How to Write a High School Student Resume

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.

Take Inventory

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.

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. 

Start Your Resume

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

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.

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.

Proofread Your Resume Carefully

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.

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.