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Building Your First Resume: Tips for High School Students

Jashan Gill


Creating a resume as a high school student can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you have limited work experience. But don’t worry! Colleges, internships, and job recruiters understand that high school students are just starting out. Your resume is simply a way to showcase your unique skills, accomplishments, and potential.


In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of building a standout resume, even if this is your first time.


1. Start with a Simple Header


Your resume should begin with a clean header that includes your name, contact information, and location (city and state are enough). Make sure your email address sounds professional, and consider creating a separate email for job and college applications if needed.


What to Include:

  • Full Name: Use your first and last name.

  • Contact Information: Email and phone number.

  • Location: City, state, or country.


2. Write a Short Objective or Summary


A resume objective is a brief statement at the top of your resume that explains who you are and what you’re looking for. It helps set the tone for the rest of your resume and gives recruiters a quick idea of your goals.


Example Objective:

  • "Motivated high school student with strong academic performance and leadership experience, seeking an internship to gain hands-on experience in marketing."


Pro Tip: Tailor your objective to match the job or internship you’re applying for. It can make a big difference!


3. Highlight Your Education


Your education section should include the name of your high school, location, and expected graduation date. If you have a strong GPA (generally 3.5 or higher), include it to showcase your academic dedication.


Example Education Section:

  • [School Name], [City, State]

    • Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]

    • GPA: 3.8/4.0 (if applicable)


If you’ve taken relevant coursework, like computer science or business classes, list a few of them here to show any specialized knowledge.


4. Focus on Extracurricular Activities


Since high school students may not have a lot of work experience, extracurricular activities are a great way to showcase your skills, interests, and dedication. Think about clubs, sports teams, volunteer work, or leadership roles you’ve held.


Example Extracurricular Section:

  • President, Student Council

    • Organized school events and led weekly meetings with a team of 10 students.

    • Developed and presented new student engagement initiatives.

  • Volunteer, Local Animal Shelter

    • Assisted with caring for animals and organizing community adoption events.

    • Developed skills in teamwork, responsibility, and community engagement.


Pro Tip: Use action verbs (like “organized,” “developed,” “assisted”) to make your experience sound strong and impactful.


5. Add Any Part-Time Jobs or Internships


If you’ve held a part-time job or internship, even if it’s unrelated to your intended career path, include it! Work experience demonstrates responsibility, time management, and real-world skills that colleges and employers value.


Example Work Experience Section:

  • Cashier, Local Grocery Store

    • Provided friendly customer service and assisted with daily operations.

    • Maintained cash register accuracy and developed multitasking skills.

  • Intern, Local Nonprofit Organization

    • Assisted with event planning and managed social media content.

    • Gained insight into nonprofit operations and public relations.


Even if the role doesn’t directly align with your future goals, it still highlights important soft skills.


6. List Key Skills


Incorporate a skills section that highlights both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical or specific abilities, like knowing how to use certain software, while soft skills include qualities like teamwork and communication.


Example Skills Section:

  • Hard Skills: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Social Media, Basic HTML

  • Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Time Management


Pro Tip: Match some of your skills with keywords from the job or internship listing to help your resume stand out.


7. Include Awards and Achievements


Awards, honors, and achievements can set you apart. Whether it’s an academic honor, a sports achievement, or recognition in the arts, this section helps show your dedication and accomplishments.


Example Achievements Section:

  • Honor Roll, 2019-2023

    • Recognized for maintaining high academic performance each semester.

  • Debate Competition Winner, 2022

    • Awarded first place at the regional debate competition.

Including this section can strengthen your resume by showing your achievements outside the classroom.


8. Use Formatting to Your Advantage


A clean, well-organized layout is essential. Stick to a simple, professional font (like Arial or Times New Roman), and keep the font size around 10-12 points. Use bullet points for easy reading, and avoid adding too many colors or decorative fonts.


Basic Formatting Tips:

  • Keep it to one page: A single page is plenty for a high school resume.

  • Use bullet points: Makes it easy for recruiters to skim.

  • Check for consistency: Ensure fonts, sizes, and formatting are consistent throughout.


Pro Tip: Save your resume as a PDF to preserve your formatting and make it easy to share electronically.


9. Proofread Carefully


Once you’ve written your resume, proofread it carefully to catch any typos or errors. A well-written resume is essential to making a good first impression.


Editing Tips:

  • Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing.

  • Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to review it for feedback.

  • Double-check all dates, names, and numbers.


Even minor mistakes can make your resume look rushed, so take the time to make sure it’s perfect.


Conclusion


Building your first resume may seem challenging, but it’s a great opportunity to highlight your strengths, skills, and experiences. Remember, it’s all about showcasing who you are and what you can bring to the table. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a resume that opens doors to future internships, part-time jobs, and college opportunities. Good luck!

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