A resume serves as a crucial tool for teenagers seeking their first job or internship. Essential sections like skills, volunteer experiences, and education showcase a teenager’s capabilities and potential. Highlighting extracurricular activities can demonstrate leadership and teamwork, making a strong impression on potential employers. Formatting, which includes clear headings and readable fonts, can enhance the overall presentation and readability of the resume. Understanding what to include can empower young individuals to effectively market themselves in a competitive job market.
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What To Put On A Resume for Teenagers
Writing a resume as a teenager might feel a bit daunting, but don’t worry! It’s a chance to showcase your skills, experience, and whatever makes you unique. Even if you haven’t worked a lot, you still have tons of great stuff to put on your resume. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Contact Information
This is the first thing employers see, so keep it clear and simple. You want them to be able to reach you easily. Here’s what to include:
- Your full name
- Your phone number (make sure it’s a number you answer!)
- Your email address (a simple and professional one is best)
- Your address (optional, but you can just put your city and state)
2. Objective or Summary Statement
This is a concise statement about what you’re aiming for. It shows employers your enthusiasm and what you hope to achieve. Keep it to one or two sentences. For example:
| Bad Example | Good Example |
|---|---|
| I want to get a job. | Enthusiastic high school student seeking a summer job in retail to develop customer service skills. |
3. Education
Even if you don’t have a lot of work experience, your education is super important. You can list your school, year of graduation, and any relevant courses. Here’s how it might look:
- High School Name, City, State – Expected Graduation: June 202X
- Relevant Coursework: Business, Marketing, Art
4. Work Experience
If you’ve had any jobs, even babysitting or lawn-mowing, this is where to highlight them! Don’t worry if you’ve never had a formal job; you can still include any volunteer work or school projects. Format it like this:
- Job Title – Company Name, City, State (Month Year – Month Year)
- Responsibilities/Achievements:
- Bullet point your main tasks.
- Add any accomplishments, like “increased sales by 10%.”
5. Skills
This is a spot to talk about your strengths! Skills can be anything from technical skills to soft skills. Think about things like:
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Technical skills (like computer programs)
6. Activities and Involvement
Including clubs, sports, or volunteer activities shows you’re well-rounded. Employers like to see that you can balance different parts of your life. Here’s how to list them:
- Club/Activity Name – Role (Year – Year)
- Volunteer Work – Organization Name, City (Month Year – Month Year)
7. Additional Sections
Depending on what you have available, you might want to add a few extra sections. Here are some ideas:
- Certifications: Any mini-courses or certificates you’ve earned, like CPR or a computer program.
- Awards: Any recognitions or scholarships you’ve achieved.
- Interests: A couple of hobbies can make you a memorable candidate.
8. Formatting Tips
How your resume looks is just as important as what it says! Here are some formatting tips to keep it looking professional:
- Keep it to one page.
- Use a clean, easy-to-read font (like Arial or Calibri).
- Use bullet points for easy scanning.
- Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
Now that you know how to structure your resume as a teenager, you’re ready to put your best foot forward! Just remember to update it as you gain more experience, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck. Happy job hunting!
What To Put On A Resume: Teenagers Edition
1. First-Time Job Application
When applying for your first job, it’s essential to highlight your eagerness to learn and any relevant experiences, no matter how small. Here’s what to include:
- Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, and email address.
- Objective Statement: A brief sentence about your career goals and what you hope to gain from the position.
- Education: Your current school, grade, and any relevant coursework.
- Volunteer Experience: Any volunteer work you’ve done that showcases responsibility and teamwork.
- Skills: Highlight any skills that are relevant to the job, such as communication, leadership, or teamwork.
2. Applying for a Summer Internship
Summer internships are great opportunities to gain professional experience. Emphasize your skills and coursework that relate to the internship:
- Contact Information: Full name, phone number, and email.
- Education: Include GPA if it is strong, and relevant courses.
- Work Experience: Any part-time jobs or internships, even if unrelated, that demonstrate your work ethic.
- Projects: List school projects or personal projects that align with the internship role.
- Skills: Include computer skills, languages spoken, and any relevant certifications.
3. College Applications
When preparing a resume for college applications, it’s important to present your accomplishments clearly. Here’s what to focus on:
- Contact Information: Your personal details at the top.
- Objective Statement: A brief summary of your academic goals.
- Education: High school details, GPA, and honors or advanced classes.
- Extracurricular Activities: Include clubs, sports, or music groups showing leadership or dedication.
- Awards and Honors: List any academic or extracurricular awards received.
4. Volunteering Roles
If you’re applying for a volunteer position, focus on your passion and any relevant skills. Here’s what to include:
- Contact Information: Your full name, email, and phone number.
- Objective: A statement about your desire to contribute to the community.
