How do I fill my resume if I don't have prior experience?
Empty resume? Here's how to fluff it up:
1. Include any work experience.
Babysitting, retail, your random high school side quests. Those are real jobs and skills you developed. There are transferrable skills that you can market in every experience!
2. Get certified.
Certifications bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills. They give you tangible credentials, show initiative and career readiness, and help clarify interests. There are tons of different certifications out there, but here are a few reputable and free/affordable platforms:
- Coursera / Google: IT Support, Data Analytics, UX Design, Project Management, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing
- Hubspot Academy: Inbound Marketing, Content Marketing, Social Media, SEO, Sales
- Microsoft Learn: Azure Fundamentals, Power BI Data Analyst, Microsoft 365
3. Join Student Organizations.
Your campus involvements are the perfect thing to put where you’d normally put job experiences. You may not have had an internship yet, but club involvements that show your interests and skills are valuable stand-ins. Again, find and describe the transferable skills!
4. Relevant Volunteer Work.
Get involved in a cause you care about. Look up local organizations, research their volunteer opportunities, and reach out! Volunteer work can be very relevant to your industry, shows what you value, and proves you can take initiative.
Examples of industries and volunteer work that connects to them:
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Publishing, writing, journalism: volunteer at your public library
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Finance: help out with a nonprofit’s budgeting, taxes, etc
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Healthcare: volunteer at a hospital, get involved in
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Law: volunteer at a local government office, voter registration events, or legal aid clinics
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Tech: help out with a nonprofit’s web design
5. Academic Research
Research papers, lab work, or assisting a professor can all count as real experience. Academia is a highly marketable experience- here are some tips for adding research to your resume.