Build Your Own
Resume

Even if You Have No Experience, You Can Still Make a Great Resume!

Whether you are returning from incarceration or have been out of the workforce for other reasons, you can still create a resume to get your next (or first) job. We are here to help!

Just follow the steps below to get started. Once you have everything you need, it should only take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete!

1. Write Down Your Job History

Think of all the jobs you’ve had, and write them down in the order you had them. Be sure to include the following information:

  • Name of the company or organization where you worked
  • Dates when you started the job, and when you left (if you can’t remember, just list the year or years you worked there)
  • Your title or position at the job
  • Your daily tasks and responsibilities at that job

If you were in prison, write down all the jobs you performed while you were incarcerated. Any kind of work detail should be included!

If you haven’t held a regular job, write down jobs you’ve performed for friends, family, and others, even if you weren’t paid. For example, if you helped your mother out by regularly mowing her lawn and fixing things around the house, you can include “landscaping” and “handyman.”

2. List Your Skills and Education

Now we’re going to come up with your educational and vocational backgrounds. List your high school, and any colleges, universities, or trade schools you attended, even if you didn’t graduate. List the years you attended each.

Next, write down any professional certifications you have, such as forklift operation, HVAC, or coding.

If you were in prison, be sure to include any certificates you earned while incarcerated.

Finally, add any special skills you have, even if you’re not certified. If you have experience doing anything in the following list, it can really help your resume stand out:

  • Carpentry
  • Automotive repair / mechanic
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical Wiring
  • Painting
  • Website design
  • Coding
  • Landscaping / lawn care
  • Warehouse operations
  • Cooking / kitchen prep
  • Electronics / audio / video / car stereo installation
  • General labor

3. Gather Your Contact Information

It’s essential that any employer be able to contact you if they are interested in hiring you! Make sure you are ready to include all of the following information in your resume:

  • Your full, legal name (no nicknames)
  • Your phone number
  • Your email address

4. Build Your Resume!

Now for the final step: let’s make your resume! There are many free resources available online. We recommend Talent Nova, which is completely free and works with people who have criminal backgrounds:

You can learn more about Talent Nova at their website. (We are not affiliated with Talent Nova and neither give nor receive compensation for sharing this link. We just think they’re a great resource!)

If you’re still having trouble or need further assistance, visit your local library and ask a librarian for help. They will be happy to assist you!

Additional Resources

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