High School Student Resume Template

Discover the art of crafting an exceptional resume tailored for high school students with over 20 actionable samples, expert advice, and top-notch resume examples suited for teen jobs.

Whether you’re pursuing after-school jobs to save for a car or weekend gigs to prepare for college, you’re eager to dive in and get started—ready to craft a high school student resume and land that coveted teen job.

To secure the lucrative opportunities, you’ll need an application that stands out. Let’s explore how to create a high school resume that’s as thrilling as summer break.

This comprehensive guide for high school student resumes will cover:

– High school student resume examples that surpass 9 out of 10 other resumes.
– Strategies for writing a high school student resume that attracts more job interviews.
– Tips for effectively showcasing skills and achievements on resumes for high school students.
– Techniques for describing any work experience you have to secure the teen jobs you desire.

Highschool Resume Example

What’s the optimal format for a high school student resume?

Similar to teachers grading tests, hiring managers swiftly skim through each resume to determine who makes the cut. According to our HR statistics report, hiring managers typically scan your resume in less than 7 seconds.

Failing to capture their attention during this initial glance could mean having to start over. Therefore, it’s crucial to:

Opt for the chronological resume format.
This layout maintains the organization of your high school resume, akin to a Trapper Keeper, which is favored by hiring managers and HR professionals due to its familiarity.

Here’s what to include on a high school student resume:

Begin with accurate contact details to facilitate communication.
Craft a compelling resume objective as your heading statement.
Detail your current high school education.
Incorporate any past or current teenage work experience, if applicable.
Substantiate your accomplishments on your teen resume with quantifiable metrics.
Highlight relevant student resume skills that align with the job requirements.
Feature extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other pertinent resume sections.
Tailor your resume with relevant keywords from the job description.
Additionally:

Ensure ample white space and clear section headings to facilitate easy navigation for the employer.
Select legible and reader-friendly resume fonts to enhance readability.

How to Include Contact Details on a High School Student Resume

How to Present Contact Information on a High School Student Resume

Think you’ve got your contact details nailed on your high school resume? Think again—

Before you breeze through this section, remember: a misstep here can cost you. Here are some tips to ace your resume contact info:

Name (Optional Subtitle)

Lead with your first and last name. Optionally, include a subtitle beneath your name to showcase your identity or aspirations, such as “Highly Personable High School Senior.”

Address

Consider adding your mailing address if the job demands local candidates or if you’re submitting a physical resume. Check the job listing for specific requirements.

Email Address

Prioritize professionalism with your email address (e.g., [email protected]) over whimsical or outdated handles.

Phone Number

Include your personal cell phone for easy contact. Avoid listing multiple numbers to prevent confusion.

LinkedIn URL

If you have a LinkedIn profile, it can add credibility. Ensure your profile is polished and professional.

Social Media

Relevant professional platforms like Behance can enhance your resume. Be cautious with personal accounts; employers may search for them.

Blog or Website

If you have a relevant personal website or portfolio, showcase it. Ensure all URLs are properly formatted and hyperlinked in digital copies of your resume.

How to Write a High School Student Resume Objective

When I used to give class presentations, I secretly welcomed any classmates who appeared to be dozing off. It somehow made me feel less nervous.

However, let’s not employ the same strategy here—

When it comes to a high school student resume, it’s crucial to grab the reader’s attention and maintain their interest with a captivating heading statement.

If you’ve had some work experience during your teenage years, typically, we advise crafting a resume summary. But since any jobs you’ve held as a teen aren’t extensive enough to be considered “experienced,” the approach for a resume for high school students with no experience is different—

You should opt for a resume objective.

The objective statement outlines your objectives and the position and experience you’re aiming for. It’s essential to highlight your skills to demonstrate that you possess the qualities needed to excel in the role. Incorporating a quantifiable achievement further substantiates your capabilities.

Here are two examples of resume objectives for high school students:

High School Student Resume Example—Objective
RIGHT
As a sociable and enthusiastic high school junior with a passion for culinary arts and providing excellent service, I aspire to leverage my outstanding performance in Culinary Arts class (104%) and two-time Student of the Month accolades to secure the role of evening shift prep cook at Ditmars Diner & Delivery.
WRONG
I’m a high school junior with no prior experience in food service, but I’m eager to learn and known for my friendly demeanor. Transportation to work won’t pose any issues, as I have my own vehicle.
Notice the contrast between these examples?

The incorrect one would likely lead to an immediate dismissal from the applicant pool. However, the right one shines brightly!

While you may lack extensive work experience in your high school student resume, you’ve effectively highlighted relevant classroom achievements. Additionally, by providing quantifiable metrics, you’ve substantiated your claims of competence. Lastly, addressing the company by name indicates that you’ve tailored your resume specifically for them, rather than adopting a generic approach.

You’re well on your way to outshining the competition!

