How to write a resume for teens
Short answer
Writing a resume for teens means gathering their contact info, education, skills, and any experience, then organizing it clearly to highlight their potential to employers. Parents can guide their teens through each step, helping to craft a resume that opens doors to part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities.
What do you need before starting a teen’s resume?
Before beginning to write a resume, gather all necessary information to make the process smoother and more organized. Start with basic contact details: the teen’s full name, phone number, and a professional email address (for example, [email protected] rather than a nickname or casual handle). Next, collect education information, including the name of the school, current grade level, and any relevant courses or GPA if it is a strength worth sharing.
Skills are a key part of a teen’s resume, even if they don’t have formal job experience yet. Help your teen list both hard skills (such as proficiency with Microsoft Word, social media management, or a foreign language) and soft skills (like punctuality, teamwork, and communication). Encourage them to think about skills demonstrated in school projects, clubs, or hobbies.
Experience can include babysitting, volunteering, involvement in school clubs or sports, and any informal jobs like lawn care or pet sitting. Ask your teen to describe these activities in terms of what they did and learned. Also, gather details about any awards, certificates (for example, a CPR certification), or recognitions received.
Finally, think about references. These should be adults who can vouch for the teen’s reliability or character, such as a teacher, coach, or family friend. Make sure your teen asks permission before listing someone as a reference.
By gathering all this information upfront, your teen will be ready to create a well-rounded and thorough resume.
What are the key steps to write a resume for teens?
Writing a resume is a step-by-step process. Parents can support even if they aren’t experts by following this clear plan:
- Pick the right resume format
A functional or combination resume format is often best for teens, especially if they have limited formal work experience. This format highlights skills and education first, rather than job history, putting strengths front and center.
- Create a professional header
Start with the teen’s full name in bold at the top. Below, include a phone number and a professional email address. For instance: ``` Jane Smith (555) 123-4567 [email protected] ```
- Write a career objective or summary statement
This is a brief, one- or two-sentence statement about what the teen hopes to achieve and what they offer an employer. For example: “Enthusiastic high school junior with strong communication skills seeking a part-time retail position to build customer service experience.”
- List education details
Include school name, city and state, grade or expected graduation year. Optionally, add relevant coursework or GPA if it reflects well on the teen.
- Highlight skills with examples
Make a bulleted list of relevant skills. Avoid vague wording like “good communication.” Instead, say things like:
- “Strong verbal communication developed through school presentations”
- “Basic Microsoft Excel skills gained in computer class”
- “Reliable team player in soccer and school volunteer projects”
- Describe experience and involvement
Include any babysitting, volunteering, clubs, sports, or informal jobs. Use action verbs and provide details. For example:
- Babysitter for neighborhood children, responsible for safety and planning activities
- Volunteer at local food bank, sorting donations and assisting visitors
- Add achievements and certifications
Include awards like “Student of the Month,” certifications such as CPR or lifeguard training, or leadership roles like “Captain of the soccer team.”
- Include references or note that references are available upon request
If including references, list the name, relationship, and contact info. Otherwise, add the line “References available upon request.”
- Proofread and format carefully
Check for spelling, grammar, and consistent formatting. Use bullet points and clear headings. Keep the resume to one page.
Parents can help by reading the resume aloud with the teen, catching errors, and suggesting clearer wording.
How can you tell if the resume worked?
The best sign a resume is effective is when it leads to interview invitations. If your teen starts getting phone calls or emails requesting interviews, that means the resume caught an employer’s attention. Also, positive feedback from career counselors or school advisors can indicate the resume is strong.
Look for these other signs:
- The teen feels confident sharing their resume with employers or internship coordinators.
- Employers comment positively on skills or experience listed.
- The teen is able to talk about their resume during interviews, explaining their skills and experience clearly.
If the teen is applying to many jobs but receiving no responses, it may be time to review and tweak the resume.
What to do when the resume doesn’t get results?
If your teen’s resume isn’t leading to interviews, don’t get discouraged. Here are steps to improve it:
- Tailor the resume to each job: Encourage your teen to read the job description carefully and adjust the skills and objective statement to match what the employer is seeking.
- Add specific examples: Instead of “good communication,” write “led a team presentation on environmental science.”
- Gain more experience: Help your teen find volunteer opportunities, clubs, or school projects that build skills and can be added to the resume.
- Get feedback: Share the resume with a school career counselor, teacher, or trusted adult for constructive critique.
- Practice submitting resumes online: Make sure your teen knows how to upload or email their resume properly and to follow up if possible.
- Keep the layout simple and readable: Avoid clutter, use bullet points, and keep fonts easy to read.
Persistence is important. Many teens improve their resumes over time as they gain more skills and experience.
How to adapt a teen’s resume for different audiences?
Different jobs or programs require slight resume adjustments. Teach your teen how to customize their resume by focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to each opportunity:
- Retail or customer service jobs: Emphasize communication skills, reliability, and teamwork. For example, mention volunteer experience helping people or working in a team sport.
- Office or internship roles: Highlight computer skills, organization, attention to detail, and ability to follow instructions. Include any classes or projects using technology.
- Volunteer positions: Focus on commitment, empathy, and community involvement. Describe any past volunteer work and what was learned.
- Academic programs or scholarships: Stress leadership roles, academic achievements, and relevant coursework.
Encourage your teen to keep a “master resume” that includes everything, then create tailored versions for each application by selecting the most relevant content.
Can teens create a resume for free?
Yes, there are many free resources available to help teens create resumes at no cost. Some websites offer free resume templates designed specifically for teens, providing formats and wording suggestions. Parents can assist teens in using these tools and customizing the content.
Local libraries, school career centers, and community organizations often offer free resume workshops or one-on-one help. Using these services can boost a teen’s confidence and improve the quality of their resume.
It’s important to remind teens to avoid paying for resume services or templates online, as free options are widely available and sufficient for most teen job seekers.
Where can you find examples and guidance for teen resumes?
Having examples to reference can make resume writing easier. Many websites provide sample resumes for teens with no experience, which show how to structure information and use effective action verbs. For instance, sample resumes that focus on volunteer work, clubs, and school achievements demonstrate how to build a strong resume without formal jobs.
You can also find examples tailored to teens applying for their first job or internship, which include objective statements and skills lists that resonate with employers. Reviewing these examples with your teen helps generate ideas and phrasing.
Some helpful resources include guides on Resume examples for teens with no experience, No Experience Resume Examples for Teens, and Resume for kids in high school. These provide concrete templates and wording to help teens get started confidently.
Frequently asked questions
What if my teen has no job experience at all?
Focus on skills gained in school, volunteer work, clubs, and hobbies. Use specific examples, such as “Led a group project” or “Volunteered at community events.” Check examples for teens without experience to see how to present this information effectively.
How long should a teen’s resume be?
One page is ideal. Employers want clear and concise information. Use bullet points and short sentences focused on relevant skills and activities.
Should my teen include hobbies on their resume?
Only if they relate to the job or show positive traits like teamwork or leadership. For example, playing on a sports team or volunteering regularly are worth mentioning.
How can my teen find good references?
References should be adults who know your teen well, such as teachers, coaches, or family friends. Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference and explain what the job is about.
Can a handwritten resume work for teens?
Typed resumes are best for professionalism and readability. Handwritten resumes may look unprofessional and can be difficult to read.
How can I help my teen keep their resume updated?
Set reminders to review the resume every few months or after new experiences. Encourage your teen to add new skills, jobs, volunteer work, or achievements regularly.