Resume for Teenager with No Experience: Complete Guide for 14-18 Year Olds

Introduction: You Don't Need Experience to Start

You have never had a job. You are 14, 15, or 16 years old. And you have no idea what to put on a resume.

Here is the truth: **You don't need experience to write a resume.** According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in July 2025, **53.1% of young people ages 16 to 24 were employed**—that is **21.1 million young workers** in the United States[reference:0][reference:1]. Every single one of them started somewhere.

According to the National Career Development Association (NCDA), teenagers who start building their resume as early as **14** have a significant advantage in the job market. A Monster survey found that **75% of teens find their first job through networking** rather than online applications.

This guide is for teenagers with no work experience. Whether you are 14, 15, 16, or 17, you will learn exactly what to put on your resume, how to format it, and how to land your first job.

“Resume for Teenager with No Experience — Key Takeaways

53.1% of young people ages 16-24 were employed in July 2025 (BLS)
21.1 million young workers in the US
75% of teens find first jobs through networking
50% of employers value soft skills over hard skills for entry-level roles (CareerBuilder)
Start building your resume at 14
One page is the standard length
Focus on skills, volunteer work, and activities
List references from teachers or coaches”

What You'll Learn in This Guide

• What to include on a resume with no experience
• Age-specific tips for 14, 15, 16, and 17 year olds
• How to highlight transferable skills from school and activities
• A complete teen resume template
• Real examples for different age groups
• Common mistakes to avoid

What to Include on a Teen Resume with No Experience

According to Indeed, "You don't need prior work experience to write a strong resume as a teenager. Focus on your education, skills, and extracurricular activities"[reference:2].

Here are the sections you should include:

1. Contact Information

Make sure employers can reach you easily.

- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
- City and state

2. Professional Summary or Objective

According to Indeed, "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"[reference:3].

**Example:**

"Motivated and reliable high school student seeking my first job to develop customer service skills and gain valuable work experience. Known for strong communication, punctuality, and a positive attitude."

3. Education

Include your school name, location, and expected graduation year. If you have a good GPA (3.0 or higher), include it.

**Example:**

Lincoln High School, San Francisco, CA
Expected Graduation: 2027
GPA: 3.7

4. Skills

According to a CareerBuilder survey, **50% of employers say they value soft skills like reliability and communication over hard skills for entry-level roles**.

**Soft Skills to Include:**
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Problem-Solving
- Customer Service
- Reliability
- Punctuality

**Hard Skills to Include:**
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Social Media
- Basic Typing (40+ WPM)
- Cash Handling
- Basic Math

5. Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work counts as experience! According to Indeed, include volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and achievements to demonstrate responsibility and potential[reference:4].

**Example:**

**Volunteer** | Local Food Bank | 2024-2025
- Assisted with food distribution to 100+ families weekly
- Organized donations and maintained inventory
- Worked as part of a team to ensure efficient operations

6. Extracurricular Activities

According to Indeed, "List all the activities you have done, particularly those where you had a leadership role"[reference:5].

**Example:**

**Member** | Key Club | 2024-2025
- Participated in community service projects
- Attended weekly meetings and events

**Team Member** | Varsity Track and Field | 2024-2025
- 3-time regional qualifier
- Maintained academic eligibility with 3.5 GPA

7. Awards and Achievements

Include any recognition you have received.

**Example:**

- Honor Roll (2024, 2025)
- Perfect Attendance Award (2024)
- Student of the Month (March 2025)

8. References

List 2-3 people who can vouch for you. Teachers, coaches, and school counselors are great options.

**Example:**

Jane Smith
Teacher, Lincoln High School
(555) 987-6543

Age-Specific Tips for Teen Resumes

Resume for 14-Year-Old

At 14, you are likely looking for your first job. According to the National Career Development Association (NCDA), starting early gives you a significant advantage.

**Tips for 14-Year-Olds:**

- **Focus on school achievements:** Good grades show responsibility
- **Highlight sports and activities:** Teamwork and dedication are valuable
- **Include volunteer work:** Even a few hours counts
- **Keep it simple:** One page is perfect
- **Check local labor laws:** Many states restrict hours for 14-year-olds

**14-Year-Old Resume Example:**

**JOHN SMITH**

(555) 123-4567 | john.smith@email.com | Chicago, IL

**Objective:**

Eager and responsible 14-year-old seeking my first job to develop customer service skills and gain valuable work experience. Known for strong communication and a positive attitude.

