How to Write a Resume for Your First Job (With Examples)
In this guide:
Can You Get a First Job With No Experience?
Yes.
Employers hiring for retail, food service, customer service, warehouse, and entry-level office roles don't expect prior work history. They're looking for three things:
• Reliability — can you show up on time and follow instructions?
• Basic skills — do you have the minimum requirements for the role?
• Attitude — are you willing to learn?
You prove these things through education, volunteering, extracurricular activities, projects, and certifications — not through a list of past jobs. Below are three real resume examples you can copy and adapt.
3 First Job Resume Examples
These cover the most common first-job scenarios: retail, customer service, and office/admin. Each is a complete, ready-to-use resume.
Best First Jobs for People With No Experience
Not sure which jobs actually hire without experience? These are the most accessible entry-level roles — and what employers look for in each one.
Retail Associate
Clothing stores, department stores, and big-box retailers hire year-round. Employers look for reliability, basic math for handling cash, and a friendly demeanor. Shift flexibility (evenings, weekends) helps.
Cashier
Grocery stores, convenience stores, and retailers need people who can handle transactions accurately, stand for long periods, and stay calm during busy rushes. No prior cashier training required — they train on the job.
Fast Food Crew Member
Fast food chains have some of the highest turnover rates, meaning they're almost always hiring. They value speed, teamwork, and showing up on schedule. Most locations hire at 16+.
Customer Service Representative
Call centers, retail help desks, and online support teams hire entry-level reps. Strong communication skills and patience matter more than experience. Many offer remote options too.
Grocery Store Worker / Stocker
Stocking shelves, organizing inventory, and assisting customers. Physical stamina and attention to detail are the main requirements. Early morning or overnight shifts often available for students.
Warehouse Associate
Distribution centers and fulfillment warehouses (like Amazon) hire constantly. The work involves lifting, sorting, and packing orders. Safety-conscious and punctual candidates do well here.
Receptionist / Front Desk
Medical offices, salons, gyms, and small businesses need someone to answer phones, greet visitors, and handle scheduling. Professional appearance and clear communication are key.
Delivery Helper / Driver's Assistant
Assisting drivers with loading, unloading, and route navigation. Good option if you don't have a driver's license yet but want logistics experience. Requires physical fitness and reliability.
Copy-and-Paste First Job Resume Template
Fill in the brackets with your own information. This structure works for all the roles above.
SUMMARY [Your status] with [key skill] seeking [target job title]. [One specific strength or achievement.]
EDUCATION [School Name] — [City, State] [Diploma/Degree] | [Graduation Month Year] • GPA: [X.XX]/4.0 (only if 3.5+) • Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] • [Honor/Award, if any]
SKILLS Hard: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3] Soft: [Communication], [Teamwork], [Reliability]
EXPERIENCE (Volunteer / Part-Time / Internship) [Organization Name] — [City, State] | [Dates] • [What you did] + [result or number] • [Another responsibility with measurable outcome]
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES [Club / Sport / Organization] — [Role] | [Dates] • [What you did, leadership, or achievement]
CERTIFICATIONS • [Certification Name] — [Organization], [Year]
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What to Include on a First Job Resume
The sections below are ordered by importance for someone applying to their first job. Not every section applies to everyone — use what you have.
Contact Info
Name, phone, email, city and state. LinkedIn optional. No photo, no birth date, no full street address.
Summary (2–3 lines)
State who you are and what job you want. Be specific: "High school graduate with customer service experience seeking retail associate position." Skip generic fluff.
Education
School name, diploma/degree, graduation date, GPA (if 3.5+), relevant coursework, honors. Put this near the top — it's your strongest asset.
Skills
Split into hard skills (tools, software, languages) and soft skills (communication, teamwork). Only list what matches the job posting. Don't pad with "Microsoft Word."
Volunteer / Part-Time / Internship
Treat these exactly like jobs. Use bullet points: what you did + result. "Sorted food for 80 families per shift" beats "helped at food bank."
Extracurricular Activities
Sports teams, clubs, student government, debate. Shows teamwork, discipline, time management. Include any leadership role.
Certifications
ServSafe, OSHA, CPR/First Aid, Google certs, Microsoft Office Specialist. Only include recognizable ones relevant to the target role.
