What to Say on Your First Resume
Short answer
When writing your first resume, clearly present your contact information, education, and any volunteer, internship, or part-time job experience. Use simple, active phrases to describe your skills and accomplishments. Include a brief objective statement to explain your career goals and customize your resume for each job to make the best impression.
What do you need before starting your first resume?
Before you start writing your first resume, gather all essential information and materials in one place to make the process efficient and organized. You will need your full name, a professional email address (avoid nicknames or unprofessional handles), and a phone number you regularly check. Prepare details about your education: school name, expected graduation date, GPA if strong, and relevant coursework or honors. Think about any work experience, including part-time jobs, internships, babysitting, or volunteer roles. Even responsibilities like organizing events or tutoring count. Finally, list your skills such as familiarity with Microsoft Office, social media, languages spoken, or soft skills like communication and teamwork. Having a notepad or document ready to jot down ideas makes it easier to draft your resume.
What are the detailed steps to writing your first resume and why should you follow them?
- Choose a clear, simple format. A clean layout helps employers quickly find your information. Use a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman, size 10-12.
- Write your contact information at the top. Include your full name, phone number, and email address. This is critical so employers can contact you.
- Add a short objective statement. It should be 1-2 sentences explaining your career goal and what you bring. For example: “Motivated high school student seeking a part-time retail position to develop customer service skills.”
- List your education details. Include your school name, city, expected graduation date, GPA if 3.0 or higher, and any awards or relevant courses (like computer science, business, or communications).
- Include any work or volunteer experience. Even if unpaid, describe your role and what you accomplished. Use active verbs like “assisted,” “organized,” or “managed.” For example: “Volunteered at local food bank, assisting customers and managing inventory.”
- Showcase your skills. List technical skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, cashier systems) and soft skills (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving). Be honest about your abilities.
- Mention extracurricular activities or hobbies. Include clubs, sports, or hobbies that show responsibility, leadership, or interests relevant to the job.
- Proofread your resume carefully. Check for spelling and grammar errors and ask someone else to review it. A polished resume reflects professionalism.
Following these steps ensures your resume is organized, clear, and presents you positively to employers.
How can you tell if your first resume is effective?
You will know your resume is working if you begin receiving interview invitations or positive feedback from potential employers. Even an email requesting more information or a phone call to schedule an interview indicates your resume caught attention. Additionally, if you feel comfortable discussing everything on your resume during interviews, it shows you have prepared well and your resume accurately represents your skills. If you apply for several jobs and get no response within a few weeks, it might mean your resume needs improvement or better customization for each role.
What should you do if your resume doesn’t get responses?
If you aren’t getting replies after applying to multiple jobs, don’t get discouraged. First, review your resume carefully. Look for unclear wording, spelling errors, or formatting issues. Ask a teacher, counselor, or experienced adult to critique it. Next, tailor your resume specifically for each job application by including keywords from the job description. For example, if the job asks for “strong communication skills,” mention times you communicated clearly in school projects or activities. Consider adding a cover letter to explain why you want the job and how you fit the role. Make sure your contact details are current and professional. Keep applying, and use each experience to improve your resume.
How can you adapt your resume for different jobs or audiences?
Your resume should highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to the specific job or employer. For example, if applying for a restaurant job, emphasize customer service, teamwork, and any cash handling experience from babysitting or volunteering. For office internships, focus on computer skills, attention to detail, and coursework like business or computer classes. When applying for college programs, highlight academic achievements, leadership roles, and volunteer work. Adjust your objective statement to match the position’s requirements. Use formal language for professional roles, and a slightly more casual tone for creative or youth-oriented jobs. Tailoring your resume shows you understand the position and increases your chances of being noticed.
What exact wording should you use on your first resume to impress employers?
Use clear, active verbs and specific examples to describe your experience. Instead of vague phrases like “helped out,” say:
- “Assisted customers with product selection and answered questions”
- “Organized school fundraiser that raised $500 for charity”
- “Tutored peers in math twice a week, improving their grades”
- “Managed inventory for youth sports team’s equipment”
For your objective statement, try something like: “Energetic high school student seeking a summer internship to develop organizational and communication skills.” Or: “Dedicated recent graduate aiming to gain hands-on experience in retail and customer service.”
Avoid exaggerations or false claims. Use language that clearly shows how you contributed or what you learned.
How should you structure and format your first resume for maximum impact?
A well-structured resume helps employers find key information quickly. Follow this order:
| Section | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Contact Information | Full name, phone number, professional email address |
| Objective Statement | 1-2 sentence career goal |
| Education | School name, location, graduation date, GPA (optional) |
| Experience | Jobs, internships, volunteer work with dates and duties |
| Skills | Relevant technical and soft skills |
| Activities/Interests | Clubs, sports, leadership roles, hobbies |
Use bullet points for duties and skills, keeping each point concise (1-2 lines). Use consistent formatting with bold section headers, 1-inch margins, and 10-12 point font like Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid colors, graphics, or fancy fonts that may distract. Keep the resume to one page, especially when starting out.
Example bullet points for a volunteer role:
- Greeted visitors and provided event information at a community center
- Assisted with setting up materials and serving refreshments
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth event flow
This clear format makes it easy for employers to scan your resume and spot your strengths.
How to Write Your First Resume, First Resume Tips for Beginners Starting Out, and First Resume Objective Examples to Use provide extra examples and templates to help you further.
Frequently asked questions
How do I include school projects on my first resume?
Choose projects that relate to the job you want. Briefly describe what you did and skills you used. For example: “Completed a group marketing project, developing presentation and teamwork skills.”
Can I list hobbies or interests on my resume?
Yes, if they show positive traits or relate to the job. For example, team sports show teamwork; volunteering shows responsibility. Avoid listing hobbies that don’t add value.
Should I include my GPA on my first resume?
Include your GPA if it’s strong (generally 3.0 or higher), especially if you are applying for academic programs or internships. Otherwise, focus on other strengths.
How can I make my resume stand out without experience?
Highlight your skills, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any leadership roles. Use active language and quantify achievements where possible (e.g., “Raised $300 for charity”).
What if I don’t have a professional email address?
Create a simple email address using your name (e.g., [email protected]). Avoid nicknames or unprofessional handles to make a good impression.