how to make a resume out of high school

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20 High School Student Resume Examples Created for 2024

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and what you really need is a free AI resume builder and solid student cover letters to get you on your way.

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 20 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

Beginner High School Student Resume

• But here’s the deal, schools won’t provide funds like candy—so convey why exactly you need a scholarship using the career objective. In Morwenna’s case, her pursuit of gaining knowledge to make societal changes is a compelling argument that no school can ignore. Basically, make them think, “We need this future reformer in our school.”

High School Internship Resume

• You ideally want key industry-proof skills that can work in any internship such as Google Sheets, Adobe Lightroom, and Todoist. These also become a testament to not just your super-fast learning ability but also your tech-savviness with current software!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Diploma Resume

• In the education section of your high school diploma resume, include your diploma, the school’s name, and your start and end date. Add some useful software skills to the mix to secure your seat in any undergraduate program.

Recent High School Graduate Resume

• Begin with clearing which stream and degree you want to pursue. Next, follow suit with your mission and what you hope to gain by completing the program. Try some more personalization by linking your career goal with the college’s agenda.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

How to write a high school resume (when you’re still in school)

With a good strategy and the right mindset, you can learn how to write the high school resume that scores you your first job.

Whether you are applying for a prestigious internship or an entry-level job, you probably already have what it takes. It may seem like you don’t have much experience, but many high school students underestimate their own skills.

Recommended links:

• Our collection of 500+ professional resume examples .
• Our gallery of 20+ downloadable resume templates .

With these five tips for writing a great high school resume, your resume will be ready in no time.

• Yes, you do have experience

Paid work should of course go on your resume. If you have held entry-level jobs, like bussing tables, stocking shelves, or sweeping floors, these should all be included. Even if they are unrelated to the job you are applying for, they show that you have experience working with people and getting things done.

But the most common concern that high school students have when they write their first resume is that they don’t have enough experience. If you have never had a job before, how could you have a work history?

Fortunately, there are many ways you can gain important skills and experience, even if it isn’t formal paid work. Skills that you developed before you had a “real job” can be appropriate for a high school resume.

Informal work that you do for friends and family is fair game for your first resume. Babysitting, mowing lawns, tutoring, and shovelling snow for your neighbours all show that you can do a job when asked.

Volunteering experience can also be featured on your resume. Any time you did community service or volunteered at an event, you were gaining important skills. Collecting donations, running a bake sale, handing out pamphlets or snacks, checking tickets, running a raffle—these are all important experiences that you can add to your resume in high school.

You should also think about your participation at school, including extracurricular activities. Are you a member of any clubs? Do you do the lighting for the school play? Are you on any sports teams? Yearbook club, theatre production, and the football team can all show that you are involved in your community and a good team player.

Academic experience can also be an asset. If you have taken any classes that seem like they might be relevant to the job, feel free to include them in your resume. Business class, computer class, shop class, and art class can all teach you useful skills for the right role. Consider what skills you will need for your next job, and which classes helped prepare you for it.

And remember, even if you don’t have experience, it’s never too late to get some. You can always join (or start) a club, volunteer, or start raking leaves for your neighbours.

Create your student resume in less than 5 minutes. Try our Student Resume Builder .

• Showcase your skills

You may be young, but you still have skills. Plenty of useful skills are taught in high school. You should have learned time management, Microsoft Word , and written communication. You may have learned food safety in home economics, and tool safety in woodworking class. If you have been in a club or worked on large projects, you may have leadership, communication, and teamwork skills . Think about what clubs you enjoy and what classes you excel in to figure out what skills you have.

• Include your education

If you are writing a resume in high school you probably don’t have any degrees or diplomas to add to your resume, but you are still receiving an education. Your resume can include your GPA if it is higher than 3.0, and should note if you have received any academic awards, such as honour roll or perfect attendance. You can also include any important projects or assignments that are relevant to the job you apply to.

• Remember to customize your resume for the application

It’s important to customize your resume for every application. A resume for a journalism internship will look different from a scholarship application, which will look different from an entry-level job as a dishwasher. Your dishwasher resume should show that you will be a skilled and dedicated employee, but you can save the writing samples for your scholarship application.

• Be sure to give all the right details

Don’t forget to include your contact information in your resume. Your phone number, email address, and city should all be easy for the employer to see.

Make sure to include any other information required by the application as well. Some applications require a writing sample or admission essay, and most jobs will require a cover letter. Double-check the requirements to ensure you aren’t forgetting anything.

If you have any online profiles that will help you get a job, you can include them as well. An impressive Github account, an Instagram profile showing off your design work, or even a well-curated Twitter feed can make you look hireable, as long as it is professional and shows that you are dedicated to the field. For example, if you are interested in computer science or graphic design, your online profiles could show you engaging with that community and sharing relevant articles. Keep in mind, however, that the profile must be entirely professional. Even one party picture or off-colour joke can end your candidacy.

• High school resume template

Your high school resume should be no longer than one page, and should use a professional template that shows that you will take your first job seriously. Here’s an example to help you get started creating your own high school resume:

• High school resume example

Motivated honour role student and team player with a passion for people. Skilled with multitasking and interacting with customers. Dedicated to meeting expectations and deadlines.

• Verbal communication
• Customer Service
• Punctuality
• Problem solving
• Point of Sales systems
• Public Speaking
• Computer skills
• Can-do attitude

Work experience

Clerical intern, north central college.

• Organized, assembled, and aided in the distribution of student ordered transcripts.
• Assembled and organized graduation materials for Winter Graduations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when dealing with the student records.
• Maintained highest level of confidentiality with the student information in regards to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations.

Child Care Associate

Public summer schools.

• Participating in activities with the students, as well as conducting parent events.
• Administering Early Learning Programs, which include pre-schoolers.
• Serving as Early Learning Subject Matter associate for pre-school age children
• Preparing reports, correspondence and writing responses to the student's parents.
• Promoting educational learning techniques and positive early learning experiences, to promote learning before transitioning to the Kindergarten.
• Participating in staff meetings and assisting in developing presentations and printed materials for meeting and workshops regarding programs.

Volunteering Experience

Community specialist, animal rights non-profit.

• Assist in managing official Facebook and Twitter pages, in efforts for improvement of student and the University communications.
• Handle basic clerical work (answering phones, basic research, creating Microsoft Word, Publisher and Excel documents).

Student Organizer

Outdoor leadership center.

• Communicating with the students by answering their questions, directing, and reinforcing actions.
• Developed a semester-long strategic marketing campaign to optimize student use of outdoor resources available on the campus.
• Facilitated the Leadership Development workshops, focused on the individual and team building skills.

High School

Concordia secondary school.

• Honour roll

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High School Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a High School Student Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

High School Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Brenda Martin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Tampa, FL 33601 | www.linkedin.com/example

Reliable high school student with strong recent sales experience at a major clothing retailer. Committed to providing positive service experiences to new and returning customers. Motivated and adaptable to new work schedules, challenges, and conditions.

• Creative problem-solving
• Customer service and relations
• Inventory monitoring and control
• POS systems
• Product sales and merchandising

Work Experience

Sales Associate, XYZ Clothing, Tampa, FL | May 2022 to September 2022

• Provided high-quality service to new and repeat customers of this popular clothing store
• Greeted and directed store visitors to their desired apparel section
• Assisted customers with sizing and product choices
• Efficiently operated cash register to process order payments
• Tagged and displayed incoming merchandise and performed markdowns on previous season styles
• Maintained a clean and tidy work area at all points

Highlight :

• Won “Employee of the Month” in August 2022 for outstanding customer service

Assistant, Paw Plus Pet Shop, Tampa, FL | June 2021 to September 2021

• Gained a strong foundation in customer service, helping visitors find their desired products
• Stocked shelves and maintained inventory
• Worked the cash register and helped other retail associates as needed

Candidate: Diploma, Tampa High School, Tampa, FL | expected June 2025

Michelle Hamilton (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent volunteer work at a veterinary clinic. Naturally curious and motivated to learn about new health care procedures and equipment. Passionate about supporting the health and well-being of all types of animals.

• Data gathering and entry
• Filing and documentation
• Microsoft Word, Excel
• Task prioritization
• Team collaboration
• Veterinary procedures and equipment

Volunteer Experience

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic , Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to Present

• Assist veterinarians and staff with various daily tasks such as animal feeding, walking, and cage cleaning
• Facilitate phone, mail, and email communications with pet owners
• File and maintain information on over 150 clients and their pets
• Help maintain an adequate inventory of pet medications
• Refill paper towels and other exam room essentials as needed

Candidate: College Prep Diploma, Sacramento High School, Sacramento, CA | expected June 2024

High School Honors & Activities

Member, Debate Team | August 2022 to Present

• Collaborate closely on a 10-person team to form and organize compelling debate arguments

Attendee, National Honors Society Conference | May 2022

Aliya Jackson (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent formal experience helping care for toddlers. Dedicated to providing children with fun, educational indoor and outdoor activities. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Childcare Provider, Sacramento, CA | January 2021 to August 2022

• Assisted and collaborated with parents of two children, ages 4 and 6
• Created engaging, educational indoor and outdoor activities for each child
• Organized and cleaned the play area regularly
• Provided meals and snacks and assisted with nap times
• Candidate: Diploma, Texas Preparatory School, Austin, TX | expected June 2023
• 3.9 GPA and perfect attendance record to date
• Taking advanced core curriculum classes in math, science, and language arts for college credit
• Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by the student body in 2022

High School Athletics

Member, Volleyball Team | August 2021 to present

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for the Spring 2022 season
• Demonstrated strong teamwork and adaptability in a high-pressure setting

Fluency in Spanish

If you’re a high school student searching for a job, having a well-crafted resume can help you find potential opportunities. But you may be unsure where to start, especially if you’ve never written your resume. How do you present your education when it’s still underway? And how do you get interviews with little or no work experience?

These concerns shouldn’t keep you from writing a great resume for high school jobs. Chances are, even at a young age, you have experiences you can translate into strong resume content. The trick is focusing on the relevant skills like foreign languages, writing, or leading groups you’ve gained through work, educational, and volunteer experiences. Read on for tips and examples that will help focus your high school resume.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

In a brief paragraph, your profile summary should describe your top three to five qualifications for your target high school job. You may think this resume section isn’t necessary for young job seekers and entry-level positions. Yet, at every career level, the profile section improves your resume by focusing the hiring manager’s attention on whatever makes you a great fit.

