding a link to your resume in Canva is easy. After creating a new section titled “Links”, and typing the info you want, click on the words you want the link to be attached to. When the text box is highlighted, a three-dot icon will also appear. Click on the three dots, select Link , enter the URL, and press Enter .

9. Revise Your Resume and Group the Elements

Always make sure to check for grammar or visual errors. Learning how to proofread your resume will ensure you create a professional document.

"Grouping" means that separate elements on your page will be read as a unit. In Canva specifically, this means that you can edit each item by itself, but move the elements as one unit across the page. This is helpful if you want to tweak your design but keep individual sections organized.

To group items, click and drag over the elements you want to group until their bounding boxes show up in purple. Once they are selected, click on Group .

Make any final adjustments to the look of your resume and your finished.

Creating a Resume on Canva Using a Template

Not everyone has the time to build a resume from scratch, or perhaps they don't feel like being particularly creative. If that's the case for you, creating a resume using one of Canva's templates is the way to go.

1. Select a Template

Crafting a resume from a template is an incredibly easy process compared to creating one from scratch. On Canva’s main page, type Resume into the search bar and press Enter .

The next page will have thousands of resume templates to choose from—some even come with a cover letter template. Select one that you think will work for you and click Customize This Template .

2. Fill Out the Template With Your Information

Each template comes equipped with different sections that you’ll need to fill out. Just like creating a resume from scratch, if you click on the text box, you’ll be able to edit as you go.

If you find that some aspects of the resume don't fit the style of resume you’re trying to build, you do have the option of deleting or moving sections. Remember, all templates are completely customizable.

If you have to move a full section for any reason, even to a different page, it would be much easier to group the section first, then move it. Refer to step nine above for how to group a section.

Create a One-of-a-Kind Resume on Canva

Canva is a great platform to use for all your creative needs—even when it comes to building your resume. It doesn’t matter what your skill level is either. You have the option of simply choosing a template and inserting your information or creating a resume from a blank canvas.

Next time you’re job hunting, try using Canva on the desktop or the mobile app to create your most appealing resume yet.

• Work & Career

Yes To Tech

• Oct 19, 2021

Canva Resume Tutorial: How To Create A Resume In Canva

Wondering how to create a resume in Canva ? In this Canva resume tutorial, you'll learn how to use Canva for beginners to create a CV in Canva. So let's get right into these Canva tricks and Canva tips for your Canva CV so that you can make a resume using Canva templates with ease.

First off, if you don't have a Canva account yet, just click on the link in the description box below to sign up for free . To create a resume in Canva, in your Canva homepage, use the search bar up top to search for 'resume'. You can either select a generic Canva resume template, by clicking on the 'resume' option, or select a custom Canva resume template, by selecting one of the other options, including minimalist resume, high school resume, scholarship resume, professional resume, photo resume, academic resume, corporate resume, college resume or simple resume.

You may notice that when I place my cursor next to each of those Canva resume templates, they're all appropriately sized for resumes. I'll go ahead and click on the first 'resume' option. Canva has a number of resume templates that you can choose from, or you can click on 'create a blank resume' up top to start from scratch.

You can also filter the Canva resume templates by theme, style and color. Once you've located a resume template that you enjoy, and want to customize to make it your own, click on it to edit it. You can either leave this Canva resume template style as is, or click on any of the icons on the left-hand side panel to edit this Canva design further so that it looks the way you wish. For more details on how to customize a design in Canva, make sure to watch my video on ‘ how to use Canva ’. I’ll leave the link to it in the description box below.

Let me just show you a few things you can do to customize this resume in Canva. To edit the text, just click on any text box, and enter your information. You can also double click on that text, and change its font, size, color, style, alignment, additional options, line spacing, and effects.

To change the design style of any of the elements on this Canva resume, just click on the elements you wish to change, and then on the color picker from the white panel up top. You can either select one of the suggested colors, or use the search bar up top to search for a specific color or hex code.

To change this stock photo that came with the Canva resume template to one of your photos, click on 'uploads' from the left-hand side panel, and either select one of the photos you've already added to Canva, or click on 'upload media' up top to add a new one. You can upload a new photo to your resume in Canva from your device, Facebook, Google Drive, Instagram or Dropbox. Once you've located the photo you wish to add to your Canva resume, just drag and drop it over the current photo.

To save the resume you created in Canva, rename your design up top, and then click on the download icon on the top, right-hand side. Select the file type, most likely PDF print or PDF standard, and additional options if you so wish, and then click on the 'download' button at the bottom.

If you're serious about learning about how to create a resume Canva, make sure to check out our Canva tutorials playlist for even more Canva tips and tricks, as well as our FREE cheat sheet with brilliant tools that you should use below this video to learn more about how to save time and boost your productivity in your online business.

Leave a comment below and let me know if you'll be using Canva to create a resume. If you liked this video, make sure you give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel so that you can navigate the tech side of online business with ease , and stay tuned for our next video which is about how to hide likes and dislikes on YouTube. As you wait for my next video to go live, check out these two videos I have right here, and I'll see you in my next video.

