Would you like to start off your career right after completing high school? Our comprehensive guide, focusing on high school student resumes, will arm you with the tools you need for your first job application. With our expertly crafted resume samples, crafting a professional resume is just a few steps away, taking you closer to securing your dream job.
Martin Poduška Editor in Chief / Resume Writer Last updated: April 24, 2024 Average: 4.9 ( 142 votes )
Getting your high school student resume right can be a game-changer. Whether you're going for your first job or applying to college, a good resume can make all the difference.
Crafting a great resume might feel like a challenge, but don't worry — you've got this! With the right guidance, handy examples, and helpful templates, we can walk through this together. So, let's start building your resume, a showcase of your skills, abilities, and proudest moments, ready to impress.
Intern at Xactly Corporation Resume Sample
Hired by:
Hired by: Xactly Corporation Part-Time Job Resume Example for a Teen 
In this guide, we'll teach you everything you need to know about writing a resume as a high school student. Keep reading to learn all about:
In general, the standard resume format is the reverse-chronological resume. This resume focuses on work experience, listing your most recent job first and working chronologically backward from there.
However, unless you have many years of experience working in professional positions, then you will likely not have enough work experience as a high school student for this format. As a result, you may want to consider one of the following alternative formats:
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A resume summary is a brief introductory statement at the beginning of your resume that helps to show your best attributes to the person reading it.
When writing your summary, it's important to include compelling details such as academic accomplishments or key work experience. This will catch the attention of employers and encourage them to read further into your resume and remember you later on.
To help demonstrate how to write an effective resume summary, here is an example of a weak one followed by a correction and explanation.
Soon-to-be high school graduate seeking employment as an office assistant. Served as the school’s morning announcer and office assistant for several years. Flexible schedule, with after-school club activities on Tuesdays.
Why does it fall short? In this example, the student includes great examples of their professional goals and how their in-school experience ties into these goals. However, they should strive to provide more specific and quantifiable details, such as how many years they worked as an office assistant or what clubs they are a part of.
Hard-working High School Senior with 2+ years of experience volunteering as the high school office assistant, providing morning announcements and assisting with student check-ins. Co-president of the Student Debate Club, responsible for planning weekly Tuesday meetings.
Why is this example better? In this example, the applicant is far more specific with their experience as an office assistant. Rather than stating they are a “soon-to-be graduate,” the applicant instead says the exact year in school they are (High School Senior). Overall, this example has a lot more detail and specificity that makes it a more compelling summary.
When listing skills on your resume, it is important to include a variety of different types of skills to choose from. Most abilities can be divided into two main categories:
Including both of these types of skills on your resume is essential, as it will show the person reading the document that you know the importance of both. Plus, it will help you to showcase your diverse skillset!
With this in mind, here are 10 examples of both hard and soft skills that are great to include on a high school student’s resume:
As a high school student, you likely do not have very much work experience just yet.
If you have worked in part-time positions, then these should be included within your work experience section. However, if you have never worked a job, you may need to consider extracurriculars you can describe and sub in for formal jobs in a section simply titled “Experience” or “Hands-On Experience.” This can include academic positions you have held, such as being a team captain or club president.
No matter what experience you choose to describe on your resume, consider which details will make these examples more compelling. The more specific you can be the better!
Barron Collier High, Naples, FL
Varsity Soccer Captain
August 2020 to Present
Why is it ineffective? This example lacks depth and specificity, making it less impactful compared to a well-detailed description. It simply lists duties without assigning much meaning to them or demonstrating their value. It doesn't fully capitalize on the chance to highlight essential skills or achievements related to the role.
Barron Collier High, Naples, FL
Varsity Soccer Captain
August 2020 to Present
Why does it work? This example is detailed and purposefully tailored to reflect specific tasks, accomplishments, and the candidate's contributions to the team. By demonstrating leadership skills, initiative, and impact, it effectively presents a more compelling picture of the candidate's experiences and potential.
