Teenager Resume Examples

Teenager Resume Example: A Complete Guide

Building a resume as a teenager feels overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. I know it’s tough to figure out what to include when you have limited experience.

You don’t need years of work behind you to create a strong resume. Most teenagers can highlight school projects, part-time jobs, or volunteering. Around 30% of teens start working before age 18.

Knowing what makes a teenager resume different helps you stand out. I’ll break down who actually needs one and what makes it unique in the next sections.

Who Needs a Teenager Resume?

If you’re between 14 and 19 and thinking about getting a job, you definitely need a resume. Most employers ask for one, even for entry-level or part-time roles.

I see teenagers use resumes for summer jobs, internships, volunteer gigs, and even school clubs. It’s pretty common-about 60% of teen job-seekers submit a resume at some point.

You might not have years of experience, but showing your skills, interests, and activities on a resume helps you stand out. This is your chance to make a solid first impression.

What Makes a Teenager Resume Unique?

Teenager resumes usually focus more on skills and potential than job history. I see most teens listing volunteer work, clubs, and school achievements instead of paid experience.

You can use sections like Projects or Extracurriculars to show responsibility and initiative. Employers look for soft skills-think teamwork, communication, and a willingness to learn.

Since you may have limited experience, it’s okay to highlight academic awards, sports, or part-time gigs. This helps you stand out, even if you’re just starting out.

How to Write a Resume as a Teenager

How to Write a Resume as a Teenager

Essential Sections to Include

Formatting Tips for First-Time Job Seekers

ResumeJudge

Writing your first resume as a teenager can feel overwhelming. You might not have job experience yet, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to offer.

You can highlight skills from school, volunteering, or clubs. I’ve seen hundreds of teens land interviews by focusing on what they do have.

It’s important to know what sections you need and how to make your resume easy to read. Even small changes in formatting can help your resume stand out.

Essential Sections to Include

If you're a teenager writing your first resume, you want to focus on key sections that show your strengths. I always start with a contact info section at the top.

You don’t need a ton of experience. Instead, add an education section, any work or volunteer experience, and a list of your skills. This helps employers see what you can do.

Including a short summary-just two or three sentences-lets you introduce yourself. It’s a good way to highlight your enthusiasm and motivation, even without lots of experience.

Formatting Tips for First-Time Job Seekers

Keep your resume clean and simple. Use a basic font, like Arial or Calibri, at 10-12 points. I avoid using more than two font styles.

Stick to a one-page layout. Recruiters spend under 7 seconds scanning resumes, so you want your info easy to find.

Use bullet points for details. This helps break up text and makes your skills and experiences much easier to skim.

Save your resume as a PDF. That way, your formatting stays the same on every device. Double-check for spelling mistakes before you send it out.

Your resume is your first impression. A tidy, clear format shows you care about details-something every employer values.

Best Resume Format for Teenagers

Picking the right resume format is a big deal, especially if you’re just starting out. I know it can feel overwhelming when you don’t have much experience.

You want a layout that shows off your skills and makes your strengths obvious. There are a couple of main formats, and each has its pros and cons.

Some formats work better if you have more experience, while others highlight what you can do even if you haven’t had a job before. Let’s break down your options.

Chronological vs. Functional Format

When you’re a teenager, picking the right resume format is a big deal. There are two main types: chronological and functional. Each one highlights your strengths differently.

A chronological format lists your experiences by date, starting with the most recent. It’s great if you already have some jobs, internships, or volunteer work.

A functional format focuses on your skills instead of your job history. This helps if you don’t have much work experience yet, which is common for teenagers like me.

I always suggest thinking about what you want to show off more-your skills or your experience. That choice guides which format works best for you.

Choosing the Right Layout

I always tell teens to pick a layout that highlights what they do best. Clean sections, bold headings, and enough white space help your resume look professional-even with little experience.

You want recruiters to find your achievements in seconds. Use bullet points, readable fonts, and clear section titles. Even small design choices can make a resume stand out in a stack of 100.

There’s no single “perfect” layout for everyone. Try out a few templates and ask for feedback. The right layout boosts your confidence and gets your skills noticed fast.

Key Sections of a Teenager Resume (With Examples)

Key Sections of a Teenager Resume (With Examples)

Contact Information

Resume Objective or Summary

Education

Skills

Extracurricular Activities and Volunteering

Work Experience (If Any)

ResumeJudge

Writing your first resume can feel confusing. I remember not knowing what to include, or how to show off my experience as a teenager.

You don’t need years of work to build a strong resume. Focus on sections that highlight your skills, education, and what you do outside of school.

Below, I break down the main sections you need. I also give examples so you see exactly what works best for teens.

Contact Information

Contact info always sits at the top of a teenager resume. I always include my full name, phone number, and a professional email address.

You want to make it super easy for employers to reach you. Double-check your details-almost 10% of resumes have email typos that cost opportunities.

If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website, add it here too. Just make sure everything looks professional and up to date.

Resume Objective or Summary

This is your shot to introduce yourself. A resume objective or summary gives a quick snapshot of who you are and what you want.

Keep it short-about 2-3 sentences. Focus on your goals, what you bring, and the type of opportunity you’re looking for. Recruiters usually spend under 7 seconds scanning this.

If you have a specific interest or career path, mention it here. Using keywords from the job posting helps your resume stand out to both humans and applicant tracking systems.

Education

Your education section comes right after your summary. I always put my current school, expected graduation year, and any honors or awards. Keep it clear and easy to scan.

You can add relevant coursework or GPA if it’s strong-usually 3.5 or above looks good. This helps show off what you’re learning and what you’re good at.

Skills

This is your chance to show off what you’re good at. I like to list both soft skills-like teamwork, communication, and time management-and hard skills like Microsoft Office or social media.

