16 year old first job resume

How to Write a First Job Resume for Teens

Even with no work experience, teens can still make an effective resume. See a sample teen resume.

How to Write a Resume for Teens

A well-written resume can be a key to success when looking for a first job or applying for a scholarship or competitive academic program. Even with no “real-world” work experience, you can still make an effective resume as a teen. Here are eight tips for writing a first-time resume or a first job resume as a teen. See a sample teen resume below.

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Know the Purpose

Identify the goal of the resume. A resume to get a job as a lifeguard has a different purpose than one for getting a philanthropic academic scholarship. Review the job description or qualifications and make a list of the essential requirements and preferred requirements.

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The essential requirements, or must-haves, are fixed or firm prerequisites such as: “Must have a clean driver’s license” if applying to be a delivery driver; or “Must have a GPA of 3.5” if applying for a specific academic program. These requirements are usually not flexible, and your resume should show that you meet them to be considered.

Preferred or ideal qualifications are nice to have, but may be flexible or could be satisfied a different way. A preferred qualification might be written as “Previous retail experience preferred” or “Applicants with volunteer work in social justice preferred.” If you have the preferred qualifications, be sure to include those qualifications. If you don’t have an exact preferred qualification but something similar, you can include it in your resume.

For example, while you may not have retail experience but have volunteered multiple times at the local thrift clothing store , that work can show you are interested in clothing and have some experience with a retail environment. The addition of similar experience is useful if it helps to make you more qualified than someone else who has no preferred or similar qualifications.

Choose a Simple Document Format

You can start with a blank document or use a resume template on Word or Google, but be sure to select one that is simple, without graphics, tables or other complex formatting styles. Often those templates do not load correctly or clearly into the Applicant Tracking Systems that are used as databases of candidates. Complex templates can also be difficult to update later. Most ATS do best with Word documents when submitted online via a posting portal.

Each resume section except for your contact information and your summary can have a title to separate it. You can use something as simple as: "Education, Experience, Skills" to designate each area. All caps, small caps, bold or just a little color and/or an underline can be effective ways to add some style to the section headings while still having a clean, easy to read appearance. A teen resume should almost always be one page, in 10-11 point font with standard page margins.

If emailing a resume, a PDF version works. If you're bringing it in-person, you can use anything that results in a professional and easy to read format on a clean, unfolded piece of white printer paper.

Professional Contact Information

In the body of the resume – not in a header – include your name as you would want it on a paycheck, your best contact phone number and a professional email address. This is not the time to use [email protected]. Instead, use an email address that is a combination of your first and last name or something else that is simple and professional. Be sure it is an email address that you check multiple times a day – including spam and clutter folders. You do not need to put in your full address, but having your city and state can be helpful if you are applying to a local neighborhood opportunity. For a more competitive or business-related opportunity, you can include a link to your LinkedIn profile, if you have one.

Summary or Objective Statement

Sometimes a resume may become separated from the pile of similar applicants. To ensure that the reader knows your target or goal in submitting a resume, include a statement of purpose. For example: “High school junior targeting a full-time summer job as a lifeguard. Able to start as of June 1 and available to work full time until Aug. 15. Can work part time during the school year.”

For many teenagers, your education is often your most significant accomplishment and qualification so far. List your school, your grade level and include additional information such as relevant classes. For example, you can list having an A in biology if you're applying to a biology program or your three years playing lacrosse if you are applying for a coaching job in your town's parks and recreation department. If you have a 3.0 GPA or above, you can include that too. You can also include any certifications or other training that is important for the role, such as CPR or a lifeguard certification.

Experience – whether it's paid, unpaid, part-time , full-time or on a volunteer basis – can do a lot to add to your credentials. Include any experience that shows you have done similar work, but also include any experience that shows you are reliable, trustworthy, hardworking or interested in the type of business or industry. To an employer, a candidate who has been hired or managed by someone else seems “less risky” than one who has never held responsibilities outside of the home or school. Some examples could be volunteering each week at the church nursery, watching your neighbor’s cats every time they go out of town or helping the drama teacher to set up and clean up after every performance at the high school.

