personal statement cv for 17 year old

CVs & Résumés

• Jan 18, 2022

How to Write a CV/Résumé as a Teenager (with Example)

If you are a teen working on your first résumé, then use the following steps as your guide to create an impressive professional document.

Nikki Vivian

Careers Coach and Writer

Reviewed by Melina Theodorou

Whether you’re looking for a  summer job , a part-time gig or even a work placement, you’ll need to highlight your skills and educational achievements in a professional document.

If you are currently in the process of searching for your first job , then you probably haven’t had to write a résumé  before and are wondering where to start.

Your résumé is essential when filling in job applications and writing it doesn’t have to be difficult. Lucky for you, we’ve created this handy guide to help you build the perfect résumé as a teenager that will ensure you secure that position!

What to include

Résumés generally have the same key sections across the board, but there is room to tailor them if you have something you want to showcase specifically or if you don’t have anything to add in a section.

As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to include the following sections:

• Header: This will include your name, followed by your contact details. Include your address, (or at least the town or city), your phone number and email address. On a separate note, make sure the email address you add is professional – it should contain both your name and surname and should be free of nicknames and epithets (i.e., [email protected] ). It might be wise to set up a new professional email account dedicated just for your job search.
• Summary: The summary section is important because it is essentially your personal sales pitch and the first thing employers see. Here you need to introduce who you are, your most relevant skills and qualities and what you’re looking to do. Make it primarily about what you can offer, rather than what you hope to gain from the job.
• Education: Here you list your education in reverse chronological order. As a teenager, this section will contain your school and college, but you can also include any independent courses you’ve taken, such as online courses or workshops. You may also include grades if they are good.
• Skills: As a teenager, it’s likely you won’t have a great deal of professional experience, so this section is vital to show what you can do. Make sure to tailor your skills to the job you’re applying for. Use transferable skills such as communication skills and teamwork abilities, as well as some technical skills which are relevant to the role such as software applications and programming languages.
• Experience: When adding previous roles and relevant experience in the field, make sure to include specific achievements relating to your contributions, such as helping a teammate, or going above and beyond your role. This section must also be listed on reverse chronological order.
• Additional sections: You can include other sections if necessary and these can be whatever is appropriate for you. You might want to add a section detailing your language skills, awards you have earned, hobbies and interests , or even entrepreneurial projects.

How to organise your résumé

The way your CV or résumé is organised is important; it needs to make a good impression so it should be clearly presented, with defined sections, making it easy to read through quickly. At a glance, the reader needs to be able to grasp enough about you to decide whether it is worth reading in more detail.

So, a professional layout goes a long way. To achieve this, you must ensure there is plenty of white space and that the document is not too text heavy. Each section title should be labelled in bold or capitalised so that it stands out and consider using bullet points to organise the content under each section as they are more effective than paragraphs. Meanwhile, ensure the main text is black or grey to ensure readability, and stick to one font.

As someone who is taking their first career steps, your education is likely to be the most relevant and extensive section. You should always start with a professional summary, but you can follow this with your education , before adding the skills and experience sections.

That said, if you haven’t finished school or college, and your skills or experience are more relevant to the job, you can move education further down. Generally, your most recent and relevant offering should be prioritised and showcased first.   

Finally, you can include your references at the end, or include ‘References are available on request’ at the bottom of your résumé.

Tips for writing your résumé as a teenager

So, now that you know what to include and what structure you should use, it’s time to start putting together your CV. The following 10 tips will help you write a CV that will get you noticed:

1. Tailor your résumé to the role

It’s tempting to put everything you have ever done in your résumé but it’s better to include just relevant information. Consider everything you’ve achieved or currently do and think about how its relevance to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you are applying for a customer service role , you’ll want to highlight your communication skills, so make sure this is highlighted in your summary and under each section where you can demonstrate this skill.

2. Focus on what you can offer

Rather than thinking about what you hope to get out of the role, think about what you can offer and highlight this throughout your CV or résumé. This will be far more effective as, essentially, an employer wants someone who can do the job well and who can contribute to the role. Use your summary to clearly outline what it is you’re looking to do and make sure everything you write leads back to this point.

3. Pick a professional design

There are numerous templates on offer but make sure you pick one that is clear, easy to follow and well-designed. For someone with no experience, that is just starting out in their career, your first résumé  should stick to a design and format that complements your experience and makes your skills and education the focal point of the document.

4. Use a clear font

There are lots of fonts to choose from but it’s best to pick a one that is professional looking such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman. Of course, if you are applying for more creative roles, you can utilise a font style that might be more creative, but the priority here is for the text of your résumé to be intelligible to the reader, AKA your potential employer. With that said, the font size for the main body should be 11 or 12,  while the headings and subheadings should be in a larger size, in bold or caps.

5. Include unpaid work

For someone who may have little to no paid experience, it’s very important that you include any kind of roles you’ve held. You can include volunteer work, placements, internships, or anything that shows you have worked within the field you’re applying in such as helping out with a family business.

As a teen, this is very valuable work and will make you stand out from other applicants. Don’t shy away from including something just because you didn’t get paid for it and focus on your skills and the contributions you made within these opportunities.

6. Include sports and hobbies

If you have been part of a varsity team or have a sport or a hobby that you are committed to, these are great to include in your résumé. They show valuable transferable skills such as teamwork, dedication and goal setting and are highly valued by employers.

7. Mention courses and qualifications

In addition to your formal education, if you have learned a skill online or taken classes in-person, such as a first aid course, for example, you can add this to your résumé too, either in an additional section like ‘ Courses and Qualifications ’ or ‘Professional Development’ , or as part of your ‘Education’ section. Learning independently shows initiative and that you are committed to personal development, which is a great thing to highlight.

8. Include languages

If you are multilingual, this is something you should add in a section titled ‘ Languages ’. Having something extra like this will help you stand out, especially if you are targeting high-paying positions or a front-facing role where you will need to assist customers.

9. Write an accompanying cover letter

You may be asked to provide a cover letter as part of your application, but even if you’re not, it’s a good idea to include one within your application, as this will give you the opportunity to introduce yourself and highlight your suitability for the job.

You can use the cover letter to explain your reason for applying and to summarise your most relevant skills, education and experience before the employer gauges your résumé document, which could help you make a lasting impression.

10. Include references

Adding references allows the recruiter to validate your experience and professionalism. You can include teachers, placement supervisors, sports team coaches or anyone else who has worked with you in a professional capacity. Just make sure to speak with your potential references first, and give them a heads up before you add their contact information to your document.

Résumé example

Here is a great résumé example of a clear and professional teen résumé that you can use as a guide when creating your own.

