Recent Graduate Resume Example for First Jobs

As a recent graduate, you are competing with other candidates who have similar degrees. What sets you apart is how clearly you show what you did: internships, capstone projects, research, part-time jobs and leadership roles, with results where you have them.

This example is for a communications graduate applying for entry-level public relations and content roles. It moves experience up once you have relevant internships, while keeping education near the top.

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Recommended resume format for a recent graduate

Hybrid, one page. Start with a short summary, then relevant experience and projects, followed by education and skills. If your degree is your strongest selling point, put Education first. The recent graduate resume guide explains both options.

Recent graduate resume example

This example is fictional: the name, employers and numbers are invented to show structure and wording. It uses the Graduate template. Replace every detail with your own, truthful information.

Preview of the recent graduate example in the Graduate template.

Recent Graduate resume text

Daniel Rivera
Communications Graduate
daniel.rivera@example.com | (555) 030-2247 | Atlanta, GA | linkedin.com/in/daniel-rivera-example | danielrivera-writing.example.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Communications graduate with two public relations internships and a portfolio of published articles, press releases and social campaigns. Writes clearly on deadline, understands media relations and brings strong social media and design skills.

INTERNSHIPS AND EXPERIENCE
Public Relations Intern | Jan 2025 – May 2025
Peachtree Communications Group | Atlanta, GA
- Drafted 12 press releases and media pitches for healthcare and technology clients, 4 of which earned local media coverage.
- Built media lists of 300+ journalists and tracked coverage in a shared report.
- Wrote social media copy for 3 client accounts, increasing average engagement by 25% over the internship.

Communications Intern | Jun 2024 – Aug 2024
Atlanta Neighborhood Housing Alliance | Atlanta, GA
- Wrote 8 stories for the nonprofit's newsletter, which reaches 6,000 supporters.
- Designed event flyers and social graphics in Canva for a fundraiser with 200 guests.

PROJECTS
Capstone Campaign: Campus Mental Health Awareness — Strategy and content lead
- Planned and ran a 6-week campaign for the university counseling center that increased appointment requests by 14%.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Public Relations concentration | May 2025
Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA

SKILLS
Communication: Press releases, Media relations, AP style, Copywriting, Social media strategy
Tools: Canva, Adobe Express, Meltwater, Hootsuite, WordPress

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Recent graduate resume summary examples

Lead with your degree, then your most relevant internships or projects, and finish with the type of role you want or the strengths you bring.

Communications graduateCommunications graduate with two PR internships and published writing. Skilled in press releases, media lists and social content, and ready for an entry-level public relations role.
Business graduateFinance graduate with an internship in commercial banking and advanced Excel skills. Built financial models for a capstone project on regional retail expansion.
STEM graduateBiology graduate with 18 months of undergraduate research experience in a molecular biology lab, skilled in PCR, cell culture and lab documentation.
Graduate with no internshipPsychology graduate with 3 years of part-time customer service experience and a research methods capstone. Strong communicator seeking an entry-level HR or recruiting role.

More ideas: resume summary examples.

Skills for a recent graduate resume

List skills from your degree, internships and projects that match the job description. Include tools and methods, not only soft skills.

Academic and technical

Research
Data analysis
Writing
Presentation
Excel
Statistics

Field-specific

Press releases
Financial modeling
Lab techniques
Programming languages
CAD
Lesson planning

Workplace

Teamwork
Time management
Client communication
Project coordination
Adaptability

See the resume skills guide for how to choose and present skills.

Recent graduate experience bullet point examples

Internship and project bullets should show what you produced and the result. If you do not have numbers, describe the scope, audience or feedback.

Analyzed customer survey data from 1,200 responses and presented findings to the marketing team.
Developed a capstone financial model that projected 5-year returns for a mock acquisition.
Co-authored a research poster presented at a regional undergraduate research conference.
Supported a team of 6 engineers during a summer internship by testing and documenting 40 components.
Completed a 120-hour student teaching placement in a seventh grade science classroom.
Led a student club of 60 members as president, doubling event attendance.

Education section guidance

Include your degree, major, school, graduation month and year, and honors. Add your GPA if it is strong.

Relevant coursework, thesis or capstone projects, and study abroad can go under your degree.

Common recent graduate resume mistakes

Undervaluing internships. Treat internships like jobs, with clear bullets and results.
Listing only soft skills. Show the tools and methods you learned in your degree.
A long list of coursework. Only include courses that relate to the job.
A generic objective. Replace "seeking a challenging position" with the specific role and what you offer.

ATS tips for a recent graduate resume

Use the entry-level job title in your summary where it fits.
Include your graduation date in a consistent format.
List software and tools as plain text.
Use standard headings even if you rename a section, such as "Internships and Experience".
Keep the resume to one page and avoid graphics.

Check your draft with the free ATS Resume Checker, which shows your resume completeness and the plain text an applicant tracking system reads.

Helpful resume guides

Recent graduate resume FAQ

Should education go first on a recent graduate resume?

If your degree is your strongest qualification, yes. If you have relevant internships, you can put experience first and education second.

How long should a recent graduate resume be?

One page.

What if I have no internships?

Use class projects, research, part-time jobs, volunteer work and leadership roles to show relevant skills.

When should I remove my GPA?

Usually after your first full-time job, or right away if it is below 3.0 and not requested.

Recent Graduate Resume Example