Add Other Relevant Content

Some additional sections you can include are: skills , technology tools, awards/achievements, sports, clubs, hobbies and interests. The key here is to limit these to only things that will add value to your credentials. No need to include that you love playing Minecraft if you are not applying to a video game camp as a group leader, for example.

Review Your Work

Proof and edit online, print it out and proof it again. Then, ask a couple of other people – adults or people who have a vested interest in your resume representing you well – to review it too. You would much rather catch an error with a trusted contact than to miss out on an opportunity because of an autocorrect mistake.

When built correctly from the start, your resume can continue to evolve without much effort as you add more to your qualifications. See a sample teen resume below.

Sample Teen Resume

Robin Student

955.555.5555 | [email protected] | Danville, CA | linkedin.com/in/robinstudent

High school junior targeting a full-time summer job as a lifeguard. Able to start as of June 1 and available to work full time until Aug. 15. Can work part time during the school year.

• Washington High School, Class of 2022
• CPR and Lifeguard certification.

Experience:

• Swim team co-captain.
• Volunteer at Unity Church as a summer camp counselor.
• Babysitter for neighbor's toddlers.
• Can help others learn swimming techniques.
• Helpful and enthusiastic.
• Punctual and follows instructions.
• Girl Scouts.
• Community garden volunteer.

Tags: resumes , Applying , high school , teens , money , personal finance

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Resume For a 16-Year-Old

In This Guide:

Sample resume template for a 16-year-old, resume formatting tips for a high-schooler, what to write instead of experience, key takeaways.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a teenager looking for a job! It can be difficult to build a resume and find a job when you have little to no experience and are just entering the workforce. But don’t worry, this is a guide to help you find your way!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• how to build a professional resume;
• what to put on it when you have little experience ;
• and some examples to help you imagine what your resume could look like.

Below is a sample resume template to help guide you in building your own. Your resume should look something like this when you complete it:

Amanda Smith

Phone: 808-707-0404 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda_smith05

I am a responsible and reliable sophomore striving for real-life work experience and a place to grow my familiarity and confidence in the workforce. I thrive in a team environment but also exemplify self-sufficiency on designated tasks. I hope to help a business be more successful through my determination and enthusiasm.

• Sophomore at Adams High School with As and Bs
• Taking Spanish, English, Calculus, World History, and Biology
• Reliable punctuality
• Excellent communication
• Time management
• Attention to detail

Hobbies and Interests

• Reading books of all kinds and expanding my horizons
• Hiking in nature to get back to my roots and experience the outdoors
• Watching documentaries to learn more about the world

Other Activities

• Weekly volunteering at animal shelters
• Part of a reading group for kindergarteners after school

Keep these tips in mind when making your resume. Following these guidelines ensures a professional and legible resume.

• Choose the best format Chronological formats are the easiest to write and easiest to understand.
• Adjust page margins to the appropriate length Make sure the margins aren’t too big or too small to avoid an awkward appearance.
• Choose a professional font Don’t go with Comic Sans or something funky, stick to Times New Roman or something simple.
• Keep it one page Keep it short and sweet so employers can easily digest it.
• Save as PDF Save as a PDF so your formatting stays the same across platforms.

Below are some suggestions for filling in your experience on your resume. Many teenagers don’t have loads of job experience, but you can supplement with the following subjects:

• Education Include bullets with classes, extracurricular activities, student memberships, studies, and anything relevant to your education.
• Hobbies and interests Anything that will showcase your relevant skills should go in this section.
• Actual skills Try to match the skills to the job description and draw from previous experience.
• Volunteering Mention any volunteering you have done to exemplify your enthusiasm and spirit.
• Extra sections Mention language skills, personal projects you’ve done, or other relevant activities.

Here are the key takeaways for 16-year-olds building a resume:

• Include anything that shows your positive character
• Highlight your relevant skills
• Express your enthusiasm for employment
• Display all contact information prominently
• Use a helpful resume builder

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What should a 16-year-old put on a resume?

If you are a high school or a college student struggling to make your first teen resume, you're not alone.

Generally, resumes showcase a candidate's professional experiences and skills.

However, as are a teenager applying for their first job, the basics for building a resume are slightly different.

For instance, a teen resume has an objective section instead of a resume summary.