A great résumé can be your ticket to landing your first job . It needs to clearly demonstrate your professionalism, as well as your skills, education and experience in a way that is tailored to the position you’re applying for.

Once you’re ready,  go out job hunting and wow the hiring managers with your professional skills. And don’t forget to keep a few spare copies on you to hand out when you’re out and about; you just never know when you’ll run into a perfect hiring opportunity!

Have you got any questions about your résumé? Share them with us in the comments section below!

This article is an updated version of an earlier article originally publicised on 30 November 2018.

Résumé Examples

LOG IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT

Not a member…join up now.

   Home » Articles & News » How To Write Your First CV – Step by Step Guide for Students

How To Write Your First CV – Step by Step Guide for Students

• CV tips and cover letter tips
• Help Getting A Job
• Not sure what to do next – study

See how to write your first CV for your first job with this step by step guide for students. You don’t lots of need work experience or qualifications to write a great CV that demonstrates your skills and strengths.

In this guide:, what is a cv.

• What to put in your CV
• Your personal statement
• Your work experience
• Your skills and strengths
• Your interests
• Your references
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Why you need a CV
• Expert tips
• Watch the video!

A CV (also known as Curriculum Vitae) is a document that helps you show employers your skills, strengths, qualifications and experience when you apply for a job. Employers often ask for a CV and expect it to look and feel professional.

A CV is a big first step to getting a job. It doesn’t just show employers what you’ve done – it shows them what you can do. Think of it as an introduction to one of the most amazing and employable people in the world. You.

What to put in your first CV: A step by step guide

• Contact details – phone number and email address.
• Personal statement: – A personal statement is a sentence or paragraph that summarises your strengths, career goals, and what you can offer employers.
• Key skills: – Skills like teamwork, communication and problem solving are useful to put on your CV when you are still building experience
• Education: Putting your education in your CV means adding you’ve studied, for how long, and what grades you got. You can put predicted grades if waiting for results.
• Work experience: Work experience can include part-time jobs, work placements, work shadowing, internships, and paid training like apprenticeships.
• Hobbies and interests: This section is your chance to show your general life experience and skills. Volunteering, personal projects and learning out of choice (e.g. sports or music) can show employers your skills, motivation and suitability for a role.

You can explore each of these elements in more depth below.

What to put in your personal statement on your first CV

What is a cv personal statement.

A CV personal statement is a bite-sized sentence or two summing up who you are as a professional, and what you want to offer employers in terms of your ambition and experience.

Example personal statement

“Sixth form student at Stonebridge College. Practical work experience with retail weekend work (including cash handling) and summer catering work in restaurants. Looking to start a business career with work that develops my business skills and includes customer service.”

If you haven’t done much work experience, you won’t have much to say here. You can still talk about your skills, though. You’ll learn more about talking about skills in your first CV below.

What counts as work experience on your first CV?

You may have never had a job before, but you probably have more experience than you think. Examples of work experience include:

• work shadowing
• work experience and placements
• volunteering
• charity work
• Saturday jobs
• summer jobs .

Work experience can take all kinds of forms. For each bit of work experience , include the name of the place you worked, how long you worked there and what your main tasks were. Try to write about the work you did in a way that shows future employers what you’d be good at. For example…

How to talk about skills and strengths in your first CV

If you’ve got little or no work experience, you can still use a CV to talk about your skills and strengths. These are known as ‘soft skills’ or ‘life skills’. They are personal qualities that have helped you develop as a person, but can also help you fit into the workplace and develop as a professional, too.

Many youth friendly employers are changing their recruitment approach in terms of job descriptions and job requirements to focus on skills and strengths instead of qualifications and experience. This can help you demonstrate your suitability for a job in your CV when you are a student or school leaver and still building your qualifications and experience.

These are the top life and work skills to talk about in your CV:

• self-belief
• communication
• problem solving
• self-management .

Try out our free online Young Professional training to build these five top life and work skills, wherever you are in the UK.

You are building these important work skills all the time, even when you are still at school. You just need to learn how to develop them and show employers you’ve got them. You can talk about these work skills in your CV.

If you are applying for a job that mentions nice-to-have skills, use your CV to demonstrate how any work experience you’ve done has helped you build up those skills.

EXAMPLE: talking about your Saturday job in your CV

Role: Weekend customer assistant work, MacDougal’s Fast Food, Aug 2016-Dec 2017

• Developed strong customer service skills in serving customers quickly and politely
• Used problem solving to help customers with a range of queries like requesting vegan choices or items not on the menu
• Worked as a team to make sure food was cooked, served and delivered quickly, and the service area was kept clean
• Used self-management and organisation skills to carry out tasks on my own without constant supervision by the team leader
• Developed time-keeping skills in always being punctual for work
• I was given extra responsibilities by the team leader and trained in cash handling and working the till.

How to talk about hobbies in your CV

Talking about hobbies and interests in your CV gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your ambition, motivation, positive attitude and life skills. It’s important to talk about your interests in your first CV because it shows employers you are keen to learn and try new things. You are motivated to do more than the bare minimum in order to develop yourself.

Example hobbies and interests to include in your first CV:

• Volunteering (this includes volunteering online )
• Social action
• Learning a new skill, also known as lifelong learning (e.g. sports discipline, instrument, crafting, coding)
• Clubs and societies (e.g. scouts, guides, after-school clubs, youth clubs)
• Achievements (e.g. awards you have won, charity events you have participated in, courses you have completed)

Employers are likely to ask you about your hobbies and interests in a job interview. Talking about these can make you feel more at ease with the social side of the interview process. You can also talk about the skills you use in your hobbies to show you are a well-rounded person who is suitable for the job.

Who can give you a reference for your first CV?

Someone who gives you a reference is someone who can vouch for you when you are applying for a job. You don’t have to put references on your CV. You can just say “References available on request” on the bottom. But this does give you time to think about who could be a good reference for any work experience you’ve done.

If you’re still in school, you could ask a teacher to be a reference. If you’ve done any saturday work, volunteering or charity work you could ask the team leader or the person who supervised you to be your reference. If you’ve done school work experience, you could ask your supervisor to provide you with a reference.

Whoever you ask for a reference, be polite and explain why you want the job – or ask if they will be willing to provide a reference if you apply for jobs in the future.

What not to put on your CV:

• Date of birth
• Gender (your business, no-one else’s)
• Religion (your business, no-one else’s)
• Relationship status (single, married or “it’s complicated”? Never put it on your CV!)
• Nationality (all these things are way too personal and employers will only ask if they absolutely need to know)
• Weird colours, designs and fonts (keep it simple!)
• A non-professional email address (Weird or joke emails like [email protected] give employers the wrong impression. It’s quick and free to get a new professional email address like [email protected] if you need one.)
• Lies (never lie on your CV. You can emphasise your good points, but never lie – you will just get caught out.)
• References (if employers want references from people, they’ll ask you. Save that CV space for your skills, experience and achievements)
• It is recommended that you do not provide your address for personal security reasons, but it you can decide whether you think it is necessary to include it.