If you’ve worked before, you may want to base your profile points on that job experience. But you could also base them on your high school experience or other activities. It just depends on what’s relevant to the role you’re pursuing. For instance, maybe you have volunteer experience that overlaps strongly with your target job duties. Or you’ve excelled in an AP class at school that relates to your goal. Maybe you have advanced skills in a foreign language and would like to use those in a work setting. Whatever your top qualifications, feature them in the profile, and you’ll ensure your resume makes a great first impression.

Profile Example 1

Profile example 2, 2. add a pertinent experience section.

Your resume’s experience section should center on your relevant duties, skills, and highlights. By focusing on your relevant background (whether in or outside high school), you can give hiring managers a clear view of how you fit their needs.

You don’t need directly related work experience (or any experience) to draft a solid high school resume. But you must brainstorm how you’ve applied yourself in other ways and write how those experiences helped prepare you for the job you’re seeking. This may sound tricky, but you can use details about your high school activities, volunteering, or any other area of your life so far.

Below is a list of experience areas you might develop for your high school resume:

• Community service
• High school athletics
• High school clubs and societies
• Hobbies and interests
• Internships
• Leadership experience
• Personal accomplishments
• Research experience
• Summer camps or coursework
• Travel or study abroad experience
• Volunteer experience
• Work experience

For each of the above areas you have experience in, take 10 minutes or so to brainstorm answers to these questions:

1. What were your primary roles, duties, or focus areas? 2. What are you most proud of about this experience? 3. What general skill areas did you develop (e.g., teamwork, efficiency, customer service)?

Next, determine which of your answers overlap with the key skills required for the job you’re now pursuing. Include on your resume anything that overlaps and leave out anything that doesn’t. With this approach, you can show the most relevant aspects of your life and give hiring managers a better sense of the skills you offer. For instance, say you’re applying to be a pizza delivery driver. In citing any high school sports on your resume for this job, you could focus on the relevant skills you gained, such as teamwork or adaptability.

Work Experience Example

Volunteer experience example.

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic, Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to present

High School Athletics Experience Example

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for Spring 2022 season

3. Include your high school education and certifications

You may wonder how (or whether) to give education details when you’re still working toward your diploma. It’s actually pretty simple – see below for a template you can use to accurately show your in-progress high school education and a template for any certifications you’d like to add as well. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Candidate: Diploma, High School Name, City, ST | expected graduation date
• [academic awards or distinctions]

Certification

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
• Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023

4. List key skills and proficiencies

Include a “key skills” section to help further focus your resume on your relevant background. For many high schoolers (especially those with limited work experience), this section should include “soft skills” like problem-solving and collaboration. But also feel free to add specific software programs you’ve used, or other technical skills you’ll need in your target job. Below are some common key skills for high school resumes:

How To Pick the Best High School Student Resume Template

A clear and straightforward resume template is usually best for high school students. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most relevant information. Use a simple resume font , and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: High School Student Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for high school student resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your experience section. The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and capture the various ways you’ve applied yourself so far:

How do you align your high school student resume with a job posting? -

As of 2021, more than 36% (or 6 million) of U.S. teens held jobs for at least part of the summer season. This was the highest rate of summer employment for teenagers since 2008.

You can get more interviews for high school jobs if you tailor your resume to each application. Look at the job post text and highlight words or phrases that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases against the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, look for ways to align your resume language with the job post (while not copying phrases or misrepresenting your background).

For example, if the employer is looking for someone collaborative, you can name that aspect of your experience with a profile line as simple as “Thrive in team-oriented work settings.” Or say the organization has many non-English speaking customers. You could highlight your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each new opportunity.

What is the best high school student resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also simplest for you to modify based on your job goals.

With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your experience section(s) and an intro section. (This combination of experience and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also include an awards or career highlights section.

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To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our high school cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our student and internship cover letter guides.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

College Student Resume Examples and Templates

Internship Resume Examples and Templates

Student Resume Examples and Templates

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

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Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
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• • Executed a social media campaign across 3 platforms, increasing engagement by 25% and resulting in 1,000+ new followers.
• • Analyzed website traffic using Google Analytics, leading to a 15% increase in session duration through targeted content adjustments.
• • Collaborated with content creators to develop 20+ SEO-optimized blog posts, boosting organic search traffic by 30%.
• • Assisted in the launch of a new product line by designing email marketing campaigns, achieving a 20% open rate and a 5% conversion rate.
• • Managed A/B testing for email marketing strategies, resulting in a 10% improvement in click-through rates.
• • Created detailed reports on campaign performance, which were used to refine marketing strategies, leading to a 12% increase in ROI.
• • Developed and published 15 blog posts targeting key customer segments, increasing website traffic by 18%.
• • Assisted in the management of the company’s content calendar, ensuring timely and consistent publication of materials.
• • Researched and identified trending topics in the finance industry, contributing to a 25% increase in relevant content production.
• • Supported the SEO team by conducting keyword research, leading to a 20% increase in organic search visibility.
• • Coordinated with graphic designers to create visually appealing infographics, enhancing user engagement by 15%.
• • Assisted in creating and distributing marketing materials for local food drives, increasing community participation by 30%.
• • Managed social media outreach for fundraising events, leading to a 15% increase in donations.

High School Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Teens play a crucial role in balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. When crafting your resume, consider highlighting your volunteer experiences, part-time jobs, and relevant coursework. Adding skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving can greatly enhance your appeal to potential employers. Remember to emphasize achievements and any leadership roles you've taken on, as these will effectively illustrate what you bring to the table.

All resume examples in this guide

High School Student No Experience

Experienced High School Student

High School Student Internship

First Job High School Student

High School Student For College

High School Student For Customer Service

High School Student Office Worker

High School Student Athlete 

High School Student Music

Resume guide, high school student resume sample.

Resume format

Resume experience

Teen resume objective

Skills on a high school resume

Education and certifications

Additional sections

In conclusion

By Experience

Diving into the job market straight out of high school, or even while still juggling classes, might seem scary, but it's ripe with opportunities. Engaging in work early in life equips you with invaluable experience, secures industry positions, and builds a professional network.

It’s about more than a paycheck—it’s learning to manage life and work with youthful adaptability. And you don’t have to be a wonder child!

Take it from Aleks, our Head of Produ ct , who started working at Enhancv when he was still in high school:

I didn’t begin programming at a very young age like some peers, but my enthusiasm and readiness to learn filled that gap. Being in a work environment meant I had to tackle problems head-on and learn quickly. Working teaches you how to find a solution to every problem—and if you can’t find the answer on your own, you can rely on your team.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Enhancv’s Head of Product

Let this guide be your compass, helping you chart a course to a high school resume as compelling as your future.

Key takeaways

• Balance academic achievements and skills by using a functional format that shows both your school involvement and experience.
• Use a modern resume template and ensure readability with a two-column format, legible font, and subtle colors.
• Highlight volunteer work, school projects, and club memberships that demonstrate your adaptability and relevant skills.
• Include technical skills and competencies, such as software proficiency or experience with specific equipment.
• Use examples to demonstrate soft skills like communication or organization, detailing instances where these skills were effectively utilized.
• Provide insight into your personality and interests through additional sections on projects, hobbies, or extracurricular activities.

Let’s see how it all plays out with a resume sample.

It’s only natural a teen resume will look a bit different than a standard one. While it still contains several of the main components, in this document, experience is measured differently. Consider including examples such as leadership roles in clubs, achievements like awards in competitions, or a capstone project.

Take a look at the example below. You can use it as a template and fill in your own info. Or, create a new one with the Enhancv resume builder !

Kate Nash High School Student, Aspiring Computer Scientist [email protected] | LinkedIn | Boston, MA | (555) 555-5555

Summary Highly motivated high school student with a strong passion for computer science and technology. Proven track record of academic excellence, leadership in extracurricular activities, and hands-on experience in coding projects. Seeking to apply my skills and knowledge in an internship or part-time position in the tech industry.

• Python:  Developed a Python script to clean and visualize data for a school science project using Pandas and Matplotlib, enhancing the presentation of experimental results.
• Java:  Created a simple online bookstore backend for a computer science class project using Java and Spring Boot, focusing on basic e-commerce functionalities.
• HTML/CSS:  Designed and built a website for a school club using HTML and CSS, ensuring it was responsive and accessible on multiple devices.
• Time management and organization:  Organized a school event over two months using Trello to track all activities and deadlines, ensuring successful coordination and execution.
• Team collaboration and leadership:  Led a school group project that involved students from different classes, coordinating efforts and roles to complete a shared goal on time.
• Public speaking:  Presented a school project on the impact of AI on modern industries at a student-led conference, engaging peers through interactive discussions and Q&A.

Volunteer Experience Coding Instructor Volunteer Girls Who Code, Boston, MA June 2022 – Present

• Taught a group of 15 middle school girls the basics of Python programming.
• Developed lesson plans and hands-on projects to enhance understanding of coding concepts.
• Mentored students in developing their own final coding projects, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

Community Service Volunteer Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA September 2021 – May 2023

• Assisted in organizing and distributing food to families in need, serving over 200 families weekly.
• Managed inventory and ensured the timely restocking of essential items.
• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to improve efficiency in the food distribution process.

Education Boston Latin High School Boston, MA Graduated: June 2024

• Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Honors Physics
• Honors: Honor Roll (2021 – 2024), National Honor Society (2022 – 2024)

Honors and Activities

• National Honor Society, Member (2022 – 2024)
• Varsity Soccer Team, Captain (2023 – 2024)
• Debate Club, Vice President (2022 – 2024)
• School Science Fair, 1st Place for Robotics Project (2023)

Projects Personal Finance App Development

• Developed a mobile app using Python and JavaScript to help high school students manage their personal finances.
• Integrated features like budgeting tools, savings goals, and expense tracking.
• Successfully launched the app on the Google Play Store with over 500 downloads in the first three months.

