How to Write an Entry Level Resume

by Katherine Swan

Whether you are just entering the workforce after graduation or you have decided to change careers, you need an entry-level resume that will help you get a job in a new field. Without industry experience, however, many applicants worry that their resume won't pass muster.

Not to worry - when you are applying for an entry-level job, employers will expect you to have entry-level experience. However, a professional resume is still required, regardless of your level of experience. Here are the elements that every entry-level resume needs to have, as well as several tips for writing a winning resume.

Elements of an Entry-Level Resume

When browsing resumes, the majority of hiring managers simply scan the objectives and summary of each one before moving on to the next. This means that the information at the top is the first - and possibly the only - part of your resume that gets noticed.

A resume is basically a sales pitch - a one-page or two-page description of what an employer will get if they hire you. And because hiring managers have very short attention spans, you need to hit them with your selling points as quickly as possible.

Contact Information

Nothing will hurt your chances faster than making a prospective employer hunt for your contact information. This information should be listed clearly at the very top of your resume.

Objectives

Believe it or not, this is the most important part of an entry-level resume. First, this is the first thing a hiring manager sees. Second, since your work history cannot demonstrate your chosen career path, it's up to your objectives to tell employers where you are headed.

A bulleted list of focused objectives is a necessity. Instead of "Position where I can exercise my creative skills," use, "Assistant art direct position in the independent film industry in the New York City metropolitan area." Likewise, if you want a management job with good upward mobility, write something like, "Management position with opportunities for advancement. Open to travel and/or relocation."

Of course, your objectives should be tailored to fit the specific job you are applying for - if you really want it, that is. Telling the retail hiring manager that you would prefer a job in engineering is a sure way to get passed over!

Summary

Your resume summary is also extremely important - if the hiring manager doesn't see what he is looking for there, he is not likely to look any further. Your summary section should contain a bulleted list of your most important qualifications. When you have more experience, this is the section where you will list the number of years you have worked in the field. For now, you will simply list other noteworthy qualifications you have.