What should your first CV look like?

The most important thing is to keep it simple! Your CV should not be more than two pages long, and it should look really basic with simple formatting. Avoid fancy fonts, CV templates or colours.

Search online for ‘CV templates’ and you’ll find loads of examples to try.

Why do you need a CV?

A CV tells employers what you’re good at, what you are interested in and what you’ve achieved in life so far.  You hand it out when you are looking for jobs. They are great to take to careers fairs, and you can often upload your CV if you are applying for a job online. If an employer likes your CV they might ask you to come to a job interview .

Your CV is your chance to show employers you’re a good match for the job and can back up any claims you make. If you say in your cover letter that your cooking could put the Great British Bake-Off to shame, your CV can back you up by showing how you raised hundreds of pounds in a school charity bake sale.

CV tips from youth-friendly employers

BT Early Careers : (Because not all employers these days need CVs, especially with online applications): “Fill in our online application form. We’ll be looking for evidence that you’re suitable for life at BT. Don’t worry if you don’t have a CV, you don’t need to upload one if you don’t want to.”

Capita: “Put your mobile phone number on your CV. We need to quickly find it and call you to give you the good news that you are through!”

Ixion: “Do you want to apply for a traineeship with us? As part of your traineeship, we will support you in putting together your CV as we want to see you progress successfully from your traineeship either into an apprenticeship or employment.”

Kelly Services : “In online recruitment, many companies use ATS, or Applicant Tracking Software, to sort out ‘good’ CVs from the ones that they think are less suited to the job. Use keywords in what you write on your online application that are relevant to the job posting that you’re applying for and that are mentioned in the job posting.”

McDonald’s : “Remember what your CV is for. It’s not just to show employers what you’ve done. It’s to show employers who you are and what you CAN do.”

VHR Technical Recruitment : “ List your most significant accomplishments in order of importance for each of your previous work experience roles. Allow employers and recruiters looking at your CV to build a great impression of your achievements and future potential in seconds. “

CV Tips: Watch Video

• London Digital Jobs and Skills Hub

London tech careers are in YOUR reach.

Get into well-paid digital jobs in London. No work experience or degree required!

Tagged in: CV and cover letter tips , help getting a job

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

Give me more! I am a…

Email us at [email protected] or call 01536 513388.

Take Part In The Youth Voice Census

This national online survey is YOUR chance to say what matters to you and what support you want to get in life. Take part today!

Careers Advice

See All Careers Advice

Build Your Skills

Job Hunting Tips

Work Experience

Youth Friendly Places

Youth Friendly Employers

Career Guides

[su_button url="https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-advice-help/cv-advice/" style="flat" background="#00aeef" size="6" radius="round" icon_color="#fff" color="#fff"]CV Tips [/su_button]

[su_button url="https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-advice-help/interview-tips/" style="flat" background="#00aeef" size="6" radius="round" icon_color="#fff" color="#fff"]Interview Tips [/su_button]

[su_button url="https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/career-quiz/" style="flat" background="#00aeef" size="6" radius="round" icon_color="#fff" color="#fff"]Career Quiz [/su_button]

[su_button url="https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-advice-help/choices/getting-a-job/" style="flat" background="#00aeef" size="6" radius="round" icon_color="#fff" color="#fff"]Job Hunting Tips [/su_button]

Build Skills + Confidence

Want a big boost in your life and work skills sign up to our free online young professional programme today.

Young Professional Programme

Get FREE skills training when you sign up. Get support with your personal confidence, positive attitude and coping with change!

Self Belief | Communication | Teamwork | Problem Solving | Self Management

FREE Online Courses

Boost your skills and careers confidence with FREE online courses . Complete them your own pace and get a certificate for your CV! Sign in as a Young Professional to get automatically enrolled.

Get Jobs + Experience

Find Opportunities

Looking for jobs and opportunities near you? Sign in as a Young Professional to see the latest jobs, apprenticeships, grad schemes, CV workshops, career events and early career opportunities in your area!

Latest Careers Help

How To Build Your Skills For Career Success And Study In The UK

• Apprenticeships & Training
• School and College
• Vocational Education

Breaking Down: Data Roles Event – 9th Oct | London Digital Jobs and Skills Hub

• Opportunities

Be Yourself

Mental Health

Stay Curious

Overcoming Barriers

For Students

Student Guides

For Teachers

Teacher Resources

Teachers - see how to use the Young Professional programme in your school or college, with lots of free teaching resources at your fingertips.

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• CV and Cover Letter
• Writing a 16-year-old's CV:...

Writing a 16-year-old's CV: tips & examples

10 min read · Updated on July 30, 2024

Even with little to no work experience, you can impress a hiring manager

If you're 16 years old and looking for a job, your CV is your secret weapon. Whether you want to land a Saturday job or an exciting apprenticeship, writing a stellar application will help you open doors and land that all-important role. But where do you start when you're new to CV writing ? In this guide, we take a look at how to write the perfect 16-year-old CV, plus some adaptable examples. 

Does a 16-year-old even need a CV?

If you want to land a job, the short answer is yes . Gaining experience at this stage of your life is a quick way to set yourself up for success. A bonus? You get to keep some extra pocket money, too.

Legally speaking, you can work part-time from the age of 13 in the United Kingdom. Some exceptions apply, however, if you're acting, modelling, or working in television. If you live in England, the law states that you remain in education or training until the age of 18. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can enter the workforce and leave school at 16, depending on when your birthday falls.

Long story short, when you're 16 years old, plenty of work opportunities are already available to you, and securing one will likely require a CV. But before you start looking for roles, do your homework first. There are rules in place to protect working young people, so make sure that you understand your rights, including the hours that you can work legally, before deciding on taking a part-time or full-time job. 

7 tips for writing a 16-year-old's CV

Whether you're attempting to write your own CV at 16 years old or are about to write a CV for someone with no experience, you'll need to catch the hiring manager's attention quickly and effectively.

As a general rule, your CV length should be between one and two pages. If this is your first time applying for a job, yours will likely be only one page long. So how can you pack that page full of good stuff? Here's how:

1. Write a captivating personal statement 

Writing any standout CV when you're a 16-year-old entails convincing the recruiter or hiring manager that you have what it takes to succeed. You might be new to the world of work, but you have specific skills and qualifications just like anyone else – make sure to send this message right off the bat by crafting a winning personal statement .

