Starting your career after graduation can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to writing a resume with limited professional experience. Many recent graduates worry that their resumes won’t be strong enough to compete with experienced candidates. The good news is, employers hiring for entry-level positions know you’re just starting out. What they want to see is your education, internships, projects, part-time jobs, and transferable skills. In this guide, we’ll go over college grad resume examples and provide a complete sample that can help you land your first role.
COLLEGE GRAD RESUME EXAMPLE
Below is a realistic sample resume tailored for a recent graduate. It highlights education, internship experience, skills, and achievements in a way that appeals to employers seeking entry-level talent.
Name: Jordan Matthews
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: jordan.matthews@email.com
Location: Austin, TX
Professional Summary:
Motivated college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills. Experienced in internships and part-time roles that developed organizational and project management abilities. Seeking an entry-level business analyst role to apply academic knowledge and contribute to business growth.
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Texas at Austin – Graduated May 2024
GPA: 3.6/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Data Analytics, Marketing Strategy, Financial Accounting
Internship Experience:
Business Analyst Intern – BrightPath Consulting, Austin, TX
June 2023 – August 2023
Assisted in analyzing market trends and customer data to support client projects.
Collaborated with senior analysts to prepare presentations and performance reports.
Developed Excel dashboards that improved reporting efficiency by 15%.
Marketing Intern – GreenLeaf Startups, Austin, TX
January 2023 – May 2023
Supported digital marketing campaigns by drafting content and analyzing performance metrics.
Researched competitors to identify market gaps and recommend strategies.
Helped grow social media following by 20% through targeted outreach.
Work Experience:
Sales Associate – Retail World, Austin, TX
August 2021 – December 2022
Delivered excellent customer service in a high-volume retail environment.
Exceeded monthly sales goals by an average of 12%.
Trained two new team members on POS systems and store procedures.
Skills:
Data Analysis (Excel, SQL)
Communication and Teamwork
Marketing Strategy and Research
Project Coordination
Time Management
Honors & Activities:
Dean’s List (4 semesters)
Member, Business Student Association
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
RESUME-WRITING TIPS FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES
Emphasize education and internships. Your degree and related coursework should appear at the top of your resume. Highlight internships, projects, and case studies.
Include transferable skills. Employers value communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership—even if gained outside of a traditional job.
Keep it concise. Stick to one page and focus only on experiences relevant to the role.
Use action verbs. Phrases like “analyzed,” “coordinated,” or “developed” make your contributions sound stronger.
Customize for each job. Tailor your resume to match the job description and company requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should a college grad put on their resume if they have no work experience?
Focus on education, internships, academic projects, volunteer work, and transferable skills. Employers don’t expect years of experience for entry-level roles.
Should a college graduate include GPA on their resume?
Include your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher, as it shows academic achievement. If lower, it’s optional and better to emphasize skills and projects.
How long should a college graduate’s resume be?
One page is ideal. Employers want a clear, concise summary of your education, skills, and experiences without unnecessary details.
Do employers really care about internships on a college grad’s resume?
Yes, internships are often viewed as valuable experience because they show you’ve applied classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.
Would you like me to create multiple different resume samples (e.g., one for business, one for engineering, one for liberal arts) so you can cover a wider audience of graduates in your article?
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