Your first resume does not need a job history. It needs to show that you are reliable, that you learn quickly and that you have already done real things, such as helping neighbors, leading a club or finishing a course.
Below are 6 free 16-year-old resume examples for first jobs, starting with one for students who have no volunteer or work history yet. After them, use the free builder to create your own, then print it or copy it.
All examples are fictional. Replace every detail with your own true information, and never copy numbers, awards or certifications you did not earn.
6 Resume Examples for a 16-Year-Old
Quick jump: No experienceRetail and foodOffice and libraryCamp and sportsBabysitterClub leader
No Volunteer or Work History
DANIEL ROSS
Raleigh, NC | (555) 010-0102 | daniel.ross@email.com
Objective
Organized high school student seeking a part-time job in retail, food service or an office. Completed an online office skills course, careful with details and available after school and on weekends.
Education
Hometown High School, Raleigh, NC | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Keyboarding, Computer Applications, English
Certifications
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Word, 2026
Skills
Typing, Microsoft Office and Google Docs, organization, time management, clear communication, teamwork
Personal Projects and Training
Home Office Skills Practice | 2025 to present
- Built a 12-month budget in Excel using formulas and a chart
- Completed a 10-hour online Word course and wrote a 2-page sample report
- Practiced typing 20 minutes a day and reached 50 words per minute
- Created a filing system for 150 family documents with labeled folders
- Wrote 5 sample business emails and had a teacher review them
Selected Achievements
- Honor roll for 4 semesters
- Earned a 92% average on all online course quizzes
Retail and Food Service
MADISON COLE
Tampa, FL | (555) 010-0113 | madison.cole@email.com
Objective
Reliable high school student seeking a part-time retail or food service job. Friendly with customers, quick to learn and available after school, on weekends and in the summer.
Education
Hometown High School, Tampa, FL | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Business Basics, English, Computer Applications
Certifications
Food handler certificate, 2026
CPR and First Aid (valid through 2028)
Skills
Customer service, teamwork, reliable and punctual, basic cash handling, time management, clear communication
Volunteer Experience
Concession Stand Volunteer, Mapleton Snack Shack, Tampa, FL | 2025 to present
- Served about 60 customers per game night with friendly service
- Handled about 40 cash payments a night with an accurate drawer
- Prepared and packed about 50 snack orders a night
- Restocked and cleaned the stand before and after each event
- Trained 3 new volunteers on the register
Neighborhood Helper, Local Families | 2024 to 2025
- Helped 4 families with yard care and errands each month
- Kept a simple schedule and arrived on time for every job
Selected Achievements
- Volunteer of the Month, March 2026, chosen from 30 volunteers
- Honor roll for 3 semesters
Office, Library and Tutoring
NOAH BAKER
Denver, CO | (555) 010-0124 | noah.baker@email.com
Objective
Organized high school student seeking a part-time office, library or tutoring job. Careful with details, comfortable with computers and available after school and on weekends.
Education
Hometown High School, Denver, CO | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Computer Applications, Keyboarding, English | GPA: 3.8
Certifications
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Word, 2026
Skills
Microsoft Office and Google Docs, organization, tutoring, clear communication, time management, reliable and punctual
Volunteer Experience
Library Helper, Lakehurst Family Library, Denver, CO | 2025 to present
- Shelved and sorted about 100 books a week
- Helped about 20 visitors a day find books and use computers
- Checked in about 40 items a day with an accurate count
- Prepared mailings for 4 library events
- Tutored 3 younger students in reading each week
Peer Tutor, Hometown High School | 2024 to 2025
- Tutored 5 classmates in math each week
- Helped 3 students raise their grades by one letter
Selected Achievements
- Peer Tutor of the Year, 2025, chosen from 15 tutors
- Honor roll for 4 semesters
Camp, Sports and Outdoors
OLIVIA HAYES
Portland, OR | (555) 010-0135 | olivia.hayes@email.com
Objective
Energetic high school student seeking a seasonal camp, sports or outdoor job. Good with younger children, dependable and available during summer break.
Education
Hometown High School, Portland, OR | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Physical Education, Health, Biology
Certifications
CPR and First Aid (valid through 2028)
Skills
Helping younger children, teamwork, reliable and punctual, clear communication, organization, customer service
Volunteer Experience
Junior Counselor Volunteer, Sunridge Day Camp, Portland, OR | Summer 2025
- Supervised a group of 8 children ages 6 to 8 each day
- Led 3 games and activities a day with clear instructions
- Helped set up and clean up for 40 campers daily
- Reported any concerns to a lead counselor right away
- Earned thank-you notes from 6 families
Youth Sports Helper, Neighborhood League | 2024 to 2025
- Helped coach a team of 10 players each Saturday
- Handed out equipment and set up fields in 15 minutes
Selected Achievements
- Chosen as Junior Counselor of the Week 3 times
- Captain of the school track team
Babysitter and Helper
ELLA BROOKS
Columbus, OH | (555) 010-0146 | ella.brooks@email.com
Objective
Responsible high school student seeking a part-time job working with children, such as a daycare, camp or after-school program. Patient, creative and available after school and on weekends.
