high school student college resume examples

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Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an sat or act program, by submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., write a high school student resume for college applications.

Think resumes are only for job seekers? Think again. A high school student resume gives colleges a snapshot of your accomplishments, extracurriculars, hobbies, and work history. They can also be a useful tool for prepping for a college interview or to give to the teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation .

Not sure how to get started? Follow our tips for crafting a standout resume for college and scholarship applications.

What should go on a high school student resume for college admissions?

Any of the sections below could appear on your resume for college applications. Pick an assortment that works for you!

• Heading with your name, address, and e-mail
• High school information with your graduation date, GPA (weighted), class rank, and SAT/ACT scores
• Academic awards, publications, honors, and other achievements
• Coursework (summer programs, college courses, or other specialized workshops that do not appear on your high school transcript)
• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Work experience
• Special skills (e.g. foreign language fluency or HTML expertise)

When should you submit a resume to colleges?

Some colleges and scholarship committees request or recommend that you include a high school resume with your application materials. (But don’t submit a resume if they don’t ask for one—following instructions is a key application strategy.) Bring your resume to college interviews and give copies to your college counselor and teachers so that they can write you the strongest possible recommendation letter.

Tips for Composing Your College Admissions Resume

1. keep it concise..

Pare down the activities you showcase to the most brag-worthy and most representative of you as a candidate. Do colleges need to know that you were on the field hockey team for one semester in Grade 9? Probably not. The standard rule of thumb is to stick to one or two pages.

2. Focus on depth and length of commitment.

When deciding which activities and accomplishments make the cut, keep in mind that colleges would much rather see you excited about one or two key experiences than sporadic involvement in 20 clubs. If having an after-school job limited your ability to participate in clubs or sports, make sure your resume plays up your work responsibilities, training, and on-the-job skills.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Applying to College

3. Provide detail whenever possible.

The details are what set a resume apart from a list of extracurriculars on a standard college application. For example, when describing your involvement in the French Club make sure to include:

• school years/hours per week you participated
• specific contributions (e.g. "Organized a successful after-school film series to introduce our community to French cinema and culture" )
• leadership roles (e.g. "Treasurer, Grade 12" )
• unique details that will make you stand out

4. Highlight things you weren’t able to write about in your college essays or short answers.

Use your high school resume to show colleges something new. If your devotion to photography didn’t make it on the application but is a big part of who you are, then showcase your photography cred on your resume.

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5. Formatting is key.

Make your resume easy to scan. Divide information into sections with clear headings, bulleted lists, and a consistent font. Use a system of organization that works for you. (Chronological, by importance of activity, or by time commitment are a few options.) Don’t forget to proofread !

6. Be honest and accurate.

Colleges know how to spot inconsistencies in your high school student resume, and they won’t hesitate to call your counselor to verify information that doesn't seem right. So don't tell them that you have practice for the school play for 30 hours per week—unless drama club is somehow your full-time job!

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High School Student resume examples & templates

Include your contact information

Make use of a summary, outline your work experience or extracurriculars, include the relevant key skills that make you a great employee, detail your education & relevant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a high school student resume, great first jobs, high school student resume, text only.

Congratulations! You've decided to take your first steps toward getting a job. Chances are this is your first high school student resume. You may not realize it, but you already have some accomplishments and achievements that will make your high school student resume shine. 

This high school student resume example and writing guide will show you how to capitalize on your experience, skills and knowledge even if you've never held a "real" job!

Resume guide for a high school student resume

Landing your first job can feel daunting, but Resume.io is here to help. Even if you're just starting out, our collection of 350+ resume examples and writing guides (like the one you are reading), along with professional resume templates, a resume builder tool and expert advice, can help you craft the perfect resume with ease.

This writing guide, along with the corresponding high school resume examples, will show you how to capitalize on your experience, skills , and knowledge even if you've never held a "real" job! These are the topics we'll cover.

How to write a high school student resume

Choosing the right resume format for a high school student.

• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the entry-level market looks like, and what salary you can expect

Let’s get started! 

Lack of work experience need not stop you from creating an impressive high school student resume! Generally, it should be structured to include the following key sections: 

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

We’ll be taking a closer look at each of these resume components after covering some general considerations.

Optimize your high school student resume!

Employers receive hundreds of high school resumes for each open position. They don’t have time to look through them all, so they use ATS software to do the initial sorting. That's why most employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

This means you have to know how these algorithm-based systems work and how to get your high school resume past the digital filter. Employers program the software to screen for certain skills and attributes reflected in keywords and phrases. 

The ATS scans resumes on that basis, and then scores and ranks them. Your resume will only make the cut if it is in the top-ranking range. 

Unless you already have some work experience, the most commonly used chronological format may not be suitable for structuring your high school student resume. 

It’s the most straightforward way for job candidates to organize their experience and qualifications below employer headings and dates, in order from most recent to earliest.

But for high school students or recent graduates with little or nothing to list in a traditional employment history section, other resume formats can be ideal. The format you choose should depend on the type of job and industry, and how best to present yourself as an ideal match. 

In cases where specialized knowledge and skills, and possibly extracurricular activities, are relevant to prospective employers, a functional resume may be your best bet. It offers greater flexibility to emphasize your most relevant strengths up front in a section labelled “Experience.” 

A hybrid, or combination, resume format offers even more versatility. You can integrate chronological and functional elements in the most applicable manner, and perhaps even put your education section higher up on the page to emphasize your school interests and accomplishments. 

Let us do the hard work for you! 

Check out the many resume templates in our resume builder and choose the format that best suits your situation. We have a wide variety available as resume examples .

A distinctive resume header sets you apart from other candidates by ensuring your resume gets noticed for the right reasons. An eye-pleasing design will make it inviting to read, while also readily identifying who your resume belongs to and how you can be reached for an interview. Here's what yours needs to include: 

• Full name & title. Simply include your first and last name, along with the role for which you are applying. Tailor this each time.
• Professional email address. Employers won't think highly of an address like [email protected] . Your best bet is the golden standard format of first name (or initials) + last name: [email protected] or [email protected] .
• Phone number. Include a number where you can be reached. You can also include when you are available at the given number.
• Location. You don't need to include your full address. However, you should highlight your location — i.e. your state and city.
• LinkedIn. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is active and highlights your expertise. If that is the case, you can include it on your high school student resume.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth. This move could lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details. Relationship status, social security number, passport number , etc.

Mary Smith  Barista  [email protected] 0811 992 1182 New York, New York

High School Student  [email protected] 0811 992 1182 Apartment 22, Victoria Building, New York In a relationship.

Describing yourself can be tough, but don't hold back. You have many of the qualities employers want. Here's where your personality can shine. 

The 2-3 sentence resume summary (also known as the profile or personal statement ) is the first section, directly under your contact information. It allows you to exhibit a bit of personality while you explain the qualities that will make you a great employee. 

Here are some sample questions to ask yourself when writing your summary:

• What makes me a good student, friend, teammate, family member?
• Which of my skills or personal qualities have helped me in school? Am I organized, creative, responsible?
• What activities, projects, and interests could I describe that translate into job skills?

You can find an adaptable high school student resume examples summary below:

Resourceful and dedicated high school student with excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to learning. Strong organizational abilities with proven success managing multiple academic projects . Well-rounded and professional team player dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at a collegiate level.

Driven and proactive high school student with top-notch time management and organizational skills. Previous experience working with CareKittens charity as a volunteer over two summers. Committed to supporting important causes, furthering education, and learning while on the job.

Before you give up on the work history section, don't forget that your high school experience includes a wealth of opportunities to draw from. 

Give yourself credit for jobs you've done for classes or community service points as a high school student. All positions of responsibility count! Maybe you have had a paying job. If so, that's great! Here are some examples to consider: 

• Voluntary experience. Whether you have volunteered at a charity or helped out at an event, now is the time to shout about it. Focus on your transferable skills here.
• Part-time jobs. Did you have a part-time job during high school? If so, you should include it as part of your work experience. You may have worked in a store, in a restaurant, or even babysat for the neighbors.
• Teams and clubs. If you don't have any work experience but are part of a sports team or club, you should add this here. Being a team-player is considered to be a high-level skill, and so it's an easy way to wow the hiring manager.

Jobs or work experiences to consider listing

Any volunteer work or projects for social or community groups are a great addition to your high school student resume, whether in the past or continuing now. 

List each item in your experience section as any other job applicant would in the conventional employment history format —  in reverse chronological order. That means you start with the current or most recent listing and work backward to the earliest, by date.

Look for job referrals! Ask friends who already have a job where you're interested in working for a referral. Some companies have referral programs that reward current employees when their referral is hired. Employers like referrals, because they eliminate some of the unknowns of hiring. Few people would recommend a person they did not think could do the job.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a high school student resume.

Sales Associate at B&B Booksllers, New York  September 2022 - Present 

• Feed animals and made sure they had access to fresh water at all times.
• Answer customer questions and reported issues in person or by phone.
• Help customers select products that best fit the needs of their pet.
• Keep the selling floor clean and maintained neat and orderly product displays.
• Maintain accurate work logs.
• Recognize for my reliability and zero absence work record.

How to write a high school student resume with no experience

Let's say you have no direct work experience on your resume . One way to approach this conundrum is to focus on either voluntary experience or your extracurriculars.  As a high school student, you may be putting a lot of time and effort into extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to showing up and participating. These may be especially relevant if they illustrate an interest related to the job you are applying for. 

Creating a master list of your extracurricular activities is a worthwhile exercise in its own right. It can reinforce your choices of which skills and personal attributes to highlight in other resume sections. It may also clarify the type of job you want, and lead you to consider targeting your job search to a field that fits your extracurricular interests. 

Any master list — be it for skills, activities or jobs — can be useful for your own reference and convenience. It’s a visual tool that highlights what you are looking for at a glance, then makes it easy to cherry-pick the most appropriate resume samples for your current resume version.

If you are a go-getter who participates in multiple activities outside of school and work, perhaps associated with accomplishments , consider adding a separate resume section for extracurricular activities. 

These show your talents, determination, and time-management skills. This is another way to inject a little personality into your resume. 

Science Honor Society, Callaway High School, Jackson  2019 - Present  National Honors Society, Callaway High School, Jackson  2019 - Present  Participated in several volunteer activities, including:

• Built a house for Habitat for Humanity
• Collected supplies Stewpot Community Services
• Organized food drive & fundraiser for Cascades Humane Society   

Volunteer, Cascades Humane Society Jackson  Aug 2019 - Aug 2020 

• Performed various administrative and clerical tasks as needed.
• Served as a support for the entire office staff.
• Monitored & observed animals for signs of illness & reported symptoms to superiors.
• Created online pet profiles for potential adopters.
• Collected and recorded adoption fees.

Employers willing to hire inexperienced workers are looking for signs of responsibility, initiative, and desire to learn.  What you do need are soft skills, also known as interpersonal, social or people skills. Examples include communication — including listening, courtesy and ability to take direction — as well as dependability, punctuality and being well-organized. 

Of course, hard skills have a place on your resume too. these are pragmatic skills necessary or valuable for certain jobs, tools or programs or sciences. Examples for a high school student might include computer programming or child care expertise. 

With ATS likely to be scanning your high school student resume (unless you are applying to work for an individual or at a very small company, you need to know what keywords will help get your resume in the hands of hiring managers.  Respondents to a Society for Human Resource Management survey ranked these as the most important skills for entry-level employees:

• Dependability and reliability (think being at work on time or fulfilling promises) — a whopping 97% said these were a must!
• Integrity — 87%.
• Respect (towards clients and co-workers) — 84%.
• Teamwork — 83%.

You probably have all of these skills to one degree or another. So, make sure you list them on your high school student resume. 

Check out a high school student resume skills sample below.

• Excellent Customer Service Skills
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Advanced Computer System Skills

Think of it this way: your career right now is your experience as a high school student. It's probably more important than your employment history if you have any work experience at all, so treat the education section of your high school student resume as a higher priority. 

Expand on your high school "career" achievements and focuses, starting with a list of classes that are relevant to the job you seek. Looking to work with children? Highlight your early childhood education class. Here are some examples of relevant certificates: 

• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) : If you undertook this certificate while in high school, you don't want to leave it out. It shows that you have digital media skills, which is a real asset if you are applying for jobs within the creative fields.
• Certified Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) : Most hiring managers will expect you to be confident using Microsoft Office. However, if you happen to have this certificate, you can show that you are a cut above the rest.
• Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Interested in a career in IT? You might find that having this Google-certified qualification gives you the gravitas you need.
• Food Safety Certification : Hospitality roles are highly popular among high school students and graduates. If you want to show that you are serious about this role, you should let the hiring manager know that you have a Food Safety Certificate.
• Language proficiency: Speaking a second language is always going to be a valuable skill. Let the hiring manager know if you can and provide details of your certificates.

