How to Build a Strong Resume for Entry-Level Jobs

I landed my first internship at a Fortune 100 with NO prior work experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, but what the #&%@ do you put on a resume when you have no work experience? 😂 Here's what I did & how you can replicate it ⬇️ Getting the first internship [or first job] is, in my opinion, one of the hardest you'll ever do in your career. It's a perpetual "chicken before the egg" problem ~ how do you get experience if everyone requires prior experience? The reality that no one talks about is that you can't apply to a role with a blank/empty resume, so you have to get *some* form of experience. This is the step that people often skip over: resume *building*. Here are three areas you can build your resume in, all of which I have done: 🛠️ Project experience -- projects are the EASIEST way to gain experience since you don't need anyone's permission, approval, or supervision to do it. Here are some example projects for different career paths ~ mobile & web apps (software engineering), investment memo or thesis (venture capital), product prototype/design, and strategy (product management). 🛠️ Competition experience -- want to test your abilities under pressure? And potentially win awards & cash prizes? Enter competitions! I won $12K+ from hackathons (SWE/PM), engineering pitch competitions (ENGR/Biz), startup pitch competitions (PM/Biz) and case competitions (Consulting). 🛠️ Work *Lite* experience -- fellowships, externships, micro-internships, etc. Basically, any form of "relevant" experience. These types of opportunities typically have less competition, can be slightly easier to attain, and don't have the same type of requirements/requisites as internships and full-time roles. You have to start somewhere; not only will these experiences fill your resume, but they'll also give you more confidence in the job search! Once you've built your resume, write it like a pro using these guidelines: ✅ Use the Google XYZ method ~ this is like the golden rule for resumes, and it goes, "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]." ✅ Use your resume to TELL A STORY ~ use descriptive adjectives, strong verbs, and consistent bullet points to create a cohesive story that makes you look like THE perfect candidate for the job. ✅ Use an ATS-friendly format ~ this isn't too difficult, but it's a HUGE stumbling block for applicants. If your resume can't be read by an ATS, you will likely get auto-rejected. 😳 🧠 Want to avoid the mistakes I made & see THE resume that got me my first internship at an F100 with NO work experience? Comment your email & I'll send a copy straight to your inbox! 📥 #internships #earlycareer #newgrad #summerinternship

Most resumes don’t get rejected for lack of experience. They get rejected for how that experience is presented. Over the last 3 months, I’ve reviewed over 50 resumes.  Friends, Referrals, and community members. Each time, I notice the same patterns. The mistakes are often small but costly. The wins are subtle but powerful. Here’s what I’ve learned from those reviews and what you can fix today: What actually works? 1 - Tailored Content The best resumes don’t try to be everything to everyone. They’re sharp, role-specific, and rich with keywords that match the job description. 2 - Quantifiable Achievements A line like “handled sales” is forgettable. A line like “Increased sales by 20% in 6 months” gets noticed. 3 - Simple, Clean Formatting Single-column. Consistent fonts. No design drama. ATS systems will thank you. So will recruiters. 4 - Professional Summary > Objective Statement Start with a crisp summary that answers: “What do I bring to the table?” 5 - Action Verbs “Led,” “Built,” “Implemented,” “Optimized.” Not “Responsible for” or “Helped with.” What to absolutely avoid? 1 - Generic Phrases “Hardworking team player” is white noise. Show it. Don’t say it. 2 - Outdated or Irrelevant Info That 2012 internship? Probably time to let it go. 3 - Over-designed Layouts ATS bots don’t care about your Canva skills. Keep it functional. 4 - Typos & Formatting Errors One comma out of place? Might not ruin your chances. But why risk it? 5 - Missing Contact Info Yes, this still happens. Double-check that your phone and email are visible. Bonus enhancements that make a difference: - Use metrics in every role, not just the latest one. - Match your skill section to what the job actually demands. - Move education below experience, unless you're a fresh grad. - Include certifications and recent courses. - Keep font styles and spacing uniform throughout. My suggestion? Take an hour this weekend and do a ruthless edit. - Cut fluff. - Add metrics. - Tweak layout. Ask a friend for feedback. And if you want a second set of eyes, I’m happy to help. I regularly do resume reviews (for a small fee). If you're looking for personalized, actionable feedback, DM me or drop a comment. Let’s make your experience shine the way it deserves to. -- ♻️ Reshare if this might help someone. ▶️ Join 2,485+ in the Tidbits WhatsApp group → link in comments

