How to Write a Resume for Your First Job (2026 Guide for Teens & Youth)

Writing your first resume can feel overwhelming — especially when you don't have much work experience yet. This guide walks you through everything step by step, with tips specifically for Canadian teens and young job seekers.

What Is a Resume and Why Do You Need One?

A resume is a one-page document that summarizes your skills, education, and experience for potential employers. Even if you've never had a paid job, you likely have skills and experiences worth highlighting — volunteer work, school projects, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities all count.

In Canada, most employers expect a resume when you apply for a job — whether it's a part-time position at a retail store, a summer camp counsellor role, or an entry-level office job. A strong resume helps you make a great first impression before you even walk into an interview.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

For first-time job seekers, the functional or skills-based resume works best. Instead of leading with work history (which you may not have much of), this format puts your skills and capabilities front and centre.

Recommended format for teens:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective / Summary Statement
3. Skills & Abilities
4. Education
5. Volunteer Experience / Extracurricular Activities
6. Work Experience (if any)
7. References (optional — "Available upon request")

1. Contact Information

At the top of your resume, include:

• Full Name — use your legal name as it appears on your ID
• Phone Number — a number where employers can reach you directly
• Email Address — use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not gamer2007@hotmail.com)
• City & Province — you don't need your full address, just the city (e.g., "Toronto, ON")

Tip for Canadian newcomers: If you have a Canadian phone number and email, use those. Employers may unconsciously filter out international numbers.

2. Objective / Summary Statement

Write 1-2 sentences that tell the employer who you are and what you're looking for. Keep it specific to the job you're applying for.

Examples:

"Enthusiastic Grade 11 student seeking a part-time retail position where I can apply my strong customer service skills and learn the basics of merchandising."

"Reliable and friendly high school graduate looking for a summer position in food services. Available for full-time hours from June to August."

"Recent newcomer to Canada with strong bilingual skills (English/French) seeking an entry-level position to gain Canadian work experience."

3. Skills & Abilities

This is the most important section for first-time job seekers. List 6-10 skills that are relevant to the job you want. Think about what you've learned in school, at home, through volunteering, or in sports/clubs.

Hard Skills (things you can do):

• Cash register / POS system operation
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Social media management
• Food preparation & food safety (if you have a food handler's certificate)
• Basic math and money handling
• First Aid / CPR certification
• Bilingual — English and French (or other languages)
• Photography or video editing

Soft Skills (how you work):

• Strong communication and teamwork
• Punctual and reliable
• Quick learner and adaptable
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Friendly and customer-focused
• Able to work independently and under supervision

4. Education

List your most recent education first:

• School name and city
• Grade level or expected graduation date
• Relevant courses (e.g., "Business Studies, Computer Science")
• Awards or achievements (e.g., "Honour Roll 2025, Student Council member")

For newcomers:Include education from your home country. If your qualifications were earned outside Canada, you can note "Credential assessment in progress" or list the institution with the country name.

5. Volunteer Experience & Extracurriculars

This section is crucial if you don't have paid work experience. Canadian employers value volunteer work and see it as legitimate experience. Include:

• Food bank or shelter volunteering
• School clubs (debate team, robotics club, yearbook committee)
• Sports teams (captain, assistant coach)
• Community events (organized fundraisers, cultural festivals)
• Church or religious community activities
• Babysitting, tutoring, or helping neighbours

For each experience, write:

• The organization or activity name
• Your role/title
• Dates (month/year to month/year)
• 2-3 bullet points describing what you did, starting with action verbs

Action Verbs to Use:

Start every bullet point with a strong action verb: Organized, Managed, Assisted, Coordinated, Led, Prepared, Trained, Served, Operated, Created, Maintained, Supported, Delivered, Handled, Communicated.

6. Work Experience

If you do have work experience — even informal jobs like babysitting, lawn care, shovelling snow, or helping at a family business — include it. Format it like this:

Cashier — Tim Hortons, Toronto, ON
June 2025 – August 2025
• Processed 100+ customer transactions daily using POS system
• Maintained cleanliness and organization of front counter area
• Trained 2 new team members on order preparation procedures

7. Formatting Tips for Canadian Resumes

• Length: Keep it to one page (two pages maximum for those with extensive experience)
• Font: Use a clean, professional font — Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, size 10-12pt
• Margins: 0.5 to 1 inch on all sides
• File format: Save as PDF when submitting online (preserves formatting)
• File name: Use your name: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf"
• No photo: Canadian resumes typically do not include a photo (unlike some other countries)
• No personal details: Do not include your age, date of birth, marital status, SIN, or religion
• Proofread: Ask someone to review for spelling and grammar errors

8. Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly

Many Canadian employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — software that scans resumes before a human sees them. To pass through ATS:

• Use standard section headings (Education, Experience, Skills)
• Don't use tables, columns, text boxes, or graphics
• Include keywords from the job posting
• Submit as PDF or Word document (check what the employer prefers)
• Avoid headers and footers — ATS may not read them

9. Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

• Using an unprofessional email — create a dedicated email for job applications
• Including irrelevant information — hobbies like "gaming" aren't relevant unless you're applying to a gaming company
• Lying or exaggerating — employers verify claims and dishonesty gets you disqualified
• Generic objectives — "I want a job" tells the employer nothing. Be specific.
• Not tailoring your resume — adjust your resume for each job application
• Spelling and grammar errors — have someone proofread before submitting

10. Sample Resume for a Canadian Teen

Next Steps

Now that your resume is ready, it's time to start applying! Here are some helpful next steps:

• Prepare for interviews — learn how to answer common questions
• How to get your first job — where to look and how to apply
• Browse youth jobs across Canada — find opportunities near you
• Working age by province — know when you can legally start working

External Resources

• Resume Builder — Job Bank Canada (Government of Canada)
• Youth Employment — Government of Canada
• Job Bank Youth Services
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS)

Remember: Your resume is a living document. Update it every time you gain new experience, learn a new skill, or earn a certification. Good luck with your job search!