Teenager Resume With No Work Experience: How to Land Your First Job

Looking for your first job as a teenager but worried you have nothing to put on a resume? You're not alone—and you have more to offer than you think. Employers hiring teens know you're just starting out. What they want to see is reliability, enthusiasm, and the potential to learn.

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Why Teenagers Need a Resume

Even for entry-level jobs like retail, fast food, or babysitting, having a resume sets you apart. It shows employers you're serious, organized, and prepared—qualities they value in any employee.

A good teen resume helps you:

Stand out from other applicants
Organize your thoughts before interviews
Show maturity and professionalism
Keep track of your accomplishments as you grow

What to Put on a Teenager Resume With No Experience

Here's what employers actually want to see from teen applicants:

Contact Information
Objective Statement (optional but helpful for teens)
Education
Skills
Extracurricular Activities
Volunteer Work
Awards & Achievements
References (or "Available upon request")

Contact Information

Keep it simple and professional at the top of your resume.

Your Full Name
City, State | (555) 123-4567 | your.email@email.com

Important Tips:

Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@email.com)
Avoid emails like "gamergirl2009" or "skaterboy123"
You don't need to include your full street address—city and state is enough
Make sure your voicemail greeting sounds professional

Objective Statement (Great for Teens)

An objective statement tells employers what you're looking for and what you bring. For teens with no experience, this helps set the context.

Good Examples:

For Retail:

Enthusiastic high school junior seeking a part-time sales associate position at [Store Name]. Eager to apply strong communication skills and customer service abilities while learning the retail industry.

For Food Service:

Reliable and hardworking sophomore looking for a crew member position. Quick learner with excellent teamwork skills and flexible availability on weekends and after school.

For General:

Motivated high school student seeking first job opportunity to develop professional skills. Known for punctuality, positive attitude, and ability to work well with others.

Education Section

As a teenager, your education section is one of your strongest assets. Include:

Example:

Lincoln High School | City, State | Expected Graduation: May 2026

Current GPA: 3.5/4.0
Honor Roll: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Relevant Courses: Business Fundamentals, Computer Applications, Spanish II

What to Include:

School name and location
Expected graduation date
GPA (if 3.0 or higher)
Academic honors or awards
Relevant coursework (especially for specific jobs)
Any certifications (CPR, Food Handler's Card, etc.)

Skills Section

This is where you show employers what you can do. Divide skills into categories for easy reading.

Technical Skills

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Google Docs and Sheets
Basic computer skills
Social media platforms
Point-of-sale (POS) systems (if you've used one)
Typing speed (if 40+ WPM)
Photo/video editing apps

Soft Skills

Communication
Teamwork
Time management
Problem-solving
Customer service
Reliability and punctuality
Adaptability
Attention to detail

Language Skills

Bilingual in English and Spanish
Conversational French

Certifications

CPR/First Aid Certified
Food Handler's Certificate
Babysitting Certification
Lifeguard Certification

Make Skills Specific:

Weak: "Good with computers"

Strong: "Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Docs; typing speed of 50 WPM"

Extracurricular Activities

This section shows initiative, teamwork, and time management. Describe what you actually did, not just that you participated.

Sports Examples

Varsity Soccer Team | Center Forward | 2022 - Present

Practice 15 hours weekly while maintaining honor roll grades
Collaborate with 18 teammates to achieve regional championship
Demonstrate discipline, physical endurance, and ability to perform under pressure

JV Basketball | Team Member | 2023 - Present

Attend all practices and games, demonstrating commitment and reliability
Support teammates through encouragement and constructive feedback
Balance athletics with academic responsibilities

Club Examples

Spanish Club | Vice President | 2023 - 2024

Help organize cultural events for 30+ club members
Coordinate with teachers and administrators to plan Hispanic Heritage Month celebration
Create promotional materials to recruit new members

Robotics Club | Member | 2022 - Present

Build and program robots for regional competitions
Work in team of 6 to solve engineering challenges under deadline
Learn CAD software and basic coding principles

Drama Club | Stage Manager | 2023 - Present

Coordinate backstage crew of 8 students during school productions
Manage props, lighting cues, and scene changes for 3 performances
Communicate effectively with directors, actors, and technical crew

Music Examples

Marching Band | Section Leader | 2022 - Present

Lead section of 12 musicians during rehearsals and performances
Mentor younger students on technique and musicianship
Perform at 20+ events including football games, parades, and competitions

Volunteer Work

Volunteer experience is real experience. Treat it like a job with specific accomplishments.