Read on to learn more about teen resumes and related FAQs like the following:

• What is a teen resume?
• What sections should you include in a teen resume?
• How to create the header of a teen resume?
• How to create the objective section of a teen resume?
• What skills should you add to a resume for teens?
• How to write the work experience section in a teen resume?
• How to add education experience on a teen resume?
• How can you add certifications on a teen resume?
• Which additional sections can you add to a teen resume?

What is a Teen Resume?

A teen resume is a page-long document that showcases the best of your academic achievements and skills.

Whether you're applying for your first-part time job or college interviews, and internships, having a resume supports your application as it makes it easier for recruiters to see all your information in one place.

A teen resume is different than a professional resume as it focuses on academic achievements, volunteer work, projects, and extracurricular activities rather than work experiences.

According to the relevance with the job profile you're targetting, you can include the following volunteer work experiences in teen resumes:

• Volunteer work at animal rescue shelters
• Art museums
• National parks
• Political campaigns
• Food pantries
• Retirement homes
• Habitat for humanity
• Organizations like Red Cross
• Local libraries and
• Community blood drives

Also read: How to write a resume with no experience?

What Sections to Include in a Teen Resume?

First things first, you must compile all your information in a single file to streamline the process of building a teen resume.

Once you have all the information in one place, you can pick and choose which information you want to include in your teen resume, based on the job description.

Ensure to present this information in different sections to increase the readability of your resume by giving it a crisp and professional look.

Listed below are the must-have sections in a teen resume:

• Personal Information
• Internship/Volunteer experience (if any)
• Awards and Achievements
• Certifications

Extracurricular Activities

• Additional Information

Also Read: What are the different sections to add to a resume? .

Teenage Resume Header

The header is the topmost part of your resume which is the first thing that the recruiters will see.

Your teen resume header must always be your full name in the largest font size of 14-16 points.

If you have a middle name, you can initialize it like so - Mary J. Blige

Ensure that you don't go with generic resume headers like "CV" or "Resume."

Recruiters already know that the document is a resume. What they don't know is who it belongs to.

Thus, it makes sense to write your name as the header of your teen resume.

Also Read: How to write a perfect resume header in 2022?

Teen Resume Personal Information

Right after the header, you must create a section for your personal information.

This section must include the following details:

A Reachable Phone Number

Ensure that it is a contact number on which you are available at all times.

Write your country's International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code and a plus sign (+) before the number.

A Professional E-mail Id

E-mail addresses with names like '[email protected]' not only sound unprofessional but can also cost you your chances of getting shortlisted for the job.

So make sure that your e-mail address sounds professional. Preferably, one with your full name like [email protected]

Mention the city and state of your current location - not your hometown (if they are different).

Also, you don't need to provide details like your street address and zip code of your current location.

LinkedIn Profile Link

Provide a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile or an online portfolio if you have one.

In case you don't have a LinkedIn profile, consider making one as it can be beneficial for networking and finding job opportunities.

Profile Title

A profile title in your teen resume is the name of the profile you are applying for.

A few examples of profile titles that you can add to your teen resume are - industrial relations counselor, criminologist, dietician, etc.

Also, your profile title should be the second-largest text in your resume with a font size 12-14 points .

Also Read: How to write the contact information in resume in 2022?

Teen Resume Objective

Although the objective and key skills sections must be placed at the top part of your teen resume, it must be written only after writing the other sections so that you have a clear understanding of what your core skills and objective are.

When writing your objective section, don't write about your expectations from the company and the role.

Instead, write what you can provide to the organization as an ideal candidate.

Your objective statement must show how you could benefit the company with your skills and knowledge.

Highlight the skills that can fulfill the requirements of the role you're targetting and emphasize your proven track record of academic achievements.

Also Read: How to write a resume objective in 2022?

Key Skills for Teen Resume

The skills section of your teen resume must list the core skills that you possess in terms of the job description and requirements.

For instance, if you are applying for the job profile of an assistant, it must showcase skills like:

Remember to always refer to the requirements listed in the job description of the listing to understand which skills you must list in your resume (as long as it stands true to you).

The listed skills must be backed by your academic qualifications, volunteer or internship experiences, or academic projects that you've been a part of.