My resume got interviews at Citi, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Mastercard, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and more. Was it luck? Not really. Was it packed with fancy jargon or design-heavy? Definitely not. It was simple, clear and designed to work for both humans and machines. Let me explain how!! ✅ It wasn’t just “ATS-friendly.” It was human-friendly too. Yes, your resume should beat the algorithm. But it also has to make a recruiter stop scrolling and say, “This makes sense.” ✅ Use the right keywords and the right tone. If the JD says “financial modeling” or “risk analysis,” your resume should say it too. Don’t force-fit but align it. ✅ Action verbs make a difference. Don’t say: “Responsible for managing a team…” Say: “Led a 6-member team to deliver a key project ahead of deadline.” Verbs like Led, Improved, Created, Analyzed, Spearheaded, Launched bring energy and impact. Avoid repetition and start every bullet point with one. What should you include in your resume? 🔹 Name & Personal Details Bold Name. Phone number. Clickable email. Hyperlinked LinkedIn. 🔹 Professional Summary (Optional) 2–3 crisp lines that sum up who you are and what you bring to the table. Think elevator pitch and not autobiography. 🔹 Education Section Include college name, degree, passing year, university, CGPA/marks. This section can shrink later (after 6-7 years), but early on, it tells part of your story. 🔹 Work Experience Reverse chronological. 4–8 sharp bullets per role. Focus on impact and not just descriptions. Example: Improved lead conversion by 18% through redesigned qualification process. Always ask: “Does this line show value?” If not then cut or rework it. 🔹 Skills & Tools List what's relevant to the role. Mix of technical + soft skills. Avoid dumping 20 buzzwords. Think clarity over clutter. ATS loves keywords but hiring managers love meaning. 🔹 Certifications / Projects (Optional) Include if they are recent, relevant and from credible sources. If not then skip. 🔹 Add a Human Touch Leadership roles, volunteering, co-curriculars or sports aren’t fillers. They show initiative, teamwork and personality. Things that don’t fit into KPIs but matter deeply at work. Remember, people hire people and not just degrees. If this helped, there’s more where that came from!! Follow Vishal Jalan for such helpful insights. #cv #resume #visualizewithvishal #hiring

Resumes are one of the most critical aspects of any off-campus hiring process! I'm glad to have received such an overwhelming response to the form shared in my previous post—over 1,000 submissions! After carefully going through all the queries related to resume preparation, I’ve tried to address almost all of them in this post. I’ve been fortunate enough to clear the resume screening stage for almost every role, hackathon, or event I’ve applied to so far - touchwood! and it goes without saying that a lot of effort went into building it. Here are some key tips I’d recommend: 1. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬; Overleaf is a better option for creating professional resumes. 2. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, and keep it to a single page (if possible). I’ve shared a few recommended templates below for your reference. 3. 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭-𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: education, skills, projects, achievements, positions of responsibility (POR), coding profiles, and experience (if applicable). 4. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Keep the same font and proper indentation throughout. Avoid using colors, quantify your achievements wherever possible (brownie points for a CP fellow) and reduce white spaces. A resume shouldn’t look empty at first glance. 5. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞. List projects in bullet points, starting with action verbs (e.g., Developed, Implemented). Highlight what you did, what the project does, and include links if it’s hosted online. Mention the creation date as well. 6. 𝐁𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥. Avoid false information, as your resume sets expectations for interviews. In one of my recent interviews, the interviewer delved into every detail I had mentioned in my resume, resulting in a nearly two-hour discussion! 7. 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞. Customize it based on the job description. Keep in mind, HRs often spend only 5–7 seconds per resume, so it's crucial to include relevant keywords and qualities for the role. Here are the template links (I’ve used a combination of the first and third one for my resume): https://lnkd.in/g2CabhfD https://lnkd.in/g-VXqznJ https://lnkd.in/gDaSFTny If you have any further queries , feel free to ask in the comments below! 𝑃𝑆: 𝑇𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤, 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛’𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑠. 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑘.

