Resume example
Fresh graduate resume example.
A fictional resume for a recent marketing graduate applying for their first full-time role. This example shows how to structure a resume when the degree has just finished and the work history is still thin.
Every name, employer, university, and achievement in this example is invented. Use it to learn structure, not to copy content.
Mariam Zaidi
Marketing graduate · content and social media focus
- mariam.zaidi@example.com
- +92 300 5559876
- Lahore, Pakistan
- linkedin.com/in/example-mariam
Summary
Recent marketing graduate with hands-on experience running social media and content for two small businesses during study. Comfortable writing across formats, reading analytics, and building content calendars. Looking for a first full-time role in content marketing or social media where I can keep learning from an experienced team.
Education
BA Marketing and Communications
2021 – 2024University of the Punjab · Lahore
Final-year dissertation: "The effect of short-form video on brand recall among 18–24 year olds in Pakistan" (graded distinction). Relevant coursework: Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing, Media Planning, Business Writing.
Experience
Freelance Social Media Manager
Jan 2023 – presentTwo small businesses in Lahore (part-time alongside study)
- Ran Instagram and Facebook accounts for a local bakery and a boutique clothing brand; wrote and scheduled 4–6 posts per week for each.
- Grew the bakery's Instagram from ~800 to ~4,200 followers over 14 months by shifting to a short-form video content calendar and posting consistently.
- Produced monthly performance summaries in Google Sheets — reach, engagement rate, and top-performing posts — for both clients.
Marketing Intern
Jun – Aug 2023Studio Meridian (small creative agency)
- Supported the account team on three client campaigns; drafted social copy, assembled creative briefs, and coordinated content reviews.
- Wrote the first draft of a campaign report that was adopted by the team for a subsequent client engagement.
Projects
"Colour of Lahore" — final-year content portfolio
2024Solo · 6-part video series on local street-food culture
- Wrote, shot, and edited six 60-second videos for Instagram; handled everything from planning to posting.
- Two videos crossed 15k views organically; the project was used as a portfolio piece in three interviews (and is still available on request).
Skills
- Content writing
- Canva
- CapCut
- Google Analytics (basic)
- Google Sheets
- Copywriting
What makes this fresh graduate resume work
1. Real part-time work is treated as work
Mariam's freelance social media work isn't labelled "hobby" or "side project" — it's the first entry under Experience. It includes real client work, real numbers, and real responsibilities. This is the correct treatment of any paid work performed during study. It gives the resume an employment section that a fresh graduate would otherwise lack.
2. The bullets show growth and volume
"Grew from ~800 to ~4,200 followers over 14 months" is a specific, checkable claim. It demonstrates both the outcome (5× growth) and the effort (14 months). The tilde (~) makes clear the numbers are approximate — which is honest, and avoids overclaiming on numbers Mariam wouldn't have precise access to.
3. The dissertation is included but not dominant
For a marketing role, the dissertation is supporting evidence of analytical work. It's included, but compressed to a single line. Adding a paragraph about the methodology would be out of place on a practitioner resume — it belongs on an academic CV. The distinction between the two is worth understanding: this is a resume, not a CV.
4. The portfolio project has outcomes, not just description
"Two videos crossed 15k views organically" and "used as a portfolio piece in three interviews" are both concrete outcomes. The second one is interesting because it isn't a work metric — it's evidence that the work has been taken seriously enough to be used in interviews. That's a legitimate outcome to describe.
5. Education is prominent but not alone
For a fresh graduate, education leads — but the resume is not only education. The Experience section contains real work, and the Projects section contains self-directed work. The reader sees a person who has done things, not just studied things.
6. No GPA (and that's a choice)
The dissertation is highlighted ("graded distinction") but the GPA is not listed. There are two possible reasons this is fine: either Mariam's GPA was lower than a strong academic record would suggest (in which case omitting it is legitimate), or the marketing role she's applying for won't look at GPA at all. Both are valid.
What to watch for in your own fresh graduate resume
- Don't skip real work just because it doesn't feel impressive. A part-time job, a freelance project, or informal responsibility all count. Many graduates leave these off, then wonder why the resume feels empty.
- Quantify what you can. Follower counts, hours per week, students per class, items processed per day — any concrete number beats no number.
- Highlight one project that shows depth. A single project described with three detailed bullets is better than five projects described in one line each.
- Lead with education but don't over-invest in it. A paragraph about your dissertation is fine; three paragraphs isn't. This is a resume, not an academic CV.
- Match the role. If you're applying to content marketing, lead with content work. If you're applying to something else, the emphasis should shift accordingly.
Related resources
Open the builder with a fresh-graduate template, or browse all student & graduate templates.