resume for 16 year old with no experience

Resume For a 16-Year-Old

In This Guide:

Sample resume template for a 16-year-old, resume formatting tips for a high-schooler, what to write instead of experience, key takeaways.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a teenager looking for a job! It can be difficult to build a resume and find a job when you have little to no experience and are just entering the workforce. But don’t worry, this is a guide to help you find your way!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• how to build a professional resume;
• what to put on it when you have little experience ;
• and some examples to help you imagine what your resume could look like.

Below is a sample resume template to help guide you in building your own. Your resume should look something like this when you complete it:

Amanda Smith

Phone: 808-707-0404 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amanda_smith05

I am a responsible and reliable sophomore striving for real-life work experience and a place to grow my familiarity and confidence in the workforce. I thrive in a team environment but also exemplify self-sufficiency on designated tasks. I hope to help a business be more successful through my determination and enthusiasm.

• Sophomore at Adams High School with As and Bs
• Taking Spanish, English, Calculus, World History, and Biology
• Reliable punctuality
• Excellent communication
• Time management
• Attention to detail

Hobbies and Interests

• Reading books of all kinds and expanding my horizons
• Hiking in nature to get back to my roots and experience the outdoors
• Watching documentaries to learn more about the world

Other Activities

• Weekly volunteering at animal shelters
• Part of a reading group for kindergarteners after school

Keep these tips in mind when making your resume. Following these guidelines ensures a professional and legible resume.

• Choose the best format Chronological formats are the easiest to write and easiest to understand.
• Adjust page margins to the appropriate length Make sure the margins aren’t too big or too small to avoid an awkward appearance.
• Choose a professional font Don’t go with Comic Sans or something funky, stick to Times New Roman or something simple.
• Keep it one page Keep it short and sweet so employers can easily digest it.
• Save as PDF Save as a PDF so your formatting stays the same across platforms.

Below are some suggestions for filling in your experience on your resume. Many teenagers don’t have loads of job experience, but you can supplement with the following subjects:

• Education Include bullets with classes, extracurricular activities, student memberships, studies, and anything relevant to your education.
• Hobbies and interests Anything that will showcase your relevant skills should go in this section.
• Actual skills Try to match the skills to the job description and draw from previous experience.
• Volunteering Mention any volunteering you have done to exemplify your enthusiasm and spirit.
• Extra sections Mention language skills, personal projects you’ve done, or other relevant activities.

Here are the key takeaways for 16-year-olds building a resume:

• Include anything that shows your positive character
• Highlight your relevant skills
• Express your enthusiasm for employment
• Display all contact information prominently
• Use a helpful resume builder

• Resume Guides

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What should a 16-year-old put on a resume?

If you are a high school or a college student struggling to make your first teen resume, you're not alone.

Generally, resumes showcase a candidate's professional experiences and skills.

However, as are a teenager applying for their first job, the basics for building a resume are slightly different.

For instance, a teen resume has an objective section instead of a resume summary.

Read on to learn more about teen resumes and related FAQs like the following:

• What is a teen resume?
• What sections should you include in a teen resume?
• How to create the header of a teen resume?
• How to create the objective section of a teen resume?
• What skills should you add to a resume for teens?
• How to write the work experience section in a teen resume?
• How to add education experience on a teen resume?
• How can you add certifications on a teen resume?
• Which additional sections can you add to a teen resume?

What is a Teen Resume?

A teen resume is a page-long document that showcases the best of your academic achievements and skills.

Whether you're applying for your first-part time job or college interviews, and internships, having a resume supports your application as it makes it easier for recruiters to see all your information in one place.

A teen resume is different than a professional resume as it focuses on academic achievements, volunteer work, projects, and extracurricular activities rather than work experiences.

According to the relevance with the job profile you're targetting, you can include the following volunteer work experiences in teen resumes:

• Volunteer work at animal rescue shelters
• Art museums
• National parks
• Political campaigns
• Food pantries
• Retirement homes
• Habitat for humanity
• Organizations like Red Cross
• Local libraries and
• Community blood drives

Also read: How to write a resume with no experience?

