Resumes +
Cover letters
Writing a resume as a teenager can often be difficult because you don't yet have a lot of experience to add. So the first thing you should do is get some! Check out the 'Volunteering' page on this Site for some guidance.
In the meantime, start creating a resume. To do this there are a few things to remember.
Make a statement!
Include a statement paragraph at the top that introduces you - eg: “Hard-working Year 9 student with excellent time management skills. Seeks to learn customer service skills in a retail environment.”
Use sections
Under headings, include relevant information about you:
Work history: List your past jobs in reverse chronological order in dot points and describe the duties for each in dot points.
Education: List the name of your school, the year you are in or graduated in and relevant courses.
Skills: List the skills which are relevant to that job.
Awards and achievements: describe any awards you have received in school and significant achievements.
Hobbies and interests: Only include this section if they demonstrate your skills or are related to the job.
Be concise and systematic
Use simple but effective formatting that makes your resume clear and easy to follow, but also stands out from the rest! For example, all headings are in bold.
Keep the layout simple
Be clear and formal
Check the tone and language of your resume
PROOFREAD before you print or send... this is your FIRST IMPRESSION so ensure there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors
Are your contact details correct and appropriate? Make sure your email is mature and current.
Adjust your resume as you apply for jobs
Read the job description or think about the business you're applying to... can you tweak your resume to better suit what they might be looking for?
Be specific about the skills that will suit this job
Here is a basic outline you could use, however there are free templates FAR BELOW:
Contact Details
[Name]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email address]
Objective
[Use this section to describe your experience and explain what makes you suitable for the role.]
Experience
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Dates of employment]
[Bullet points with responsibilities]
Education
[If you are studying, list the details of what you are studying.]
[School]
[Dates attended]
[List any degrees you have completed]
Skills
[Include a list of any relevant skills you have, using bullet points.]
Awards and achievements
[If you have won any awards or other achievements, list them in this section.]
Hobbies and interests
[If you have a relevant hobby or if you have done any volunteering, list the details here.]
Free resume templates - BELOW:
