CV examples for 16 year olds
Writing your CV at 16 can feel difficult — especially if you’re worried you don’t have much to put on it. Our examples and CV templates for 16 year olds show you how to highlight your skills, education, and potential to land your first job. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll feel confident applying for work.
- Our customers have been hired by : * Foot Note
CV for a 16 year old made simple
Writing a CV for 16 year old might feel like a big challenge — especially if you’re just leaving school and applying for your very first job. Feeling unsure about what to include is completely normal, and every job seeker starts in the same place.
The good news is that you don’t need years of work history to create a strong CV. Employers want to see your potential, enthusiasm, and the skills you’ve already gained from school, hobbies, or volunteering. With the right CV template and a few examples to guide you, you can put together a professional CV that shows what you have to offer.
To make things easier, I’ve pulled together everything you’ll need, including:
- Clear advice on the best CV format for 16 year olds.
- Step-by-step guidance for writing each section.
- 16 year old CV examples and templates you can download.
- Tips for creating a CV for 16 year olds with no work experience.
SEARCH ALL CV EXAMPLES
CV template for a 16 year old
Starting your first CV is much easier with a template. Our CV templates for 16 year olds are simple to edit, easy to customise, and designed to highlight your skills, education, and potential, even if you have little or no work experience.
What format should I use in a CV for 16 year old?
The format of your CV refers to how it is structured, so it’s important to make an informed choice. When writing a CV for 16 year olds, you’ll want to choose a CV format that puts the focus on your competencies and academic achievements.
In a CV for 16 year old with no experience (UK), a skills-based CV is the best option. This CV format is centred around your capabilities. The skills section is located below the personal statement, listing categories of competencies you’ve developed through study, which you can describe in detail using bullet points. For example, under IT, you could record some of the programs you’re familiar with and how you used them, such as “created and managed spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel.”
Another option is the chronological CV format. This CV format is the most popular and is widely recognised by employers. Your work history will be the most prominent section in the CV. As most 16 year olds have little to no work experience, this format usually isn’t suitable. However, if you’ve had a relevant weekend job or part-time role at a family business, then this format could be the best choice for you.
Where to put your contact details in a CV for 16 year olds
Whilst your contact section might appear unimportant, it’s a really essential bit of your CV. Put simply, it’s how recruiters get in touch. If they don’t know how to reach you, there’s no way they can offer you an interview.
When you’re in a hurry to apply for lots of jobs, it’s easy to let an old email slip in — or forget to add your details at all. Always double-check your details before submitting.
When writing a CV for a 16 year old, you’ll need to include:
- Your full name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Email address
Make sure your phone number and email address are correct; a single wrong digit or letter could mean an employer can’t reach you. If you don’t already have a professional-sounding email, set one up specifically for job applications. Using a simple address based on your name looks much better to employers than your everyday or school email.
Personal statement examples for 16 year old CV
The personal statement of your CV usually appears at the top of your CV, below your contact details. It forms a short and sweet summary of what’s to come in your CV — and it needs to grab recruiters’ attention from the start. To write a successful CV summary for 16 year old’s qualities, you’ll need to pinpoint the greatest and most relevant strengths shown in your CV.
As it’s only 2–3 sentences long, the personal statement will need to include only the most vital details. First, make sure you’ve read and understood the job description. What are 2–3 core qualities that the recruiter is looking for? It might be “teamwork” or “experience serving customers”.
Next, find 2–3 qualities and skills you have that align closely with the job description. If it’s a CV for a 16 year old with no experience (UK), that can be something as simple as enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and a track record of hard work at school.
See this example:
CV for 16 year olds: How to list work experience
When you’re 16 years old, recruiters won’t expect you to have ten years of industry experience under your belt. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have any relevant work experience.
If you haven’t worked before, don’t be tempted to make something up. But if you do have experience, it’s vital to include it. Here’s how it works:
Where should I put my work experience?
This will depend on the CV format you choose. Have lots of experience from paid and voluntary roles? A reverse-chronological format could be the best choice. In this case, your work experience will go near the top of your CV, usually beneath your contact details.
Meanwhile, a CV template for 16 year olds with no work experience will be more likely to use a skills-based format, which focuses on your abilities. In this case, you can either skip the work history section or add any voluntary work you’ve done in a short section after your competencies.