CANVA RESUME TUTORIAL: How To Create A Resume In Canva. Wondering how to create a resume in Canva? In this Canva resume tutorial, you'll learn how to use Canva for beginners to create a CV in Canva. If you've been wondering where you can get a free resume template download, this Canva tutorial and Canva review on Canva resume editing is for you. So let's get right into these Canva tricks and Canva tips for your Canva CV so that you can make a resume using Canva templates with ease. Get pumped to design a resume in Canva by using these resume tips

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• Resume & CV

20+ Best Free Canva Resume CV Templates to Download for 2024

Do you need to make a resume but lack design skills? During a job hunt, your resume must look professional and leave a good impression on the hiring manager.

So how do you make a resume without design skills? Use a template!

Canva is a place where people design free and premium templates. So, does Canva have resume templates? Absolutely!

Using a template can help you save time. Because designing a resume from scratch can be difficult and take a lot of time. A template is already designed to look professional and impressive. Just find the template that suits you, download it, and add information.

What to Look for in a Resume Template

Before choosing a resume template, knowing what to look for can be helpful. Here are five things to look for:

1. Decide Your Goal

When considering what template you use, decide your goal when writing your resume. Depending on your goals, you may wish to vary what template you choose.

For example, if you’re applying to a creative job like graphic designer, you want a resume that showcases your work and creativity. But a resume that works for a creative field wouldn’t work for a corporate job.

2. Analyze the Company

After deciding on your goal, research the company you’re applying to. Look at the company culture and values to know what kind of company it is. If the company is modern and positive, consider a resume that reflects that. It’s also important to consider the position that you’re applying to. For example, if you’re applying for a job analyzing data, then have a data-driven resume template.

3. Consider Layout Options

There are several different resume template layout options that you can choose from. When deciding which layout, consider the research you’ve done on the company you’re applying to. Here are the different layout options:

• Traditional . This resume type has standard fonts like Times New Roman or Courier. Also, it's got one color and doesn’t have a border or graphics. Typically, they've got a single column and have the applicant’s name and contact information in the header at the top of the document. Below the header are the experience, education, certifications, and other information.
• Creative . This resume type has columns, charts, patterns, borders, and colorful graphics. In addition, this resume type can use multiple font types and sizes.
• Modern . The modern resume is a mix of traditional and creative resumes. The goal is that your resume be easy to read and scan. Generally, this template has two columns containing basic information, history, and experience. These templates typically have colors, hard lines, and geometric shapes. But the colors and shapes are muted or used to separate columns and subheadings.
• Functional . This resume focuses on the applicant’s skills and abilities because it's got the skills and goals at the top of the template.
• Chronological . In this resume template style, the most recent experience is listed at the top of the section, then the past experiences are below. The goal is to showcase your recent experience.

4. Determine What Meets Your Needs

Most templates can be customized to suit your needs. But you still want to choose a template that covers most of your needs. Here are some resume features to consider when deciding what meets your needs:

• single or double columns
• muted shapes or colorful shapes
• skills or graphs
• resume photo

5. Choose an Introduction

Resume introductions are the hiring manager's first impression of the applicant. So, you want it to be impressive and represent you well. There are three different types of introductions that you can use. Here are the three types of introductions.

• Summary . This is a two to three-sentence summary of your educational accomplishments and work experiences. It showcases your qualifications and skills.
• Objective . The resume objective is a summary of your professional goals. This can range from two to three sentences. The goal is to tell the hiring manager why you’re applying to the job.
• Personal Brand Statement . This one or two sentence statement is where you state what makes you unique. It shows what you professionally stand for.

20+ Top Free Canva Resume CV Templates to Download (2024)

Canva has many free high-quality resume templates.

Here are some of the best free Canva resume templates:

1. White Modern Digital Marketing Specialist Resume

This Canva CV has a fun but professional design. This resume template has clear section titles. It also comes with icons and graphics. Everything in this template can be easily edited.

2. Yellow Modern Abstract Resume

The Yellow Modern Abstract Resume is a Canva free resume template that can be used for any type of potential job that you apply to. This resume highlights your experience and skills. So, if you want to highlight them in your resume, this is a good choice.

3. Blue Light Color Blocks Flight Attendant CV

This Canva resume template has a nice bold information section that'll make your information stand out. It also comes with icons that draw attention to certain parts of the resume. The Blue Light Color Blocks Flight Attendant CV is 8.5 x 11 size. 

4. White Purple Simple Software Engineer CV

The best resume templates on Canva have a simple design that also comes with matching icons. The clean simplicity of the design won't distract the reader from the necessary information on your resume. Plus, the purple titles add a pop of color to your resume without it being overwhelming.

5. Grey Clean CV Resume

The Grey Clean CV Resume has a simple resume design. In the design, each part of your resume is separated into sections. As a result, this resume is easy to read and professional.

6. Beige Minimalist Academic Resume

Most people have a white resume, meaning that if you use this Canva CV with a beige background, you’ll stand out. This resume is designed for newly graduated students. It also comes with a language section where you can showcase any languages you speak.

7. Minimalist Clean Signature CV Resume

The Minimalist Clean Signature CV Resume has an elegant and fancy design. If you’re looking for a stylish and minimal template, this is one of the best resume templates on Canva. The colors featured in this template are light pink and gold.

8. Modern Grey Resume

The Modern Grey Resume is another resume that would stand out among the stack of white resumes. It’s one of the best Canva resume templates with colorful background professional resumes. Another feature of this resume is the icons in the contact section.

