Writing a resume for teens can feel odd, because you are told to show your experience when you have not had a job yet. Here is the good news: employers who hire teens know this. They are not expecting a long work history. They want to see that you are reliable, willing to learn and ready to do the job.
This guide is for ages 14 to 18, and for parents helping them. It shows what to put on a first resume, how to use school and activities, a simple layout, and a sample you can copy. It uses plain steps, so you can finish a draft in an afternoon.
What a teen resume is and why you need one
A resume is a one-page summary of who you are and what you can do. For a first job, many places ask for an application form instead. A resume still helps, because it keeps your details in one place and shows you took the job seriously.
You might use a first resume for:
- Part-time jobs at stores, restaurants, cafes or camps.
- Summer jobs and seasonal work.
- Volunteer roles and internships.
- Clubs, teams, scholarships or college programs.
Check the rules where you live
Work rules for young people differ by country, state and age. Some places need a work permit for under 16s or 18s, and limit the hours you can work. Ask a parent, a school counselor, or check your local government website before you apply. We cannot give legal advice, and rules change.
You already have more than you think
Think about the last year. Have you babysat, mowed lawns, helped at a family business, run a school event, played on a team or looked after a pet for a neighbor? All of these show responsibility. You will use them in the next sections.
What to include when you have no job experience
If you have no paid work, fill the page with other proof. Use this table as a menu.
| Section | What you can put there | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Contact details | Name, town, phone, a sensible email address | [email protected] |
| Objective or summary | 1 to 2 lines about what you want and what you offer | Reliable high school student looking for a part-time job in customer service |
| Education | School, grade level, expected graduation, honors, relevant classes | Lincoln High School, Grade 11, expected 2027 |
| Skills | Computer skills, languages, teamwork, hands-on skills | Typing, Google Docs, basic Spanish |
| Activities and clubs | Sports, music, student council, school clubs | Soccer team, 3 seasons |
| Volunteering | Food drives, animal shelters, church or community events | Helped sort donations at a local food bank |
| Informal work | Babysitting, pet care, yard work, tutoring | Babysat for three families on weekends |
| Awards | Honor roll, perfect attendance, team awards | Honor roll, 2025 |
You do not need every row. Pick the ones that are true for you and fit the job. For more on listing school details, read how to list high school on a resume. If you want a word-for-word start, our guide on writing a cover letter with no experience shows how to explain your story in a short note.
Choose the right activities for the job
You do not have to list everything. Pick the items that match what the employer needs. For a cafe job, babysitting, a school store shift and team sports show that you can handle people, money and busy times. For an animal shelter, pet sitting and a science club are a better fit. For a library, tutoring and a book club work well. If an item does not help, leave it off and keep the page clean.
Show growth, not just a list
Words like "captain," "treasurer," "helper," "trained," or "led" show that people trusted you with more over time. If you moved from team member to team captain, say so. If you taught a younger student a skill, say so. Short facts like these tell an employer more than a long list of traits such as hard-working and friendly.
Turn small tasks into clear lines
A line like "babysat" says little. A line like "Looked after two children, ages 5 and 8, on weekends and made sure they were safe, fed and on time for bed" shows real duties. Add what you did and who it helped. Do not exaggerate.
A simple layout for a teen resume
Keep it to one page, in one column, with clear headings. For a first resume, put education near the top, since it is your strongest part. Use this order.
| Order | Section | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name and contact | Big, clear name; phone and email |
| 2 | Objective | One or two lines, no more |
| 3 | Education | School name, grade, expected graduation date |
| 4 | Skills | Five to eight items in a simple list |
| 5 | Experience (volunteer, informal and activities) | Two to four short bullets for each |
| 6 | Awards (optional) | One line each |
Font, size and style
- Use a standard font like Arial, Calibri or Georgia.
- Body text at 11 or 12 point is easy to read.
- Use bold for headings and job titles only.
- Leave white space between sections.
- Avoid photos, clip art, emojis and color blocks.
Be careful with personal information
You do not need to share your home street address, birth date, school ID or social media. A town and state are enough. Parents should help check what is shared online and in files sent to strangers. If a place asks for more private details, talk to a trusted adult first.