Setting out your work history for recruiters
When writing a CV for a 16 year old, you’ll need to make sure your work history is set out in a way that’s easy for recruiters to read. This means using bullet points to delineate your job duties and writing in plain English.
There are also some specific details you’ll need to include:
- Dates: Include the month and year you started and finished the role.
- Job details: You should include the job title, the name of your employer, and the location.
- Responsibilities: List out the responsibilities that are most relevant to the position you’re applying to.
For example:
January 2021 – August 2022
Newspaper Delivery | Sharp’s Newsagents – Lincoln
- Prepared newspapers with inserts and leaflets
- Delivered to 50+ houses in the local area
- Collected payment from customers by cheque and cash
Showcasing your skills in a CV for 16 year olds
When comparing CV examples for 16 year olds, there are two types of abilities you’ll come across: technical and transferable skills.
Also known as “hard skills”, technical competencies refer to abilities that involve expertise in a particular field to complete specific tasks. For example, computer programming is a technical skill.
On the other hand, there are transferable or “soft skills”. These are more general abilities that can be applied across many different industries. In a CV for 16 year old candidates, you’re more likely to have transferable abilities.
Don’t underestimate them, however, as many can be essential in securing a job role. For example, “communication skills” are transferable and highly sought-after.
From computer literacy to time management, your time at school will have equipped you with a wide variety of transferable competencies to use at work.
When recording the skills to put on your CV, tailor the competencies you include to the job description. What qualities are recruiters on the lookout for? Even if you don’t have the exact requirement, you can still show that you’re a good match. If you haven’t used Photoshop, for example, you might have experience using other photo-editing software.
Here are some suggestions for qualities and abilities to include when writing a CV for a 16 year old:
Top skills to include
- Verbal and written communication
- Basic mathematics
- Problem solving
- IT, including MS Office
- Team working
- Time management
Additional qualities for your CV
- Proficiency with social media platforms
- Flexibility
- Confident speaker
- Organisational ability
- Languages
- Positive attitude
Sum up your education for employers on a CV for a 16 year old
As 16 year olds are unlikely to have vast amounts of experience, the education section serves an important role on their CVs. It gives recruiters an overview of your studies and the kind of knowledge and abilities you have to offer them. Here’s what you’ll need to include…
GCSEs and beyond: how to showcase your studies
If you’ve started further education, it’s important to let recruiters know the subjects you’re studying. Include details of the completion date for your studies, too.
GCSEs are often relevant too, particularly in Maths and English. That’s because many employers look for these as a minimum requirement. However, if you have also completed a GCSE in a relevant subject, such as business studies, be sure to mention it – this is particularly relevant for an administrative role. As always, keep the job description in mind when choosing what to include.
Set out your qualifications clearly
There’s no need to go into a lot of detail about what you learned in the courses, as you’ll be able to demonstrate that in the rest of your CV. You also shouldn’t pad out the education history with details of tests you did before your GCSEs, as these won’t be relevant.
Simply set out your education history in the same format as our example CVs for 16 year olds:
- Level of qualification
- Subjects (for further education)
- Institution
- Date of completion
To visualise:
North Manchester Sixth Form
Expected 2023
What to include in a CV for 16 year old with no qualifications
In some cases, you might not have any qualifications at age 16. If this is due to not completing your GCSEs yet, be aware that you can still include qualifications that you’re currently working on. Just write “Expected” alongside the completion date.
Cover letter guidance for a 16 year old CV
Adding a cover letter to your CV can really help you stand out, especially if you are 16 and do not have much experience yet. It is your chance to grab an employer’s attention and explain why you are interested in the role.
A cover letter is particularly useful if you are applying with little or no qualifications, as it lets you show enthusiasm and highlight the skills you have gained from school, volunteering, or hobbies. Keep it short, about one page, and focus on what makes you a good fit.
Here is a simple structure to follow:
- Introduction: Say who you are and why you want the job.
- Main paragraphs: Pick three or four qualities the employer is looking for in the job description and show how you match them.
- Conclusion: Remind them why you would be a great choice and let them know you are looking forward to hearing back.