School Robotics Project

• Designed and built a functional robot for the Boston Latin School Science Fair.
• Programmed the robot using Arduino to navigate through an obstacle course autonomously.
• Project won 1st place in the school’s annual science fair and was showcased at the Boston Regional Science Fair.

Certifications

• CPR Certified, American Red Cross (2022)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel, Microsoft (2023)
• English (Native)
• Spanish (Intermediate)

Jumping from a sample to the real deal, let’s talk about how to format your resume like a pro.

How to format a high school student resume

If you’re applying for a job for the first time, you probably need some advice on how to write a resume .

Try to tackle this task step by step:

Step 1: Resume format and designs

At first, you might feel the urge to blend right in using the most popular resume format you see while searching online. However, keep in mind the functional resume format , which focuses on your skills and achievements over practical experience, is the best for a teen drafting their first application.

Choose a modern resume template  to show you’re bringing novelty, and:

• Highlight your experience with a one-page resume . When it comes to length,  less is more, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Keep margins between 0.5” and 1  for better readability. Our resume builder lets you adjust the margin size with a quick swipe of the slider.
• A single-column layout works great for people with limited or no experience. It allows you to present minimal content on the page in a way that looks substantial.
• Incorporate some color into your resume , potentially matching the colors of the company you’re applying to. Use easily readable fonts  like Rubik or Lato, sized 10-12 pt.

Step 2: Top sections

Since your high school resume doesn't need to follow a standard format, you can organize the resume sections  more flexibly. This allows you to include unique sections  that might not typically appear on standard resumes and order those in the way that makes most sense for your experience.

However, ensure you still cover essential elements, such as:

• Personal information
• Objective statement
• Experience or activities

We’ll review each of these below.

Step 3: Resume header

A well-structured resume header  will make your resume look polished and professional.

Here’s the  contact information  you should include:

• Your name: first name and surname are enough.
• A title: you can get creative here. If you’re up for it, put something that grabs attention, like Visionary Scholar, Tech Wizard or Code Conqueror. Use your creativity to make your resume stand out .
• Professional email address : skip the “[email protected]”. It’s best if you create a new one, such as [email protected].
• Physical address : as a teen or a recent high school graduate, you’re probably considering workplaces close to where you live. Recruiters prefer to hire local candidates, so it’s a win-win!
• Phone number : while you might relish in exchanging voice messages, phone calls are still very much a thing in the professional world.

Consider creating a LinkedIn profile  and starting to build your network from an early age. It’s going to be super helpful in finding jobs and staying with trends in the future.

Finally, to be sure if a photo is needed or not , check with the specific job ad requirements.

By the way, have you heard of ATS ( Applicant Tracking Systems )? These are automatic systems recruiters use in the hiring process. They serve as the initial scanner your application goes through. Despite the circulating myths, ATS won’t automatically reject your document. They just parse (analyze) information. Your resume will still be reviewed by recruiters. Fonts, colors, columns, and resume length don’t affect ATS parsing, but formatting details like dates and bullet symbols might, so be extra attentive.

Worried about inaccuracies or typos? Try our free AI resume checker  to make sure your resume is ready to go!

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Now that we’ve got the format figured out, let’s dive into beefing up your resume with some solid experience.

How to write your high school student resume experience

When putting together your teen resume, let's redefine what “experience” means. It's not just about jobs—it's a broad term for the different things you did. Even if you haven't been formally employed, it doesn't mean you're short on stories to impress potential employers with.

Here’s what you can list in your experience section :

• Volunteer work
• Academic achievements
• Extracurricular activities
• Sports and athletics
• Internships and apprenticeships
• Summer jobs
• Creative projects
• Part-time jobs
• Technical courses
• Cultural experiences

In fact, your experience entry could consist of several smaller sections. Use different resume headings , such as “Volunteer work”, “Projects”, etc., to separate information neatly.

Let’s take a look at a real job posting you can apply to with just your high school diploma.

We’ve bolded the parts we’ll target in an example experience entry below:

Junior IT Support Specialist

Job description

A junior IT specialist has to provide comprehensive technical support, troubleshoot hardware and software issues, assist in system administration tasks, and handle hardware and software setups. Additionally, they must manage user support tickets, create IT documentation, and offer basic training on IT tools to ensure high-quality customer service and timely resolution of technical issues.

Technical Support:

• Provide first-level technical support to end-users via phone, email, or in-person.
• Assist users with troubleshooting hardware and software issues, including desktops, laptops, printers, and mobile devices.

System Administration:

• Assist with system administration tasks, including user account management, access permissions, and software installations.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks such as system updates, patches, and backups under the guidance of senior IT staff.

Hardware and Software Setup:

• Assist with the setup and configuration of computer systems, peripherals, and software applications.
• Install and configure operating systems, office productivity software, and specialized business applications as needed.

Documentation and Training:

• Create and maintain documentation of IT processes, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
• Provide basic user training and assistance with IT tools and applications as needed.

Ticket Management:

• Monitor and manage IT support tickets using a ticketing system, ensuring accurate documentation of user requests and resolutions.
• Prioritize and escalate tickets as necessary to ensure timely resolution of technical issues.

Qualifications  

• High school diploma or equivalent. Additional coursework or certifications in IT are a plus.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS), and office productivity software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
• Familiarity with troubleshooting common IT issues such as network connectivity, software installation, and printer problems.
• Ability to learn new technologies and software applications quickly.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Create a targeted experience section

One of the best job hunt strategies to adopt early on is to tailor your resume  specifically to each job posting. Include keywords from the job description  in your application to immediately signal recruiters what a great fit you are.

We know you might feel like you’ve got to list everything you’ve got. Try to stay focused and keep your resume relevant to the position.

Take a look at this experience entry that targets the job ad above:

• • Provided first-level technical support to over 200 community center staff and visitors, resolving issues related to hardware setups, printer connectivity, and basic software troubleshooting.
• • Assisted in the maintenance and updates of 50+ computer systems, including software installations and conducting weekly system backups, resulting in a 30% reduction in recurring issues.
• • Created and distributed user-friendly guides and conducted four informal training sessions to enhance the staff's proficiency with IT tools and applications, improving overall tech usage by 25%.
• • Led a club of 30+ students, fostering an environment that encouraged the exploration of new technologies and practical problem-solving skills.
• • Organized 12 workshops and demonstrations that significantly enhanced peers' understanding of computer hardware assembly and software installation.
• • Developed and maintained a comprehensive digital library of tech resources and troubleshooting guides, accessed by 100+ club members, promoting self-led learning.

The resume effectively displays the candidate's impact with quantifiable successes. It highlights key responsibilities and leadership initiatives, such as leading a tech club and organizing workshops.

From listing experience to making it pop, let's learn how to quantify your achievements and make them count

Quantifying your experience

When you highlight your accomplishments , make sure you enhance them with measurable results . It makes your resume more engaging — visually and in terms of content.

Here are some ways to put numbers on your resume :

• Emphsize specific academic achievements.
• Mention measurable results from projects.
• Quantify involvement in extracurricular activities.
• Detail part-time job responsibilities.
• Show the direct impact of your volunteer efforts.

High school student resume objective

One of the first things recruiters scan your resume for will be your profile statement . It sits at the top of your document and gives essential information about what you can do, what you’re hoping to achieve, and why you want a job at the particular company you’re applying to.

For entry-level candidates , a resume objective  is best. Here’s what to keep in mind when creating yours:

• Align with the employer's needs, focusing on job requirements and matching your skills accordingly.
• Include a succinct overview (up to 3 sentences) of your career goals, key skills from past experiences, and a value proposition that aligns with the company's mission and goals.
• Use action verbs and power words  to strengthen your application.

As a beginner, you can also try applying in person. For example, if you want to work at your local cafeteria, you could hand your resume to the manager directly. This gives you the chance to exchange a few words and make a lasting impression.

Take a look at a well-written high school resume objective:

Now, let’s pivot to mixing the right hard and soft skills to really make your resume sing.

In a functional resume, position your skills section  just below the header. Skills are usually separated into hard and soft. Hard skills  encompass your specific knowledge, such as different types of software, programming languages, or blogging platforms.

These can be easily tested and measured, so don’t exaggerate your knowledge, even if you think this can get your application ahead. Honesty is always best  on a resume.

Key hard skills for a teen can include:

Best hard skills for your high school student resume

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Coding (Python, Java)
• Graphic Design ( Adobe Photoshop , Illustrator)
• Web Development (HTML, CSS)
• Database Administration ( SQL , Oracle )
• Social Media Management (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Computer Hardware Troubleshooting
• Data Analysis ( Excel , Google Sheets)
• Video Editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
• Mathematics
• Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
• CAD Software
• Presentation Software (Prezi, Google Slides)
• Typing Speed
• Blogging Platforms ( WordPress , Blogger)
• E-commerce (Shopify, Magento)
• Email Marketing (Mailchimp)
• Mobile App Development (Swift, React Native)

Soft skills  are the ones you create and sustain relationships with. The best part about them is you develop them your entire life through interactions with others. So, you don’t need specific professional experience to gain them.

To list soft, or people skills like a pro, illustrate them with specific examples, such as “Collaborated with peers in the environmental club to organize community clean-up events.”

Take your pick from our suggestions:

Best soft skills for your high school student resume

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Negotiation
• Conflict resolution
• Attention to detail
• Decision-making
• Cultural awareness

After skills, we’re schooling you on how to list your education and certifications to impress.

How to list your education and certifications on your resume

If you’re thinking, “Are people going to take me seriously with just a high school diploma ?,” don’t panic. Any education listed will give recruiters an accurate representation of where you’re at right now, and what they can expect from you in terms of availability and experience.

When crafting your education section , follow these steps:

• List the full name of your school.
• Mention any relevant classes you took, or honors you received in the course of your tuition.
• If you want to give more weight to specific projects or volunteering you did in high school, consider adding those directly to your experience section.
• Add your GPA score , but only if it’s above 3.5.

Take a look at this example:

• • GPA: 3.7/4.0
• • Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Honors Physics
• • Honors: Honor Roll (2021 – 2024), National Honor Society (2022 – 2024)

This entry’seffective because it:

• Lists essential details like the degree, institution, and dates clearly and comprehensively.
• Shows a strong GPA, advanced coursework, and honors to highlight academic achievements.
• Provides a focused snapshot of educational accomplishments without unnecessary verbosity.

