1Use a Clean, ATS-Friendly Template
For no-experience resumes, use this structure:
- 1. Summary
- 2. Skills
- 3. Projects
- 4. Education
- 5. Experience (optional)
- 6. Certifications
Avoid fancy Canva designs — ATS can't read them.
2Write a Strong Resume Summary
Student Resume Summary
"Motivated and detail-oriented student with strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Experienced in completing academic projects involving research, collaboration, and data analysis. Seeking internship opportunities to contribute and learn."
Career Changer Summary
"Dedicated professional transitioning into technology. Skilled in communication, organization, and fast learning. Completed hands-on projects demonstrating Python, SQL, and web development fundamentals."
3Build a Strong Skills Section
Include 6–12 skills relevant to the job:
Match these to the job description using keyword extraction.
4Add School Projects Instead of Work Experience
ATS LOVES projects — they act like "experience."
Project: Social Media Campaign (Class Assignment)
- • Developed a 10-day posting strategy using Canva and analytics
- • Increased engagement by 23% across sample accounts
Project: Python Basics Assignment
- • Built a calculator using Python functions and loops
- • Demonstrated understanding of logic flow and debugging
5Convert Non-Work Experience Into Resume Bullets
You HAVE experience — you just haven't written it correctly.
Volunteer
"Managed inventory and customer interactions at local donation center."
Sports
"Collaborated with teammates and maintained discipline through daily training."
Clubs
"Organized events attended by 50–100 students."
6Use Strong Action Verbs
Weak verbs = low ATS score. Use these instead:
7Format Your Resume for ATS
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