Entry-Level Resume Example & Writing Guide
- What should your entry-level resume include?
- Why use this entry-level resume example?
- Which key skills are relevant to an entry-level resume?
There’s lots of reasons why you might be applying to an entry-level position. Maybe you’ve just graduated from college. Maybe you’re trying to shift to a new career path or industry. Whatever the case, you’ll need a strong professional resume if you want to land this job–doubly so if you’re applying to this position with no prior experience. Read this guide for tips on how to craft a resume that shows off your strong professional habits and ability to learn your new job’s responsibilities quickly.
What should your entry-level resume include?
Many professionals apply to entry-level positions when they don’t have the years of experience needed for senior/management positions. If that’s the case for you, your entry-level resume should focus less on your work experience and more on your skills. Give your resume an elaborate personal summary, a list of your greatest accomplishments, and a detailed skill list and education section. Put all these sections on the resume’s first page to catch the interest of recruiters right away.
Why use this entry-level resume example?
Unless you’re seeking an entry-level HVAC or “Heating, Ventilation, or Air Conditioning Work '' position, you shouldn’t directly borrow the boilerplate sentences included in this article’s example resume. There are, however, a few keywords and phrases in this text that are handy if you want your resume to highlight your adaptability and potential for growth. General keywords and phrases such as “motivated,” “solutions-oriented,” “hands-on,” or “emerging professional,” will catch the eye of recruiters and should absolutely be borrowed.
The qualifications profile at the start of this sample resume is divided into two parts: a summary section where you can describe your background using paragraphs/bullet points, plus a technical proficiencies section where recruiters can quickly look up the devices and software you know how to use. Next is an education section where you can list degrees you’ve earned from certain universities as well as any professional certificates you received after completing learning courses.
The last part of this sample resume, the experience highlights section, has a classic and flexible layout. In each entry, beneath the heading where you list the title, workplace, and location, you can describe each role’s day-to-day responsibilities in a paragraph and special accomplishments in a bullet-point list. Since this section is called “experience highlights” rather than “professional experience”, you can include more than just paid jobs. Consider including relevant internships and/or volunteer roles that will enable you to include more keywords and fill out this section.
Which key skills are relevant to an entry-level resume?
The skills you list on your resume should always be relevant to the job you’re seeking. This article’s example resume, for instance, lists HVAC skills such as Building Information Modeling, AutoCAD proficiency, and heating/cooling load calculation. Other entry-level positions might require different categories of skills such as computer programming, copywriting, marketing, or product development. If you’ve mastered such skills in past jobs, draw attention to them in your resume and de-emphasize skills that wouldn't be as useful for your target career.
Recruiters for entry-level positions will always be happy to see resumes with the following general skills:
Microsoft Office Suite
Interpersonal communication
Data analysis
Project management
Problem solving
Customer service
Active listening
Summary example
Solutions-driven emerging professional, highly motivated to leverage training and relevant hands-on experience in a HVAC Mechanical Design Engineer role.
Current background designing and renovating central HVAC, gas, and piping systems for both commercial and residential facilities.
Hands-on practicum and skills in preparing BIM project execution plan, conducting cold-climate study for affordable zero energy homes (ZEH), and determining net-zero energy (NZE) status.
Additional educational experience analyzing thermal and moist performance of BIPV and Alumni Hall of college campus.
Employment history example
Entry-Level Mechanical Engineer at W-T Engineering, Inc., Hoffman Estates, IL. 2022 - Present
Responsible for designing and renovating central Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), gas, and piping systems for commercial and residential buildings. Calculate heating and cooling loads as well as ventilation schedules for multiple facilities. Determine system sizes and selected equipment.
Architectural Engineering Student at the Illinois Institute of Technology
Led team in preparing Building Information Modeling (BIM) Project Execution Plan. Established major BIM goals, assigned roles and responsibilities, and estimated costs and schedules using Vico Office. Participated in Cold-Climate Case Study for Affordable Zero Energy Homes (ZEH). Utilized THERM and measured data to determine Net-Zero Energy (NZE) status. Evaluated strategies for making ZEH home affordable. Completed project encompassing Thermal and Moist Analysis of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). Analyzed thermal and moist performance as well as ventilation of BIPV using THERM and WUFI software. Evaluated Thermal and Moist Performance of Alumni Hall. Took normal and thermal pictures of building, Analyzed structure and set moist data logger. Analyzed thermal performance of building using THERM software.
Successfully completed all projects on time while meeting or exceeding stated objectives.
Education example
Professional Master’s Degree in Architectural Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Bachelor’s Degree in Constructional Environment and Equipment Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Fundamentals of Engineering, Engineer In Training (EIT).
Skills example
AutoCAD
AutoCAD MEP
Revit
Primavera
Trace 700
THERM
HAP
Vico Office
COMcheck