Certifications on your resume

Adding certifications  and training to your resume is a smart way to catch the eye of employers, scholarship committees, or whoever else you want to impress. It’s like saying, “Hey, look what I can do!” without having to get a degree.

There are tons of free courses out there you can take from the comfort of your home. You can still be proactive, even if you’re on a pocket-money budget! Try platforms like Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and Udemy. Some of the courses might have a fee for obtaining a certification, but even listing you’ve taken a course would be sufficient on a teen resume.

Consider adding some of these:

Best certifications for your high school student resume

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification
• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Emergency First Response (EFR) Certification
• Introduction to Programming in Java Certification from Oracle (OCA)

Finally, let’s jazz up your resume with some additional sections that showcase your unique flair.

Additional sections for a high school student resume

Your teen resume already stands out from the rest, but you can make it even more impressive with a few optional sections:

• It’s a big plus to speak more than one language , especially if you're looking for a role where you’ll interact with people from different backgrounds.
• Including your hobbies or interests  gives potential employers a glimpse into who you are outside of school and if you’re good fit for their team.
• Show your dedication and excellence by listing any awards you’ve received .
• Consider adding a portfolio  or a personal website to show your projects.

Bonus: Why not create an additional section such as “Top 5 reasons to hire me”? This is a strategic way to present yourself as an ideal candidate by emphasizing your strengths and the unique contributions you can make. You can easily structure and customize this section with the Enhancv builder:

Imagine this guide as a compass for your resume journey, pointing you in the right direction as you navigate the path from high school achievements to a top-notch resume. With each step, you'll learn how to shape your experiences into something that guides recruiters straight to you.

Teens resume examples

Explore additional teens resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Teens resume?

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10+ Free High School Resume Templates for 2024

Writing your high school resume is already hard as it is - you shouldn’t have to spend hours working on your resume layout and format.

Want to fast-track your resume-creation process?

Use one of these 10+ free high school resume templates!

All you have to do is pick a template that resonates with you and fill in the contents. Zero formatting hassle is required!

10+ Free High School Resume Templates [Pick & Download]

#1. simple resume template.

This timeless layout works for everyone - highschoolers and seasoned professionals alike. 

The understated design and clean look put equal emphasis on all parts of your resume.

#2. Professional Resume Template

The Professional template puts more emphasis on your work experience and skills. Don’t have much work experience? You can always replace it with some other relevant section like extracurricular activities or volunteering experience.

#3. College Resume Template

Created with recent graduates in mind, this template is also suitably structured for any applicant with little to no work experience. 

#4. Creative Resume Template

If you’re looking for a job in the creative industry or want to try something a bit bolder, the Creative template is right for you. It’s guaranteed to stand out in any resume pile with its light on dark header and circle style skill graphs. 

#5. Modern Resume Template

The Modern template is a step up from the more basic designs. It has an organized look featuring brackets and squares.

#6. Functional Resume Template

The Functional Resume template puts more emphasis on your educational background, making it a perfect fit for highschoolers or just about anyone with no work experience.

#7. One Color Resume Template

This template is quite simple and to-the-point. The sections are clearly separated, and the resume objective is located top and center. Bonus points: you can even personalize this high school resume template by customizing the color scheme.

#8. Two-Column Resume Template

The template has a rather unique two-column resume structure . It is easy to skim and pleasant to look at. 

It also has a very compact look, making it perfect for job-seekers with no work experience.

#9. Vertical Header Resume Template

What’s interesting about this template is the vertical layout in the header section. It looks refreshing and straight-up cool. However, it’s a hit or miss kind of situation. The recruiter will either be intrigued by it, or be bothered by having to turn the page to the side. Use at your own risk.

#10. Infographic Resume Template

Infographic resume templates in general use graphs and charts to illustrate the information. This template in particular uses bubbles to portray skills and level of competence, as well as icons to illustrate interests. This makes the resume quick to skim through and the information easy to understand. 

How Long Should a High School Resume Be?

The resume length discussion has been going on for ages and typically, the answer tends to vary depending on industry and years of experience. 

When it comes to a high school resume, however, there’s no room for discussion: your resume should be one-page max. 

It’s justifiable to have a two-page resume in case you have, say 10+ years of experience in the industry (which you don’t).

If your draft resume ends up being longer, revise your content with a critical eye and cut out anything that’s not relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Remember: the recruiter wants to know what your top skills and experiences are, not your entire life story!

What Should I Include In My High School Resume?

In your high school resume, include the following sections:

• Contact Information - This consists of personal and contact information like first and last name, phone number, e-mail address, or links to other profiles. Make sure everything is written correctly so the recruiter can reach you back.
• Resume Objective - This is a 3-4 sentence statement that describes your career goals and aspirations as well as mentions your skills and achievements. It’s used to grab the recruiter’s attention and ensure that they read the rest of your resume.
• Education - You can already guess what this one’s about, right? You should list down your education institution (high school) as well as any academic-related certifications or achievements.
• Extracurricular Activities - This is your resume’s selling point. The equivalent of work experience, if you will. Your extracurriculars are usually participation in high school clubs or various events and they show the recruiter you’re a competent and engaged individual.
• Projects & Gigs - In this section, you’d mention any independent projects you’ve worked on outside of academics. For example, a side-gig or your own blog - anything that shows you’re a self-starter.
• Work Experience (optional) - If you have any, you can list your work experiences. An internship or volunteer work also qualifies for this section.
• Languages - An extra language or two will definitely give you an edge over the other candidates. So, if you’re good at languages, make sure to list a dedicated section for that!
• Hobbies & Interests - Choose a few things that will give the recruiter some insight into your personality. Bonus points if these hobbies and interests are related to the industry where you’re applying - they’ll show you’re passionate and genuinely interested in the job.

And that’s about it!

How to Create a High School Resume With No Work Experience?

You’ve probably heard of the famous trope:

“You need work experience to get a job, but a job to get work experience.”

Fortunately, it’s not actually true.

If you’re applying for an entry-level position in any field, no one’s actually expecting you to have work experience.

Instead, you can focus on the experiences you do have to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Some things you can include in your resume are:

• Extracurricular activities
• Projects & gigs
• Hobbies & interests
• Internships

Key Takeaways

And that’s about it on high school resume templates!

If you want to know more about what to write and how to write it, check out our in-depth guide to writing a high school resume .

Before you go your way, let’s go over the main points of this article one more time:

• Always use a high school resume template instead of working on your resume from scratch - trust us, it’s going to save you a lot of time.
• Stick to the one-page resume limit. The recruiter wants to know about your work experience, not about your entire life story.
• Instead of work experience, focus on alternative sections like extracurricular activities, projects, volunteering experience, and so on.

Discover More Resume Templates

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How to Write a High School Student Resume

Get Writing Tips and Examples for Jobs or College Applications

Take Inventory

Start your resume, proofread your resume carefully.

• Student Resume Example

High school students may need a resume to apply for a job or as part of a college application. Even if you haven't held a paid position before, there's still plenty of information to include on your resume. High schoolers can highlight educational achievements, after-school activities, and volunteer work. 

Here are some tips for writing your high school resume.

Start by thinking through what information you want to include on your resume. Take some time to write a list of any awards, accomplishments, and extracurricular activities you engage in.

Just write down rough notes, for now. Later, you'll sort this information into sections and add dates and details. 

Do you want to get a specific job, or are you looking to highlight your work for a college application? Once you have a sense of the information you wish to include in your resume, review the various  parts of a resume , resume skills for high schoolers, and  tips for writing your first resume as a high school student . 

Before writing your resume, it can be helpful to review samples such as these student resume templates. Don't copy the samples' content; instead, use them for inspiration for how to phrase things and proper formatting. 

Begin your resume with your name, address, phone number, and email address.

It’s best not to use a “cutesy” email address like tubaguy@email.com or mightyelfmage@email.com.

Set up a professional email account that you can use for job and college applications, comprised of your name only (i.e., janey_jordan@email.com).

Emphasize Teamwork and Leadership

Good teamwork skills are necessary for most entry-level jobs, and so it’s wise to provide examples of how you’ve participated in school, church, club, or scouting roles requiring  teamwork . It’s even better to describe any leadership roles you’ve held, since this demonstrates to your employer that you can hold responsibility, take personal initiative, and organize and support others.

The chances are high that you haven’t had a lot of paid work experience since you're a high school student. While you should describe any actual “real” jobs you’ve held, it’s also a good idea to describe volunteer experience, accompanied by dates, your responsibilities, and your contributions in these roles.

Volunteer experience is important for high school students because it provides experience and shows that you're trying to find out what you might be interested in.

At the end of your resume, include a statement of selected interests. Employers (and universities, if you are using your resume for a college application) like candidates who are well-rounded and involved in their communities.

They’ll get a better idea of your personality if you mention a few sports that you play or interests like theater, music, or environmentalism. Be careful, however, not to mention interests that are too political or might distract you from your job (such as excessive video-gaming).

Write a Cover Letter

Once you’ve finished your resume, you should craft a cover letter to introduce yourself to a hiring manager. Review these student cover letters for help in getting started.

Resumes that are full of spelling and grammatical errors create red flags in an employer’s mind because they hint that your work performance might be sloppy as well. Take the time to edit and correct your resume and cover letter, following  these proofreading steps . If you feel unsure about your proofreading skills, ask a friend, parent, sibling, or teacher to help you.

Read each sentence aloud to yourself. This slows you down and makes you concentrate on the words, which will bring attention to any errors.

High School Student Resume Example

The following is an example of a resume for a high school student. It includes both formal and informal work experience, volunteering and academic achievements. The resume lists work experience first, followed by the student's volunteer experience and achievements and then education. If you have no formal work experience, you should know how to format  your resume to reflect this appropriately. 

Also, note that the resume has a  summary  that focuses on the student's skills that are the best match for the job they are applying for. This way, the employer can see at a glance why the applicant would be a good candidate for the job.

