How to Write a Resume With No Experience — For International Students & Migrants

If you’re an international student or migrant trying to write your first resume for the Australian job market — without local experience — it can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering what to put on your resume if you’ve never worked in Australia, whether anyone will hire you without local references, and how to make your background stand out. The good news is: you don’t need Australian experience to get interviews — you just need to present your value clearly and strategically.

In this guide, we’ll combine proven resume writing strategies with practical tips on gaining experience when you don’t have any. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to create a compelling resume tailored for both international students and skilled migrants, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Step 1: Get the Right Kind of Experience

It’s hard to compete with candidates who already have local experience, so your first priority should be gaining relevant experience — even if it’s unpaid or part-time. This is where international students and skilled migrants face slightly different challenges:

- If you’re an international student, you may not have any industry experience in Australia yet. Start early, ideally while you’re still at university, to build experience through internships, volunteering, and project work.

- If you’re a skilled migrant, you likely have professional experience from your home country, but lack local experience. Consider casual work, volunteering, or short-term contracts in your field to bridge the gap.

Set zero expectations for pay at this stage — your goal is to build a portfolio of relevant experience that will make you competitive for better roles later.

Step 2: Use a Resume Template Designed for Your Situation

A clean, ATS-friendly template is essential. Forget overly creative designs — hiring managers and applicant tracking systems prefer simplicity and clarity.

For International Graduates:

1. Professional Summary — highlight your skills, education, and career goals.
2. Key Skills — tailored to the specific job ad.
3. Education — degree, major, graduation year, and academic achievements.
4. Professional Experience — internships, part-time jobs, projects, or volunteer work.

For Skilled Migrants:

1. Professional Summary — emphasise years of experience and key achievements.
2. Key Skills — aligned with the Australian job market.
3. Professional Experience — list roles from your home country and any local work.
4. Education — placed last, as your work history is more relevant.

Step 3: Highlight Transferable Skills and Achievements

Even without local experience, you can still demonstrate your value. Focus on achievements and skills gained from internships, academic projects, or overseas roles.

Examples:
- Led a university project that improved processes or saved costs.
- Managed social media for a student organisation.
- Trained peers in software tools or industry knowledge.

Step 4: Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

Read the job ad carefully and mirror its language in your resume. Include keywords from the ad in your skills and experience sections to pass ATS screening.

Avoid generic phrases — be specific about your contributions and results.

Step 5: Leverage Your International Background

Your background can be a strength if presented correctly. Highlight cultural adaptability, language skills, and experience in diverse environments.

Want the Resume That Helped Others Land Interviews?

Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit — the exact system my clients used to land interviews, even without local experience.

It includes:
- A resume template tailored for international students and migrants
- A LinkedIn checklist to build credibility
- Interview tips to turn interest into job offers

Get it free here: https://www.theaho.co/free 

FAQs

Q: What do I put on my resume if I have no experience?
A: Focus on transferable skills, internships, university projects, or volunteer work relevant to the job.

Q: Will employers hire me without local experience?
A: Yes. Many employers value skills and attitude over the location of your experience.

Q: Can I use overseas experience on an Australian resume?
A: Absolutely. Present it in a way that shows measurable results and relevance.