Kat Botelho
May 21, 2025
Newsletter Article
Resume writing can be daunting, and even more daunting when you feel like you don’t have enough experience to fill it. Although resumes are usually all about work experience, they don’t have to be. There are plenty of other ways to boost your resume if you don’t have any work experience to round it out.
Education
Your educational background is just as important as your work experience, so this is a great opportunity to highlight what you’ve learned in school. Including relevant classes or projects is a good way to show employers that you already have the knowledge and skills to be successful in the role. If you have an impressive GPA, don’t be afraid to include it too; employers love seeing measurable outcomes. Be sure to list any academic honours, awards or scholarships you’ve received in school. Having your excellence recognized by outside sources shows the employer that you have some credibility.
Internships, Co-ops & Apprenticeships
Internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships can be equally beneficial as traditional work experience. They’re an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers that you’ve developed your abilities in your area of interest and are familiar with a professional environment. Even if the internship was in a different field, it’s still a great chance to showcase all the transferable skills you’ve gained from the experience.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work is another way you can add value to your resume. If the volunteer work is related to the position you’re applying for, it can demonstrate your interest in the field. If it isn’t related to your field, it can still be used as a good opportunity to mention some soft skills you learned. Either way, employers can use volunteer experience to assess your character and determine if you would be a good fit within their company culture.
Certifications
If you have any professional credentials, have received any specialized training or are a part of an organization, now is the time to mention it. Sometimes employers will use specific training or credentials to filter through applications. You don’t want to be overlooked if you have the skills they’re looking for.
Personal Projects
Unlike school or work projects, personal projects allow you to learn new skills and take risks without worrying about the outcome. They encourage innovation, demonstrate initiative, and allow you to develop a growth mindset. They also offer employers tangible evidence of your skills in action. Just because a project wasn’t done in a professional or educational setting doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.
There’s no need to stress if you lack job experience; there are plenty of other opportunities to beef up your resume without it. You got this, and as always, for more helpful tips, check out the AgCareers Career Success Library.
