5 Creative Ways to Format a Student Resume

Creating a resume as a student can feel like an uphill battle, especially if your experience is limited. But with the right formatting, you can highlight your strengths clearly and professionally, while still making a strong visual impression. Here are five innovative formatting techniques to help present your experience, skills, and achievements in the best possible light.

1. Projects-first layout

If your resume feels light on work experience, try using a projects-first layout, which can instantly shift the focus to what you’ve done, rather than where you’ve worked. This approach helps you showcase relevant experience from the classroom or independent work, making it easier for employers to see your potential, even if you haven’t held a formal job.

To create this type of layout, place a “Projects” or “Academic Highlights” section directly below your professional summary. Use this space to describe standout coursework, research, or personal projects that show your abilities. For example, if you built a website for a class or conducted market research for a student group, break down what you did and what the outcome was. Include dates and details to keep it professional.

2. Skills-based format

A skills-based resume lets you structure your resume around what you can do, rather than what you have done. This format works well when your experience comes from a variety of non-traditional sources, allowing you to draw attention to strengths gained through school, volunteering, or extracurriculars, which are just as valuable as paid work in the eyes of many recruiters.

To employ this type of format, create sections based on skill areas, such as “Communication,” “Teamwork,” or “Technical Skills,” and include short examples under each. For example, under “Leadership,” you might mention organizing a student fundraiser or managing a group presentation. Just make sure each example ties back to skills the employer is looking for.

3. Highlight academics with a clean visual timeline

If your biggest achievements are academic, you can make them stand out using a simple timeline layout. Keep it structured but easy to scan. By visually organizing your academic track record, you allow employers to see your progression and performance at a glance, without digging through dense text.

To accomplish this, place your education section near the top of your resume and list key milestones in reverse order. Include any high GPAs, awards, relevant coursework, or research roles. You can also briefly explain any impressive results—for example, how your senior thesis helped shape a department initiative or how a group project earned top marks.

4. Present extracurriculars like work experience

Many student resumes bury extracurriculars at the bottom, but these roles often demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and initiative just as clearly as jobs do. Treating these activities as professional experience helps balance out any employment gaps and shows how active and involved you are outside the classroom.

To use an extracurriculars structure, list each activity by including a title, organization name, and dates, just like you would a job. Then add two or three short lines describing your impact. For example, if you led a student club, highlight how you grew membership, planned events, or raised funds. This gives weight to your efforts and shows you take responsibilities seriously.

5. Reorder your sections to match the role

Your resume doesn’t need to follow a rigid format. In fact, changing the order of your sections based on the job you’re applying for can be a smart strategy. Tailoring your layout this way makes your resume feel more targeted and easier for recruiters to scan. It also shows that you’ve put real thought into your application—something hiring managers appreciate.

So, if the role emphasizes technical skills, move your “Technical Proficiencies” or “Certifications” closer to the top. If it’s a leadership-based position, lead with your relevant extracurriculars or group projects. Just make sure to keep the design clean, use standard fonts, and avoid graphics to make sure your resume stays ATS-friendly and professional.

Andrew Fennell is the founder and director of StandOut CV, a leading CV builder and careers advice website. He is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to publications like Business Insider, The Guardian, and The Independent.