What Sections to Include in a Teen Resume?

First things first, you must compile all your information in a single file to streamline the process of building a teen resume.

Once you have all the information in one place, you can pick and choose which information you want to include in your teen resume, based on the job description.

Ensure to present this information in different sections to increase the readability of your resume by giving it a crisp and professional look.

Listed below are the must-have sections in a teen resume:

• Personal Information
• Internship/Volunteer experience (if any)
• Awards and Achievements
• Certifications

Extracurricular Activities

• Additional Information

Also Read: What are the different sections to add to a resume? .

Teenage Resume Header

The header is the topmost part of your resume which is the first thing that the recruiters will see.

Your teen resume header must always be your full name in the largest font size of 14-16 points.

If you have a middle name, you can initialize it like so - Mary J. Blige

Ensure that you don't go with generic resume headers like "CV" or "Resume."

Recruiters already know that the document is a resume. What they don't know is who it belongs to.

Thus, it makes sense to write your name as the header of your teen resume.

Also Read: How to write a perfect resume header in 2022?

Teen Resume Personal Information

Right after the header, you must create a section for your personal information.

This section must include the following details:

A Reachable Phone Number

Ensure that it is a contact number on which you are available at all times.

Write your country's International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code and a plus sign (+) before the number.

A Professional E-mail Id

E-mail addresses with names like '[email protected]' not only sound unprofessional but can also cost you your chances of getting shortlisted for the job.

So make sure that your e-mail address sounds professional. Preferably, one with your full name like [email protected]

Mention the city and state of your current location - not your hometown (if they are different).

Also, you don't need to provide details like your street address and zip code of your current location.

LinkedIn Profile Link

Provide a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile or an online portfolio if you have one.

In case you don't have a LinkedIn profile, consider making one as it can be beneficial for networking and finding job opportunities.

Profile Title

A profile title in your teen resume is the name of the profile you are applying for.

A few examples of profile titles that you can add to your teen resume are - industrial relations counselor, criminologist, dietician, etc.

Also, your profile title should be the second-largest text in your resume with a font size 12-14 points .

Also Read: How to write the contact information in resume in 2022?

Teen Resume Objective

Although the objective and key skills sections must be placed at the top part of your teen resume, it must be written only after writing the other sections so that you have a clear understanding of what your core skills and objective are.

When writing your objective section, don't write about your expectations from the company and the role.

Instead, write what you can provide to the organization as an ideal candidate.

Your objective statement must show how you could benefit the company with your skills and knowledge.

Highlight the skills that can fulfill the requirements of the role you're targetting and emphasize your proven track record of academic achievements.

Also Read: How to write a resume objective in 2022?

Key Skills for Teen Resume

The skills section of your teen resume must list the core skills that you possess in terms of the job description and requirements.

For instance, if you are applying for the job profile of an assistant, it must showcase skills like:

Remember to always refer to the requirements listed in the job description of the listing to understand which skills you must list in your resume (as long as it stands true to you).

The listed skills must be backed by your academic qualifications, volunteer or internship experiences, or academic projects that you've been a part of.

If you possess technical skills like proficiency in programming languages and familiarity with using specific tools or software, you can create a separate section under your key skills and list them.

Given below is a snapshot of the key skills and technical skills sections in a resume:

The following are some other examples of key skills that you can add to your teen resume according to your qualifications:

Also read: How to write a resume skills section?

Volunteer/Internship Work Section

Instead of a professional work experience section, your teen resume can have a volunteer or internship work experience section.

And depending on the relevance of it, you can either have the education section or this section before the other.

