Resume

As mentioned in the video, resumes are a glimpse into who you are as not only as a worker, but as a person as well.

A resume can provide a potential employer with valuable information about you and what types of unique skills or personality traits you can bring to their business, and why you are interested in getting a job with them.

You may be saying to yourself "but I don't have anything to put on my resume. I've never worked a day in my life!"

THAT'S PERFECTLY OK!

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Here are some steps to help you build a resume of your own:

1.) Create a Header

You need to think of your resume as a marketing document, one that calls attention to the fact that you’re the best person for the job. The first component of any resume is a header. In the header, you include:

1.) your name

2.) contact information

3.) Any URLs that you think might be of interest to a potential employer. For instance, your LinkedIn URL (if you have one), or a URL to a website for a foundation you have worked with or volunteer for.

Step 2: Add a short summary

Next, you’ll create a short paragraph (three to four sentences, tops) that summarizes your skills and proudest achievements to date.

Simply state what you’d like to do for the employer-at-hand, list a reason or two as to why/how you’ll be great at the job, and explain why you’re excited about working for them.

Step 3: Think about the Qualities an Employer Wants

Each job has different requirements for their employees. If you want to work a Chick-fil-a you will have to have communication and people skills. If you want to bag groceries at Publix you will need to be attentive to your surroundings and a willfulness to help.

Let your potential employers know that you plan to do more than the minimum, and keep that in mind when mentioning accomplishments on your resume.

Step 4: Let Them Know You Can be Counted On

Sometimes teenage employees carry a stereotype with them that most teenagers are lazy and don't care about their job. So you got that going against you already...

Prove that stereotype wrong by emphasizing a track record of timeliness and traits that suggest reliability and maturity. Let them know that you work well with adults, and you work well in a team environment. Make it clear that you’ll take their business as seriously as they do.

Consider including (along with your resume) one or two prepared letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or community leaders that speak about your outstanding qualities and skills.

Step 5: Emphasize Your Grades and Study Skills

Since you’re a teen and you likely don’t have a lot of work experience, you really need to make your grades and academic achievements stand out!

If you’re earning straight A’s and working hard on your extracurricular activities, this is the place to mention it. Again, employers want reassurance that you know how to buckle down, make commitments, follow through, and do an awesome job.

High grades can provide that impression, considering that employers who hire teenagers aren’t expecting much in the previous work experience department.

Step 6: Leverage your Top Skills

Use a Top Skills section on your resume to highlight any skills that may have that could be meaningful to your employer.

Think beyond your basic babysitting and lawn mowing gig skills, include your skills like:

1.) You can use Microsoft Office (power point, word, excel)

2.) Google Drive skills

3.) Your high-powered social media profiles (that don’t contain anything embarrassing)

4.) Any language skills (speak another language)

5.) Your athletic accomplishments

6.) Any other extracurricular achievements or elective classes you've taken (MIYB)

Step 7: Make Your Writing Sing

Easier said than done, for most people.

Make sure your phrases are smooth, use action verbs to show that you’re a go-getter, and choose words that are elevated and precise, not slangy.

Before you begin submitting resumes, show it to people who know how to give honest editorial advice and constructive criticism. Choose people like your parents or a favorite teacher (ideally, your grammar star English teacher or someone older, more experienced potential employers won’t have access to!)

Step 8: PROOFREAD!

Typos are an employers pet peeve!

Fantastic candidates of all ages have been rejected outright because their amazing resumes included one nasty spelling mistake they should have picked up on.

Your resume should contain absolutely no typos, so get it proofread before applying for any jobs. You should take a shot at doing this, but also put that grammar nerd best friend to work (or again, your grammar star English teacher)

RESUME

Why they are important for teens and how to fill one out

Some Information from: https://www.livecareer.com/resources/resumes/how-to/write/resume-tips-for-teenagers