High School Resume Examples

High School Resume Example and Template

Creating your first resume in high school can feel overwhelming. I’m here to break it down and keep it simple.

You don’t need loads of experience. If you focus on your skills, activities, and achievements, you’ll be set.

I’ll walk you through a real example and a template. This way, you can see exactly how to format your own resume.

Why a Resume Matters for High School Students

You might think a resume is just for adults, but it actually helps high school students stand out. Even with little work experience, you have skills and activities worth sharing.

A resume shows you’re serious about finding a job, internship, or volunteer spot. Employers like seeing a clear summary of what you can bring to the table.

Most teens don’t work during the school year-only about one in three worked during summer 2018, according to the BLS. That means your resume can set you apart.

Top First Jobs for High School Students

You’ve got options. About 25% of working teens start in food service, like fast food or coffee shops. These jobs offer flexible hours and teach you customer service skills.

Retail is another popular pick. Over 10% of high school students work in sales or cashier roles. This helps you build communication skills and learn about teamwork fast.

If you like variety, check out office support or personal care jobs. Babysitting, lifeguarding, or tutoring can fit busy school schedules. You’ll learn responsibility and time management right away.

How to Write a High School Resume: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a High School Resume: Step-by-Step Guide

Choosing the Best Resume Format

Resume Header and Contact Information

Writing a Compelling Resume Summary

Highlighting Skills That Get You Noticed

Showcasing Education and Academic Achievements

Listing Work Experience and Internships

Including Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work

How to List or Put High School on a Resume

Job Resume for High School Students: What to Include

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Writing a high school resume can feel tough, especially if you don’t have much work experience. Don’t worry-there’s plenty you can include that employers value.

I’ll break down each section, from choosing the right format to listing your skills, education, and activities. Each step helps you show off what you bring to the table.

Choosing the Best Resume Format

Let’s talk formats. I know picking the right one can feel confusing, but it actually depends on what you want to show off first-skills, education, or experience.

Most high school students skip the traditional chronological format, since work history is usually pretty short. Instead, I recommend a functional or hybrid format.

A functional format highlights your skills and achievements up top. A hybrid format mixes skills with any work or volunteer experience you do have. Both help you stand out, even with limited job experience.

Choose the format that fits your strengths and the job you’re aiming for. This helps employers see what makes you a strong candidate, even before they dig into the details.

Resume Header and Contact Information

Start your resume with a clear header. I always put my full name at the very top, bolded and easy to spot. This helps recruiters remember who you are.

Add your phone number, a professional email, and your city or town. Employers contact you through this info, so double-check for typos. No need to add your full home address.

Use an email that sounds grown-up-think your name, not nicknames. Over 70% of employers say unprofessional emails hurt your chances. If you have a LinkedIn, include that link too.

Writing a Compelling Resume Summary

Your resume summary sits right under your contact info. It’s a quick intro-usually two or three sentences-that shows off who you are and what you bring to the table.

Think about your best qualities. Are you organized, creative, or good at solving problems? Mention strengths that match the job you want. This helps your personality stand out.

Keep it specific and relevant. Use keywords from the job description. For example, say you’re “a reliable high school student with strong communication skills and a 3.8 GPA.” That’s clear and factual.

A strong summary grabs attention right away. Once you nail this part, you’re ready to highlight the skills that make you even more memorable.

Highlighting Skills That Get You Noticed

Most employers look for soft skills like reliability, communication, and teamwork. Listing these shows you’re ready to learn and take responsibility, even with little job experience.

Don’t ignore hard skills-think Microsoft Office, social media, or even basic coding. If you know specific software or languages, call them out. This helps your resume stand out in applicant tracking systems.

I always recommend reading the job description and matching your skills to their keywords. Around 75% of resumes never reach a real person because they miss those keywords.

Showcasing Education and Academic Achievements

Your education section matters a lot on a high school resume. I always put it near the top, right after my summary or skills.

Don’t just list your school and graduation year. Add relevant coursework, GPA (if it’s above 3.0), honors, or awards. This shows what you focus on and what you excel at.

If you have academic projects or special classes that connect to the job, mention them. Employers notice details like AP courses, Honor Roll, or class rank. This helps you stand out.

Listing Work Experience and Internships

Work experience isn’t just about paid jobs. I always include internships, summer gigs, and even family business roles. Every bit of experience helps my resume stand out.

List your most recent job or internship first, then go backward. I use job title, company, location, and dates for each listing. This keeps things super clear and organized.

Don’t just name the job. I always add a few bullet points with specific tasks or results. For example, “helped 20+ customers daily” or “managed cash register with 100% accuracy.”

Including Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work

Extracurriculars and volunteer work show you’re more than just grades. Clubs, sports, and community service tell employers you’ve got drive, teamwork, and time management under your belt.