 

Highlight Your Education on Your High School Resume

You certainly don’t want your resume to become an outdated joke shortly after you submit it. So, it’s crucial to ensure that your education section on your high school resume is polished and impactful. Here’s how to effectively include your high school education on your resume:

High Schooler Resume Example—Education Section

I.S. 141 The Steinway High School

Long Island City, NY

GPA: 3.5

Relevant Coursework: Culinary Arts, Food & Nutrition

Expected Graduation: 2020

Membership: National Honor Society

Here’s how you should go about crafting the education section of your high school resume:

Ensure your high school resume section contains the complete name of your high school, along with its city and state of location, and your anticipated graduation date. If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, include it, and highlight any relevant courses you’ve taken. Additionally, consider adding Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, and Honors courses to enhance your resume. The key is to stand out by including relevant information that showcases your achievements and qualifications. For instance, listing coursework pertinent to the job you’re applying for can demonstrate your readiness and competence. Furthermore, showcasing memberships in organizations like the National Honor Society (NHS) can emphasize your commitment to excellence and leadership.

How to Describe Any Working Experience on a High School Resume

According to the US Department of Labor, teenage labor force participation is expected to decrease by almost 10% between 2016 and 2024. However, this doesn’t mean finding a job will be easy. Despite the decline, teenagers with jobs still make up roughly one-third of all teenagers, resulting in significant competition for available positions that fit teenage employment requirements.

To stand out from other high school job candidates, especially if you have previous work experience, it’s essential to craft a work history section that shines. Here are two examples of high school student resumes:

**Example 1:**
*Right:*
**Food Preparatory Cook**
January 2018–February 2019
Steinway Steaks & Salads, Astoria, NY

**Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:**
– Prepared appetizer and dessert items according to production and quality standards, maintaining a safe and sanitary work environment.
– Operated and monitored equipment such as mixers, choppers, ovens, proofing trays, and meat slicers.
– Assembled ingredients following standard recipes, measured, weighed, portioned, and labeled accordingly.

**Key Achievement:**
– Increased food output by 15% by implementing new prep procedures.

*Wrong:*
**Food Service Prep Cook**
January 2018–February 2019
Steinway Steaks & Salads, Astoria, NY

**Key Responsibilities:**
– Chopped vegetables.
– Made salads.
– Baked dinner rolls.

The wrong example lacks specific job duties and measurable achievements, unlike the right one which highlights key responsibilities and accomplishments.

If you lack professional experience, consider including any online work, freelance gigs, or volunteer experiences in your resume:

**Example 2:**
*Right:*
**Leader**
May 2018–present
Little Fellows Animal Fundraising

**Key Achievements:**
– Co-founded an animal fundraising club with 50+ members.
– Planned and executed Facebook and Instagram fundraising campaigns.
– Raised $500+ monthly for homeless cats and dogs.

Even if you have no professional experience, you can still showcase valuable skills and achievements gained through extracurricular activities or volunteer work.

How to Put Skills on a High Schooler Resume

How do you showcase your skills on a high school resume?

It’s crucial to present your abilities effectively, as they can make all the difference in landing that coveted job. Here’s how to do it:

1. **Identify Relevant Skills:** Start by listing skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. These could include soft skills like communication and teamwork, as well as technical skills like computer proficiency or language fluency.

2. **Highlight Key Skills:** Prioritize the skills that are most important for the job you’re targeting. Tailor your list to match the requirements outlined in the job description.

3. **Provide Evidence:** Back up your skills with evidence whenever possible. If you have any achievements or experiences that demonstrate your proficiency in a particular skill, include them on your resume.

4. **Use Keywords:** Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into your skills section. This can help your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers.

5. **Organize Effectively:** Present your skills in a clear and organized manner. You can use bullet points or columns to make them easy to read.

Remember, your skills are one of the key selling points of your resume, so make sure to showcase them prominently and effectively.

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective High School Resume

Here’s the deal: every high school student has those basic resume sections covered.

To really catch attention, you need to stand out amidst the crowd.

How?

By adding extra resume sections that showcase your unique skills and experiences.

Think of these additional sections as elective courses that enhance your resume’s appeal.

Here are some excellent options to consider adding to your high school student resume for teen jobs:

1. Certifications

Having official certifications can compensate for your lack of work experience. Look for relevant certifications, such as a food safety certification for jobs in the food service industry.

2. Volunteer Experience

Volunteering provides valuable work experience, even if you haven’t held a paid job yet. Whether you’ve assisted at a local animal shelter or volunteered at community events, it demonstrates your dedication and skills.

3. Language Skills

Highlight any language skills you’ve acquired, whether through school courses or other means. Proficiency in a second language can be a valuable asset in many job roles.

4. Hobbies and Interests

Including your hobbies and interests on your resume offers insight into your personality and can showcase additional skills. Whether it’s a passion for photography or a love for outdoor activities, these interests can set you apart.

5. Extracurricular Activities

Participation in extracurricular activities demonstrates your commitment, leadership abilities, and teamwork skills. Whether you’re involved in student government, sports, or academic clubs, these activities can impress employers and differentiate you from other candidates.

What about a cover letter for high school students?

A resume lacking a cover letter is akin to submitting an algebra test without showing your work—it simply won’t suffice.

Over half of employers consider a resume alone incomplete.

It’s imperative to always include a cover letter.

Here’s how to craft a cover letter for high school students that will leave a lasting impression:

Begin with a compelling introduction to captivate the reader’s attention.
Articulate why you are the ideal candidate for the teen job opportunity.
Highlight achievements, supported by numbers if possible, to demonstrate your capabilities.
Convey enthusiasm, motivation, and eagerness to contribute to their team.
Conclude your cover letter with a strong call to action.
Remember, your high school student cover letter serves as the initial impression—make it as formidable as your school’s football defensive line.