A resume is a one- or two-page document that tells an employer about your skills, education, and experience. Think of it as your personal advertisement—it helps you stand out and get invited for an interview. Even if you haven’t had a paid job before, a resume helps show what makes you a great candidate.

If you’re new to work, don’t worry! Your resume can include:

Education: Your school, grade level, and any special classes or achievements.

Volunteer work: Helping at school events, community groups, or family activities counts.

Extracurricular activities: Sports teams, clubs, music, or theater groups show teamwork and commitment.

Leadership roles: Team captain, club officer, or event organizer demonstrate responsibility.

Hobbies and interests: Include things that show positive traits like creativity or problem-solving.

Employers want to know what you can bring to their team. Think about skills like:

Communication: Speaking clearly and listening carefully.

Teamwork: Working well with others.

Dependability: Being on time and reliable.

Problem-solving: Figuring things out when challenges come up.

Time management: Balancing school, activities, and work.

Use your activities and experiences to show these skills.

Start each bullet point with a strong action word to make your experience stand out. Instead of “I helped organize a school event,” say:

“Organized a school fundraiser that raised $500.”

“Led a team of 5 students during a community clean-up.”
Action words make your resume more interesting and show what you actually did.

Keep your resume:

Clear and easy to read with simple fonts and headings.

One page long, especially if you don’t have much experience yet.

Organized into sections like Contact Info, Education, Experience, Skills.

Consistent in spacing, font size, and bullet points.

Use plenty of white space so it doesn’t look crowded.

See examples of resumes made just for people like you! These show how you can fill out each section, even with limited experience. Use these as a guide when you start creating your own.

Watch out for:

Spelling and grammar errors.

Leaving out your phone number or email.

Using informal language or slang.

Making it too long or including unrelated info.

Forgetting to tailor your resume to each job you apply for.

Whenever you try a new activity, learn a new skill, or finish a project, add it to your resume. Keeping it current means you’re ready to apply when a great job comes along.

Before you submit your resume, ask someone you trust—a parent, teacher, career counselor, or friend—to review it. They can help catch mistakes and give you advice to make it even better.