Using action words in your high school student resume can make a big difference. They're dynamic 'doing' words that breeze energy and accomplishment into your application.
These words can:
Integrating these action words throughout your resume can help you paint a vivid picture of your strengths and achievements, giving you an extra edge in your job or college applications.
When you write a resume as a high school student, you will likely still be in the process of completing your education and earning your high school diploma.
It is always necessary to indicate on your resume that your education is ongoing. Additionally, you should list your expected date of graduation, as well as the specific name of the school to give credibility to your educational credentials.
If you have any notable academic achievements — such as membership in an honor society or extracurriculars — these can make good extra details to add to your education section as well.
East Rowan High School, Salisbury, NC
High School Diploma
Academic Achievements:
Beyond your academic achievements and extracurricular activities, the extra sections you include in your resume can add depth and dimension to your profile, making you stand out from the crowd.
Choose extra sections that reflect your passions, talents, and experiences. For instance, if you're a budding artist, showcase your artistic endeavors with a "Creative projects" section, where you can list any art competitions, exhibitions, or personal projects you've worked on.
Another excellent addition could be a "Leadership and Volunteer Experience" section, where you can highlight any community service, mentoring roles, or leadership positions you've held. These extra sections paint a vivid picture of who you are beyond the classroom, making your resume an inspiring tapestry of your accomplishments and aspirations.
Creative Projects
Art Competition - First Place Winner, City Art Fest (Date)
School Mural Project, School Name (Date)
Personal Art Portfolio, Ongoing
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Creating a flawless resume may seem daunting, especially as a high school student at the start of your professional journey. Fear not, let's go through some typical mistakes and how you can avoid them:
Remember, your resume is your personal marketing tool. Making it as polished and compelling as possible starts by avoiding these common pitfalls.
Including a cover letter with your high school student resume can be a wise move. It provides an extra opportunity to showcase your personality, explain achievements, and highlight why you're a strong fit for the job or college you're applying for.
Your resume and cover letter serve different purposes. Your resume is like a factual summary of your skills, accomplishments, and experiences. It's typically a quick, at-a-glance document for employers to assess your qualifications.
On the other hand, your cover letter is your chance to tell a compelling story about who you are. It's where you can dive deeper into specific accomplishments or experiences and explain why you're interested in the opportunity. A well-written cover letter can complement your resume and give recruiters more context about you as a candidate.
So, when should you include a cover letter? When it's specifically requested, or when you feel that the resume doesn't capture the whole picture of your potential. It's one more tool in your job application toolkit, and if used well, it can help you stand out and make a strong impression.
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When you're in high school and looking for your first job, it can feel like a bit of a minefield. Navigating the job market isn't easy, but thankfully there are plenty of resources out there designed specifically to help high school students like you:
Remember, the job search can be a bit of an adventure, so keep an open mind and keep learning along the way. Don't be disheartened by rejections. Treat them as learning experiences and continue refining your search. Happy job hunting!
Absolutely! Non-work related activities, particularly those involving leadership roles or skills directly related to the job you're applying for, can demonstrate your values, commitment, and versatility. Highlight team sports, club participation, volunteer work, or even notable class projects.
It's completely normal for high school students to have limited work experience. Focus on transferable skills you've gathered from school, extracurricular activities, or volunteering. Think of instances where you've demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, or leadership, as these are highly desired by employers.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but typically starting with a strong introduction about yourself, followed by education, experience/extra-curricular activities, and skills sections work well for high school students. Remember to keep it concise, clear, and relevant.
While function should definitely take precedence over the form, a clean, professional, and easy-to-read resume can make a great first impression. Steer clear of overly complicated designs and stick with standard fonts, bullet points, and white space to improve readability.
Absolutely. Customizing your resume for each job application shows the employer that you're genuinely interested in the role. Highlight the relevant skills and experiences that match the job description - it takes a little extra effort, but it can make all the difference.
