How Do I Write a Resume?

For Teens

A resume is a formal document to represent you to a future employer.

Your resume should:
- Be neatly formatted
- Be typed
- Be printed on plain paper
- Include your contact information.
- Include examples of work experience, volunteer experience, training and special skills.
- Not be longer than one page.

Contact Information

Your resume should list your name, phone number, email address and, if you prefer, your street address. Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

Note: If your email address has a nickname or an overly cutesy name, consider creating a new email account just for job purposes, such as firstname.lastname, or some other variation of your actual name. Nothing makes a resume look less professional than an email like HelloKitty96 listed on the top!

Paper

Daisies might be your favorite flower or all of your friends might think the symbol that best represents you is a football, but having these images on your resume would not only be unprofessional, it would distract your future employer from reading the words that best represent who you are, your work experiences, accomplishments and skills. The simpler the paper and font you use for your resume, the less a future employer will be wondering what you might be trying to hide with all of the “fancy packaging.”

Content

Work experience—this is work you have been paid to do.
Volunteer experience
Noteworthy school projects or roles
Leadership positions
Awards or special recognition
Other strengths (do you speak multiple languages? Can you play an instrument?)

As a teen, you may not have much work experience to list on your resume, so it’s important to think creatively. If you’ve ever volunteered for a project or organization, list this experience on your resume (as unpaid work experience). Brainstorm with your family and friends because you might be overlooking things you hadn’t previously considered, like your fundraising efforts for the annual church block party.

If your volunteering experiences are limited, considered special school projects you’ve worked on, awards you’ve received or other strengths (personal and academic) that you might want to emphasize.

If you’re responding to a specific job advertisement, review it closely to see what types of qualifications the employer is seeking. For instance, if they are seeking someone who is good with computers and has excellent communication skills, it would be wise of you to emphasize what computer software you are comfortable using and the fact that you have been the football captain for two years (which requires leadership and communication skills).

Source

Hardcastle, Mike. “How to Write a Resume (When You Have No Job Experience).” About.com Teen Advice.

Featured CPL Resource

Especially for Job Searchers »
Learn about careers, find and apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and more.

Websites

Teen Resume Writing Worksheet »
(Quintessential Careers)
A helpful worksheet especially for teens writing resumes. Explore this site for additional resume pointers.

Resume Writing Tips for Teens »
(Career FAQs: Courses and Career Resources)
Step-by-step instructions for putting together a resume from scratch. This website also includes tips for finding professional references and how to include them in your resume.

Sample Teen Resumes »
(Office on Youth)
This website includes several examples of teen resumes for a variety of situations, including teens with no work experiences, teens with some work experience and teens with a lot of volunteer experience.

Writing for Success »
(Youth Ready Chicago)
Aimed at people ages 14-24, this website offers comprehensive information about resumes—what they are and what content should be included (personal data, work experience, special skills, etc.).