9. White & Black Modern Simple Architect Resume

The main focus of the White & Black Modern Simple Architect Resume is your work experience. So, if you've got a lot of experience in your field, this Canva free resume template is a great option. The bar on the side makes your skills stand out to the reader.

10. Brown and Cream Minimalist Graphic Designer CV Resume

This Canva CV would stand out among the white resumes with a lovely cream background. There's a section for you to add your headshot. Everything in this template can be edited, including graphs.

11. Minimalist Web Designer Resume CV

If you want a template that'll show off your creative side while also looking professional, this resume template free download from Canva is a great choice. The muted colors add visual interest without distracting the eye from important information.

12. Blue Simple Professional Resume

The Blue Simple Professional Resume is one of the best resume templates on Canva in the professional resume category. The navy blue adds color without distracting the reader. It also makes your name, title, and contact information stand out.

13. Cream Minimalist Professional Resume

The Cream Minimalist Professional Resume is one of the best Canva resume templates with minimal design and a pop of color. This template focuses on your experience with a big section for it in the middle of the resume. Also, it comes with icons in the contact section that'll make your information stand out.

14. Colorful Fun Illustration Artist Resume

This Canva free resume template focuses on a creative design. This template is a good choice if you want a template that'll show your art off and have a beautiful design. Everything in the template can be edited to suit your needs.

15. Black & White Simple Professional Resume

Black and White Simple Professional Resume is a Canva resume template with a design that looks stylish and professional. The design centers around a vertical timeline for all of the information in the template.

16. Kindergarten Teacher Aesthetic Pastel Pink and White Creative Resume

This creative template is one of the best resume templates on Canva. It's got an abstract design that can be used for any purpose. The color adds fun and whimsy without being distracting. You can easily customize this template, including the charts.

17. Purple White Modern Simple Minimalist Resume CV

If you’re looking for a minimal resume with color, then this is the best Canva resume template. This template focuses on your experience, skills, and accomplishments. The font is a fun purple color and easy to read.

18. White Black Simple Patterns Nurse Resume

The White and Black Simple Patterns Nurse Resume is a Canva free resume template that's got a fun design with a black and white theme. You can edit everything in this template to suit your needs. In addition, this template showcases an expert skills section where you can show your employer why they should hire you.

19. Green Modern Fashion Designer Resume

This Canva resume template has a beautiful design that can be used in a creative field. The earth tones are calming and add color without distracting from important information. Along with an education and experience field, the resume has a skill and reference field.

20. Black and White Minimalist Simple Design Freelancer Resume

The Black and White Minimalist Simple Design Freelancer Resume is a very simple Canva CV. Since there's no design, this template can work for any job field you’re applying to. In addition, the font is easy to read, making the whole resume template professional and not distracting.

5 Quick Tips to Make Professional Resume Designs

A well-designed resume can make an excellent first impression. When applying for a job, you want to do all you can to give a potential employer a good impression. Here are five tips for creating professional resume designs:

1. Choose the Right Font

Each Canva resume template comes with professionally selected fonts. Part of choosing a resume is choosing a font that not only matches your resume design but also looks stylish. You want the font to be professional, pretty, and easy to read. If you've got a font that's hard to read or tacky, it can come off as unprofessional.

Even if you aren’t sure about what font to use in your resume template design, stick to the same font throughout your whole resume. If you’re familiar with many fonts, you can try using a different font for your header and section than for the rest of your resume.

2. Make Your Header Pop

Headers are a vital part of your Canva resume template. The heading has the following important information:

• your full name
• professional title
• email address
• telephone number

Also, in the heading, include websites linking to your work. These websites can consist of LinkedIn and a personal website or online portfolio. Most of the time, the heading is what the hiring manager reads first. So, you want to make an excellent first impression.

3. Set the Margins

A well-designed Canva CV has identical margins on all four edges. For the safest size, your margins should be one inch on each side. But if you want a minimal look for your resume, try using one-and-a-half-inch margins on each side of your Canva CV or resume template.

Margins are necessary because if your margins are too narrow, your template can get filled with too much text. This would make your resume look unprofessional and sloppy. On the other hand, if your margins are too large, it can make your resume look empty and unimpressive.

4. Have Clear Section Headings

Most Canva resume templates have sections designed into the template. Sections can make the resume look organized and neat. It can also make your resume easier to read. Typically, your resume would have the following areas in this order:

• contact information
• resume summary or objective
• work experience
• additional sections

Having all your resume sections clearly labeled is essential so the hiring manager can easily read and find what they're looking for in your resume.

5. Use White Space

It’s essential to have white space in your Canva CV. White space makes your resume easy to read. Minimalist design templates have a lot of white space.

Make the spacing between sentences one or one and a half across your whole resume to take advantage of white space. Also, add space after every heading and every bit of information.

Learn More About Making Great Resumes in 2024

Making a good resume can be difficult. It's essential to have an impressive resume. If you want more information read this tutorial on How to Create a Great Resume . Here are some helpful articles:

Download a Free Canva Resume Template Today!

Now you know the answer to does Canva have resume templates ? ( It’s Yes! ) So, try out their templates today! But before trying a resume, read the helpful articles and tutorials to linked in this article.

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22 College Student Resumes That Landed Jobs in 2024

• College Student Resumes
• College Student Resumes by Role
• College Student Resumes for Academics

Writing Your College Student Resume

Companies sometimes require that entry-level candidates have experience, but how do you get experience when even entry-level jobs make it difficult to apply?

