Free Resume Examples

Entry-Level Resume Examples & ATS Keywords

What ATS software and recruiters look for on an entry-level resume: the exact keywords to include, the mistakes that get resumes rejected, and a real bullet-point rewrite.

Keywords ATS software scans for

Include the ones that genuinely match your background, don't keyword-stuff.

relevant courseworkacademic projectsinternship experiencetransferable skillsleadership (clubs/organizations)Microsoft Office/Google Workspaceproblem-solvingteam collaborationtime managementquick learnervolunteer experienceGPA (if 3.5 or higher)

Common Entry-Level resume mistakes

  • Apologizing for a lack of experience in an objective statement instead of leading with what you do have: coursework, projects, internships.

  • Listing duties from unrelated part-time work without translating them into transferable skills (customer service becomes communication, cash handling becomes attention to detail).

  • Treating the education section as an afterthought. At entry level it should be detailed: relevant coursework, GPA if strong, honors, capstone projects.

  • Leaving academic and project work unquantified (team size, project scope, results); even unpaid work can and should show a measurable outcome.

Weak vs. strong bullet example

Weak

Completed coursework in marketing and worked part-time as a cashier.

Strong

Led a 4-person team in a capstone marketing project that grew a mock brand's social following from 0 to 1,200 followers in 8 weeks, presenting results to a panel of industry professionals.

How does your entry-level resume actually score?

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