First Job Resume: Template and Examples (2026)

Applying for your first job? How to write a resume that gets a callback: what to include, how to structure it, a short example, and a free template.

Template:

A high-school student applying for a part-time retail job.

Why this resume works

  • Sport, babysitting and volunteering are written like work: what was done, for whom and for how long.
  • The summary answers a first employer's questions up front: availability, cash handling, teamwork.
  • It is short on purpose. One focused page reads as confident, not thin.
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Your first job application is the hardest because the page feels empty. But a first-job resume is not about a long history — it is about showing you are dependable, teachable and ready to start. A clean one-page resume that highlights school, skills and any informal experience is all you need.

Below is exactly how to structure it, a short example you can adapt, and the tips that get a teenager or recent graduate a callback. You can build it and download the PDF free in about ten minutes. If you have no work history of any kind, including volunteering, start with the resume with no experience guide; if you are in college, the college student resume guide has more on the education section.

How to write a resume for your first job

1

Start with a headline and goal

Name the role and one strength, for example Retail Associate — friendly, dependable, available weekends. Stating your availability up front is a real advantage for a first job, because shift coverage is often what managers care about most.

2

Highlight school and achievements

Your education is your track record. Include your school, expected graduation, strong grades if you have them, and any awards, leadership positions or relevant classes. A team captaincy or a part in the school play is evidence of commitment.

3

Turn activities into experience

Clubs, sports, volunteering, helping at a family business, a class project — describe each with an action verb and a result. "Coached a junior team of 12" shows the same leadership a job would, even though it was unpaid.

4

List skills that match the role

Read the posting and mirror its language. For a first job, soft skills (reliability, teamwork, communication) carry real weight alongside any practical tools you know, such as a cash register, a design app or a second language.

5

Keep it to one clean page

Pick an ATS-safe template, use consistent formatting, and proofread twice. A tidy, error-free page signals exactly the dependability employers want from a first-time hire — so the presentation itself becomes part of your pitch.

What employers look for in a first-job resume

For an entry-level role, hiring managers are scanning for three things: that you will show up, that you can be taught, and that you can work with others. Make those easy to see:

  • Availability and reliability stated up front in the headline or summary.
  • Evidence of responsibility — even informal (babysitting, tutoring, a club role, a paper round).
  • A few skills that match the job, written in plain language the ATS can read.

The example, line by line

Here is a short example for a first retail or hospitality role:

Summary: Reliable and friendly high-school student seeking a part-time retail role. Available evenings and weekends, comfortable handling cash and helping customers, and used to working in a team from two years of organized sport.

Experience-style bullets:

  • Captained a 12-player soccer team across a full season, organizing practice schedules and travel.
  • Babysat regularly for three families, managing meals, homework and bedtime routines safely.
  • Volunteered 40+ hours at a local animal shelter, greeting visitors and processing adoptions.

None of these are jobs — but each one proves reliability, teamwork and customer-facing confidence, which is exactly what a first employer is buying.

Related resume guides

A first job comes at different points for different people. The closest guides:

Every situation is in the resume examples hub. Pricing questions are answered on the FAQ; the short version is that the PDF download is free, with no watermark, on every plan.

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Frequently asked questions

What should a first job resume include?

A headline, a short summary, your education and achievements, any activities or informal work described with results, and a focused skills list that matches the job posting. One page is plenty, and availability stated up front is a real plus for shift-based roles.

Do I need experience for my first job resume?

No. Use school, projects, volunteering and activities to show responsibility, teamwork and reliability. Employers hiring for first jobs expect applicants without formal work history, so the goal is to prove the right qualities rather than list past titles.

What is a good objective for a first job?

Two or three sentences that name the role, state your strongest qualities, and mention your availability. Keep it specific to the job you are applying for rather than generic — "available weekends, comfortable with cash handling" beats "hard-working team player".

How do I write a resume as a teenager?

Lead with school, then turn activities, sports, volunteering and informal jobs into achievement bullets. Keep it to one clean page, state your availability, and proofread carefully. A tidy, error-free resume is itself proof of the reliability employers want.

How long should a first job resume be?

One page. You will not have enough relevant history to justify more, and a single focused page is easier for a busy manager to scan. Use the space for achievements and skills rather than filler.

Should I put my hobbies on a first job resume?

Include hobbies only if they show a relevant skill or quality — a team sport (teamwork), running a YouTube channel (initiative), or coding (technical skill). Skip generic entries like "listening to music" that tell an employer nothing useful.

What skills look good on a first resume?

Reliability, communication, teamwork and time management, plus any practical tools you have used — a cash register, basic Office or Google Workspace, a design app, or a second language. Match them to the posting so the ATS picks them up.

How do I make a first job resume with no work experience?

Treat school, volunteering and activities as your experience. Write each as an action-plus-result bullet, lead with a summary that frames your strengths, and choose an ATS-safe one-page template. See our companion guide on resumes with no experience for a full walkthrough.

Should I include references on a first job resume?

You do not need to list references on the resume itself; "references available on request" is fine, or omit it entirely. Do line up one or two people — a teacher, coach or volunteer coordinator — who can vouch for you if asked.

Can I make a first job resume for free?

Yes — there is no cost. Fill in your school, activities and skills, pick an ATS-safe template, and download a watermark-free PDF without entering a card. You can share a public link too, and download your resume data any time.

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First job resume example
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