# Do I need a work resume for American Universities?

**URL:** <https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/do-i-need-a-work-resume-for-american-universities/7780>\
**Category:** Answers\
**Tags:** resume, collegeapplications, collegeadmissions\
**Created:** [May 4, 2016, 8:28am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/do-i-need-a-work-resume-for-american-universities/7780 "2016-05-04T08:28:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lorena\_PrepScholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lorena\_PrepScholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/Lorena_PrepScholar)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2016, 8:28am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/do-i-need-a-work-resume-for-american-universities/7780/1 "2016-05-04T08:28:56Z")

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I’m working on applying to a few American Universities as a Freshman, and I was asked to write a job resume as a requirement for Salem State University. How do I do this considering the fact that I've never been employed or worked for anyone? Is this common for American Universities?

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**Author:** ![sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/sam_prepscholar)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/do-i-need-a-work-resume-for-american-universities/7780/2 "2016-05-11T04:46:59Z")

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**If you're asked to include a resume with your application, it doesn't mean that the school expects you to have an extensive employment history.** Colleges know that most high school students don't have time to work unless it's on a very limited part-time basis. **The job resume requirement may exist for the benefit of prospective students who are applying after they've already been out of college for a year or two.** In this case, it's important for colleges to see some work history to verify that an applicant hasn't just been sitting around doing nothing since high school.

**This "job resume" may just be where Salem State wants you to write about other things you've done in high school outside of purely academic pursuits.** Were you involved in any volunteer activities or extracurricular groups? If you don't see another area on the application where you can list these activities, include them as a part of your resume. I'd recommend taking a look at our guide on [how to write about extracurricular activities on college applications](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-about-extracurricular-activities-on-your-college-applications). **Overall, I wouldn't be too concerned with this part of your application if your academic qualifications are solid and you're applying right out of high school. Employment history is not a requirement for acceptance at American universities.** If you're still worried, you should [contact the admissions office directly](https://www.salemstate.edu/admissions-and-aid/welcome-undergraduate-admissions) to ask them about their expectations.