How To Write a High School Resume: The Ultimate Guide to Landing Your First Job or Internship

Crafting a resume as a high school student might seem daunting, but it’s a crucial skill to develop early. A well-written resume is your first impression on potential employers or internship providers. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and potential. This guide provides a step-by-step process to help you create a compelling high school resume that stands out. We’ll cover everything from the initial planning stages to formatting tips and what to include.

Understanding the Purpose of a High School Resume

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the purpose of your resume. Unlike resumes for experienced professionals, a high school resume focuses on demonstrating your potential and willingness to learn. It highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, volunteer work, and any relevant skills you’ve acquired. The goal is to convince the reader that you’re a responsible, capable, and enthusiastic candidate, even without extensive work experience.

Gathering the Essentials: What to Include on Your High School Resume

The content of your resume will depend on your individual experiences. However, some standard sections should be included:

Contact Information: Making it Easy to Reach You

This section is straightforward but crucial. Include your:

• Full Name
• Phone Number (ensure it has a professional voicemail!)
• Email Address (use a professional-sounding email address, not a silly one)
• Optional: LinkedIn Profile URL (if you have one and it’s up-to-date)

Double-check all contact information for accuracy. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because of a typo.

Education: Showcasing Your Academic Achievements

This section is arguably the most important part of your high school resume. Include:

• Name of your High School
• City, State
• Graduation Date (Month, Year)
• GPA (if it’s strong; consider including it if above a 3.5)
• Relevant coursework (e.g., AP classes, honors classes)
• Any academic awards or honors (e.g., Honor Roll, National Honor Society)

Skills: Highlighting Your Capabilities

This section is where you showcase your abilities. Think about the skills employers value and how they relate to the jobs you are seeking. Consider these categories:

• Technical Skills: Computer skills (Microsoft Office, specific software), typing speed.
• Soft Skills: Teamwork, communication, problem-solving, leadership, time management, organization.
• Languages: Fluency in any languages other than English.

Be honest and specific. Instead of just saying “Proficient in Microsoft Office,” specify which programs you know (e.g., “Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint”).

Experience: Showcasing Your Work and Volunteer History

Even if you have limited work experience, this section is still essential. Include:

• Job Title: Be specific.
• Company Name:
• Dates of Employment: (Month, Year - Month, Year)
• Responsibilities: Use action verbs (e.g., “Managed,” “Assisted,” “Organized”) to describe your duties and accomplishments. Focus on what you did. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 15%”).

If you lack paid work experience, include volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any relevant projects.

Extracurricular Activities: Demonstrating Involvement and Interests

This section demonstrates your interests and involvement outside of academics. Include:

• Name of the club, sport, or activity
• Your role or position (e.g., Treasurer, Team Captain)
• Brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments

Awards and Achievements: Recognizing Your Successes

This section allows you to list awards and achievements that you haven’t already mentioned. This is where you can highlight any special recognition you’ve received, such as:

• Academic awards
• Sports awards
• Volunteer awards
• Scholarships

Formatting Your High School Resume: Presentation Matters

The format of your resume significantly impacts its readability and overall impression.

Choosing a Professional Resume Template

Use a clean and professional resume template. Avoid overly creative or cluttered designs. Many free resume templates are available online in programs like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Focus on clarity and readability.

Font Choice and Size

Use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.

White Space: The Importance of Breathing Room

Utilize white space effectively. Don’t cram everything together. Adequate spacing between sections and lines makes your resume easier to read and more visually appealing.

Length: Keeping it Concise

A high school resume should generally be one page long. There’s often not enough experience to justify a second page.

Writing Action-Oriented Bullet Points: Making Your Resume Come Alive

Use action verbs to start each bullet point in your experience section. This makes your resume more dynamic and engaging. Here are some examples:

• Managed social media accounts for the school newspaper.
• Organized fundraising events that raised $500.
• Assisted teachers with classroom preparation.
• Led a team of volunteers in a community cleanup project.
• Developed and presented research findings on environmental sustainability.

Focus on what you did and the results you achieved.

Tailoring Your Resume: Customizing for Each Application

Don’t simply create one generic resume and send it to every opportunity. Customize your resume for each job or internship application. Review the job description carefully and emphasize the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position. This demonstrates to the employer that you’ve taken the time to understand their needs.

Proofreading and Editing: The Final Crucial Step

Proofread your resume meticulously for any typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies. Ask a teacher, parent, or trusted friend to review it as well. A single error can undermine your credibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including irrelevant information: Don’t include personal details that are not relevant to the job.
• Using generic language: Avoid vague statements. Be specific and provide details.
• Lying or exaggerating: Be honest about your experience and skills.
• Poor formatting: A poorly formatted resume is unprofessional and can be difficult to read.
• Not proofreading: Always, always proofread!

Frequently Asked Questions About High School Resumes

Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify any doubts you may have.

What if I have no work experience?

That’s perfectly fine! Focus on your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any relevant skills. Highlight your potential and willingness to learn.

How do I decide what to include?

Focus on what is relevant to the job or opportunity you are applying for. Tailor your resume to the specific requirements of each position.

Is a cover letter necessary?

In many cases, yes. A cover letter allows you to expand on your resume and explain why you are a good fit for the position.

What format should I save my resume in?

Save your resume as a PDF file. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent regardless of the recipient’s computer or software.

Can I use a picture on my resume?

Generally, it’s best to avoid including a picture on your resume, especially in the US. This is to avoid any potential for bias.

Conclusion: Building Your Future, One Resume at a Time

Writing a compelling high school resume is a valuable skill that will serve you well throughout your academic and professional career. By following these guidelines, gathering the necessary information, formatting your resume professionally, and tailoring it to each application, you can create a document that effectively showcases your skills and potential. Remember to highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any relevant skills you’ve acquired. Proofread carefully, and always customize your resume for each opportunity. With a well-crafted resume, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first job or internship and building a successful future.