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Nurturing Your Teen's Future - A Parent's Guide to Resume Building 🌸


Two Teen girls reading paperwork
Helping Your Teen Build Their First Resume Is Like Teaching Them To Ride A Bike. It's A Lesson That Will Stick With Them For Life.

Hey everyone!


I'm Lauren, and I'm super excited to talk to you about something really important: helping your teens create their very first resume! Here at Career Bloom Solutions, we're all about giving people the tools they need to build awesome careers, no matter how young they are. And that starts with a great resume.

A resume isn't just some boring list of stuff your teen has done. It's really a way for them to show off their unique skills, what they've experienced, and all the potential they have. Think of it as their personal "hype" document to make a killer first impression!




Why is a Resume Important for Teens?


You might be wondering, "Does my teen really need a resume?" And the answer is YES! Here's why:

  • Part-Time Jobs & Internships: If your teen is looking for a part-time gig or an internship to get some experience, make some money, or figure out what they're into, a resume is a must-have.

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Even if it's not a paid thing, volunteer work shows your teen is committed, willing to learn, and wants to contribute to their community. That's resume-worthy!

  • College Applications: Believe it or not, some colleges (especially for specific programs or scholarships) like to see a resume.

  • Building Confidence: Putting together a resume helps teens take a step back and say, "Hey, I've actually done some cool stuff!" It's a great confidence booster.

  • Developing Essential Skills: Creating a resume teaches teens how to get organized, communicate effectively, and promote themselves – all skills that will help them big time in the future.




Getting Started: Gathering the "Ingredients"


Before we get into the nitty-gritty of formatting and writing, let's gather all the info your teen will need. This is a perfect opportunity for you to sit down with them and have a good chat. Here's what you'll need:

  • Personal Information:

    • Full Name

    • Phone Number

    • Email Address (make sure it sounds professional, like firstname.lastname@email.com)

    • Optional: City and State

    • Important Note: It's usually best not to include a full address, social security number, or date of birth on the resume to keep things private.

  • Education:

    • Name of High School

    • City and State

    • Expected Graduation Date

    • GPA (if it's good - 3.0 or higher)

    • Relevant Coursework (like "AP English," "Honors Biology," "Web Design")

    • Awards or Honors (like "Honor Roll," "Student of the Month")

  • Experience:

    • This can include:

      • Part-Time Jobs: Company name, location, job title, dates, and what they did there.

      • Volunteer Work: Organization name, location, dates, and what they did.

      • Extracurricular Activities: Club or organization name, their role, dates, and any big wins.

      • Projects: Any cool projects they've worked on (school, personal, etc.).

      • Babysitting/Pet Sitting/Lawn Mowing: Shows they're responsible and have a good work ethic.

  • Skills:

    • This is where your teen gets to show off what they're good at. Think broadly! Examples:

      • Technical Skills: Computer stuff, social media, coding.

      • Language Skills: Other languages they speak.

      • Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving – the people skills.

      • Creative Skills: Writing, photography, graphic design, music.

  • Awards and Honors:

    • Any achievements or recognitions they've gotten, in or out of school.

  • Optional Sections:

    • Objective/Summary: A quick statement at the top.

    • Interests: Hobbies that might show off their personality or skills.




Lesson 1: Power Up with Action Verbs

When describing what they've done, action verbs are key! They make things sound way more dynamic.

Instead of: "Responsible for taking orders"

Use: "Took customer orders accurately and efficiently"

Here are some action verbs to get them started:

  • Achieved

  • Assisted

  • Collaborated

  • Communicated

  • Coordinated

  • Created

  • Developed

  • Directed

  • Implemented

  • Improved

  • Led

  • Managed

  • Organized

  • Planned

  • Provided

  • Trained


Lesson 2: Numbers are Your Friend

Whenever possible, encourage your teen to use numbers to show what they've done. It makes their achievements sound more real.

Instead of: "Helped with fundraising"

Use: "Helped raise $500 for the school fundraiser"

Instead of: "Improved customer satisfaction"

Use: "Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 15% (based on customer surveys)"

Resume Sections in Detail

Okay, let's break down each part of the resume:

1. Header:

  • Keep it clean and simple.