Getting that 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 or write a cover letter 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  22 college student resume examples to help inspire your resume in 2024 .

College Student Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This lets employers know when you can work full-time. Whatever you do, be honest. Stretching the truth won’t get you any points with employers. It’s better to be upfront and willing to learn a skill rather than try to succeed by the skin of your teeth.
• The golden rule on your college student resume is to lead with your strengths. If you’ve got a relevant internship, add it. If you’ve done any related class projects, list them. No matter what you include, make sure to highlight transferable skills.

Undergraduate Student Resume

• To impress the recruiter, demonstrate the dedication you have had in your previous posts despite minimal experience.

University Student Resume

• In that case, your university student resume can capitalize on your analytical skills, which helped identify cost-saving opportunities and cut overall expenses by six percent.

College Student No Experience Resume

• Luckily, there are a host of  resume templates  you can use to format your experience well, so long as you adjust based on your qualifications.
• For example, you can add or remove sections based on the amount of work history you have (or don’t have).
• For example, being on the club basketball team may feel irrelevant to business analysis. But by focusing on how you’ve organized practices and led a local volunteer effort, your  college student no experience resume  can point to qualities that might appeal to a thoughtful employer.

Current College Student Resume

• A reverse-chronological format is still the most accepted, but if you want to highlight your skills, try using a functional format instead.
• Adding relevant metrics shows that you know what matters to your employer and you’ve positively impacted your previous workplace.

College Student for Internship Resume

• That’s okay—you can weave in other things, like projects and part-time jobs. Of course, if you do have internship or job experience, put that at the top.
• It’s as easy as checking the  job description . Then just list your relevant abilities according to what matches the keywords listed by the employer.

College Student Assistant Medical Laboratory Technician Resume Example

• Do you have a unique interest related to science? Are you involved in a sport? Do you volunteer? All of these hobbies are great additions to your resume.
• If you’ve just graduated, you can bulk up your education section.
• Feel free to add any college awards you won and your GPA (if it’s higher than 3.5).

College Student HR Executive Assistant Resume

• As a rule of thumb, we recommend including one if you’re light on experience or are going through a substantial career change. Otherwise, leave it out in favor of work experience. 
• Good skills to include on an HR executive assistant resume are “talent acquisition,” “conflict resolution,” “legal compliance,” and “compensation/benefits.”
• An even more effective way to breathe life into your skills is to weave them into your work history or project bullet points.

College Student Case Assistant Resume

• Show off your personality using contrasting colors, classic fonts, and well-organized layouts. Our ready-to-build  resume templates  or handy  Google Docs interactive resumes  can help you keep your resume both tasteful and personable.
• If you don’t have certification, then now’s the best time to get it. Better late than never!

College Student Resident Assistant Resume

• Though an objective isn’t required, it can help employers see your skills and experience straight away.
• Just make sure to tailor it for every job you apply for by including the name of the employer, the position you’re seeking, and some matching keyword skills (that are true about you) gleaned from the  job description . 
• You also shouldn’t feel limited by your work experience. If you’ve done any relevant projects or have volunteered, include them! Employers love to see transferrable skills like collaboration, a good work ethic, and organization.

College Student Warehouse Worker Resume

• If you’re struggling to get going, consider using a  resume outline  to help you structure your experience—just don’t forget to fill out all the sections thoroughly!
• While it’s not impossible to land an excellent job without internships or experience, having some kind of work history, even in the form of projects, will allow you to be more picky and skim from the top of warehouse positions.

College Student Teacher Assistant Resume

• Adjusting formatting details, like the layout and header colors, can make your resume pop and reveal a bit about yourself. (Red and pink are bold, daring colors, while blue and green are calming.)
• Adding a  hobbies and interests section to your resume  can also help catch the eye of employers, provided you list hobbies that are relevant to the desired job, such as creative pursuits, volunteering, or research.
• Even if you’ve never had experience as a teacher assistant, you can instill confidence by demonstrating the impact of your communication skills. Did you effectively resolve an issue using negotiation? Write something that added helpful clarity? Show how you used communication to affect others positively!

College Student Biology Lab Technician Resume

• Don’t get too carried away here; after all, it’s still a resume and not a flier for a Wednesday Night Disco. But, one to two colors can be appropriate for all but the most conservative working environments. 
• Numbers can be frustrating to calculate and add to your resume, but trust us when we tell you that they make a world of difference. Hiring managers are consistently more willing to interview people with metrics on their resumes, as they convey job competence and confidence.

College Student English Tutor Resume

• Breaking up each work experience into bullet points can make your resume both easier to read (with fewer blocks of dense text) and easier to write.
• Instead of writing one big chunk of cohesive text, you can focus on pulling out as many highlights about your work history at each job as possible. 
• A project can be anything. Seriously, your final group project from that writing seminar counts, or you could highlight a blog you’ve been working on in your free time.
• Hint: Projects also make great stories to discuss on your college student cover letter .

College Application Resume

• Suppose you’re applying for a Bachelor of Arts in education. Express your passion for teaching and eagerness to advance your knowledge of education theories and practices. Even better, emphasize your long-term ambition to shape future generations through innovative education methods.