Also, mention any accolades and honors, or even your grade point average (SAT/ACT/GPA Scores) if they shine. Should your scores be high, you can elevate your resume above the competition. You can also use the education section to describe projects you are proud of and how they reflect your skills.

Choose a structure that works for you! Your resume sections do not have to be in the same order as they are listed in this high school student resume sample. Put the section you think is most important and impressive first and go from there. Just remember, the summary must remain at the top. 

High Honors, Callaway High School Jackson  Aug 2019 - Present 

• Academic High Honor Roll 2015 - 2017
• Presidential Award for Academic Excellence 2016

Are you itching to show off your artistic bent here? You may be tempted to try standing out from the crowd with a strikingly colorful high school student CV design. 

But unless you are applying for a graphic design job or other position in a creative field, it's in your best interest to keep the look of your resume simple, streamlined, and polished. Strive for a first impression that's as legible and inviting to read as it is eye-catching.

Simple doesn't rule out creative choices when it comes to the layout, design, and formatting of your high school student CV.

Why use a template?

Unless you've already developed a great eye for graphic design and the computer skills to match, a resume template may be your best bet to create an eye-pleasing resume without much difficulty.

Resume.io offers four categories of resume templates, any of them suitable for a high school student to personalize for a professional and beautiful result. Start by choosing one of these style categories before drilling down to select the right layout: simple, professional, modern or creative. 

One benefit of using a resume template is that you can avoid formatting errors that make your resume look sloppy or incomplete. Using the Resume.io builder tool makes every step of creating your resume a breeze. 

Don't lose your hard work!  If you are cutting and pasting your resume into a computer program, first save it as a text file to eliminate odd formatting marks.

Personalization

As emphasized already, the rule of thumb for resume layout, design and formatting is: keep it clean and organized! Working with one of our templates and the builder tool takes away any guesswork. Yet, you still have room to make your high school student resume stylishly unique. 

Contrary to popular wisdom, Times New Roman is not the only professional-looking font that will serve you well. Try Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Cambria, or Calibri. 

If your resume template of choice uses a color, feel free to change it. But resist any urge to add more color. One small splash is all you need. And don't use a color other than black for your text. The rule of thumb for layouts is: keep it clean and organized!

Job market and outlook

Many high school students ask themselves, "How will I get a job without experience?" Guess what: Everybody who is now working started out in a first job without having any employment history. You have to start somewhere. A little time and research can be all it takes to find a job that adds to your skills list while putting some money in your pocket!

You have already made the decision to look for work. Now, with Resume.io's collection of tools at your fingertips, we'll walk you through everything you need in the first steps to success. It all starts with getting your foot in the door. 

More than half of young people have jobs! 

Thinking of getting a first job? You're not alone. As of July 2023, 55% of people aged between 16 and 24 had jobs. Often enough, these roles are part-time and fit around the young person's studies. Look for a flexible option that suits your schedule.

Being in demand means you have choices. Your first job probably won't be the job of your dreams, but you can target work that will lead you in the right direction for your future. This can apply in almost any type of work that high school students are typically hired to do.

About one-quarter of working teens have jobs in food preparation or service, according to BLS data. And there is plenty of room to be selective and forward-looking in this industry. Even if you end up at a fast food restaurant, you can choose which one it is. 

With a little research, you can pick a company that offers management training, flexible hours or other benefits that appeal to you. More than 10% of working high school students have jobs in these fields:

• Sales and sales support
• Office and administrative support
• Personal care and service.

This does not mean you are restricted to these industries, but they are examples of areas you're likely to be qualified for. 

Resourceful and dedicated High School student with excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to providing great customer service. Strong organizational abilities with proven successes managing multiple academic projects and volunteering events. Well-rounded and professional team player dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at a collegiate level.

Employment history

Key takeaways for a high school student resume

An effective high school student resume can make finding your first job much easier. So, what are you waiting for? Employers understand your lack of experience and instead are interested in the soft skills you are likely to have.Highlight these soft skills, along with any hard (practical) skills you have, in the summary section of your high school student resume.

It doesn't end there. You should also use keywords that automated screening software will likely scan and score for. Remember, education has been your “career” up until now, so leverage your school experience when writing this section of your resume.

Use our resume builder to browse simple resume samples, then personalize the template that speaks to you. Make sure your resume writing is error-free and looks amazing.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

High School Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

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How To Write a High School Student Resume

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High School Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Brenda Martin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Tampa, FL 33601 | www.linkedin.com/example

Reliable high school student with strong recent sales experience at a major clothing retailer. Committed to providing positive service experiences to new and returning customers. Motivated and adaptable to new work schedules, challenges, and conditions.

• Creative problem-solving
• Customer service and relations
• Inventory monitoring and control
• POS systems
• Product sales and merchandising

Work Experience

Sales Associate, XYZ Clothing, Tampa, FL | May 2022 to September 2022

• Provided high-quality service to new and repeat customers of this popular clothing store
• Greeted and directed store visitors to their desired apparel section
• Assisted customers with sizing and product choices
• Efficiently operated cash register to process order payments
• Tagged and displayed incoming merchandise and performed markdowns on previous season styles
• Maintained a clean and tidy work area at all points

Highlight :

• Won “Employee of the Month” in August 2022 for outstanding customer service

Assistant, Paw Plus Pet Shop, Tampa, FL | June 2021 to September 2021

• Gained a strong foundation in customer service, helping visitors find their desired products
• Stocked shelves and maintained inventory
• Worked the cash register and helped other retail associates as needed

Candidate: Diploma, Tampa High School, Tampa, FL | expected June 2025

Michelle Hamilton (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent volunteer work at a veterinary clinic. Naturally curious and motivated to learn about new health care procedures and equipment. Passionate about supporting the health and well-being of all types of animals.

• Data gathering and entry
• Filing and documentation
• Microsoft Word, Excel
• Task prioritization
• Team collaboration
• Veterinary procedures and equipment

Volunteer Experience

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic , Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to Present

• Assist veterinarians and staff with various daily tasks such as animal feeding, walking, and cage cleaning
• Facilitate phone, mail, and email communications with pet owners
• File and maintain information on over 150 clients and their pets
• Help maintain an adequate inventory of pet medications
• Refill paper towels and other exam room essentials as needed

Candidate: College Prep Diploma, Sacramento High School, Sacramento, CA | expected June 2024

High School Honors & Activities

Member, Debate Team | August 2022 to Present

• Collaborate closely on a 10-person team to form and organize compelling debate arguments

Attendee, National Honors Society Conference | May 2022

Aliya Jackson (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent formal experience helping care for toddlers. Dedicated to providing children with fun, educational indoor and outdoor activities. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Childcare Provider, Sacramento, CA | January 2021 to August 2022

• Assisted and collaborated with parents of two children, ages 4 and 6
• Created engaging, educational indoor and outdoor activities for each child
• Organized and cleaned the play area regularly
• Provided meals and snacks and assisted with nap times
• Candidate: Diploma, Texas Preparatory School, Austin, TX | expected June 2023
• 3.9 GPA and perfect attendance record to date
• Taking advanced core curriculum classes in math, science, and language arts for college credit
• Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by the student body in 2022

High School Athletics

Member, Volleyball Team | August 2021 to present

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for the Spring 2022 season
• Demonstrated strong teamwork and adaptability in a high-pressure setting

Fluency in Spanish

If you’re a high school student searching for a job, having a well-crafted resume can help you find potential opportunities. But you may be unsure where to start, especially if you’ve never written your resume. How do you present your education when it’s still underway? And how do you get interviews with little or no work experience?

These concerns shouldn’t keep you from writing a great resume for high school jobs. Chances are, even at a young age, you have experiences you can translate into strong resume content. The trick is focusing on the relevant skills like foreign languages, writing, or leading groups you’ve gained through work, educational, and volunteer experiences. Read on for tips and examples that will help focus your high school resume.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

In a brief paragraph, your profile summary should describe your top three to five qualifications for your target high school job. You may think this resume section isn’t necessary for young job seekers and entry-level positions. Yet, at every career level, the profile section improves your resume by focusing the hiring manager’s attention on whatever makes you a great fit.

If you’ve worked before, you may want to base your profile points on that job experience. But you could also base them on your high school experience or other activities. It just depends on what’s relevant to the role you’re pursuing. For instance, maybe you have volunteer experience that overlaps strongly with your target job duties. Or you’ve excelled in an AP class at school that relates to your goal. Maybe you have advanced skills in a foreign language and would like to use those in a work setting. Whatever your top qualifications, feature them in the profile, and you’ll ensure your resume makes a great first impression.

Profile Example 1

Profile example 2, 2. add a pertinent experience section.

Your resume’s experience section should center on your relevant duties, skills, and highlights. By focusing on your relevant background (whether in or outside high school), you can give hiring managers a clear view of how you fit their needs.

You don’t need directly related work experience (or any experience) to draft a solid high school resume. But you must brainstorm how you’ve applied yourself in other ways and write how those experiences helped prepare you for the job you’re seeking. This may sound tricky, but you can use details about your high school activities, volunteering, or any other area of your life so far.

Below is a list of experience areas you might develop for your high school resume:

• Community service
• High school athletics
• High school clubs and societies
• Hobbies and interests
• Internships
• Leadership experience
• Personal accomplishments
• Research experience
• Summer camps or coursework
• Travel or study abroad experience
• Volunteer experience
• Work experience

For each of the above areas you have experience in, take 10 minutes or so to brainstorm answers to these questions:

1. What were your primary roles, duties, or focus areas? 2. What are you most proud of about this experience? 3. What general skill areas did you develop (e.g., teamwork, efficiency, customer service)?

Next, determine which of your answers overlap with the key skills required for the job you’re now pursuing. Include on your resume anything that overlaps and leave out anything that doesn’t. With this approach, you can show the most relevant aspects of your life and give hiring managers a better sense of the skills you offer. For instance, say you’re applying to be a pizza delivery driver. In citing any high school sports on your resume for this job, you could focus on the relevant skills you gained, such as teamwork or adaptability.

Work Experience Example

Volunteer experience example.

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic, Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to present

High School Athletics Experience Example

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for Spring 2022 season

3. Include your high school education and certifications

You may wonder how (or whether) to give education details when you’re still working toward your diploma. It’s actually pretty simple – see below for a template you can use to accurately show your in-progress high school education and a template for any certifications you’d like to add as well. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Candidate: Diploma, High School Name, City, ST | expected graduation date
• [academic awards or distinctions]

Certification

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
• Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023

4. List key skills and proficiencies

Include a “key skills” section to help further focus your resume on your relevant background. For many high schoolers (especially those with limited work experience), this section should include “soft skills” like problem-solving and collaboration. But also feel free to add specific software programs you’ve used, or other technical skills you’ll need in your target job. Below are some common key skills for high school resumes:

How To Pick the Best High School Student Resume Template

A clear and straightforward resume template is usually best for high school students. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most relevant information. Use a simple resume font , and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: High School Student Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for high school student resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your experience section. The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and capture the various ways you’ve applied yourself so far:

How do you align your high school student resume with a job posting? -

As of 2021, more than 36% (or 6 million) of U.S. teens held jobs for at least part of the summer season. This was the highest rate of summer employment for teenagers since 2008.

You can get more interviews for high school jobs if you tailor your resume to each application. Look at the job post text and highlight words or phrases that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases against the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, look for ways to align your resume language with the job post (while not copying phrases or misrepresenting your background).

For example, if the employer is looking for someone collaborative, you can name that aspect of your experience with a profile line as simple as “Thrive in team-oriented work settings.” Or say the organization has many non-English speaking customers. You could highlight your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each new opportunity.

What is the best high school student resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also simplest for you to modify based on your job goals.

With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your experience section(s) and an intro section. (This combination of experience and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also include an awards or career highlights section.

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To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our high school cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our student and internship cover letter guides.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

College Student Resume Examples and Templates

Internship Resume Examples and Templates

Student Resume Examples and Templates

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3 High School Student for College Resume Examples

High School Student for College Resume

Formal high school student for college resume, elegant high school student for college resume.