  • Include their name, phone number, email, and city/state.

  • Use a professional email address!

Example:

Jane Smith (555) 123-4567 jane.smith@email.com Anytown, CA

2. Education:

  • Start with their most recent school.

  • Include the details mentioned earlier.

  • If they're still in high school, focus on relevant classes, GPA (if it's good), and any school wins.

Example:

Anytown High School, Anytown, CA Expected Graduation: June 2025 GPA: 3.8 Relevant Coursework: AP English, Honors Biology, AP Calculus Honor Roll (2023, 2024)

3. Experience:

  • This is where they show off their work, volunteer stuff, and activities.

  • Start with the most recent stuff first.

  • For each experience, include:

    • Company/Organization Name

    • Location

    • Job Title/Role

    • Dates

    • 3-5 bullet points describing what they did and what they achieved (use those action verbs and numbers!).

Example 1 (Part-Time Job):

The Coffee Shop, Anytown, CA Barista June 2024 - Present * Prepared and served a variety of coffee beverages to customers. * Provided excellent customer service, resulting in positive feedback. * Operated the cash register and handled transactions accurately. * Maintained a clean and organized work environment. * Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient operations.

Example 2 (Volunteer Work):

Anytown Animal Shelter, Anytown, CA Volunteer September 2023 - December 2023 * Assisted with the daily care of animals, including feeding and cleaning. * Provided companionship and socialization for animals. * Helped organize and run adoption events. * Communicated with potential adopters, providing information about the animals.

Example 3 (Extracurricular Activity):

Debate Club, Anytown High School, Anytown, CA President September 2022 - Present * Led weekly meetings and organized club activities. * Researched and prepared arguments for debates. * Competed in regional debate tournaments. * Mentored new members and helped them develop their debate skills.

4. Skills:

  • Make a "Skills" section.

  • List both technical and soft skills.

  • Use bullet points.

  • Be specific (e.g., "Microsoft Excel," not just "Microsoft Office").

  • Group similar skills together.

Example:

Skills: * Technical: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Social Media (Instagram, TikTok), * Language: Spanish (Conversational) * Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Time Management, Customer Service, Leadership

5. Awards and Honors:

  • List any awards or honors.

  • Include the name of the award, who gave it, and when.

Example:

Awards and Honors: * Student of the Month, Anytown High School, May 2024 * Volunteer of the Year, Anytown Animal Shelter, December 2023 * National Honor Society, 2023-2025

6. Optional Sections:

  • Objective/Summary:

    • A short statement (1-3 sentences) at the top.

    • An objective says what kind of job they want.

    • A summary highlights their best skills and experiences.

    • An objective might be better for a teen with limited experience.

Example (Objective):

Objective: To obtain a part-time position at (Company Name) where I can utilize my customer service and communication skills.

Example (Summary):

Summary: Enthusiastic and responsible high school student with experience in customer service and volunteer work. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

  1. Interests:

This can show a bit of their personality.

Include interests that relate to the job or show good qualities (e.g., teamwork, creativity).

Don't list anything controversial or irrelevant.

Example:

Interests: * Photography * Playing the guitar * Volunteering at the local library * Playing soccer

Lesson 3: Make it Look Good!


The look of the resume is super important. Here's how to make it shine:

  • Keep it Short: One page is the goal.

  • Use a Clean Font: Easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or our Career Bloom Solutions favorite, Garamond, are great.

  • Be Consistent: Use the same font size and style throughout.

  • Use White Space: Don't cram everything in. Give it some room to breathe.

  • Use Bullet Points: Make it easy to read.

  • Proofread! Typos are a big no-no. Have your teen (and you!) check it a few times.

  • Save as a PDF: This keeps the formatting the same on any computer.



Final Tips for Parents:


  • Be Supportive: Creating a resume can be stressful. Be there for your teen.

  • Guide, Don't Do: Let your teen take the lead. You're there to help.

  • Give Feedback: Tell them what's working and what could be better.

  • Celebrate! Once it's done, celebrate this big step with your teen!

At Career Bloom Solutions, we're all about helping everyone, at any age, bloom in their career journey. I hope this guide helps you and your teen create a resume that opens doors and sets them up for success.

If you have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We're here to help you bloom!

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