Write Your First Resume (Even If You Have No Work Experience)

1. What is a Resume — and Why Does It Matter?

A resume is your “live” personal marketing tool. Due to the great amount of resumes an employer will recieve, a resume is also there for them to shortlist.

One resume does not fit all the jobs you will apply for, create one main resume with everything on it, and adjust it slightly for each job, depending on what the job description.

It’s a one-page summary that tells an employer:

• who you are,
• what you can do,
• and why you’d be a great fit for the job — even if you haven’t worked before.

Think of it as your story — not just what jobs you’ve done, but what you bring to the workplace. Story yes, life story no!

2. The Key Sections Your First Resume Should Include

Use clear headings and simple formatting so an employer can scan your resume quickly.

Contact Details

Make this easy to read and up-to-date:

• Full Name
• Phone number
• Professional Email address
• City/State (Your home address is not required)

Tip: Keep your email simple and professional (ideally firstname.lastname). Your “fun” email address may not be appropriate.

Resume Summary / Objective (2–3 lines)

Because you don’t have job experience yet, a short objective helps employers understand what you want and what you can offer.

Example:
“Motivated Year 11 student with strong teamwork and communication skills. Seeking a part-time retail role where I can learn customer service and contribute to a positive team. I am available weekends and can walk to work.” 

Anything in your Objective, be prepared to give an example or evidence below and discuss at the interview.

Education

This will be one of the biggest sections on your first resume. Include:

• Name of school
• Years attended
• Relevant coursework (e.g., business, computing, English)
• Awards or academic achievements
• Work experience (unpaid) can be included here or under its own heading.

Am I, a good fit for the job?

Employers care about skills, even if you learned them outside work. Organise them into two groups:

Read through, write down the job description, go through each point and respond to yourself, honestly. “Am I a good fit for this task?”

For instance, if the job requires you to answer the phone to people you don’t know. Can I already do it? Am I willing to learn? Do I want to do it? The job is Nightfill at Woolworths, Am I physically fit, do I have any attention to detail and can I work until 11pm?

Soft skills (personal strengths): teamwork, reliability, communication, time management.
Technical skills: Microsoft Office, social media familiarity, cash handling (from school stalls).

Tip: Again give a real life example. It gives your statements credibility. 

Have a read of this article in Indeed, leading job search engine about the differences between qualities and skills.

Qualities

Identify your strongest personal qualities, then instead of just stating them, give a real-life example.

What you lack in experience, you will gain in your personal qualities, attitude, character, personality.

Experience

If you haven’t worked for pay yet, that’s okay. You can still show experience that matters:

Volunteer work — sporting clubs, community groups, charity work.
Extracurricular activities — leadership roles in school clubs or teams.
School projects — events you helped organise or tasks you led.

Describe what you did and what skills you gained. Use action-oriented language: “Organised”, “Led”, “Assisted”, “Communicated”, etc.

References

You can simply write:
“References available on request.”

Once you have worked or volunteered, you can add names of teachers, coaches, or supervisors as referees.

3. Formatting Tips That Make a Difference

• Keep the resume clean and easy to read — one page is fine.
• Use bullet points under each heading.
• Check for spelling and grammar carefully — ask a teacher or parent to proofread.
• Tailor your resume to each job’s requirements using key words from the job ad.

4. Job Search Tips for Teens With No Experience

Writing a resume is only one part — now you have to find opportunities and get noticed.

Start With What You Know

Think about entry-level roles that typically don’t require experience:

• Retail assistant
• Café or hospitality support
• Yard work or gardening help
• Babysitting or pet care

These jobs help build real work habits like punctuality, teamwork and customer engagement.

Network and Ask Around

Let friends, family, teachers and neighbours know you’re looking for work. Personal recommendations can help you get your first chance.

Visit potential employers – e.g. visit and research retailers, watch others work, if you feel brave ask them for three things that you must have or be to work here.

Consider Volunteer or Work Experience

Volunteer roles give you both experience and new skills — and they look great on your resume. Local community groups, charities or events often need help.

Prepare for Interviews

Practice answering basic interview questions with a friend or family member:

• Why do you want this job?
• What are your strengths?
• Have some real life examples ready to share
• Make sure you know your availability
• How you will get to work. If the job finishes after dark, legally an employer must know how you will get home safely.
• Dress nicely, but appropriately for the job, employer and community

Even as a first-time applicant, preparation shows confidence and respect.

5. Keep Learning and Building Experience

The first job is just the start. You can still:

• Take short courses (e.g., food safety, barista skills)
• Join school or community clubs
• Take leadership opportunities
• Do more volunteering

Every experience can be added to your resume and helps you grow.

6. Final Thoughts

Everyone starts somewhere. Your first resume doesn’t need a long list of jobs — it needs clarity, honesty, and a focus on what you can offer. Follow these tips, tailor your resume to each job, and use every opportunity to build experience. Employers will notice your effort and enthusiasm.

7. What Then?

• Once you have done all that you can, at that moment, let it go. Control what you can, forget what you can’t.
• After a week, you can contact them for an update, if you havent heard anything.
• When you are not successful in getting an interview or the job you really wanted, step back, learn from and gain confidence from the experience, this you can control over.