• High School Student for College Resume Writing 101

Life as a high school student can be exhilarating, but it can also feel like you’re juggling five million things. You’re sending out college applications, doing interviews, taking extracurricular courses, trying to have a social life, and prepare your resume for that killer job you’ve been eyeing.

If you don’t have a lot of experience, you might feel like it’s impossible to create a resume as a high school student headed to college. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be!

We’ve helped thousands of high school students craft awesome resumes and master writing a great cover letter for that college job over the years, which is why we’ve created this guide with everything you need to know—starting with three sample high school student for college resumes.

or download as PDF

Related resume examples

• High school teacher
• English teacher
• Middle school teacher
• Social science teacher
• High school student

The Most Important Part: Skills & Work Experience

As a high school student, you may be short on career experience, but you can use this section to focus on all the skills you’ve gained from the activities that keep you busy!

Your goal here is to show that you’re a motivated go-getter, and you can use the skills section to do just that. Start by reading the job description carefully to see what kind of skills they might want, like verbal communication, time management, or research.

Then, think about what skills you’ve picked up from school clubs, after-school activities, odd jobs, or errands, and write those down. If you’re stuck, ask a friend: sometimes the skills may seem so obvious to you that you’ll forget to include it!

9 Best High School Student for College Skills

• Customer service
• Microsoft Office
• Social media marketing
• Determination/diligence
• Research/analytics
• Bilingualism
• Time management
• Collaboration

Sample High School Student for College Work Experience Bullet Points

So you’ve gotten the skills section out of the way. Now, you want to focus on letting your previous experience shine.

Sure, you may not have worked as a teen in a traditional 9-to-5 yet, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the chops. So how can you convince the recruiter you can do what it takes as a high school student looking for a college job?

Focus on impact (using metrics) from previous roles like volunteer work, internships, regular chores, extracurricular activities, or side gigs. Showcase using numbers the impact you had. Recruiters will clearly see that you know what’s important, and more importantly know how to measure it.

Let’s look at a few examples:

• Started an Eastern European Literature club as a freshman, recruiting 35+ members in the first semester
• Assisted in fundraising events for inner-city kids, helping raise $40,000 in 2 weeks
• Founded and ran a comedy page on Instagram and TikTok, reaching 5 million views and 23,000 followers
• Surpassed sales targets by 6-9% on a weekly basis by upselling appetizers and desserts to diners

Top 5 Tips for Your High School Student for College Resume

• A career objective can help your resume stand out when you’re a high school student, but only if it’s not impactful. Clearly demonstrate your achievements and drive, and mention where you see yourself within the company you’re applying to. If it’s just generic fluff, it’s best to skip it.
• It can be easy to minimize your talents if you’re early on in your career. That’s a mistake! Focus on what makes you unique: are you a polyglot? A math whiz? Top of the class in Computer Science? If it could help you stand out, put it down!
• Conversely, don’t wax poetic when writing your high school student for college resume. It doesn’t need to be a two-page resume. If you’ve got the essentials, you’re good to go. Less is more, and filler will kill your chances of getting interviewed.
• Yes, we’re repeating this! Use your work experience to show what kind of positive impact you’ve had through your previous tasks and responsibilities. Whether it’s chairing class meetings, participating in community activities, or volunteering for a fundraiser, make it clear what your impact was.
• A good resume should be easy on the eyes. Have lots of white space, simple bullet points, and no fancy graphics or images that could mess up your layout. Remember, your resume as a high school student is the first impression your future employer might have of you!

Absolutely! Don’t worry if you haven’t had an internship or worked in retail yet. Focus on volunteer work, your education, extracurricular courses you’ve taken, hobbies, and any other achievements like a strong GPA. Remember, everyone needs to start somewhere.

Sure thing! In fact, it’s better to have less than too much. If you have all the essentials we talked about, then you should be good to go. And remember: recruiters aren’t expecting you to have that much experience out of high school.

All you need to do is make sure any skills the job description asks for are reflected in your resume. Plus, include relevant work experience that aligns with the mindset or profile they’re looking for. And don’t forget to customize your career objective !

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15 Impressive Resume Examples for High School Students

Put your best foot forward.

Many professionals struggle to write a strong resume, even after years in the workforce. It’s not surprising, therefore, that it’s even harder for those with limited work experience. That’s why we put together this list of resume examples for high school students. They need it!

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , teens are experiencing the highest employment rate since 2008. In May 2022, 5.5 million U.S. teens ages 16 to 19 held jobs, and by summer 2023, analysts predict “that the share of 16- to 19-year-olds working this season will rise to 33.6 percent, from 32.7 percent last year.” Use these templates, which are perfect for students applying f or jobs, college admissions, or scholarships, to edge out the competition!

What To Include on High School Students’ Resumes

When you don’t have years of work experience to showcase, what should you include on your resume? Here are some ways to put your best foot forward.

• Highlight academic strengths.
• Mention extracurricular activities including clubs, sports, and volunteerism.
• List any honors, awards, or other achievements.
• Emphasize leadership experience.
• Share projects or gigs, including any internships.
• Include a “Skills” section and list computer skills, soft skills, or language skills.
• If your hobbies and/or interests are relevant to a job, include those as well. 

Resume Examples for High School Students

High school student resume templates and examples.

These helpful resume templates and examples are perfect for high school students trying to land their first job or internship. This resource shares tips on how to make a great impression. 

Resume with no experience: first job examples

Trying to land a job with no work experience? No problem! This template offers an ideal resume for high school student applicants who are entering the workforce for the first time.  

Resume for a part-time job

For students looking for a part-time job, their high school resume needs to reflect their availability. This sample offers guidance for creating a resume that sends the right message. 

Experienced high school student resume

Multiple work experience examples should be listed on an experienced high school student resume, so you might need to change the layout to make everything fit nicely.

McDonald’s resume

While this resume specifically highlights McDonald’s, it could easily be modified for any fast-food chain. The important thing is that students’ work history includes customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to take orders, prepare food, accept payments, keep a restaurant clean, and more. 

Customer service resume

Hiring supervisors are aware of and anticipate the fact that you may not have much work experience as a high school student, but this template will help tailor your resume to the demands specified in the customer service job description.

Camp counselor resume

If you’ve ever worked as a camp counselor (or similar leadership role), you likely have a well-rounded set of skills. This resource provides tips and examples of how to list your achievements and abilities in a way to stand out above the competition. 

High school student sales resume

Writing a high school student sales resume can be challenging, especially if you have little professional experience. One solid strategy is having numbers on your side. This great template will help you get started!

Athlete resume

Depending on the student, athletics can make up a huge part of their high school experience. Should athletics be mentioned on a resume? If it’s relevant to the job or if a student was a stand-out athlete, gained leadership skills, or was recognized for their great attitude and/or outstanding abilities, this guide will show you how to include it.

High school graduate resume

Once students graduate, they’ll either be continuing their education or heading into the workforce (or both!). This great, straightforward high school resume is perfect when applying for their first real job. 

College resume for high school students

The future is bright, which is why high school students need to focus on creating a college admissions resume that will really make an impression. These tips and samples offer clear guidance on how to make a college application truly shine. 

High school student office worker resume

It’s alright if a high school office worker resume isn’t packed with noteworthy achievements. Instead, list any project that highlights your leadership qualities or relevant skills you’ve acquired along the way!

Scholarship resume

You already know that college tuition is expensive. There are plenty of scholarships out there, but the competition is fierce. This high school resume template focuses on academic achievements while highlighting skills, professional experience, and career objectives to help students stand out from the crowd. 

High school student music resume

Of course you want to highlight any musical work you’ve done, whether it’s in school or professionally. Also highlight lessons, achievements, and interests that showcase your love and passion for music. This template will give you a good idea of where to begin!

Internship resume

It can be tough to find a decent internship as a college student, which is why high school students should start looking before they graduate. These types of jobs might not come with a paycheck, but the rewards are immeasurable in terms of experience. This template offers tips for writing a strong resume for an internship position. 

Do you have more great resume examples for high school students? Share them in the comments below.

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• • Executed a social media campaign across 3 platforms, increasing engagement by 25% and resulting in 1,000+ new followers.
• • Analyzed website traffic using Google Analytics, leading to a 15% increase in session duration through targeted content adjustments.
• • Collaborated with content creators to develop 20+ SEO-optimized blog posts, boosting organic search traffic by 30%.
• • Assisted in the launch of a new product line by designing email marketing campaigns, achieving a 20% open rate and a 5% conversion rate.
• • Managed A/B testing for email marketing strategies, resulting in a 10% improvement in click-through rates.
• • Created detailed reports on campaign performance, which were used to refine marketing strategies, leading to a 12% increase in ROI.
• • Developed and published 15 blog posts targeting key customer segments, increasing website traffic by 18%.
• • Assisted in the management of the company’s content calendar, ensuring timely and consistent publication of materials.
• • Researched and identified trending topics in the finance industry, contributing to a 25% increase in relevant content production.
• • Supported the SEO team by conducting keyword research, leading to a 20% increase in organic search visibility.
• • Coordinated with graphic designers to create visually appealing infographics, enhancing user engagement by 15%.
• • Assisted in creating and distributing marketing materials for local food drives, increasing community participation by 30%.
• • Managed social media outreach for fundraising events, leading to a 15% increase in donations.

High School Student Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Teens play a crucial role in balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. When crafting your resume, consider highlighting your volunteer experiences, part-time jobs, and relevant coursework. Adding skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving can greatly enhance your appeal to potential employers. Remember to emphasize achievements and any leadership roles you've taken on, as these will effectively illustrate what you bring to the table.

All resume examples in this guide

High School Student No Experience

Experienced High School Student

High School Student Internship

First Job High School Student

High School Student For College

High School Student For Customer Service

High School Student Office Worker

High School Student Athlete 

High School Student Music

Resume guide, high school student resume sample.

Resume format

Resume experience

Teen resume objective

Skills on a high school resume

Education and certifications

Additional sections

In conclusion

By Experience

Diving into the job market straight out of high school, or even while still juggling classes, might seem scary, but it's ripe with opportunities. Engaging in work early in life equips you with invaluable experience, secures industry positions, and builds a professional network.

It’s about more than a paycheck—it’s learning to manage life and work with youthful adaptability. And you don’t have to be a wonder child!

Take it from Aleks, our Head of Produ ct , who started working at Enhancv when he was still in high school:

I didn’t begin programming at a very young age like some peers, but my enthusiasm and readiness to learn filled that gap. Being in a work environment meant I had to tackle problems head-on and learn quickly. Working teaches you how to find a solution to every problem—and if you can’t find the answer on your own, you can rely on your team.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Enhancv’s Head of Product

Let this guide be your compass, helping you chart a course to a high school resume as compelling as your future.

Key takeaways

• Balance academic achievements and skills by using a functional format that shows both your school involvement and experience.
• Use a modern resume template and ensure readability with a two-column format, legible font, and subtle colors.
• Highlight volunteer work, school projects, and club memberships that demonstrate your adaptability and relevant skills.
• Include technical skills and competencies, such as software proficiency or experience with specific equipment.
• Use examples to demonstrate soft skills like communication or organization, detailing instances where these skills were effectively utilized.
• Provide insight into your personality and interests through additional sections on projects, hobbies, or extracurricular activities.

Let’s see how it all plays out with a resume sample.

It’s only natural a teen resume will look a bit different than a standard one. While it still contains several of the main components, in this document, experience is measured differently. Consider including examples such as leadership roles in clubs, achievements like awards in competitions, or a capstone project.

Take a look at the example below. You can use it as a template and fill in your own info. Or, create a new one with the Enhancv resume builder !

Kate Nash High School Student, Aspiring Computer Scientist [email protected] | LinkedIn | Boston, MA | (555) 555-5555

Summary Highly motivated high school student with a strong passion for computer science and technology. Proven track record of academic excellence, leadership in extracurricular activities, and hands-on experience in coding projects. Seeking to apply my skills and knowledge in an internship or part-time position in the tech industry.

• Python:  Developed a Python script to clean and visualize data for a school science project using Pandas and Matplotlib, enhancing the presentation of experimental results.
• Java:  Created a simple online bookstore backend for a computer science class project using Java and Spring Boot, focusing on basic e-commerce functionalities.
• HTML/CSS:  Designed and built a website for a school club using HTML and CSS, ensuring it was responsive and accessible on multiple devices.
• Time management and organization:  Organized a school event over two months using Trello to track all activities and deadlines, ensuring successful coordination and execution.
• Team collaboration and leadership:  Led a school group project that involved students from different classes, coordinating efforts and roles to complete a shared goal on time.
• Public speaking:  Presented a school project on the impact of AI on modern industries at a student-led conference, engaging peers through interactive discussions and Q&A.