You don’t need a ton of experience-just list relevant activities. If you’re part of three clubs or helped out at a charity, put it on your resume. Be specific about your role.

I like to add measurable impact: “Raised $500 for a food drive,” or “Organized a 20-person volunteer event.” This helps your resume pop and gives real numbers to your achievements.

How to List or Put High School on a Resume

Wondering if you should put high school on your resume? If you’re still in school or just finished, yes, absolutely include it-especially if you don’t have a college degree yet.

When you list high school on your resume, keep it simple. Include the school name, city, expected graduation date, and GPA if it’s strong (usually 3.0 or above). That’s it.

If you’ve already started college, you can usually skip your high school unless it’s your only education. Most employers expect to see a high school diploma on resume for entry-level jobs.

Job Resume for High School Students: What to Include

When I build a job resume for high school student roles, I always focus on relevant information. Every section should show off your strengths-even if you don't have much paid experience.

Your high school job resume should include your resume summary, education, skills, and any part-time work or volunteering. These sections help you stand out, even if you’re new to the workforce.

Don’t forget: Awards, certifications, and special projects are fair game. Employers like to see evidence of commitment and growth. I always recommend keeping things clear, honest, and easy to scan.

Once you've got these basics, your resume is ready for entry-level jobs, internships, or even scholarships. Just remember-tailor your resume for every application!

Resume Formatting, Layout, and Design Tips

Resume Formatting, Layout, and Design Tips

Why Use a Resume Template?

Personalizing Your Resume

Resume Templates for High Schoolers (Including Google Docs & Free Options)

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A resume that’s clear and easy to read helps you stand out. You don’t need fancy graphics or bright colors to make an impression.

I always recommend clean formatting for high school resumes. It looks professional and lets your experience shine, even if you don’t have a lot of jobs yet.

You’ve got options-templates, personalized layouts, and even free tools online. I’ll break down how you can use these to build a resume that works for you.

Why Use a Resume Template?

Building a resume from scratch can take hours, especially if you’re not into graphic design. Templates cut that time down and give you a clean, professional look.

I see a lot of high schoolers stress about margins, fonts, and spacing. Templates handle all that, so you can focus on your achievements, not formatting.

There are over 50 free template options online. Using one helps you avoid messy layouts or formatting errors that make your resume hard to read.

Personalizing Your Resume

I always tell students to make their resume feel like them, while keeping it clean. You can choose fonts like Calibri, Georgia, or Helvetica for a fresh look.

Don’t overload with color-one accent shade is enough. I stick to black for most text since it’s easiest to read on every screen and printer.

Swap out default template colors if you want, but keep it simple. This helps your achievements stand out, not just the resume design itself.

Resume Templates for High Schoolers (Including Google Docs & Free Options)

If you’re just starting out, resume templates for high schoolers make life way easier. You can find dozens of free resume templates for high school students online, including Google Docs.

I like using a high school resume template Google Docs because it’s quick to edit and share. These templates keep formatting neat, so you don’t waste time fighting with margins.

There are options for every experience level. Just pick one that feels clean and easy to read. Simple layouts help your strengths stand out right away.

Free templates remove the stress of design, so you can focus on your content. Once you find one that fits, you’re ready to fill it in and start applying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your High School Resume

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your High School Resume

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It’s easy to overlook simple errors on your first resume. I’ve seen spelling mistakes, missing info, and awkward formatting pop up all the time.

You want your resume to stand out for the right reasons. Let’s go through a few common mistakes you can easily avoid.

High School Resume Example: Complete Sample

You don’t need years of work experience to build a solid high school resume. I see students land jobs, internships, and scholarships with the right setup.

This example shows you what details to include and how to structure everything. It covers the basics-education, activities, skills, and more-so you feel confident starting your own.

Key Takeaways for Writing a High School Resume

Writing a high school resume is about showing off your skills and experience, even if you don’t have formal jobs yet. Employers want to see what makes you stand out.

You can use school activities, volunteer work, and personal projects. Soft skills matter a lot. Make sure your resume is clear, professional, and free of mistakes.

Related Resume Examples for Students

You don’t need tons of experience to build a strong resume. I see plenty of students land their first jobs or internships with the right format.

If you want to explore different student resume styles, you’re in the right spot. There are examples for various backgrounds, from volunteering to club leadership.

High School Teacher and Coach Resume & Cover Letter Examples

If you’re looking for high school teacher resume examples, you’re in the right spot. I break down real templates and tips you can use right now.

You’ll also find high school football coach resume examples and high school teacher cover letter examples. Everything here helps you land interviews and stand out to principals.

High School Student Cover Letter Examples

Writing your first cover letter as a high school student can feel intimidating. I know it’s tough to find examples that actually fit your experience level.

That’s why I’m sharing high school cover letter examples geared toward real students. You’ll see what works, what employers look for, and how to highlight your strengths.