What to Put on Your Resume When You Have No Work Experience

Struggling to write a resume with no work experience? Follow this step-by-step guide to highlight your skills, education, and projects to land your first job in Malaysia.

By Matt Khoo on 2025-02-26 at 6:56 AM

Updated on 2025-02-26 at 6:56 AM

Can You Get a Job Without Work Experience?

Absolutely! Many companies in Malaysia hire fresh graduates, students, and career changers based on their skills, potential, and attitude rather than past job experience.

Your resume should showcase what you bring to the table—your strengths, education, projects, and any relevant experience, even if it’s not from a traditional job. With the right approach, you can still make an impact and land interviews.

👉 Related Read: How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired

1. Start Strong with a Resume Summary

Your resume summary acts as a quick introduction to who you are, what you excel at, and what you’re looking for. Keep it short—2-3 impactful sentences at the top of your resume.

Example of a Resume Summary (Fresh Graduate):

"Enthusiastic and detail-oriented Finance graduate with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, data analysis, and financial modeling. Looking to apply my knowledge in an internship or entry-level finance role to contribute to a dynamic team."

This section sets the tone for your resume and immediately tells employers why they should consider you.

2. Education & Academic Achievements Matter More Than You Think

Since you don’t have work experience yet, your education section becomes a major highlight. Include:

✔ Degree/Diploma Name
✔ University/College Name
✔ Graduation Year
✔ Relevant Courses & Projects
✔ Awards & Achievements

Example:

Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons)
Taylor’s University, Malaysia | 2022 - 2025

  • Awarded Dean’s List (Top 10%) in 2024
  • Led a team project on Digital Marketing Strategies, securing 1st place in a university-wide competition

If you’ve excelled academically or participated in competitions, highlight those achievements to add weight to your resume.

3. Showcase Your Skills (Even If You Haven’t Worked Before)

Employers want to know what you can do. Even without formal work experience, you likely have skills from your studies, personal projects, or extracurricular activities.

🔹 Soft Skills (Personal Qualities)
✔ Critical thinking
✔ Communication & teamwork
✔ Adaptability & creativity
✔ Time management

🔹 Hard Skills (Technical Skills)
✔ Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets
✔ Social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
✔ Graphic design (Canva, Adobe Photoshop)
✔ Programming (Python, Java, SQL)

👉 Pro Tip: Customize your skills section based on the job description of the role you’re applying for!

4. List Internships, Freelance Work & Volunteer Experience

If you don’t have formal work experience, include internships, freelance projects, or volunteer work to show real-world application of your skills.

Example:

Digital Marketing Intern
XYZ Marketing Agency | June – Sept 2024

  • Assisted in managing Facebook Ads, improving engagement by 20%
  • Designed social media posts using Canva
  • Conducted competitor research to optimize ad campaigns

Example (Volunteer Work):

Event Coordinator | Red Crescent Society Malaysia | 2023

  • Managed logistics for a charity run attended by 500+ participants
  • Coordinated with sponsors and vendors to secure event funding

👉 Related Read: Why Employers Love Internship Experience on Your Resume

5. Add University Projects & Extracurricular Activities

University projects and extracurricular activities demonstrate your ability to work in teams, solve problems, and take initiative.

Example:

Final Year Project – AI Chatbot for Customer Service

  • Developed a chatbot using Python & AI to automate FAQs
  • Improved customer response time by 30% in simulations
  • Presented findings in front of a panel of industry professionals

Extracurricular Activities:

President, University Debate Club (2023-2024)

  • Led a team of 20 students to compete in national debate tournaments
  • Organized leadership training workshops for members

Even if it wasn’t a job, it still counts as valuable experience!

6. Certifications & Online Courses Add Extra Value

Certifications can give you a competitive edge, especially in industries like IT, marketing, and finance.

Example of Certifications:

  • Google Analytics Certification (2024)
  • Coursera: Introduction to Data Science (2023)
  • HubSpot Content Marketing Certification (2023)

Where to get free certifications:

  • Google Digital Garage
  • Coursera
  • Udemy
  • LinkedIn Learning

👉 Related Read: 5 In-Demand Skills You Can Learn From Home

7. Keep It Simple, Clear & Professional

🔹 Best Resume Format for Fresh Graduates:
✔ Keep it one page long
✔ Use a professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
✔ Use bullet points for easy reading
✔ Check for spelling & grammar mistakes

🔹 What to Avoid:
❌ Too much personal info (e.g., full address, IC number)
❌ Unprofessional email (use [email protected])
❌ Fancy designs (stick to a clean, simple layout)

👉 Pro Tip: Use free resume templates from Canva or Zety!

A lack of work experience shouldn’t stop you from crafting a strong, job-winning resume. Highlight your skills, projects, certifications, and education to showcase your potential. Want to discover the best career fit for you? Take the Hiredly Work Personality Test to receive personalized job recommendations. Join Hiredly’s Young Talent Community for insider career tips and networking opportunities. Ready to apply? Browse jobs on Hiredly and take the next step in your career!

By Matt Khoo on 2025-02-26 at 6:56 AM