If you possess technical skills like proficiency in programming languages and familiarity with using specific tools or software, you can create a separate section under your key skills and list them.

Given below is a snapshot of the key skills and technical skills sections in a resume:

The following are some other examples of key skills that you can add to your teen resume according to your qualifications:

Also read: How to write a resume skills section?

Volunteer/Internship Work Section

Instead of a professional work experience section, your teen resume can have a volunteer or internship work experience section.

And depending on the relevance of it, you can either have the education section or this section before the other.

You can list your internship/volunteer experience using the reverse chronological format with the following details:

• Name of the Organization
• Location (city & state)
• Starting & completion dates
• Your designation
• The duties you performed

Also, here are some best practices you must follow to present your work experiences:

• Avoid writing in bulky paragraphs and use bullet points
• Begin your sentences with a power verb like managed, assisted, organized, etc. to create more impact with your one-liners
• Highlight the keywords in your bullet points
• Quantify your achievements and use figures whenever possible
• Use the cause-effect relationship to build your one-liners as shown in the following example:

Scheduled 10+ meetings every week by coordinating with clients and senior management to ensure smooth operations Assisted in making travel arrangements for 15+ clients who were traveling to the city on company business

Also Read: How to craft the perfect internship resume for college students in 2022?

Teen Resume Education Section

You need to leverage your fresh education to show your potential through your teen resume.

This section must present your college and high school qualifications along with some details about the coursework.

Write the name of the school/university, the name of the degree, along with the location and dates of enrollment & graduation.

If your GPA is higher than 3.5, you can mention that as well.

Also Read: How to write the education section of a resume in 2022?

Teen Resume Certifications

If you have taken up extra certification courses or training that is relevant to the job you're applying for, you can list them in this section.

Adding certifications to your teenage resume increases its value and helps you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Provide the following details while listing your certifications:

• Name of the certification course
• Name of the certifying institution
• Dates of enrollment and graduation

Also Read: How to list certifications on a resume in 2022?

Additional Information for Teen Resume

Furthermore, to provide extra details about your academic experience and qualification, you can include additional sections like the following to your teen resume:

As teens don't have work experience to put on their resumes, you can list academic projects that you've been a part of.

Academic projects include the significant projects that you did in school or college.

To list your projects, use the format given below:

Name of the project | Dates of the project One line description of the project Projects objectives, your role, and the outcome of the project

Also Read: How to showcase projects on a resume in 2022?

Awards & Achievements

The awards and achievements section will include any major awards or certificates you received for exceptional academic performance or for participating in quizzes, sports, projects, etc., at the school or college level.

You can also include awards or recognition that you may have received for your volunteer work or internship.

Follow the given format to list your awards & achivements:

< Name of the Award > | < Reason for getting the award > | < Name of the awarding institution > | < Dates >

This section will mention all the extracurricular activities that you took part in at school or college.

It could be anything from being a part of the basketball team or leading the eco-club or becoming the captain of the soccer team.

Extracurricular activities showcase that you possess teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

If you speak multiple languages, list them in your teen resume as it can be an asset if you are planning to work in the service, tourism, and sales industries.

Also read: How to write an entry-level resume in 2022?

Key Takeaways

• You should start every point with a power verb in your teen resume internship/volunteer experience section
• Quantify your achievements wherever possible
• Use bullet points instead of bulky paragraphs in your teen resume
• The font size for your teen resume body should be between 10-12 points, as these font sizes are easily readable
• Use professional fonts like Ariel, Helvetica, and Tahoma to write your teen resume
• Ensure that your key skills match your work experience and the profile you're applying for
• Customize your teen resume according to the job description of the role you're applying for
• Write the objective and skills section after writing the other resume sections
• Your objective statement should focus on how you can benefit the organization with your skills and knowledge

If you want to build a stellar teen resume, use Hiration's resume builder which is powered by AI. You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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• CV and Cover Letter
• How to write a CV for a...

How to write a CV for a 16-year-old (with examples)

6 min read · Updated on April 18, 2024

There's a first time for everything, so make sure your first CV is a real corker!