Volunteer Experience Coding Instructor Volunteer Girls Who Code, Boston, MA June 2022 – Present

• Taught a group of 15 middle school girls the basics of Python programming.
• Developed lesson plans and hands-on projects to enhance understanding of coding concepts.
• Mentored students in developing their own final coding projects, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

Community Service Volunteer Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA September 2021 – May 2023

• Assisted in organizing and distributing food to families in need, serving over 200 families weekly.
• Managed inventory and ensured the timely restocking of essential items.
• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to improve efficiency in the food distribution process.

Education Boston Latin High School Boston, MA Graduated: June 2024

• Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Honors Physics
• Honors: Honor Roll (2021 – 2024), National Honor Society (2022 – 2024)

Honors and Activities

• National Honor Society, Member (2022 – 2024)
• Varsity Soccer Team, Captain (2023 – 2024)
• Debate Club, Vice President (2022 – 2024)
• School Science Fair, 1st Place for Robotics Project (2023)

Projects Personal Finance App Development

• Developed a mobile app using Python and JavaScript to help high school students manage their personal finances.
• Integrated features like budgeting tools, savings goals, and expense tracking.
• Successfully launched the app on the Google Play Store with over 500 downloads in the first three months.

School Robotics Project

• Designed and built a functional robot for the Boston Latin School Science Fair.
• Programmed the robot using Arduino to navigate through an obstacle course autonomously.
• Project won 1st place in the school’s annual science fair and was showcased at the Boston Regional Science Fair.

Certifications

• CPR Certified, American Red Cross (2022)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel, Microsoft (2023)
• English (Native)
• Spanish (Intermediate)

Jumping from a sample to the real deal, let’s talk about how to format your resume like a pro.

How to format a high school student resume

If you’re applying for a job for the first time, you probably need some advice on how to write a resume .

Try to tackle this task step by step:

Step 1: Resume format and designs

At first, you might feel the urge to blend right in using the most popular resume format you see while searching online. However, keep in mind the functional resume format , which focuses on your skills and achievements over practical experience, is the best for a teen drafting their first application.

Choose a modern resume template  to show you’re bringing novelty, and:

• Highlight your experience with a one-page resume . When it comes to length,  less is more, especially if you’re just starting out.
• Keep margins between 0.5” and 1  for better readability. Our resume builder lets you adjust the margin size with a quick swipe of the slider.
• A single-column layout works great for people with limited or no experience. It allows you to present minimal content on the page in a way that looks substantial.
• Incorporate some color into your resume , potentially matching the colors of the company you’re applying to. Use easily readable fonts  like Rubik or Lato, sized 10-12 pt.

Step 2: Top sections

Since your high school resume doesn't need to follow a standard format, you can organize the resume sections  more flexibly. This allows you to include unique sections  that might not typically appear on standard resumes and order those in the way that makes most sense for your experience.

However, ensure you still cover essential elements, such as:

• Personal information
• Objective statement
• Experience or activities

We’ll review each of these below.

Step 3: Resume header

A well-structured resume header  will make your resume look polished and professional.

Here’s the  contact information  you should include:

• Your name: first name and surname are enough.
• A title: you can get creative here. If you’re up for it, put something that grabs attention, like Visionary Scholar, Tech Wizard or Code Conqueror. Use your creativity to make your resume stand out .
• Professional email address : skip the “[email protected]”. It’s best if you create a new one, such as [email protected].
• Physical address : as a teen or a recent high school graduate, you’re probably considering workplaces close to where you live. Recruiters prefer to hire local candidates, so it’s a win-win!
• Phone number : while you might relish in exchanging voice messages, phone calls are still very much a thing in the professional world.

Consider creating a LinkedIn profile  and starting to build your network from an early age. It’s going to be super helpful in finding jobs and staying with trends in the future.

Finally, to be sure if a photo is needed or not , check with the specific job ad requirements.

By the way, have you heard of ATS ( Applicant Tracking Systems )? These are automatic systems recruiters use in the hiring process. They serve as the initial scanner your application goes through. Despite the circulating myths, ATS won’t automatically reject your document. They just parse (analyze) information. Your resume will still be reviewed by recruiters. Fonts, colors, columns, and resume length don’t affect ATS parsing, but formatting details like dates and bullet symbols might, so be extra attentive.

Worried about inaccuracies or typos? Try our free AI resume checker  to make sure your resume is ready to go!

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Now that we’ve got the format figured out, let’s dive into beefing up your resume with some solid experience.

How to write your high school student resume experience

When putting together your teen resume, let's redefine what “experience” means. It's not just about jobs—it's a broad term for the different things you did. Even if you haven't been formally employed, it doesn't mean you're short on stories to impress potential employers with.

Here’s what you can list in your experience section :

• Volunteer work
• Academic achievements
• Extracurricular activities
• Sports and athletics
• Internships and apprenticeships
• Summer jobs
• Creative projects
• Part-time jobs
• Technical courses
• Cultural experiences

In fact, your experience entry could consist of several smaller sections. Use different resume headings , such as “Volunteer work”, “Projects”, etc., to separate information neatly.

Let’s take a look at a real job posting you can apply to with just your high school diploma.

We’ve bolded the parts we’ll target in an example experience entry below:

Junior IT Support Specialist

Job description

A junior IT specialist has to provide comprehensive technical support, troubleshoot hardware and software issues, assist in system administration tasks, and handle hardware and software setups. Additionally, they must manage user support tickets, create IT documentation, and offer basic training on IT tools to ensure high-quality customer service and timely resolution of technical issues.

Technical Support:

• Provide first-level technical support to end-users via phone, email, or in-person.
• Assist users with troubleshooting hardware and software issues, including desktops, laptops, printers, and mobile devices.

System Administration:

• Assist with system administration tasks, including user account management, access permissions, and software installations.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks such as system updates, patches, and backups under the guidance of senior IT staff.

Hardware and Software Setup:

• Assist with the setup and configuration of computer systems, peripherals, and software applications.
• Install and configure operating systems, office productivity software, and specialized business applications as needed.

Documentation and Training:

• Create and maintain documentation of IT processes, procedures, and troubleshooting steps.
• Provide basic user training and assistance with IT tools and applications as needed.

Ticket Management:

• Monitor and manage IT support tickets using a ticketing system, ensuring accurate documentation of user requests and resolutions.
• Prioritize and escalate tickets as necessary to ensure timely resolution of technical issues.

Qualifications  

• High school diploma or equivalent. Additional coursework or certifications in IT are a plus.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS), and office productivity software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
• Familiarity with troubleshooting common IT issues such as network connectivity, software installation, and printer problems.
• Ability to learn new technologies and software applications quickly.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Create a targeted experience section

One of the best job hunt strategies to adopt early on is to tailor your resume  specifically to each job posting. Include keywords from the job description  in your application to immediately signal recruiters what a great fit you are.

We know you might feel like you’ve got to list everything you’ve got. Try to stay focused and keep your resume relevant to the position.

Take a look at this experience entry that targets the job ad above:

• • Provided first-level technical support to over 200 community center staff and visitors, resolving issues related to hardware setups, printer connectivity, and basic software troubleshooting.
• • Assisted in the maintenance and updates of 50+ computer systems, including software installations and conducting weekly system backups, resulting in a 30% reduction in recurring issues.
• • Created and distributed user-friendly guides and conducted four informal training sessions to enhance the staff's proficiency with IT tools and applications, improving overall tech usage by 25%.
• • Led a club of 30+ students, fostering an environment that encouraged the exploration of new technologies and practical problem-solving skills.
• • Organized 12 workshops and demonstrations that significantly enhanced peers' understanding of computer hardware assembly and software installation.
• • Developed and maintained a comprehensive digital library of tech resources and troubleshooting guides, accessed by 100+ club members, promoting self-led learning.

The resume effectively displays the candidate's impact with quantifiable successes. It highlights key responsibilities and leadership initiatives, such as leading a tech club and organizing workshops.

From listing experience to making it pop, let's learn how to quantify your achievements and make them count

Quantifying your experience

When you highlight your accomplishments , make sure you enhance them with measurable results . It makes your resume more engaging — visually and in terms of content.

Here are some ways to put numbers on your resume :

• Emphsize specific academic achievements.
• Mention measurable results from projects.
• Quantify involvement in extracurricular activities.
• Detail part-time job responsibilities.
• Show the direct impact of your volunteer efforts.

High school student resume objective

One of the first things recruiters scan your resume for will be your profile statement . It sits at the top of your document and gives essential information about what you can do, what you’re hoping to achieve, and why you want a job at the particular company you’re applying to.

For entry-level candidates , a resume objective  is best. Here’s what to keep in mind when creating yours:

• Align with the employer's needs, focusing on job requirements and matching your skills accordingly.
• Include a succinct overview (up to 3 sentences) of your career goals, key skills from past experiences, and a value proposition that aligns with the company's mission and goals.
• Use action verbs and power words  to strengthen your application.

As a beginner, you can also try applying in person. For example, if you want to work at your local cafeteria, you could hand your resume to the manager directly. This gives you the chance to exchange a few words and make a lasting impression.

Take a look at a well-written high school resume objective:

Now, let’s pivot to mixing the right hard and soft skills to really make your resume sing.

In a functional resume, position your skills section  just below the header. Skills are usually separated into hard and soft. Hard skills  encompass your specific knowledge, such as different types of software, programming languages, or blogging platforms.

These can be easily tested and measured, so don’t exaggerate your knowledge, even if you think this can get your application ahead. Honesty is always best  on a resume.

Key hard skills for a teen can include:

Best hard skills for your high school student resume

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Coding (Python, Java)
• Graphic Design ( Adobe Photoshop , Illustrator)
• Web Development (HTML, CSS)
• Database Administration ( SQL , Oracle )
• Social Media Management (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Computer Hardware Troubleshooting
• Data Analysis ( Excel , Google Sheets)
• Video Editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
• Mathematics
• Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
• CAD Software
• Presentation Software (Prezi, Google Slides)
• Typing Speed
• Blogging Platforms ( WordPress , Blogger)
• E-commerce (Shopify, Magento)
• Email Marketing (Mailchimp)
• Mobile App Development (Swift, React Native)

Soft skills  are the ones you create and sustain relationships with. The best part about them is you develop them your entire life through interactions with others. So, you don’t need specific professional experience to gain them.

To list soft, or people skills like a pro, illustrate them with specific examples, such as “Collaborated with peers in the environmental club to organize community clean-up events.”

Take your pick from our suggestions:

Best soft skills for your high school student resume

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Negotiation
• Conflict resolution
• Attention to detail
• Decision-making
• Cultural awareness

After skills, we’re schooling you on how to list your education and certifications to impress.

How to list your education and certifications on your resume

If you’re thinking, “Are people going to take me seriously with just a high school diploma ?,” don’t panic. Any education listed will give recruiters an accurate representation of where you’re at right now, and what they can expect from you in terms of availability and experience.

When crafting your education section , follow these steps:

• List the full name of your school.
• Mention any relevant classes you took, or honors you received in the course of your tuition.
• If you want to give more weight to specific projects or volunteering you did in high school, consider adding those directly to your experience section.
• Add your GPA score , but only if it’s above 3.5.

Take a look at this example:

• • GPA: 3.7/4.0
• • Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Honors Physics
• • Honors: Honor Roll (2021 – 2024), National Honor Society (2022 – 2024)

This entry’seffective because it:

• Lists essential details like the degree, institution, and dates clearly and comprehensively.
• Shows a strong GPA, advanced coursework, and honors to highlight academic achievements.
• Provides a focused snapshot of educational accomplishments without unnecessary verbosity.

Certifications on your resume

Adding certifications  and training to your resume is a smart way to catch the eye of employers, scholarship committees, or whoever else you want to impress. It’s like saying, “Hey, look what I can do!” without having to get a degree.

There are tons of free courses out there you can take from the comfort of your home. You can still be proactive, even if you’re on a pocket-money budget! Try platforms like Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and Udemy. Some of the courses might have a fee for obtaining a certification, but even listing you’ve taken a course would be sufficient on a teen resume.

