How do you apply to a job when you don't have any job experience whatsoever?

Hi Nada,

When writing your first resume, it's appropriate to include jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, lawn mowing, and shoveling snow.

Also include volunteer experience, school achievements, sports, and clubs and organizations you belong to.

Start by scanning the job descriptions for the positions to which you're applying. Look for keywords that indicate what the hiring manager values in a candidate – for example, the job listing might say "successful candidate will be a self-starter who delivers on time and on budget."

In that case, despite the fact that you don't have relevant work experience in the same field, you can get the hiring manager's attention by being sure to include (and emphasize) projects that you've managed, such as high school clubs in which you held a leadership role and had to manage both your time and the team's money.

The bottom line is that you have a lot more experience than you think you have.

Even if you've never held a formal job, you still have life experience that's applicable to the job search.

Don't forget to look at volunteer work, civic groups, and youth organizations (for example, the Girl Scouts or 4-H).

The following is an example of a first resume for a high school student with no formal work experience:

First Resume Example

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

Education

Arlington High School, Arlington, NY
20XX - 20XX

Experience

Pet Sitter
20XX - Present

• Provide pet sitting services including dog walking, feeding, and yard care.

Child Care
20XX - Present

• Provide child care for several families after school, weekends, and during school vacations.

Achievements

• National Honor Society

• Academic Honor Roll

Volunteer Experience

• Little League Coach

• Arlington Literacy Program

• Run for Life

Interests / Activities

• Member of Arlington High School Baseball Team

• Piano

Computer Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Internet, and Social Media

Cautions for Preparing a First Resume
Don't lie. No matter how tempting it might be to stretch the truth, lying on your resume is always a bad idea.

You might make it through this round of interviews and even get the job, but you won't be able to deliver on the promises your resume offered. Plus, eventually you'll probably be caught – and fired.

Don't pad. You don't need to include the line "references upon request," or personal information beyond your contact info, or a bunch of unrelated hobbies. In fact, there's a lot of stuff you don't need to put on your resume, even when it's your very first one.

Proofread. Nothing is less persuasive than a resume full of typos and inconsistencies. Have a trusted friend or family member proofread your resume before you submit it.

Source: https://www.thebalance.com/first-resume-example-with-no-work-experience-2063278

I hope this information can help you!! Best of luck!