A sample resume for a teenager
This sample is made up. It is for a 16-year-old applying for a part-time retail job. Change it so every line is true for you.
Jamie Carter
Raleigh, North Carolina | 555-010-3320 | [email protected]
Objective
Responsible high school student looking for a part-time sales associate job. Friendly, on time and quick to learn.
Education
Wake Ridge High School, Raleigh, NC
Grade 11, expected graduation 2027
Relevant classes: Business Basics, Spanish II
Honor roll, fall 2025
Skills
Customer service | Teamwork | Basic Spanish | Typing | Google Docs and Sheets | Handling cash in a school store
Experience and activities
School Store Volunteer, Wake Ridge High School, 2025 to Present
- Help classmates choose items and take payments.
- Count the cash drawer with a teacher at the end of each shift.
Babysitter, Neighborhood families, 2024 to Present
- Look after children ages 4 to 9 on weekends.
- Follow parents' instructions on meals, homework and bedtime.
Soccer Team Member, Wake Ridge High School, 2023 to Present
- Attend practice four days a week and work with teammates in games.
This layout shows reliability, teamwork and basic job skills. It follows the one-column format that is easy for people and for software to read. For another plain layout, see the simple resume format guide.
Choosing an objective for a first resume
With little history, a short objective helps the reader see your goal. A good one has three parts: who you are, what job you want, and what you offer. Keep it to two lines.
| If you want | Sample objective |
|---|---|
| A restaurant job | Hard-working student seeking a server or host role. Friendly with customers and happy to work weekends. |
| A summer camp job | Energetic high school student with babysitting and sports team experience, looking to work as a camp helper. |
| A grocery or retail job | Reliable student looking for a part-time role in a store. Good with numbers and careful with money. |
| An office or library job | Organized student who likes helping people. Comfortable with computers and keeping records tidy. |
Make sure each word is true. If you say you are good with numbers, you should be ready to show it. For more phrasing ideas, see our resume objective examples.
Match the job post
Read the job notice. If it says "friendly" or "dependable," and that is true for you, use the same words. This helps the employer see the match right away. If you apply online, the system may also look for those words. Read how an ATS works if you want to know more.
Tips for teens and parents
Here is a short checklist to work through together.
- Use a grown-up email address. Something like firstname.lastname works. Avoid nicknames and jokes.
- Ask for references. A coach, teacher, neighbor or leader can speak for you. Ask permission first. Read our guide on references on a resume.
- Proofread twice. Ask a parent or teacher to read it too.
- Save it as a PDF. It will look the same on every screen.
- Practice a short answer. "Tell me about yourself" is a common question. Use your resume to prepare.
- Follow up politely. After you apply, a kind note or visit can help, if the employer welcomes it.
What to do when the first reply comes
If an employer calls or emails, answer politely and soon. Keep your resume handy so you can remember what you wrote. Write down the time and place of any interview, and plan how you will get there. Arrive a few minutes early, dress neatly, and bring a printed copy of your resume. A calm, friendly attitude counts for a lot when the person across the table knows you are new to working.
Making it with a builder
You can write a first resume in a word processor, or you can use a builder that handles the layout. Mira Resume has simple, single-column PDF templates, and you can fill in your details and download a PDF. You can also download an editable Word (.docx) file. There is no Google Docs export, but Google Docs can open a .docx file. If you are under 18, please check with a parent or guardian before you create an account or buy anything. See the resume templates or try the resume builder.
Common mistakes on a first resume
- Making it too long. One page is enough. Cut anything that does not help.
- Using a silly email address. Employers notice it right away.
- Adding a photo or fun graphics. Keep it plain and clear.
- Stretching the truth. Do not claim jobs, skills or awards you do not have.
- Leaving out activities. Clubs, teams and volunteer work are proof of responsibility.
- Sharing too much personal info. Skip your street address, birth date and social media.
- Not tailoring. A change of objective and skills for each job takes five minutes.
- Typos. Read it aloud to catch mistakes.
Before sending, you can run the file through the ATS checker to see how it reads.
