How to List References for a Resume With No Experience

Do you need references for a resume that impresses employers? The short answer is no! Our guide will walk you through the ins and outs of references on a resume and answer your questions about how to succeed in the job hunt without a long track record of experience to fall back on.

Our guide will cover:

• When and how you should include references with your resume.
• How to list references on your resume with no experience.
• Tips to make your first resume shine.
• Key takeaways to remember as you build your no-experience resume.

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When Should You Include References on a Resume?

If you're working on your first resume and you don't have any experience, references might seem like an intimidating hurdle. You should be relieved to hear that you don't actually need references for a strong resume. In fact, it's typically not recommended to list references on your resume at all.

So does that mean you don't need references? Let's not get ahead of ourselves! Writing a great resume doesn't require references, but you should still have some in mind as you search for a new job. Some roles may request references with your resume, but many more of them will ask for references after you've passed through the initial stages of the hiring process. When you make it to the interview stage and finally receive that coveted job offer, references may be required as part of the onboarding process.

So, even if your entry-level resume doesn't feature references, you'll still need to prepare them. But how can you submit job references if you have no experience at all? 

This might feel totally impossible, but don't worry. We'll walk you through it. Believe it or not, you probably already have plenty of references, even if you've never had a job.

How to List References If You Have No Experience

What can you use as references if you have no experience? It might seem like a puzzle, but we have good news for you; On-the-job experience is not required for a references page.

Here are some examples of potential references that don't require experience and that you can use for your job hunt:

• Teachers or professors: Are you a fresh high school or college graduate? A current student? Then you have a wealth of potential references to contact. Reach out to current or former teachers who you think have a strong sense of your abilities. Odds are, they'll be happy to vouch for you.
• Extracurricular coaches and supervisors: This is another great option for students and recent graduates. An extracurricular supervisor can verify your work ethic, passion and skills.
• Volunteer supervisors: Have you ever done any volunteer work? Reach out to the organizers for references! This is a great way to show employers both your reliability and teamwork as well as your personal values and commitment to your community.
• Family friends or mentors: Still can't think of any references to use? Go ahead and contact some family friends who've witnessed your skills in action. Just don't use family members as a reference. It's easy to see through a family member used as a reference, and it doesn't look professional.

How to Write a Strong First Resume

Writing a resume with no experience is daunting. References are just the tip of the iceberg! Here are some simple tips you can use to build a strong resume even if you've never worked at all before.

• Use a simple template: A simple resume template will help ensure that your resume presents a polished profile and follows basic style and formatting rules. A template can be a useful shortcut for making your resume appear professional and neat.
• Try the functional format: A typical resume follows the chronological resume format, which highlights your experience in reverse-chronological order. This emphasis on your experience isn't the best move for an entry-level resume. Instead, a beginner should try a functional resume format that focuses on your skills above all else.
• Check out examples from your industry: Need help getting your resume started? Examining some resume samples from professionals in the field you're after can give you the inspiration to get started.
• Emphasize your soft skills: As a newcomer to the workforce, you might not have a robust tool set of technical skills. But that doesn't mean you don't have plenty of useful skills to showcase. Fill your resume with useful soft skills that demonstrate your working habits, interpersonal skills and reliability.
• Include extracurriculars on your resume: Don't have work experience? No problem! Your resume can shine with extracurriculars like volunteer work, sports or hobbies and even coursework from high school, college or educational training programs.

Key Takeaways

Resources to Help Prepare for Your Job Search

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Hailey Brophy

Career Advice Expert

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.

Read more articles by Hailey Brophy