Consider adding some of these:

Best certifications for your high school student resume

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification
• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Emergency First Response (EFR) Certification
• Introduction to Programming in Java Certification from Oracle (OCA)

Finally, let’s jazz up your resume with some additional sections that showcase your unique flair.

Additional sections for a high school student resume

Your teen resume already stands out from the rest, but you can make it even more impressive with a few optional sections:

• It’s a big plus to speak more than one language , especially if you're looking for a role where you’ll interact with people from different backgrounds.
• Including your hobbies or interests  gives potential employers a glimpse into who you are outside of school and if you’re good fit for their team.
• Show your dedication and excellence by listing any awards you’ve received .
• Consider adding a portfolio  or a personal website to show your projects.

Bonus: Why not create an additional section such as “Top 5 reasons to hire me”? This is a strategic way to present yourself as an ideal candidate by emphasizing your strengths and the unique contributions you can make. You can easily structure and customize this section with the Enhancv builder:

Imagine this guide as a compass for your resume journey, pointing you in the right direction as you navigate the path from high school achievements to a top-notch resume. With each step, you'll learn how to shape your experiences into something that guides recruiters straight to you.

Teens resume examples

Explore additional teens resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Teens resume?

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10+ Free High School Resume Templates for 2024

Writing your high school resume is already hard as it is - you shouldn’t have to spend hours working on your resume layout and format.

Want to fast-track your resume-creation process?

Use one of these 10+ free high school resume templates!

All you have to do is pick a template that resonates with you and fill in the contents. Zero formatting hassle is required!

10+ Free High School Resume Templates [Pick & Download]

#1. simple resume template.

This timeless layout works for everyone - highschoolers and seasoned professionals alike. 

The understated design and clean look put equal emphasis on all parts of your resume.

#2. Professional Resume Template

The Professional template puts more emphasis on your work experience and skills. Don’t have much work experience? You can always replace it with some other relevant section like extracurricular activities or volunteering experience.

#3. College Resume Template

Created with recent graduates in mind, this template is also suitably structured for any applicant with little to no work experience. 

#4. Creative Resume Template

If you’re looking for a job in the creative industry or want to try something a bit bolder, the Creative template is right for you. It’s guaranteed to stand out in any resume pile with its light on dark header and circle style skill graphs. 

#5. Modern Resume Template

The Modern template is a step up from the more basic designs. It has an organized look featuring brackets and squares.

#6. Functional Resume Template

The Functional Resume template puts more emphasis on your educational background, making it a perfect fit for highschoolers or just about anyone with no work experience.

#7. One Color Resume Template

This template is quite simple and to-the-point. The sections are clearly separated, and the resume objective is located top and center. Bonus points: you can even personalize this high school resume template by customizing the color scheme.

#8. Two-Column Resume Template

The template has a rather unique two-column resume structure . It is easy to skim and pleasant to look at. 

It also has a very compact look, making it perfect for job-seekers with no work experience.

#9. Vertical Header Resume Template

What’s interesting about this template is the vertical layout in the header section. It looks refreshing and straight-up cool. However, it’s a hit or miss kind of situation. The recruiter will either be intrigued by it, or be bothered by having to turn the page to the side. Use at your own risk.

#10. Infographic Resume Template

Infographic resume templates in general use graphs and charts to illustrate the information. This template in particular uses bubbles to portray skills and level of competence, as well as icons to illustrate interests. This makes the resume quick to skim through and the information easy to understand. 

How Long Should a High School Resume Be?

The resume length discussion has been going on for ages and typically, the answer tends to vary depending on industry and years of experience. 

When it comes to a high school resume, however, there’s no room for discussion: your resume should be one-page max. 

It’s justifiable to have a two-page resume in case you have, say 10+ years of experience in the industry (which you don’t).

If your draft resume ends up being longer, revise your content with a critical eye and cut out anything that’s not relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Remember: the recruiter wants to know what your top skills and experiences are, not your entire life story!

What Should I Include In My High School Resume?

In your high school resume, include the following sections:

• Contact Information - This consists of personal and contact information like first and last name, phone number, e-mail address, or links to other profiles. Make sure everything is written correctly so the recruiter can reach you back.
• Resume Objective - This is a 3-4 sentence statement that describes your career goals and aspirations as well as mentions your skills and achievements. It’s used to grab the recruiter’s attention and ensure that they read the rest of your resume.
• Education - You can already guess what this one’s about, right? You should list down your education institution (high school) as well as any academic-related certifications or achievements.
• Extracurricular Activities - This is your resume’s selling point. The equivalent of work experience, if you will. Your extracurriculars are usually participation in high school clubs or various events and they show the recruiter you’re a competent and engaged individual.
• Projects & Gigs - In this section, you’d mention any independent projects you’ve worked on outside of academics. For example, a side-gig or your own blog - anything that shows you’re a self-starter.
• Work Experience (optional) - If you have any, you can list your work experiences. An internship or volunteer work also qualifies for this section.
• Languages - An extra language or two will definitely give you an edge over the other candidates. So, if you’re good at languages, make sure to list a dedicated section for that!
• Hobbies & Interests - Choose a few things that will give the recruiter some insight into your personality. Bonus points if these hobbies and interests are related to the industry where you’re applying - they’ll show you’re passionate and genuinely interested in the job.

And that’s about it!

How to Create a High School Resume With No Work Experience?

You’ve probably heard of the famous trope:

“You need work experience to get a job, but a job to get work experience.”

Fortunately, it’s not actually true.

If you’re applying for an entry-level position in any field, no one’s actually expecting you to have work experience.

Instead, you can focus on the experiences you do have to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Some things you can include in your resume are:

• Extracurricular activities
• Projects & gigs
• Hobbies & interests
• Internships

Key Takeaways

And that’s about it on high school resume templates!

If you want to know more about what to write and how to write it, check out our in-depth guide to writing a high school resume .

Before you go your way, let’s go over the main points of this article one more time:

• Always use a high school resume template instead of working on your resume from scratch - trust us, it’s going to save you a lot of time.
• Stick to the one-page resume limit. The recruiter wants to know about your work experience, not about your entire life story.
• Instead of work experience, focus on alternative sections like extracurricular activities, projects, volunteering experience, and so on.

Discover More Resume Templates

• Word Resume Templates
• Google Docs Resume Templates
• Chronological Resume Templates
• One Page Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates
• Minimalistic Resume Templates

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How to Write a High School Resume (Template and Examples Included!)

As a student trying to land your first job , you've probably heard how important it is to have a good resume . But writing a strong high school resume isn't always easy when you have little to no work experience .

It’s not always easy—but it is possible.

The secret is to leverage any professional-like experience (such as community or volunteer services) you've gained, plus your skills and academic accomplishments. Since you're likely applying for entry-level jobs , most recruiters won't expect a huge professional background but will look for a good set of skills and strengths .

In this article, we'll cover how to write a high school student resume, and provide practical tips and examples of what to write in each section. Plus, you'll get two templates that you can easily adapt to make your own.

Why is a high school resume important?

A well-crafted high school resume can set the stage for your future career experiences. Even if you have no formal work experience, recruiters still want to see your skills, education, and potential certifications laid out on paper.

Writing a resume also helps you organize your achievements, identify your strengths, and lessons you learned from past experiences, such as extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and AP courses.

Though your resume might be short—which is normal for a high schooler—a thoughtful and tailored presentation can make your application stand out. Especially considering that you're likely to be competing with other high school students, so your chances might be higher than you'd think. Get that resume out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find work that’s right for you »

How to write a high school student resume in 6 steps

Resumes are all about presenting your qualifications strategically and authentically to grab the recruiter's attention and land an interview . Here's how to write one as a high school student:

1. Start with your contact information

Needles to say, your resume should have your contact information so the recruiter can identify it and contact you to schedule an interview. It's the first section of the resume and should be placed at the top of the page.

Follow this structure:

Name: [Full Name]

Address: [City, State]

Phone: [Phone Number]

Email: [Email Address]

Media (optional): [Linkedin and/or Portfolio link]

2. Write a resume summary or objective

A resume summary is a short statement that highlights your top skills, qualifications, and aspirations for a specific job in two to three sentences. This section is placed right below your contact information.

Though it's optional, a resume summary helps showcase who you are—especially if you don't have much work experience and would benefit from highlighting skills and positive traits. It should be brief and to the point.

Similarly, the objective statement also has two to three sentences in which you highlight your qualifications and directly state your interest in that position and why. Though it's considered outdated, an objective statement is still welcomed by some recruiters if it is well-crafted.

High school student resume summary examples:

“Driven high school student with a passion for software development and a proven track record in coding and robotics competitions. Skilled in HTML, Java, and C with certifications in data analysis and project management.”

“Ambitious high school student with strong communication skills and proven leadership skills in extracurricular activities. Skilled in advanced Excel, Figma, and fluent Spanish.”

High school student resume objective example:

“Detail-oriented high school student with a passion for design and proven experience creating visual content for social media platforms. Seeking opportunities to leverage design skills in a dynamic internship setting.”

3. List your education

This section should be the first thing the hiring manager sees after the summary because “it shows them what you’re looking for—an internship , a part-time job , or a full-time job—after graduation,” says career coach and speaker Anne Ryan .

Here, you should add your current or completed academic background. Ryan also says that if you are dual-enrolled in a college program (especially ones where you may receive an associate degree as well as your high school diploma), you might want to add that in this section as well.

Adding your high school GPA can also be a good move. It'll help you stand out if your score is high—3.5 or above for high school students—and show hiring managers you did well in classes, showing commitment and effort.

Here's an example:

High School Diploma

New York Preparatory High School

New York, NY

Graduation date: November 2024

Below high school, you could add some other extra classes you’ve taken that are relevant to the application, “but you may want to put AP classes and awards further down the page to direct more attention to your experience section,” Ryan says.

4. List your relevant experiences

Next section is the experience section . As a high school student, it's likely that you had few professional experiences in life, but there are multiple activities that can count as experience in this context. For example:

• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Personal projects
• Volunteer work
• Programs or applications you manage
• Academic clubs you’ve been part of
• Part-time jobs
• Internships

You don't need to include all of that in your resume. Instead, pick the experiences that are relevant for the job. For instance, if you're applying for a sales position, an experience in volunteer work where you've dealt with the public is more relevant than being the organizer of a book club.

The idea is to show hiring managers how you could fit a position based on what you did and achieved in all these experiences. These experiences should be listed in two to four bullet points , always highlighting key actions and potential accomplishments.

For example:

Food Bank Volunteer

May 2022 – July 2024

• Stocked shelves and maintained inventory in order to reduce waste
• Organized my team's shift and tasks to improve our productivity

Note: You may find examples of resumes with volunteer experience and other experiences in separate sections. That's also correct and OK to do if you think it'll improve readability.

5. Create a skills section

The skills section demonstrates what abilities you have that makes you qualified for the job. You can add both hard skills (technical knowledge and the certifications you have to perform that job) and soft skills (the way you behave and interact with others when working).

Think about tasks or projects you've done in the past that required some of the skills you'll also use in the job you're applying for. For instance, organizing a charity event requires planning, teamwork, and leadership, which are valuable skills in any professional context.

High school student resume skills examples:

• Content writing
• Written and verbal communication
• Software development
• Social media management
• Translation
• Transcribing
• Planning and organizing
• Image editing
• Video editing

6. List your relevant certifications

Finally, the certifications section , which is the last one in your high school resume. This section usually is written with bullet points showcasing each certification and the year you achieved it.

Remember that you don't need to list every single certification you have, but only the ones that are relevant to the job you want. For example, if you're applying for a social media management internship, a creative writing and digital marketing certification is more relevant than a coding certificate in this context.

Here's an how this section should look like:

Certifications

• Creative Writing Masterclass Certification - AlphaCom (2024)
• Digital Marketing Certificate - HubSpot Academy (2024)
• Content Management - HubSpot Academy (2023)

Note: If you don't have many certifications or skills, you can combine those sections into one. Some resume templates also have an “Awards & Honors” section after skills and certifications. If you have earned relevant academic awards and honors, you can and should use this section.

Extra high school resume writing advice

Here, we'll cover formatting and tricks that can make your resume stand out from the bunch. Check it out:

Use keywords to match the job description

If you're applying for a job online , you'll come across descriptions that list tasks, skills, and essential information about the company, and keywords that appear repeatedly are likely important to recruiters.

