How to Write a High School Resume

Summary

This video guide offers high school students a step-by-step tutorial on crafting a resume. It emphasizes the importance of professional contact information, a tailored profile or objective, and showcasing relevant education and extracurricular activities. The transcript advises on how to highlight leadership roles and achievements, tailoring resumes for each job application, and the significance of including volunteer work. It also clarifies that references should not be included and stresses the need for a concise, one-page resume that is employer-centered, not self-centered.

Takeaways

• 📝 Start with contact information, ensuring it's professional and includes a simple email and voicemail greeting.
• 🔍 Include a LinkedIn profile link or a portfolio website if applicable, to showcase your online presence.
• 💼 Write a professional profile or objective that is employer-centered, highlighting how you can add value to the company.
• 🏫 List your education, including GPA if it's 3.0 or above, and highlight any honors, AP courses, or leadership roles in school activities.
• 🏅 Emphasize extracurricular activities and leadership positions, describing them as you would a job to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
• 👩‍💼 If you have work experience, include it—even volunteer work or part-time jobs can show dedication and valuable skills.
• 📈 Use descriptive language and quantify achievements when possible to add credibility to your resume.
• 📑 Keep your resume to one page, making it concise and tailored to each job or school you apply to.
• 🚫 Avoid including 'references on request' as it's outdated; employers will ask for references if needed.
• 🎯 Tailor your resume for each application, adjusting key words and information to align with the job posting.
• 📚 The video offers a chance to win high school resume templates, encouraging engagement and application of the advice given.

Q & A

What should be the first section of a high school resume?

The first section of a high school resume should be the contact information, including your first and last name, email address, phone number, and optionally a LinkedIn profile or a link to an online portfolio if applicable.

What are some tips for creating a professional email address for a high school resume?

A professional email address should be simple, ideally formatted as '[email protected]'. Avoid creative or cutesy names as it is the employer's first impression of you.

How should a high school student's voicemail greeting sound for a professional setting?

A professional voicemail greeting should be clear and concise, such as 'Hi, you've reached [First and Last Name]. I can't answer your call right now, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.'

What is the purpose of the profile or summary section in a high school resume?

The profile or summary section serves to highlight the student's strengths and how they can add value to the employer or institution, focusing on employer-centered rather than self-centered statements.

Why is it important to tailor the resume for each job application?

Tailoring the resume for each job application ensures that the resume is employer-centered, showcasing the candidate's relevant strengths, experiences, and how they can contribute to the specific job or company.

What should be included in the education section of a high school resume?

The education section should include the high school name, graduation date, GPA if it's 3.0 or above, any honors or AP courses, and any notable achievements such as being on the honor roll or winning a creative writing contest.

How can extracurricular activities be presented in a high school resume?

Extracurricular activities can be presented by listing the club or activity, the role held, and describing the key achievements and skills gained, similar to how one would describe a job.

What is the recommendation for the work experience section if a high school student has no prior work experience?

If a high school student has no prior work experience, they can include volunteer work, part-time jobs, or even activities like babysitting or pet sitting, emphasizing the skills and achievements gained from these experiences.

Why is it beneficial to include volunteer work on a high school resume?

Including volunteer work on a resume shows commitment to the community, the ability to juggle responsibilities, and can speak highly of the candidate's character, which can be appealing to employers.

What should be avoided in the work experience descriptions on a high school resume?

Avoid simply listing job functions; instead, be descriptive and highlight achievements, quantifying results where possible to show how the candidate went above and beyond in their roles.

Why is it not recommended to include references on a high school resume?

Including 'references on request' is outdated and unnecessary. Employers or institutions will ask for references if needed during the later stages of the hiring or application process.

What is the recommended length for a high school resume?

A high school resume should ideally be one page long, as most employers and hiring managers prefer succinct and shorter resumes due to time constraints.