How to write a summer job resume—tips and examples

Whether you're a student looking for your first job or someone filling a seasonal gap, a summer job can be the perfect way to gain real-world experience. These short-term roles offer more than just a paycheck—they help you build transferable skills, show responsibility, and prepare you for your future career.

But writing a summer job resume isn’t always straightforward. Maybe you’ve never had a job before, or you’re unsure how to frame a temporary gig in a way that sounds professional. That’s where this guide comes in.

We’ll walk you through exactly how to write a resume for a summer job—whether it’s your first or one of many—and how to make that experience work for you down the line.

From formatting tips to skill-based sections, real resume examples, and even advice on writing a cover letter, you’ll learn how to turn any summer role into a strong addition to your resume.

What is a summer job?

Summer jobs are temporary gigs, typically taken early in your career or during times when you need a part-time role—whether you’re between jobs, looking for experience, or just in search of a change of scenery.

From lifeguarding and camp counseling to part-time roles at Target, Starbucks, or your local community pool, many people remember the excitement—and nerves!—of applying for their first summer job.

What sets a summer job apart from a standard job is its short-term nature. It usually lasts only for a season and it’s got flexible hours. Many of these roles are part-time, making them perfect for students, gap-year takers, or anyone whose schedule isn’t locked into a full-time routine. They’re designed to fit around your life, while still giving you hands-on experience in the working world.

What is a summer job resume?

A summer job resume is the document you use to apply for a seasonal position. It highlights your most relevant experience, skills, and interests, targeting the job you’re after. Whether you’re applying to your first-ever role or stacking summer experience to land something more advanced, how you frame your resume will depend on your background—and the specific job you want.

We’ve put together the perfect summer job resume for a camp counselor—now it’s your turn. Regardless of the position you’re aiming for, our resume builder will help you turn your skills into a standout application.

How to write a resume for a summer job

Creating a resume for a summer job depends on your current situation. Is this your first job ever, or do you already have some experience? Either way, the process is straightforward—and we’ll walk you through the key steps, no matter your background.

Step 1. Choose a format depending on your experience level

If this is your first-ever job, a functional resume is a great fit. This format emphasizes skills and education over practical experience, which makes it perfect for entry-level candidates.

If, however, you do have some experience, but you’re changing your career course or you’re taking the summer to explore, opt for the hybrid resume. That way, you can show you’ve got some experience while emphasizing your skills and other achievements.

This format includes extra details that can make it clearer for recruiters why you’re applying for a summer job instead of progressing further in your career.

Step 2. Master the formatting essentials

Even if it’s your first resume, a clean and clear layout can make a big difference.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Stick to a one-page layout—employers don’t expect a long work history.
• Use a professional, easy-to-read font like Rubik, Calibri, or Bitter with a 10 pt size for your main text and a slightly bigger for headings.
• Keep margins around 0.5" to 1" to give your content breathing room.
• Use clear section headings like “Education, Experience, Skills, and Achievements”.
• Save and send your resume as a PDF, unless the employer requests otherwise. If so, you can use one of our Word templates.

Step 3. Include relevant resume sections

No matter which format you choose, your resume should have essential sections that showcase your qualifications in a clear, structured way.

Here’s what we recommend:

Contact information

Include your name and surname, professional e-mail address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile, if you have one.

You can also add your physical address—especially if you’re applying somewhere local or relocating temporarily for the summer.

Objective

This short resume profile tells recruiters what you’ve done so far and convinces them why you’re a match. For summer jobs, focus on your career goals for the near future, and pair them with relevant qualifications.

It’s better to use an objective (rather than a summary) since your goals are short-term and the focus is often on gaining experience, not long-term career growth.

Education

If you’re early in your career, your education section is especially important.

List your current or most recent school, along with any relevant coursework or certifications—like CPR, First Aid, or ServSafe if you’re applying for jobs in childcare, lifeguarding, or food service.

Place this section above or below your experience section depending on what’s stronger.

Experience

Your experience section can include paid jobs, internships, volunteer work, or personal projects—anything that demonstrates your responsibility and skills.

Summer jobs typically don’t require extensive experience, but framing your background professionally helps you appear as a reliable, work-ready candidate.

Use bullet points to describe your contributions and any measurable impact, even if the role was short-term.

