Finding your first job after school can feel challenging, especially when every ad seems to ask for experience you don’t yet have. But don’t worry – your resume can still shine by highlighting what you bring to the table. At Next Gen Youth Employment, we believe that every young person with disability has unique strengths to offer employers. Our NDIS-funded School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program even covers resume preparation and interview coaching. This article shows how to create a clear, honest resume using school, volunteer or community activities, personal skills and strengths. We’ll explain what Australian employers look for in entry-level applicants, give practical examples and templates, and show how Next Gen Youth Employment can help you present your value to employers – even with little or no paid work history.

Understand What Employers Want

Employers hiring school leavers expect minimal formal experience, so they look for potential and attitude. In fact, Next Gen notes that “employers … expect you might not have much (or any) paid work experience. What they want to see is evidence of your potential: your skills, your attitude, and any experiences that have prepared you for the workplace”. This means your resume should focus on your abilities, willingness to learn and personal qualities. For example:

• Positive attitude: Punctuality, reliability, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic – these traits show you’re ready to start work and learn on the job.
• Transferable skills: Think of abilities from school projects, sports, hobbies or home life (see next section).
• Examples of responsibility: Even simple tasks like looking after siblings, volunteering or class leadership roles can prove you are responsible and organised.
• Education and training: Schools, TAFE or short courses you’ve done (such as first aid, barista or computer courses) matter. List any certificates or awards from school.

Australian employers value clear, relevant information. Use bullet points and short sentences to make it easy to scan. As Youth Central advises, keep your resume concise (one to two pages) – a one-page CV is fine for a school leaver. We’ll show how to fill each section below.

Contact Details and Resume Profile

1. Header / Contact Information. At the top, put your name (make it stand out) and key contact info – phone number and professional email. You can also note your location or region (e.g. “Melbourne VIC”) so employers know you can travel to work. You don’t need a full street address; just your suburb or city is enough. Check your email is professional (no nicknames or jokes) and double-check you can receive messages at that address. You may include a link to a relevant online profile (e.g. LinkedIn) if you have one.

• Example:
  • Name: Jasmine Lee
  • Email: jasmine.lee@email.com
  • Phone: 04XX XXX XXX
  • Location: Outer Eastern Melbourne, Vic

2. Resume Summary or Objective. Below your name, consider adding a short profile statement or objective. This is a 1–2 sentence blurb describing who you are and what you’re looking for. It helps an employer quickly grasp your goals and main strengths. Keep it brief and focused. For instance, you might write:

“Year 12 graduate with strong communication and problem-solving skills, seeking an entry-level role in retail. Reliable and enthusiastic, with experience in volunteer customer service and a keen willingness to learn.”

Seek advises that a summary “gives the hiring manager a quick idea of who you are and the skill set you offer,” highlighting your goals, skills and enthusiasm. If you prefer, you can write an objective statement instead, which similarly states your career goal for this specific role. Either way, it should match the job you want (for example, “passionate about hospitality” for a café job) and mention one or two key strengths or interests.

Highlight Your Education and Training

For a school leaver, the Education section is one of the most important parts. List your latest or highest school certificates, courses and relevant subjects. For example, include your final year of secondary school (e.g. Victorian Certificate of Education, VCE), any VET (Vocational Education and Training) modules, TAFE courses or university subjects if applicable. If you have a strong result (like an ATAR or subject score) you can mention it, but don’t worry if not – focus on experiences and projects that show skills. For each entry, include:

• School/Institution and qualification: e.g. “Springfield Secondary College – Year 12, 2025”.
• Year or date range: e.g. “2023–2025”.
• Relevant achievements or projects: bullet-point any highlights. For example, “2024: Received school award for Citizenship for helping organise a fundraising event” or “Completed a major history research project on media literacy”. These show initiative and dedication.

If you have certificates or short courses (like First Aid, Barista training, keyboarding, or online courses), list those too. They demonstrate specific skills. Even a RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate or forklift licence is worth mentioning if relevant.