Incorporating relevant keywords into your resume not only demonstrates alignment with the job but also helps applicant tracking systems (ATSs)—which recruiters use to filter candidates—select your resume.

However, don’t stuff your resume with keywords that don't make sense. Instead, pick out the ones that match your own experiences, certifications, and skills, and naturally add them in sections where it makes sense. For internships and entry-level jobs, you're not expected to meet every requirement, so be honest and strategic when selecting relevant keywords.

(Need help with that? Here's how to pick resume keywords that'll get your job application past the ATS .)

Use action verbs and quantifiers

As the name implies, action verbs are verbs that express an action that can be mental or physical. Basically, they describe and express something that you did or are currently doing. In resume writing, action verbs are a powerful way to express your involvement in an activity or project.

Examples of action verbs

• Collaborated
• Implemented

On the other hand, quantifiers are anything you can measure within your tasks and results that demonstrate the impact of your work, the scope it had, and the frequency of the activities. Together, action verbs and quantifiers are a great way to demonstrate your qualities and skills as a professional.

For instance, you could write:

• Worked for four months as a barista, serving more than 100 clients per evening
• Participated in my school's green committee team and organized 10 activities during the school year
• Developed and organized a book donation campaign for my local library and received 150+ donations

Choose a simple format for your resume

When it comes to formatting, keep your resume as simple as possible. A simple format makes your resume much easier to read and easily scannable for ATS. By simple formatting, we mean standard fonts, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and regular size, like 11 or 12.

Be consistent and stick to the chosen format throughout the entire resume. Avoid overly complex designs with colors, images, or fancy fonts that can hinder readability and ATS compatibility.

As former Google VP of People Operations Lazlo Bock said on LinkedIn, “unless you're applying for a job such as a designer or an artist, your focus should be on making your resume clean and legible.”

Finally, save your resume in Word and PDF and send in the format asked by the recruiter in the job listing. Although the standard is PDF, because it can't be edited and keeps the integrity of the file, some companies prefer Word.

Proofread, proofread, proofread

Always double check your resume to ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos. Instead of immediately sending it to a recruiter, review it a couple of minutes after writing and/or ask for a friend or family member to proofread it for you.

Tools like Grammarly , Google Docs, and even Chat-GPT can also help you refine your text, trim words that aren’t needed, and point out grammatical errors and typos you missed.

High school resume examples

Here are two high school resume examples that you can use as a reference when crafting yours.

Example #1: Resume for high school student with volunteer experience

[email protected]

(917) 274-7398

linkedin.com/in/jenadams

Proactive high school student with volunteer and leadership experiences in content writing, news reporting, event planification, and team collaboration. Eager to start a communications career in a local setting while finishing studies.

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School

Hicksville, NY

Sep 2022 – Present

Graduation date: Jun 2025

EXPERIENCES

Book Club President

Jun 2023 – Present

• Managed reading materials for monthly reading sessions for +20 students, expanding the club from 8 to 22 students in a year.
• Promoted analytic reading among teenagers through games and educational contests, which led to 10 books read in a school year.
• Contacted 2 local bookstores to organize book club special events within their stores.

Co-Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)

Holy Trinity Newspaper

Feb 2023 – May 2024

• Joined as a freshman staff writer and was promoted to Co-Editor-in-Chief in sophomore year
• Delegated articles about school events, creative pieces, & editing tasks to a diverse staff of 25+ students
• Designed print layouts with Adobe Pagemaker & wrote monthly editorials about current world events

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Google Workspace

Adobe Suite

Example #2: Resume for high school student with work experience

CHRISTIAN WOLF

[email protected]

(555) 274-8248

Santo Domingo High School

Weekend Receptionist

Fresno Art Museum

Ago 2023 – Present

• Answered & transferred over 25 calls per day quickly & accurately to on-duty staff.
• Greeted over 50 visitors per day and responded to questions about scheduling & events.
• Collaborated with the HR team distributing +15 internal mail campaigns using specialized project management and CRM softwares.

Bishop’s Altar Server (Volunteer)

St. John's Cathedral

Downtown Fresno

Sep 2021 – May 2023

• Worked in teams of seven highly trained servers during liturgical prayer (services, weddings, & funerals).
• Trained +5 new volunteers over the course of 4 months to assist high demand in a fast paced environment.

Languages: English (native) | Spanish (beginner)

Office skills: Google Workspace (advanced), Microsoft Excel (intermediate)

Social media: HootSuite (beginner), Mailchimp (beginner)

CERTIFICATIONS

Inbound Sales Certificate - HubSpot Academy (2023)

Email Marketing Certificate - MailChimp (2024)

AWARDS & HONORS

Month Employee: Fresno Art Museum (2024)

Gold medal: CIF State Swimming Championships (2022)

High school resume template

Ready to make yours? Here are two resume templates for high school students you can edit including your own experiences. Don't be afraid to make the necessary changes to better showcase your skills, accomplishments, and education.

Template #1: High school student resume with no work experience

Resume Summary (optional): 1-2 sentences paragraph about your skills, interests, and motivations for the job.

High School Name

City, State

Graduation Date: [Month, Year]

GPA: [3.5 or above]

• Skill 3 (you can add more, but don’t over do it.)
• Certification 1
• Certification 2
• Certification 3

AWARDS & HONORS (optional; if it’s career or academic-related, the better)

• Title of Achievement 1
• Title of Achievement 2
• Title of Achievement 3

Template #2: Resume template for high school students with volunteering experience

Address: [Address]

Resume Summary: 1-2 sentences paragraph about your skills, interests, and motivations for the job.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer Position, Organization Name

Dates of service: [Month, Year] – [Month, Year or present]

• Responsibility 1 (use action verbs and quantifiers)
• Responsibility 2

20 High School Student Achievements for Resume

Building a strong resume as a high school student can set the stage for future academic and professional success.

Highlighting your achievements is a critical step in this process, as it not only showcases your talents but also your commitment and hard work.

This page is designed to be a comprehensive resource, helping you identify and effectively present your noteworthy accomplishments.

From academic honors and leadership roles to extracurricular activities and community service, these achievements reflect a well-rounded individual ready to take on new challenges.

Whether you’re applying for a job, a college, or a scholarship, documenting these achievements can significantly boost your credentials.

Let’s dive in and discover the achievements that will shine a light on your unique abilities and make your resume truly stand out from the crowd.

20 Achievements for High School Student Resume

• Led a team of 10 students to organize and execute a successful charity event, raising $5,000 for a local shelter.
• Received the “Outstanding Student Award” for maintaining a GPA of 4.0 throughout high school.
• Volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged students, helping them improve their grades by one letter grade on average.
• Served as the captain of the varsity basketball team, leading the team to qualify for the state championship.
• Created a school newspaper website, increasing online readership by 50% within the first six months.
• Developed and launched a recycling program in school, resulting in a 30% reduction in waste and a more sustainable environment.
• Presented a research project on climate change at a regional science fair, earning first place among 50 contestants.
• Organized and hosted a talent show fundraiser, generating $2,500 for the school’s arts program.
• Completed X hours of community service at a local nursing home, assisting with meal preparation, recreational activities, and companionship.
• Founded and led a school club focused on promoting inclusivity and diversity, organizing workshops and discussions on important topics.
• Participated in a Model United Nations conference, representing the country and winning the “Best Delegate” award.
• Assisted in organizing a career fair at school, connecting students with professionals in various industries.
• Competed in the school’s debate team, winning several regional competitions and qualifying for the state championship.
• Coordinated a school-wide recycling initiative, resulting in a 20% reduction in paper waste.
• Actively participated in the school’s theater department, performing in multiple productions and earning praise for exceptional acting skills.
• Awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” by a local nonprofit organization for dedication and impact in community service work.
• Published an article in the school’s literary magazine, showcasing exceptional writing skills and creativity.
• Initiated a campaign to raise awareness about mental health, organizing workshops and events that reached over 500 students.
• Participated in an internship with a local marketing agency, gaining practical experience in creating social media campaigns.
• Received a scholarship for outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to community service.

Remember to tailor these achievements to your own experiences, and make sure to highlight the skills developed and the impact you had in each accomplishment.

• Top 20 High School Achievements for Resume
• Sample Recommendation Letter for High School Student
• 10 High School Student No Experience Resume Summary Examples
• 10 High School Student Resume Objective Examples

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The Career Counter

Reinvention for Moms

Best Resume Sample for High School Students

High school student resume with no work experience

Two things to note about this resume sample for high school students:

• Volunteer experience, although unpaid, still counts as work experience and can be included in your work experience category on your high school resume.
• Other types of experience like part-time jobs, contract jobs (short-term or seasonal jobs) also count as work experience.

Watch our video about how to create your high school resume – a step-by-step guide:

Sample resume for college applications

Download our high school student resume & cover letter template today — Designed for easy customization. Use the included writing prompts from The Career Counter’s professional resume writers to shape your resume to reflect academic and extracurricular achievements.

High school resume template – MS Word

The nice thing about using our high school resume template is that you can just plug in your own information and you have a professional, clean resume. You’re ready to apply for your first job!

High school student resume summary examples

In crafting a resume, the summary serves as a brief highlight reel of your skills and experiences tailored to the job you’re applying for. Here are a few examples.

Customer Service Role

“Friendly and communicative high school junior passionate about delivering exceptional customer service. Eager to apply problem-solving skills and positive attitude as Sales Associate at [Company Name] to create individualized and welcoming shopping experience.”

Your Future Starts Here

Internship in a Professional Setting

“Ambitious high school senior with strong organizational and research skills, seeking an internship at [Company Name] to gain hands-on experience in [Industry/Field]. Enthusiastic about applying academic knowledge of and experience with research and technical writing to help raise awareness about injustice in non-profit sector.”

Part-Time Job in Food Service

“Reliable and efficient high school student aiming to leverage teamwork and time management skills gained from experience leading class projects and participating in extra-curricular activities as part-time crew member at [Restaurant Name]. Committed to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, customer service, and food safety.”

Volunteer Position

“Compassionate and dedicated high school sophomore looking for volunteer position with [Organization Name] to support [cause or service provided by the organization]. Excited to leverage leadership and interpersonal communication skills to make positive impact in community and work toward fostering greater environmental sustainability.”

Technology or IT Role

“Tech-savvy high school junior interested in technology and computer science, seeking part-time position at [Company Name] to leverage passion for and knowledge of software development and troubleshooting. Eager to contribute technical skills and learn from experienced professionals in dynamic tech environment.”

Creative Position or Internship

“Creative and detail-oriented high school senior with strong passion for graphic design, seeking an internship at [Company Name] to apply skills in Adobe Creative Suite and gain practical experience in professional design setting. Excited to collaborate on projects and contribute fresh ideas to team at {Company Name}.”

Tutoring or Educational Role

“Patient and articulate high school student with strong academic achievements in [Subject(s)], seeking part-time tutoring position at [Institution or Service] to help students improve overall subject comprehension and academic performance. Committed to creating engaging learning experiences and fostering positive and supportive study environment.”

High school student resume objective examples

Including an objective on your resume allows you to succinctly outline your career goals, professional aspirations, tailored to the specific role you are seeking. This provides employers with insight into your motivations and how you are an ideal candidate for the position. For example:

“Energetic high school student with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, eager to enhance the customer experience at [Company Name].”

Office Assistant Position

“Organized and detail-oriented high school student aiming to support efficient operation of [Company Name] as an Office Assistant.

Retail Sales Associate

“Motivated high school student with passion for fashion and retail, seeking to contribute to the sales team at [Company Name] by offering exceptional customer service and eye for visual merchandising.”

Tech Support or IT Rol e

“Technologically adept high school student with strong knack for problem-solving, looking to contribute technical skills and patience to Tech Support team at [Company Name].”

Marketing Internship

“Creative and data-driven high school student interested in digital marketing, aiming to contribute innovative ideas and analytical skills to marketing team at [Company Name].”

Environmental or Green Initiative Volunteer

“Environmentally conscious high school student seeking to leverage passion for environmental awareness coupled with fundraising experience to support sustainability efforts at [Company Name or Organization].”

Hospitality and Event Planning Role

“Outgoing and detail-oriented high school student with passion for creating memorable experiences, looking to support event planning team at [Company Name].

What are some high school resume skills examples?

Including high school skills on your resume can be helpful if you’re early in your career or have limited or no work experience. Here are some examples of high school skills that can make your resume stand out:

Academic Achievements

Highlight any high grades, honor roll mentions, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses you’ve completed.