With a strong cover letter alongside your CV, you will show employers that you are motivated, confident, and ready to take your first step into work.
Top tips to improve your 16 year old CV
No matter your level of experience, these top tips will help you create a perfect first CV.
Create unique CVs for each job
It might sound like a bit of a bore, but writing a unique CV tailored to each job you apply for is absolutely vital. For one thing, recruiters can tell if you’ve used a generic CV, and it’s unlikely to contain any of the specific details they’re looking for.
Base your CV on the job description by including specific keywords from the advert. Make sure it’s also tailored to you as a candidate. For example, if you’re writing a CV for a 16 year old looking for part-time job (UK), you can mention this in your professional summary.
Double and triple-check your CV
Recruiters are very busy, so to make sure your CV for 16 year olds doesn’t fall at the first hurdle, be sure to check it for typos or grammatical issues. Get a friend or relative to read through too, in case there’s anything you’ve missed.
Think outside the box
It’s unlikely that any candidate will meet absolutely every single criterion from the job description. So, even if there are areas you’re missing, you’d be surprised at the transferable abilities you have that help you meet (and exceed) the criteria. Taking a look at CV examples for 16 year olds can also help you understand your competitors. For example, you might not have experience serving customers at a café, but you have served drinks at a local sports club or after-school event.
Make use of a CV template (UK) for 16 year olds
CV templates make writing a CV for a 16 year old much quicker and easier. These templates come pre-made with an impressive design, so all you’ll need to do is add your work and academic history, along with your abilities.
Hobbies and achievements are important, too
Whilst most of those writing a CV for 16 year olds will focus on education, work history and core competencies, any other relevant hobbies and achievements are important to include, too. If you speak another language, pursue a relevant hobby, or even participate in a sports team, these details can set you apart from other candidates. You can include these in a short section at the end of your CV.
Questions about your CV for 16 year old job-seekers
What should a 16 year old put on a CV?
A CV for a 16 year old should cover the basics that show employers who you are and what you can offer. The key sections to include are:
- Contact details – Your phone number and email, so employers can reach you.
- Personal statement – A short introduction about your goals and strengths.
- Work history – Any part-time jobs, volunteering, or work experience placements.
- Education – Your GCSEs, A Levels, or any courses you are taking.
- Skills – Abilities like communication, teamwork, or IT skills that employers value.
- Hobbies and interests (optional) – Activities that show responsibility, creativity, or commitment, such as sports, music, or school clubs.
Does a 16-year-old need a CV?
If you’re 16 and looking for a job, then it’s absolutely worth having a CV. It condenses your education, abilities, and work history into one sheet of paper. Here’s why that’s important:
- CVs make it easier for employers to read about your competencies.
- Writing a CV shows that you’re a professional candidate.
- It helps recruiters to get a clear impression of why you’re right for the role.
How do I write my first CV at 16 in the UK?
If this is your first time writing a CV, then don’t worry. Though it might seem daunting at first, there are many strategies you can use to make CV writing easier.
- Write your CV with the job description in mind, showcasing how you meet the employer’s specified criteria.
- Look at some CV examples to understand what other candidates include in their CVs.
- Utilise a CV template for 16 year olds to make the process easier, so you can focus on gathering information.
- Let a relative or friend read your CV once it’s done, as they might spot issues that you haven’t noticed.
How do I write a CV without GCSE results?
No GCSE results doesn’t have to mean no CV. If you’re writing a CV for 16 year old with no qualifications, there are still plenty of other details that you can include to impress recruiters. These include:
- Prospective GCSE results
- Work experience
- Voluntary experience
- Core abilities
- Languages
- Hobbies and interests
- Achievements and awards
How long should a CV be for a 16 year old?
One page is enough. Employers just want the essentials, so keep it short, simple, and easy to read.
Create a CV for 16 year old to impress employers
Writing a CV for a 16 year old shouldn’t be a chore. At myPerfectCV, you’ll find all the top tips and resources you need to create a showstopping CV, such as top rated CV examples and downloadable CV templates.
If you need a bit more help, our CV builder is on hand to help. Once you’ve chosen a CV template, UK 16 year olds can cherry-pick pre-written content to create an outstanding CV in minutes.
*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.