Resume-Building Tips for Your Teen’s First Job

It’s that time! Your teenager is ready for their first job, internship or volunteer opportunity. You’re thrilled because you know your teen can benefit from the wide variety of experiences that come with a job, from managing a paycheck to waiting on customers.

Putting together a resume is one of the first steps your teen will take to become a candidate for the role. It’s probably been a few years since you developed your first-ever resume, so we put together some tips to keep in mind as you help your teen.  

Meaningful Content

Always keep the position in mind. For example, applying for a waitstaff position will look different from a volunteer opportunity at your family’s church. Ideally, your teen should tailor their experience in a way that makes sense for the job.

Your teen’s resume will look a bit different than one from someone who has been in the workforce for a while. Employers that are hiring within this age range will understand, so there’s no need to fret. But if you find yourselves grasping at straws for work experience, consider including the following (if applicable):

• Their GPA
• If they have an active driver’s license
• Volunteer work
• Clubs, memberships or other school activities
• Skills like proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.
• Professional contacts or references
• Links to any online portfolios the teen may have
• Availability (days and times they can work)

Formatting and Appearance

The look of your teen’s resume is as important as its contents. As employers quickly scan through applications, they won’t hesitate to discard sloppy or unorganized resumes. Make sure your teen is printing their resume on nice, fresh paper or — if they are sending it electronically — that it’s “clean-looking,” meaning it’s uncluttered and easy to read in its digital form.

Don’t try to make a resume look fancy with colorful or unique design elements. Employers or recruiters are focused on picking out the most pertinent information in the least amount of time. Any “distractions” could inhibit the process. Find some good examples by looking through Microsoft Word’s recommended resume templates. These outlines can be useful in getting started and staying organized.  

On most templates, you’ll notice that bullet points are recommended to list information, rather than typing everything out in paragraph form. This is a good way to make resumes easy to read. Try to lead each bullet point with a specific action verb, if possible. For example:

• Trained volunteers two days a week
• Organized the shift schedule
• Posted to the company’s Facebook and Instagram twice a month

Finally, make sure the font size is readable, have your teen double-check their contact information and don’t forget to look for any spelling or grammar mistakes. When an employer can’t read a resume because of poor font size or spelling mistakes, they will often toss it aside and not even consider the applicant. And an employer won’t be able to reach your teen if their phone number or email address is incorrect. These details may seem small, but they can make a big difference!

This is an exciting time in your teen’s life. A job, internship or volunteer role can open the door to many learning experiences that will benefit them for years to come. We hope these tips and tricks provide a solid foundation for a great resume. Happy resume-building and job searching!