The personal statement is a short paragraph that sits at the top of your CV. It's also your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager about why you want this specific job. While you don't have much space to play with here, try to include the following in your personal statement: 

• Your value . What value will you bring to the job? What skills or talents do you have? You can use a selection of action verbs to help you stand out from the crowd here.
• Industry knowledge . Do you want any job or do you want this job? Let the hiring manager know that it's the latter by highlighting any knowledge that you possess about their field. 
• Career goals. Yes, your career's just getting started, but where do you see it going? What plans do you have for the future? How does this job align with those long-term goals?
• Track record . How can you prove your worth to the employer? Highlight any impressive track record at school or any previous professional or volunteering work as part of your personal statement. Be sure to quantify this with statistics or numbers , wherever possible. 
• Availability . While this is the least exciting of the things that you may include here, it's especially important if you're applying for shift work. 

Remember to keep your personal statement short and punchy. The hiring manager doesn't have a wealth of time to read every CV that comes their way, so get straight to the point – you want to have them reading your CV from start to finish! 

2. Add your work experience (if you have any) 

Next up, detail your work experience . If you have none to speak of, don't panic. As with any young applicant, the hiring manager won't expect you to have loads of professional experience. 

When you simply lack the experience to fill your CV , consider using the functional CV format . This CV layout moves the “Work Experience” section down the document to front-load your relevant skills (including your more recent educational achievements) instead.  

If you do have some work experience , now's the time to shout about them. Use a reverse-chronological CV format , starting with your most recent work experience and working your way back. In a 16-year-old's CV, the work experience section generally covers the same typical elements:

• Company name . What was the business you worked for? The first thing that you need to list is its name. For example, you might simply put “Starbucks” here. 
• Location . Where was the company based? Don't expect the reader to know this just by looking at the name. Include either the town or city here. 
• Job title . What was your job title while there? For instance, you may have been a “Barista” or “Waiter.” Include that detail here. 
• Employment dates. How long were you with the company? You can include your dates of employment as follows: “Mmm Year,” such as “Oct 2020 - Jan 2022.”
• Your achievements . What did you do in the role, and what results did you get? Quantify your achievements here. For example, “Served 30+ satisfied customers per shift.”

One of the biggest mistakes that applicants commit when writing this section is being vague. A good CV should tell the reader exactly what experience you have and why it matters. Take the time to align your achievements with the demands of the job you're applying for. 

3. Detail your education and training

Whether you're still studying or have recently left school, you must include an "Education" section on your 16-year-old CV. Here's what to include: 

• Institution name . Indicate the name of your school or college. You might also want to put its location, although that's not always necessary. 
• Qualifications and grades . Specify your area of study as well as any acquired qualifications. You can also add your projected results here. 
• Dates of attendance . When did you attend this school or college? If you're still a student there, you should put “Month Year - Present” in this part of your CV, where “Month Year” is the time you began attending the school or college. 

If you've had any specific training that's relevant to the role you're applying for, go ahead and list them down in this section too. That day-course barista training while working at a café may just help highlight the technical skills needed for the job, not to mention showcase your commitment to continuous learning.

4. Focus on any transferable skills you have

When you're 16 and lack work experience, it's normal to worry about how you can convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you're right for the job. 

Showcasing the transferable skills you have on your CV can keep these worries at bay. Also called soft skills, these are non-job-specific skills that you may have picked up elsewhere – in previous roles or in school – which can almost always be applied to any industry.

Here are some examples of common, in-demand transferable skills that you can put into context on your 16-year-old CV:

Communication. This is a highly valuable skill if you're applying for a customer-facing role. Consider a time when you've used your communication skills to address or solve a problem.

• Organisation . Are you an organised person? How do you stay on top of your schedule? What methods do you use? Briefly detailing this sought-after skill on a CV can help  even a 16-year-old shine.
• Time management . Hiring managers want employees who are on time. If you have this skill under your belt, don't forget to add it to your CV. 
• Teamwork . In most jobs, it will be important to work as part of a team . Share how you've demonstrated this skill in a past role or project.

You don't simply want to cram these skills into your CV. See our guide on weaving soft skills into your application to instantly elevate your CV. 

5. Use additional CV sections 

If you have no work experience , there are other CV sections that you can include to further strengthen your application as a 16-year-old: 

Voluntary experience. Have any unpaid experiences worth sharing? Sometimes, adding a section on your voluntary experience , as it helps highlight your initiative and skills, can do wonders for your application. You should lay this out the same way you would your “Work Experience” section.  

• Hobbies and interests . There will be times when it makes sense to add a "Hobbies and Interests" section to your CV. Should you decide to include this, make sure to specify only those hobbies that are relevant to your target role.
• Clubs and organisations . Are you a member of a club or organisation? If you are, you may want to add these experiences to your CV. Being part of a club shows that you are no stranger to teamwork and that you have a good work ethic. 

Don't simply add sections for the sake of it. Always consider what the added section will tell the hiring manager about you and your application.   

6. Tailor your CV (and cover letter) to the job at hand 

So you've written a good CV, one that's tailored to every role you're going for. How else can you set yourself apart from other 16-year-old applicants? 

Writing an impactful cover letter may seem like additional work, but it can provide you with the extra leverage you need to get noticed. Review the job advert and see what the hiring manager has written there. Research about the business and make sure that your CV and cover letter clearly reflect your suitability for the role.

A simple trick that also goes a long way is including a selection of keywords, mentioned in the job advert, in your application documents. This can help increase your chances of getting your application past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . But remember to be honest – use only those keywords, including required and desired qualifications, that apply to you.

7. Proofread your application documents

Once you've done all of the above, the final stage of the process is proofreading your CV and cover letter. Spelling mistakes or simple typos can easily get your application dismissed, so read… and then re-read your application before you send it. 

You can also ask someone you trust to read it for you, as having an extra pair of eyes can help you spot errors that might have slipped through the net. Additionally, you can use a spell-checker or a proofreading software to do this for you. 

CV examples for 16-year-olds

Looking for some inspiration? Take a look at these four 16-year-old's CV examples:

Apply with confidence

Writing a CV for a 16-year-old can be a challenge. However, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your application does its job. Follow our CV-writing tips, and you'll be off to a great start! 

Want to make sure that you've applied our tips correctly? Get a free CV review now and let TopCV's experts help you polish your application. 

Recommended reading: 

How to make a CV for your first job

How to write a CV for a school leaver (with template and example)

Mastering the first impression: how to make a lasting impact in job interviews

Related Articles:

How to address a cover letter: make the best impression

How to phrase “please find attached my CV”: dos & don'ts

Create a CV on your phone in 3 easy steps

See how your CV stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & CV tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

CV template for 16 year old + examples

Leaving school and entering the world of work is an exciting challenge.

You want to land yourself a good well-paying job, but you’re going to need a strong CV first.