College Admission Resume

• Take a leaf from how Brian narrates his stints as a restaurant server, project presenter, and volunteer. Well-described, such experiences paint a picture of a well-rounded character who can take on varied challenges of an engineering program, enhancing their appeal in the eyes of the college admissions committee.

College Freshman Resume

• Use past projects to advantage here even if they’re only a year long. Clearly state how you used skills such as Canva and Microsoft Teams to make specific impacts during this time. Another great addition to your college freshman resume is any work experience under your belt.

Harvard College Resume

• You see reputable (and free) spell checkers like Grammarly? They’re your backstage crew making sure that your Harvard college resume is polished—no typos, grammatical mistakes, or punctuation errors in sight. And getting a friend or family member to take a peek? It’s always a brilliant move.

College Level Resume

• It’s a piece of cake. Maybe you’ve been a superstar nanny or the quickest cashier around. Identify competencies from these gigs, whether communication, time management, or leadership, and then blend them into your work experience. Simply put, connect the dots in your college level resume, and you’re golden.

College Student Academic Highlights Resume

• Say you have some work experience, but it’s not relevant to the job. That’s okay—instead of trying in vain to match the  job description , focus on transferable skills like customer service, organization, event planning, public speaking, and computer literacy.
• If you lack much work history, adding projects, coursework, or volunteer experience is the next best way to showcase your potential. You can also list your involvement in clubs, organizations, or peer mentorship.
• Write them like you’d write work experience by using active verbs and incorporating metrics (numbers).

First Year College Student Resume

• Your time contributing to a project is tangible evidence of your skills and experiences. Depending on what you include, it could showcase your communication and organizational skills or more technical abilities, like your proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Freshman College Student Resume

• Do you love gardening or nature photography? Awesome, it shows you’re inherently passionate about biology. Do you spend your time baking as well? It’s a sign that you know how to follow instructions and observe changes over time—skills that will come in handy as a lab assistant.

Related resume guides

• College Graduate
• Grad School
• Entry level

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

• Resume objective : A statement of your qualifications, interests, and skills that make you a good fit for the role to which you’re applying.
• Resume summary : A summary of your past experience detailing your high-level accomplishments and projects.

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

• “Recent college graduate with a degree in marketing looking for a full-time role where I can utilize my experience in social media and paid advertising to help an up-and-coming brand like Club Z! Inc. spread awareness and acquire more users.”
• “Diligent college student at the University of Pittsburgh who is equally committed to academic excellence (3.8 GPA) and service (student leader at the local food shelter) looking for an opportunity at Unidos as a part-time employee to utilize these talents to improve customer satisfaction.”
• “Recent graduate with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) seeking an opportunity within an established management organization to utilize my organizational and quantitative abilities. Epic seems to have a culture of empowering employees to have ownership over their problems, and that culture fits my work style perfectly.”

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:

• Again, take the time to  customize your resume objective for each company to which you’re applying .
• Don’t be afraid to inject your personality. Making an impression will help you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants.
• Keep it to two to three sentences.
• Mention any relevant skills or certifications you have for the role to which you’re applying.

College Student Resume Formats

One of the hardest parts of using a resume maker  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:

• Header: This is your name and job title. Have your job title match the job title to which you’re applying.
• Resume objective: We talked about this above, a quick summary of your skills and what you’re seeking.
• Education: As a college student, this should include your anticipated graduation date, the field of study, and relevant classes.
• Skills: List six to ten technical skills relevant to your career.
• Work experience: If you have any relevant internships or part-time jobs, mention them here.
• Projects: Did you do any side projects that demonstrate your competency? Include them!

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

• Keep your resume to one page! Your resume should only extend to a second page when you have 10+ years of experience.
• Avoid any spelling or grammar errors by double-checking your text and having a friend review your resume. Don’t let typos be the reason why you don’t get an interview.
• Break up your work experience into small, consumable bullet points. Nothing is harder to read than a big wall of text.
• Use reverse-chronological order to keep your most recent experience/projects at the top.
• Don’t include fancy images or graphics. It’s highly likely a computer will read your resume before a human ever does, and images are hard for computers to scan.
• Don’t list more than ten skills on your resume. (We’ll expand on this below.)

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:

• Mention the skills you demonstrated on the job.
• Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible.
• Talk specifically about your role; avoid being too general.
• Use action verbs like “owned” or “led” to highlight your leadership abilities.

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

Marketing Science Associates April 2020 – Current, New York NY Digital Marketing Intern

• Created testing plan for Facebook ad copy
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy

RIGHT – specific, quantified descriptions

• Created A/B testing plan for Facebook ad copy, improving ROI by 15%
• Built key reports for the executive team around KPIs such as marketing spend, new leads, revenue generated, and ROI
• Oversaw the creation of the blog for SEO purposes which grew from 1,000 to 5,000 monthly organic visitors
• Worked closely with clients to understand their product positioning to incorporate into ad copy, leading to client satisfaction of 99%

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

• Are you a business student? Detail a case study that you analyzed and presented in a class.
• If you’re a marketing student, you can write a short blog post about how you’d improve the paid marketing strategy for a company you admire.
• As a graphic designer, this is a great opportunity to talk about some of the projects in your portfolio.
• If you’re looking for a data analyst role, talk about how you analyzed stock data to determine areas of opportunity.
• As a human resources major, you’ve likely created processes for companies as part of a class, so talk about that.
• Software engineering students complete meaningful coding assignments all the time. Discuss one of those or talk about your side project.
• If you’re looking to break into product management, discuss a hackathon you were part of or create a case study for a feature your favorite product is missing.

