Resume for Your First Job: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Write your first-ever resume with this beginner's guide. Covers what to include when you have no experience, with examples and templates for teens and young adults.
Writing your very first resume can feel overwhelming when you have no professional experience to list. But every working adult started with a first resume, and employers hiring for entry-level positions know they're not getting seasoned professionals.
What to Include When You Have Zero Experience
1. Contact Information
Name, phone number, email (use a professional one — not a nickname email), and city/state. If you're a student, you can include your school.
2. Objective Statement
For a first job, an objective works better than a summary since you don't have achievements to summarize yet.
"Motivated high school senior with strong communication and organizational skills seeking a part-time retail position. Reliable, quick learner with experience in volunteer coordination and team sports."
3. Education
This is your strongest section. Include:
- School name and expected graduation date
- GPA (if 3.0 or above)
- Relevant courses (if applying for something specific)
- Awards and honors
4. Skills
List skills honestly. Good first-job skills include:
- Customer service, cash handling, food safety (for retail/food service)
- Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, typing speed
- Bilingual abilities
- Social media management
- CPR/First Aid certification
5. Activities and Volunteer Work
Sports teams, clubs, volunteer work, and community involvement all demonstrate valuable traits:
- Team sports: Teamwork, discipline, handling pressure
- Student government: Leadership, public speaking, event planning
- Volunteering: Initiative, compassion, reliability
- Part-time babysitting/tutoring: Responsibility, patience, time management
6. Informal Work Experience
Don't discount informal jobs:
- Babysitting or pet sitting
- Lawn mowing or snow removal
- Tutoring classmates
- Helping with a family business
- Selling items online
First-Job Resume Example
Alex Rivera
(555) 234-5678 | [email protected] | Austin, TX
Objective: Enthusiastic and reliable high school senior seeking a part-time position where I can develop customer service skills. Known for punctuality, quick learning, and positive attitude.
Education:
Austin High School | Expected Graduation: June 2026 | GPA: 3.4
Relevant Coursework: Business Fundamentals, Computer Applications
Awards: Perfect Attendance (2024-2025), Honor Roll (4 semesters)
Skills: Customer interaction, basic math and cash handling, Google Workspace, bilingual (English/Spanish), CPR certified
Activities & Volunteer Work:
Volunteer | Austin Food Bank | Sept 2024 – Present
- Sort and package food donations during weekly 4-hour shifts
- Coordinate with team of 10 volunteers to meet daily distribution goals
Captain | JV Soccer Team | 2024 – 2025
- Led team of 18 players, organized practice schedules
- Communicated between coaches and team members
FAQ
How old do I need to be to have a resume?
There's no minimum age for a resume. If you're old enough to work (14-16 depending on your state), you're old enough to have a resume. Even for informal jobs, a simple resume shows maturity and initiative.
Should my first resume be one page?
Yes, always one page. Most first-job resumes will be half a page to three-quarters, and that's perfectly fine. Don't pad it with filler — a clean, honest half-page resume is better than a bloated full page.
Do employers expect experience for entry-level jobs?
No. Entry-level means no experience required. Employers hiring teenagers and young adults are looking for attitude: reliability, willingness to learn, positive energy, and basic communication skills. Your resume's job is to show you have those traits.