Resumes
Your first resume when you have no work experience
No jobs yet? You still have plenty to put on a page: school, volunteering, teams, and the skills that come with them.
First Step Career · Sep 21, 2026 · 5 min read
ResumesEveryone's first resume starts from zero work history. Employers hiring for entry-level roles know that, and they're looking for other signs you'll show up and learn.
Start with a short profile
Two lines about who you are and what you're looking for: "High school student in Grade 11, looking for part-time weekend work in retail or food service."
Use what you already have
- **School:** courses that fit the job, good attendance, awards
- **Volunteering:** food banks, events, coaching younger kids
- **Teams and clubs:** sports, band, student council, robotics
- **Responsibilities:** babysitting, helping at a family business, caring for siblings
Turn activities into skills
"Volunteered at the school fundraiser" becomes "Handled cash and served about 200 customers at the school fundraiser". Say what you did, and how much of it.
Add your availability
For part-time and summer jobs, list the days and hours you can work. It's often the first thing a manager checks.
Keep it to one page
One clean page, a simple font, and your phone number and email at the top.
