No experience? What to put instead

You'll need

• A list of everything you've done in the last few years: school, activities, side jobs, volunteering, caring for family

What to know

1. List the small jobs. Mowing lawns, yard work, babysitting, pet care, or helping an older neighbor with chores all build work skills (CareerOneStop).
2. List the activities. Clubs, sports, theater, music, dance and religious or community groups go on your resume (CareerOneStop).
3. Add a "Volunteering / activities" section for anything that shows responsibility, commitment or skills, including languages you speak (CareerOneStop).
4. Use your summary at the top to highlight accomplishments from volunteer, community or school work that wouldn't show up elsewhere (CareerOneStop).
5. Write each one like a job: an action verb, what you did, and a result, with numbers where you can (Harvard). "Watched two kids, ages 4 and 7, three afternoons a week for a year" beats "Babysitter."

If it doesn't work

• Still feels thin? Build experience on purpose: volunteer, shadow someone at their job, or look for an internship through a school or employment program (CareerOneStop).
• Need references? Ask a teacher, coach, volunteer supervisor or mentor. Family and close friends usually don't serve as references (CareerOneStop).
• Not sure what you're good at? Ask a teacher, coach or boss what they've seen you do well. Their answers are good resume material.

Good to know