Carly Applicant 6 Oak Street Arlington, VA 54321 (555) 555-5555 carly.applicant@gmail.com

Honor roll high school student with extensive experience working with youth of all ages, who has been praised and awarded for her organizational skills and ability to develop fun, engaging activities for youth of all ages, seeks an entry-level child position with an area child care provider or retail firm.

WORK EXPERIENCE

THE RETAIL STORE, Arlington, VA Sales Associate/Manager , September 2019–Present Maintain and restock inventory; provide customer service; responsible for training incoming associates in operating cash register system due to track record of excellence.

• Named “Employee of the Month” three times.
• Attended a “Sales Associate Training” conference in Washington, D.C.; was selected as one of 10 out of 1,000 sales associates from Virginia to attend the conferences.
• Promoted to manager in 2020; was the youngest associate to reach the position in store history.

KINDERFUN PRESCHOOL; Arlington, VA Child Care Provider , September 2017–August 2019 Provided childcare for a dozen families after school, on weekends, and during school vacations.

• Developed and implemented fun, educational activities for children from ages 1 to 8 years.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

RUN FOR LIFE, Arlington, VA Publicist , November–December 2020 Assisted in marketing the charity run via social media; oversaw clean-up after the race.

• Managed 20 volunteers of all ages in setting up booths, operating the registration, and facilitating the race.

High School Diploma (June 2022; Expected Graduation Date); GPA 3.9 Arlington High School, Arlington, VA

• Honor roll each semester; captain of the debate team; president of the Key (service) Club.
• Elective Classes and Activities: Screen Printing, Culture & Foods, Independent Living, Family Advocacy, Wind Ensemble, Stage Crew

Other Interests:

Member of the Arlington High School Tennis Team • Girl Scout • Piano, 10 years

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

• Show that you're well-rounded and use any work experience you have, highlighting after-school activities and volunteer work on your resume.
• Emphasize your achievements and mention a strong high school GPA or any academic awards or recognition you have achieved.
• Focus on teamwork and leadership by presenting examples of your team participation and leadership in school and extra-curricular activities. 

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Whether you’re applying for that first job, an internship, or preparing to head to college, creating a high school resume is often the first professional task a young person will undertake. Writing a resume can be challenging for anyone – even a seasoned professional with years of job experience. However, when you follow a proven method, give yourself plenty of time, and focus on the details, this vital task can be completed right the first time.

If you’re in search of a high school resume template, or high school resume examples, you’ve landed on the right page. In the information below, we’ll outline some of the proven methods that help anyone develop an eye-popping and engaging resume – regardless of their skills and experience.

We will provide some valuable information that should be included on all resumes for high school students. We will also provide you with a professionally written sample high school resume – posted below. This will give you a practical example of what is possible when you follow some of the methods and tips listed below.

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High School Resume Sample

In the high school graduate resume posted below, you can see that it’s clean, neat, and straight to the point. This is the formatting and structure that college admissions and hiring managers seek in the candidates they select.

The high schooler resume below is well-written, creative, and highlights Tommy’s accomplishments, skills, and the limited work history he’s accomplished in a few years. Mainly, the resume is a working document, that allows him to add work experience and accomplishments. It tells his story in an easy-to-follow format.

Resume example - High School Resume

Download this resume example - High School Resume

High School Resume Guide: How to Write a Successful Resume

Every good document starts and ends with the organization. But when you don’t have a lot of work or education experience – it’s also crucial to infuse some creativity. So – let’s get started.

Most professional resumes include the candidate's personal contact information, a resume objective statement, work history that applies to the job they are applying for, relevant education, achievements, and certifications or licensing. A high school student's resume with no work experience or limited history needs to be outlined differently.

The best resumes begin with an outline or what we call a master resume. This is a word document or other editable electronic file that permits you the ability to document all relevant information that was posted in the job description.

To create your master resume for a high school student, begin by setting up a few major sections:

• Contact Information
• Your Resume Objective
• Extracurricular Activities & Achievements
• Work Experience (if any)
• Skills and Abilities

Now that you have the basic structure, here is how you pick what type of content to use, and how to write it to stand out among your competition.

1. List Your Personal Information

Let’s take a closer look at Tommy’s resume examples for high school students. His contact information is the first thing displayed – and includes his name, address, phone number, and email. However, the important detail to consider is how he selected the contact information.

Tommy has a phone at his house but listed his cell phone number as his point of contact. The reason for this is that his landline phone number is not capable of receiving SMS text messages. Many hiring managers or companies will send a text message to a candidate if they wish to schedule an interview. So, make sure you list your cell phone on your resume.

The email address is just as crucial. For privacy reasons, we inserted our email address – but for your high school job resume, you’ll want to use one that is hosted on a major server – such as Gmail. This will provide some much-needed credibility and reduce the potential of email bounce back or spam folder landing.

How to Format Personal Information Section

Keep it simple, clean, and accurate. A high school student that showcases the ability to be organized and detailed is going to stand out among the competition. If you can use a good high school resume template, this will help with the structure.

2. Creating Your Resume Objective

The  resume objective  is one of the most misunderstood sections of a resume. Many professionals believe that this statement can be used for every position you’re applying for. That’s just not accurate. The resume objective should always be written specifically to the intended audience.

In the resume sample, you can see that Tommy is applying for a summer part-time job at a movie theater. He has written a five-sentence paragraph that explains what he is applying for, his hard and soft skills and abilities that would make him a great movie theater employee, and leadership skills he has used in personal activities.

The important message to remember here is that every resume objective should be unique for the job you’re applying for. If you are applying for an internship, write the objective for that position. Same thing with a college resume . Make it specific for the exact school you are contacting. This type of attention to detail is what separates exceptional candidates from others.

What are Hard Skills?

Hard skills are those you possess that help you complete a specific task. These are generally abilities – such as being able to use tools, hardware, or software programs. Some examples of hard skills a high school student would possess include using Microsoft or Apple technology suites (like Photoshop, Adobe, Illustrator, and such), creating websites (WordPress or other solutions), and communications tools.

What are the Soft Skills?

Consider a soft skill to be the interpersonal abilities you possess that helps you accomplish tasks, lead others, or be a good employee/student. This would include attention to detail, problem-solving, communication, and leadership abilities.

How to Create the Resume Format for the Objective or Opening Statement Section

When you’re listing all your hard and soft skills  on the master resume, make sure to include those that are practical to the job you are applying for. In Tommy’s resume, you’ll notice he stated he was a proven leader (supported by his awards as a Captain of his High School Baseball team), ability to multitask, and being a good communicator. These are all skills a movie theater employee should have to be valuable to the company.

Your opening statement must be short, sweet, and to the point – yet written in a professional – yet conversational tone. Using a resume builder after you’ve fine-tuned and edited content, will ensure it includes those action verbs. Also, make sure it reads clean, neat, and straight on the final resume.

Specifically, here are four tips:

• Showcase your personality. Your writing tone should be professional, yet relaxed.
• Make sure to include the skills that are relative to the position you’re applying for.
• Read it aloud. When you’re finished editing the content, read it aloud. If it sounds like you’re speaking to someone vs a computer being too stuffy, that’s a good sign.
• Edit the document through an online platform called Grammarly.com. This will ensure your spelling, punctuation, and tone are on par with grammatical best practices.

3. Education Section

This will be the easiest part of your high school resume. Don’t bother listing your elementary or middle school. Keep it simple and list your high school. If you’ve recently graduated – or are going to graduate within a few months, document the graduation date on the resume.

You should list your GPA and date of graduation and some of your top academic accomplishments. Don’t worry about getting too technical about specific coursework, classes you’ve taken, as you can list this in your achievements section if it’s applicable to your position.

4. Extracurricular & Achievements

In the sample resume, you’ll see that Tommy mentioned his GPA in high school, his SAT score, and his student leadership positions in the opening statement. He also mentioned his leadership on the baseball team, his participation in the high school band, and honor roll.

The Extracurricular section allows him to expand on this information. He mentions his marching band participation, volunteer at the YMCA, and winning a student of the month for English his Junior year.

How to Format the Achievements Section

This will be a paragraph section, where you can highlight some of your achievements and Extracurricular activities. You’ll want to maintain the same written tone you used in the resume objective – again to maintain consistency and show attention to detail.

5. Work History

This is the section many high school students struggle to document. However, it’s important to remember that you can – and should, document any previous jobs that can be verified through a reference. If you’ve never had a ‘real job’ – simply write – “no previous work history”. You want to be 100% honest in a resume – so it’s better to be transparent vs trying to fake it.

For those with work history, list them in chronological order – starting with your most recent position and working backward.

How to Format the Work History Section

It’s important to list the name and location of the previous jobs you’ve held. In the sections below, describe what tasks you accomplished. You want to highlight tasks that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. If the job search position you're applying for involves working with children, listing previous babysitting experience would be an example of practical experience.

In Tommy’s resume for a high school student – you can see he has only had one previous job, working at a grocery store. He lists the job duties that he assumes are important as a movie theater. This included cleaning, handling cash, using a register, greeting customers, solving problems, and communicating with customers. Start with a brief job description, then list your tasks in bullet points.

6. References for High School Student Resumes

Any reference listed on a resume must be one that you have a strong connection with currently. You’ll want to ensure they can support the information you documented on the resume with practical examples.

For a high school student's resume, it’s recommended to select three references . One should be a family friend, one should be a teacher, and if you’ve had a job – the previous employer or supervisor is a great addition. This is especially important for writing a resume for a college application. You should also mention you have references available on your cover letter.

Make sure you have their permission to be used as a reference and ensure you have their accurate contact information. You don’t want to list their private information on a resume, but make sure you have it available if they ask. Simply write – references available upon request.

Final Points on Writing a High School Resume and Cover Letter

Most high school resumes are written poorly, without structure, and quite frankly – sound the same. The key to standing out among your competition is showcasing your ability to focus on details, being a clear communicator, and being reliable. Most resumes are also turned in without a cover letter.

The information above is a guide – but if you follow the tips we mentioned and customize them for the specific position you are applying for, you’ll have a better shot at gaining that important interview.

Here are some specific tips to consider.