Leadership Skills

Mention any leadership roles you’ve held, such as being the captain of a sports team, president or treasurer of a club, or organizer of a school event.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Discuss instances where you worked on group projects, participated in team sports, or collaborated with others for school events, demonstrating your ability to work well with others.

Communication Skills

Highlight experiences where you demonstrated strong verbal or written communication skills, such as debate club participation, theater roles, or contributions to the school newspaper.

Problem-solving and Critical Thinking

Mention any scenarios where you had to solve complex problems or think critically, such as in mathematics competitions, science fairs, or coding hackathons.

Time Management and Organization

Provide examples of how you’ve effectively managed your time and stayed organized, especially if you balanced school with extracurricular activities, a part-time job, or volunteer work.

Technical Skills

Include any computer skills you have, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office, basic coding languages (HTML/CSS, Python), or graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator).

Volunteer Work and Community Service

Highlight any volunteer work or community service you’ve done, as it shows your willingness to contribute and work for the benefit of others.

Language Skills

If you’re fluent in languages other than English or have taken several years of a foreign language in high school, be sure to list these skills.

Soft Skills

Soft skills like adaptability, creativity, and emotional intelligence are increasingly valued by employers. Reflect on your high school experiences to find examples that demonstrate these qualities.

When listing these skills on your resume, try to provide specific examples or achievements that demonstrate each skill. For example, rather than writing “excellent communication skills,” write something like “Delivered over 30 presentations to groups of 100+ students and faculty as debate club chair.”

Giving an example of how you have used a skill can help potential employers better understand your capabilities and how they relate to the job you’re applying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a resume sample for high school students.

A high school student resume can include many categories besides work experience. The typical headings to include in your high school resume are: personal contact information, a summary or objective statement, education details, including relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and any relevant part-time work or volunteer experience.

How long should a resume sample for high school students be?

It is recommended to keep a high school student resume concise and limit it to one page. Focus on highlighting the most relevant information and experiences that showcase your skills and accomplishments.

Are there any specific formatting guidelines for a high school student resume?

When formatting a high school student resume, use a clean and professional layout. Choose a legible font, use bullet points to organize information, and maintain consistent formatting throughout the document. It’s also important to proofread for any grammatical or spelling errors before submitting.

Lee Cristina Beaser

Lee brings over two decades of expertise in guiding individuals towards career success. During her tenure at San Jose State University, she helped thousands of students write compelling resumes to land their first jobs and internships. More recently, Lee founded The Career Counter, a platform dedicated to providing job seekers with tools and services tailored to their unique fields and career goals.

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Sample High School Resumes for College Applications

Valerie is an experienced writer and editor with an extensive backgrounds in health, education, parenting, and nonprofit operations.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

If you want to apply to a traditional, four-year college, get a leg up on scholarship applications or make the college application process is easier, you need a high school resume. Creating a resume can help you pull together all your information in one spot so you can easily summarize your high school career.

Samples Based on Real Students

The following two samples each have a unique format and highlights based on the career and college goals of two different students. To download, click on the image of the sample you want and use. Each sample is customizable so you can create a resume that truly represents you. If you have issues, see the troubleshooting guide for online printables.

• 7 Senior Bio Examples to Help You Craft Your Own

STEM-Oriented Narrative Resume

This resume template is narrative in nature, meaning that it offers some explanation as to the nature of the activities the student engaged in. In addition, it makes a point to highlight test scores and difficult coursework - both of which are important to STEM programs.

Use this template if you:

• Want to highlight your grades, sports, coursework, or test scores
• Have awards or leadership that you want to explain
• Are a stellar writer

Liberal Arts Traditional Resume

Students going to a more humanities-based program might appreciate a resume that looks more traditional in nature. It highlights important details from the students time in high school without being too wordy.

• Have a lot of leadership experience within your extracurriculars that you want to highlight
• Have a lot of extracurriculars that will take up a full page
• Do not have a lot of categories to include but have a lot of things in one category

What You Should Include

You need to think about your resume as the prime real estate of your high school career. What is most outstanding about you as a student? The resume is a time to showcase both things that make you stand out, as well as information you think makes you an especially attractive student. You should always make sure your resume is no more than one page and include a variety of information.

• Basics - Make sure you include your name and contact information.
• Academics - You'll generally want to include your GPA and class rank and SAT or ACT scores. You might want to include the nature of your studies (ie Honors, AP, or IB) if they are essential to your intended major.
• Extracurriculars - Include things you are passionate about, spent a lot of time on, or are related to a future field of study.
• Sports Accomplishments - If sports was a major part of your high school career or if you plan to play in college, you should have a section devoted to your leadership and accomplishments.
• Leadership positions - This may or may not be a separate section. It is okay to discuss leadership and extracurriculars together if that makes sense for the formatting of your resume.
• Volunteer Service - You may want to note how many hours per week something took in addition to any initiative you took to make these things happen.
• Summer Activities - The most highly competitive programs are hoping you took the summers to engage in learning activities. Whether it's language camp, extra classes, or something else that's interesting, if you used your time off for learning - make sure and note that.
• Honors and Awards - If you won a major national award such as an Honor Society, or if the award is self-explanatory in its title (ie Principal's Award for Academic Excellent), you do not need to explain these. However, if you won something that might not be familiar to everyone reading your resume, make sure to add a brief explanation.
• Additional Skills - Fluent in German or even Elvish? Go ahead and note it on your resume. If you love to garden or took classes as a natural illustrator - note that too. Not everything on your resume has to be leadership positions held or awards won.
• Things related to your major - If you have had a major accomplishment related to something you want to study, note it separately. This could be research, field study or any other award.

Arts Majors Take Note

Arts majors, whether they are performing or visual, will often be allowed two page resumes. One page will be academic and extracurricular accomplishments, and the other page will list your most important accomplishments in the arts as a high school student. Each area of the arts frequently has a different way they handle resumes, and different schools may ask for the information differently. If you are giving the resume to a school on your application, it is best to contact them in advance and ask how they want the information formatted.

What Not to Do on Your Resume

There are not a lot of ground rules when it comes to writing your high school resume. You can and should include anything that you think is relevant to you as a student. However, there are a few things you should avoid to make sure your resume stands out. Students should be careful not to:

• Embellish or fib - It might be tempting to make yourself stand out more by embellishing a leadership position or saying you were involved in something when really you attended one meeting - but don't. Colleges want to know who you are, not who you wish you were.
• Highlight negative information - If you weren't a top student, focus on how you've improved your grades over the last few years rather than just giving a GPA. If you have high test scores but mediocre GPA, put the test scores higher on the resume.
• Include more than one page - If you have so much information that it takes up two pages, you have to choose your highlights. (Except for arts students, see above.)
• It's part of an ongoing theme (ie you are an Olympic hopeful fencer and you've been doing that since you were 8 years old)
• You won a major, nationally or internationally known award (ie you were won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 7th grade)
• Have an immature email handle - If your email address is something like [email protected] - it's time to change it. Some combination of your name or initials generally works best.
• Get too creative with formatting - Format your resume traditionally and don't get too creative. You want someone to be able to look at it quickly and feel like they have a good grasp of who you are. Fancy colors, perfumed paper, or anything similar is not appropriate.

When to Use a Resume

There are a variety of reasons why doing a resume is a great idea. You can use it in lots of places, and it's becoming the 'norm' that students have them.

• Having all of your accomplishments, volunteer work and other opportunities in one place is incredibly handy when you start filling out college and scholarship applications. If for no other reason, create one so you have the information gathered for you.
• While attending college fairs, you can give a representative your resume. You should do this only if you're genuinely interested in the school. If they accept it, they will start a file on you in their admissions office. ( Tip : Add a QR code to your resume. An admissions person is often happy to scan the information right into her phone.)
• If you are interested in playing sports or taking part of a team that represents the university (ie like Model UN or debate), give your resume to your potential coach as a way to introduce yourself.
• Asking for a letter of recommendation? Whoever you're asking knows you from one place, so giving that person your resume helps give them a better snapshot and can also ensure they get dates right. Nothing looks worse than you saying you've known your coach for three years when they say they've known you for two.
• You can give your resume to an advisor or professor at a school if you're very interested in a particular major. Only do this if you've accomplished something noteworthy related to that major.
• Likewise, give your resume, as a freshman in college, to a professor with whom you're interested in doing research. This helps give them information on your background when you don't necessarily have a lot of experience.
• Use your resume for college interviews. This often helps the interview be less awkward because now the interviewer has a sheet to refer to for questions.
• A lot of scholarship applications ask either for a resume or for all the information on it. If you plan on applying for money, keep this handy for quicker applications.

Will a Resume Get You In?

A resume won't necessarily get you into the college of your dreams. However, it shows people that you are a serious and capable person who really wants to be a contributor to the campus. Use your resume wisely, and at the very least, it will help make the process less stressful for you.

Resume tips for high school students

by Molly Hornbuckle | Aug 25, 2022 | Blog

Hiring managers spend an average of just six to seven seconds looking at a resume . That makes it super difficult to stand out from dozens of other candidates. And it can be even more difficult if you’re just coming out of high school and are competing with more seasoned folks. Never fear, I’ve compiled resume tips for high school students to help you make an impact.

Whether you’re in a career and technical education (CTE) program and have earned skills to show off or not, use these resume tips and templates to create a compelling resume that wows prospective employers.

In this post, I help you gain confidence in building or updating your resume by breaking down:

• What a resume is and why you need one
• How to structure your resume
• What to include in your resume

What to leave off your resume as a high school student and beyond

When to update your resume.

Plus, I offer free template resources to give you a head start on creating your resume.

What is a resume and why do students need one?

Resumes are your way to show potential employers what you have to offer and why they should interview you for the role. A resume is your summary of qualifications. It’s also the information you can use to populate a profile on LinkedIn and other job sites. Think of a resume as:

An ice breaker Your resume gives potential employers a bird’s-eye view of who you are, the experience you offer, and what you want to do. It also offers a perfect conversation starter and reference material for interviews.

An advertisement and your brand Your resume is your way to “sell” yourself. Sounds strange. But you want to show yourself as both unique and memorable and equipped to check off most or all of the employer’s needed skills. Think of it as a living document and a way to show a potential employer the benefits you bring to the table.

A fact sheet Your resume should be focused, clear and concise. It’s typically the only document you leave with a potential employer. And it’s what most hiring managers (and applicant tracking systems ) use to compare you to other applicants.

For high school students, competition can be tough. You may be competing with candidates who have more experience as you try and enter the workforce or secure an internship. A good resume is the first step in outcompeting rivals for the role.

Now that you know what and why, let’s look at tips to create or update your resume so you stand out.

Options for structuring your resume

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for a resume.

Every hiring manager looks for something different. And applicant tracking systems robotically assess resumes to determine which get tossed or passed on.

Whether you’re a high school student or not, here are some common ways to approach how you structure your resume.

Chronologically

A chronological structure lists your work history as a timeline, starting with your current job and moving backward in time. Chronological resumes are ideal for situations where your work history aligns with the position you’re applying for.

Functionally

A functional structure focuses on sharing your skills and strengths. Functional resumes are great for high school students who don’t have a lot of work history. They also work well when you have gaps in your work history, are entering or re-entering the workforce, have frequently changed jobs, want to change careers, or don’t exactly fit the mold for the job.

Combination

A combination of a chronological and functional structure blends your skills and strengths with your work history. Combination resumes show how the skills you have apply to the job you’re applying for, rather than focusing solely on specific work history.

Once you decide which approach to take, it’s time to get started. Most resumes fit on one page, and it can feel like a daunting task to summarize your experience in such a short format. But it is possible.

To start, boil your resume down to four main elements.

Resume summary, profile, or objective

Every resume should include a summary or objective, usually kept to 1 to 4 sentences — like a long Tweet. A resume summary or profile gives the hiring manager quick, concise insights into your qualifications and why you’re a good fit for the role. A resume objective focuses on communicating your career goals.

If you’ve taken YouScience ® Aptitude & Career Discovery , you have access to a wealth of positive aptitude-specific language you can use in your resume profile/summary or objective. Take some time to review your results before crafting your resume and gather statements from your “ Describing you ” section.

Describing you” language for a YouScience user’s Idea Generation aptitude .

Using “Describing you” words and statements on your resume

“Describing you” in Aptitude & Career Discovery includes both individual terms that describe you and aptitude-specific statements. Those terms can be great keywords when they align with the description of the role you’re applying for.

