Resume tips for youth

Having a good resume will help a youth obtain a job.  Just having a resume shows that a youth is more organized and competent than other youth who do not have a resume.  After a resume is created, youth can attach it electronically to online job applications or include it with paper applications.

However, having a bad resume will be counter-productive.  For example, a resume having lots of spelling/grammar mistakes or having an unattractive appearance will create a bad impression.  It is useful to get a second viewpoint on a resume before using it.

Resume experts generally agree that a resume for a youth should fit on one page.  There are many different opinions on what helps to make a good resume, so you don’t have to only use the opinions in this article which was written by Mark Leigh, Coordinator of the Kendall Youth Employment Program.

The top of a resume should display the youth’s name, address, and phone number.  The name should appear prominently to identify the resume at a glance.  An email address could also be included if the youth regularly checks email.

Some other sections that are commonly used in resumes are “Skills and Interests”, “Experience” which lists past jobs, and “Education” which includes school information.  Each of these sections can be long or short depending on what the youth has done.

The top part of the “Skills and Interests” section can include bullet points of important skills that a good employee would have.  For example,

·         I have a friendly, outgoing personality and I can get along with all kinds of people. 

·         I have good communication skills.

·         I can type and can use Microsoft Word and other common computer programs.

·         I am very organized and always keep a neat work area.

Babysitting, paper routes, mowing lawns, and cleaning jobs can be mentioned in “Skills and Interests”; describing odd jobs will validate that the youth is responsible and that people who know the youth have trusted the youth.

The bottom part of the “Skills and Interests” section can include bullet points of hobbies and other interests that will help the youth stand out in the employer’s mind.  For example,

·         I am a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls.  Joakim Noah is my favorite player.

·         I have read all of Tom Clancy’s novels.

The “Experience” section should include descriptions of past jobs, giving the company name, the beginning and ending dates of employment, job title, and a short description of the job.  The most recent job is usually listed first.  Youth can decide which past jobs to include, keeping in mind that employers will be curious about short durations of jobs and about long durations of unemployment; questions about past jobs will often come up during a job interview.

The “Education” section is where past and current schools are listed.  Diplomas, achievements, and classes that are especially relevant to job performance should be described.

After creating a resume draft, “sleep on it”, get other opinions, and then revise it.  To download a resume document for Microsoft Word go to http://roe24.org/files/5713/9464/2120/Sample_Sammy_resume.doc; many other examples of resumes are available on the internet.

The Kendall Youth Employment Program (KYEP) is a free program that helps youth make excellent resumes, get better at being interviewed, and obtain jobs.  The program also helps youth who need to pass the GED and has some funds for subsidized employment.  To be eligible for the program youth must meet income guidelines.  KYEP is a program of the Grundy-Kendall Regional Office of Education and is funded by the River Valley Workforce Investment board.  To see a flyer on the program go to http://roe24.org/files/1313/8306/9290/KYEP_flyer.pdf; for more information call 630-553-4166.