What do you put on teenagers resume? They need to get a job, but they need work experience to help them get that job. But they don’t have any.
It is a vicious cycle. How do you build a teenagers resume when there is limited experience?
Even for teenagers, it is important to craft a resume that stands out from the rest. Whether your kids are applying for their first job, an internship, or other opportunities, it is essential to showcase their skills and achievements.
In this guide, I am going to walk you through all the elements of a teenagers resume to highlight their strengths and help them stand out from the crowd.
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Why Your Teen Needs a Resume
Whether your teen needs to turn in a resume or fill out an application, it will help to think through all of his experience. Yes, sometimes it takes imagination to get all the experience listed. Having in on a resume will be a good reference point when he fills out an application.
I know it is hard to think about a teenagers resume without formal work experience. Think of a teenagers resume as a snapshot of achievements, skills, and potential. A strong resume doesn’t need to list only job experience. There are so many things you can add to your resume that will make your teen stand out.
It is good for your teen to have a resume ready to go before he starts looking for jobs. Then he can readily apply for any job when he sees it. He is ready to with all the information needed to get a job.
A teenagers resume is going to be the starting point for a job application and a job interview. So get it ready before he starts looking. It is the solid foundation on which to prepare for future career steps.
What to Put on a Teenagers Resume
Here’s where your imagination kicks in. And what I mean by imagination is you’re going to think out of the traditional job experience box. Moms, we have so many skills in communication just from being a mom. We can totally leverage these skills for business. Your kids can also leverage their skills.
1. Job experience
Thinking of everything that your kids have done. Do they do chores around the house? Have they worked for grandparents or other family members? You can list these as job experience.
Have you thought about hiring your kids in your business?
Most businesses who are hiring teenagers aren’t looking for a ton of job experience. They just want to see some, even one job. Think of the all the people your kids have worked for and add it as job experience. Or think about hiring your kids in your business. There is a lot they can do.
2. Volunteer experience
Have your kids volunteered at church? Or did they volunteer with a sports league? Have they done 4-H or something similar?
All of this volunteer experience should be added to the resume. It adds to the job experience.
One of the reasons I was hired for my first job was I volunteered in the concession stand for my brother’s baseball games. While I worked in the concession stand, I usually ran the register. This experience was mentioned in my job interview. The restaurant wanted to hire someone to run the register, and I had the experience.
3. Academic achievements
Your kids’ academic achievements also need to be on a teenagers resume. If your kids are homeschooled, this may be a little harder, since we don’t have assemblies to recognize these achievements.
Starting college in high school through dual enrollment is an academic achievement. Completing two grades in one year is an academic achievement. Yes, my daughter did this.
What homeschool events have your kids participated in? Are they learning another language? Did they do advanced math? Have they written a book?
Think through all their academic successes and add it to the resume.
Showcasing Skills and Strengths
Our kids don’t have years of job experience, but they have developed skills. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem solving, self-motivator, organizational skills, these are all good foundational skills for a teenagers resume.
Think through technical skills as well. Do you kids use Microsoft Word or Excel? These are excellent skills to add to the resume. If you kids use social media, list the platform they are knowledgeable on. Here are some other skills to consider: 3D printing, coding, cooking, video editing, audio editing, Canva, written communication, mechanical skills, and so much more.
Start by identifying the skills required in the job description. There will usually be a list. Think through the times when your teenager had to use these skills. Write them down on the teenagers resume.
Getting References for Your Teenagers Resume
Every application is going to need non-family member reference. Gather those together before your teens sit down to fill out any applications. You will at least need name, email address, and phone number. Some applications will also request the address. Make a list of these references and save it on the computer so your teen can easily refer to it when it’s needed.
Usually, references should be an adult. However, if your teen is applying to a job where his friends’ work, then use someone who is already working there as a reference.
We’ve used co-op teachers, friends, coaches, and youth pastors as references. We always ask if someone will be a reference first. Mainly, so they know a strange call is coming in and will answer their phone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid for a Teenagers Resume
You want your teen to create a resume that stands out, so avoid making mistakes. Even minor errors on a teenagers resume can affect the outcome of a job opportunity. Typos and grammatical errors can be deal breakers for employers. Potential employers want to know that your teen can communicate well. If there are grammatical mistakes, it can be a deal breaker.
Another mistake is not using a resume template. Styles of resumes have changed over the years. At the moment, visual resumes are what employers are looking for. Be sure to use a resume template that is trending at the moment.
Avoid overloading your resume with irrelevant information. It is easy to overcompensate for the lack of job experience with other information. A teenagers resume should only be one page. Keep it focused on education, skills, and experiences that are relevant to the job.
Design a Teenagers Resume that Stands Out
Resumes styles change, so do a web search and get an idea of the current style. Or you can search in Canva for a template you like.
The design of a teenagers resume is also going to speak to their attention to detail and whether or not they are ready for the workforce.
We’ve used Microsoft Word templates and resume templates in Canva. Whichever you use, be sure the fonts and spacing are consistent. Find a resume that includes a picture of your teen. A well-designed resume is going to be immediately eye catching, and it will stand out from the rest.
Save your file as a pdf to maintain the formatting and make sure the filename is professional. If your teen is submitting his resume online, even the smallest details matter. You don’t want a file name that says BabyBoys_Resume. You want something like LastName_FirstName_Resume.
Wrapping It Up: Building a Teenagers Resume is Easier Than You Think
Creating a teenagers resume may seem daunting at first, but with the right structure and a little creativity, you can build a resume that opens doors to endless opportunities.
It’s all about showcasing your skills, education, and achievements in a way that makes employers take notice.
When your teens are job searching start with businesses that are newly opening. My oldest kids were both hired on the spot when they applied to a fast food restaurant that was about to open. I think their interviews were less than 5 minutes.
Need more tips on parenting teens? I have an entire section on parenting teens because it isn’t easy.
FAQ: Teenagers Resume
Q: What if my teen doesn’t have any work experience?
A: If your teen doesn’t have formal work experience, focus on your school activities, volunteer work, or personal projects that demonstrate skills. Highlight any leadership roles or responsibilities your teen has taken on.
Q: How long should a teenagers resume be?
A: A one-page resume is typically enough for a teenager, especially if you’re just starting out. As you gain more experience, you can expand on your accomplishments.
Q: Should the GPA be included on a teenagers resume?
A: If it is a high GPA (usually above 3.0), you may want to include it, especially if it’s relevant to the job or scholarship you’re applying for.
Q: Is it okay to use a resume template?
A: Absolutely! Many resume templates are available online and can help you structure your resume professionally. Just be sure to customize it to your specific needs.
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