You can list your internship/volunteer experience using the reverse chronological format with the following details:

• Name of the Organization
• Location (city & state)
• Starting & completion dates
• Your designation
• The duties you performed

Also, here are some best practices you must follow to present your work experiences:

• Avoid writing in bulky paragraphs and use bullet points
• Begin your sentences with a power verb like managed, assisted, organized, etc. to create more impact with your one-liners
• Highlight the keywords in your bullet points
• Quantify your achievements and use figures whenever possible
• Use the cause-effect relationship to build your one-liners as shown in the following example:

Scheduled 10+ meetings every week by coordinating with clients and senior management to ensure smooth operations Assisted in making travel arrangements for 15+ clients who were traveling to the city on company business

Also Read: How to craft the perfect internship resume for college students in 2022?

Teen Resume Education Section

You need to leverage your fresh education to show your potential through your teen resume.

This section must present your college and high school qualifications along with some details about the coursework.

Write the name of the school/university, the name of the degree, along with the location and dates of enrollment & graduation.

If your GPA is higher than 3.5, you can mention that as well.

Also Read: How to write the education section of a resume in 2022?

Teen Resume Certifications

If you have taken up extra certification courses or training that is relevant to the job you're applying for, you can list them in this section.

Adding certifications to your teenage resume increases its value and helps you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Provide the following details while listing your certifications:

• Name of the certification course
• Name of the certifying institution
• Dates of enrollment and graduation

Also Read: How to list certifications on a resume in 2022?

Additional Information for Teen Resume

Furthermore, to provide extra details about your academic experience and qualification, you can include additional sections like the following to your teen resume:

As teens don't have work experience to put on their resumes, you can list academic projects that you've been a part of.

Academic projects include the significant projects that you did in school or college.

To list your projects, use the format given below:

Name of the project | Dates of the project One line description of the project Projects objectives, your role, and the outcome of the project

Also Read: How to showcase projects on a resume in 2022?

Awards & Achievements

The awards and achievements section will include any major awards or certificates you received for exceptional academic performance or for participating in quizzes, sports, projects, etc., at the school or college level.

You can also include awards or recognition that you may have received for your volunteer work or internship.

Follow the given format to list your awards & achivements:

< Name of the Award > | < Reason for getting the award > | < Name of the awarding institution > | < Dates >

This section will mention all the extracurricular activities that you took part in at school or college.

It could be anything from being a part of the basketball team or leading the eco-club or becoming the captain of the soccer team.

Extracurricular activities showcase that you possess teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

If you speak multiple languages, list them in your teen resume as it can be an asset if you are planning to work in the service, tourism, and sales industries.

Also read: How to write an entry-level resume in 2022?

Key Takeaways

• You should start every point with a power verb in your teen resume internship/volunteer experience section
• Quantify your achievements wherever possible
• Use bullet points instead of bulky paragraphs in your teen resume
• The font size for your teen resume body should be between 10-12 points, as these font sizes are easily readable
• Use professional fonts like Ariel, Helvetica, and Tahoma to write your teen resume
• Ensure that your key skills match your work experience and the profile you're applying for
• Customize your teen resume according to the job description of the role you're applying for
• Write the objective and skills section after writing the other resume sections
• Your objective statement should focus on how you can benefit the organization with your skills and knowledge

If you want to build a stellar teen resume, use Hiration's resume builder which is powered by AI. You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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• 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

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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!

5 Free Resume Templates for Teens (with Little to No Experience)

By: Author Amanda L. Grossman

Posted on Last updated: May 7, 2024

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Free resume templates for teens to fill in using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and various resume builders.

If you’ve been looking for a free resume template for teens for any length of time, then you know how hard they are to find.

So, while I do have some to offer, I have to warn you – there aren’t many options.

There are two different types of free resume templates teenagers can use:

• Microsoft Word and Google Docs resume templates
• Teen resume builders

We’ll go over sources for both.

Free Resume Templates for Teens (Word and Docs)

This is my favorite group of free teen resume templates because you don’t need to use online software to use them.

In fact, you’ll just need either Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to use them.

• Here is how to use Google Docs without a Gmail address
• Here’s how to open and use a Microsoft Word document without Microsoft Office

Not only that, but teenagers can create their baseline resume, save the file, and then update it every six months to a year over the lifetime of their careers.

