Everyone writes a first resume without job experience. Employers hiring for entry-level roles know it, so they are not looking for an impressive work history. They want evidence that you are reliable, can learn, and have done something with your time: school, projects, volunteering, sports, caring for family, small paid gigs. Your job is to present that evidence clearly on one page.
Pick a simple format
Use one page, a clean font, and standard headings an applicant tracking system can read: Contact, Summary, Education, Experience (or Projects), Skills. Skip photos, graphics and columns. Save it as a PDF unless the employer asks for a Word file.
Start with a short summary
Two or three lines saying who you are and what you are looking for, adapted to each job:
“Recent high school graduate with three years of volunteer experience at a food bank and strong customer-facing skills. Looking for a part-time sales associate role where reliability and friendly service matter.”
Put education near the top
List your school, expected or actual graduation date, and anything that shows effort: a GPA above 3.0, honors, relevant courses, a capstone or science fair project. If you are in college, high school details can go.
Replace “jobs” with real experience
Call the section Experience and include everything that looks like work:
- volunteering at a shelter, library, church or community event
- babysitting, pet sitting, lawn mowing, tutoring or reselling online
- school roles: club treasurer, team captain, yearbook editor
- projects: a website, an app, a video channel, a fundraiser you organized
Describe each one with action verbs and, when possible, numbers: “Organized a bake sale that raised $1,200 for the school band,” not “Helped with fundraising.”
Make the skills section believable
List skills you could prove in an interview: languages, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, cash handling, social media, video editing, a forklift or food handler certificate. Avoid vague words like “hardworking” on their own; show them through your experience lines instead. Free certificates, such as a food handler card or a CPR course, are quick wins for many entry-level jobs.
A quick example
Experience – Volunteer, Westside Food Bank (2023–present): sort and stock donations for 4 hours a week; trained 6 new volunteers. – Freelance pet sitter (2024–present): care for 5 regular clients’ dogs and cats; manage scheduling by text.
Before you send it
Proofread twice and ask someone else to read it. Use a professional email address. Tailor the summary and skills to each posting, using words from the job description. Add a short cover letter when the application allows it; it is your chance to explain why you want this job.
Many states and cities offer free resume help at American Job Centers, and high schools and colleges have career offices. If you have just turned 18, our overview of what you can do at 18 covers other first-step paperwork, and if you are choosing studies, see what a business degree leads to.
