The format you choose for your resume as a fresher is important to properly highlight your skills and strengths. In this article, I explain what a fresher resume is, why the format you choose for your fresher resume is important and how to write a fresher resume with tips and examples.
What is a fresher resume?
Most candidates who are freshers use the functional resume format instead of the more commonly used chronological resume format. A fresher resume refers to a resume created by an individual who has recently graduated from high school or college or who has very limited working experience.
Best tips to write a resume formatted for freshers
Why is the fresher resume format you choose important? Because most candidates create their resume using a chronological format that focuses on their relevant experience, freshers need a different format that focuses on their strengths while also equally highlighting them as a strong candidate for the position they are applying for.
Below are 6 steps and examples to write a resume formatted for freshers:
1. Read the job description
Reading the job description before you write your resume will help you choose the keywords you should include throughout your resume. Every resume should be specific to the skills and qualities needed to be successful in the role you are applying for and should show you have the same set of core values as the employer.
2. Include your contact information
The first section of your resume should state all of your contact information, including your name, address, phone number and email address. Some candidates also prefer to include links to social media profiles, personal websites, personal blogs or personal portfolios in this section.
If you include these types of links in your resume, it is important to make sure everything on your profile is professional and portrays the personal professional brand you want.
Example contact information format:
Pete Sanders
9998 South Bend Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
(555) 888–8888
petesanders@gmail.com
petesandersblog.com
3. Write a powerful summary statement
A great resume summary statement should convey your knowledge and passion for the role you are applying to and how you will be of value to the employer. So the next section of your resume should be a personal summary that states who you are as a professional, what your career goals are and why you are the best candidate for the position you are applying for.
Example summary statement for a fresher resume:
Highly motivated professional who earned high honors throughout college and contributed to year-end audits and forecasting with special recognition from the senior accounting team during my internship. Recent college graduate with a major in business administration and a minor in accounting seeking entry-level position as a Junior Accountant with a medium- to large-sized accounting firm that I can grow to senior level positions within.
4. Choose the skills you want to highlight
Your next step is to choose the technical hard skills and soft skills you have which are most relevant to being successful in the position you are applying for. You can often find specific skills the employer is looking for listed throughout the job description.
Example skills section for a fresher resume:
Technical skills: Expert
Mathematical skills: Advanced
Communication skills: Advanced
Customer service skills: Expert
Problem-solving skills: Expert
5. Highlight education, training and certifications
If you earned honors, exceptional grades or scholarships, you can also highlight this information in this section. This could include your major and minor in college, professional licenses and certifications, certificate courses taken in college and additional professional training.
Example education, training and certifications resume section for freshers:
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
August 2015 — May 2019National Honor Society Scholarship
Awarded 2016–2019
6. Proofread
The last step in writing a fresher resume is to proofread what you have written. You can read your resume out loud or have a friend or family member proofread your resume for you. This will help you find any spelling or grammar errors, check for inconsistencies, ensure your resume highlights the features that make you the best candidate for the position and ensure your resume is honest and memorable.