Note: if your teenager will be applying to jobs by handing their resume to an actual person, then they can use fancy and decorative resumes. If they’ll be applying to jobs online, then it’s best to stick to the minimalist kind that are ATS-friendly. More on that in a bit.

1. Free Resume Template for Teenagers with No Experience

Let’s start with mine – you’ll notice right off the bat that it’s very minimalist, and, dare I say, boring .

That’s on purpose.

You see, hiring managers are being bombarded with thousands and tens of thousands of resumes for each position they list.

And to help them sift through all of these, they use ATS software to automatically discard lots of resumes and only send the ones most aligned to the job listing to actual humans.

This means that your resume must be:

• ATS-Friendly : It’s estimated that  99% of hiring managers use something called ATS  (Applicant Tracking System) to sift through the hundreds and thousands of resumes they receive. This software helps them to skim just the best and most relevant resumes to the top of the pile. If your teen’s resume is not formatted in a way that these systems can easily read? It will likely be rejected. 
• Keyworded : Again, these systems are skimming for the best applications to send to the hiring person. One of the ways they do this is to search for keywords that are important for a job. You need to make sure your teen keywords – or use specific keywords and phrasing found in the job description if they pertain to their skillset – into their actual resume. Otherwise, your teen will not be seen as a good fit for the job. 

Here's more information on how to fill in your resume here: how to make a resume for first-job high school students .

2. ResumeGenius’ Free Teen Resume Templates

There are two different teen resume templates to choose from on this site – and they download to Microsoft Word document.

Hint: you’ll need to click “enable editing” in the Microsoft Word program, all the way at the top, so that you can make edits to the template.

What I like about these is a nice balance between design and minimalism. But you should know that ATS software does not read two columns well, which each of these templates has.

Here’s an example of what spits out of an ATS software when using a two-column resume .

3. HLoom High School Resume Templates

Here’s a great collection of free high school resume templates you can download and open to edit in Microsoft Word.

Free Resume Templates for Teens (Resume Builders)

Now we’re going to get into some of the resume builders available for teens to use.

I’m not as fond of these, because many of them allow you to fill in a teen resume template for free…but then charge you to download it.

Or if you can download it for free – how do you know that the resume builder software will stay in business over the next decade or two when you need to log back in to edit it?

I’ll do my best to highlight the truly free ones (free all the way through, even after download).

1. Indeed’s Free Resume Builder

Not only are there free templates to use with this resume builder, but you can download them for free as a PDF, too!

There are over six template designs to choose from:

Please note that your information is not saved once you close your browser. In other words, you cannot go back in and edit a resume six months or a year later – you’ll have to create a new one.

2. Canva High School Resume Templates

There are lots of “pretty” resume templates to choose from using this program, and it’s easy to get carried away.

Because of all of the formatting with these, teens should only use these templates if they’re personally handing a resume to a hiring manager (and it’s not going through an ATS software that cannot translate the formatting).

Two tips to help teens pick one out:

• Avoid Using Pictures : You generally don’t want to include a photo on a resume. Doing so can create biases with the resume reviewer, may be seen as unprofessional, and images are not ATS-friendly. Instead, choose a template that has no image on it.
•   Avoid Lots of Graphics : You do not want the design of these resumes to distract from the information on the resume.

Note: you’ll need to sign up for a free Canva account to use these, and if there is a yellow royal crown or dollar sign in the bottom righthand corner of the template, then you’ll have to pay for that template. There are plenty of free options to choose from.

I understand how critical it is to not only teach teens how to fill out a resume but for them to also have one so that they can work on scoring that first teen job . And that’s why you’ll want to check back – I’ll be updating this article with any and all new free resume templates for teens that I can find.

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Top 10 Resume Objectives for 16 Years Old

Creating a standout resume as a 16-year-old can be a challenging task, especially when you’re just starting to gain work experience.

The objective statement is a critical part of your resume, providing a snapshot of your skills, aspirations, and what you aim to achieve in a potential role.

This page offers a variety of objective examples designed to help you make a great first impression on employers.

