 A resume is a summary of your experiences and skills relevant to the field of work you are entering.  It highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified for the work you want. It is not a biography of everything you have done.  Its purpose is to get you an interview.  A resume can (and often should) reflect more than just your paid work experience. Current students, in particular, should consider including the details of your more important extracurricular, volunteer and leadership experiences.  Tailor separate resumes to fit each career field in which you are job searching. Some people create slightly different resumes tailored to each job opening.

 Many students and recent graduates worry that they don’t have enough experience to create a compelling resume.  Don’t be concerned. Once you start to really think about your background, you’ll be surprised at what you have to boast about.  The content of your resume will be determined by your own unique experiences, skills and background but ­ as a general guideline ­ you should include:

 Name, address and contact information  School  Work / volunteer history  Positive personal characteristics  Skills and experience  Coursework  Other Accomplishments (awards, sports, activities, honors)

 Brainstorm your accomplishments and experiences  Look at resume samples ◦ Before you start, review sample teen resumes. They will give you a good idea of what your resume should look like and what you can include on your resume.  Decide your format ◦ Your resume should use a plain font, have lots of white space, and be simple and easy to read. Your resume has less than 20 seconds to make a good impression on an employer, so it needs to be eye-catching and easy to read.

 Make sure you have it proofread ◦ It's very hard to catch your own typos, so after you have proofread your resume, ask someone else to review your resume for you. They don't need to be an expert - a family member or friend can proof your resume for you

 References On Your Resume There is no need to include references on your resume.  Create a separate list of references to give to prospective employers. Keep in mind, too, that you can use personal references if you don't have work experience.  Teachers, coaches, neighbors, and family friends who can attest to your character all make good references.

 Keep Your Resume Up-to-Date Now that you have a resume it's going to be much easier to apply for jobs.  Keep your resume current, so it's ready when you need it. Add new activities - school, volunteer, etc. and new work experiences as they happen, so you won't have to figure out what you did when you need an updated resume later on.