Spoiler alert: Applicant tracking systems look at specific terms in a resume as part of the review process. Having the right keywords can get you past them. Look for words in the job description that match the “Terms that Describe You” words in Aptitude & Career Discovery, and sprinkle a few in your resume.

As far as the aptitude-specific statements, let’s say a student named Ted’s aptitude results show that he’s a sequential thinker, and one of his “Describing you” statements reads, “Others rely on me to explain how systems work. I see the big picture.”

He could use this in his resume profile/summary as “Ted uses organizational skills to develop systems that can be easily explained and utilized by others.” Or if he were writing a resume objective , he could include, “I want to use my strong organization skills to help plan and execute projects.”

If you don’t yet have work experience, the “Describing you” section can write your resume for you by letting you outline your innate talents to the hiring manager.

Writing a resume can be tough, but the “Describing you” language can make it a lot easier.

Knowledge and skills

What you’ve been learning in the classroom, especially if you’re a CTE student, applies to what employers want and need. And it’s important to take time to highlight the skills you’ve developed.

You can include a mixture of soft skills —things like dependability, communication and teamwork—and hard skills, or the skills necessary to accomplish a specific job on your resume. Use the job description as your guide for what to include.

If you’ve earned an industry-recognized certification from YouScience ® , the back of your certificate is full of information to help you describe what you can do and what you know.

The standards listed there represent the technical knowledge you gained during the course. You can use these statements as sentence starters. For example, the Business Management certification exam proves you “analyzed and understood the importance of financial information.” On your resume, you could say “Capable of analyzing financial information and understanding its importance to business operations.”

You can also opt to simply include a list of your skills or use a scale to show your experience in each skill.

Work experience

When including your work experience, focus on any full-time, part-time, self-employment, volunteer, and internship experiences you have under your belt. Start with your most important and/or relevant experience and work your way down and be honest and concise.

And, even if you don’t have any formal work experience, you likely have knowledge and understanding that’s relevant to the job at hand.

Perhaps you’re applying for your first job as a customer service representative for a department store and you passed the Customer Service certification exam in school. You can highlight the projects and training you went through in the course as “relevant” experience for the role.

If you have volunteer positions or other types of unpaid, charitable work experience that are relevant to the position, include those in their own section or incorporate them into your knowledge and skills.

If you moved the neighbor’s lawn one summer, include that. You can also give yourself a leg up by having your neighbor write you a letter of recommendation, which is a great substitute for work with longer work experience.

According to a Gallup poll, only 9% of business leaders believe that the school a candidate earns a degree from is “very important” when making hiring decisions. Employers instead focus on the knowledge you have in your field (84%) and the experience you’ve gained in your field (79%) when making hiring decisions.

Most resumes break educational experience down into three elements:

• Your major or program
• Your school
• Your anticipated graduation date (whether high school or college)

Education is one where CTE courses give high school students an advantage. If you’ve taken CTE courses, include any industry-recognized certifications you earned in school on your resume. Also, include focused areas of study you’re pursuing that relate to your desired job. You can even list applicable academic achievements — such as research papers, awards, or your GPA—to help paint a better picture of your education and abilities.

Contact information

Include how the employer can contact you. Do include email, phone, and city, state, and ZIP code but don’t include your full home address. Leaving out your home address protects you, especially if you post your resume on an online job board.

It’s important to highlight some of the resume “no-no’s” here too. So, as you work on your resume, kick these four things to the curb!

Exaggerations

According to Monster’s 2021 The Future of Work survey, around 85% of recruiters reported that they believe candidates exaggerate their experience and skills on their resumes. A good rule of thumb is to “beef it up, but never make it up.”

Unnecessary personal information

Don’t include your home address, age, weight, sex, religion, political affiliation, marital status, religiously-based volunteer activities, and so on. Keep your resume focused on what you bring to the table for the job, not your personal life.

Typos, grammatical errors, mistakes

Always proofread your resume. Always. Use an editing software or tool to check for obvious errors. It’s also a good idea to step away from the document and come back with a fresh set of eyes later or enlist the help of a friend or teacher.

Unprofessional email addresses

You’re applying for a job, so keep it professional. If you’re still using an email address like [email protected]—it’s time to do yourself a favor and open a new account using a more professional address, like [email protected] or [email protected].

In an ideal world, you want to update your resume for each job you’re applying for. That lets you highlight the experience, knowledge, and skills relevant to that job. But who really has the time for that?

Instead, focus on making updates:

• Before starting to look for a new job or type of role.
• After graduating from a college, university, or technical program.
• After earning a certification or other credential.
• When your position changes (for example, due to a promotion or added responsibilities).

By keeping these milestones in mind, your resume will be ready to hit the next hiring manager’s inbox—and make an impression—in no time!

Resume templates for students

You’ve got the tips, now you need the templates.

There are tons of free online resources that let you easily build a resume. I’ve gathered a few of them below with my recommendations on which templates to use. And which to not use.

Remember: Your resume is a professional representation of you. Employers care more about the information within the resume than the design itself. It’s easy to get swept away by the pretty colors and graphics, but some employers frown on highly stylized resume designs, and so do applicant tracking systems.

Microsoft Word templates

There are plenty of free templates available for Microsoft Word users . I recommend starting with one of the following designs:

• Basic modern resume
• Balanced resume
• Simple resume
• Columns resume

Avoid using the Infographic, Blue sky, and Contemporary photo resume templates. They’re simply not professional enough.

Google Doc templates

Did you create your professional email address using Gmail? Well, you’re in luck! Your account gives you access to Google Docs. Explore the template gallery to choose a resume design you like.

The templates are simpler than the ones Microsoft Word offers. Meaning they’re perfect for your first resume, and there are no designs that I recommend avoiding.

Hloom templates

There are hundreds of resume templates available for free on Hloom’s website. Their online builder tool makes it easier to create your resume—particularly if it’s your first one—by walking you through the information to include.

I suggest avoiding the Creative and Contemporary templates.

Resume Genius templates

Like Hloom, Resume Genius offers hundreds of resume templates and a resume builder tool . There are templates available by category—such as transportation and logistics, information technology, and accounting and finance—and even resume templates designed for students and recent graduates .

The templates in Resume Genius are kept simple. They even include tips of their own to guide you to build the best resume possible.

Best of luck and happy resume-building

As you get ready to get out there and find a role, whether as a job, an internship, or apprenticeship , we wish you luck. It may seem daunting at first, but you can do it.

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Resume Guidelines and Samples

Resume Samples

Purpose of resume (overview), resume header, education section of resume, experience section of resume, skills section of resume, resume checklist.

Download resume guidelines as a pdf List of resume action verb How to write effective resume bullets

How to have your resume reviewed

• 4 Resume Samples  (PDF format)  
• Sasha Cazenove
• Seona Bates
• Sierra Tower
• Sophie McAfee

Your resume is generally a one-page document that clearly presents your current and past experiences and accomplishments so that your reader can understand the unique value that you bring to the table. As you begin to draft your resume, consider the following. Your resume is:

• Your first opportunity to make an impression. Step back from the details to consider what story you want to communicate.
• Foremost, about the content and demonstrating your experiences. Begin by writing your resume in Google docs or Word, and avoid using templates that focus on form over content.
• A living document that you will tailor to specific positions and will evolve throughout your career.
• Not a laundry list of every experience; it is a carefully curated list of relevant experiences. 
• Easy to read. Consider font type and size, formatting, and a balance of text and white space.
• Shared with potential employers as a pdf document.

The header provides your full name and contact information (email address & telephone number). This section should not include personal information (e.g., sex, date of birth, marital status). Items that may be included in your header:

• Wellesley and/or home address: If you choose both, be sure to label each address accordingly. 
• Personal website, links to professional social media (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) 

If you are a current student or recent alumna, the education section should be just below the heading, with the most recent education listed first. Generally, you should not include your high school on your resume; however, first-year college students may include relevant high school experiences. Necessary information includes:

• Your institution and its location (City/Town and State) 
• Your degree (Bachelor of Arts), any major(s) and/or minor(s) 
• Expected graduation date. 
• Optional: Study abroad programs and institutions where you cross-registered for classes. 

In this section, provide details about your various experiences, highlighting accomplishments, learning outcomes, and transferable skills. “Experience” is broadly defined and can include full- or part-time work, summer jobs, internships, research, academic projects, campus leadership, volunteer opportunities, etc. Describe your experiences using strong, specific verbs, and emphasize the results and impact of your work. You can create separate and distinct Experience sections to highlight those positions or skills (e.g., Research, Leadership, Extracurricular, or Volunteer). 

• List experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first). 
• Include name and location of the organization where this experience took place and the title of your role. 
• Include start and end date for your experience. If it is ongoing, list your end date as “Present.” 
• Describe your experience in accomplishment statements, using short phrases starting with a strong verb. Be specific and quantify your experiences whenever you can. 
• Create 2-5 accomplishment statements for each experience. 

This section provides an immediate view of the kinds of tasks you are ready to undertake. While you will want to be selective and only list relevant skills, these might range from technical skills, like expertise using a digital tool, to experience-based skills, like project management or database design. This section can also include certifications, languages, etc. In general, it’s best to avoid general skills like people skills, time management or critical thinking. As this section grows, you may divide it into several distinct skills sections, like Software Expertise, Language Skills, Teaching Skills, Design Skills, etc.

Is your resume... 

☐ Easy to read? 

☐ Simple, clean font (e.g. Times, Arial, Garamond) 

☐ 10 to 12 pt. font 

☐ 0.5 to 1 in. margins 

☐ Error free (grammar & spelling)? 

☐ Devoid of personal pronouns (I, me, my, we)? 

☐ Concise? 

☐ Reverse chronological? 

☐ Tailored to the type(s) of opportunities you are seeking?

Does your resume… 

☐ Effectively communicate your relevant skills and experience? 

☐ Effectively communicate your personal brand? 

☐ Use consistent formatting for dates, job accomplishments, etc.? 

☐ Display your strongest or most relevant qualifications near the top of the page or section? 

☐ Highlight all your related/transferable experience? 

☐ Utilize action verbs and results-oriented language to describe your experience?

☐  Display on the screen without formatting errors as a pdf attachment?

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The Contra Costa County Office of Education is a unique agency. One of 58 counties in the state of California, Contra Costa County has the 11th largest public school student population in the state. Officially established in 1932, the CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county's most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges. CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county's 261 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support, to technology infrastructure and communication support. In addition, CCCOE provides some of the best, high level professional development opportunities for educators in the entire state. The County Office of Education is an essential part of Contra Costa's outstanding public school system. Overall, our county's students rank high on virtually every measure of achievement – from test scores to college entrance rates. For more information about the County Office's programs and services, we invite you to visit our website at www.cccoe.k12.ca.us

Requirements / Qualifications

• Any combination of coursework equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by two (2) years of college level coursework in finance, accounting, or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible accounting experience in a California public school or other government agency environment involving payroll, financial accounting, and/or retirement reporting responsibilities. • Valid California Driver's License • Intermediate to advanced Excel skills required • Experience in calculating, reviewing and reconciling payroll taxes and/or retirement reporting preferred The following questions are included in the online application and those applications that do not have answers included will not be considered. 1. Describe how you meet the requirement for two (2) years of college level coursework in accounting, finance or a related field, and four (4) years of payroll accounting experience. 2. Describe your experience working with diverse staff, program, and/or student populations. 3. Describe your experience in calculating, reviewing, and reconciling payroll taxes and/or retirement benefits. 4. Describe your experience with facilitating trainings and/or providing directions to staff. Please be specific and cite examples. Applicants are required to submit a completed Edjoin application (resume not accepted in lieu of a completed application) and submit the following documents with their online application in PDF format: 1. Current Resume 2. A letter of introduction explaining your interest in this position. 3. One (1) current Letter of Recommendation (dated within the last year)

Please note that a skills test is required as part of the screening process. This assessment will be conducted separately from the interview and must be completed prior to advancing to the interview stage. Candidates who successfully pass the test will be invited for an interview. The Human Resources Department of the Contra Costa County Office of Education will make reasonable efforts in recruitment and examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation, please call (925) 942-3387.

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• CCCOE Business and Administrative Services
• CCCOE HR Benefits & Salary info
• View Other Job Desc. / Ess. Elem.

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• CalPERS Retirement Benefits

Contra Costa County Office Of Education

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