[Linsy]

I've been applying for jobs but many of them ask for resumes. I have no work or volunteer experience and after reading about how to write a good resume there's a lot of conflicting advice. Can anyone direct me to a good website that has nice clean instructions and maybe a format that I can follow just to start it up?

[JessLess]

I would start volunteering if possible. I have done resumes for people who haven't had work experience. You may want to go with a functional resume format instead of a chronological one.

http://www.resume-resource.com/exfunctional.html

A functional resume focuses on your skills rather than your employment history.

Here's another more general link: http://www.how-to-write-a-resume.org/

Make sure to include any clubs, awards, etc. from school that you might have.

[NYGiantsGirl]

Everything that Jess said is true!

Also ... definitely write a Summary or Qualifications at the top so that reviewers will know what you're aiming for/what you bring to the table.

For example ... say you want to be an office manager for a nonprofit (this is a totally random example). Maybe you'll write that your excellent organizational skills allowed you to maintain an excellent GPA. Or that your interpersonal skills allowed you to succeed in collaborating with others in ______ circumstances. Look at the job posting and address their desired qualifications this way. I usually do mine in bullet form.

[time2lose]

Microsoft has some templates that can help you. Various members of my family have used these. They have many to choose from, so just look for the one that applies to you.