Writing a resume as a high school student is an important step toward landing jobs, internships, or college applications. A high school resume is an important marketing tool for students, helping them present their skills and experiences effectively. This guide is designed specifically for your career level as a high school student, focusing on your skills, job experiences, and achievements to fit entry-level roles.
You’ll learn exactly how to craft your high school resume, what key information to include, and practical writing tips to make your application stand out from other job applicants. Are you applying for your first job or a summer internship? This guide will walk you through each step with clear resume examples and advice tailored just for you. A high school resume can reveal new opportunities and is a life skill that will serve students well in the future.
Key Takeaways
- A high school resume is vital for job and college admissions, allowing students to showcase their skills, volunteer experience, and accomplishments.
- Key sections to include in a high school student resume are contact information, an objective statement, education section, work experience, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, key skills, and references. Resumes can include relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and any job experience a high school student has.
- Customizing high school resumes for each application and highlighting relevant skills can significantly improve your chances of being noticed by potential employers and college admissions teams.
- To create a professional-looking high school resume easily, consider using free templates available in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or other platforms. These offer pre-formatted designs to help you structure your resume effectively.
Why High School Students Need a Resume
Students might wonder why they need a resume at this stage. The answer is straightforward: a resume acts as a powerful marketing tool, helping you clearly present your skills, job experience, and volunteer work to employers, colleges, or internship programs. Your contact information should be prominently listed at the top of your resume.
A well-crafted high school resume organizes your accomplishments and previous experiences, making a strong first impression on hiring managers and admission officers. Just like other job applicants, students in high school need to stand out by showcasing their unique strengths and transferable skills. Employers look for candidates who have a history of making an impact, which can be demonstrated through awards and achievements. But it’s more than just a list of jobs or grades, it’s a snapshot of who you are. It reflects your character, skills, and achievements, offering a glimpse into your identity beyond the classroom.
Starting your resume early is a smart move. It ensures you capture important milestones, like leadership roles or academic achievements, before they fade from memory. Even limited work experience, like part-time jobs or volunteer roles, can demonstrate responsibility and initiative, which are qualities employers value highly. A high school resume should be concise, typically limited to one page, especially for students with limited experience.
Moreover, your resume can include a variety of educational experiences, extracurricular activities, such as school newspaper contributions, and volunteer work. Including extracurricular activities on a resume provides a boost regardless of the resume's purpose. These show your dedication and potential, helping you stand out even without extensive work history. Developing strong resume writing skills at this stage will benefit you as you compete with other job applicants in the future.
The Benefits of a Well-Written High School Resume
Creating a well-written high school resume offers a range of benefits that go beyond simply applying for a job or college degree. A strong resume helps you stand out in a competitive field by clearly demonstrating your skills and experiences. High school resumes can include skills that are transferable to future opportunities, such as leadership and communication skills.
It’s also a valuable tool for self-reflection, allowing you to identify your strengths, recognize areas for growth, and set meaningful career goals for your future. As you organize your achievements and experiences, you’ll gain confidence in your abilities and be better prepared to discuss them in interviews or applications.
Ultimately, a well-written resume can increase your self-esteem and make you a more attractive candidate to employers and schools alike.
Essential Information to Include on Your High School Resume
The process of creating a resume as a student might seem daunting at first, especially if it's your first job or you’re just starting to build your work experience. That’s why this section breaks down the essential sections you need, explaining what to include and how to present your information clearly and professionally. We even added a sample for you at the end!
Contact Information
Your contact information is the first thing a hiring manager will notice, so it needs to be clear and professional. Start with your full name in a larger font at the top of the page. Include your phone number, a professional email address (ideally a combination of your first and last name), and your general location. A high school resume should include personal and contact information at the top.
If you have a LinkedIn profile or relevant social media accounts that reflect your professional side, add those too. Make sure your voicemail is set up and sounds professional, since employers might call and leave messages.
