It doesn't matter whether you're applying for a part time summer job, volunteering for a cause or applying for college, a teenager should have a resume showing off academic strengths and experiences. Just because you don't have the standard work experience, doesn't mean you should forego creating a resume.

Anything you've done that's given you a chance to use leadership, planning or organizational skills and your ability to be trustworthy should be included in your resume. Create a list of volunteer work and odd jobs that you have performed. Jot down jobs such as babysitting, helping out the elderly or any type of situation in which you performed a task for someone else.

Make a list of your achievements. Show a prospective employer that you have personal and academic accomplishments. Don't forget things such as honor roll, landing a part in the school play or winning a writing award.

For a first time job seeker, you may include a section devoted to your objective or goals. Let a prospective employer know why you want a particular job, and what assets you can bring to the company.

Make a list of your skills. Are you a computer whiz? Do you know how to type fast? Think about what classes and subjects you've mastered in school and how these could relate to a position for which you're applying.

Put the resume together in logical order. Most resumes are written with contact information at the top of the page, including your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Under that, create a section for your objective and goals. Follow that with your education information including the school you attend and your expected graduation date. Follow educational information with a history of your work experiences and then list skills and achievements. Remember to add dates for your work experiences and the names of the organizations or employers.

Choose an easy to read and professional looking font. The resume should look clean. Write the resume with brief, incomplete sentences. Don't use a paragraph or narrative form for your resume. Instead, list things with bullet points.

Write several drafts before deciding on a final one. Have a teacher or your parent to look at the resume to get advice on ways it could be better. Proofread your resume so that it contains no errors.

Tips:

Use high quality paper to print your resume.

Do not lie on your resume. It is a bad habit to start, and the chances of getting caught are not worth it.