Education
Hometown High School, Columbus, OH | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Child Development, English, Health
Certifications
CPR and First Aid (valid through 2028)
Skills
Helping younger children, reliable and punctual, teamwork, time management, clear communication, organization
Babysitting and Odd Jobs
Babysitter, Neighborhood Families, Columbus, OH | 2024 to present
- Cared for children ages 4 to 9 for up to 6 hours at a time
- Served 5 regular families, with 4 asking for repeat visits
- Prepared snacks and homework time for up to 3 children
- Planned games and reading time for each visit
- Kept parents informed with a short update after every job
Reading Helper, Hollis Park Elementary Summer Program, Columbus, OH | Summer 2025
- Read with 8 first graders each week
- Helped 2 students finish their reading logs
Selected Achievements
- Rated 5 stars by 4 of 5 families
- Kept every booked job for 2 years with no missed visits
Student Club Leader
LOGAN PRICE
Atlanta, GA | (555) 010-0157 | logan.price@email.com
Objective
Dependable high school student seeking a part-time retail, office or sports job. Experienced in budgeting, planning events and working on a team, and available after school and on weekends.
Education
Hometown High School, Atlanta, GA | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Business Basics, Accounting, English | GPA: 3.6
Certifications
Food handler certificate, 2026
Skills
Teamwork, basic cash handling, organization, clear communication, time management, Microsoft Office and Google Docs
School Clubs and Activities
Treasurer, Business Club, Hometown High School | 2025 to present
- Tracked a club budget of about $1,800 in Excel
- Collected and recorded dues from 40 members
- Helped plan 4 fundraisers that raised $2,200
- Sent weekly reminders to 40 members
- Presented a budget report at 8 meetings
Team Manager, Linwood Youth Soccer Team | 2024 to 2025
- Kept attendance and equipment lists for 16 players
- Set up the field before each of 12 home games
Selected Achievements
- Elected treasurer by 40 club members
- Helped the club raise $2,200 for a food drive
Free 16-Year-Old Resume Builder
Step 1. What kind of job do you want?
Step 2. What have you done so far?
Step 3. Tap the skills you really have. They appear in your resume.
Step 4. Click any text in the resume and type to make it yours.
Replace the sample name, dates, numbers and organization details with your own true information. Keep only the section that matches your real history. List only certifications you hold and make sure names and dates match your records. Use a professional email address, and share your phone number only on applications.
JAMIE CARTER
Austin, TX | (555) 010-0191 | jamie.carter@email.com
Objective
Reliable high school student seeking a part-time retail or food service job. Friendly with customers, quick to learn and available after school, on weekends and in the summer.
Organized high school student seeking a part-time office, library or tutoring job. Careful with details, comfortable with computers and available after school and on weekends.
Energetic high school student seeking a seasonal camp, sports or outdoor job. Good with younger children, dependable and available during summer break.
Education
Hometown High School, Austin, TX | Expected graduation: May 2028
Relevant coursework: Business Basics, English, Computer Applications
Relevant coursework: Computer Applications, Keyboarding, English
Relevant coursework: Physical Education, Health, Biology
Certifications
- Food handler certificate, 2026
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Word, 2026
- CPR and First Aid, valid through 2028
Skills
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Reliable and punctual
- Time management
- Clear communication
- Microsoft Office and Google Docs
- Basic cash handling
- Helping younger children
- Tutoring
- Social media basics
- Organization
- Bilingual English and Spanish
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Tutor, Briarwood Youth Center, Austin, TX
Jan 2025 to present
- Tutored 6 students in reading and math each week
- Helped 3 students raise quiz scores by one letter grade
- Prepared 4 activity sheets a month
- Greeted about 25 families at each open house
- Logged attendance for 40 children with 100% accuracy
Babysitting and Odd Jobs
Babysitter and Yard Care, Neighborhood Families, Austin, TX
Jun 2024 to present
- Cared for children ages 4 to 9 for up to 6 hours at a time
- Served 5 regular families, with 4 asking for repeat visits
- Prepared snacks and homework time for up to 3 children
- Mowed and watered 4 yards every week
- Managed a weekly schedule for 9 jobs
School Clubs and Activities
Treasurer, Business Club, Hometown High School
Sep 2025 to present
- Tracked a club budget of about $1,800 in Excel
- Collected and recorded dues from 40 members
- Helped plan 4 fundraisers that raised $2,200
- Sent weekly reminders to 40 members
- Presented a budget report at 8 meetings
Personal Projects and Training
Home Office Skills Practice
2025 to present
- Built a 12-month budget in Excel using formulas and a chart
- Completed a 10-hour online Word course and wrote a 2-page sample report
- Practiced typing 20 minutes a day and reached 50 words per minute
- Created a filing system for 150 family documents with labeled folders
- Wrote 5 sample business emails and had a teacher review them
Selected Achievements
- Honor roll for 4 semesters
- Volunteer of the Month, March 2026, chosen from 30 volunteers
- Perfect attendance at 40 volunteer sessions
- Rated 5 stars by 4 of 5 families
- Kept every booked job for 2 years with no missed visits
- Elected treasurer by 40 club members
- Helped the club raise $2,200 for a food drive
- Finished a 10-hour online course in 2 weeks
- Earned a 92% average on all course quizzes
To save your resume: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the resume prints. To copy it, select the text inside the resume and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
What Counts as Experience at 16
| If you have | Use this section |
|---|---|
| Volunteer work | Volunteer Experience |
| Babysitting, yard care or errands | Babysitting and Odd Jobs |
| Clubs, sports or student council | School Clubs and Activities |
| Class projects | Academic Projects |
| No volunteer or work history | Personal Projects and Training |
- Volunteer work. Treat it like a job: role, organization, dates and bullets with numbers.