Objective Statement
This brief introduction sets the tone for your resume. In 2-3 lines, summarize your career goals and how your skills align with the position you’re applying for. Tailor this statement to each opportunity to show you’re serious and focused. For example:
- “An aspiring finance professional eager to apply analytical skills in a part-time role.”
- “A reliable high school senior seeking a customer service position to develop interpersonal skills.”
- “A dedicated student looking to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment.”
Customizing your objective helps employers quickly see why you’re a good fit.
Education Section
Since your work experience might be limited, your education section is an essential substitute. List your school name, expected graduation date, and GPA if it’s strong. Include advanced courses like AP, Honors, Dual Credit classes, or other special courses to highlight your academic strengths.
Don’t forget to mention academic awards, scholarships, honor roll recognition, or other achievements you might have. You should also include relevant coursework such as CPR training, creative writing or participation in the school newspaper to showcase your skills and interests. It’s usually advisable to skip elementary or middle school details to keep it relevant and concise.
Work Experience
Even if you have only part-time jobs, internships, or informal work like babysitting or tutoring, include it here. List your most recent experience first to highlight your current and most relevant activities. For each job, list your title, organization, dates, and 2-4 bullet points describing your responsibilities and accomplishments.
For example, if you worked in food service, mention certifications like a food handler’s permit and your attention to health and safety. Employers value any experience that shows responsibility and initiative, so don’t hesitate to include all relevant job experiences.
Extracurricular Activities
This section highlights your interests and commitment outside the classroom. Include clubs, sports teams, music groups, or other activities like the school newspaper that demonstrate your well-rounded character. Leadership roles, such as team captain or event organizer, are especially valuable because they show your ability to manage responsibilities and contribute to your community.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer experience can be just as important as paid work. List any community service, nonprofit involvement, or regular volunteer commitments. Format these like jobs, with the organization name, your role, dates, and key duties. Focus on volunteer work that relates to the job description, showing how you apply your skills in different settings and your dedication to helping others.
Skills Section
Use this space to showcase both technical and soft skills. Be honest about your proficiency and specify your expertise. Include computer programs you know, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, foreign languages you speak, and any special skills like social media management or digital marketing.
Hard skills are job-specific, while soft skills like communication, leadership, multitasking, time management, and so on, should be woven throughout your resume. Hard skills are job-specific abilities learned through experience, while soft skills are personal attributes transferable across jobs. Highlight relevant skills and key skills that match the job description, such as cash handling or customer interaction for retail roles.
Achievements and Awards
Highlight your accomplishments to demonstrate your dedication and abilities. This can include academic honors, scholarships, awards in sports or clubs, and recognition for volunteer work or part-time jobs. These achievements show employers and schools that you’re motivated and capable.
References
Including references adds credibility. List teachers, coaches, mentors, or other adults who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Avoid family members to keep it professional. Always ask permission before sharing someone’s contact details, as this shows respect and professionalism.
Sample High School Resume
Mary Igreda
(555) 123-4567 | maryigreda@email.com | Houston, North America | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maryigreda
Objective
Motivated high school junior seeking a part-time retail position to develop customer service skills and gain work experience while applying tech abilities.
Education
Houston High School, Houston, TX
Expected Graduation Date: May 2026
GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework: Mathematics, Foreign Language, AP English
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (2022–2024), Journalism Award (2023)
Work Experience
Babysitter | Private Families | Summer 2023 – Present
- Supervised and engaged children aged 3-8 during after-school hours
- Managed schedules and prepared snacks, ensuring safety and fun
Extracurricular Activities
- Soccer Team Captain (2023–Present): Led team of 15 in regional competitions
- School Newspaper Contributor (2022–Present): Wrote 10+ articles on student events
- Debate Club Member (2022–Present): Developed public speaking and critical thinking
Volunteer Work
Community Food Bank | Volunteer | 2022–Present
- Organized food donations and assisted with distribution events for 100+ families
- Collaborated with team to streamline sorting process, improving efficiency
Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Docs
- Basic Spanish (Conversational)
- Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills
References
Available upon request
This structure ensures your resume is clear, professional, keeps content to one page, and uses white space effectively for a polished look.
