Teen Resume Examples
Writing your first resume as a teen? Kickstart your career with our teen resume examples tailored for applicants with little to no work experience. Land your first job with confidence with our expert help.
:
Average time to create a resume with LiveCareer!
1/6
Featured in:*
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Teen resume summary examples
Landing your dream job as a teen starts with crafting the perfect resume summary. With hiring managers skimming each resume in just seven seconds, it is crucial to grab their attention in the blink of an eye. That’s where a strong opening statement comes in.
Should you go with a resume summary or an objective statement? It depends on your experience level:
If you’re a teen with a few years of experience, you can use the professional summary approach.
However, an objective statement is a better option for teens testing the waters of the professional world for the first time.
Learn what to include and what to leave out in your teen resume’s objective statement with these two examples:
Good example:
“Highly motivated and responsible high school junior with strong academic record (three-time Honor Roll student) and passion for water safety. Seeking first professional role as a lifeguard to utilize CPR certification, excellent swimming skills (active school swim team member), and dedication to public service. Confident that quick thinking, collaborative spirit and eagerness to learn would make me a valuable asset.”
Why this example passes:
- It’s personalized. It mentions the specific role (lifeguard). It shows awareness of the employer’s values (“passion for water safety”).
- Mentions academic success (“three-time Honor Roll student”) and swim team involvement, demonstrating commitment and discipline.
- Shares relevant qualifications by mentioning the CPR certification.
Bad example:
“Seeking a job as a lifeguard to get some summer cash. I’m a good swimmer and got my CPR cert last year. Fast learner, responsible and disciplined, and I guess I could learn stuff.”
Why this example fails:
- It doesn’t mention the specific company or position and uses generic terms like “good swimmer” and “fast learner.”
- It focuses on personal gain (“summer cash”) instead of highlighting skills or benefits to the employer.
- It lacks enthusiasm and commitment. The applicant seems unsure about the job and doesn’t express any passion for lifeguarding or public service.
The fastest way to write your professional summary
If you’re a teen juggling school, homework and extracurricular activities, plus you’re looking for a job, a little resume help could definitely lighten your load. That’s where our trusted Resume Builder comes in to save the day.
- 1
Type your job title in the search bar to load personalized examples of resume summaries.
- 2
Pick the one that best fits your profile and qualifications.
- 3
Customize it with your unique skills and years of experience. Resume summary: done!
You can use our Builder for all your other resume sections, and you’ll get a complete resume in no time. However, if you’re not sure you even have resume-worthy accomplishments, our professional resume-writing help can help you figure out what experiences help you shine.
Our Resume Builder is all the rage!
Teen resume work history examples
Every resume for teens should include a work experience section, even if you haven’t previously held a formal job. You can list various experiences in this section, such as internships, babysitting, volunteer work, part time jobs or school activities.
Employers accepting applications from teenagers will understand you won’t have the most robust work history. However, you can still write an impressive resume by focusing on your unique achievements and showing maturity.
Check out these two work experiences from our teen resume examples so you understand the difference between a good work experience and a lackluster one:
Good example:
Babysitter | The Johnson Family | June 2023 – Present
- Developed age-appropriate games and activities that fostered creativity and learning for children aged 3 and 5.
- Maintained a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring routine adherence and effectively navigating challenging situations.
- Received consistent positive feedback from parents on my reliability, resourcefulness and ability to connect with children.
Why this example passes:
- Shows employers this job seeker goes above and beyond the bare minimum duties of a babysitter by mentioning how they develop creative and entertaining activities for the kids.
- Demonstrates the teen’s awareness of safety and the importance of routine.
- Reflects the teen’s sense of responsibility by mentioning constant communication with parents.
Bad example:
Babysitter | The Johnson Family | June 2023 – Present
- Watched kids all night.
- Provided them with meals, snacks and proper hydration.
- Let them play and watch TV.
Why this example fails:
- Lacks unique achievements that show the teen applicant as a dedicated babysitter.
- It only mentions the generic duties every babysitter should do.
- Doesn’t showcase transferable skills that would help the job seeker thrive in a different role.
Teen resume skills examples
Here are some sample skills that would be appropriate on any resume for teens:
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Organization
- Adaptability
- Customer service
- Interpersonal skills
- Basic computer and technology skills
- Creativity and innovative thinking
- Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Basic math and numeracy skills
- Positive attitude and professionalism
- Openness to feedback and improvement
- Leadership potential
Remember that your skills section can have between 6 to 12 skills, but you must choose them carefully based on the job requirements.
Customize your teen resume with additional sections
All our teen resume examples include the required resume sections: contact information, resume summary or objective, skills, work experience and education. However, you can have additional sections to showcase any other relevant qualifications.
Some examples of resume sections to include in a teen resume are:
- Volunteer work
- Hobbies and interests
- Internships
- Languages
- Certifications
- Extracurricular activities
- Student body government
- Sports and leadership experience
Only include extra sections whenever they showcase qualifications and experiences relevant to the role. Don’t just try to stuff your resume for teens with as much information as possible; keeping it concise and tailored to your desired position is better.
What’s the best resume format for a teen?
There are three resume formats to consider for organizing the information in your teen resume: chronological, functional and combination. Here are examples of each format:
These formats include the same essential resume sections, but each will prioritize a different section that showcases your strengths. When choosing a resume format, one of the most important things to consider is your years of experience.
How to choose a resume format
0-3
Years of experience
Functional formats
- Focuses on skills.
- Best for teenagers without experience.
- Can omit dates in the work history section.
Organization:
- Skills go before work experience.
3-10
Years of experience
Combination formats
- Balances skills and work history.
- Ideal for teens who’ve had a few jobs.
- Great for showing you’re ready for more responsibility.
Organization:
- Skills next to or above work experience.
10+
Years of experience
Chronological formats
- Focuses most on work history.
- Best for applicants with long, steady careers.
- Not realistic for a teenage applicant.
- Preferred by recruiters.
Organization:
- Work experience listed above skills.
Once you’ve selected the resume format that suits your specific circumstances, discover the perfect resume template for you! Our expertly crafted templates guarantee that your presentation is just as captivating as your accomplishments.
Cover letters help teens land the job
The cover letter and resume work hand in hand to showcase to potential employers why you’re the perfect fit for the job and deserve this opportunity.
Teenage applicants should incorporate three key elements into their cover letter.
Address any uncertainties about your capabilities.
Suppose an employer still questions your abilities after reviewing your teen resume. In that case, a cover letter provides an opportunity to assure them that you know your strengths and weaknesses and, more importantly, how you plan to overcome any challenges.
Shape the story in your favor.
A cover letter is a versatile tool that allows you to tailor its content to various aspects of your candidacy. Discuss topics that make hiring managers believe you’re tailor-made for the role — mention relevant achievements, express your passion for the field or outline your career goals.
Craft a professional cover letter that stands out.
Customize your cover letter to match the job requirements you’re aiming for, let your personality shine through, and demonstrate how seamlessly you align with the company’s values.
Even though writing a cover letter might feel like a big task, our Cover Letter Builder simplifies the process for teen job seekers. In just a few minutes, the builder creates a personalized cover letter by inputting your desired job title, answering simple questions, and selecting a cover letter template.
Pro tip: Instead of starting from scratch, modify our pre-written cover letter examples with your details.
Similar resume examples for teens
Find the resume that best suits your profile as a teen job seeker. These teen resume examples vary by role, but they all feature information suitable for teenagers.
Featured in:*
*The names and logos of the companies referred to in this page are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with LiveCareer.