Skills

Outline your hard skills, like working with specific software, in a separate section for easy scanning.

Your soft skills (like teamwork, communication, or adaptability) can be included here too, especially if you’re light on experience. Or, better yet, show them in action through your bullet points in your experience section.

Make sure you show how the skills you acquired in school, college, through internships or volunteering, or just through personal projects, transfer to the job you’re applying for.

(Optional) Achievements, Awards

Include any relevant accomplishments that help show your motivation, character, or work ethic—even if they aren’t directly related to the job.

Think: academic awards, leadership roles, athletic achievements, or community recognition.

Step 4. Tailor your resume to the job posting

Your resume can look nice, but if it’s filled with irrelevant information, it’s not going to serve its main purpose—to get you hired. So your best strategy is to tailor it to the job posting.

Here’s how to do it.

• Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills, responsibilities, or personality traits the employer is looking for. These are keywords that should show up in your resume—either in your objective, experience, or skills section.
• Highlight relevant experience first—whether it’s from school, volunteering, or past summer jobs.
• If the job values personality traits like “team player” or “self-starter,” include those words naturally in your bullet points or objective.
• Emphasize availability and reliability, which are huge pluses for seasonal roles.

Step 5. Proofread, polish, and keep it simple

Before you hit “send,” give your resume a final once-over. Spelling mistakes, awkward formatting, or inconsistent details can make you seem careless—even if you’re a great fit for the job.

Bonus tip: Ask a friend, parent, or mentor to review your resume. A second pair of eyes can catch small mistakes you might miss. 👁️

Step 6. Write a simple, focused cover letter (if needed)

Not all summer jobs require a cover letter—but when they do, it’s your chance to show a bit of personality and explain why you’re a great fit beyond what’s on your resume.

Not sure how to write a cover letter for a summer job? Our student cover letter guide breaks it down with examples and templates designed for those with little or no experience.

If the job posting doesn’t mention a cover letter, you can skip it. But if it’s optional or expected, don’t overthink it—a short, enthusiastic note can go a long way.

What to include:

• Why you’re interested in the role: What aspects of the job or the hiring company appeal to you?
• Why you’re a good fit: Highlight a few relevant skills, qualities, or past experiences.
• Your availability: Employers often need to know when you’re free to start and how long you can stay.
• Your attitude: Show you’re eager to learn and ready to pitch in.

How to put a summer job on your resume

Now that we’ve covered how to create a resume to land a summer job, let’s shift gears: what should you do with summer job experience when you’re applying for a different position?

Should you keep it on your resume—or leave it out?

If you’re short on experience, including summer jobs is usually a smart move. Even if the role was temporary, it still counts as real-world work—and with the right framing, it can help you stand out to future employers.

When adding a temporary gig to your resume, focus on what you learned and how it applies to the job you’re applying for. Highlight transferable skills like customer service, time management, reliability, communication, or teamwork—these are appreciated in almost any field.

Here’s an example:

Even a short-term role can say a lot about your work ethic—especially if you show how you made a difference while you were there.

FAQs about summer job resumes

In case you’ve got any more questions, check the section below.

Can I leave a 3-month job off my resume?

You can—but if it’s relevant, don’t. Even short-term roles like summer jobs can show you’re dependable and willing to work, which matters a lot if you’re early in your career or lack other experience.

How to put a summer program on my resume?

Include it in the section that fits best—Education, Experience, or even Projects. Add the program name, the organization that ran it, dates, and a short description of what you learned or contributed.

How do you describe working at a summer camp on a resume?

If you have previous experience working at a summer camp, highlight transferable skills, like leadership and communication. Use action verbs and keep it achievement-focused.

How to get a job with no experience at 16?

Look for local, informal opportunities—babysitting, lawn care, tutoring, or working for family friends. Focus on being responsible and eager to learn. You probably won’t need a full resume, but a simple one can help show initiative.

How to put SYEP on my resume?

List SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program) as a job or internship. Use the employer or placement site where you worked as the company name. Then include your job title, the dates you worked, and a few bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and the skills you developed—like communication, teamwork, or time management.

Conclusion

A well-written summer job resume can open the door to valuable experience, even if you’re just starting out. Whether you’re applying for your first role or showcasing seasonal work later on, how you frame it makes all the difference.