How To Write A Resume For High Schoolers: A Comprehensive Guide

Crafting a resume as a high school student might seem daunting, but it’s an incredibly valuable skill that can open doors to part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, and even college applications. This guide breaks down the process step-by-step, ensuring you create a compelling resume that showcases your skills and potential.

Understanding the Purpose: Why Does a High School Resume Matter?

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand why a resume is essential. A resume isn’t just a list of your experiences; it’s a marketing tool. It’s your chance to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers or organizations. For high schoolers, it allows you to highlight skills beyond academics, demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and a willingness to learn. It’s a snapshot of your accomplishments and a glimpse into your potential.

Step 1: Gathering Your Information - What to Include

The foundation of any good resume is accurate and complete information. Start by compiling a list of all your relevant experiences. This includes:

• Education: List your high school, expected graduation date, and GPA (if you’re comfortable sharing it). Include any relevant coursework or academic achievements, such as honors, awards, or special projects.
• Work Experience: Even if it’s just babysitting, mowing lawns, or helping out at a family business, any paid work experience is valuable. Include the job title, employer’s name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Volunteer Experience: Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to community and your willingness to help others. List the organization, your role, the dates of service, and a description of your contributions.
• Skills: Identify your skills. This can include both hard skills (e.g., computer proficiency, specific software knowledge, foreign language fluency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management).
• Extracurricular Activities: This section highlights your involvement in clubs, sports, and other school activities. Include your role, any leadership positions held, and any accomplishments.
• Awards and Recognition: List any awards, honors, or recognitions you’ve received, both academic and extracurricular.

Step 2: Choosing a Resume Format - Structure and Design

The format you choose significantly impacts how your resume is perceived. For high school students, a chronological format (listing experiences in reverse chronological order) is generally the most effective. This format allows you to showcase your most recent and relevant experiences first.

• Header: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and (optionally) your LinkedIn profile URL. Keep the header clean and professional.
• Summary/Objective (Optional): Some students include a brief summary or objective statement. A summary is a concise overview of your skills and experience. An objective statement states your career goals. For high schoolers, a brief summary highlighting your key skills and aspirations might be more beneficial.
• Sections: Clearly label each section (Education, Work Experience, Volunteer Experience, Skills, Extracurricular Activities, Awards & Recognition). Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your information.
• Formatting: Use a clean and easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) in a readable size (11-12 points). Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and accomplishments. Maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.

Step 3: Writing Compelling Descriptions - Show, Don’t Just Tell

This is where you make your resume stand out. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, describe your accomplishments using action verbs and quantifiable results. For example, instead of “Assisted customers,” write “Provided excellent customer service, resulting in a 15% increase in positive customer feedback.”

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., managed, organized, implemented, assisted, created, developed).
• Quantify Your Results: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments. Use numbers, percentages, or specific examples to demonstrate your impact.
• Tailor Your Descriptions: Customize your descriptions to match the requirements of the job or opportunity you’re applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant.

Step 4: Highlighting Skills - Showcasing Your Abilities

The skills section is a crucial part of your resume. It allows you to directly communicate your abilities to the reader. Create a list of both hard and soft skills.

• Hard Skills: Include technical skills, software proficiency, foreign language fluency, and any other specific skills relevant to the opportunities you’re pursuing.
• Soft Skills: These are interpersonal and communication skills. Examples include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, leadership, and adaptability.
• Use Keywords: Review the job description or opportunity requirements and incorporate relevant keywords into your skills section.

Step 5: Proofreading and Editing - Polishing Your Resume

Before submitting your resume, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Errors can make you appear careless and unprofessional.

• Use a Spell Checker: Run a spell check to catch any obvious errors.
• Read Aloud: Read your resume aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical mistakes.
• Get a Second Opinion: Ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend or family member to review your resume and provide feedback.
• Save in PDF Format: Always save your resume as a PDF file to ensure that the formatting remains consistent across different devices.

