What NOT to Put on Your Résumé as a Teen

When you're creating your first résumé, it can be tempting to put everything on the page — every class, hobby, or award. But sometimes, less is more.

A clean, focused résumé shows you're serious, organized, and ready to work. In this post, we’ll go over common teen résumé mistakes — and what to do instead — so you can avoid red flags and build something employers will actually read.

1. Don’t Include Your Full Address

It’s outdated and unnecessary. Just listing your city and province is enough.

✅ Use this instead: “Toronto, ON” or “Hamilton, ON”

2. Don’t Use an Unprofessional Email

Your email should be simple and appropriate. Avoid using nicknames or slang.

✅ Use something like: “janedoe@gmail.com”❌ Not: “soccerqueen99@hotmail.com”

3. Don’t Add a Photo

In Canada and the U.S., résumé photos are not standard — and can even create bias. Let your words speak for you.

4. Don’t List Every Single Class You’ve Taken

Employers don’t need to know your full school schedule. Focus on the most relevant or impressive achievements like honors, awards, or clubs.

✅ Include: “Honor Roll Student,” “Member of Debate Club”❌ Don’t include: “Math, Science, Art, Gym…”

5. Don’t Be Vague

Avoid writing “helped out” or “did stuff.” Use action words to describe what you actually did and what the result was.

❌ “Helped at school event”✅ “Set up tables, welcomed guests, and managed ticket booth for school fundraiser”

6. Don’t Add Too Much Personal Info

Avoid including your age, SIN number, religion, or anything private. It’s not relevant and could make you vulnerable.

7. Don’t Say “References Available Upon Request”

It’s outdated and takes up space. If an employer wants references, they’ll ask you later.

8. Don’t Lie or Exaggerate

You don’t need to “fake” experience to sound impressive. Employers appreciate honesty — and lying can come back to bite you.

✅ Focus on what you have done: school clubs, group projects, babysitting, volunteering, etc.

9. Don’t Use a Messy or Hard-to-Read Layout

Keep fonts simple, sections clear, and spacing consistent. A neat résumé shows you’re detail-oriented.

✅ Use bold for headings, bullet points for tasks, and standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.

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