The potential world of work experience - a scary prospect or something to relish? It needn't be a trial to get your first job CV shipshape, ready for a Saturday job or an exciting apprenticeship opportunity. We have all you need to know about how to write a CV for a 16 year old right here, right now. And with four CV examples for 16 year olds at the end of this article, you'll be well on your way to mastering the skill of putting together a comprehensive and informative teenager CV that highlights your skills and gets you noticed.

Can a 16-year-old even have a CV?

Of course. You've got your own experiences and skills to proclaim… and your pocket money just isn't enough any more for all the things you want to explore. Plus, securing a job at this stage in your life will teach you so many more new skills to add to your CV at a later date.

This is probably the first template for a CV that you've ever had to compile. But first, you want to make sure it's worth doing. A CV, or Curriculum Vitae to give its full name (which translates from the Latin as “course of life”), is a document that details a person's career and qualifications. Still  relevant today , a CV is generally required when applying for jobs.

If you live in England, it's required by law that you remain in some sort of  education or training until the age of 18. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can enter the world of work from leaving school at 16, depending on when your birthday falls.

Grab their attention

What is it about TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat that appeals? They're engaging, informative, eye-catching, and fun to read. So let your new 16 year old CV be the same! Whoever's reading your CV is looking to be impressed and heartened by your efforts at creating an amazing teenager CV. So don't disappoint!

Choose a  fitting CV template for a 16 year old that is clear and clean with no tables or boxes, taking guidance from the CV examples for 16 year olds below. A one page CV is enough at this stage.

Then crack on with the personal profile, which sits under your contact details at the top of the page. This is often called the “Professional Profile”, but as you're likely to have little or no experience, it's best to title it as “Personal Profile”. Check out the profiles in the CV examples for 16 year olds that are included in this piece for inspiration, using them as a guide to hone your own profile with your key assets and attributes.

Next comes your education and qualifications . Not surprisingly, this is probably going to be your biggest selling point and thus, the most significant feature of your teenager CV. Keep it in list form, detailing grades of recent qualifications, such as GCSEs, the school, and year completed - or state “ongoing” if you're still in the process of taking them.

Shout out about your experience

If you do have some experience, whether that's two weeks work experience in an office or voluntary work at a local charity shop, then shout about it. Info on this should be placed under the education section. List the name of the company you worked for, your job title - even if it was Intern - and the dates. Then offer up bulleted points of your responsibilities , using active verbs and including any achievements, to set you up for  finding a part-time job .

How do I write a CV for a teenager with no experience?

Drafting a CV for a teenager with no experience can be overwhelming. Where do you start? What on earth can you put on a document designed to show off career and work experience when you have none? Don't worry, there are ways and means of creating a great CV for a teenager with no experience by approaching it from a different angle.

You'll have gained lots of skills from school and extracurricular activities without even knowing! You need to identify these, focus on them, and translate them to the page. What are you like in a team? Have you supervised others? Have you organised anything or solved problems? Perhaps you're a people person or have a knack for coming up with great ideas. Whatever key skills you focus on, you need to elaborate on the relevant ones and explain how these would be beneficial to the job in hand.

Think of the interests and hobbies you've done for a while. Have you undertaken something like a Duke of Edinburgh award or similar? These types of activities often involve organisation, team work, effective communication, and problem solving. Were you Prefect or Sports Captain at school? These show leadership capabilities as well as flexibility, time management, and collaboration. What about anything you've achieved under your own initiative that relates to the job you're gunning for? This can include research and reading, visits, and online courses, while proving you're ace at self management and also IT literate.

Check out the CV examples for 16 year olds below, especially the specifically-written CV for teenagers with no experience..

Applying for an apprenticeship?

How are your experiences, key skills, or knowledge going to benefit an apprenticeship? Tell them about things you've done outside your studies to further develop your knowledge. Try to think about things that not everyone else is doing, so that you stand out from the crowd.

CV examples for 16 year olds

Listed below are four CV examples for 16 year olds. These cover a range of options and styles. Note how two of the CV examples for 16 year olds are written in the first person, a more informal approach. The other two good CV examples for a first job are crafted in the more formal third person, a style adopted for most CVs. Depending on your character and personality, pick the teenage CV template that suits you the best.

Recommended reading:

What is a CV headline? (with examples)

• How to add volunteer work in a CV (with examples)
• How to write a graduate CV

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