A first job resume that doesn't need a work history
Hiring managers for entry-level jobs expect you to have little work history. What they look for is proof that you show up, learn quickly, and treat people well. This builder puts school, volunteering, and small jobs in the order that makes that proof easy to see.
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Reliable recent graduate with two years of volunteer and school leadership experience. Comfortable talking with the public, quick to learn new systems, and available weekends. Looking for a part-time cashier or food service role.
- Sort and shelve about 400 pounds of donations every Saturday shift
- Greet 60+ families per shift and help each one find what they need
- Trained 3 new volunteers on the check-in sheet
- Care for children ages 4 to 10 for up to 8 hours at a time
- Follow written feeding and walking schedules for 5 regular pet clients
- Booked again by every family I have worked for
Customer service, Cash handling, Teamwork, Conversational Spanish, Google Docs and Word, Punctual, Quick learner, Active listening
- Student Council treasurer, 2025–2026: tracked a $1,200 fundraising budget
- Track and field, 3 seasons: team attendance award
Build your first job resume and cover letter
Edit the sample with your own details. The preview updates as you type, and your work is saved in this browser.
What to put on a first job resume
Lead with what you do have. Skip the blank work history. Start with a two-sentence summary that names the job you want, then show school, volunteering, and any informal work in that order.
Count whatever you can. Numbers make small experience feel real. Families helped per shift, hours volunteered, dollars handled in a school fundraiser, and children you watched at once all count.
Babysitting and yard work are jobs. If someone paid you or relied on you, list it with dates and what you were responsible for. Managers read this as proof that people trust you.
Borrow words from the job posting. If the posting says cash handling or opening shifts and you have done either, use those exact words. Only claim what you can talk about in an interview.
Keep it to one page and plain. A single clean page with clear headings is easier to skim than a decorated one. Managers decide fast, and plain layouts also read correctly in online application systems.
Mistakes to avoid
- Writing the words "no experience" anywhere on the page
- Using a joke or hard-to-read email address instead of a simple one with your name
- Listing every class you took instead of two or three that connect to the job
Words employers look for
reliable, punctual, customer service, teamwork, cash handling, quick learner, communication, flexible schedule, responsible, attention to detail. Use the ones that are true for you, in the same words the job posting uses.
Sample cover letter
This is the letter that comes with the sample. Open the builder and switch to the Cover letter tab to write yours.
Read the sample letter for Cashier
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for the cashier position at Greenleaf Grocery. I just graduated from Lincoln High School, and I am looking for steady part-time work where I can keep learning.
I may not have a long work history, but I have spent two years volunteering at a food pantry, where I greet dozens of families each Saturday and keep the line moving. As Student Council treasurer, I handled a $1,200 fundraising budget and balanced it to the dollar. I am used to being counted on.
I am available evenings and weekends and I would be glad to come in for a trial shift. Thank you for your time and for considering me.
Sincerely,
Jordan Rivera
Questions
What do I put on a resume if I have never had a job?
Use your education, volunteering, school activities, and informal work like babysitting or helping at a family business. Put a short summary at the top and a skills list near the bottom. The goal is to show you are reliable and willing to learn.
Should I include my GPA?
Include it if it is 3.0 or higher and you graduated within the last couple of years. If it is lower, leave it off and use the space for activities or skills instead.
How long should a first resume be?
One page. If you have to cut something, cut the oldest or least related item first.
Do I need a cover letter for a part-time job?
It is not always required, but a short one helps when you have little experience. Three short paragraphs about why you want that job and when you can work is enough, and the builder writes a starter version for you.