How To Make Your Resumé Work Without Any Work Experience 

You’ve probably heard the old catch-22: I need a job to get experience, but I need experience to get a job… But don’t fret. It’s not entirely true. 

Sure, you can’t just apply to become Prime Minister as a 15-year-old with no work experience (I mean, never say never…), but you can shoot your shot at a local restaurant, café or retail store. 

But what do I put on my resume then? We’ve got you.  
 

Contact details

First up, you’ll wanna have your name, phone number, email and address. You can even put in a sensible picture of you to make it more personal.  

Hot tip, make sure your email is professional and not something like wingardiumleviosa888@gmail.com.
 

Start with a strong objective statement

"I’m a hardworking high school student seeking a supportive environment for learning, growth and valuable hands-on experience." 

We’re looking for something along these lines. This can obviously be adapted for a particular industry as well. Perhaps you’re interested in fashion and you’re studying Textiles at school, hence why you’re applying for a clothes shop. Maybe you love to surf, hence why you’re applying for a surf shop… you get the gist right?  

Basically, an objective is what you want out of a job (other than the money of course). 

Let’s talk about your education 

What’s your high school? What classes are you studying or even excelling at?  

What can make you stand out here? Are your reports stellar? Do you have some braggable exam results? Perhaps you played for your school at the Netball gala day, you’re in the drama club or came first in course in History. 

What can show off your knowledge, dedication and potential for a good work ethic?  
 

Now emphasise your skills and extracurricular activities 
 

Sure, you don’t have work experience, but you have skills and extracurricular activities.  

Do you go to violin lessons? Are you part of a Surf Life Saving club? Do you play footy on the weekend? Do you like to cook, sew, dance, garden, read? Any skill or hobby shows off resilience and commitment.  

Extracurricular activities can also show off leadership, teamwork and dedication, whether you’re the captain of your soccer team, you babysit some kids on your street or you go to art classes once a week. 

Make sure to mention the achievements 

If you’ve won any surf trophies, short story writing awards or participated in a music eisteddfod, make it be known that not only do you have skills, but you’re also smashing ‘em too.   
 

You can have a reference or two 
 

A reference is someone your potential employer may call up to ask more questions about your character. Your favourite teacher could be one. Maybe your neighbour who pays you to mow their lawn. Perhaps your Tae Kwon Do instructor. Anyone that you reckon could speak highly of you. Keeping in mind that it’s generally a rule of thumb not to have your dad or sister as a reference. 

Anyways, there you have it! You can still have a baller resume without any work experience.  

Now, if you want any more money or work info, we’ve teamed up with Westpac to bring you the FinFirsts academy. Suss it out here to learn more! 

The following content has been created by Year 13 and is sponsored by Westpac.