Whether you’re seeking a part-time position, an entry-level job, or a role that aligns with your interests and skills, these objectives will serve as a strong foundation for your resume.

Remember, a well-crafted objective can set the tone for your entire application and help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Customize these examples to reflect your personal strengths and career goals, and take the first step towards building a successful work experience.

Best 16 Years Old Resume Objective Examples

1. Seeking an entry-level position in retail where I can utilize my excellent customer service skills and dedication to contributing to a positive shopping experience.

2. Aspiring to join a team-oriented environment as a part-time sales assistant, bringing strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn and grow professionally.

3. Looking for a part-time role in the food service industry to leverage my strong work ethic and passion for providing excellent customer service.

4. Eager to apply my communication and organizational skills in a position within a local business, contributing to efficient and friendly service.

5. To secure a part-time job at a community center, where I can use my enthusiasm for youth programs and my ability to connect with people of all ages.

6. Pursuing a role as a lifeguard to utilize my certification and commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all patrons.

7. Seeking a flexible position at a restaurant or café to enhance my teamwork abilities and gain valuable experience in the service industry.

8. Aiming to contribute my tech-savvy skills and eagerness to learn in a part-time position at an electronics store.

9. Desiring a role in a local library or bookstore to foster my love for reading while assisting the community and developing strong organizational skills.

10. Motivated high school student looking for a part-time position in retail or customer service, aiming to build my work experience and contribute positively to the team.

These objectives are tailored for applicants who are 16 years old and seeking entry-level or part-time positions. Customize them to fit the specific job and personal strengths of the individual.

• Customer Service Supervisor Resume Objectives
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• Customer Service Specialist Resume Objectives

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• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

Teen Resume Examples With Writing Tips

What to Include in Your Resume

• Tips for Writing a Resume for Teens
• Resume Example for a Teenager

More Resume Examples for Teens

If you’re a teenager looking for a part-time job, it’s probably time to write your  first resume . You may not need one to apply, but having a resume can help you get hired. What do you put on a resume when you don't have much, or any, work experience? How do you format a resume for a part-time job?

Due to your limited work experience, you’ll likely need to go beyond your job history, and include related coursework, school activities, and volunteer experience. It’s helpful to look at student and resume examples to get some ideas about what a good one contains. 

Learn about the best information in your resume, the best format to use, review examples, and get a template to use as a starting point for your own resume.

When you are writing a high school resume, it’s important to make sure you include all the pertinent information in an acceptable standard format. At a bare minimum, your resume should include your  contact information  along with your experience  and  education .

Beyond that, most sections are optional—you can include a  skills section  or  objective , but it's not required.  

Highlight academic accomplishments.  As a student, a lot of your experiences are in the classroom. Emphasize achievements like a high GPA or any academic awards.

Success in the classroom is a good indicator of success on the job, and hiring managers know this.

If you have taken courses related to the job you’re applying for, list those as well.

Emphasize extracurricular activities.  Since you likely have limited work experience, emphasize your non-work activities. These might include clubs, sports, babysitting, or volunteer work. All of these activities can show your skills and abilities.

Note any leadership experience.  Have you held a position in a club or student government, or been a captain on a sports team? Be sure to list this experience, as it highlights your leadership ability.

Tips for Writing a Resume for Teenagers

You want your resume to clearly show the employer what kind of employee you’ll be. You don’t want them to have to waste their time deciphering your experiences. Here's how to do that:  

Use a simple format and font.  Use a  resume template  to guide your writing. Looking at examples can help you decide what kind of content you should include, as well as how to format your resume.

Choose a simple, standard format. It should be easy to read and look like a professional document.

A font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri looks good and will make your information stand out to the hiring manager.

Think about what the employer wants.  Make sure to tailor your resume to fit your own experiences, and the requirements of the position you’re seeking. For example, if you are applying for a job as a camp counselor, highlight any experience you have working with children. If you are applying to be a waiter, emphasize experience in customer service, or working (or playing) on a team.