Tip: If you’re still in your final school year, you can note “Currently completing Year 12 at [School Name]” and list subjects or assignments that relate to the job. For example, “Subjects: Hospitality, Business Studies (completed a project on customer service)”.

Showcase Skills, Volunteer and Work-Related Experience

Even without paid jobs, you’ve likely built valuable skills. Include sections like “Skills”, “Volunteer Experience”, “Work Experience or Experience” and “Extracurricular Activities”. Here’s how:

• Skills Section: List 5–7 key skills that match the jobs you want. Combine “soft skills” (personal traits) and technical skills. Examples of transferable soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, organisation, adaptability and reliability. Technical or practical skills might be Microsoft Office, social media, cash handling, or any tools/technology you’ve learned. Use bullet points. For instance:

  • “Communication (strong written and verbal skills) – presented class projects and helped peers with assignments.”
  • “Teamwork – played in local soccer club, collaborating with team members to win league matches.”
  • “Time Management – balanced study, part-time tutoring and extracurriculars, meeting all deadlines.”
  • “Basic Computer Skills – proficient with MS Word, Excel and Canva for school assignments.”

  The Youth Central example resume includes skills like “Customer service, problem solving, teamwork, task allocation” to match a warehouse job. Think about the role you want and pick skills that fit. You can also create mini two-column lists (as Seek suggests) or use a simple bullet list if that’s easier.

• Volunteer and Community Work: Employers love to see any initiative you’ve taken. Volunteer experience is as valuable as paid work. For example, if you helped at a charity, church, animal shelter or at school (like running stalls or fundraising), put it in “Work Experience” or a separate “Volunteer” section. Describe it like a job: year, role, organisation, and 2–3 bullet points of duties or achievements. Focus on what you did and learned.

  • Example:
    • Volunteer, Red Cross Op Shop (2025): Assisted customers, sorted donations and handled cash. Learned customer service and accurate cash handling.
    • Fundraising Team Member, School Charity Drive (2024): Organised community event stall, served food and beverages, collected $200 in donations. Gained teamwork and organisation skills.

  As one guide notes, “volunteer work always looks good on a résumé… [it] teaches transferable skills that any employer would find valuable”.

• School & Extracurricular Projects: Include significant school projects, leadership roles or hobbies that showcase relevant skills. For instance, were you a team captain, in a school band or debate club, or did you complete a big science project? These show qualities like leadership, creativity and teamwork. For example: “Captain, Elwood AFL Team (2019–2023) – led weekly training sessions and team meetings, demonstrating leadership and communication”. If you managed a project (e.g. organising a school play or running a fundraising event), describe it and the outcome (see example below). Even hobbies can count: playing chess can show strategic thinking, and playing an instrument can show discipline.

  For each activity, bullet-point one or two points. In Next Gen’s advice, you might list school projects as work experience: for instance, “Managed the school science fair project, coordinating a team of 4 students – improved leadership and planning skills”. Or note being in a club: “Debate Team member – developed public speaking and critical thinking skills”.

• Basic Household or Informal Responsibilities: Don’t overlook day-to-day responsibilities. Babysitting younger siblings, lawn mowing or even regularly helping with shopping can show trustworthiness and time management. Mention them if they were regular. For example: “Baby-sitter for two younger siblings (2018–2022) – responsible for homework support, meal prep and bedtime routines.” This shows responsibility and communication.

Put It All Together: Sections to Include

A typical one-page resume for a school leaver with no paid jobs might include the following sections (use clear headings for each):

1. Contact Information: As above – name, phone, email, location.
2. Profile or Objective: One or two sentences about your goals and main strengths.
3. Education: List schools, certificates, courses and achievements.
4. Skills: Bullet-list of your top 5–7 skills (mix of soft and tech skills).
5. Volunteer / Work Experience: Include any part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work or long-term school roles. Describe them with bullets.
6. Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, hobbies or achievements (e.g. sports captain, dance troupe) that demonstrate skills.
7. Awards & Achievements: Academic or sports awards from school or community.
8. References: You can simply note “References available on request.” Employers expect you’ll provide contacts later. If you have permission, listing 1–2 referees (teacher, coach, volunteer leader) with name and contact is fine.

