First Steps
Resume for beginners: your first CV
Taking the first step isn't easy, but a good presentation makes everything better. Discover how to prepare your resume from scratch and stand out as a beginner.
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Learn to stand out without work experience with a clear, authentic, and well-structured resume from the start.
Getting your first job can seem daunting, especially when you don't know where to start. A good entry-level resume can make all the difference from the very first try.
Even if you don't have any prior experience, there are effective ways to showcase your potential, highlight your personal skills, and make a good impression on recruiters.
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Want to get started now? These jobs don't require experience, offer a contract, and are ideal for taking your first step into the workforce.
Your first resume doesn't need to be long or complex. The most important thing is to be honest, organized, and able to convey your strengths clearly, without exaggeration.
In this article, we'll teach you step-by-step how to build a beginner's resume that actually works and will get you closer to your first job.
Why is the resume so important?
Your CV is your first cover letter in any recruitment process. It's the most direct way to demonstrate your interest and professional profile.
Especially if you haven't worked yet, having a clear and well-crafted resume can help you get past the first filter and land that coveted interview.
Reflect your personality
A resume isn't just about data. It also communicates your style, your attention to detail, and your way of organizing information. All of this influences the final decision.
Even if you don't have any previous jobs, you can highlight your attitude, your studies, your interests, and any informal experiences you've had in your personal or academic environment.
Show your real skills
Sometimes you don't need formal experience to demonstrate what you know. Proficient email skills, problem-solving, and teamwork are highly valued skills.
A resume for beginners should include these skills, explained briefly but clearly. This builds confidence in the reader.
Basic elements that cannot be missing
Before thinking about a flashy design or fancy phrases, make sure your resume has the essentials. Simplicity done right always works best.
Remember, you're presenting your profile, not your entire life. Keep your content short, relevant, and to the point.
Personal data and contact
Include your full name, city, work email, and phone number. If you have LinkedIn, you can also add the link so they can learn more about you.
Avoid unserious emails like nicknames or unusual combinations. Use your real name or initials. This conveys formality and order from the start.
Professional objective
One or two lines explaining what you're looking for and what you can offer. For example: "I'm looking for my first job in customer service. I'm responsible, punctual, and friendly."
This short text gives context to your application and shows that you know what you're looking for. In a beginner's resume, the objective is especially important.
Clear and direct language
Avoid long or convoluted sentences. A CV should be understandable, easy to read, and free of unnecessary embellishments that could confuse the recruiter.
Use simple words and avoid technical terms. The goal is to communicate your strengths without exaggeration. Be direct when describing what you can do and how you can contribute to a team.
Additional relevant information
If you've participated in extracurricular activities, fairs, contests, or personal projects, mention them. Anything that shows initiative adds points to a beginner's resume.
It also includes basic skills such as email, Excel, and customer service. These are simple skills, but highly valued in entry-level positions.
How to organize your experiences even if you haven't worked
You don't need a previous job to have something to share. There are many ways to show that you're ready to start working.
This is where you need to be strategic and creative when putting together your resume.
Academic training
Include your formal education: high school, vocational training, online courses, or basic certifications. Sort from most recent to oldest.
You can add details such as achievements, accolades, or outstanding school work that are related to the job you are seeking.
Non-work experiences
If you've volunteered, cared for people, helped out in a family business, or participated in school projects, that counts too!
The important thing is to show what you learned and how it can be useful on the job. In a resume for beginners, every little detail well explained counts.
Outstanding skills
Make a short list of practical skills: basic use of digital tools, languages, good communication, problem-solving, customer service, among others.
Don't exaggerate or lie. Focus on what you know how to do and how you could apply it in a work environment.
Tips to improve your resume step by step
There are small details that make a CV go from ordinary to memorable. You don't need to be a designer to achieve this; just pay attention and review it before submitting.
Take care of spelling and presentation
A CV with grammatical errors or a messy layout may be automatically discarded. Review everything several times and ask someone you trust to read it as well.
Don't use more than one sheet of paper. Use a legible font (such as Arial or Calibri), leave margins, and make sure the text is properly aligned.
Use a clear structure
Divide your information into sections: personal information, objective, education, non-work experience, and skills. This helps the recruiter find what they're looking for quickly.
In a beginner's resume, clarity and order are key to making a good impression without overloading the information.
Don't forget the digital format
Save your resume as a PDF before sending it. This ensures it doesn't get messed up when opened and maintains its original, professional, and clean appearance.
Avoid sending photos of your resume. Always use editable files that you can easily update if new opportunities or learning opportunities arise.
Free tools to help you
You don't need to pay for a professional design. There are online platforms that allow you to create your CV with clean templates tailored to your experience level.
Canva or Crehana
These platforms offer visual and very intuitive templates. Just fill in the fields and you'll be able to download the result as a PDF in just a few minutes.
Some even have examples designed for beginner resumes, with a simple structure and space to explain skills without formal experience.
Microsoft Word or Google Docs
You can also use pre-designed templates in these programs. They're simpler visually, but equally functional and accepted by companies and recruiters.
If you prefer basics and straightforward, these options may be enough to get you started without complications.
What to avoid in your first resume
There are very common mistakes that can work against you if you don't correct them in time. Here are some you should avoid at all costs:
- 📄 Lying about your experience or skills.
- 📄 Use informal language or emojis in the document.
- 📄 Send without review or adaptation to the vacancy.
- 📄 Using exaggerated or unclear titles.
- 📄 Attach unnecessary photos (unless requested).
Even with a beginner's resume, you can make a positive impact if you avoid these mistakes and maintain a professional and honest presentation.
Examples of sentences you can use
If you're not sure what to write, here are some ideas you can adapt to your profile and interests:
- 📄 “Motivated to learn and contribute from day one.”
- 📄 “Willingness to work as a team and take on new challenges.”
- 📄 “Responsible, punctual, and committed to my tasks.”
- 📄 “With a desire to grow professionally in the [x] sector.”
These phrases help complete your career objective or describe yourself in the personal skills section.
Reading recommendation: Keep learning to get your first job
Creating a good resume is just the first step. To increase your chances of success, it's also essential to prepare for the selection process.
Learning how to present yourself well in an interview, choosing companies that hire entry-level candidates, and understanding what recruiters are looking for can make all the difference.
Therefore, we recommend you read the article on how to get a job without professional experience. There you'll find additional strategies to complement this content.
Don't miss out: it could be the push you needed to land your first formal job.
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