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:

• The school you’re currently attending (or recently graduated from). You do not need to include your high school.
• Your graduation date (or expected graduation date). You can give just the month and year.
• The kind of degree you’re working toward (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master’s, etc.).
• Your field of study.

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:

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:

• Inject your personality into your resume objective and customize it for each company to which you apply.
• Your resume format should include a header, resume objective, skills section, education, and work/ project experience.
• Include any relevant internships or part-time jobs you’ve had during college and quantify the impact of your work.
• If you don’t have much working experience, include relevant projects you’ve completed either in the classroom or on your own time.
• Your education section is your chance to highlight classes you’ve completed that will convince the hiring manager you have the right tools for the job.

Finding a job or internship as a college student can be incredibly stressful. Building an AI 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!

• We’ll show you how, step-by-step • Real, practical tips and tools • 100% free

College Resume Templates

Flaunt your achievements and strengths with Venngage’s functional college resume templates and secure a job or internship that aligns with your professional aspirations.

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College Resume Templates

50 college student resume templates (& format).

When making a college resume template, keep in mind that your resume isn’t you. It’s merely a document that says something about you relevant to an objective you’re pursuing. A good resume should include important details about yourself even before including the usual contact information, education history, experiences, awards or honors, and any additional skills.

Table of Contents

• 1 College Resume Templates
• 2 What is the importance of a college resume template?
• 3 High School Resume for College
• 4 How to choose a college resume template?
• 5 College Resume Formats
• 6 Parts of a college resume template
• 7 College Student Resume Examples
• 8 Tips for writing a college resume template
• 9 College Resume Samples

What is the importance of a college resume template?

For admission in many colleges, you need a strong recommendation to submit along with your college resume template and an application letter. Some colleges, however, forbid this. To ensure that comply with requirements, so you know the kind of resume template for college students they prefer.

One of the most important things is to always keep a professionally-written resume as you can use this in many different ways:

• It gives your teachers and advisers a framework when writing their recommendation letters .
• It gives you a list of conversation points for when you have a scheduled admissions interview.
• It’s a requirement for several scholarships as well as internship or employment opportunities.
• Finally, a resume is almost like a business card. It has a tone of professionalism. Moreover, a good resume is something you can confidently submit to any school’s admissions department.

High School Resume for College

How to choose a college resume template?

Your college resume template should have that “IT” factor to leave a good impression on the reader. When composing your college resume format, always remember that looks matter. Here are a few pointers to think about for the design and format of your resume:

• Avoid using Helvetica and other casual fonts Helvetica refers to a widely used sans-serif typeface characterized with “no feet” at the bottom of the letters. The opposite is serif fonts which have, well, those “little feet,” The latter is more professional and traditional for use in a resume.
• Come up with a specific style for each of the levels of information There are many computer functions you can use to emphasize points in your resume . You can use bold or capitalized headings, italics or underlines when needed, bullet points for enumerations, and more. Consistency is the main key here. There’s no one standard way. Just select a specific style then stick with it.
• Make sure to limit your resume to a single page Keep your resume as short as possible but still containing the salient points. Being concise can already earn you extra points from college admission counselors who have read a lot of these wordy resumes.
• Make sure there is enough white space Margin formats always make an example resume college student clean and professional. One-inch margins are the standard. Keep a gap between the sections. White space is an effective design tool. It’s also gentler on the eyes of the reader.

College Resume Formats

Parts of a college resume template

A college resume template usually has four basic sections. Make sure that you include all of these sections in your resume template for college student. There should be a separate section if you have received many awards and honors. Here are brief descriptions of the basic sections of a college resume template:

• Contact Information This includes the following details: Your name Make sure to use the same name as the one on your application. Again, the key here is consistency. Your professional email Make sure to check this email frequently. If you don’t have a professional email, create one. If you still use your email from high school, create a new one too. Your mobile phone number
• Education This involves a bit more work as it includes: The name of the High School you attended, the City, the State, and the inclusive years. Your GPA both unweighted and weighted. Your highest test scores including, ACT, SAT, and others. Any relevant coursework. This part would give you the opportunity to talk about any additional classes, which you’ve taken back in high school which also reflect your interest in the course you plan to major in.
• Experience This section allows you to state the reasons why you’re qualified for admission, that it isn’t just about responsibilities but accomplishments as well. But what is the difference? An illustrative example can explain this. Maybe you were a class president responsible for presiding over meetings, planning events , organizing fundraisers , and more. But if you didn’t accomplish any of these, then you should not include these in your college resume format. You need to consider both accomplishments and responsibilities in any of your endeavors, whether it be in a team, a club, a service project , and more. Also, try to think of your accomplishments in terms of numerical figures. Think about your choice in words when writing your college resume. Use active words to come up with a description of what you did exactly. Remember, this is the chance to explain that you have led, managed, created, organized, problem-solved, maintained, coached, budgeted, produced, presented, scheduled, written, built, traveled, bid, sold, developed, delivered, and so on. As you can see, these are all action words. Here are some helpful tips for writing this part of the resume: It’s recommended in any example resume college student to list experiences and education in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent experiences and work backward. For each of the activities, list the business or organization (on-the-job training included), where it’s located, the position you held, and when these activities occurred. These dates show how much time you’ve spent on those activities. Avoid talking in the first person. Better to say “led,” rather than saying “I led.” Practice consistency in your verb tenses. If you’re still part of an activity, use the present tense. If not, use the past-tense.
• Awards and Honors You can compare this section to your trophy case at home. If you won an essay-writing contest in a school-wide competition or you won first prize in a science fair or your miniature horse got a best-of-show award, then you can include all these in this section. As for experiences, take some time to make the details of your experiences brief while still capturing your awesomeness. Make sure to include the following: Naming the award gives credence to it. Make a brief description of what the award is all about. List all of the organizations you have been a part of, the positions you’ve held, and the dates when you received your awards. If possible, provide the month and the year. Being very specific and using numbers is highly recommended. Lastly, avoid using the first person.

