EASY GUIDE to Writing a High School Student Resume (with Free Templates!)

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide for high school students and recent graduates on how to create a standout resume. It explains how to highlight relevant experiences like volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and personal projects, even if you don't have formal job experience. The video covers key sections of a resume, such as contact information, objectives, education, and skills, offering practical tips on formatting, keyword use, and saving your resume in different formats. It empowers viewers to build a professional resume that showcases their potential and skills, ready to impress employers.

Takeaways

• 😀 You don't need previous job experience to create a high school resume; you can highlight other experiences like volunteering, extracurricular activities, and personal projects.
• 😀 Keep your resume to one page, focusing on the most relevant skills and experiences for the job you're applying for.
• 😀 Include essential contact information: your name, phone number, and a professional email address.
• 😀 Add an objective or summary to your resume, briefly stating the job you're seeking and what skills or goals you have for the position.
• 😀 List your education, including your high school and graduation date. Skip your GPA unless it's above 3.5, but mention relevant coursework if applicable.
• 😀 If you don't have work experience, include volunteer work, school clubs, extracurricular activities, side gigs, and personal projects.
• 😀 In the experience section, detail your roles and responsibilities, even for non-paid positions like babysitting, event planning, or school leadership roles.
• 😀 Highlight your skills, both soft (e.g., communication, teamwork, adaptability) and hard (e.g., proficiency in Google Workplace, Microsoft Office, languages).
• 😀 Avoid vague soft skills like 'people skills' in the skills section. Instead, show them through examples in your bullet points or objective statement.
• 😀 Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by including keywords and skills mentioned in the job description.
• 😀 Proofread your resume, run a spelling and grammar check, and ensure it fits on one page. Save your file as both a DOCX and a PDF for compatibility.

Q & A

What should I include in the contact information section of my resume?

In the contact information section, you should include your full name, phone number, and a professional email address. Make sure your email is simple and clear, such as [email protected].

What is an objective on a resume, and what should it include?

An objective, also known as a summary or profile, is a brief 2-3 sentence statement at the beginning of your resume. It should mention the type of job you're looking for, highlight a couple of your relevant skills and qualities, and state your goals, like gaining experience or contributing to a team.

Should I include my GPA on my high school resume?

You should only list your GPA if it is above a 3.5. Employers generally don't care about your GPA unless it's relevant to the job you're applying for. However, you can mention relevant classes you've taken if they relate to the job you're seeking.

What can I include in the experience section if I haven’t had a paid job yet?

You can include volunteer work, extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, student government, significant school projects, personal projects, or side gigs like babysitting or helping a family business. Detail your role and accomplishments in these activities to show your relevant experience.

What type of skills should I list on my high school resume?

On your resume, list both soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility) and hard skills (e.g., technical abilities, computer proficiency, language skills). Soft skills are valuable, but you should also demonstrate them in your experience section, rather than just listing them.

Is it necessary to list soft skills like 'people skills' on my resume?

It’s generally better not to list vague soft skills like 'people skills' on your resume. Instead, show how you've used those skills through your experiences. For high schoolers or recent grads, it’s okay to mention them, but only if you can back them up with concrete examples.

How can I tailor my resume to a specific job listing?

You can tailor your resume by including keywords from the job ad. Look for the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description and incorporate them into your resume, especially in your skills and experience sections.

What is the recommended length for a high school resume?

A high school resume should be one page long. Keep it clear and concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Avoid spilling onto a second page.

What file formats should I save my resume in?

Save your resume first as a .docx file, which is editable in Word and Google Docs. Then, save it as a PDF file to preserve its formatting and ensure it looks the same on any device.

How do I ensure that my resume looks professional?

To make sure your resume looks professional, use a well-designed, print-friendly resume template. Proofread your resume carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes, and ensure it’s easy to read and free from clutter.