FoliumA free resume builder for students and new grads
You don't need years of work experience to have a real resume — you need to know what actually counts. Coursework, class projects, internships, volunteer work and part-time jobs all belong on a first resume, structured the right way. All 30 templates and the PDF download are free with no account and no credit card — build it in a browser tab, nothing to install.
Build my resume → No signup required to start. Nothing to install.
What actually counts as experience when you're a student
Recruiters reading a student resume don't expect five years of job history — they're looking for signals: did you finish things, work with other people, take initiative. A class project with a real outcome, an internship (even unpaid or short), a part-time job, or organizing a student club event are all legitimate resume content when they're written to show what you did and what happened as a result, not just where you were.
Built for a first resume specifically
- No signup to build or download — no credit card, ever, which matters when you have neither an income nor a reason to trust a random tool with one.
- Templates that work with a short resume — layouts designed to look complete on a single page, not empty.
- Optional AI tailoring — once you have a target internship or entry-level posting, a free account lets you check your match score and get the exact keywords you're missing.
- A cover letter draft — generated from your real coursework and projects, so you're not staring at a blank page.
Build your first resume in three steps
Start with what you have
Add coursework, class projects, internships, volunteering and part-time jobs.
Pick a clean template
Choose from 30 templates designed to look complete even with a short resume.
Download your PDF, free
Export unlimited times, no watermark, no account required.
Build your first resume, free
No signup, no credit card · professional templates that work with a short resume
Build my resume — freeFolium vs. a typical "free" resume builder
| Feature | Folium | Typical "free" builder |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card to sign up | Never | Often required, even for a "free trial" |
| PDF download | Free, unlimited, no watermark | Often gated or watermarked |
| Templates | 30, always free | Handful free, rest paid |
| Account to build & download | No | Usually yes |
| Works with a short resume | Yes, designed for it | Varies |
| AI keyword check for internships | Yes, free account | Often a separate paid tool |
| Where your resume lives | Your browser, unless you sync | Their servers |
General comparison, August 2026. Features of other tools vary by plan; check their sites for current details.
What this won't do
It won't invent an internship, a job, or a skill you don't have — and you shouldn't want it to. What it does is help you present real coursework, projects and part-time work the way a recruiter actually reads a first resume: looking for signal, not years.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a resume with zero work experience?
Yes. Coursework, class projects, internships, volunteering and part-time jobs are all legitimate resume content — the guide linked below goes into exactly how to write them.
Do I need a credit card to sign up?
No, never. The editor, all 30 templates and the PDF download are free with no account and no card. A free account (email only) adds optional AI tools.
Which template should a student use?
Any of the simpler, single-column templates tend to work best for a short resume — they're designed to look complete without needing to stretch content to fill a page.
Can the AI help me apply for internships?
Yes — paste an internship or entry-level job posting and the AI tailoring tool gives you a match score, the keywords you're missing, and a tailored copy. That needs a free account, just an email, no card.
Is my resume stored anywhere?
It stays in your browser by default. If you use an AI tool, the relevant text is sent once to generate the result and isn't stored afterward.