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Just because you’re not an adult yet doesn’t mean you can’t create a resume! As a child or teenager, a resume can help you understand and build your strengths, show others your value and set you apart from others your age who may be competing with you for a job or scholarship.

Below are a few guidelines for creating and improving your resume so you can perfect the art of presenting yourself on paper.

1. Mind your spelling and grammar. Make sure every single word on your resume is spelled correctly and that your sentences make sense. Show a draft of your resume to a teacher or family member who has a good grasp of the English language. Proper spelling and grammar speak to your intelligence and judgment.

2. Format consistently and neatly. Unless you’re a graphic designer, keep your resume simple. Avoid using clip art, borders and other unnecessary elements. Let bold letters, italics, bullets and spacing be the tools that make your resume memorable and easy to understand.

3. Divide your resume into sections. Many people use the following headings for the sections: Summary, Background, Experience, Education, Interests and Volunteer Activities. While you may not have much work experience yet, you can speak to your interests, your accomplishments at school, any volunteering you’ve done and what your goals are. This will help the recipient understand a little more about your strengths and personality.

4. Define your summary by your future hopes. Write down (somewhere other than your resume) what you would like to do as an adult, including your career and hobbies. If there are several options, look for the common trait among them. This will help you understand what your overall goals are, which will help you fill out the “summary” portion more meaningfully.

5. List your odd jobs in the “Work Experience” section. Include one-time projects like babysitting, mowing the lawn and fixing computer problems. Even if you didn’t get paid, these types of tasks show off your talents and your commitment to doing things well.

6. Include achievements at school. Have you made the honor roll? Have you earned As and Bs all semester? Perhaps you’re on an undefeated sports team. List every accomplishment! Even past grades count.

7. Turn weaknesses into strengths. If your Volunteer Experience section is lacking, start volunteering! If your Work Experience section needs help, reach out to family members and friends to see if you can do anything for them, paid or unpaid. Add these to your resume so it will be full and well rounded.

8. Remember to keep updating your resume. Revisit your resume every semester and keep it current. You’ll be going places in no time!