Resume Tips for Teens: How to Create a First Resume That Actually Helps You Get Hired

Writing your first resume can feel awkward. I get it. Most teens look at a blank page and think, “I’ve never had a real job, so what am I supposed to put on this thing?”

Here’s the truth: a first resume is not about proving you have years of experience. It is about showing an employer that you are responsible, teachable, reliable, and ready to work.

For most teen jobs, especially food service, retail, recreation, movie theaters, grocery stores, summer jobs, and after-school work, employers are not expecting a polished corporate resume. They are looking for signs that you can show up on time, follow directions, communicate clearly, and handle basic responsibilities without creating more work for everyone around you.

That is what your resume needs to prove.

First, Keep It Simple

A teen resume should be clean, easy to read, and one page long.

Do not overdesign it. Do not use tiny fonts. Do not use five colors, glittery borders, or a template that looks like a school spirit flyer. Cute does not always equal professional.

Use a simple format with clear sections:

• Name and contact information
• Short summary
• Education
• Skills
• Experience
• Activities, volunteer work, or achievements

If you are applying online, a simple resume is usually better than a heavily designed Canva-style resume because it is easier for hiring systems and managers to read.

What to Put at the Top

At the top of your resume, include:

• Your first and last name
• City and state
• Phone number
• Email address

You do not need to put your full home address. For teens, I would keep it simple and use city and state only.

Also, please make sure your email address is professional. If your email is something like hotcheetogirl2009 or gaminglegend420, make a new one for job applications.

Use something simple like:

firstname.lastname@email.com

Write a Short Summary

A resume summary is just two or three sentences that explain who you are and what kind of job you are looking for.

Example:

High school student looking for a part-time position in customer service, food service, or retail. Reliable, friendly, and willing to learn. Available after school, weekends, and during school breaks.

That is enough. You do not need to sound like a CEO. You need to sound like someone who is ready to work.

What If You Have Never Had a Job?

This is where a lot of teens get stuck, but no job experience does not mean no experience.

Think about what you have done that shows responsibility.

You can include:

• Babysitting
• Pet sitting
• Helping with a family business
• Volunteering
• School clubs
• Sports
• Student council
• Church or community service
• Helping at events
• Tutoring younger students
• Yard work
• Helping care for siblings
• Theater, band, choir, ROTC, broadcasting, yearbook, or other school programs

The key is to explain what skills those experiences gave you.

For example, instead of writing:

Babysitting

Write:

Babysitting
Cared for younger children, prepared snacks, helped with homework, kept children safe, and communicated with parents.

That sounds like actual responsibility because it is.

Skills Teens Can Put on a Resume

Do not just write random words because they sound good. Pick skills you can actually back up.

Good teen resume skills may include:

• Customer service
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Cash handling
• Cleaning and organization
• Food safety awareness
• Following directions
• Problem-solving
• Computer skills
• Google Docs or Microsoft Word
• Social media basics
• Bilingual communication
• Leadership
• Conflict resolution
• Reliable transportation
• Flexible schedule

Be honest. If you say you have cash handling experience and you have never touched a register, that may backfire.

How to Write Better Bullet Points

This is where a resume can go from weak to much stronger.

Weak bullet:

• Helped people

Better bullet:

• Assisted customers with questions and helped keep the work area clean and organized

Weak bullet:

• Was on volleyball team

Better bullet:

• Participated in a team sport while balancing school responsibilities, practices, and weekly games

Weak bullet:

• Babysat kids

Better bullet:

• Supervised children, prepared simple meals, helped with homework, and followed parent instructions

Weak bullet:

• Helped at school event

Better bullet:

• Assisted with event setup, greeted guests, and helped clean up after the event

The goal is to show what you actually did.

A Simple Teen Resume Format

Here is a basic structure teens can use:

Name
City, State
Phone Number
Email Address

Summary
High school student looking for a part-time position in food service, retail, recreation, or customer service. Reliable, friendly, and willing to learn. Available after school, weekends, and school breaks.

Education
School Name — Las Vegas, NV
Expected Graduation Year: 2027

Skills
Customer service, teamwork, communication, time management, cleaning and organization, Google Docs, reliable transportation, flexible schedule

Experience
Babysitting — Las Vegas, NV
2024–Present

• Cared for younger children and followed parent instructions
• Prepared snacks and helped with homework
• Communicated with parents about schedules and needs

Volunteer Experience — School or Organization Name
2024

• Helped with setup, guest support, and cleanup during community events
• Worked with other students and adults to complete assigned tasks

Activities
Volleyball Team, Student Council, Theater, Broadcasting, ROTC, Band, Choir, Yearbook, Club Name, or Community Service

Do’s and Don’ts for Teen Resumes

Do:

• Keep it to one page
• Use a simple layout
• Use a professional email
• Check spelling carefully
• Save it as a PDF unless the application says otherwise
• Be honest about your experience
• Use action words like assisted, organized, prepared, cleaned, greeted, helped, supported, and communicated
• Ask a parent, teacher, counselor, or trusted adult to review it

Don’t:

• Use slang
• Add a selfie
• List your full home address
• Include your birthday
• Add fake experience
• Use a hard-to-read font
• Make the resume too colorful or busy
• Say “references available upon request”
• Put your GPA unless it is strong and you are proud of it
• Send a resume with typos

One typo will not ruin your life, but it can make an employer wonder if you rushed through the application.

Match the Resume to the Job

This part matters.

If you are applying to an ice cream shop, talk about customer service, cleanliness, teamwork, and being friendly.

If you are applying to a movie theater, mention customer service, handling busy crowds, cleaning, and working evenings or weekends.

If you are applying to a grocery store, mention organization, helping customers, stocking, bagging, and reliability.

If you are applying for a recreation or summer job, mention leadership, safety, teamwork, and working with kids or families.

You do not need a completely different resume for every job, but you should adjust your summary and skills so they match the type of job you want.

What About References?

Most teen job applications will ask for references separately. You usually do not need to put references directly on your resume.

Good references for teens may include:

• Teachers
• Coaches
• Counselors
• Club advisors
• Volunteer coordinators
• Family friends who are not immediate family
• Former babysitting or pet sitting clients

Always ask someone before using them as a reference. Do not surprise people with a phone call from an employer.

Before You Submit the Resume

Before applying, check these things:

• Is your phone number correct?
• Is your voicemail set up?
• Is your voicemail appropriate?
• Is your email professional?
• Did you spell the employer’s name correctly?
• Did someone proofread your resume?
• Can you explain everything on your resume in an interview?

And yes, teens need to check their email after they apply. Employers may not text first. They may email.

Local Resume and Job Help in Southern Nevada

If your teen needs extra help, there are local resources worth checking.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District offers Teens Work!, an online teen job-prep program from Sunrise Library with help for teens who are getting ready to apply for jobs.

EmployNV Youth Hub serves young people ages 16–24 and offers support with career exploration, work readiness, employability skills, paid internships, work experience, training, and career coaching.

EmployNV Career Hubs also offer support for job seekers, including resume writing, interview coaching, skills assessments, workforce training, and connections to local employers.

These are great places to start if your teen needs more than a template and could use real guidance.

Final Mom Tip

A teen resume does not need to be fancy. It needs to be clear, honest, and easy to read.

The goal is not to make your teen sound like they have already had a full career. The goal is to show that they are ready for a first job and understand what employers care about: showing up, being respectful, following directions, learning quickly, and doing the work.

That is enough to start.