Use action words.  When describing your achievements, use  action words . Words like  led, researched, tutored,  and  created  emphasize the value of your experiences rather than just listing what you did.

Proofread and edit.  Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it. A clean, error-free resume will show you off as a polished candidate. Ask a friend or family member to read the resume for you as well. It can be tough to spot your own typos and grammatical errors.

Part-Time Job Resume Example for a Teenager

The following is a resume for a teenager seeking a part-time job or internship that involves working with children. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

Part-Time Job Resume (Text Version)

Denise Applicant 777 Walnut Street • Philadelphia, PA 10036 • (444) 555-1212 • denise.applicant@email.com

CHILDCARE WORKER

Building positive learning outcomes and life skills with children and students

Hard-working, responsible student with experience taking care of young children. Key skills include:

• Spanish—intermediate level
• French—beginner level
• First Aid, CPR, AED certifications
• Adobe Photoshop & InDesign
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with children

PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

SMITH HOUSEHOLD,  Philadelphia, PA NANNY  (February 2022—Present) Plan, organize, and implement fun and educational activities for three children younger than 6.

BEACON PROGRAM,  Philadelphia, PA COUNSELOR  (Summer 2021) As co-leader for a group of 10 first-graders, implemented games designed to encourage creative problem-solving in science and engineering. Notable Accomplishment:

• Named “Counselor of the Week” twice for leadership skills.

MAPLE STREET CONVENIENCE STORE,  Philadelphia, PA CASHIER  (Summer 2020) Managed cash register, restocked shelves, and assisted customers with locating items. Notable Accomplishment:

• Awarded for “Best Customer Service,” June 2020.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

MAIN STREET HIGH SCHOOL , Philadelphia, PA Honor roll each semester, diploma expected 2021

Related Coursework & Activities

Early Childhood Development • Urban Education • Urban Education—Psychology • Urban Education—Instructional Leadership • Modeling Club • Fundraising chair, JROTC Drill Team • Vice president, Drama Club • Cheerleading

• High School Resume Example
• High School Resume Template
• High School Graduate Resume Example
• Student Resume Examples, Templates, and Writing Tips

Key Takeaways

• Your resume should include your contact information along with your experience and education.
• It’s fine to include extracurricular activities if you don’t have formal work experience.
• Tailor your resume to fit the requirements of the position you’re seeking.

• 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
• 16 year old

16 year old CV Examples & UK Templates

You may be young, but writing a 16-year-old’s CV doesn’t need to be tough. Youth unemployment is currently at a historically low level. That means things could be looking promising for you on your job search!

However, to bag a coveted first step on your work experience ladder, you’ll need a strong CV to get you there. As a 16-year-old, you’re unlikely to have a lot of professional experience under your belt. But with some help, you’ll be able to write a CV that gets you noticed in no time.

Luckily, we know a thing or two about writing a CV that stands out from the crowd. Resume.io has helped millions of job seekers to write top CVs, and our library of CV examples covers over 100 job titles.This CV guide, along with the corresponding CV example, will show you the way. We will cover the following topics:

What jobs can a 16-year-old do?

• How to write a 16-year-old’s CV (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a 16-year-old’s CV
• Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional CV layout and design hints.

While there are restrictions about when and where 16-year-olds can work, there are plenty of job opportunities for you to make some money. If you’re looking for a part-time job, you could try your hand at some informal work gigs such as babysitting or dog walking. If it feels like the right time for you to step into a more professional work environment, working as a retail sales assistant or even as a waiter could be great options. 

Apprenticeships can also be an excellent chance to learn a craft while getting paid. Plus, it’s an opportunity that’s open to 16-year-olds. However, regardless of the job you take on, there are specific laws in place that must be respected whether you’re 16 years old or even 17. 

If you’re still in full time education, then during term time you can only work a maximum of 12 hours a week. Those working hours must fall between 7am and 7pm and you cannot work for more than two hours on school days and Sundays. Saturdays are capped at eight hours. 

If you’re a16-year-old in full time education, then summer holidays are generally the best time to work your socks off. Outside of term time you’ll be allowed to work a maximum of 35 hours a week. 

