To make a resume for your first job, use a simple one-page layout with five sections: contact details, a short objective, education, experience (including part-time work, volunteering, school projects and clubs) and skills. Put your strongest section first, describe every activity with an action verb and a result, and tailor the skills to the job posting. The step-by-step guide and a full example are below. If the posting also asks for a letter, the same thin record needs a different approach — see how to write a cover letter when you have no work experience.
Step 1: Choose a simple, ATS-friendly layout
Use one column, standard headings and a readable font at 10–12 pt. Many employers, including retailers and restaurants, screen applications with software first, so avoid tables, text boxes and graphics. Our ATS-friendly resume templates include an entry-level version you can copy.
For more finished resumes by job title, see our resume examples.
Step 2: Add your contact details
- Full name
- City and state (no street address needed)
- Phone number
- A professional email, such as [email protected]
- LinkedIn profile or portfolio link, if you have one
Step 3: Write a short resume objective
With no work history, an objective works better than a summary. In two lines, say who you are, one or two strengths, and the job you want. See more in our guide to a resume objective for students.
Hardworking high school senior with strong math skills and two years of volunteer experience at a community food bank. Seeking a part-time cashier position where I can provide friendly, accurate customer service.
Step 4: Put education near the top
For a first job, education is often your strongest section. Include your school, expected graduation date and, if it helps, your GPA (3.0 or higher), honors and relevant coursework. If you are still choosing a layout, compare the options in our resume format for freshers. That 3.0 cutoff is a guideline rather than a rule, so check when a GPA belongs on a resume before you add the number.
Step 5: List experience, even if it is not a “real job”
Employers hiring for a first job want proof that you are reliable, learn quickly and work well with people. As a result, all of these count as experience:
- Part-time or seasonal jobs, babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care
- Volunteering and community service
- School projects, clubs, sports teams and student government
- Internships, job shadowing and summer programs
- Freelance or personal projects, such as a website or social media account you manage
If you are choosing between placements, this comparison of externships and internships explains which one employers count as experience. Once you have one, here is how to list an internship on your resume.
Write each item as 2–3 bullet points that start with an action verb and, when possible, include a number:
Volunteer, Riverside Food Bank | Sep 2024 – Present
• Sorted and packed 300+ donations per weekend shift
• Greeted and checked in about 50 families each Saturday
• Trained 4 new volunteers on safety and packing procedures
Step 6: Add skills that match the job
Read the job posting and include the skills it mentions that you actually have. Mix practical and people skills:
| Hard skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Cash handling, POS systems | Customer service |
| Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs | Communication |
| Social media, Canva | Teamwork |
| A second language | Time management |
| Food safety or first aid certification | Reliability and punctuality |
For more ideas, see the best skills to put on a resume.
Step 7: Proofread and save as PDF
- Check spelling, dates and contact details twice.
- Ask a teacher, parent or counselor to read it. Your school career center can also review it, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop has free resume guides.
- Save as a PDF named firstname-lastname-resume.pdf, unless the employer asks for Word.
- Run it through the free ATS resume checker to catch formatting issues.
Resume for your first job: full example
JORDAN REYES
Austin, TX | (512) 555-0147 | [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Motivated high school senior with customer service experience from volunteering and strong teamwork skills from varsity soccer. Seeking a part-time sales associate role.
EDUCATION
Westlake High School, Austin, TX | Expected June 2027 | GPA 3.4
EXPERIENCE
Volunteer, Riverside Food Bank | Sep 2024 – Present
• Checked in about 50 families per shift and answered questions
• Organized and restocked shelves for weekly distribution
Babysitter, Self-employed | Jun 2023 – Present
• Cared for three children, ages 4–9, for two families on weekends
ACTIVITIES
Varsity soccer (2 years), Spanish Club treasurer
SKILLS
Customer service, cash handling, Google Workspace, bilingual English/Spanish
Build a resume for your first job faster
If you would rather not format it yourself, the Rezoom AI resume builder suggests bullet points from your activities and applies an ATS-friendly template. For inspiration, browse student resume examples.
FAQ: resume for your first job
What do I put on a resume if I have no experience?
Focus on education, volunteering, school projects, activities and skills. Describe what you did and any results, just as you would for a job.
How long should a first job resume be?
One page. In fact, most first job resumes fill half to three quarters of a page, which is completely fine.
Do I need a cover letter for my first job?
It is optional for most entry-level roles, but a short, friendly note explaining why you want the job can help you stand out.
Comments