How to Write a Resume for Teenagers: Complete Guide + Examples

A resume for teenagers is a concise document that helps young applicants introduce themselves to potential employers. It highlights early experiences, such as part-time work, school activities, volunteering, personal projects, and emerging skills. Even with limited professional history, this type of resume focuses on strengths like motivation, responsibility, and willingness to learn to demonstrate potential rather than a long track record.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft a clear and effective teen resume, even if you’re just starting out. We’ll walk through each step, from choosing a format and describing your experience to showcasing relevant skills and achievements. You’ll also find practical examples, helpful tips, and guidance tailored to different scenarios, so keep reading!

What Makes a Teenage Resume Different?

A resume for teenagers is different because it operates on entirely different principles than adult professional resumes, which might actually be a strength, not a limitation. While experienced professionals focus on career progression and industry expertise, teenage resumes shine by highlighting potential, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives.

When a person is fifteen and applying for their first job position, employers aren't expecting them to have managed multi-million dollar projects and budgets. They're looking for reliability, teachability, and genuine enthusiasm, so a solid teenage resume should demonstrate these qualities through concrete examples from the candidate’s daily life.

In other words, your resume for teenagers should emphasize learning experiences, leadership moments (even small and unofficial ones), and situations where you've shown responsibility.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teen and youth employment (including people ages 16 to 24) has reached 53.1% in 2025. Employers specifically seek young workers who can bring energy and adaptability to their teams, which is why your age isn't a disadvantage but a differentiator.

Teenage Resume Examples

Now that we’ve established what makes a teenage resume different, let’s see a few examples in practice:

Teenage Resume Example With No Work Experience

Teenage Resume Example for Part-Time Jobs

Teenage Resume Example for Volunteering

8 Essential Sections for a Teenage Resume

Now, let’s see what sections a teenage resume consists of:

#1. Contact Information

Getting your contact information right is more important than you'd think, as it's literally how employers reach you, and mistakes here can cost you opportunities. Therefore, your teen or high school resume should begin with a clean, professional section that includes your contact details at the top, as follows:

• Full name (use the name you go by professionally)
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and state (no need for full address)
• LinkedIn profile (optional but desirable)

Avoid including photos unless you're specifically in the entertainment industry or it’s required in the job ad.

Let’s see what this would look like on a resume:

#2. Resume Summary or Objective

A resume summary or objective is a short (2 or 3 sentences long) section that goes below the header that serves as an elevator pitch, or a quick snapshot of who you are and what you can offer.

Candidates who are writing a resume for the first time and have little or no experience typically opt for a resume objective, as it focuses on career goals rather than work history. Here’s what it looks like:

This example highlights relevant qualities and specific strengths and connects your current abilities to the job you want. To make your resume objective more compelling, use action-oriented language and be specific about what you bring to the table.

Avoid generic statements like "hardworking student seeking employment," as most teenagers would write exactly that. Instead, mention specific skills, achievements, or qualities that make you stand out from other applicants.

#3. Education Section

Your education section carries more weight on a teenage resume than it will later in your career, so make it count. Since you're still in school, this section should highlight your academic strengths and relevant coursework.

You can format it like this:

• School name and location
• Expected graduation date (Month Year)
• GPA (if 3.5 or higher)
• Relevant coursework, honors, or awards
• Academic achievements or recognitions

If you're planning for college, mention that too; employers often appreciate knowing you're thinking long-term.

#4. Work Experience (Even Without "Real" Jobs)

Here's where teenage job seekers often sell themselves short: you probably do have work experience, but it just might not look traditional. Short-term side jobs like babysitting, lawn mowing, or pet-sitting work count, and you should treat them as seriously as any other job.

Here’s what you need to disclose in the teenage work experience section:

• Role
• Organization/Client type
• Dates of employment
• 2-3 bullet points with quantified accomplishments

It could be something similar to this:

#5. Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work is a must on teenage resumes because it demonstrates initiative, community awareness, and commitment, which are all qualities employers value highly. In 2023, it was reported that teenagers contributed 2.4 billion hours of volunteer service annually in the U.S., with an estimated economic value of $34 billion.

In this section, you should highlight both the scope of your contribution and the skills you developed. Regardless of whether you volunteered at a local food bank, helped with a school fundraiser, or participated in community clean-up days, there's always a way to make it relevant.

#6. Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities on your resume tell employers about your interests, commitment level, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities. However, you shouldn’t just list activities but also show impact and leadership.

Focus on:

• Leadership roles (team captain, club president, section leader)
• Achievements and awards
• Skills developed through participation
• Time commitment and consistency

#7. Skills Section

Your skills section should balance technical abilities with soft skills that employers actually care about. Therefore, you should avoid listing basic skills that everyone has (like "Microsoft Word" or "social media").

Some hard skills you can include would be:

• Programming languages (if applicable)
• Design software experience
• Language proficiency
• Specific software relevant to your target job

Meanwhile, the soft skills that might matter include:

• Customer service orientation
• Team collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Communication skills

An example looks like this:

#8. Additional Sections

Depending on your background and target jobs, consider adding sections for:

• Awards and honors: academic recognition, athletic achievements, community awards, and similar
• Certifications: CPR certification, lifeguard training, food handler's permit, etc.
• Projects: school projects, personal initiatives, or group accomplishments
• Hobbies: only include these if they’re directly related to the job you’re after

These sections can help you stand out, especially if you’re writing an entry-level resume with no experience, where every differentiator counts.

4 Pro Tips for Writing Your First Resume

Here are some valuable tips you should have in mind when writing your first resume:

4 Common Resume Mistakes Teenagers Make

Finally, let’s see what teen resume mistakes you should avoid at all costs:

How to Use Our AI Resume Builder for Your First Resume

Creating your first resume doesn't have to be overwhelming when you have the right tools. Our AI resume builder is designed to help everyone, including teenagers and first-time job seekers, create professional, ATS-optimized resumes quickly and effectively.

As previously mentioned, you can select one of our teenager-specific templates that highlight education, activities, and potential, rather than extensive work history. Each template is pre-formatted for optimal readability and ATS compatibility.

Our smart forms guide you through each section, asking relevant questions and providing suggestions for content. Furthermore, the AI writing assistant helps transform your informal experiences into professional descriptions that employers will take seriously!

Final Thoughts

Starting your career journey with a strong resume sets you up for success in ways that extend far beyond landing your first job. The process of creating one with no experience teaches you to recognize your own value, articulate your strengths clearly, and present yourself professionally, which are the skills you'll use throughout your entire career.

Your age and relative inexperience aren't limitations but opportunities to bring fresh energy, enthusiasm, and new perspectives to employers who value those qualities. With the right resume strategy and consistent effort, you'll soon have the work experience that makes future applications even easier.

Resume for Teenagers FAQ

#1. Should teenagers include a photo on their resume?

No, teenagers should not include photos on their resumes in the United States. Photos can lead to discrimination and are not standard practice for most industries, which makes them unnecessary and potentially harmful to your application prospects.

#2. What if I have no work experience at all?

If you have no work experience at all, focus on transferable skills from school, volunteer work, sports, and informal responsibilities like babysitting or helping family businesses. These experiences demonstrate valuable workplace qualities like reliability, communication, and responsibility that employers actively seek in teenage candidates.

#3. Should I include my GPA on my teenage resume?

You should include your GPA only if it's 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A strong GPA demonstrates academic achievement and work ethic, while lower GPAs may hurt your application and should be omitted in favor of highlighting other strengths and experiences.

#3. Can I use the same resume for every job application?

No, you shouldn’t use the same resume for every job application. Successful teenage job seekers customize their resumes for each position by emphasizing relevant experiences and skills. This shows potential employers that you understand their specific needs and are genuinely interested in that particular opportunity.

#4. What skills should teenagers put on their resumes?

The skills teenagers should put on their resumes include technical skills like computer programs or languages, plus relevant soft skills like customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving demonstrated through school and extracurricular activities. They should avoid listing basic skills that all teenagers have, focusing instead on unique capabilities that differentiate them.

#5. Should teenagers include references on their resumes?

No, teenagers shouldn’t include references on their resumes, but they can add "References available upon request" at the bottom. They can also prepare a separate reference list with teachers, coaches, volunteer coordinators, or family friends who can speak professionally about their character and abilities.