Show off your academic successes and your volunteering experiences on your high school student resume with the help of our guide. We've got examples you can use!
Whether you've just started high school or you're nearing graduation, it's important to have a student resume and keep it updated.
While you are a student, there are plenty of opportunities for you to add skills to your experience and even test out different job opportunities to see what bests suits you and your wants and needs. Not to mention, colleges may be interested in viewing your resume, too.
Here are some opportunities you can get as a student:
In order to be able to get any of the aforementioned opportunities, it is important for you to have a resume, even if you have little to no experience in the working field.
This guide is here to help you get your resume ready for any opportunity that may present itself to you during your educational years.
Here are the 8 steps we are going to be covering:
The way you format and style your resume can say a lot about you. It shows hiring managers, colleges and recruiters that, even though you're a student, you're respectable and looking to advance yourself.
When creating your resume, don't forget to include these sections:
Tip: Include a portfolio or blog relevant to the job or experience you're applying for, if you have one.
If there are some elements that you don't have from the aforementioned list. Don't worry.
Here are some alternative elements you can include, too:
When it comes to the format of your resume, there are three ways you can do so:
As a high school student, you'll need to see what you have more of to determine which format you'd like to use for your resume.
Ideally, you'll use a hybrid format, which will place emphasis on your experience and your skills.
Take a look at our guide on how to format your resume if you want to learn more.
Like an elevator pitch, your resume summary or objective is a 1-2 sentence blurb that highlights what you want hiring managers and recruiters to get out of your resume or showcases what your overall goals are when applying to a specific position.
It's a quick and easy way to show those viewing your resume that you appreciate their time, which can help you stand out since not everyone writes one.
As a student, here are some elements to include in your resume summary or objective:
Every student resume will be different from other student resumes as it is very much tailored to the student's individual achievements, goals and experiences.
Here's an example of what your student resume summary and objective can look like:
Personable high school junior with a passion for reading and photographing nature. Winner of the National Geography Student Photo Contest looking to develop my landscape photography skills by interning with professional photographers.
Tip: Sometimes, it's easier to write your resume summary after you have already written your resume. That way, it's easier to pick and choose what characteristics to include.
Want to write the perfect resume summary? Our guide on writing resume summaries has tons of examples.
Sometimes, as students, we don't even realize the skills we've picked up in the classroom that can translate to the workplace. Depending on what industry you're planning to go into, what job you're applying for or even what college you're looking to get into, be sure to list relevant skills that will take your resume to the next level.
Even then, there are some key skills you learn in high school that you can include in your resume. Here are some:
On top of these hard skills, be sure to include interpersonal skills like these:
Tip: You can even include skills such as multilingual and CPR certified, too. If you're already thinking of pursuing a specific career, like photography in our resume example, list your skills in that field as well.
Having trouble identifying your skills? We have a guide with 100+ key skills you can include in your resume.
One of the best things about school environments is the ability to get awards and honors. If you've got them, be proud and list them on your resume.
Including an awards and honors section will not only impress colleges, hiring managers and recruiters, but will also show them you are passionate and hard-working.
Here are some honors and awards you can include in your resume if you've achieved them:
Tip: Be sure to include what year you received the award or honor and mention where it is from if it is not obvious.
Here are some examples of awards you can include in your high school student resume:
Tip: Tailor your awards and achievements to what it is you're submitting your resume to, if you can.
Need more help? We've got a guide on how to list your accomplishments in your resume, including awards and achievements.
You're a high school student. Therefore, where you're a student should be included in your resume, especially if you're applying for work-study jobs and are not doing so directly through the school.
When adding an education section to your resume be sure to include:
As a student, it's just important to have your education on your resume.
Here's what the education section of your resume can look like:
John A. Ferguson Senior High School
Miami, FL
2018 — Present
Magnet Student for Photography
GPA: 3.77/4.0
If you're unsure of how to put your GPA on your resume or if you should even include it, take a look at our guide on adding your GPA to your resume, which includes tips and examples.
If you're a student, you're less likely to have tons of work experience because, instead of spending all your time at a job, you're getting an education. Nonetheless, there are experiences you can include in the work experience section of your resume, even if they're just internships.
Here are some items you can include in the work experience section of your resume:
Tip: Been a babysitter, dog sitter, or even dog walker? You can include that, too.
Regardless of what you've done, here are some elements you must include when listing each individual job experience:
Here's an example of what your work experience could look like for a regular part-time job:
Bear Builder, Build A Bear Workshop
Miami, FL • February 2019 — November 2019
If you've done an internship or volunteer work, be sure to follow the same structure as aforementioned.
Here's an example of what your work experience could look like for a volunteer position:
Volunteer Photographer, Teenagers With Experience
Miami, FL • October 2018 — January 2019
Tip: If you're applying to a specific job and you already have experience in that field, be sure to include that experience on your resume. If you don't have experience in that field, include experiences that are relevant.
Want more tips and tricks on how to write your work experience description? Check out our guide on describing your work experience.
In high school, there are lots of clubs for you to get involved in. Not only are they fun and educational, but they look great on your resume, too.
If you're involved in any clubs, and if you're even part of the board for a specific club, create a section in your resume for it.
Here are some elements to include when describing what you're involved in:
If you're needing help listing your involvements, here are some examples:
Vice President of the Photography Club
John A. Ferguson Senior High School • 2019 — Present
Book Club Member
John A. Ferguson Senior High School • 2018 — Present
Yearbook Committee Member
John A. Ferguson Senior High School • 2018 — Present
Tip: If you're not involved in any clubs, list your hobbies instead. We have an article on including your hobbies on your resume that can help.
While including languages on your resume is not necessary, it can help your resume seem more attractive to hiring managers and recruiters.
Being bilingual or multilingual improves your verbal communication, and hiring managers and recruiters are always looking for good communicators.
Here are some languages you can include on your resume if you know them:
Tip: Next to the languages you know on your resume, add if you're fluent, intermediate or a beginner in the language to show hiring managers just how well you know the specific language.
Just because you're a high school student doesn't mean your resume can't be impressive and full of things that you can offer to colleges, hiring managers, and recruiters.
Here's a summary of everything we've discussed that you should include in your resume:
With our guide, you'll be getting that opportunity you've had your eye on in no time. You're only just getting started. The sky is the limit. Good luck!
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