• Follow the template structure as listed above – including spacing, using a black font on a clean white background document. Take advantage of the master resume.
• Take time with your opening statement. Remember, you get one shot to make a great impression, and that resume objective is a prime opportunity.
• Showcase your examples of being responsible. If you’ve got a great attendance record in school or a previous job, make sure to highlight that in your resume.
• List at least 2 professional and 1 personal reference. Make sure their contact information is accurate, and always gain their approval before listing them as a point of contact. A letter of recommendation from them will significantly help.
• When you’ve listed everything as mentioned above, copy, and paste the content and place it in a Word doc or run it through a spelling/grammar checking website like Grammerly.com. This will proofread the content, help you save time and ensure all content is clean, neat, and ready for your professional resume.
• Ask a teacher you respect to review your resume. It never hurts to have a second set of eyes review your resume. A parent, guardian, or family friend who hires people would also be a great resource.

The best piece of advice we can offer is to take your time, take advantage of a free resume template – where you simply create the sections, paste your edited content, and pick the best template that fits you best, that’s a recipe for success.

By infusing the free tips mentioned above, you’ll have a better chance of landing an interview – so you can dazzle them in person.

FAQs Related to High Schooler Resume

How to write a resume for a high school student with no work experience?

Focus on your achievements and responsibility. Many employers are hesitant to hire students mainly due to a lack of focus or ability to show up to work as scheduled. If you can clearly articulate why and how you eclipse those objectives, you are likely to stand above other candidates.

Does a 15-year-old need a resume?

Anyone applying for any position should create a resume. This is a professional outline that makes it easier for people to review your skills, abilities, and what makes you unique. Even a 15-year old student who is looking for their first summer job or part-time opportunity should take advantage of creating a resume. If you’re 15, don’t stress too hard on being too technical – just list your details, keep it simple, but make it sound professional.

How long should a high school student's resume be?

It depends on your objective. If you’re applying for a first job, and don’t have a lot of experience, keeping it simple is best. The main item you want to document on a resume are your skills, abilities, and why you’re a responsible candidate for the position. Being on time to school, or being a leader in extracurricular activities can outweigh previous work history in many cases.

How do I make my high school student's resume stand out?

It is always best to personalize the high school student’s resume to match the job or position they are applying for. If they are sending a resume for an internship, make sure to document the skills needed to succeed as an intern for that industry. If it’s for a fast-food restaurant, making sure to explain why the student can thrive in high-pressure situations, follows direction, and is accountable.

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5 High School Resume Examples for Your 2024 Job Search

High school is a time of exploration and defining your path—much like crafting your first resume. As a high school student, your resume is your personal brand, a snapshot that showcases your achievements, interests, and aspirations. Dive into our guide for standout high school resume examples that will help you make your mark and impress potential employers or admissions officers in 2024.

Resume Examples

Resume guidance.

• High Level Resume Tips
• Must-Have Information
• Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important
• Writing an Exceptional Resume Summary
• How to Impress with Your Work Experience
• Top Skills & Keywords
• Go Above & Beyond with a Cover Letter
• Resume FAQs
• Related Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on High School Resumes:

• Develop and implement lesson plans that meet state and school curriculum standards
• Teach subjects according to the educational needs, abilities, and achievement levels of students
• Grade student assignments and exams, providing feedback to promote learning and improvement
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Prepare students for standardized tests and college entrance exams
• Manage classroom behavior and discipline to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment
• Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests
• Communicate with parents or guardians about students' progress and potential issues
• Participate in faculty meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops
• Supervise students outside of the classroom—for example, during lunchtime or detention
• Collaborate with other teachers, staff, and administrators to develop and coordinate educational programs
• Guide and mentor students with their academic and personal development

You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.

High School Resume Example:

• Revamped the science curriculum to incorporate STEM-focused projects, resulting in a 40% increase in students' standardized test scores and a 25% rise in college STEM program enrollments.
• Integrated smart classroom technologies which enhanced interactive learning, leading to a 30% improvement in student engagement as measured by class participation and feedback surveys.
• Developed and led a teacher mentorship program that improved novice teacher retention by 50% and increased the overall teaching quality as evidenced by student academic performance metrics.
• Orchestrated the launch of a school-wide digital literacy initiative, increasing students' proficiency with technology by 45% and enabling the successful adoption of a 1:1 device-to-student ratio.
• Collaborated with local businesses to create a career exploration program that provided internships for 60% of the senior class, enhancing college and career readiness.
• Implemented a comprehensive assessment strategy that reduced grading time by 20% while providing more detailed feedback, contributing to a 15% improvement in student revision and resubmission rates.
• Curriculum Development
• STEM Education Integration
• Classroom Technology Implementation
• Teacher Mentorship and Training
• Student Engagement Strategies
• Digital Literacy Advocacy
• Partnership Development with Local Businesses
• Career and College Readiness Programs
• Assessment and Feedback Optimization
• Project-Based Learning Facilitation
• Behavior Management System Design
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Professional Development Leadership
• Data Analysis and Academic Performance Evaluation
• Strategic Planning and Initiative Management

High School Graduate Resume Example:

• Streamlined data entry processes for a local non-profit, enhancing data accuracy by 15% and reducing time spent on data input by 20% through the creation of a custom spreadsheet template.
• Coordinated a community event that attracted over 300 attendees, managing logistics and volunteers, which resulted in a 50% increase in funds raised compared to the previous year.
• Developed and delivered a presentation on community engagement strategies that was adopted by the school's leadership team, leading to a 25% increase in student participation in extracurricular activities.
• Revamped the filing system at a small business office, increasing document retrieval efficiency by 30% and reducing misfiled documents by 90% within the first three months.
• Handled customer service inquiries with a 95% satisfaction rate, resolving issues promptly and improving the company's reputation for excellent customer support.
• Assisted in managing the company's social media accounts, growing the follower count by 40% and enhancing online engagement by creating content that resonated with the target audience.
• Data Entry and Spreadsheet Management
• Event Planning and Coordination
• Community Outreach and Engagement
• Presentation Development and Delivery
• Organizational Systems Improvement
• Customer Service Excellence
• Social Media Management and Content Creation
• Bookkeeping and Financial Processing
• Volunteer Management and Retention
• Digital Tools Proficiency for Team Collaboration
• Time Management and Efficiency Optimization
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
• Leadership and Team Building
• Effective Communication
• Project Management

High School Senior Resume Example:

• Orchestrated a community service project that engaged over 50 student volunteers, resulting in 200+ hours of service and a 15% increase in local park revitalization efforts.
• Secured a competitive internship with a local law firm, contributing to case research that aided in a 10% increase in successful case resolutions over a 3-month period.
• Developed and led a student-run tutoring program that improved participating students' average test scores by 20% across core subjects within one semester.
• Initiated and managed a fundraising campaign for the school's athletic department, raising over $5,000, which funded new equipment and uniforms, increasing team morale and performance by 25%.
• Successfully balanced a part-time job at a retail store with academic responsibilities, achieving a promotion to shift supervisor within 6 months due to exemplary leadership and customer service skills.
• Implemented a peer-mentoring initiative within the National Honor Society, increasing membership retention by 30% and fostering an environment of academic excellence and collaboration.
• Community Engagement
• Research and Analysis
• Program Development
• Fundraising
• Time Management
• Customer Service
• Peer Mentoring
• Academic Tutoring
• Problem-Solving
• Artistic Curation
• Event Planning
• Workshop Facilitation
• Team Building
• Public Speaking
• Collaboration
• Strategic Planning
• Data Interpretation
• Adaptability

High School Student First Job Resume Example:

• Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently greeting and assisting an average of 50 customers per day, leading to a 10% increase in positive customer feedback within three months.
• Streamlined the checkout process by efficiently operating cash registers and handling financial transactions, contributing to a 15% reduction in average customer wait time.
• Maintained a 98% accuracy rate in financial transactions over a six-month period, demonstrating strong attention to detail and reliability in handling cash and card payments.
• Proactively restocked shelves and managed inventory, resulting in a 5% decrease in out-of-stock incidents and contributing to a smoother shopping experience for customers.
• Implemented a new organization system for the work area, which improved overall store cleanliness and efficiency, leading to a 20% increase in store audit scores.
• Assisted with the launch of a promotional sales campaign that boosted store traffic by 30% and increased sales by 25% during the event period.
• Cash Handling
• Transaction Accuracy
• Inventory Management
• Organizational Skills
• Sales Promotion
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Professionalism
• Product Knowledge

High School Student with No Experience Resume Example:

• Streamlined the administrative process by organizing over 1,000 student records and documents, resulting in a 30% improvement in retrieval time for the school staff.
• Coordinated and executed setup for 15+ school events, contributing to a 20% increase in student participation and community engagement.
• Implemented a peer tutoring schedule that matched 40 students with tutors, enhancing academic support and contributing to a 10% rise in average test scores.
• Assisted in the school library by cataloging over 500 books and resources, improving the book retrieval system efficiency by 25%.
• Supported the IT team in resolving 100+ student and staff computer issues, increasing the overall technology uptime by 15%.
• Contributed to the school's newsletter with 10+ articles and photographs, leading to a 35% increase in readership among the student body.
• Peer Tutoring and Academic Support
• Library Cataloging and Resource Management
• Technical Support and IT Troubleshooting
• Written Communication and Journalism
• Photography
• Volunteerism and Community Service
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Data Entry and Record Keeping

High Level Resume Tips for High Schools:

Must-have information for a high school resume:.

• Contact Information
• Resume Headline
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work Experience & Achievements
• Skills & Competencies
• Certifications/Training

Let's start with resume headlines.

Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important for High Schools:

High school resume headline examples:, strong headlines.

• These headlines are compelling because they immediately convey the candidates' specialized roles within a high school setting and highlight measurable achievements. They reflect a blend of experience, dedication, and innovation that directly aligns with the core objectives of high school education—academic excellence, student guidance, and inspirational teaching. Such headlines are likely to resonate with hiring managers who are looking for professionals with a proven track record of contributing positively to the educational environment.

Weak Headlines

• The provided headlines are generic and lack the distinct details that make a resume stand out. They do not quantify experience or achievements, nor do they specify any unique skills or programs the candidates have implemented or contributed to. Additionally, they fail to mention any accolades or recognitions that could differentiate the candidates from others in the field.

