when you have no work experience and no extra curricular activities
That’s a wordy title, but oh boy is it annoying to experience. Not everyone had the chance to be in clubs and groups and things through school.
That doesn't make you any less worthy of a job. It just means your first resume will be formatted a little differently than some others.
If you have the opportunity to go and join a club, or volunteer somewhere before going for a paid job - I’d encourage you to give it a go. But I get that sometimes that’s just not reality.
So in your resume under ‘experience’ what the heck do you write?
Well, pick a few things you know are useful skills that you didn’t list in your “skills” resume section, and we'll expand on them here.
Start with why you have nothing relatable to talk about - this will give you a soft landing, and shows your potential employer that you won’t let it get in the way of your ability to work.
I haven’t had the opportunity to expand my skills in sporting teams or clubs, so have worked to build my skills in day-to-day life.
Or
I have been fortunate to build a lot of skills in my everyday life that I believe are valuable to the industry.
Remember to be positive about how you’re explaining it. Saying “my family couldn’t afford to put me in a sport” might very well be a reality (it certainly was for me!) but you’re looking to be treated kindly and respectfully, and trying to get your foot in the door with pity will often get you turned away.
But, if you do think playing that kind of card is really relevant, and would get you noticed in a positive way, emphasise how strong it made you to have that negative experience.
Everyone has different experiences in life. Remember your resume is basically a flyer advertising you as a person - if you think getting personal will help you, or you want to be as honest and impactful as possible, that's entirely your choice.
I have had a challenging year, and underwent medical treatment instead of participating in extra curricular activities. I have learned a lot through this experience, and want to bring my strengths into the workforce.
Or, what I get to write on mine now
This year I faced a challenge that fortunately few people have to endure. I got arrested. This experience has fundamentally changed my outlook on life, and has brought me strength and skills I am grateful to have learned.
Now that you have an introduction out of the way. Let’s lock in on those skills.
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In my post about resumes I have a bunch of simple dot point examples for your skills section. I’ll pick a few here and expand on them, and that is what we’ll use for experience.
Try not to double up on your simple skill points and the ones you’re choosing to expand on. It will make you seem more skilled to have different points.
In each point, you’ll want to emphasise what skill you have, and if you can, give a relatable example of why it matters. This way, you can prove you have what it takes.
Pick two or three, and slot them in after your introduction to flesh out a solid section about your experience.
Skill: Reliability
I am a reliable person. I enjoy keeping up with a planned schedule and managing my time effectively. Day-to-day I manage this in my schooling by participating in different classes with different workloads. I prioritise my homework and assignments alongside this timetable.
Or
I am a reliable person. Often, my friends and family will turn to me first when faced with a challenge they need assistance with. I prioritise making time to help others, and make sure to give notice when needing to change plans.
It’s simple to find things you do every day that sound like fancy professional skills. You just need to think a little outside the box sometimes.
Skill: Effective Communication
I communicate effectively with everyone I encounter. I take time to listen closely to other people’s opinions and offer relatable responses. I make sure to respond to messages and emails politely and in a reasonable time.
Or
I enjoy communicating with diverse people. I spend time socially engaging with new people to learn about different cultures and opinions, and enjoy challenging myself to find new ways to communicate my thoughts to others.
Skill: Good Attitude
I do my best daily to maintain a positive outlook, even in challenging circumstances. When presented with a problem, I take time to think about solutions creatively, and look to others to guide my decisions.
Or
I am enthusiastic to try new things. I enjoy getting the opportunity to learn new skills and master new tasks. I often ask questions when unsure, and am not afraid to fail and try again.
Skill: Resilience
When faced with challenges, I do my best to maintain a positive outlook. I recognise that things don’t always go to plan, but enjoy problem solving to create success in unexpected ways.
Or
I am resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. Through my medical treatments this year, I learned the importance of patience and being comfortable with uncertainty. I adapt quickly to new information, and am able to push forward no matter what I’m presented with.
Skill: Kindness
I am a kind and compassionate person. Often, I am the person my friends turn to when they are having trouble. I believe that being kind to others gives the opportunity to meet new people and learn new things.
Or
I enjoy putting others' needs before my own. I listen intently when someone needs help, and am able to give empathy when people need it most. This has led me to helping others with unexpected tasks, and developing close friendships.
Skill: Growth
I enjoy setting challenges and goals for myself. For example, I have recently given myself a fitness goal to maintain my health and weight. Each day I prioritise strength training and running, and am looking forward to continued results.
Or
I enjoy celebrating achievements. I spend time setting goals of varying difficulties and enjoying small wins whenever possible. I believe this outlook keeps me striving for new heights, and trying new things.
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No matter what you’ve faced in life - everyone has skills. If your skill is getting in the middle of your mum and sister having an argument; and diffusing it before someone throws a plate - that’s conflict resolution. You just have to think about how a stranger in a management role would want that explained.
You’ve got this. I promise. You’re doing great, and I’m proud of you.