Youth Central’s full example is two pages, but they note a one-page resume is acceptable for minimal experience. Focus on the most recent and relevant info first. Use bullet points and short lines rather than long paragraphs.

Resume Formatting and Presentation

First impressions count. Keep your resume clean and easy to read. Here are some tips:

• Layout & Length: Use a simple format with clear headings. Next Gen advises, “when writing your resume, keep the layout simple and easy to read. Use clear headings… and a basic font. Bullet points are preferable to long paragraphs”. A one-page resume is fine for a school leaver – in fact, “if your resume ends up three pages long, you’re including too much information”. Aim for 1–2 pages.
• Font & Style: Stick to classic fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Make your name slightly larger (e.g. 16-18 pt) and section headings bold. Avoid photos or fancy graphics – these can distract and are not needed. Use bullet points, not long paragraphs, so employers can scan quickly.
• Resume Template: If you need structure, use a free resume template from Word, Google Docs, Canva or Seek. These give you a good layout to fill in. Next Gen suggests using a template to start, then customizing it with your own info. Just don’t rely on fancy designs – keep it professional.
• File Format: Save and send your resume as a PDF. This ensures the layout and fonts stay the same on any computer. Name the file clearly (e.g. “JasmineLee_Resume.pdf”).
• Proofread Carefully: Always double-check your spelling, grammar and formatting. Typos can give a bad impression. As Next Gen says, “proofread your resume carefully (or ask someone you trust to check it)… A polished, error-free resume shows professionalism”. Consider asking a teacher, parent or friend to proof it too.

Writing Strong Bullet Points

When describing any experience, use action words and specifics. Instead of vague phrases, start bullets with verbs like “organised,” “assisted,” “created,” “managed,” “helped”. For example, say “Organised end-of-year party for 50 students (budget $200), coordinating invitations and catering” rather than just “Helped with party.” This follows advice to “use action verbs to make your accomplishments sound more impactful, e.g. ‘achieved,’ ‘managed,’ or ‘collaborated’”. Concrete details (numbers, settings) make it stronger.

Always write in past tense for completed roles and present tense for anything ongoing. If you say “led a team of 3 teammates” or “present presentations to class”, it shows initiative. The Youth Central example shows this well: under “Personal Attributes,” it lists actions and how they were demonstrated, like “Recognised ability to communicate… Demonstrated by 3-year captaincy of the local AFL team.”.

What About My Disability?

It’s natural to wonder whether to mention your disability. In Australia, you do not have to disclose any disability on your resume unless it directly affects your job performance. You are legally protected from discrimination on disability grounds. For most entry-level roles, focus on your skills and readiness, not on the disability.

If you feel your disability has given you valuable strengths (for example, resilience, problem-solving, unique perspectives), you can frame it positively. Some people briefly mention it in a profile or cover letter in a way that emphasizes strength, not weakness. For instance, if you play wheelchair basketball, you might note that it taught you determination and teamwork. As Independence Australia suggests, “use language and examples of experience that frame your disability as relevant to the role, such as what your disability has helped you learn”.

However, if you’re not comfortable disclosing on the resume, you can always bring it up later – during the interview or even once you’ve gotten the job. For example, you might ask about accessible entrances or certain adjustments when setting up the interview.

Ultimately, it’s your choice. Next Gen Youth Employment can advise you on disclosure if you’re unsure. Our youth coaches are experienced in helping you decide if and how to include disability-related information. The key is to ensure your resume showcases why you are a great candidate.

Example Bullets for Common Sections

Here are some example resume bullet points for inspiration. Remember to adjust them to your actual experiences:

• Skills:

  • “Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; gave class presentations on science projects”
  • “Teamwork: Collaborated with classmates on group assignments; member of community basketball team”
  • “Time Management: Balanced school study with tutoring younger students, meeting all deadlines.”

• Volunteer / Community:

  • “Volunteer (2024): Helped stock shelves and assist customers at local Op Shop (charity store). Learned customer service and cash handling.”
  • “School Fundraiser Committee: Organised a cake stall, raising $300 for charity by managing inventory and sales.”
  • “Buddy Program (Year 9): Mentored a Year 7 student once a week, developing patience and leadership.”