Writing an Exceptional High School Resume Summary:

High school resume summary examples:, strong summaries.

• These summaries are strong because they concisely articulate the professionals' specialized experience, their achievements, and the positive outcomes they have driven in their roles. They provide quantifiable results such as improved test scores, increased college acceptance rates, and scholarship awards, which are key metrics of success in high school education. Additionally, they reflect the candidates' commitment to student development and educational excellence, qualities that are highly valued by employers in the education sector.

Weak Summaries

1. High School educator with years of experience in teaching various subjects, looking to continue fostering a positive learning environment and contributing to student success at a new school. 2. High School professional skilled in classroom management and curriculum development, seeking to utilize my teaching abilities and knowledge to impact students' academic growth. 3. Dedicated High School teacher with a passion for student engagement and educational technology, aiming to bring my expertise to a school that values innovation in teaching methods.

• The provided resume summaries are weak because they are generic and lack specificity. They do not mention any measurable achievements, such as improvements in student test scores or successful program implementations. Additionally, they fail to highlight any unique skills or experiences that set the candidate apart from others in the field, which is crucial for making a strong impression on hiring managers.

Resume Objective Examples for High Schools:

Strong objectives.

• These resume objectives are strong for high school students because they highlight the candidates' academic achievements, leadership qualities, and eagerness to apply their skills in a real-world setting. They also demonstrate a balance between personal development and a desire to contribute to the success of a potential employer, which are key traits hiring managers look for in less-experienced candidates.

Weak Objectives

• These objectives lack specificity and fail to highlight the candidate's unique strengths or interests. They are too broad and do not target any particular industry or job type, which makes it difficult for employers to see the value the student can bring to their organization. Additionally, they do not mention any skills, achievements, or extracurricular activities that might make the candidate stand out from other applicants.

Write a More Targeted Resume with AI

Speed up your resume creation process with the resume builder . generate tailored resume summaries in seconds., how to impress with your high school work experience:, best practices for your work experience section:.

• Highlight any part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work: Even if the experience isn't in a professional setting, emphasize responsibilities and skills learned that are transferable to the workplace, such as customer service, time management, and teamwork.
• Focus on leadership roles and responsibilities: Whether in sports teams, school clubs, or group projects, describe any leadership experience, what you learned, and how you contributed to the group's success.
• Include achievements in academic projects or extracurricular activities: Detail any significant projects or activities where you demonstrated skills relevant to the job you're applying for, such as problem-solving, creativity, or initiative.
• Emphasize soft skills developed: Communication, adaptability, and problem-solving are highly valued by employers. Provide examples of how you've developed and used these skills in various settings.
• Describe any entrepreneurial endeavors: If you've started a small business, a blog, or an online store, discuss what you did, how you managed it, and any successes you had.
• Include certifications or additional training: Mention any relevant courses, workshops, or certifications you've completed that demonstrate your commitment to learning and growth.
• Quantify your impact when possible: Use numbers to illustrate your impact, such as funds raised during a charity event, the number of participants in a club you led, or the growth of a social media page you managed.
• Use action verbs to start bullet points: Words like "organized," "led," "developed," "coordinated," and "managed" can make your experiences sound more dynamic and impactful.
• Proofread for clarity and accuracy: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, and that all information is accurate and up-to-date.

Example Work Experiences for High Schools:

Strong experiences.

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive student success program that increased graduation rates by 15% over three years by providing targeted academic support, career counseling, and mentorship opportunities.
• Orchestrated a school-wide initiative to integrate technology in the classroom, resulting in a 40% increase in student engagement and a 25% improvement in standardized test scores within two academic years.
• Managed the school's annual budget of $5 million, achieving a 10% cost reduction through strategic negotiations with vendors and the optimization of resource allocation, while maintaining high educational standards.
• Revitalized the school's extracurricular program, leading to a 60% increase in student participation and the establishment of 5 new student-led organizations that fostered leadership and community service.
• Collaborated with local businesses and educational partners to secure $500,000 in grants and donations for STEM programs, enhancing the school's curriculum and providing students with hands-on learning experiences.
• Championed a teacher professional development plan that improved instructional practices, evidenced by a 20% increase in teacher retention and a notable rise in student satisfaction and performance.
• Launched a district-wide anti-bullying campaign, reducing reported incidents by 30% and creating a safer, more inclusive school environment as measured by annual student and parent surveys.
• Directed the successful accreditation process for the high school, ensuring compliance with all regional and national standards and securing the institution's academic reputation for the next 10 years.
• Forged partnerships with cultural and academic institutions, enriching the curriculum with diverse programs that led to a 35% increase in student cultural awareness and global perspective.
• These work experiences are impactful because they demonstrate the ability to create positive change within the educational environment, showcase the successful management of resources, and highlight the development of programs that directly benefit student growth. Each example includes quantifiable results, reflecting the professional's effectiveness in addressing key areas such as student engagement, academic performance, and operational efficiency.

Weak Experiences

• Assisted in developing and implementing lesson plans for a variety of subjects, ensuring they align with educational standards.
• Managed classroom behavior by applying standard disciplinary measures, maintaining a controlled and focused learning environment.
• Participated in faculty meetings and contributed to discussions about school policies and student engagement strategies.
• Coordinated with other teachers to organize school events such as science fairs and art exhibitions, overseeing logistics and student participation.
• Monitored student progress through regular assessments and provided feedback to help them improve academically.
• Engaged with parents during parent-teacher conferences to discuss student performance and address any concerns.
• Implemented technology in the classroom by using educational software to enhance student learning experiences.
• Contributed to the school's extracurricular programs by supervising a student club and organizing activities.
• Attended professional development workshops to stay updated on teaching methods and curriculum changes.
• The examples provided are weak because they are vague and do not convey the full scope or impact of the high school professional's responsibilities. They lack measurable achievements, detailed contributions to student success, or the educational environment, and do not highlight the individual's initiative or innovation in their role. To strengthen these bullet points, the high school professional should include specific examples of how they enhanced student learning, improved school programs, or contributed to the school's overall performance, using precise metrics and action verbs to demonstrate their effectiveness and value to the institution.

Top Skills & Keywords for High School Resumes:

Top hard & soft skills for high schools, hard skills.

• Classroom Management
• Lesson Planning
• Educational Technology Integration
• Student Assessment and Evaluation
• Special Education
• Subject Matter Expertise (e.g., Mathematics, Science, English)
• Behavioral Management Techniques
• Instructional Design
• Fluency in Multiple Languages (for language teachers)
• Standardized Test Preparation
• Data-Driven Instruction

Soft Skills

• Classroom Management and Student Engagement
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Patience and Empathy
• Adaptability and Flexibility in Teaching Methods
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Organization and Time Management
• Cultural Competency and Inclusivity
• Mentoring and Coaching
• Teamwork and Collaboration with Faculty
• Creative Problem-Solving
• Active Listening and Responsiveness to Student Needs
• Leadership and Role Modeling

Go Above & Beyond with a High School Cover Letter

High school cover letter example: (based on resume), resume faqs for high schools:, how long should i make my high school resume.

An ideal high school resume should typically be one page in length. This is because high school students generally have less professional experience compared to adults who have been in the workforce for years. A one-page resume encourages students to focus on their most relevant experiences and accomplishments without overwhelming the reader with too much information. Here are a few reasons why a one-page resume is suitable for high school students: 1. Conciseness: High school students are at an early stage in their careers, so they usually have fewer experiences and achievements to list compared to more seasoned professionals. A one-page resume helps them to be concise and to the point. 2. Relevance: It encourages students to only include experiences and skills that are relevant to the position or opportunity they are applying for, such as part-time jobs, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements.

What is the best way to format a High School resume?

The best way to format a high school resume is to keep it clear, concise, and organized, with a focus on showcasing the student's achievements, skills, and potential. Here's a breakdown of an ideal high school resume format: 1. Header: At the top, include the student's name, address, phone number, and email address. Make sure the email address is professional. 2. Objective or Summary (optional): A brief statement that outlines the student's goals and interests. This can be helpful for students with specific objectives, but it's not mandatory. 3. Education: Since the student is still in high school, this section should come first. Include the name of the high school, expected graduation date, and GPA (if it's strong). Mention any honors or AP courses if applicable. 4. Experience: This section can include part-time jobs, internships,or any other volunteer work you've done up to this point.

Which High School skills are most important to highlight in a resume?

When high school students are preparing their resumes, it's important to highlight skills that demonstrate their readiness for the workforce or further education. Here are some key skills that high school students should consider featuring on their resumes, along with explanations for each: 1. Academic Competence: Highlighting strong performance in relevant subjects can show potential employers or colleges that a student is prepared for the intellectual demands of a job or higher education. 2. Communication Skills: Both written and verbal communication skills are critical in almost every field. High school students should showcase experiences that demonstrate their ability to express ideas clearly and effectively, such as participation in debate clubs or writing for the school newspaper. 3. Teamwork and Collaboration: Employers and colleges look for individuals who can work well with others. Participation in team sports, group projects, or clubs can illustrate a student's ability to collaborate. 4. Leadership: Experience in leadership roles, such as being a team captain, student council member, or club president, can be very appealing to those reviewing the resume. It shows initiative and the ability to manage and inspire others.

How should you write a resume if you have no experience as a High School?

When high school students are writing a resume and they have no formal work experience, they can focus on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any skills they have developed that are relevant to the job or opportunity they are seeking. Here's a guide on how to write a resume under these circumstances: 1. Contact Information: At the top of the resume, include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Make sure your email address is professional. 2. Objective or Summary Statement: Write a brief statement that outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve with the resume. This should be tailored to the specific job or opportunity you are applying for. 3. Education: Since you're still in high school, your education is one of your main assets. List your high school name, expected graduation date, and GPA if it's strong. You can also include relevant coursework, honors, or awards.

Compare Your High School Resume to a Job Description:

See how your High School resume compares to the job description of the role you're applying for. Our free Resume and Job Description Match tool will analyze and score your resume based on how well it aligns with the position. Here's how you can use the comparison tool to improve your High School resume, and increase your chances of landing the interview:

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the High School job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Complete the steps below to generate your free resume analysis.