College Student Resume Examples

Tips for writing a college resume template

A good college resume template should emphasize your education and work history. You may also include abilities and skills by citing as examples your participation in extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Here are some helpful points that can make your resume template for college student stronger:

• Focus on your education Since applying for admission to college, your education history matters most. Emphasize the important points of your educational history. Aside from the usual name and degree, also include your achievements, like any academic awards or a high GPA. Also, mention any courses you’ve taken that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
• Include any relevant jobs You should now know with the experiences and skills required for the job you’re applying for. You can include the skills you’ve developed while performing other jobs in your resume. Even if your work experiences aren’t directly related, try thinking of ways to highlight those experiences. For instance, being a cashier before could have developed your skills in leadership or customer service .
• Include your extracurricular activities For beginners, they may have limited experiences in terms of work. Here, they can emphasize non-working activities like a club membership , sports, volunteer work, babysitting or community service . Although these involve no compensation, they can show your abilities and skills.
• Include your leadership experience If you have held a position that entails leadership in a sports team, a club or in previous jobs, these would be worth mentioning in your resume as these are an indication of your ability to lead.
• Utilize action verbs This is a useful way to show responsibility. These become very effective when you describe your achievements. These words can depict your experiences in a compelling and energetic manner.
• Quantify whenever possible Using numbers usually can highlight, if not enhance, your achievements. For instance, you can say that you have worked as a teller in a bank managing amounts of over $300,000 each day or you’ve worked in a retail shop helping out about 75 – 100 customers on average per day.
• Keep editing as needed Never forget to carefully proofread the resume you’ve created before submitting. A finished one should be error-free spelling and grammar-wise. It should also comply with professional standards. As a double-check, ask a relative or friend to read your resume as well.
• Download example resume college student You can use a college resume template as a guide when making your own. This greatly helps in deciding the content to include and how you should format it. Just make sure that the template you select will fit your own education, experiences, and the position you’re applying for .

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College Student

College Student resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for car sales

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your college work experience, include the relevant key skills that make you a great candidate (even as a college student), detail your education & relevant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a college student resume.

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. 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. 

Writing a resume for a college student is different from one for an established professional. You’ll need to highlight varied experience from internships , academic positions, volunteer work , and more. Remember, other college students have the same coursework and degrees to show, so your resume is key to proving why you’re the best candidate for a competitive position.

Resume guide for a college student resume

Accelerate success with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples cover over 500 professions, and our resume builder makes creating a compelling resume easier than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding college student resume example will cover the following:

How to write a college student resume

• Choosing the right resume format for college students
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your college experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the job market looks like, and what salary you can expect

The very first step in writing your college student resume is understanding what sections to include. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Lack of work experience is what usually makes student or graduate resumes inherently different from most job seekers. 

But, you can still build a strong professional profile to impress anyone! To create a persuasive narrative, gather as much information as possible about the job you’re applying for, the skills needed, and the people doing the hiring. Identify the company’s needs and showcase how you’re the person who can fulfill those needs. To craft a great college student resume, stick to this winning formula:

• Remember to highlight accomplishments rather than responsibilities. All of your classmates were assigned similar tasks, but what unique value did you bring to the class or internship?
• It’s essential to customize each application you submit for the specific employer or opportunity. You should not only tailor the writing but also the formatting and tone of your resume.
• When submitting online, optimize your resume with appropriate keywords so it won’t be filtered out by ATS screening software . Read more about ATS below.

Optimize for the 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.

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. To learn more about conquering the ATS, check out our article Resume ATS optimization .

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 labeled “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. 

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.

The most important goal is that your contact information is easily accessible. Just as important, however, is that it’s professionally presented. 

• Full name & title . List your first and last name. Use the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address . Use a clean format like [email protected] . Don’t use a quirky, unprofessional email address or an .edu.
• Phone number . List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location . List only your city and state . Note 'Willing to Relocate' here if applicable.
• LinkedIn . Even as a college student, you should create a LinkedIn profile that is active , relevant, and aligned with your resume. Include the URL in your header.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth : Not necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details : Marital status, social security number, passport number , etc.

Jenna Smith

Research Assistant

090-080-0000

[email protected]

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.

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:

• Describe the personal qualities you think are appropriate for the industry and position. Inspire the future employer's confidence that you're a good fit for the job.
• Use action verbs and energetic, positive language. Come across as an upbeat, vibrant, productive person who will be a joy to work with and employ.
• Sprinkle in one or two of the most valuable skills you bring to this job. For example, CRM software knowledge for an office manager job could be a crucial advantage.
• Mention one or two aspects of your work / life experience that show you are productive and determined.