Knowing how to write a CV and what information to include in it can be tricky when you’re 16 years old, so I’ve put together this guide which has a CV template and some example CVs to help you.

16 year old CV template (no experience)

• 16 year old CV template (with part-time work experience)

What is a CV?

How to write your cv.

CV templates 

This is an example CV of a 16 year old who has left school and has no work experience.

16 year old CV template (with some experience)

This is an example CV of a 16 year old who has some part-time work experience working in a shop.

So, you’ve been told that you need to write a CV if you want a job, but what the hell is a CV anyway?

A CV (short for curriculum vitae ) is simply a written document that contains lots of work-related information about you; such as your education, qualifications, skills… and experience (if you have any yet)

You send your CV to employers when you apply for jobs, and they read it to decide whether or not you are suitable enough to be invited to an interview.

Your CV is often the only thing an employer will have to judge you on, so getting it right will really help you to get more interviews and land better jobs.

It’s probably one of the most important documents you will ever write in your life.

Who reads your CV?

When you apply for a job online, your CV will normally be reviewed by one of two people;

• Recruiters and

Hiring managers

These are the bosses within the employer’s organisation who are looking for somebody to work in their team or department – They are the person who you will end up working for if you get the job. For example if you apply for a sales assistant role in a shop, the hiring manager could be the shop manager or supervisor.

These are the middle-men who help hiring managers to find the right people for their jobs. It’s their full-time job to review CVs and applications, and pass on the best ones to the hiring managers to be considered for an interview.

So, if you want to land job interviews, your CV must impress these people.

Build your CV now 

Now that you’ve seen some good example CVs, I will show you step-by-step how to write your own interview-winning CV.

Structuring your CV

For most young people, this will be the best way to structure your CV , so that you are giving employers the information they need, in the order they would like to see it.

• Contact details – At the top of the CV so they don’t get missed
• CV profile – Your introductory paragraph

Core skills and achievements

Hobbies and interests.

(And if you have any work experience, you can add that too like the example above)

Formatting your CV

When formatting your CV, you need to ensure that it;

• Looks professional so that employers take you seriously
• Is very easy to read so that busy recruiters and hiring managers don’t have to spend too much time reviewing it

So how do you do this?

• Keep the CV short and sweet – 1 page long is fine if you have no experience – 2 pages if you have some work experience to add.
• Make the text clear – Use a simple font like Arial or Tahoma and keep the colour scheme basic, like black text on white
• Break text up as much as possible – using short sentences and bullet points (this makes it easy for readers to digest the info on the page)
• Divide the CV sections clearly – with bold heading and borders to make navigation easy

What writing software to use?

It’s best to write your CV using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs because they are easy to use, and the most commonly accepted format for CV across the globe. They can also be saved into PDF format to restrict readers from editing.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Now, let’s take a detailed look at each section of your CV, and how to write it.

(If you prefer to learn visually, you can check out my video guide here instead)

Name and contact details

Head the top of your CV with your name and contact details, so that readers know who you are, and how to reach you.

Never hide your contact details at the bottom of the CV, in case they are missed!

All you need to include is:

• Telephone number
• Email address (use one that looks professional – no silly nicknames)

You don’t need to include your date of birth or full address – they aren’t needed at this early stage of the application.

Your CV profile

Start your CV with a powerful profile (sometimes called a personal statement ) which is a short paragraph that introduces you, and summarises all of your most impressive skills and knowledge.

The purpose of the profile is to catch hiring managers attention and quickly show them that you are a good candidate for them.

The type of information you should include is:

• Education  – Grades, subjects, courses, awards
• Hard skills  – Numeracy, writing, languages, IT system experience etc.
• Soft skills  – Communication , team work, adaptability, personal skills
• Your objective  – e.g. You want to work in finance, or you want to become a lawyer (you should also write about this in your  cover letter )

Quick tip: Research the types of jobs you are applying for, before you write your CV, by looking at lots of similar job adverts online. Make a list of the things they are looking for in candidates, such as skills , qualifications, interests etc. Then try to include as many of these things as you can in your profile and throughout the rest of your CV.

To ensure that recruiters and hiring managers don’t miss your most important skills and impressive achievements – add a bullet pointed section like this to put them in.

Here, you can show off any skills that are highly relevant to the jobs you are applying for, or anything really impressive you have achieved in school, or in your personal life.

For example, you may want to highlight the fact you were a school prefect, or captain of the hockey club.

Employers will be keen to see what you have achieved as a student , so use your education section to show them.

Include details such as:

• Which school you attended and the dates you attended from and to
• Which subjects you studied and your exam results (GCSEs, A levels)
• Any clubs you were a member of
• Any awards you received
• Any sports you played
• Any extracurricular activities you took part in
• Volunteer work you did through school

Work experience

If you have any work experience, such as a paper round or part-time job in a shop , then add it to showcase the valuable skills you have picked up.

Use a structure like the role in the example CV above and list the contributions you made to the employer, showing how you helped them to run their business.

If you haven’t got any work experience, don’t panic. We all have to start somewhere, and there’s plenty of ways to prove you have valuable skills and experience without it.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

If you have little or no experience, your hobbies can provide you with a great way to showcase some important workplace skills.

Some good hobbies to include are:

• Sports – Playing individual or team sports can demonstrate teamwork, communication, leadership, coordination and more
• Clubs – Being a member of a club like scouts or a book club proves dedication, motivation and can involve lots of other skills
• Volunteering – supporting a charity or business can require lots of workplace skills like dealing with customers and working to deadlines
• Accomplishments – If you’ve run a marathon or raised money for charity, it proves you are hard working and will look great on your CV
• Career-related interests – If you have any interests that are closely related to the jobs you are applying for, you should definitely include them. E.g. if you are applying for writing jobs, and you write your own blog, that’s a perfect way to highlight relevant skills.

You can also check out my video on how to add hobbies and interests to your CV…

Writing a CV as a 16 year old

Writing your CV when you have little or no experience can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.

If you follow the steps above and focus on showing employers that you have the skills and knowledge they need – you should easily be able to write a winning CV.

Once you’ve written your CV, you must work hard applying for plenty of jobs on job websites, and also by searching out companies and sending them direct emails to ask if they are hiring.

You won’t get a reply from every application you make, so just be patient and persistent, and you will soon land that job!

Good luck with your job search!

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• CV Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• CV Examples Supermarket Student Cleaner Care Assistant Sales Assistant View all
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Care Assistant PhD Internship Cleaner Short View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• CV Examples

Teenager CV Examples & UK Templates

Casual work

Good experience , the right atmosphere .

The time has come for you to go out and start making your own money. Writing your first CV and reaching out to local businesses is a rite of passage for every teenager. However, when faced with a blank screen and no clue where to start, taking the first step can be hard.