Examples

Volunteer | Local Animal Shelter | Summer 2023

Walked dogs and socialized cats for 4 hours every Saturday
Cleaned kennels and prepared food for 30+ animals
Greeted visitors and answered basic questions about adoption process

Youth Group Volunteer | Community Church | 2022 - Present

Help set up and clean up for weekly events with 50+ attendees
Assist with children's activities during Sunday services
Participate in community service projects including park cleanups and food drives

Library Assistant | Public Library | Summer 2023

Shelved 100+ books per shift following Dewey Decimal system
Helped patrons locate materials and use computer systems
Assisted with summer reading program for elementary students

Beach Cleanup Volunteer | Environmental Club | 2023

Participated in 5 monthly cleanup events
Collected and sorted 50+ pounds of recyclables and trash
Educated beachgoers about environmental conservation

Informal Work Experience

Even if you haven't had a "real" job, informal work counts. Include:

Babysitting

Babysitter | Private Families | 2022 - Present

Care for children ages 2-10 for families in the neighborhood
Prepare meals, help with homework, and organize activities
Trusted with house keys and emergency decision-making
Manage schedules for 3 regular families

Pet Sitting / Dog Walking

Pet Sitter | Neighborhood Clients | 2023 - Present

Care for dogs, cats, and small animals while owners travel
Follow detailed care instructions and administer medications
Maintain communication with owners through daily updates
Built client base of 8 regular families through referrals

Lawn Care / Yard Work

Lawn Care Helper | Neighborhood Residents | Summers 2022 - 2023

Mow lawns, trim hedges, and maintain gardens for 5 households
Operate lawn equipment safely and efficiently
Schedule appointments and collect payments independently
Earned repeat business through quality work and reliability

Tutoring

Peer Tutor | Informal | 2023 - Present

Help middle school students with math and science homework
Explain concepts in easy-to-understand terms
Create practice problems to reinforce learning
Volunteer 2-3 hours weekly

Awards & Achievements

Include any recognition that shows your character and abilities.

Honor Roll (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
Perfect Attendance Award (2023)
Student of the Month (October 2023)
Eagle Scout / Gold Award
Science Fair 2nd Place (Regional, 2023)
Athletic Awards (MVP, Most Improved, Sportsmanship)
Scholarship recipient
Competition placements (debate, art, music, etc.)

Teenager Resume Template

JORDAN TAYLOR Austin, TX | (512) 555-7890 | jordan.taylor@email.com

OBJECTIVE

Reliable and motivated high school junior seeking a part-time position as a crew member at Chick-fil-A. Known for positive attitude, strong communication skills, and ability to work well in fast-paced environments.

EDUCATION

Westlake High School | Austin, TX | Expected Graduation: May 2026

GPA: 3.4/4.0
Honor Roll: 3 semesters
Relevant Courses: Business Management, Foods & Nutrition
Food Handler's Certification (2024)

SKILLS

Technical: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, basic POS systems, social media
Soft Skills: Customer service, teamwork, time management, communication, reliability
Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Cross Country Team | Varsity Runner | 2022 - Present

Train 10+ hours weekly while maintaining B+ average
Compete in 8 regional meets per season
Demonstrate endurance, discipline, and commitment to team goals

Key Club | Member | 2023 - Present

Participate in 5+ community service events per semester
Help organize school supply drives for underprivileged students
Log 40+ volunteer hours annually

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer | Austin Food Bank | 2023 - Present

Sort and package food donations during monthly 4-hour shifts
Work efficiently with team of 20+ volunteers
Help distribute supplies to 100+ families during holiday events

INFORMAL EXPERIENCE

Babysitter | Private Families | 2022 - Present

Care for children ages 4-9 for 3 neighborhood families
Prepare meals, supervise activities, and ensure safety
Trusted with regular weekend and evening responsibilities

REFERENCES

Available upon request

Formatting Tips for Teen Resumes

Do:

Keep it to one page
Use a clean, simple font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
Use 11-12 point font size
Include clear section headers
Use bullet points for easy reading
Save as PDF when submitting electronically
Name file professionally: "Jordan_Taylor_Resume.pdf"

Don't:

Use bright colors or fancy fonts
Include a photo (unless specifically requested)
Use full sentences in bullet points
Include personal information (age, height, weight)
List every single activity you've ever done
Use abbreviations that aren't universally understood

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving it blank - You have more experience than you think
Being too vague - Use specific examples and numbers
Typos and errors - Proofread multiple times
Unprofessional email - Create a simple, professional address
Including irrelevant info - Focus on what matters to employers
Lying or exaggerating - Be honest about your experience
Forgetting to customize - Tailor your resume for each job

Action Verbs for Teens

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb:

For Activities: Participated, Contributed, Practiced, Attended, Trained For Leadership: Led, Organized, Coordinated, Managed, Supervised For Helping Others: Assisted, Supported, Helped, Volunteered, Tutored For Creating: Created, Built, Designed, Developed, Organized For Achieving: Earned, Achieved, Won, Completed, Received

Jobs That Hire Teenagers With No Experience

Many employers specifically hire teens for entry-level positions:

Retail: Target, Walmart, grocery stores, clothing stores
Food Service: McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, local restaurants
Entertainment: Movie theaters, amusement parks, bowling alleys
Recreation: Pools (lifeguard), camps, recreation centers
Grocery: Bagger, stocker, cart attendant
Service: Car wash, ice cream shops, pet stores

Quick Checklist Before Applying

Build Your First Resume Today

Ready to create your first resume? Our Free Resume Builder walks you through each section and helps you highlight your strengths—even without work experience.

Remember: Every working adult started exactly where you are. Employers hiring teenagers expect that you're new to the workforce—that's okay. What they're looking for is someone reliable, positive, and willing to learn. Your resume just needs to show them you're that person.

Good luck with your job search. You've got this.