Related Resumes for High Schools:

High school resume example, high school graduate resume example, high school student first job resume example, high school student with no experience resume example, high school senior resume example, more resume guidance:.

Resume tips for high school students

by Molly Hornbuckle | Aug 25, 2022 | Blog

Hiring managers spend an average of just six to seven seconds looking at a resume . That makes it super difficult to stand out from dozens of other candidates. And it can be even more difficult if you’re just coming out of high school and are competing with more seasoned folks. Never fear, I’ve compiled resume tips for high school students to help you make an impact.

Whether you’re in a career and technical education (CTE) program and have earned skills to show off or not, use these resume tips and templates to create a compelling resume that wows prospective employers.

In this post, I help you gain confidence in building or updating your resume by breaking down:

• What a resume is and why you need one
• How to structure your resume
• What to include in your resume

What to leave off your resume as a high school student and beyond

When to update your resume.

Plus, I offer free template resources to give you a head start on creating your resume.

What is a resume and why do students need one?

Resumes are your way to show potential employers what you have to offer and why they should interview you for the role. A resume is your summary of qualifications. It’s also the information you can use to populate a profile on LinkedIn and other job sites. Think of a resume as:

An ice breaker Your resume gives potential employers a bird’s-eye view of who you are, the experience you offer, and what you want to do. It also offers a perfect conversation starter and reference material for interviews.

An advertisement and your brand Your resume is your way to “sell” yourself. Sounds strange. But you want to show yourself as both unique and memorable and equipped to check off most or all of the employer’s needed skills. Think of it as a living document and a way to show a potential employer the benefits you bring to the table.

A fact sheet Your resume should be focused, clear and concise. It’s typically the only document you leave with a potential employer. And it’s what most hiring managers (and applicant tracking systems ) use to compare you to other applicants.

For high school students, competition can be tough. You may be competing with candidates who have more experience as you try and enter the workforce or secure an internship. A good resume is the first step in outcompeting rivals for the role.

Now that you know what and why, let’s look at tips to create or update your resume so you stand out.

Options for structuring your resume

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for a resume.

Every hiring manager looks for something different. And applicant tracking systems robotically assess resumes to determine which get tossed or passed on.

Whether you’re a high school student or not, here are some common ways to approach how you structure your resume.

Chronologically

A chronological structure lists your work history as a timeline, starting with your current job and moving backward in time. Chronological resumes are ideal for situations where your work history aligns with the position you’re applying for.

Functionally

A functional structure focuses on sharing your skills and strengths. Functional resumes are great for high school students who don’t have a lot of work history. They also work well when you have gaps in your work history, are entering or re-entering the workforce, have frequently changed jobs, want to change careers, or don’t exactly fit the mold for the job.

Combination

A combination of a chronological and functional structure blends your skills and strengths with your work history. Combination resumes show how the skills you have apply to the job you’re applying for, rather than focusing solely on specific work history.

Once you decide which approach to take, it’s time to get started. Most resumes fit on one page, and it can feel like a daunting task to summarize your experience in such a short format. But it is possible.

To start, boil your resume down to four main elements.

Resume summary, profile, or objective

Every resume should include a summary or objective, usually kept to 1 to 4 sentences — like a long Tweet. A resume summary or profile gives the hiring manager quick, concise insights into your qualifications and why you’re a good fit for the role. A resume objective focuses on communicating your career goals.

If you’ve taken YouScience ® Aptitude & Career Discovery , you have access to a wealth of positive aptitude-specific language you can use in your resume profile/summary or objective. Take some time to review your results before crafting your resume and gather statements from your “ Describing you ” section.

Describing you” language for a YouScience user’s Idea Generation aptitude .

Using “Describing you” words and statements on your resume

“Describing you” in Aptitude & Career Discovery includes both individual terms that describe you and aptitude-specific statements. Those terms can be great keywords when they align with the description of the role you’re applying for.

Spoiler alert: Applicant tracking systems look at specific terms in a resume as part of the review process. Having the right keywords can get you past them. Look for words in the job description that match the “Terms that Describe You” words in Aptitude & Career Discovery, and sprinkle a few in your resume.

As far as the aptitude-specific statements, let’s say a student named Ted’s aptitude results show that he’s a sequential thinker, and one of his “Describing you” statements reads, “Others rely on me to explain how systems work. I see the big picture.”

He could use this in his resume profile/summary as “Ted uses organizational skills to develop systems that can be easily explained and utilized by others.” Or if he were writing a resume objective , he could include, “I want to use my strong organization skills to help plan and execute projects.”

If you don’t yet have work experience, the “Describing you” section can write your resume for you by letting you outline your innate talents to the hiring manager.

Writing a resume can be tough, but the “Describing you” language can make it a lot easier.

Knowledge and skills

What you’ve been learning in the classroom, especially if you’re a CTE student, applies to what employers want and need. And it’s important to take time to highlight the skills you’ve developed.

You can include a mixture of soft skills —things like dependability, communication and teamwork—and hard skills, or the skills necessary to accomplish a specific job on your resume. Use the job description as your guide for what to include.

If you’ve earned an industry-recognized certification from YouScience ® , the back of your certificate is full of information to help you describe what you can do and what you know.

The standards listed there represent the technical knowledge you gained during the course. You can use these statements as sentence starters. For example, the Business Management certification exam proves you “analyzed and understood the importance of financial information.” On your resume, you could say “Capable of analyzing financial information and understanding its importance to business operations.”

You can also opt to simply include a list of your skills or use a scale to show your experience in each skill.

Work experience

When including your work experience, focus on any full-time, part-time, self-employment, volunteer, and internship experiences you have under your belt. Start with your most important and/or relevant experience and work your way down and be honest and concise.

And, even if you don’t have any formal work experience, you likely have knowledge and understanding that’s relevant to the job at hand.

Perhaps you’re applying for your first job as a customer service representative for a department store and you passed the Customer Service certification exam in school. You can highlight the projects and training you went through in the course as “relevant” experience for the role.

If you have volunteer positions or other types of unpaid, charitable work experience that are relevant to the position, include those in their own section or incorporate them into your knowledge and skills.

If you moved the neighbor’s lawn one summer, include that. You can also give yourself a leg up by having your neighbor write you a letter of recommendation, which is a great substitute for work with longer work experience.

According to a Gallup poll, only 9% of business leaders believe that the school a candidate earns a degree from is “very important” when making hiring decisions. Employers instead focus on the knowledge you have in your field (84%) and the experience you’ve gained in your field (79%) when making hiring decisions.

Most resumes break educational experience down into three elements:

• Your major or program
• Your school
• Your anticipated graduation date (whether high school or college)

Education is one where CTE courses give high school students an advantage. If you’ve taken CTE courses, include any industry-recognized certifications you earned in school on your resume. Also, include focused areas of study you’re pursuing that relate to your desired job. You can even list applicable academic achievements — such as research papers, awards, or your GPA—to help paint a better picture of your education and abilities.

Contact information

Include how the employer can contact you. Do include email, phone, and city, state, and ZIP code but don’t include your full home address. Leaving out your home address protects you, especially if you post your resume on an online job board.

It’s important to highlight some of the resume “no-no’s” here too. So, as you work on your resume, kick these four things to the curb!

Exaggerations

According to Monster’s 2021 The Future of Work survey, around 85% of recruiters reported that they believe candidates exaggerate their experience and skills on their resumes. A good rule of thumb is to “beef it up, but never make it up.”

Unnecessary personal information

Don’t include your home address, age, weight, sex, religion, political affiliation, marital status, religiously-based volunteer activities, and so on. Keep your resume focused on what you bring to the table for the job, not your personal life.

Typos, grammatical errors, mistakes

Always proofread your resume. Always. Use an editing software or tool to check for obvious errors. It’s also a good idea to step away from the document and come back with a fresh set of eyes later or enlist the help of a friend or teacher.

Unprofessional email addresses

You’re applying for a job, so keep it professional. If you’re still using an email address like [email protected]—it’s time to do yourself a favor and open a new account using a more professional address, like [email protected] or [email protected].

In an ideal world, you want to update your resume for each job you’re applying for. That lets you highlight the experience, knowledge, and skills relevant to that job. But who really has the time for that?

Instead, focus on making updates:

• Before starting to look for a new job or type of role.
• After graduating from a college, university, or technical program.
• After earning a certification or other credential.
• When your position changes (for example, due to a promotion or added responsibilities).

By keeping these milestones in mind, your resume will be ready to hit the next hiring manager’s inbox—and make an impression—in no time!

Resume templates for students

You’ve got the tips, now you need the templates.

There are tons of free online resources that let you easily build a resume. I’ve gathered a few of them below with my recommendations on which templates to use. And which to not use.

Remember: Your resume is a professional representation of you. Employers care more about the information within the resume than the design itself. It’s easy to get swept away by the pretty colors and graphics, but some employers frown on highly stylized resume designs, and so do applicant tracking systems.

Microsoft Word templates

There are plenty of free templates available for Microsoft Word users . I recommend starting with one of the following designs:

• Basic modern resume
• Balanced resume
• Simple resume
• Columns resume

Avoid using the Infographic, Blue sky, and Contemporary photo resume templates. They’re simply not professional enough.

Google Doc templates

Did you create your professional email address using Gmail? Well, you’re in luck! Your account gives you access to Google Docs. Explore the template gallery to choose a resume design you like.

The templates are simpler than the ones Microsoft Word offers. Meaning they’re perfect for your first resume, and there are no designs that I recommend avoiding.

Hloom templates

There are hundreds of resume templates available for free on Hloom’s website. Their online builder tool makes it easier to create your resume—particularly if it’s your first one—by walking you through the information to include.

I suggest avoiding the Creative and Contemporary templates.

Resume Genius templates

Like Hloom, Resume Genius offers hundreds of resume templates and a resume builder tool . There are templates available by category—such as transportation and logistics, information technology, and accounting and finance—and even resume templates designed for students and recent graduates .

The templates in Resume Genius are kept simple. They even include tips of their own to guide you to build the best resume possible.

Best of luck and happy resume-building

As you get ready to get out there and find a role, whether as a job, an internship, or apprenticeship , we wish you luck. It may seem daunting at first, but you can do it.