Relax. This is going to be far, far easier than you first imagine. Writing a teenager CV is simply about showcasing your skills and dazzling employers with your boundless enthusiasm. You have got this. Nobody expects you to be an expert in your field—they just want a keen worker who is ready to dig in and learn on the job. 

If you’re ready to take the first step, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Resume.io, we just so happen to specialise in helping people land their perfect job. We have a wide library of CV examples and accompanying writing guides to help pave the way. As if that wasn’t enough, our team of experts serves up some of the best advice you could hope for in our handy blog posts. In this CV example and writing guide, we will be covering: 

• The types of jobs that teenagers can apply for at different ages
• How to write a teenage CV and what you should include in it
• Advice on choosing the perfect CV format for your document
• Guidance on what you need to include in each section of your CV
• Expert-backed tips on how to design an application that looks the part

Want to go back to basics? Take a quick look at our comprehensive CV writing guide for a quick introduction to this process. We cover everything you could need to know! 

How to choose the right job for you

Before we take a look at a CV template for teens, let’s talk about the type of job you should get. It may be your first time entering the workforce — but you still need to be picky. Here are some of the things you need to be on the lookout for when deciding on a first job: 

All work and no play is no way to spend your teen years. Be honest; you don’t want to dedicate all of your free time to a job. Apply for jobs that allow you a level of freedom and flexibility. Shift work or temporary gigs could fit the bill. For example, you might want to look for a casual job in a shop or even a paper round. Figure out what works for you.

Your first job isn’t merely about putting money in your pocket—you can gain valuable experience here too. You may already know what career you want in the future. If so, consider applying for jobs that will give you the skills that you need to succeed. For example, if you plan on becoming a vet, consider working at a dog groomers. 

Chances are, you don’t want to work in a stuffy old office—who would? So, take a moment to think about where you actually want to work. If you are a social butterfly, working in a cafe or shop gives you a load of face-time with the public. If you’re a confessed bookworm, you may want to work in a library and be surrounded by your favourite novels. 

Do you know your legal rights?

Eager to take your first step on the career ladder? Here in the UK, we have strict laws about how old you need to be to get a job. Make sure you know your rights first! Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know, according to your age: 

• 13-16 year olds

As the Children’s Society explains, you can get a casual job at the age of 13. However, there are some specific rules your employer needs to follow. For example, young people between the ages of 13 and 16 cannot work during school hours. 

Additionally, young people in this age bracket can only work for a maximum of two hours on a school day or a Sunday. The total amount of hours you work per week during term time must not be longer than 12 hours. 

When the school holidays come around, the legal requirements change too. When you are 13 or 14, you can work 25 hours per week during this time. If you are 15 or 16, you can work up to 35 hours throughout this period. 

• 16-18 year olds

If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you can’t legally work more than 40 hours per week. You are also not legally allowed to work for more than eight hours in any 24-hour period. If you work more than four and a half hours, you have the legal right to a 30-minute break. If your employer is not following the law, don’t be afraid to speak up!

The best types of jobs for teenagers in the UK 

Now that you know what to keep in mind when looking for your first job, it’s time to take things one step further. What types of roles are open to teenagers? While there’s a massive array of options out there, you might be scratching your head to think of any. Here are some of the typical positions that teenagers can land when they are just starting out: 

• Babysitter. If you’re good with children, you might find that you can make some extra cash by looking after them. This is usually a casual arrangement. You might help the neighbours out when they are going out for the evening, for example.
• Barista. Are you a coffee connoisseur? If so, working as a barista in a cafe might be your idea of heaven. You will have to learn how to make the perfect cup of java, how to serve customers quickly, and what it takes to close down a shop.
• Shop assistant. If you fancy working one-on-one with customers, this one's for you. Most high street shops offer casual shift work. The demand for shop assistants also ramps up over the Christmas period when the shops get busier than ever.
• Tutor. Are you a whiz kid in the classroom? If you know how to ace your exams, you could make some extra cash by sharing your knowledge. Tutoring younger students is a fulfilling part-time job. You might do this through an agency or set out by yourself.
• Fast food worker. “Do you want fries with that?” If you’re a food lover, you might find that working in your favourite chain is the way to go. Yes, McDonald’s , KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, or even Taco Bell could be calling your name.

Think outside the box! 

In this guide, we have highlighted some of the most common jobs for teenagers, but it doesn’t have to start and end there. If you have a special interest or want to work in a particular field, don’t be afraid to apply. The sky’s the limit! 

How to write a teenager CV

Ready to start writing your teenager CV? Okay, we have the answers. The first thing you need to know is what to include. As a rule, your CV should have the following sections: 

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Now we know what you’re thinking. You don’t have an “employment history”. Don’t panic. Later in this guide, we will look at how to write a CV for teenagers with no experience. However, you should keep in mind that employers won’t expect you to have a ton of experience. Instead, they will be looking at the skills and interests that you have. 

Always, always, always proofread! 

Spelling mistakes are easy to make. However, when the employer reads your CV, they will be looking at the finer details. If you have typos, they will presume that you lack attention to detail. That could be the difference between landing the job and getting rejected.

Choosing the best CV format for a teenager

Picking the right format for your CV is one of the first steps in the process. Most employers expect you to use the reverse chronological approach. That means starting with your most recent experience and certificates and working your way back in time. While this is one option for your teenager CV, you should know that there are other formats you can use. 

If you are applying for your first-ever job, you may not have any employment history. Rather than leaving a gigantic gap on the page, you can use a functional CV format. This structure places more emphasis on your skills than your experience, so it’s perfect for first-time job hunters. Read more about the different types of CV formats in our complete guide here .

Always tailor your CV well! 

In this guide, we are looking at general advice about how to create a teenager CV. However, if you are going for a specific job, you need to tailor your application to it. With that in mind, here are some CV examples (and guides) that may suit your needs: 

• Waitress CV sample
• Hospitality CV sample
• Customer service CV sample
• Retail CV sample
• Lidl CV example
• Tesco CV sample

CV summary example 

Here’s your chance to win over the employer. Your CV summary is a short paragraph that sits at the top of the page. Tell the reader why you want this job, what makes you right for it, and why they should choose you over the competition. By using persuasive language and emphasising your interest in the role, you can set yourself apart from other candidates. 

Employment history sample

If you have had a job before now, list it in your employment history section. You should include the company, your role, and your dates of employment. Below that, add some bullet points revealing the tasks you completed on the job and what achievements you gained. If you’re not quite sure what we mean, take a quick look at our CV example for inspiration. 

No experience? No problem!

