What is an Entry Level Resume

Article on frequently asked resume question "What is an Entry Level Resume"

There are a wide variety of ways to approach a resume. There are resume types, templates, formats, and various rules and protocol to follow if you want to make a resume that creates attention, and offers a professional appeal. The prospect can be triply intimidating and seemingly complicated for someone just entering the workforce-for an entry level position. For these individuals, it is best to first acquaint themselves with the kind of resume called the entry level resume.

So, the question begs asking, though you may already understand that a person who is at the entry level of their career, might use an entry level resume-what is an entry level resume? An entry level resume is for a person who doesn’t have much professional career experience-such as a college graduate or someone just entering the professional work world for the first time; but what other details can define this kind of resume for what it is?

First, an entry level candidate cannot, like other more qualified applicants, offer a list of career positions and experience; as they have none. Therefore, they must focus on the experiences, qualifications, and education that they do have. This is similar to what is addressed in a functional format resume, which is a good format to follow for those who are entry level job candidates. A functional format resume focuses more on the skills that an applicant has, by sub categorizing the career experience in skill set sections-and then providing bulleted examples of each skill set.

The person creating an entry level resume for the first time should not get discouraged, as the jobs that they apply for will be termed “entry level”; and will be expecting only skill sets and experience based on these skills-from school, programs, outside courses, and special activities-and will not be weighing-most likely-an experienced candidate against their entry level status of little experience.

So, beyond the most obvious of experiences and special achievements or internships that an entry level candidate can offer in their resume; what sorts of skills should always be included in an entry level candidate to best promote their career worth to a hiring company? Of the most important to a company trusting you on minimal experience, few professional contacts, etc are: strong work ethic, results driven, a quick learner, organized, efficient, responsible, reliable, good at troubleshooting, works well under pressure, can work with all kinds of people, and enthusiastic.