We all have been freshmen in our student lives. At this stage, students lack the necessary skills to qualify for jobs. This is why many struggle to land their desired roles.
Are you seeking a part-time job to earn extra money? Or are you searching for an internship to kick-start your career? A college freshman’s resume is just what you need. With this resume for students, highlight your academic achievements and skills to show your abilities.
You may be stuck because you don’t have enough things to add to the document. But don’t worry. Here is a detailed guide to walk you through the process.
What is a College Freshman Resume?
This is a CV for a first-year university student. It outlines your educational background, capabilities, and job history. These CVs help you apply for roles that will enable you to grow in the professional world.
For most students, the first year is the one where they start gaining skills. The learning continues throughout the university years. Without any experience, you may be confused about how you can get a job. This is where freshman CVs come in. By seeking help from resume services, you can apply for various part-time positions and internships.
How to Write an Impressive College Freshman Resume
Here are some steps you can take to write a compelling CV to land your next role.
Provide Your Contact Information
This is one of the first sections of the resume. As the title suggests, you need to include information so that potential employers can contact you. This will include:
- Your phone number
- Current location
Here’s an example to help you:
| +1 204 556 9835 Emily Stevens emilystevens367@gmail.com Houston, Texas |
Professional Summary
Placed at the top of the resume, this is a small overview of your professional journey. It highlights your best abilities and defines your future goals. You can impress employers with a well-written professional summary.
Focus on the experience you have and clearly convey how you wish to grow in the future. Recruiters hiring freshmen know that the candidates lack significant expertise. So don’t worry about not having an impressive job history. Here’s an example to help you write a good summary:
| A highly dedicated and organized communicator in search of a management role where I can utilize my skills acquired through three years of corporate communications courses to facilitate office functioning and streamline workflow |
Mention Valuable Skills
No CV can be complete without a section on skills. Yours should include a separate section that highlights your abilities. As a freshman, you may not have any technical or hard skills. However, you can mention the transferable ones that you gained from your courses.
Internship and part-time job recruiters are always on the lookout for dedicated candidates with potential to grow. So don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of skills to add. Here’s a table for your guidance:
| Technical Skills | Soft Skills |
| Microsoft Office | Communication Skills |
| Graphic Design | Problem Solving |
| Social Media | Leadership |
| Coding | Customer service |
| AI | Diplomacy |
Highlight Experiences
Although you are a beginner, you should still be able to mention some relevant experience on your resume for students. This can be any kind of society or volunteer work that helped you grow. Internships, part-time roles, and community service are great ways to impress hiring managers.
The professional background doesn’t have to be related to the role you are applying for. This is why many resumes for students contain descriptions of transferable skills. Here’s how you can do it:
| Food Bank of West Carolina Volunteer Shift Manager, June 2024–September 2024 Organized and managed food pantry operations, resulting in a 20% decrease in spending.Trained a volunteer on managing the food shelvesCreated, organized, and managed shift calendar for over 135 volunteers |
Focus Educational Background
A resume for students usually focuses on work experience. But since you don’t have much to add to your CV, shift the focus to your education. This will demonstrate to employers the qualifications you’re acquiring as a student.
On the other hand, by mentioning the core courses you’re studying, you can show the recruiters the abilities you are developing. Here’s an example to help you:
| Education BSc – Business Management California State University 2023 – Ongoing GPA: 3.4 Core Courses: Corporate Communication International Economics Corporate Governance Risk Management of Multinational Corporations |
Format Carefully
If it’s your first time writing a resume in your freshman year, pay close attention to the formatting. Ensure that you choose one that aligns best with the roles you’re applying for.
If you already have a resume for students, you can opt for a CV revamp to change the type to suit your requirements.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown
| Type | Key Feature | Best for |
| Chronological | Presents work experience in reverse chronological order. | Helps employers follow the career development. |
| Functional | Highlight valuable skills instead of past in a strict chronological order. | Draws attention to impressive skills and shifts focus from career gaps. |
| Combination | A mix of both chronological and functional formats to focus on both professional background and skills. | Offers an overview of the candidate’s abilities and qualifications. |
People Also Ask
How to make a freshman resume stand out?
Customize it to meet the specific job description. Also, describe your accomplishments in detail and use bullet points to achieve a clear organization that catches the recruiter’s attention.
How do I make sure my application is seen?
Use ATS-friendly keywords to ensure it passes through the checks. Also, carefully proofread the resume for any mistakes or inaccuracies to create a professional image.
What if the part-time job or internship doesn’t align with my field of study?
Don’t worry, you can still mention the transferable skills you’ve developed from your university course. Expertise gained from volunteer and society work can also be very helpful.
Which format is the best for a freshman’s resume?
One particularly effective format for first-year university students is the chronological approach. Typically, the educational background is listed first, allowing you to shift the focus from your work experience to your academic career.
Wrapping Up
As a freshman, landing your first part-time job or internship can be a little difficult. But with the help of these tips and examples, you can write a resume for students that impresses recruiters.
In your initial year at college, you may not have enough job history, but don’t worry. Tailor your CV and focus on skills and academic achievements to stand out. Remember, the key is to show employers your growth potential. So don’t be afraid to mention all your relevant expertise and skills.