• Extracurricular / Projects:

  • “Captain, Junior Football Team (2023): Led weekly practices and motivated teammates. Improved team performance and communication.”
  • “Science Fair Project (2025): Designed and built a model solar oven; presented to judges and won second place, showcasing research and problem-solving skills.”
  • “School Choir (2022): Performed at community events, demonstrating commitment and confidence.”

• Education Achievements:

  • “2019: Principal’s Award for volunteering as a school librarian (assisted with reshelving and student queries).”
  • “2020: Ranked 1st in Year 10 Mathematics, showing strong problem-solving ability.”

Use these as a guide. Tailor each bullet to the job: if applying for retail, emphasize any customer service or teamwork; if for an office role, highlight computer skills and organisation.

Avoid Common Resume Mistakes

• Typos and Errors: As noted, spelling mistakes can hurt your chances. Proofread carefully.
• Unprofessional Email: Use a simple email address (preferably firstname.lastname@gmail.com or similar).
• Too Much Information: You don’t need personal details like age, marital status, or a photo. These are not required and can distract.
• Irrelevant Info: Only include hobbies or jobs that add to your story. For example, listing “playing video games” isn’t helpful unless it ties to a skill. Instead, mention community roles or sports.
• Lies or Exaggeration: Always be honest. Employers may ask to see certificates or confirm past work. In Australia, it’s illegal to falsify qualifications. Stick to what you actually did.
• Generic Resume: Tailor the resume to each job. Use some of the employer’s words from the ad if they fit your skills. For instance, if the job posting mentions “friendly and dependable”, and you have examples of those traits, weave them in. Customising helps both software and HR staff notice your fit.

Next Gen Youth Employment Can Help

Writing your first resume can feel like a big step – but you don’t have to do it alone. Next Gen Youth Employment specialises in helping young people with disabilities transition from school to work. In our SLES program we coach and support you through every stage: from discovering your strengths, to building your resume, writing cover letters and practicing interviews. In fact, our own materials say we “assist young people in everything from creating a solid CV and cover letter to interview coaching”.

Our coaches can sit down with you and help phrase your experience in the best light. We’ll find the right template, guide you on what to include, and even do mock interviews so you’re prepared when the real one comes. Because Next Gen is an NDIS-approved SLES provider, young people with disability (aged 16–26) can have these services funded in their plans.

Need help? Contact Next Gen Youth Employment for one-on-one support. We can answer questions like “Should I include my disability on my CV?” or “How do I handle gaps in experience?” and work through the answers together. As Next Gen says in our own FAQ: we’re here to help young people with disabilities unlock their potential and achieve their goals.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on skills and strengths, not lack of jobs. Employers expect school leavers to have limited work experience. Show them your transferable skills (communication, teamwork, reliability, etc.) with concrete examples.
• Use relevant sections: Contact details, a brief profile, education, skills, any volunteer/informal work, and extracurriculars. Include achievements and awards if you have them.
• Keep it clear and concise: Use bullet points, simple layout, one to two pages. Proofread thoroughly for no mistakes.
• Volunteer and school projects matter: These experiences count like work. For example, noting “volunteered at community fundraising events, managing the refreshment stand and handling cash accurately” shows real responsibility.
• Next Gen is here for you: Our SLES program provides personalised resume help, interview prep, and more. We understand the challenges and are ready to guide you every step of the way.

Creating a strong resume is your first step toward employment. It helps employers see your value beyond just “work experience.” With the right approach, you can present yourself as a motivated, capable candidate. If you need extra assistance – whether that’s formatting tips, feedback on wording, or practising an interview – reach out to Next Gen Youth Employment. We can work with you to polish your resume and build confidence.

Ready to get started? Call Next Gen Youth Employment on 0399 683 021 or email info@nextgenye.com.au to set up support. Visit our website’s Contact Us page to learn more. With the right help, you’ll have a resume that reflects your true potential and gets you closer to that first job.