How to Build Your First Resume as a High School Student

How to Build Your First Resume as a High School Student

Building a resume for a high school student can be challenging, as you may feel like you don’t have enough experience to fill out the page. However, resumes aren’t only for working professionals. Resumes for high school students can benefit those applying to college or an internship while also preparing you for the working world.

Building a resume is already tricky enough. As a high school student, you might not know where to start or what to write, but the main objective of any resume is to sell yourself and stand out to a potential employer or college. Your resume should give an accurate and quick portrayal of who you are.

How to Write a Resume

Writing a resume doesn’t have to be complicated. You may have limited work experience, but you can strengthen your resume through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and more.

If you’re unsure about where to start and are writing a resume for your first job, you can always look at examples of entry-level resumes. Once you have an idea of what your resume should look like, you’ll be able to build a resume that accurately explains to employers why you’re an ideal candidate for the role.

Whether you’re looking to apply to a college, first job, or other resume objectives, here are some tips on resume writing for high school students.

Use a Professional Template

While it’s important to provide an engaging and detailed resume, your resume should also be eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing. Using a professional template can maximize your chances of standing out from the crowd. When choosing from your template options, pick one that’s simple yet professional.

Include a Powerful Resume Summary

A resume summary is a section of text near the top of your resume that generally consists of three to four sentences outlining your career objectives, skills, and accomplishments. Your resume summary objective is to explain why you’re applying for the position and how you are qualified.

You should adapt your resume summary to the job you are applying for while mentioning your skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Use Verbs

It’s important to use action verbs when describing your experiences on your resume. Using direct language speaks firmly to potential employers while clearly outlining your responsibilities.

Keep It Concise

Recruiters won’t spend much time perusing your resume. If you build a resume that’s jam-packed with information, it will probably get dismissed. Keep your resume concise. Avoid mentioning irrelevant information. As a general rule, limit your resume to one page.

Tailor Your Resume Accordingly

When applying for a job or college, tailor your resume to each position and company. This special attention tells the company you care about them, not just the position. Use a resume builder to help you adjust your skills and accomplishments.

Proofread

As with all writing, polish your resume through proofreading. Ensure that your resume has no grammatical or spelling errors. Applying with a well-written and grammatically correct resume shows professionalism and diligence.

What to Include in Your Resume

Must-mentions for resumes include your education and work experience. Here are some additional things you should include to strengthen your resume.

Accurate Contact Information

Providing accurate contact information ensures that employers can easily reach you if they’d like to advance you toward becoming a hire. You should always include your full name, phone number, and email address on your resume. It’s also important to use a professional email address in order to make a good impression.

Honors and Awards

If you’re resume writing for a high school student, showcase your academic achievements by including any honors or awards you may have received. Whether you won a championship, received a scholarship, or are on the Honor Roll, these are great accomplishments to showcase to employers.

Hobbies and Interests

Including hobbies and interests can be a way to let employers get to know you better. Note any clubs or teams you’ve participated in. This information can help you stand out from the crowd and become a memorable candidate in the selection process.

Certifications

If you’ve participated in any program or received any certification as a student, this can be valuable information for your application.

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What Not to Include in Your Resume

Now that you know what to include in your resume, here are some common mistakes you should avoid including in your resume.

Personal Details

While you should ensure that you include your contact details on your resume, there’s no need to include any personal details, including age, ethnicity, or marital status. If the information isn’t relevant to the position, leave it out.

Photo

Photos are generally considered distracting and are not used for job applications in the United States, so there’s no reason to include one. Including a photo on your resume may even backfire and have your resume dismissed. So, to stay on the safe side, avoid including a photo and stick to including only relevant information.

Salary Information

Salary is generally discussed at the interview stage, so you should avoid including it on your resume. Including salary information may even eliminate you from consideration if the potential employer believes your desired salary is out of range.

Objective Statements

When writing your resume summary, make sure to avoid any generic, objective statements. If your statement lacks information related to your achievements or skills, it may be too vague.

Building a resume for high school students can be overwhelming, but the good news is that there are several tools and resources that can help you build your best resume. By creating a high-quality, professional-looking resume, you can access many educational and career opportunities.