If you’ve never had a job before, you may not have anything to include in this section. You may choose to use a functional CV instead or include other details. For example, if you have held voluntary positions or other roles in the community, you can list them here.

CV skills example

Next up, let’s conquer your skills section. You should bullet-point these in the appropriate section of your CV. Before you get started, consider what skills are needed for the position. You can usually find this out by looking at the job advert. 

Be sure to include both hard and soft skills on your teenage CV. Hard skills apply directly to the role and are sometimes called technical skills. So, if you were applying to work in a shop, you might include “stock taking” as a hard skill. 

Soft skills, on the other hand, can apply to a variety of jobs and help you work well with others. They may include “communication” and “time management”. 

Teenager CV education example

Since you’re a teenager, you may still be in school or college. However, you should still include your studies in your education section. List the name of your institute, your years of attendance, and any exams you have completed. You can also include special awards or training here. Check out our CV example to help you get this right.

CV layout and design

Employers spend just seven seconds looking at each CV they receive. That’s not a whole load of time. You need to make the right impression immediately. To do that, make sure that the design you choose is clear and easy to read. You can add some pops of colour, but you don’t want to overdo it. Steer clear of any imagery and leave your headshot out of it.

Key takeaways for a teenager CV 

• Landing your first job is a real milestone. However, before you get started, you should take the time to consider what type of role you want.
• Don’t panic if you don’t have prior experience. Use our guide to help you to write a clear and engaging teenage CV.
• Include a mix of both hard and soft skills to gain the reader’s attention.

Your CV design matters. If in doubt, use our field-tested CV templates to get it right.

Attractive CV templates at your fingertips

How to Write a High School Resume (Template and Examples Included!)

As a student trying to land your first job , you've probably heard how important it is to have a good resume . But writing a strong high school resume isn't always easy when you have little to no work experience .

It’s not always easy—but it is possible.

The secret is to leverage any professional-like experience (such as community or volunteer services) you've gained, plus your skills and academic accomplishments. Since you're likely applying for entry-level jobs , most recruiters won't expect a huge professional background but will look for a good set of skills and strengths .

In this article, we'll cover how to write a high school student resume, and provide practical tips and examples of what to write in each section. Plus, you'll get two templates that you can easily adapt to make your own.

Why is a high school resume important?

A well-crafted high school resume can set the stage for your future career experiences. Even if you have no formal work experience, recruiters still want to see your skills, education, and potential certifications laid out on paper.

Writing a resume also helps you organize your achievements, identify your strengths, and lessons you learned from past experiences, such as extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and AP courses.

Though your resume might be short—which is normal for a high schooler—a thoughtful and tailored presentation can make your application stand out. Especially considering that you're likely to be competing with other high school students, so your chances might be higher than you'd think. Get that resume out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find work that’s right for you »

How to write a high school student resume in 6 steps

Resumes are all about presenting your qualifications strategically and authentically to grab the recruiter's attention and land an interview . Here's how to write one as a high school student:

1. Start with your contact information

Needles to say, your resume should have your contact information so the recruiter can identify it and contact you to schedule an interview. It's the first section of the resume and should be placed at the top of the page.

Follow this structure:

Name: [Full Name]

Address: [City, State]

Phone: [Phone Number]

Email: [Email Address]

Media (optional): [Linkedin and/or Portfolio link]

2. Write a resume summary or objective

A resume summary is a short statement that highlights your top skills, qualifications, and aspirations for a specific job in two to three sentences. This section is placed right below your contact information.

Though it's optional, a resume summary helps showcase who you are—especially if you don't have much work experience and would benefit from highlighting skills and positive traits. It should be brief and to the point.

Similarly, the objective statement also has two to three sentences in which you highlight your qualifications and directly state your interest in that position and why. Though it's considered outdated, an objective statement is still welcomed by some recruiters if it is well-crafted.

High school student resume summary examples:

“Driven high school student with a passion for software development and a proven track record in coding and robotics competitions. Skilled in HTML, Java, and C with certifications in data analysis and project management.”

“Ambitious high school student with strong communication skills and proven leadership skills in extracurricular activities. Skilled in advanced Excel, Figma, and fluent Spanish.”

High school student resume objective example:

“Detail-oriented high school student with a passion for design and proven experience creating visual content for social media platforms. Seeking opportunities to leverage design skills in a dynamic internship setting.”

3. List your education

This section should be the first thing the hiring manager sees after the summary because “it shows them what you’re looking for—an internship , a part-time job , or a full-time job—after graduation,” says career coach and speaker Anne Ryan .

Here, you should add your current or completed academic background. Ryan also says that if you are dual-enrolled in a college program (especially ones where you may receive an associate degree as well as your high school diploma), you might want to add that in this section as well.

Adding your high school GPA can also be a good move. It'll help you stand out if your score is high—3.5 or above for high school students—and show hiring managers you did well in classes, showing commitment and effort.

Here's an example:

High School Diploma

New York Preparatory High School

New York, NY

Graduation date: November 2024

Below high school, you could add some other extra classes you’ve taken that are relevant to the application, “but you may want to put AP classes and awards further down the page to direct more attention to your experience section,” Ryan says.

4. List your relevant experiences

Next section is the experience section . As a high school student, it's likely that you had few professional experiences in life, but there are multiple activities that can count as experience in this context. For example:

• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Personal projects
• Volunteer work
• Programs or applications you manage
• Academic clubs you’ve been part of
• Part-time jobs
• Internships

You don't need to include all of that in your resume. Instead, pick the experiences that are relevant for the job. For instance, if you're applying for a sales position, an experience in volunteer work where you've dealt with the public is more relevant than being the organizer of a book club.

The idea is to show hiring managers how you could fit a position based on what you did and achieved in all these experiences. These experiences should be listed in two to four bullet points , always highlighting key actions and potential accomplishments.

For example:

Food Bank Volunteer

May 2022 – July 2024

• Stocked shelves and maintained inventory in order to reduce waste
• Organized my team's shift and tasks to improve our productivity

Note: You may find examples of resumes with volunteer experience and other experiences in separate sections. That's also correct and OK to do if you think it'll improve readability.

5. Create a skills section

The skills section demonstrates what abilities you have that makes you qualified for the job. You can add both hard skills (technical knowledge and the certifications you have to perform that job) and soft skills (the way you behave and interact with others when working).

Think about tasks or projects you've done in the past that required some of the skills you'll also use in the job you're applying for. For instance, organizing a charity event requires planning, teamwork, and leadership, which are valuable skills in any professional context.

High school student resume skills examples:

• Content writing
• Written and verbal communication
• Software development
• Social media management
• Translation
• Transcribing
• Planning and organizing
• Image editing
• Video editing

6. List your relevant certifications

Finally, the certifications section , which is the last one in your high school resume. This section usually is written with bullet points showcasing each certification and the year you achieved it.