Step 6: Tailoring Your Resume - Customization is Key

One-size-fits-all resumes are ineffective. Customize your resume for each job or opportunity you apply for.

• Review the Job Description: Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and experiences the employer is looking for.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Tailor your skills section and descriptions to emphasize the skills and experiences that match the job requirements.
• Adjust Your Objective/Summary: Modify your objective or summary statement to reflect the specific goals of the opportunity.

Step 7: Examples of Resume Sections for High Schoolers

Here are some examples of how to structure different sections of your resume:

• Education:
  • [Your High School Name], [City, State] - Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
  • GPA: [Your GPA, Optional]
  • Relevant Coursework: [List relevant courses, e.g., AP English, Honors Biology, Computer Programming]
  • Awards/Honors: [List any academic awards, e.g., Honor Roll, National Honor Society]
• Work Experience:
  • Babysitter, [Your Name], [City, State] - [Dates of Employment]
    • Provided childcare for children ages [age range], including meal preparation, playtime, and bedtime routines.
    • Maintained a safe and engaging environment, resulting in repeat bookings.
• Volunteer Experience:
  • Volunteer Tutor, [Organization Name], [City, State] - [Dates of Service]
    • Tutored elementary school students in math and reading, improving their grades by an average of 10%.
    • Developed individualized lesson plans to meet each student’s specific needs.
• Skills:
  • Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, [Specific software]
  • Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
  • Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-solving, Leadership, Customer Service

Step 8: Resume Templates and Resources

Utilizing resume templates can significantly streamline the process. Many free and paid templates are available online. Research and choose a template that aligns with your needs and preferences.

• Online Resume Builders: Many websites offer free or low-cost resume builders that guide you through the process step-by-step.
• Word Processing Software Templates: Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer pre-designed resume templates that you can customize.
• Career Counseling Services: Your school’s career counselor can provide valuable guidance and review your resume.

Step 9: Where to Use Your Resume - Job Search and Beyond

Your resume is not just for applying for jobs. It’s a versatile document that can be used in various situations.

• Part-Time Jobs: Use your resume to apply for part-time jobs at local businesses, retail stores, and restaurants.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Submit your resume to volunteer organizations to showcase your skills and experience.
• College Applications: Include your resume as part of your college application to highlight your extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and accomplishments.
• Scholarships: Some scholarship applications require a resume as part of the application process.

Step 10: Continuous Improvement - Keeping Your Resume Updated

A resume is a living document. Regularly update your resume with new experiences, skills, and accomplishments.

• Track Your Activities: Keep a record of your activities, volunteer hours, and accomplishments throughout the year.
• Review Regularly: Review your resume at least once a semester to ensure it’s up-to-date.
• Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from teachers, counselors, or career professionals to identify areas for improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much experience do I need to include on my high school resume? Include any relevant experience, even if it seems small. Babysitting, mowing lawns, and helping out at family businesses are all valuable.
• Should I include my GPA? You can include your GPA if you’re comfortable sharing it and if it reflects positively on your academic performance. If your GPA isn’t strong, you can omit it.
• How long should my high school resume be? Aim for one page. High school students typically don’t have enough experience to warrant a longer resume.
• What if I don’t have any work experience? Focus on your volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, skills, and awards. Highlight your transferable skills.
• How do I handle gaps in my employment history? If there are gaps, briefly explain them (e.g., “Summer 2022: Focused on academic studies”). Emphasize what you did do during that time.

Conclusion

Creating a compelling resume as a high school student is a crucial step in preparing for future opportunities. By understanding the purpose of a resume, gathering your information, choosing the right format, writing impactful descriptions, highlighting your skills, and proofreading carefully, you can create a document that effectively showcases your potential. Remember to tailor your resume to each opportunity, keep it updated, and seek feedback to continuously improve your presentation. Following these guidelines will equip you with a valuable tool to succeed in your job search, volunteer efforts, and college applications.