- Education: Current school and relevant courses relating to the volunteer role.
- Volunteer Experience: Any past volunteer work, including dates, locations, and responsibilities.
- Skills: Relevant skills that would benefit the organization, like teamwork and communication.
5. Pursuing a Job in Retail
Retail jobs often require strong customer service skills. Make sure your resume emphasizes your experience in this area:
- Contact Information: Full name, contact details.
- Objective Statement: A summary reflecting your interest in retail and customer service.
- Education: High school name and any relevant coursework.
- Work Experience: Any relevant experience, including internships, volunteer roles, and prior jobs emphasizing customer interaction.
- Skills: List customer service abilities, communication skills, and teamwork experience.
6. Crafting a Resume for a Creative Field
If you’re interested in a creative role, such as art or design, your resume should showcase your creativity:
- Contact Information: Include your name, email, and phone number.
- Objective Statement: Highlight your passion for creativity and your career aspirations.
- Education: List your school, focused on art classes or relevant courses.
- Portfolio: Mention your creative works or projects linked in the resume.
- Skills: Include creative software, artistic skills, and any relevant experiences.
7. Seeking an Apprenticeship
When applying for an apprenticeship, it’s crucial to demonstrate your interest in learning and growing in a trade:
- Contact Information: Include full name, email, and phone number.
- Objective Statement: A clear expression of your desire to learn a specific trade.
- Education: Information about your school and trade-related courses.
- Work Experience: Any relevant job experiences or projects that show your interest in the trade.
- Skills: List practical skills and traits that make you a good match for the apprenticeship.
What Essential Sections Should a Teenager Include on Their Resume?
A teenager’s resume should consist of several essential sections. The first section is the contact information. This section includes the teenager’s name, phone number, email address, and home address. The second section is the objective statement. This statement provides a brief overview of the teenager’s career goals and the position they are seeking. The third section is education. This section lists the school the teenager attends, their expected graduation date, and any relevant coursework or honors. The fourth section is work experience. This section highlights any jobs, volunteer work, or internships the teenager has completed. The fifth section is skills. This section lists specific skills relevant to the job, such as communication, teamwork, and computer proficiency. Lastly, the resume may include a section for extracurricular activities. This section showcases involvement in clubs, sports, or community service that demonstrate responsibility and leadership.
How Can a Teenager Showcase Their Skills Effectively on a Resume?
A teenager can showcase their skills effectively on a resume by using clear formatting and specific language. The skills section should be titled “Skills” and should list both hard and soft skills. Hard skills include technical abilities such as computer coding, graphic design, or proficiency in a foreign language. Soft skills encompass personal attributes such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership. Each skill listed should be relevant to the position desired. A teenager can also include examples to illustrate their skills in the work experience section. For instance, they can describe a situation where they demonstrated teamwork or leadership. Additionally, quantifying achievements can make skills more impactful. For example, stating “led a project to improve school recycling efforts, resulting in a 20% increase in participation” adds credibility.
What Are the Best Practices for Formatting a Teen Resume?
The best practices for formatting a teen resume include using a clean and professional layout. A teenager should choose a readable font such as Arial or Times New Roman, maintaining a font size between 10 and 12 points. The resume should have consistent margins, typically one inch, to create a balanced appearance. Sections should be clearly labeled with bold headings to enhance readability. Bullet points should be used to list responsibilities and achievements to facilitate quick scanning. A teenager should keep the resume length to one page, ensuring it remains concise and focused. Additionally, the use of white space is essential; it prevents the resume from appearing cluttered and allows key information to stand out. Finally, proofreading the document is crucial to eliminate any grammatical or spelling errors, reinforcing professionalism.
How Can a Teenager Tailor Their Resume for Different Job Applications?
A teenager can tailor their resume for different job applications by analyzing the job description thoroughly. The first step is to identify keywords and phrases that describe desired skills and qualifications. A teenager should then emphasize relevant experiences and skills in their resume that align with these keywords. For example, if a job emphasizes customer service, the teenager should highlight any previous roles that involved interacting with customers. Additionally, a teenager can modify their objective statement to reflect the specific position and company culture, showing enthusiasm and suitability for the role. It is beneficial to rearrange the sections of the resume as well, placing the most relevant experiences at the top of the work experience section. Customizing each resume demonstrates initiative and helps the teenager stand out to potential employers.
Thanks for taking the time to read through these tips on what to include in your resume as a teenager! We know it can be a bit overwhelming, but with the right info, you’ll create a standout resume in no time. Remember, the key is to showcase your strengths and experiences, no matter how small they may seem. Keep polishing that resume and don’t hesitate to come back for more advice as you navigate the job world. Best of luck, and we hope to see you again soon!