Remember that you don't need to list every single certification you have, but only the ones that are relevant to the job you want. For example, if you're applying for a social media management internship, a creative writing and digital marketing certification is more relevant than a coding certificate in this context.

Here's an how this section should look like:

Certifications

• Creative Writing Masterclass Certification - AlphaCom (2024)
• Digital Marketing Certificate - HubSpot Academy (2024)
• Content Management - HubSpot Academy (2023)

Note: If you don't have many certifications or skills, you can combine those sections into one. Some resume templates also have an “Awards & Honors” section after skills and certifications. If you have earned relevant academic awards and honors, you can and should use this section.

Extra high school resume writing advice

Here, we'll cover formatting and tricks that can make your resume stand out from the bunch. Check it out:

Use keywords to match the job description

If you're applying for a job online , you'll come across descriptions that list tasks, skills, and essential information about the company, and keywords that appear repeatedly are likely important to recruiters.

Incorporating relevant keywords into your resume not only demonstrates alignment with the job but also helps applicant tracking systems (ATSs)—which recruiters use to filter candidates—select your resume.

However, don’t stuff your resume with keywords that don't make sense. Instead, pick out the ones that match your own experiences, certifications, and skills, and naturally add them in sections where it makes sense. For internships and entry-level jobs, you're not expected to meet every requirement, so be honest and strategic when selecting relevant keywords.

(Need help with that? Here's how to pick resume keywords that'll get your job application past the ATS .)

Use action verbs and quantifiers

As the name implies, action verbs are verbs that express an action that can be mental or physical. Basically, they describe and express something that you did or are currently doing. In resume writing, action verbs are a powerful way to express your involvement in an activity or project.

Examples of action verbs

• Collaborated
• Implemented

On the other hand, quantifiers are anything you can measure within your tasks and results that demonstrate the impact of your work, the scope it had, and the frequency of the activities. Together, action verbs and quantifiers are a great way to demonstrate your qualities and skills as a professional.

For instance, you could write:

• Worked for four months as a barista, serving more than 100 clients per evening
• Participated in my school's green committee team and organized 10 activities during the school year
• Developed and organized a book donation campaign for my local library and received 150+ donations

Choose a simple format for your resume

When it comes to formatting, keep your resume as simple as possible. A simple format makes your resume much easier to read and easily scannable for ATS. By simple formatting, we mean standard fonts, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and regular size, like 11 or 12.

Be consistent and stick to the chosen format throughout the entire resume. Avoid overly complex designs with colors, images, or fancy fonts that can hinder readability and ATS compatibility.

As former Google VP of People Operations Lazlo Bock said on LinkedIn, “unless you're applying for a job such as a designer or an artist, your focus should be on making your resume clean and legible.”

Finally, save your resume in Word and PDF and send in the format asked by the recruiter in the job listing. Although the standard is PDF, because it can't be edited and keeps the integrity of the file, some companies prefer Word.

Proofread, proofread, proofread

Always double check your resume to ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos. Instead of immediately sending it to a recruiter, review it a couple of minutes after writing and/or ask for a friend or family member to proofread it for you.

Tools like Grammarly , Google Docs, and even Chat-GPT can also help you refine your text, trim words that aren’t needed, and point out grammatical errors and typos you missed.

High school resume examples

Here are two high school resume examples that you can use as a reference when crafting yours.

Example #1: Resume for high school student with volunteer experience

[email protected]

(917) 274-7398

linkedin.com/in/jenadams

Proactive high school student with volunteer and leadership experiences in content writing, news reporting, event planification, and team collaboration. Eager to start a communications career in a local setting while finishing studies.

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School

Hicksville, NY

Sep 2022 – Present

Graduation date: Jun 2025

EXPERIENCES

Book Club President

Jun 2023 – Present

• Managed reading materials for monthly reading sessions for +20 students, expanding the club from 8 to 22 students in a year.
• Promoted analytic reading among teenagers through games and educational contests, which led to 10 books read in a school year.
• Contacted 2 local bookstores to organize book club special events within their stores.

Co-Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)

Holy Trinity Newspaper

Feb 2023 – May 2024

• Joined as a freshman staff writer and was promoted to Co-Editor-in-Chief in sophomore year
• Delegated articles about school events, creative pieces, & editing tasks to a diverse staff of 25+ students
• Designed print layouts with Adobe Pagemaker & wrote monthly editorials about current world events

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Google Workspace

Adobe Suite

Example #2: Resume for high school student with work experience

CHRISTIAN WOLF

[email protected]

(555) 274-8248

Santo Domingo High School

Weekend Receptionist

Fresno Art Museum

Ago 2023 – Present

• Answered & transferred over 25 calls per day quickly & accurately to on-duty staff.
• Greeted over 50 visitors per day and responded to questions about scheduling & events.
• Collaborated with the HR team distributing +15 internal mail campaigns using specialized project management and CRM softwares.

Bishop’s Altar Server (Volunteer)

St. John's Cathedral

Downtown Fresno

Sep 2021 – May 2023

• Worked in teams of seven highly trained servers during liturgical prayer (services, weddings, & funerals).
• Trained +5 new volunteers over the course of 4 months to assist high demand in a fast paced environment.

Languages: English (native) | Spanish (beginner)

Office skills: Google Workspace (advanced), Microsoft Excel (intermediate)

Social media: HootSuite (beginner), Mailchimp (beginner)

CERTIFICATIONS

Inbound Sales Certificate - HubSpot Academy (2023)

Email Marketing Certificate - MailChimp (2024)

AWARDS & HONORS

Month Employee: Fresno Art Museum (2024)

Gold medal: CIF State Swimming Championships (2022)

High school resume template

Ready to make yours? Here are two resume templates for high school students you can edit including your own experiences. Don't be afraid to make the necessary changes to better showcase your skills, accomplishments, and education.

Template #1: High school student resume with no work experience

Resume Summary (optional): 1-2 sentences paragraph about your skills, interests, and motivations for the job.

High School Name

City, State

Graduation Date: [Month, Year]

GPA: [3.5 or above]

• Skill 3 (you can add more, but don’t over do it.)
• Certification 1
• Certification 2
• Certification 3

AWARDS & HONORS (optional; if it’s career or academic-related, the better)

• Title of Achievement 1
• Title of Achievement 2
• Title of Achievement 3

Template #2: Resume template for high school students with volunteering experience

Address: [Address]

Resume Summary: 1-2 sentences paragraph about your skills, interests, and motivations for the job.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer Position, Organization Name

Dates of service: [Month, Year] – [Month, Year or present]

• Responsibility 1 (use action verbs and quantifiers)
• Responsibility 2