How to Format Your High School Resume
You’ve most likely heard that first impression matters a lot. Well, the same is true for formatting your high school resume correctly. It is the key to making a strong, professional impression.
A clean, well-organized resume not only looks polished but also helps hiring managers quickly find the information they need. Using white space effectively creates a balanced and visually appealing layout, making your resume easier to read and more professional. That being said, keeping your resume to one page is essential. This means every word counts, so focus on clarity and relevance.
Choosing the Right Resume Format
Start with a professional font sized between 11 and 12 points, and maintain margins of 0.5 to 1 inch to ensure your content isn’t cramped. Bullet points are your best friend here. They break up text and highlight your key achievements, making your resume easier to scan. Consistent formatting with clear headers and uniform bullet styles keeps your resume looking neat and helps employers navigate it smoothly.
Also, think about what best showcases your strengths. If you have a solid work history, a chronological format, that is, listing your experiences from most recent to oldest, works well. But if your job experience is limited, a functional resume that highlights your skills and abilities should take the center stage.
There’s also the combination format, which blends both approaches by featuring skills at the top and a brief work history below. For many high school students, the functional format is a smart choice because it puts your talents both at the front and centre, even if you haven’t held many jobs yet.
Choosing the Right Template
Picking the right template can make a big difference. Look for simple, clean designs with easy-to-read fonts. You can also use free templates available on platforms like Microsoft Word, Pages, and Google Docs to create a professional resume easily. Digital tools like Canva and Kickresume offer user-friendly templates and customization options that help you create a polished resume quickly.
Canva’s drag-and-drop editor makes adjusting layouts and fonts easy, while Kickresume provides helpful suggestions to tailor your resume to the job. These platforms ensure your resume looks professional and stands out without the hassle of complicated formatting.
Consistent Formatting
Consistency is key throughout your resume. Use the same font styles and sizes for headers and bullet points, and stick to one date format. Apply past tense for previous roles and present tense for current ones. Avoid mixing bullet styles or font sizes, as these inconsistencies can make your resume look unprofessional and harder to read.
Using Action Verbs
Finally, bring your experiences to life by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Words like “managed,” “coordinated,” “implemented,” and “improved” make your responsibilities and achievements sound dynamic and impactful.
For example, instead of saying “stacked books,” say “managed inventory,” which highlights your organizational skills in a more professional way. Using action verbs not only grabs attention but also shows employers that you take initiative and make a difference.
Tips for Making Your High School Resume Stand Out
Chances are that you're not the only one aiming for that job or college degree. There are others like you who are also applying for the same opportunity. This means that your high school resume should be more than just a list of activities but rather, a reflection of your skills and experience.
To stand out, you should consider the following:
Highlighting Achievements
Rather than listing everything you’ve done, zero in on accomplishments that demonstrate real impact. Use measurable results to turn basic duties into compelling statements, such as “Increased social media engagement by 30%” or “Managed inventory of 200+ items with 99% accuracy.”
Additionally, leadership roles like academic team lead or student government president describe your responsibilities, the size of your team, and any tangible outcomes. These details show employers and admissions officers that you can lead and deliver results. Lastly, avoid vague phrases like “responsible for” and instead highlight how your efforts made a difference.
Customizing for Each Application
Crafting your resume for each job or program is equally essential. Carefully review the job description to identify keywords and skills that match your experience. Incorporate these terms naturally into your resume to increase your chances of getting noticed.
As a matter of fact, aligning your language with the organization’s mission shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Proofreading and Feedback
A flawless resume speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail. Use spell-check tools, read your resume aloud, and ask trusted teachers, mentors, or family members to review it. Look out for common errors like typos, inconsistent formatting, or awkward phrasing.
Errors to Avoid
Steer clear of unprofessional email addresses. Instead, use a simple combination of your first and last name instead of nicknames or silly phrases. Avoid including middle school activities or outdated experiences; focus on your high school achievements.