In the job application process, your resume is often the first introduction to you. Treat it like it matters, because it does. While being concise is important, your resume should still tell your story in a way that makes you stand out. Think of it as your elevator pitch: • What do you want a hiring leader to know about you? • What makes you the right fit for the position? • What measurable accomplishments prove you can help the organization reach its goals? These are all questions to reflect on as you draft your resume. For early career candidates, I often see resumes that are too brief and lack context. No matter the job, class project, or volunteer work you have done, do not downplay the value of your experiences. If an internship posting asks for “strong collaborative skills,” think about times you partnered with classmates to complete a course project. If you need to show leadership, highlight roles you held in a club, student organization, fraternity, or sorority. The key is to provide context. A simple framework is: • WHAT: Here’s what I did. • HOW: Here’s how I did it. • OUTCOME: Here’s why it mattered and what I achieved. Your experiences have more weight than you may realize. When written with clarity and context, your resume becomes more than a list of tasks. It becomes a story about who you are, what you bring, and why you are the right fit. #careerdevelopment #earlycareers #resumeadvice #resumewriting #careerreadiness #resumes #internships #resumetips

Looking to make your resume shine and grab attention? With over a decade of recruitment experience and having reviewed nearly 250,000 resumes while working for industry giants like Amazon, Accenture (Avanade), Cognizant, and various startups through my agency, Proven Patterns, I’ve seen what truly makes a resume stand out. Here are some top tips to help you create a powerful resume that will leave a lasting impression: ☑ Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-3 page resume when possible. Focus on your most relevant experiences and achievements without overwhelming the reader. ☑ Tailor for Each Job: Customize your resume for every position you apply for. Incorporate keywords from the job description and highlight skills and experiences that match the role. If you don't have enough time at least match the resume summary section with the job description. ☑ Showcase Achievements: Use specific numbers and examples to quantify your accomplishments. Instead of saying "improved sales," say "boosted sales by 20% within six months." ☑ Professional Format: Opt for a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts and spacing. Save the flashy graphics for creative fields. ☑ Include a Strong Summary: Start with a compelling summary that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Make it engaging and tailored to the job you're targeting. ☑ Highlight Skills: Clearly list your core skills and competencies. Be honest and focus on those that are directly relevant to the position. ☑ Proofread Carefully: Ensure your resume is free from typos and grammatical errors. A polished resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism. ☑ Add a Personal Touch: Include a brief section on your interests or volunteer work. This can help convey your personality and values beyond your professional skills. Your resume is your first impression; make it count! 🚀 If you found these tips useful, please repost ♻ and follow me, Kumud Deepali R. for more insights and advice on jobs and career!

Looking for resume tips from some of the best recruiters in the biz from Live Nation Entertainment? This is part 2 of advice from my incredible colleagues from the Concerts team to help you land that dream role! ✨ Jennifer Owusu Thomas' advice: "Your resume should speak for you. Who you are, and what you have accomplished (education, experience, skills, leadership, activities) . It Is more than just a first impression; the first and sometimes only document an employer/recruiter sees before making a decision to either move forward or reject your application. A resume that stands out in a good way should be clear, concise, thoughtful, and communicate your strengths and abilities effectively in a small space. Do not over stuff your resume!    If you are early in your career or fresh out of school, focus on your projects and internships or even the jobs that you think won't get you the job. There are a lot of transferable skills that you can gain from roles that seem way outside the field of what you're looking for. If you are a contractor or freelancer looking for a full-time role, zone in on the skills/contracts you have done that are tailored to that specific job. Highlight your relevant project experience, technical skills, leaderships skills, budgets and timelines."  ✨ Danny Shelleman' advice: 1. The perfect resume doesn’t exist! Don’t get stuck chasing perfection—focus on clarity and impact. 2. Know what you want. Explore roles in your industry and understand their key responsibilities before tailoring your resume. 3. For venue-based roles—immerse yourself. Go to shows, meet people, and offer to help. Connections go a long way! 4. Every word should serve a purpose. Be intentional—keep it clean and relevant. 5. Job descriptions are your cheat sheet. Use them to guide how you highlight your skills. 6. Focus on hard skills. List tools and systems you've actually used on the job (e.g., Microsoft Office, project management software). 7. Use action-driven formatting. “I did [X], which led to [Y].” Show your impact. 8. Start strong. Lead with your biggest accomplishment under each role. 9. Proofread & format. No typos, clean layout, and always save it as a PDF. 10. Advocate for yourself. Trust your instincts—if you’re doubting, you’re likely underselling yourself. We are rooting for you! You got this!! #hiring #recruiteradvice #resume #resumeadvice #entertainment  