The minimum wage set by the UK government currently sits at £5.28 per hour for 16-year-olds.

How to write a 16 year old’s CV

The very first step in writing a strong CV example is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:

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

Choosing the best CV format for a 16 year old

If you are brand new to the working world — which is to be expected for most 16 year olds — then you may want to consider a functional CV format. Should you already have some work experience, you could choose the reverse chronological format for your CV. This prioritises your previous work experience. 

Take a moment to consider what is the best CV format for you before you commit pen to paper. 

CV summary example

Even without a huge amount of professional experience, the CV summary is your first opportunity to write something about why the employer should take a chance on hiring you. You may be 16 years old, but you have something unique to offer an employer. 

To make a compelling CV summary, write three to four sentences that highlight your most desirable characteristics in line with the job you’re applying to. Look at the CV sample content below to see how you could approach this. 

You might also want to look for some more inspiration by checking out our:

• Apprentice CV example
• Sales assistant CV example
• Waiter CV example

Resourceful and dedicated High School student with excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to providing great customer service.

Employment history sample

As a 16-year-old who is new to the job market, consider any informal volunteering or extracurricular leadership positions you’ve held. Have you done some babysitting? These are all examples of how you can handle responsibility. You can use them to build your employment history section. 

If your work experience is unpaid, consider renaming this section the “previous experience” section. List your experience with the most recent at the top and work backwards. Include the name of the position, your employer, the dates the position was held, and its location. 

The CV sample content below will show you how to do this in practice.

Retail Assistant at Next Retail Ltd, Birmingham  July 2021 - Present 

• Assisted customers in locating products and provided information on product features.
• Maintained store appearance by organising shelves and displays.
• Collaborated to support inventory management and ensure smooth store operations.
• Acquired knowledge of Point of Sale (POS) systems.

In summer 2022 the youth unemployment rates fell to a historic low. Office of National Statistics data reported by the House of Commons Library showed 372,000 unemployed young people across the UK. This was the lowest recorded level since 1992 when records began.

CV skills example

Your skills section will be one of the most important parts of your CV. Remember to include transferable skills that you’ve picked up during your studies or from other experiences you’ve accumulated during your 16 years of life! 

Our CV sample content shows you how to build a strong bullet point list of your most sellable skills.

Soft skills vs hard skills

At 16 years old you may not yet have many technical skills — also known as hard skills — to help you on the job. However, you can lean into your soft skills such as organisation, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Digital Art
• Customer Service
• Retail Operations
• Inventory Management
• Point of Sale (POS)
• Product Knowledge
• Team Collaboration

16 year old’s CV education example

Here’s a CV section where most 16 year olds will have something to offer. In your education section, you can list your secondary school education. Write down the name of your school, its location, and the dates attended like in the CV sample content below. 

If you are still in full time education, you can simply write “[year you started the school] - Present”. Some 16 year olds have already completed some qualifications such as their GCSEs. If that’s you, don’t forget to highlight this alongside your grades!

North Birmingham Academy, Birmingham, UK  September 2021 - Present 

• Ambassador for Social Events

CV layout and design

As a 16-year-old, you’re probably still learning about all the ways you can grow into a great communicator. As well as how you write and speak, the way you present yourself is equally as important when communicating your professional worth. That is just as true for your CV’s presentation. 

So, don’t forget to share your CV document as a PDF with a clear layout, legible font choice, and a simple colour scheme. Your CV should not be longer than a single page since as a 16 year old you’re just starting out in the working world.

Key takeaways for a 16-year-old’s CV

• At just 16 years old you’re unlikely to have much professional experience. So, lean into volunteer or extracurricular experience to build a “previous experience” section.
• Consider using a functional CV format which leans into your skills.
• Highlight those soft skills to build a desirable profile as the most hirable 16-year-old your potential employer will hear from!

If you don’t feel confident designing your CV yourself, you can consider using one of our professionally designed CV templates .

Attractive CV templates at your fingertips