Starting your job search as a recent graduate can feel overwhelming. You've worked hard for your degree and are now ready to put those skills to the test. There’s a little hitch, though. Most job descriptions call for someone with experience – but how do you get experience if no one will give you any?

The key lies in adding your college experience to your resume in a way that highlights the right skills and proves you have what it takes to make a meaningful contribution to future employers.  When you demonstrate your qualifications using things like internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work the right way, you can stand out from the crowd – even without traditional work experience.  

Internships and fellowships

Most academic advisors will tell you to seek type: entry-hyperlink id: 7e8e1EOGj56aiVlK56WAA1 early in your academic career. Since employers prefer recent, hands-on experience, try to opt for a senior-year internship as it is more valuable than a freshman year one. 

When adding internships to your resume, place the information under your work experience section in reverse-chronological order – this means the most recent one will go first and then you work backward in time. Be clear that it was an internship and feel free to take a few liberties with how you type out your title. In other words, don’t just write “Intern,” instead you could list:

• Web Designer, Internship if you built website

• Marketing Assistant, Internship if you helped with branding and outreach

Adding a few details to the title of the position you held makes the college experience in your resume look more professional while keeping it transparent. Just be sure to avoid wording that makes it look like it was a full-time job.

Clubs and organizations

Clubs and organizations are an excellent way to add valuable skills to your resume. It can be tricky because you have to be selective about what you include. The general rule of thumb is to only list type: entry-hyperlink id: 4burGXjapJi2hvPDFNeUUJ where you held a leadership role or made major contributions. Employers want to see involvement that clearly demonstrates responsibility, teamwork, or industry-related experience. When adding college extracurricular activities in a resume, consider these guidelines:

• Leadership roles: List positions like President, Vice President, or Event Coordinator.

• Professional organizations: Include student chapters of national associations (e.g., PRSSA, SPJ, or business honor societies).

• Major projects: If you helped organize a large event or led an initiative, highlight it.

What to avoid?

• Personal interest clubs that don’t relate to your career.

• Social, political, or religious organizations (unless relevant to the job).

• Greek organizations with reputational concerns (unless you held a leadership role).

Entry-level and minimum wage jobs

If you’re like most students, you probably held some sort of entry-level job during your academic career. It's just a part of life and paying your dues. 

You may question if you should list the cashier job at Walmart or dishwasher role you held at Applebee's. The short answer is yes, list any employment experience that is not over ten years old. Instead of listing those menial job duties, try to find ways to word the information so it fits with your career aspirations. 

Think: Transferable Skills! 

How to List Entry-Level Jobs on a Resume

Instead of writing generic descriptions, highlight skills that match your career goals:

• Cashiers: Customer service & communication

• Shift supervisors: Leadership & team management

• Retail associates: Sales & problem-solving

• Restaurant servers: Multitasking & client relations

Even if a job wasn’t in your field, it still taught you valuable skills. This makes your college experience in a resume look more professional and relevant.

When to Remove Old Jobs?

• If it’s over 10 years old, leave it off.

• Once you gain more type: entry-hyperlink id: 1HFH9hLNLdPIRuCRiAhNMA, remove unrelated jobs.

Employers value skills over job titles, so frame your past roles in a way that highlights what you bring to the table.

Volunteer activities

Volunteerism is one of the fastest ways to add valuable experience to your resume, especially if it relates to your career goals. Employers look for students who are a part of something bigger and want to give back to their community. 

However, there are a few simple rules when type: entry-hyperlink id: 1EzYTTdxlJUD8PBPFIBpIR while building a resume. 

• Create a separate “Volunteer Experience” section

• Use a professional title instead of just “Volunteer.”

• Just like with internships, avoid making it seem like it was a full-time position – be clear that it was a volunteer role. 

Examples of strong volunteer listings

• Graphic Designer, American Red Cross (Volunteer): Designed posters and social media graphics.

• Event Coordinator, Local Food Bank (Volunteer): Organized donation drives and scheduled volunteers.

• Tutor, Literacy Nonprofit (Volunteer): Provided reading support to elementary students.

This helps college experience in a resume look structured and relevant. Even unpaid roles can demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and project management.

Putting it all together

Now that you know how to type: entry-hyperlink id: 71mWjOlBMk9bBYubdxFifO in a resume, it’s time to format it correctly. Follow this order:

• Profile – A short summary of your career so far that proves you’re qualified for the role.

• Education – List your degree and graduation date first.

• Skills – Focus on abilities that match the job description.

• Work Experience – Include internships, relevant jobs, and volunteer work.

• Activities – Add leadership roles in clubs or organizations.

Go forth – into the real world

Employers want to see how your college experience in a resume translates into real-world skills. Focus on achievements, not just participation, and you’ll stand out in your job search.

Your college experience in a resume is more valuable than you think. If you want to make sure you’ve got it right, upload your resume for a free review and get feedback from professionals who can help you make the most of your experience.

This article was originally written by M.A. Smith. It’s been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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