How to Write a Resume as a Teenager

Start Your Resume with Contact Information

Your contact information goes at the very top of your resume. This is how employers will reach you if they want to schedule an interview. Include your full name in a larger font or bold text so it stands out. Below your name, add your phone number—make sure it's a number you check regularly, and that your voicemail greeting is professional. Include your email address; if your current email is unprofessional (like "partyguy123@example.com"), create a new one using your name instead. Add your city and state, but you don't need your full street address anymore. Some teenagers add their LinkedIn profile or personal website if they have one that shows their work or accomplishments. Keep this section simple and easy to scan. An employer should be able to find how to contact you within three seconds. Avoid including your date of birth, social security number, or photo unless the job specifically asks for it. Double-check that all your contact information is correct—a typo in your phone number or email means employers can't reach you.

Decide Between an Objective or Summary Statement

What's the Difference?

An objective statement is a brief sentence or two at the top of your resume explaining what kind of job you want. A summary statement is for people with more experience and highlights key skills. As a teenager writing your first resume, an objective statement is your best choice. It tells employers right away that you're serious about the specific position. Your objective might read: "Seeking a part-time retail position where I can develop customer service skills and contribute to a positive shopping experience." Make it specific to each job you apply for. Don't use a generic objective like "I want to work hard and succeed." Instead, explain what you hope to gain and contribute. Your objective should be two to three lines maximum. If you have extensive volunteer work or leadership experience, you might use a brief summary instead. Keep it honest and match it to the actual job description when possible.

Highlight Your Education Section

Your education section is one of your strongest assets as a teenager. Employers expect this section from younger job applicants. Start with your current or most recent school. List the school name, the city, your expected graduation date, and your grade point average (GPA) if it's 3.5 or higher. If your GPA is lower, you can leave it out entirely—there's no rule that says you must include it. Include relevant coursework if you have taken classes related to the job. For example, if you're applying for a position in technology, mention computer science or web design classes. Add academic honors, achievements, or awards here. Did you make the honor roll? Were you recognized for perfect attendance or citizenship? Include these accomplishments. If you've taken advanced classes like AP or honors courses, mention that too. You can also note any certifications you've earned, such as CPR certification or food safety training, if they relate to the job. Keep the education section concise—it should never take up more than one-third of your resume.

Address Your Lack of Work Experience Strategically

What If You've Never Had a Paid Job?

Many teenagers don't have traditional work experience, and that's completely normal. Your resume doesn't stop without paid work—it expands in other ways. Start by listing any volunteer work or internships. If you've volunteered at a community organization, food bank, animal shelter, or sports program, include it. Write the organization name, your title or role, dates of service, and two to three bullet points describing what you accomplished. For example: "Organized donations and stocked shelves for 8 hours weekly" or "Assisted 20+ families with registration for summer programs." If you've never volunteered either, focus on leadership roles in clubs, sports, or school activities. Were you team captain, club president, or committee member? These count as experience. You can also include unpaid work like babysitting, lawn care, or helping a family member's small business. Frame it professionally: "Provided childcare for two children, ages 5 and 8, managing daily activities and ensuring safety" sounds better than "babysat." The key is showing responsibility and skills, not just describing what you did.

Develop a Targeted Skills Section

A skills section shows employers what you can actually do. Don't list random skills—choose ones relevant to the job you're applying for. Read the job description carefully and match your skills to what they're asking for. Group skills into categories to make them easy to scan. Create categories like "Customer Service," "Technical Skills," "Communication," or "Leadership." Under each category, list specific skills with a bullet point. Examples include time management, Microsoft Word, cash handling, public speaking, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Be honest about your skill level. If you're fluent in another language, include it. If you type 60 words per minute or know how to use specific software, add it. Soft skills matter too—things like reliability, creativity, dependability, and willingness to learn impress employers. Include skills you've developed through school, sports, volunteer work, or personal projects. Don't claim skills you don't have. An employer might test what you said you could do. If you learn a new skill before applying, make note of it and add it. Review your skills section with someone you trust to make sure it's compelling.

Create an Activities and Achievements Section

Employers want to know about you beyond school and work. An activities section shows your personality and commitment. List any sports teams, clubs, or organizations you participate in. Include the name, dates, and your role or position. If you're team captain, debate champion, or dance team member, highlight your specific role. Add achievements and awards you've earned. Won an academic award? Made the varsity team? Received a student-of-the-month recognition? Include it. Quantify your accomplishments when you can—it makes them more powerful. Instead of "I was a good volunteer," write "Served 15+ hours monthly at the community center." Did you compete or perform? Mention it. If you've attended leadership camps, workshops, or conferences, list them. These show initiative and drive for self-improvement. Keep this section focused on accomplishments, not just participation. Being on the soccer team is good; being voted team MVP is better. Choose your most impressive activities and achievements—quality over quantity is the rule here.

Format and Polish Your Resume

Common Formatting Mistakes Teenagers Make

Your resume's appearance matters as much as its content. Use a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10- or 11-point size. Avoid fancy fonts, bright colors, or graphics that distract from your content. Use consistent formatting throughout. If you bold section headings, bold all of them. If you italicize dates, italicize all dates. Stick to black text on white or light gray background. Keep your resume to one page—two pages is too long for a teenage resume. Use one-inch margins on all sides. Leave white space between sections so it's easy to read. Proofread carefully multiple times. Have someone else read it too, because you might miss your own typos. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Avoid abbreviations unless they're commonly known. Save your resume as a PDF unless the employer specifically asks for a Word document. PDF keeps your formatting consistent across different computers. Give your file a professional name like "FirstName_LastName_Resume" instead of "Resume1" or "Final_FINAL_Resume." Finally, save multiple versions if you're customizing objectives for different jobs.

Customize Your Resume for Each Application

Generic resumes rarely succeed. Customize your resume for each job you apply for. Read the job description line by line. Note the skills and experience the employer emphasizes. Adjust your objective statement to match the specific role. Reorder your bullet points to highlight experience most relevant to this job. If the posting emphasizes customer service and you have that experience, move it to the top. If they're looking for technical skills and you have some, feature those. Use language from the job posting in your resume when it naturally applies. If they say they want someone "detail-oriented," you can say you "maintained accurate records with zero errors." This shows you read the job description and that you're a good fit. Don't lie or exaggerate, but do emphasize the parts of your experience that match what they're seeking. Submit your resume with a personalized cover letter that briefly explains why you want this specific job. Customization takes a few extra minutes, but it dramatically increases your chances of getting an interview.

Get Help with Your Resume and Job Training

If you're struggling with your resume, don't hesitate to ask for help. Parents, teachers, school counselors, and librarians can review your draft and provide feedback. Many community organizations offer resume workshops and job training for teenagers. Thomas Sports Group, Inc. in Schenectady supports young people with job training and skill development. They can provide guidance as you build your resume and prepare for interviews.