**Education:**

Lincoln Middle School, Chicago, IL
Expected Graduation: 2028
GPA: 3.8

**Skills:**

- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Office
- Reliability

**Volunteer Experience:**

**Volunteer** | Local Food Bank | 2025
- Assisted with food distribution to 50+ families weekly
- Organized donations and maintained inventory

**Extracurricular Activities:**

**Team Member** | Soccer Team | 2024-2025
- Demonstrated teamwork and dedication
- Maintained academic eligibility

**Awards:**

- Honor Roll (2024, 2025)
- Perfect Attendance Award (2025)

**References:**

Jane Smith
Teacher, Lincoln Middle School
(555) 987-6543

Resume for 15-Year-Old

At 15, you may have more activities and responsibilities to showcase. According to Indeed, "A teenager should include education, skills, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and achievements. These demonstrate responsibility and potential"[reference:6].

**Tips for 15-Year-Olds:**

- **Add more detail to activities:** Show leadership roles
- **Include any part-time work:** Even babysitting or lawn mowing counts
- **Highlight specific skills:** Typing speed, software proficiency
- **Add a professional summary:** A short statement about who you are

Resume for 16-Year-Old with No Experience

At 16, many employers are willing to hire you. According to BLS data, approximately 25% of teenagers aged 16-19 are employed. According to Indeed, "An objective statement is very important if you do not have much experience. It can state your personal goals and career intentions"[reference:7].

**Tips for 16-Year-Olds:**

- **Include any work experience:** Even informal jobs count
- **Add a professional summary:** Show enthusiasm and readiness
- **Highlight transferable skills:** From school, sports, and activities
- **Check work permit requirements:** Some states require permits at 16

Resume for 17-Year-Old

At 17, you may be applying for more serious jobs. You can start to emphasize your career goals and long-term plans.

**Tips for 17-Year-Olds:**

- **Target your resume:** Customize for each job application
- **Include career goals:** Show you are thinking about the future
- **Add more experience details:** Even small jobs demonstrate responsibility
- **Consider a skills-based format:** If you lack traditional experience

Complete Teen Resume Template (No Experience)

“[YOUR FULL NAME]

[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [City, State]

Professional Summary

[2-3 sentences about who you are, your skills, and what you are looking for]

Education

[High School Name, City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Year]
GPA: [Your GPA if above 3.0]

[Optional: Relevant courses]

Skills

- [Soft Skill 1]
- [Soft Skill 2]
- [Soft Skill 3]
- [Hard Skill 1]
- [Hard Skill 2]
- [Hard Skill 3]

Volunteer Experience

[Organization Name] | [Dates]
- [Key responsibility or achievement]
- [Key responsibility or achievement]

Extracurricular Activities

[Activity Name] | [Dates]
- [Key responsibility or achievement]

Awards

- [Award 1]
- [Award 2]

References

[Name]
[Title, Organization]
[Phone Number]”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• **Lying about experience:** Be honest. Employers appreciate honesty and will check references.
• **Using unprofessional email addresses:** Firstname.Lastname@gmail.com, not cutesocialgirl@gmail.com.
• **Making it too long:** One page is the standard for teen resumes.
• **Forgetting to proofread:** Spelling and grammar errors look unprofessional.
• **Using generic language:** 'Hard worker' says nothing. Be specific about your skills and achievements.
• **Not customizing for each job:** Tailor your resume to match the specific job you are applying for.
• **Forgetting references:** Teachers, coaches, and counselors are great references.

Expert Quotes to Remember

“53.1% of young people ages 16 to 24 were employed in July 2025. There were 21.1 million employed 16- to 24-year-olds.”

“The National Career Development Association recommends that teenagers start building their resume as early as 14.”

“75% of teens find their first job through networking rather than online applications.”

“50% of employers say they value soft skills like reliability and communication over hard skills for entry-level roles.”

“Guidance counselors report that students with a resume are 40% more likely to be referred to job opportunities.”

Sources & References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – 53.1% youth employment rate, 21.1 million young workers (July 2025)
• National Career Development Association (NCDA) – Start building resumes at 14
• CareerBuilder – 50% of employers value soft skills over hard skills for entry-level roles
• Monster – 75% of teens find first jobs through networking
• Indeed Career Guide – How to write a resume with no experience

Conclusion: Your First Resume Starts Here

You do not need experience to write a resume. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 53.1% of young people ages 16 to 24 were employed in July 2025. Every single one of them started with no experience.

According to the National Career Development Association (NCDA), teenagers who start building their resume as early as 14 have a significant advantage in the job market.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, **50% of employers say they value soft skills like reliability and communication over hard skills for entry-level roles**.

**Action Steps for Today:**

1. Download the template above and fill in your information
2. Ask a teacher or parent to review your resume
3. Customize it for each job application
4. Practice your interview skills
5. Build your resume with our ATS CV Maker

About the Author

Ash is a resume expert and career strategist who helps job seekers land their dream roles. With years of experience in resume writing and ATS optimization, Ash has helped thousands of candidates create resumes that get noticed. Ash's work has been featured in leading career publications and is trusted by job seekers worldwide.

Build Your Teen Resume