College Senior Resume Example and Writing Tips

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As a college student, you might not think you have a lot of experience to include in your resume. However, there are lots of skills, abilities, and experiences that you can highlight in your resume, even if your work experience is limited.

Read below for tips on how to write a strong resume as a college student. Then, check out the sample resume below.

The sample resume is for a college senior looking to go on the job market. The resume includes sections on education, related experience, and other experience.

Tips for Writing a College Senior Resume

Consider starting with a summary. A resume summary statement is a list or few sentences at the top of a resume that highlights your qualifications for a position. In a summary, include some of your top skills and accomplishments that make you an ideal fit for the specific job you're applying for. Try to include keywords from the job listing.

Emphasize your education. As a student, your education is one of your strongest assets. Therefore, highlight your academic successes in your resume. Put your education section at the top of your resume. Along with your school and degree information, include any achievements, such as a high GPA, and any academic awards. If you have completed any projects or taken courses related to the job you are applying for, you might include these as well. Also list any study abroad experiences.

Highlight all related experience. If you have limited work experience, you can still include experiences that are relevant to the job. These might include extracurriculars, such as clubs or organizations you are a part of, or even volunteer positions. Unpaid internships should also be included under related experience.

Emphasize leadership experience. You might include a separate leadership section on your resume. Under this, include any leadership positions you have held on teams or organizations. For example, if you were a captain of a sports team, or vice president of a club, include this.

Use keywords. Because much of your work experience might not be directly related to the position, you should use keywords from the job listing in your resume to show the connection between your experiences and the job. For example, if the job listing states that you need customer service experience, and you worked in a pizza parlor, use the phrase “customer service” or something similar in your description of the job. You might include the number of customers you served a day, or the ways you interacted with customers.

Read sample resumes. Look at some resume examples and resume templates before writing your resume. A resume example can help you decide what kind of content to include, and a template can help you format your resume. However, be sure to tailor a resume example to fit your own experiences, and the specific job you are applying for.

Edit, edit, edit. Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it. A well-organized, error-free resume will show that you are professional who pays attention to details. Ask a friend or family member, and/or a college career counselor, to read the resume for you as well. The more people you get to look over your resume before sending it, the better.

College Senior Resume Example

This is an example of a college senior resume. Download the college senior resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a college senior resume example
©TheBalance 2018

College Senior Resume Example (Text Only)

Amanda Applicant
123 College Street, State College, PA 16801
(123) 555-1234


Detail-oriented student with a 2019 expected graduation date. Experienced in research- and data-driven endeavors. Thrives in leadership roles.


  • Proficient with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
  • Fluent in written and spoken Spanish.


Supervising Team Leader, September 2017–Present

Assist in fundraising goals while training, coordinating, and motivating more than 60 student callers. Conduct database management and statistical analysis and monitor success for a goal-oriented team.

Student Fundraising Specialist, January 2016–September 2017
Fostered telephone outreach and relation-building skills in development. Personally raised more than $75,000.

Research Intern, March 2017–Present
Provide assistance to addiction clinic researchers and technicians through data processing and maintenance, and organization of patient records.

Resident Adviser, January 2016–December 2017
Participated in diversity awareness and leadership training and organized and executed floor and house-wide events.


Bachelor of Arts in Biology (2019, expected); GPA 3.48
Penn State University, State College, Penn.

  • Dean’s List; Senior Honor Awards Finalist