- Babysitting and odd jobs. Say how many families, children or yards, and how often.
- Clubs and sports. A role such as treasurer, captain or manager shows responsibility.
- Projects and training. If you have none of the above, a budget sheet, a sample report or an online course shows real skills. Never invent jobs or volunteer work.
What to Put in Each Section
| Section | What to put |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, city and state, phone, professional email |
| Objective | The job you want and when you are available |
| Education | School, expected graduation, relevant classes |
| Certifications | Only those you hold, such as CPR or food handler |
| Skills | Match the job posting |
| Alternative section | Volunteering, babysitting, clubs or projects |
| Selected Achievements | 2 or 3 proven results |
- Header. Add your name, city and state, phone and a professional email. Leave off your full home address and your age.
- Objective. Two lines: the kind of job you want, one or two strengths and when you are available.
- Education. List your school, expected graduation date and three relevant classes. Add a GPA only if it is 3.5 or higher.
- Certifications. List only those you hold, with dates that match your records.
- Skills. Include only skills you can show, and match words in the job posting.
- Alternative section. Choose volunteering, babysitting, clubs or projects, whichever best fits the job.
- Selected Achievements. Finish with two or three proven results, such as honors, ratings or money raised.
Know the Work Rules for Your Age
| Question | What the U.S. Department of Labor says |
|---|---|
| Federal hour limits at 16 and 17 | None; may work unlimited hours in jobs not declared hazardous |
| Hazardous jobs | Not allowed until age 18 |
| State rules | Many states limit hours or require work permits |
| If federal and state rules differ | The stricter rule must be obeyed |
Federal law does not require work permits, but many states do. Check with your school counselor or your state labor department before you apply.
Tips for a Stronger First Resume
- Be specific. Say how many children, customers, members or hours.
- Match the job. Reuse words from the posting for skills you really have.
- Use action verbs. Served, tutored, organized, tracked, led.
- Use a professional email. A simple name works best.
- Keep it to one page. Use one plain font.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing your age or full address. Your graduation date and city are enough.
- Vague bullets. Say what you did and how much.
- Skills you do not have. Be ready to show each one.
- Unrelated hobbies. Keep only items that fit the job.
- Typos. Read it aloud and have an adult read it.
Resume Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your resume is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a resume at 16 with no work experience?
Lead with a short objective, then education, certifications and skills. After that, add anything that shows responsibility: volunteering, babysitting, yard work, clubs, sports or school projects.
What should I put on a resume if I have never had a job?
List your school and expected graduation date, relevant classes, skills and any volunteer work, club role or project. If you have none yet, use personal projects and training, such as a budget built in Excel or an online course.
Should I list my age on my resume?
No. Your expected graduation date already shows where you are in school.
How long should a 16-year-old’s resume be?
One page.
Do I need a GPA on my resume?
Only if it is strong. A GPA of 3.5 or higher is worth listing.
Should I write ’references available upon request’?
It is optional. Instead, prepare a separate list of two or three adults, such as a teacher or coach, who agreed to be your references.
Can a 16-year-old work any hours?
Federal rules set no hour limits for 16- and 17-year-olds, and they may work in any job not declared hazardous. Many states set their own hour limits or require work permits, and when both apply the stricter rule must be followed. Check with your school counselor or state labor department.
Do I need a cover letter?
A short one can help when you have little work history. It lets you explain your interest and when you are available.
What if I have no volunteer or work history at all?
Use personal projects and training. Build a budget in Excel, write a sample report in Word, finish a short online office course or practice typing, and list each with real numbers. Do not invent jobs or volunteer work.
Should I use a summary or an objective?
An objective works best at 16. In two lines, name the kind of job you want and when you are available.
Conclusion
A first resume is about showing responsibility. Use real details, add numbers where you can and keep it to one page. Then use the builder above to write yours.
Related Reading
- Teenager resume with no work experience
- Skills for a 16-year-old resume
- Objectives for a 16-year-old resume
- High school student resume summary
- Cover letter example for a 16-year-old
- High school student achievements for a resume
- Tell me about yourself: sample answers for high school students
- Basic skills for a resume
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions for Nonagricultural Occupations and YouthRules: Non-Agricultural Work for 16- and 17-Year-Olds. State rules vary. Sample resumes are fictional. This page does not guarantee a job, pay or an interview.