How to Write a Resume for a High School Student

Crafting Your High School Resume: A Simple Guide

Landing your first job, internship, or even volunteer gig can be tough, especially in high school. But a great resume can really help! This guide shows you how to build one, step by step. We'll cover everything – from the format to showing off your awesome skills.

Why Bother with a High School Resume?

You might think resumes are just for grown-ups. Wrong! A good resume helps high schoolers too. It shows employers, internship people, and even colleges that you're organized, skilled, and ready to work. It's your first impression – make it count!

What Goes in a High School Resume?

It's shorter than a grown-up resume, but still needs to be well-organized. Here's what you need:

1. Contact Info: Your name, phone number, email, and maybe a LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Keep it short and sweet!
2. Summary/Objective (Optional): A short summary highlights your best skills. An objective states your career goals. Example summary: "Hardworking student with great teamwork skills, looking for an internship in [field]." Example objective: "Seeking a summer internship in marketing to learn new things."
3. Education: Your high school, graduation date, and GPA (if it's good!). List any AP or honors classes, too. Add certifications or dual enrollment programs.
4. Experience: Show off your accomplishments! Even if you don't have a "real" job, you have experience. Think about:

• Part-time jobs: Babysitting? Lawn mowing? These show responsibility. Add numbers if you can! (e.g., "Increased clients by 15%")
• Volunteer work: Volunteering shows you care about your community and have great teamwork skills. Describe your role.
• Extracurriculars: Clubs, sports, student government – these show leadership. Highlight any achievements.
• Projects: Built a website? Wrote a story? These showcase your skills and initiative!
• Awards: Any awards or scholarships are great to include.

4. Skills: List both hard skills (like using Microsoft Office or coding) and soft skills (like teamwork and communication). Tailor these to the jobs you're applying for.
5. References: Just say "References available upon request" at the bottom.

Tips for a Stellar Resume

Use action verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong verb (e.g., managed, organized, created). This makes it sound better!

Use numbers: Instead of "Helped with events," say "Helped with 10+ events, ensuring smooth operation." Numbers make your accomplishments more impressive.

Tailor it: Change your resume for each job you apply for. Highlight skills relevant to that job. Read the job description carefully!

Keep it short: Aim for one page. High schoolers don't need a long resume.

Proofread! Errors look bad. Have a teacher or parent check it over.

Use a good format: Choose a clear font (like Times New Roman or Arial). Use a resume template if it helps.

Use keywords: Use words from the job description to help computers find your resume.

Example Resumes

Searching online for "high school resume examples" will give you lots of ideas. Use them as inspiration, but always personalize your resume to show off your unique skills!

What if I Don't Have Much Experience?

It's okay if you don't have a lot of work experience. You can still show off your skills:

• Extracurriculars: Leadership roles show teamwork and time management.
• Personal projects: Show your creativity and initiative.
• Volunteer work: Shows commitment to your community.
• Transferable skills: Even skills from hobbies can be useful!

Your Resume: More Than Just a Job Application

Your resume is useful for more than just applying for jobs:

• College applications: Many colleges want to see your resume.
• Scholarships: A good resume will help you get scholarships.
• Internships: Land that first internship with a strong resume!
• Networking: Use it to talk to people in your field of interest.

Conclusion: Your First Step to Success

A great resume can open doors! Plan it well, pay attention to the details, and proofread carefully. It's your first impression. Make it count! Good luck!