Crafting a strong resumé as a high school student is an essential step toward achieving academic and career goals. Whether you’re preparing for college applications, looking for part-time work, or applying for internships, a well-organized resumé showcases your skills, experiences, and accomplishments effectively. While it may feel intimidating to start this process without extensive professional experience, there are strategic ways to highlight what you bring to the table. Building a resumé at this stage in life is all about focusing on potential, transferable skills, and achievements that make you stand out.
Why a Resumé Matters for High School Students
A resumé isn’t just a document listing your achievements. It’s often your first impression for potential employers, internship coordinators, or admission committees. Even if you’re still in high school and just starting to explore your career path, a resumé helps you organize your goals and communicate your strengths clearly. By learning how to structure your resumé now, you’ll develop essential skills that will serve you throughout your professional life.
A high school resumé is also an opportunity to show your versatility. Whether you’ve gained experience through babysitting, volunteering, sports teams, clubs, or part-time jobs, all of these can be translated into resumé-worthy skills! It’s your chance to tell a compelling story about what makes you unique.
How to Build a Strong Resumé
1. Start with Your Contact Information
The basics are important! At the top of your resumé, include your full name, phone number, email address, and location. Your email address should be professional (ideally, something like firstname.lastname@email.com) and easy to recognize. For location, listing your city and state is sufficient; there’s no need to include your full address.
2. Write a Compelling Objective or Summary Statement
Since you’re in high school and likely have limited experience, an objective statement can clarify your goals. Keep it concise—just 2-3 sentences—that describe your aspirations and what you aim to achieve. For example:
“Motivated high school student with strong leadership skills seeking an internship in digital marketing to apply my creativity and technical knowledge while gaining valuable hands-on experience in the industry.”
This demonstrates your enthusiasm and ambition while aligning with the opportunity you’re seeking.
3. Highlight Your Education
For high school students, the education section is often the most robust part of the resumé. Be sure to include the name of your school, your expected graduation year, and any academic honors or relevant coursework. If your GPA is strong (typically 3.5 or above), you can also include it here. For example:
Education
Springfield High School | Springfield, IL
Expected Graduation: May 2024
GPA: 3.8 / 4.0
- Relevant Coursework: Advanced Math, Creative Writing, AP Computer Science
4. Include Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles
Extracurricular activities are an excellent way to highlight transferable skills. Whether you’re part of the debate team, a student government officer, or a member of your school’s theater club, these roles show commitment, teamwork, and leadership capabilities. Use bullet points to break down what you did in each role and quantify your achievements if possible. For instance:
Extracurricular Activities
- Captain, Varsity Soccer Team
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- Led team to the state semi-finals and increased team morale through organized training sessions.
- Treasurer, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
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- Managed a budget of $1,000 and coordinated fundraising events, raising an additional $2,500 in one semester.
5. Add Volunteer and Work Experience
If you’ve participated in volunteer activities or had a part-time job, this section is invaluable. Focus on responsibilities that align with teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. For example, even babysitting experience can highlight responsibility and time management.
Work Experience
- Retail Associate, Sunshine Books (2022 – Present)
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- Maintained an organized inventory and provided outstanding customer service to an average of 30+ customers per shift.
Volunteer Experience
- Volunteer Tutor, Springfield Community Center (2021 – 2022)
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- Helped five elementary students improve their math skills, with measurable improvement in their test scores.
6. Focus on Skills
The skills section is particularly useful for high school students. List abilities such as proficiency in software (e.g., Microsoft Office or Photoshop), technical skills (e.g., coding), or soft skills (e.g., communication, creativity). Be honest—don’t exaggerate your proficiency, but highlight what sets you apart.
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS coding
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent problem-solving and creative thinking abilities
7. Use Action Words and Quantify Accomplishments
Whenever possible, use action verbs such as “led,” “organized,” “developed,” or “achieved” to describe your responsibilities. Quantify your accomplishments by including numbers, percentages, or specific metrics. For example, instead of saying “Performed customer service duties,” a stronger phrase would be “Resolved customer inquiries for 20+ customers per shift, improving satisfaction rates.”
Tips for Creating an Impressive Resumé
- Keep It to One Page
A resumé for high school students should ideally fit on one page. Use clear headers and bullet points to make it easy to read.
- Proofread Carefully
Grammar and formatting errors can leave a poor impression. Have a teacher, mentor, or family member review your resumé before sending it out.
- Tailor Your Resumé
Customize your resumé based on the opportunity you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re seeking a role in a tech-related field, prioritize listing programming skills or relevant coursework first.
- Leverage Free Tools and Templates
There are numerous free resumé templates and builders online that provide a professional design and structure, such as those offered by Canva or Zety. Learn more about free resumé tools here.
Final Thought
Building a resumé as a high school student is about highlighting your potential and making the most of your unique experiences. By focusing on transferable skills, academic achievements, and extracurricular involvement, you can craft a document that sets you apart, even with limited professional experience. The effort you put into creating your resumé now will not only open doors today but also set a solid foundation for success in your academic and professional future.
