How to make a resume for high school student?
A high school resume is your ticket to jobs, scholarships, internships, and college applications. It highlights your skills, achievements, and experiences in a clear, professional format. Here's what you need to include:
- Contact Details: Name, phone, email, city, and optional LinkedIn.
- Objective Statement: A short, targeted summary of your goals.
- Education: School name, GPA (if 3.0+), relevant coursework, and honors.
- Skills: Technical (e.g., Microsoft Office) and soft skills (e.g., teamwork).
- Extracurriculars: Activities like sports, clubs, or leadership roles.
- Work/Volunteer Experience: Focus on responsibilities and measurable results.
Tips for Success:
- Use a clean, ATS-friendly format.
- Tailor your resume for each opportunity.
- Proofread thoroughly to avoid errors.
Your resume doesn't need to be perfect - it just needs to clearly show your strengths and potential. Now, dive into the full guide to polish your resume and stand out!
How To Make a Resume For Students
Components of a High School Resume
Building a strong high school resume means focusing on key elements that highlight your abilities and potential. Here's a breakdown of what to include.
Contact Details and Header
Start with a clear, professional header. Your full name should be at the top in a slightly larger font (14-16pt) than the rest of the text. Below that, include:
| Contact Element | Example and Tips |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | (555) 123-4567 - Use a professional voicemail message |
| Email Address | [email protected] - Avoid using nicknames or unprofessional handles |
| Location | City, State - No need for your full address |
| LinkedIn Profile | linkedin.com/in/yourname - Optional, but a plus if well-maintained |
These details make your resume easy to read and professional, ensuring it works well for both recruiters and applicant tracking systems.
Objective Statement
Write a brief, targeted objective statement that aligns with the role or opportunity. For example:
"Dedicated high school junior with leadership experience in student government, seeking a summer internship in marketing. Offers strong communication skills and creative problem-solving abilities honed as editor of the school newspaper" [1][3].
Education Details
For high school students, education often forms the backbone of a resume. Include:
| Component | What to Include |
|---|---|
| School Information | Lincoln High School, Portland, OR (Expected Graduation: June 2026) |
| GPA | Add if it's 3.0 or higher (e.g., GPA: 3.8/4.0) |
| Relevant Coursework | Highlight classes related to the job or program (e.g., AP Computer Science, Marketing 101) |
| Academic Honors | Examples: National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Subject Awards |
Focus on achievements that make you stand out. For example, if you're applying for a tech internship, emphasize STEM-related coursework or extracurricular activities [1][2].
With these core sections complete, you're ready to highlight the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate.
Highlighting Skills and Experiences
Your skills and experiences, even without a formal work history, can make your resume stand out to employers. Here’s how to showcase them effectively.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities can highlight your ability to take initiative, manage your time, and lead others. Focus on measurable outcomes to make your achievements clear.
| Activity Type | How to Present It | Example Description |
|---|---|---|
| Student Government | Emphasize leadership and impact | "Student Body Treasurer - Managed $50,000 annual budget, implemented a digital tracking system, cutting processing time by 40%" |
| Academic Teams | Highlight achievements and skills | "Debate Team Captain - Led team to state finals, mentored new members, and secured 1st place in a regional competition" |
| Varsity Sports | Focus on commitment and teamwork | "Varsity Soccer Team Member - Contributed to state championship win, organized weekly team-building activities, and maintained a 3.5 GPA while training 15 hours weekly" |
In addition to school activities, part-time jobs and volunteer work can also demonstrate skills like dedication and responsibility.
Work and Volunteer Experience
When describing work or volunteer roles, focus on specifics:
- Clearly outline responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Use numbers to show impact.
- Highlight skills you developed or applied.
- Mention any recognition you received.
For example, instead of saying, "Helped customers at a retail store", try this:
"Sales Associate at Target - Assisted 40+ customers daily, maintained 98% inventory accuracy, and earned Employee of the Month twice for excellent service."
Another example:
"Camp Counselor at Sunny Days Camp - Designed and led daily activities for 50+ children, ensured safety and engagement, and received recognition for outstanding mentorship."
Relevant Skills
Include a mix of technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills that align with the role you're pursuing. Tailor this section to match the job or opportunity.
| Skill Type | Examples | How to Demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Skills | Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Basic HTML | "Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite - Used Excel to track club budgets and created engaging presentations for school events" |
| Communication | Public Speaking, Writing | "Delivered presentations to 200+ students at school assemblies" |
| Leadership | Team Management, Event Planning | "Coordinated a 5-person yearbook committee, ensuring all deadlines were met" |
For a scholarship application, focus on leadership and academic abilities. For a part-time job, emphasize customer service and teamwork. Tailoring your skills to the opportunity is key.
Resume Design and Formatting
Crafting a polished resume starts with smart design and formatting choices. For high school students, keeping the layout clean and simple is key to making a strong impression.
Choosing a Resume Format
The hybrid format is ideal for high school students. It blends elements of chronological and functional formats, making it easier to showcase academic accomplishments and extracurricular activities alongside any limited work experience.
| Format Type | Best For | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | High school students | Highlights both skills and achievements |
| Chronological | Those with work experience | Demonstrates career progression |
| Functional | Career changers | Focuses on transferable skills |
ATS-Friendly Templates
To ensure your resume gets through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), stick to the basics. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12pt), opt for a single-column layout, and include clear section headings. Save your resume as a .docx or PDF, depending on the employer's requirements. These steps not only make your resume look professional but also improve its chances of passing ATS scans.
As career expert Toni Frana notes:
"The first step is ensuring that your resume is in the correct format for an ATS to scan and parse the information. Highlighting the key skills mentioned in the job description will help your resume stand out from other applicants."
Organizing Information
Stick to consistent formatting: use 0.5-1 inch margins, bold headers, and clear spacing for a clean look. Place your education and achievements at the top to grab attention quickly, and maintain the same bullet point style throughout. Aim to keep your resume to one page, prioritizing the most important details.
If you’re unsure where to start, free online tools can provide professional, ATS-friendly templates. With a well-structured, ATS-compatible resume, you’ll be ready to fine-tune it for each job or opportunity you pursue.
Conclusion: Tips for Resume Success
Proofreading and Editing
An error-free resume showcases your professionalism and attention to detail. Start with tools like Grammarly for a quick review, but don’t stop there - print out your resume and go through it line by line. Even small mistakes can hurt your credibility, so double-check every piece of information.
Customizing Your Resume
"Put your best effort into your high school resume. It is a valuable tool for all students and will make life easier whether you are applying to college, for a job or internship or trying to win a scholarship." [3]
Make your resume stand out by tailoring it to the specific role or opportunity. Focus on including keywords and experiences that align with the job or program requirements:
| Customization Element | Purpose | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Keywords and Skills Alignment | Matches ATS and job criteria | Boosts visibility and highlights strengths |
| Relevant Experience | Aligns with specific needs | Demonstrates direct qualifications |
Using Resume Tools
Leverage tools designed to create ATS-friendly resumes for a polished and professional look. As resume expert Sinéad emphasizes:
"An ideal resume is straightforward and easy to read, so be sure to set equal margins all around." [4]
Considering that recruiters spend only about seven seconds on an initial review, a clean and easy-to-read layout is crucial. Highlight your strengths clearly and concisely to leave a positive impression on hiring managers or admissions teams. With these finishing touches, your resume will be ready to shine.