Projects (optional)
School assignments, personal builds, portfolio work. Best for tech or creative roles. Describe what you built and the outcome.
Common Mistakes on First Job Resumes
❌ Using a generic objective statement
"Seeking a challenging position where I can grow" tells the recruiter nothing. Replace it with 2–3 specific lines about your background and target role. For examples that actually work, see our resume summary examples.
❌ Listing irrelevant skills to fill space
"Microsoft Word," "Email," and "Internet" don't belong on any resume in 2026. Focus on skills the job description asks for. If you're not sure which ones matter, check our skills examples by job type.
❌ Leaving education thin
Your education is your strongest asset when you have no work experience. Include relevant coursework, GPA (if strong), honors, capstone projects, and academic recognition. The more specific, the better.
❌ Ignoring non-work experience
Volunteer work, club leadership, sports, and personal projects demonstrate the same skills employers want. Treating them as afterthoughts is a mistake — they should take up significant space. For more strategies on building experience from scratch, read our full guide on writing a resume with no experience.
❌ Using a fancy template with graphics or columns
Two-column layouts, icons, photos, and colored sidebars confuse ATS parsers. Your resume may never reach a recruiter if the system can't read it. Stick to simple, single-column formats. See our guide on ATS-friendly resume format for what works.
How to Make Your First Resume ATS-Friendly
ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) scan your resume before any human sees it. If the system can't parse your content or doesn't find matching keywords, your resume may never reach a recruiter.
- Use a single-column layout with standard headings. "Education," "Skills," "Experience" — not "My Journey" or "About Me." ATS recognizes standard headers. For formatting specifics, see our guide on ATS-friendly resume format.
- Match keywords from the job description. If the posting says "customer service," "cash handling," and "inventory management," those exact phrases should appear in your skills or experience sections. More on keyword strategy: learn how to pass ATS resume screening.
- Save as .docx or text-based PDF. Image-based PDFs can't be read by ATS. Always use a format that preserves editable text.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and graphics. These break ATS parsing. Information inside a table cell may be read in the wrong order or skipped entirely.
- Keep it to one page. ATS processes shorter documents more reliably, and recruiters prefer concise entry-level resumes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a first job with no experience?
Yes. Employers hiring for entry-level positions like retail, food service, customer service, and warehouse work don't expect prior work history. They look for reliability, basic skills, and attitude — which you can show through education, volunteering, extracurriculars, and certifications.
What jobs can I get with no experience?
The most common first jobs that hire with no experience include: retail associate, cashier, restaurant crew member, grocery store stocker, warehouse worker, customer service representative, fast food team member, lifeguard, delivery driver, and administrative assistant. These roles value dependability and willingness to learn over past job titles.
What do I put on my resume if I've never had a job?
Focus on education, school projects, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, certifications, and skills you've developed through coursework or self-study. Treat volunteer roles and projects the same way you'd describe a paid job — with bullet points showing what you did and the result.
Should a first job resume be one page?
Yes. One page is standard for first-time job seekers. You don't have enough material for two pages, and recruiters prefer concise resumes for entry-level roles.
Do I need a summary on a first job resume?
A brief 2–3 line summary helps if it's specific to the role. Avoid generic lines like "hardworking team player seeking growth." Instead write something like: "Reliable high school graduate with customer service volunteer experience seeking retail associate position."
How do I make my first resume pass ATS?
Use a single-column layout with standard headings, include keywords from the job description in your skills section, save as .docx or text-based PDF, and avoid graphics, tables, or unusual fonts. ATS scans for relevant terms — match your language to the posting.
Can I use a template for my first job resume?
Yes — but make sure it's ATS-friendly. Many visually impressive templates use columns or graphics that confuse ATS parsers. Stick to clean, single-column layouts with standard section headers.
What skills should I list on a first job resume?
List both hard skills (tools, software, languages from coursework) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, punctuality). Only include skills relevant to the job you're applying for. For a retail or service role, emphasize reliability, cash handling basics, and customer communication.
Is it okay to include high school on a first job resume?
If you're currently in high school or graduated within the last 1–2 years, yes. Include GPA if above 3.5, relevant coursework, honors, and any leadership roles. Once you have college or work experience, remove high school details.