Teen Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- Junior Software Developer Teen
- Retail Customer Service Teen
- Shift Supervisor Teen

Most Popular Teen Resumes
Food Server Teen Resume Example

Teen Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Teen Resume
A good resume can connect you to exciting job opportunities. But as a teenager, you may find it hard to write your resume if you have limited or no work experience. It’s important to present yourself honestly to employers, but you also need a document that doesn’t hinder you from getting interviews with them.
The solution: Focus your resume on the job-relevant skills and knowledge you’ve gained in your life so far, whether through work, school, or extracurricular activities. The guide below will help you strike this focus so your resume impresses and persuades hiring managers to call.
1. Build a concise profile to present your experience
In a brief paragraph or bullet list at the top of your resume, catch hiring managers’ attention by giving the three to five main reasons you’ll excel at their organization. For instance, maybe you have recent customer service experience in a similar work environment. (Note, most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Strong Profile Example
Motivated high school student with experience in customer service, cash handling, and teamwork. Adept at balancing school and part-time work, maintaining high academic standards while excelling in retail roles. Demonstrated success resolving customer issues in a fast-paced environment.
Weak Profile Example
A high school student seeking a job. I’m a hard worker and willing to learn and apply skills in any field.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
For any jobs you’ve held, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant and impressive ones to include as bullet points on your resume. With this approach, you can write an experience section that’s both detailed and focused.
Strong Professional Experience Example
Cashier, Target, Austin, TX | June 2023 to present
- Greet customers, process transactions, and handle cash registers with zero errors across daily shifts
- Resolve customer issues promptly, improving satisfaction scores by 15%
- Help manage inventory by organizing stock and updating product displays
Weak Professional Experience Example
Cashier, Target, Austin, TX | June 2023 to present
- Worked the cash register
- Helped customers find products
- Assisted with stock duties
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Give the basics on any school you currently attend. Then, flesh out this section with any details that show your relevant knowledge base. Omit certifications or other credentials that don’t speak to the job opening at hand.
Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].
Education
Template
- [Degree Name — Major], School Name, City, ST or online | [Year]
- [#.# GPA] | [Select Coursework]
Example
- Liberty High School, Seattle, WA | Diploma expected 2025
Certifications
Template
- Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
- [Description]
Example
- Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023
4. List pertinent key skills for your target role
Add a key skills section to show the various ways you can contribute to your target job. Include relevant skills you’ve gained through your work, high school, or volunteer experience. Below are some common skills and keywords for teen resumes:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Cash handling | Customer service |
Data gathering and entry | Editing and proofreading |
Efficiency improvement | Fact-checking and research |
Graphic design | Microsoft Office Suite |
Office administration | Process streamlining |
Reporting and documentation | Task prioritization |
Team collaboration | Time management |
Work scheduling |
5. Add sections on your other related experience
Following the same structure as your experience section, create resume sections for your relevant volunteer, intern, or extracurricular activities. Feel free to flesh out these sections to the extent they help show you’ve gained skills you can use in your target job. For example, create a detailed description of your high school athletics if it helps you emphasize your skills in teamwork and collaboration.
How To Pick the Best Teen Resume Template
In general, look for a resume template that’s simple and straightforward. Choose a layout that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best details. Select a traditional resume font, and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, ensure the template complies with applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by employers to screen resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions: Teen Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for teen resumes?-
One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show engagement in your work, school, and other activities. Use the following list to find a good mix of action verbs for your teen resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Created | Decreased |
Enhanced | Fostered |
Generated | Grew |
Improved | Increased |
Introduced | Launched |
Pinpointed | Provided |
Ranked | Reduced |
Streamlined | Supported |
Uncovered | Won |
Wrote |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?-
One great way to customize your resume is by adding brief descriptions of the places you’ve worked, interned, or volunteered, in [brackets] right next to or below the organization name. These descriptions let you show any similarities between your past workplaces and the one that posted the job. For example, maybe you’ve worked for companies of a similar size or industry. Or maybe you’ve worked at organizations with a similar mission or service philosophy. By adding these details, you can make your resume more relevant to the job opening at hand.
What is the best teen resume format?-
Most teens should use the combination (or hybrid) resume format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section, and the functional format’s profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.)
By fusing these two features, a combination resume offers the best of both worlds. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself both clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can make an informed decision to call you for an interview.
Should my teen resume be one or two pages?-
Your teen resume should ideally be one page, especially if you have fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can be effective for seasoned professionals with a longer track record if it highlights accomplishments and skills directly relevant to the job. Every detail should add value and strengthen your candidacy.
Limit your work experience to the past 10 to 15 years, unless earlier positions are highly relevant. Keeping your resume concise and targeted will make a strong and memorable impression on potential employers.
What’s the recommended length for a teen resume?-
The recommended length for a teen resume is one page, especially for professionals with under 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can work for those with substantial accomplishments or a longer career, but only if it’s concise and highly relevant to the role. Tailoring your resume to the job and highlighting your strongest qualifications are key to success.
Stick to listing work experience from the last 10 to 15 years, as this period is most relevant to employers. Summarize or omit older positions unless they’re crucial for your application. A focused and streamlined resume will help capture the hiring manager’s attention.
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