Most resume advice is geared toward job seekers who have worked

But what if you've never held a job?  What if you've just gotten your working papers?  What if you have been your home's domestic CEO and now need to find outside employment?

You probably have figured out that you will need a resume.  In some regions of the country it's difficult to get a position as a dishwasher without a resume, after all. 

But what do you put on you resume if you have never held a job?  This is an eternal Job Seeker Catch - 22: I need a resume to get a job, but I've never held a job, so I can't put one on a resume - which I need to get a job. 

Despite this conundrum, most new-to-the-workforce job seekers can harvest non-employment experience for their first resumes.  If you have never held a job before, you should brainstorm on what you have done in these three areas:

School activities.  Were (or are) your grades good?  Put your average in the education section of your first resume.  But there's more to school than hitting the books - there are also clubs, sports and activities.  List all clubs you have been a member of, and make note of those in which you have been an officer.  On the track or football team?  Were you the captain of your team of cheerleaders?  Excellent!  Put those on your first resume, too.

Community activities.  Have you ever volunteered?  Been a member in a non-school-related club or organization?  Have you organize your neighborhood's block party or community garage sale?  Put these experiences on your first resume.  Ditto for charity fund raisers (think walk-a-thons, for instance), helping out senior citizens at assisted living facilities, participating in canned food drives, etc. 

Home activities.  You can - and should - put activities you normally do around the house on your first resume.  Have you cared for the younger (or older) members of your family?  You should definitely put that experience on your first resume!  Have you helped with remodeling?  Do you prepare  (or help prepare) meals?  Put those experiences on your first resume, too!  Cleaning?  Trash removal? Landscaping and maintenance?  Animal care?  All are fine things to put on your first resume!

IN THE CARAVAN: When writing your first resume ever, be sure to include duties, skills and accomplishments from your school, community and home experiences.

NEXT MONDAY: Red Flags and Half Mast

Looking for more Resume advice?  Check out these posts and The Lion's Pride section of WildJobSafari.com!

Check out last Monday's post on repackaging your experience.

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