How to write a resume for your first job, by Resume Genius on YouTube. 1 min 36 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 36 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Type your name, phone number, email address and city at the top of the page. Use a professional email address and check that every detail is correct before you go further.
Choose a simple reverse chronological layout that fits on one page. Use clear headings and a plain font, and save the file in a format you can edit later.
Read the job ad and note the skills and words it repeats. You will reuse those exact terms in your resume so it matches what the employer asks for.
Add a two-line summary under your contact details. Say what kind of role you want and the strengths you would bring, such as reliability or customer service.
Put your education near the top when you have little work history. Include the school name, qualification, dates and any relevant subjects, grades or projects.
Create an experience section for paid, unpaid or volunteer work. Babysitting, tutoring, sports teams, school clubs and family jobs all count if you describe what you did.
Describe each entry with two or three bullet points. Start with an action verb and add a number where you can, such as trained 3 new helpers or served 50 customers a day.
Add a skills section with 5 to 8 short items. Mix practical skills like spreadsheets with people skills like teamwork, and only list things you can discuss in an interview.
Proofread for spelling and grammar, then read the whole page out loud. Ask someone else to check it, and export a PDF before you send it to the employer.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the resume to one page, since employers spend only a few seconds on a first read.
Mirror the job ad wording in your skills and bullet points so keyword checks and busy readers both pick it up.
Send a PDF rather than an editable file so your layout does not shift on another computer.
Leave out a photo, date of birth and full street address unless the employer specifically asks for them.
Questions
What if I have never had a job at all?
Use school projects, volunteering, sports teams, clubs and any informal work like babysitting or lawn mowing. Describe what you did and what skills it needed rather than the job title.
Should I write a summary or an objective?
A short summary works better for most first resumes. It says who you are, what role you want and one or two strengths that fit the job ad.
How long should my first resume be?
One page is enough. If you are struggling to fill it, add relevant coursework, hobbies that show responsibility, and volunteer or family work.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