You don’t need years of work experience to have strong skills. Think about school projects or group activities where you’ve used skills like problem-solving or leadership. Be honest and specific.

When I build my skills section, I stick to 5-8 bullet points. Keep each skill clear and short. This helps hiring managers quickly see what you bring to the table.

Extracurricular Activities and Volunteering

Extracurriculars and volunteering show initiative and real-world skills. I always list clubs, sports, or community service that need teamwork, leadership, or organization.

You want to include the group name, your role, and any achievements. For example, "Member, Student Council, organized 2 charity events reaching 150+ students" shows direct impact and responsibility.

This section helps fill gaps if you don’t have work experience yet. Even volunteering a few hours a month counts and tells employers you stay active outside the classroom.

Work Experience (If Any)

If you’ve had a part-time job, internship, or even a summer gig, this is your spot. I list my most recent jobs first, with job title, company, and dates.

Don’t stress if you’re light on experience-over 70% of teens start with little or no formal work history. You can focus on what you did and any cool results.

Keep each bullet point clear and short. For example: "Helped 30+ customers daily as a cashier" or "Assisted with stocking and organizing inventory"-just call out what you contributed.

That wraps up the main sections. Now your resume has a solid foundation, no matter how much experience you’ve got right now.

Tips for Teenagers With No Work Experience

Tips for Teenagers With No Work Experience

Highlighting Transferable Skills

Showcasing Academic Achievements

Using Volunteer Work and School Projects

ResumeJudge

Landing your first job feels tough when you have no work history. You actually have more to offer than you think.

You can use skills from school, volunteering, or hobbies on your resume. Employers like to see real examples, even if they aren’t from paid jobs.

I always tell teens to focus on what they’ve learned from classes, projects, or activities. It’s all about showing what you can do, not where you did it.

Highlighting Transferable Skills

If you don’t have paid work experience, focus on transferable skills. These are things you pick up in school, at home, or through hobbies that employers want.

Think about stuff like communication, organization, or problem-solving. For example, managing a group project or handling a busy schedule shows real responsibility. Employers notice those things.

I always suggest you use specific numbers if you can. For instance, “Organized a club event for 40 students” is way stronger than just “helped with events.”

Showcasing Academic Achievements

Grades matter, but they’re not everything. I always put GPA on my resume if it’s above 3.0. Honor roll or Dean’s List? That’s worth showing off.

You can also include AP courses, scholarships, or any academic competitions. Even something small, like a perfect attendance award, shows dedication and reliability.

Listing these achievements helps you stand out, especially when you have no job history yet. Recruiters see your motivation and work ethic right away.

Using Volunteer Work and School Projects

Volunteer work and school projects show you take initiative and work with others. Even a few hours each month help you build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

You can list roles like event organizer, club treasurer, or science fair participant. Mention what you actually did-raised $200, led a group of five, or created a website.

Employers like to see you commit to something outside the classroom. This proves you care, show up, and learn new things-qualities every team values.

Teenager Resume Example Template

Building your first resume as a teenager can feel tricky. I know it’s tough to show skills and experience when you’re just starting out.

You don’t need a long work history to make a solid impression. Many hiring managers look for clear layout, honest details, and relevant activities-especially if you’re under 18.

Below, you’ll see an example resume and a template you can use. This helps you get started fast and make your application stand out.

Sample Resume for a Teenager (Text Version)

If you’re a teen starting your first resume, you might feel unsure about what goes in. I’m showing a real example to help you get started.

You don’t need loads of work experience to make a strong resume. Highlight volunteer work, extracurriculars, and any part-time jobs. This shows you’re proactive.

Use a clean, easy-to-read format. Employers spend under 10 seconds scanning a resume, so keep things short and direct. Focus on your strengths and what you bring.

When listing activities, be specific. For example, mention “raised $500 for a school fundraiser” or “managed a club with 20 members.” Numbers make your achievements stand out.

Downloadable Teenager Resume Template

You can grab a free, editable teenager resume template right here. It’s formatted for Word and Google Docs, so you don’t need fancy software.

I like templates because they save time and keep things organized. Over 70% of teens use downloadable templates for their first resumes-it just makes the process less stressful.

Just plug in your info, double-check for typos, and you’re ready to go. This helps you focus on what you say, not how it looks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Teenager Resume

Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Teenager Resume

Typos and Formatting Errors

Including Irrelevant Information

ResumeJudge

I see a lot of teens make simple mistakes that hurt their chances. It’s easy to overlook details, especially if you’re new to resume writing.

You don’t need a super fancy resume, but you do need a clean, error-free one. Typos or including the wrong info can get your resume tossed fast.

Typos and Formatting Errors

First impressions matter. Just one typo can make a recruiter skip your resume. I always run spellcheck and read my resume out loud to catch mistakes.

Consistent formatting-like bold headings and bullet points-makes your resume easier to read. Recruiters spend just 7 seconds on average scanning each resume, so clear formatting helps you stand out.

I recommend saving your resume as a PDF. This keeps your layout intact on any device. Little things like this show you pay attention to detail.

Including Irrelevant Information

I see a lot of teen resumes with stuff that just doesn't matter to employers. Listing every hobby or unrelated club clutters your resume and distracts from your strengths.

You want to focus on experiences that show skills employers actually value, like teamwork, reliability, or communication. This helps you stand out, even without tons of work history.

There’s no need to include personal details like age, full address, or a photo. Recruiters spend only 7 seconds on each resume-so keep it lean and relevant.

Student Resume Examples for College, Nursing, Engineering, and Medical Fields

If you’re looking for student resume examples, you’re in the right place. I see a lot of students struggle to know what to include.

I break down college student resume examples, nursing student resume examples, engineering student resume examples, and medical student resume examples. You can see what works in each field.