Let’s be real, writing a resume can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out or switching careers. But here’s the good news: you don’t need years of experience to create a resume that grabs attention.

Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Even if you’ve never held a formal job in your desired field, chances are you’ve gained valuable skills through internships, volunteer work, or even hobbies. Things like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are all skills employers love to see.

Think about your experiences:

• Did you organise events in school? That’s project management.
• Helped a friend build their small business online? That’s digital marketing experience.
• Worked on a group project that required coordination? That’s teamwork and leadership.

When you reframe your experiences to highlight skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, you show employers that you’re capable and adaptable.

Showcase Achievements, Not Just Duties

Instead of listing tasks, focus on what you accomplished. Employers want to see the impact you’ve made, not just the responsibilities you’ve had. Numbers work wonders here!

For example, instead of saying, “Handled social media for a local business,” you could write, “Increased Instagram engagement by 30% in 3 months by curating engaging content and responding to followers.”

See the difference? It tells a story of success rather than just listing a duty.

How to identify your achievements:

• Did you improve a process?
• Did you receive any awards or recognition?
• Did you complete a project ahead of schedule?

If you don’t have numbers, you can still highlight achievements by focusing on the positive feedback you received or the challenges you overcame.

Keep It Simple and Scannable

Hiring managers spend just a few seconds scanning resumes, so your goal should be to make it as easy to read as possible. Keep your layout clean and avoid long, dense paragraphs.

Tips to keep your resume scannable:

• Use clear section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”).
• Stick to a simple, professional font.
• Keep descriptions concise and to the point.

A cluttered resume can be a dealbreaker, so make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

A one-size-fits-all resume rarely works. Employers want to know that you’ve put thought into how your skills align with their needs. The best way to do this? Tailor your resume for each job application.

How to tailor your resume:

1. Carefully read the job description.
2. Identify keywords related to skills and qualifications.
3. Adjust your resume to reflect those keywords naturally.

For example, if a job posting mentions “content creation” multiple times, make sure your resume highlights your experience in that area.

Pro Tip: Using keywords from the job description can also help your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan for relevant terms before a human ever sees them.

Use a Strong Summary Statement

Your resume’s summary statement is your elevator pitch, a short, punchy introduction that tells hiring managers who you are and what you can bring to the table.

Instead of a generic statement like:

“Recent graduate seeking an opportunity in marketing.”

Try something more specific and impactful:

“Creative and driven marketing graduate with experience in social media management and content creation, eager to contribute fresh ideas to a dynamic team.”

A strong summary helps set the tone for the rest of your resume and gives the hiring manager a reason to keep reading.

Don’t Forget Your Soft Skills

While technical skills are important, soft skills can make a big difference too. Employers value qualities like adaptability, communication, and leadership. Find ways to weave them into your resume naturally.

Building a strong resume without tons of experience is possible when you focus on what you do have, transferable skills, achievements, and a clear, tailored structure. Keep things simple, highlight your strengths, and always customise your resume for the role you want.

Remember, your resume is a snapshot of your potential. Showcase your unique skills and experiences confidently, and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.