Also, don’t overload your resume with generic skills like “hardworking” or “team player” without backing them up with examples. Instead, highlight specific skills relevant to the position and demonstrate them through your experiences.
The Role of Technology Proficiency
Technology proficiency is now a must-have for high school students entering the job market. Employers increasingly expect candidates to be comfortable with digital tools, and this trend isn’t slowing down. Recent studies show that up to 92% of jobs require some level of digital skill.
For high school students, demonstrating your ability to use Microsoft Office, manage social media, or work with tools like Google Docs can set you apart from other applicants. If you have a typing speed above 40 WPM, be sure to mention it, especially for office or administrative roles, where efficiency matters. Apart from basic software, tech-savvy skills like coding (Python, Java), web development (HTML, CSS), and data analysis (Excel, Google Sheets) are highly valued across industries and can open doors to various career paths.
High School Resumes for College Applications
Not only does your high school resume help you stand out in job applications, they also play a vital role in college applications, offering admissions officers a window into who you are beyond your grades and test scores.
These resumes help showcase your extracurricular involvement, leadership positions, volunteer experience, and unique skills. These elements are what colleges value when building a dynamic student body.
To make the most impact, tailor your resume for each college application. Highlight relevant coursework, activities, and achievements that align with the specific values and mission of each school. For example, if a college emphasizes community service, be sure to spotlight your volunteer work and the impact you made.
By presenting your high school experiences thoughtfully, you increase your chances of standing out and making a memorable impression in the competitive college admissions process.
Writing an Effective Cover Letter
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself beyond the facts listed on your resume. It’s where you can share your enthusiasm for the role and explain why you’re a great fit, even if your experience is limited. Starting with a compelling introduction that highlights what excites you about the position immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
To make yours stand out, be specific. Mention particular aspects of the role that appeal to you and tie them to your own skills or interests. For example, if you’re applying for a role at a nonprofit, you might highlight your passion for community service and how your volunteer work aligns with the organization’s mission.
Don’t forget to explain how your skills and experiences, no matter how small, prepare you for the role. Maybe you developed strong communication skills as a club officer or learned responsibility through a part-time role. These personal touches make your cover letter memorable and relatable.
Tailoring your cover letter for each application is just as important as customizing your resume. It demonstrates that you’ve researched the company and are serious about the opportunity. A well-written, personalized cover letter adds a human element to your application, giving employers insight into your character and aspirations, and ultimately setting you apart from other candidates.
Summary
The process of crafting your high school resume can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance and a clear understanding of what to include, you can create a compelling document that showcases your strengths and potential.
As you prepare to craft your resume for each opportunity, it's important to get feedback from others before submitting it. With these steps, you’re well on your way to making a positive and lasting impression on potential employers and admissions officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do high school students need a resume?
High school students need a resume to effectively highlight their qualifications, skills, and accomplishments, which is essential for job applications, internships, and college applications. A well-crafted resume provides a comprehensive view of their identity beyond academic performance.
What should be included in the education section of a high school resume?
Include your school name, expected graduation date, GPA, and relevant coursework like computer science or creative writing. Highlighting academic achievements like honor roll status and scholarships can also strengthen this part of your resume.
How can high school students highlight their limited work experience on a resume?
High school students can effectively highlight their limited work experience by including part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, and informal tasks like babysitting or tutoring on their resumes. This approach not only showcases their skills and responsibility but also reflects a proactive attitude toward gaining experience.
What are the benefits of tailoring a resume for each application?
Tailoring your resume for each application significantly boosts your chances of securing interviews, with customized versions achieving higher callback rates. By aligning your resume language with specific job postings, you enhance its appeal to potential employers.
Why is technology proficiency important on a high school resume?
Technology proficiency is important on a high school resume as it highlights your ability to use essential digital tools, which are increasingly expected by employers across various industries. When you showcase your skills in programs like Microsoft Office and Google Docs, you distinguish yourself from other candidates.