I almost gave up on my resume once. Not because it was "bad"… but because it felt invisible. I was applying consistently. Doing the right things. And still… silence. Then I tried something simple: I looked at my resume like a recruiter would. 𝟭𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻. And I immediately saw the issue. It wasn’t my skills. It wasn’t my projects. It wasn’t my experience. It was 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. My resume was making people work hard to understand me. So I fixed it like a product. I didn’t add more content. I removed noise and made impact obvious. Here’s the 𝗧𝗼-𝗗𝗼 + 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 list that changed everything for me: ✅ 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗢 1. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴   Role headline + core tools + strongest achievements first. 2. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯 + 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲   "Built / Improved / Automated / Reduced / Delivered" + numbers (time saved, quality, scale, cost). 3. 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆)   Align job title, skills keywords, and 2–3 bullets. Not a full rewrite. 4. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝗧𝗦-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲   Simple sections: 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻   Consistent formatting and spacing. 5. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀   Replace “hardworking” with results. Replace “team player” with measurable collaboration. ❌ 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 1. Don’t use heavy design templates that break parsing   Columns, icons, fancy tables, and graphics can confuse ATS. 2. Don’t write long paragraphs   Recruiters scan. Paragraphs get skipped. 3. Don’t list every tool you’ve ever touched   Relevance beats volume. Keep skills tight and role-focused. 4. Don’t repeat responsibilities   "Responsible for…" is weak. Outcomes win. 5. Don’t hide your best work at the bottom   Put your strongest project/impact where eyes land first. Most resumes don’t get rejected because the person isn’t capable… They get rejected because the resume doesn’t communicate fast enough. If you’re stuck in the "applied a lot, heard nothing" phase - I get it. 👉 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 and comment 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗘 I’ll share a quick checklist + bullet formula to make your resume 𝗔𝗧𝗦-𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 + 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. #Resume #JobSearch #ATS #CareerTips #InterviewPrep #CareerGrowth #DataEngineering #DataAnalytics

Have you been applying for jobs lately? This post is for you. Yesterday, I attended a resume prep session organized by the AWS Skills Center in Arlington, VA. I gained some valuable insights that I believe can help anyone looking to enhance their resume and stand out in the job market. ----- Here are some key takeaways ----- 1️⃣ Tailor your resume to each job Carefully read the job description and align your skills and experiences to the requirements. Use keywords from the posting to get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). -> Whatever you put on your resume, be ready to discuss it. 2️⃣ Quantify your achievements Include strong metrics that will show the amount of impact, the number of people, etc. For example, Instead of saying "Improved customer satisfaction," say "Increased customer satisfaction scores by 20% through process improvements." -> Numbers speak louder than words. 3️⃣ Keep it concise and relevant Recruiters typically spend just a few seconds scanning your resume. So, ensure your most relevant experiences and achievements are easy to find. A well-structured one-page resume (or two for more experience) is ideal. -> Everything you put in your resume should be relevant to the job you are applying for. 4️⃣ Highlight transferable skills Even if you’re transitioning into a new role or industry, focus on the skills that apply across domains such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability. -> You can include an experience that is not directly related to the role you are applying only if it demonstrates leadership skills. 5️⃣ Professional formatting matters A clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, spacing, and bullet points makes your resume easier to read and leaves a good impression. -> Using fancy fonts will distract recruiters from important information on your resume. 6️⃣ You need more than one resume Keep a primary CV that includes everything you have ever done (DO NOT SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE). Then, create multiple resumes from it when applying.  -> This will save you a lot of time. 7️⃣ Hyperlink wherever possible If you have a chance to hyperlink something on your resume, do it. It will be helpful to the recruiter. -> Keep it simple and avoid long links. For example, for your LinkedIn profile, write it like “in/your_name” and hyperlink it. 8️⃣ Proofread your resume Get someone to proofread your resume. A second eye to your document will always spot something you missed. Besides, anything you see as negligible, could be a big deal to the recruiter. I would like to thank the AWS Skills Center for hosting us. A big shout to the organizers of that resume prep session for their dedicated time and input. It was an invaluable moment for me and I am sure for everyone present. Have you recently updated your resume? What are some tips you would like to add to this list? Let’s discuss this in the comments section. Found this helpful? Please like ❤️, comment 💬, or repost ♻️ to help others.