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You can find adaptable college student resume example summaries below:

Eager and ambitious business administration student with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Demonstrated leadership abilities through involvement in student organizations and extracurricular activities. Strong academic foundation in finance, marketing, and management, supplemented by hands-on experience gained through internships in the business sector.

Creative and empathetic sociology student with a keen interest in cultural studies and social justice. Proficient in critical thinking, research, and written communication, with a focus on exploring complex societal issues and promoting diversity and inclusion. Seeking opportunities to apply my interdisciplinary perspective and storytelling abilities in roles that foster social change and promote understanding across diverse communities.

Enthusiastic and driven computer science student with a passion for technology and innovation. Possesses a solid foundation in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++, coupled with coursework in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering. Experienced in developing web applications, mobile apps, and software solutions through hands-on projects and internships.

Even as a student, your work experience section needs to shine. Luckily, “experience” can be defined as more than just transitional employment. Let’s look at how this resume section can give you an edge by reflecting your life experience and your vibrant, productive personality. 

• Internship experience . This is one of the most impressive substitutes for "full" employment experience. Recruiters pay special attention to this when considering student or graduate resumes .
• Summer / temp jobs . Experience as a waitress , clerk , or nanny counts for more than you might think in terms of transferable skills. Courtesy, patience, discipline, dependability, willingness to work long hours are just a few examples.
• Social initiatives / volunteer work . These are almost always impressive on a college student resume. Volunteering demonstrates altruistic traits and a cooperative team spirit .
• Self-directed or community projects . Cite examples of commitments and collaborations that extended from your personal interests and talents.

List your current (or most recent) job at the top of this section and work your way back to your first job. Only go back as far as you’ve been in college and stick to experience that is directly related to the role you are applying for. 

Under each employer and role heading, describe your contributions in concise bullet point statements, omitting “I.”  Start each bullet point with an action verb like led, motivated, orchestrated, collaborated, or managed.

Make sure to focus on results and concrete information that demonstrates tangible outcomes as opposed to generic duties. This will impress the employer and help them see why you’re a cut above other college students.

Take a look at the college student employment history resume sample below:

Sales Associate at Coffee Grinders, Boston  September 2015 - June 2018 

• Greeted customers and assisted them with purchasing products.
• Helped customers grind coffee beans and sample new products.
• Maintained a clean and welcoming store environment.
• Handled financial transactions.
• Monitored and recorded inventory records.

How to write a college student resume with no work experience

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. 

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. 

In your employment history section, showcase your involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations, sports teams, or volunteer work. Describe your roles and responsibilities within these activities, highlighting any leadership positions or notable achievements. 

Finally, include a skills section where you can list any technical skills , languages , software proficiency, or certifications that are relevant to the jobs you're applying for. By focusing on your academic achievements, skills, and extracurricular activities, you can create a compelling resume that demonstrates your potential as a college student with no prior experience .

The skills section of a college student resume 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 resume.

Start by creating a master list. The master list is a free-form document—electronic 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.

Once you've found an actual job application or opportunity, 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 ensure your skills outline matches the same wording if possible. This may seem trivial but may become the difference between getting a job interview and being filtered out.

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.

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

• Office Technology Skills
• Motivated Attitude
• Social Media Platforms
• Advanced Communication Skills

As a college student, your education is likely the most consequential experience you’ll have to show on your resume. That’s why it’s important to carefully complete this section with the right details to impress the hiring manager or scholarship committee.

As with your employment history section, you’ll want to list each degree from most recent to oldest. Create a subheading with the degree name, university, dates attended, and location. Since you’re likely still studying, you can add “present” instead of an end date.

Underneath the subheading, you should add 2-3 bullet points that describe your most impressive academic achievements, relevant coursework , and leadership roles. It’s also a good idea to include your expected graduation date if you’re still a student. Your GPA is also an essential piece of information, but only list it if it’s 3.5 or above. If your GPA for your major is significantly higher than your overall score, include that instead. 

If you’re still in college, you can add your high school education in much the same way as your college one. If adding a GED , simply include the date completed. Once you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, remove your high school details to make more room for professional experience on your resume. 

Check out our adaptable education resume sample below and learn more about adding your education to your resume .

Bachelor of Film and Media Studies, Boston University, Boston  August 2016 - Present 

• Working towards a Film and Media Studies degree

High School Diploma, Regis High School, New York  September 2012 - May 2016 

• Graduated with High Honors
• President of the Journalism Club

Layout, design and formatting considerations are vitally important for a successful college student resume. 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.  Just as you should customize the content of your resume for each position you apply to, your layout and design should also match the image of the employer or opportunity. 

Professionally designed resume templates make it easy to create a perfectly formatted layout and give you the ability to switch between styles with ease.

Key takeaways for building a college student resume

You can get an awesome job as a college student. Your college student resume is a hugely important instrument for that. The summary section provides the best opportunity for your college student resume to stand out and show personality.

The education section is a focal point for most college student resumes. Your resume skills section will be defined by the job you are pursuing within a specific industry. Tailor it to the job description and your knowledge of the industry. 

Our online resume builder makes the process of college resume creation much easier and helps avoid hidden technical pitfalls.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates