Teenager CVs made simple

Landing that very first job is an exciting step — it’s the start of your career journey. You might be aiming for a steady part-time role as a cashier or server at your favourite café, or maybe you’re thinking of tutoring other students. Whatever job you’ve got your eye on, the right teenager CV template can help you get there.

I know writing a CV as a teenager can feel daunting. Maybe you’ve never had a job before, or you’ve opened a blank Word document and thought, where do I even start? Don’t worry, employers don’t expect you to have years of experience. What they do want to see is your potential, enthusiasm, and the skills you’ve built through school, hobbies, volunteering, or even helping out at home.

To make things easier, we’ve gathered all the essentials — from the correct teenage CV format to CV examples for teenagers with no work experience. 

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    Teenage CV example 

    cv examples for students with no experience

    ANTHONY O’BRIEN

    Email: anthony.o’brien@example-example.co.uk
    Phone: 07912 345678
    Address: 88 Boroughbridge Road,
    Birmingham, B2 8SP

    SUMMARY

    Responsible cashier experienced in managing front-of-store needs in busy environments. Friendly and energetic with strong communication and organizational abilities. Seeking a role of increased responsibility where strengths in service and sales will be valuable.

    WORK HISTORY

    Cashier | GAP – Birmingham
    February 2020 – Present

    • Handled monetary and card transactions for customers quickly and efficiently.
    • Worked closely with floor staff to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
    • Trained as returns specialist and provided backup coverage to offer optimal customer support.

    Trainee Barista (summer job) | Perfect Shot – Birmingham
    June 2019 – October 2019

    • Arranged merchandise in innovative and eye-catching displays.
    • Complied with health, safety, and sanitation guidelines.
    • Designed and printed menus, recipes, and promotions and offers

    SKILLS

    • Cash Register Operation
    • Excellent Guest Service
    • Safe Food Handling Practices
    • Teamwork and Collaboration
    • Effective Time Management
    • Strong Communication Skills

    EDUCATION

    2022
    Birmingham Sixth Form, Birmingham
    A-Levels: Food Technology, Hospitality, Psychology

    2019
    City Training College, Birmingham
    VRQ Level 2: Barista Skills

    Teenager CV template

    Starting your career doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools, creating your first CV can be quick and stress-free. To help you out, I’ve put together a selection of teenager CV templates you can use as a starting point. 

    Which CV format is best for teenagers?

    When you start building your teenage CV, choosing the right CV format is just as important as what you put in it. Most CVs use the chronological format, which lists your most recent job or placement first and then works backwards. This provides employers with an overview of your work history and is a great choice if you’ve already had part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer experience.

    But what if you’re writing a teenager CV with no work experience? In that case, a skills-based CV format is the better choice. Instead of focusing on jobs you haven’t had yet, it highlights the skills and abilities you do have, showing employers that you’re ready to learn and contribute.

    Skills-based CV format

    Here’s a simple breakdown of what to include if you use this format:

    • Contact details – Your name, phone number, and email address, so employers can reach you easily.
    • Personal statement (CV summary) – A short 3–4 sentence introduction about your skills, interests, and career goals. Think of it as your “first impression” on paper.
    • SkillsThe biggest section in a teenager CV with no experience. Choose key skills (like communication, teamwork, organisation, or IT) and give short examples of how you’ve used them — at school, in clubs, or during volunteering.
    • EducationYour school details, qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels, or current studies), and any academic awards.
    • Hobbies and achievements – Include activities that show responsibility, dedication, or creativity, such as being part of a sports team, playing in a band, or winning a competition.

    How to write a CV for a teenager

    Now that we’ve covered some of the basic formatting required for a CV, it’s time to dive into the details of how to write a CV. The best advice for teenagers is to break it down section by section.

    In the following sections, you’ll learn:

    What contact details should I include in my teenager CV

    A CV for a teenager will need to include contact details for recruiters to get in touch. This section will usually be at the top of the CV. The details you’ll need to include are:

    • Name: This should generally be larger than the other contact details and written in bold, so it stands out against the other text.
    • Email: Ensure that this email is up to date and that the address is professional. Unfortunately, “footballfan88@hotmail.com” just won’t cut it.
    • Phone number: Recruiters won’t wait around for weeks for you to return their call, so make sure you give an up-to-date number that you regularly use.
    • Address: You’ll need to include your address, so you can receive written communication where needed.

    Example of contact section for teenager CV

    Anna McDonald
    195 Crown Street
    London, W12 4WB
    07912 345 678
    a.mcdonald@example-example.co.uk

    Developing a teenager CV personal statement

    Near the top of a CV for a teenager is the personal statement or professional summary. This should consist of roughly 3-4 sentences that sum up exactly why you’re perfect for the role.

    Every CV needs a personal statement – and teenagers are no exception. While you might not have a specialism or career background to draw upon, you can still introduce yourself to recruiters in a positive light.

    While it’s good to include the type of work you’re looking for to tailor your CV to the job at hand, it’s also important that your personal statement focuses on what you can offer to an employer.

    In the case of a teenager CV, you could either use your personal statement as an opportunity to draw attention to key achievements from your work history or, if you have little experience, focus on the qualities you’ve illustrated at school or through internships, such as:

    Example of personal statement for teenager CV

    Enthusiastic student eager to learn new skills and information. Studies hard for examinations and always completed accurate, thorough work. Collaborates well on group projects and prepares diligently for assignments.

    OR

    Dedicated candidate searching for a position to increase professional skills and work experience. Particular skills in group projects, preparation for assignments, essay writing, and IT including adobe software. Quick learner with immediate availability.

    Teenager CV work experience

    In a CV for a teenager, work experience usually takes a backseat to skills and education. But if you’re a proactive teen with some work history behind you, it can really work to your advantage. Here’s how to present your work history to really impress recruiters.

    Include the experience you do have

    Even if you’ve only worked a little, it’s still worth including. List the basics for each role: the job title, company name, location, and the dates you worked there. After that, add a few bullet points to describe what you did and what you achieved.

    For example, on a waiter’s CV, you might write:

    • Guided customers through the menu by recommending food and drink options.
    • Worked quickly and accurately during busy shifts.
    • Developed strong teamwork skills while supporting colleagues on the floor.

    These details show employers that you’ve already built functional skills — like communication, organisation, and customer service.

    Avoid anything irrelevant

    If you’re writing a teenager CV with no experience, it might feel like you don’t have enough to fill the page. However, don’t fill it out with things that don’t matter. Instead, focus on the roles, volunteering, or school activities that actually link to the job you’re applying for.

    This way, your teenager CV template for UK jobs will look professional, focused, and tailored without any filler.

    Get the details right

    Like any CV, a CV for a teenager should be structured in a specific way. You should list each role with a bullet point, just as you did in your education history. 

    You’ll need to record:

    • The date you started and left the position
    • Job title, company you worked for, and the location of the role
    • Responsibilities and core achievements in the role

    Example of work experience for teenager CV

    04/22 – Present
    Barista | Bean & Gone
    Huddersfield

    • Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
    • Ordered, received and stocked supplies and retail products.
    • Constantly expanded personal knowledge of coffee styles and varieties, providing knowledgeable customer guidance.

    Great skills to add to your teenager CV

    Skills are one of the most important parts of any teenager CV sample. For many recruiters, they’re the first thing they look for — especially if you don’t have much work experience yet.

    In a skills-based CV for a teenager, this section becomes even more valuable. Instead of listing jobs you haven’t had, you can use skills to show your strengths with real examples. For instance, if teamwork is important for the role, you could dedicate a category to it and write something like:

    • Worked as part of a team of six on a term-long science project.
    • Helped organise a charity football match with classmates.

    These examples prove you can work well with others, even if you haven’t had a paid job yet.Here are some must-have and desirable skills for a teenager CV:

    Essential skills for your teenager CV

    • Punctuality
    • Attention to detail
    • Hardworking
    • Clear communication
    • Teamwork
    • Ability to follow instructions

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • Time management
    • Multitasking
    • Computer literacy
    • Mathematical ability
    • Good grammar and spelling
    • Driving licence

    Education on a CV for teenagers

    On a teenager CV template, the education section is one of the key parts. Since you may not have much work experience yet, this is where you can show employers what you’ve learned and what you’re capable of.

    Here’s what to include:

    List the qualifications that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. This may mean slightly adjusting your teenage CV template for each role. You can include:

    • GCSEs and A-Levels (or equivalent).
    • Grades in core subjects like Maths and English, if requested by the employer.
    • Qualifications you’re currently studying towards.
    • Certificates from school, online courses, or work-related training.

    You don’t need to add every school you’ve ever attended or list every detail of each subject. Stick to the most recent and relevant qualifications. If you’ve learned specific techniques or skills, save those for the skills section instead.

    How to list qualifications

    Use chronological order — start with your most recent qualification and work backwards. Always include:

    1. The year the qualification was achieved.
    2. The level and subject (e.g. GCSE, A-Level, BTEC).
    3. The school, college, or institution.

    Example for a teenager CV:

    2023 – A Levels: English Literature (B), Maths (C), Business Studies (B)
    Smiths College, York

    2022 – Certificate in Digital Marketing Fundamentals (Online, Google Digital Garage)2021 – 9 GCSEs, grades 9–6, including English (7), Maths (7), and Science (6)
    Riverside High School, York

    Dos and don’ts for a teenager CV

    DO

    Tailor your CV for teenagers with no experience to the job requirements to show that you’re putting in a bit more time and effort from the start. That starts with your teenager CV personal statement, which can refer specifically to the job you’re applying for, such as waiter or barista. By including key phrases from the job description, you could also boost your chances of passing an ATS check.

    Show what you can offer by focusing your CV for a teenager on personal qualities like punctuality and clear communication, as well as transferable qualities you’ve developed in school or college, such as computer literacy and mathematical ability.

    Express a genuine passion and dedication to the job role you’re applying for to stand out – whether that’s through a relevant social media account you manage or an after-school club you’ve taken part in.

    DON’T

    Don’t forget a cover letter. When you’re applying for jobs as a teenager, your CV isn’t the only thing that can help you get noticed. A cover letter can make all the difference, especially if you don’t have much work experience yet.

    A cover letter gives you the chance to introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the role, and show your enthusiasm in a way a CV can’t.

    Don’t overcomplicate your CV. When you’re writing your first CV, it can be tempting to use fancy designs, unusual fonts, or lots of colours to make it stand out. But for most jobs, employers want something clear and easy to read. Stick to a simple layout, use a professional font, and keep it one page. A clean CV for a young person shows that you’re serious about the role and helps recruiters quickly see your skills and strengths.

    Tips for writing a teenager CV

    cv for young person

    Writing your first CV doesn’t have to be difficult. With a few simple tricks, you can make sure your application looks professional and shows employers why you’d be a great hire.

    • Keep it short: One page is more than enough for a teenager CV. Focus on the information that really matters.
    • Use action words: Phrases like helped, organised, supported, or achieved make your CV sound more confident and show what you can do.
    • Show enthusiasm: Even if you don’t have much experience, employers want to see that you’re motivated and ready to learn.
    • Tailor it to the job: Adjust your CV for each role. Look at the job description and match it with your skills and achievements. Check out our CV examples for inspiration.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    Everyone makes mistakes when writing their first CV — here are some to watch out for:

    • Leaving sections empty: If you don’t have work experience, fill the space with skills, volunteering, or school activities.
    • Adding too much personal information: You don’t need to include details like age, a photo, or your full address.
    • Not checking your work: Spelling or grammar mistakes can make a bad impression. Proofread carefully before sending.
    • Copying another CV: CV examples are a starting point. Personalise yours so it reflects your strengths and style.

    Your teenager CV questions answered

    How to make a teenager CV?

    The easiest way to make your CV is by using a CV maker for teenagers. This will give you access to UK CV templates for teenagers, as well as providing professionally written content which you can search for and select to fill your CV. Alternatively, you can use a simple Word document to start from scratch, with some CV templates available in the ‘Resumes and Cover Letters’ section.

    How to structure a CV for a teenager?

    Most jobs available to teenagers will get lots of applications for recruiters to review. With that in mind, it’s best to structure your CV template for teenagers in the UK with skim-reading in mind. Use plenty of space to separate sections, add clear headings like ‘work history’ and ‘education’, and use bullet points to keep everything concise and to the point.

    What to include in a teenager CV?

    Whether it’s a teenager CV for a part-time job, weekend job or full-time role after leaving school, there are certain elements that all CVs should have. First is a personal statement, along with a skills section, and education or qualifications. You can also add work history if applicable. When writing a CV for teenagers with no experience, a hobbies or interests section can also be a good way to set you apart from other candidates.

    What skills should I put on my CV as a teenager?

    Think about skills you use every day at school, clubs, or in hobbies. Communication, teamwork, organisation, IT skills, and time management are great places to start. Add short examples to show how you’ve used them.

    Should I include GCSE grades on my CV?

    Yes, especially for subjects like English and Maths. Employers often look for these, even in part-time or entry-level jobs.

    Start building your teenager CV today

    Your first job is the beginning of your career journey, and the right CV can help you take that step with confidence. With our easy-to-use CV builder and teenager CV templates, you can highlight your skills, education, and potential in a way that gets noticed by employers. Whether you’re applying for a weekend job, a summer role, or your first full-time position, we’ll help you create a CV that opens doors.

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