Student Resume Examples & Templates

Creating an effective resume for students can be challenging, given the competitive job market for students. Balancing the limited professional experience against fierce competition poses a common challenge. However, crafting an outstanding student resume is crucial to impress recruiters and secure opportunities. Despite the initial seeming impossibility, I’ll guide you through the process of creating a job-winning student resume swiftly.

This guide will demonstrate:

– A student resume example that surpasses 9 out of 10 other resumes.
– The process of writing a student resume that increases your chances of landing more interviews.
– The recommended resume format for students to use in their applications.
– Tips and examples on how to showcase skills and achievements on a resume for students, making you an irresistible candidate.
– How to articulate your education and experience on a student resume to secure any job you desire.

1. How to Begin Crafting Your Student Resume?

Before embarking on the creation of your undergraduate CV, ponder the following question: What sets your student resume apart from any other piece of writing you’ve undertaken thus far?

The reality is that very few people are genuinely interested in your resume. As a high school or college student, your writing assignments have likely undergone meticulous review and assessment by your instructors.

However, this won’t hold true for your student resume. In fact, it’s expected to capture no more than 7 seconds of a recruiter’s attention, as per our HR statistics report.

How do you transform that 6-second glance into a 60-minute interview? The starting point is selecting the appropriate student resume format.

Recruiters seek specific information on a resume, and an effective resume format presents this information seamlessly. The key aspect of formatting your student resume is organizing it into distinct sections.

What to put on a student resume?

The sections you might incorporate into your student resume are as follows:

• Contact information
• Resume objective
• Education
• Work experience (if you’ve got none, let’s skip this section for now)
• Skills
• Additional Sections, for instance:
• Honors and Awards
• Volunteer Experience
• Certifications and Trainings
• Hobbies and Interests

Standard Resume Formats;

After establishing this straightforward student resume framework, remember to adhere to some fundamental student resume formatting guidelines. Here are seven essential resume tips you should adhere to:

1. Select an appealing resume font that ensures readability.
2. Maintain a font size between 10 and 12 points.
3. Set uniform one-inch margins on all sides of the resume.
4. Left-align your content to facilitate easy skimming.
5. Enhance section headings by making them larger than the rest of the text; consider using bold or ALL CAPS.
6. Exclude photos from your resume, as you’re seeking employment, not a date.
7. Strive for a concise one-page resume; reserve a two-page resume for more experienced candidates.

2. How to Include Contact Information on a Student Resume

Enumerating contact details on your student resume might appear deceptively simple. However, the reality is that it’s not always as straightforward as one might assume! Here’s what you should incorporate in your resume header:

Example Student Resume Contact Information Section

Your First and Last Names
This implies excluding your middle name unless it is commonly used in daily interactions to avoid appearing pretentious.

Phone Number
Even if you possess a landline, restrict the contact number to your cell phone.

Professional Email
Recall that email address you created at the age of fourteen? [email protected]? It’s time to retire that and opt for a more professional one. When selecting an email address, include only your given names. Additionally, choose a sophisticated provider such as Gmail or your private domain.

Social Media Handles
But not all of them. Ensure to include your LinkedIn profile, as it is essential. If you use Twitter for professional discussions, include this as well. If you are aiming for a creative or technical position, consider including links to profiles on Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, or your Github account on your student resume. The guideline is straightforward—before adding any social media handle, evaluate if the content aligns with presenting you as a stronger candidate for this particular job.

URLs to Personal Websites or Blogs
Do you have a personal website featuring your portfolio or run an industry blog? Display it proudly! Include the URL in the contact information section of your student resume. Keep in mind that we are in the digital era, and recruiters can and will research you on the Internet.

3. How to Craft a Resume Objective for a Student Resume

“Wow, this one’s really interesting.” You want the hiring manager to utter these words as soon as they lay eyes on your student resume. Achieving that involves crafting a resume objective and placing it directly below your contact information.

A resume objective is a concise and compelling paragraph where you articulate why you’re the ideal candidate. The challenge lies in ensuring that your student resume objective emphasizes the benefits you bring to the employer, rather than focusing on your personal gains. The great news? There’s a tested formula for accomplishing this.

How to write an objective for a student resume?

1. Highlight your key attribute at the beginning.
2. Explain how your education positions you for success in the role.
3. Specify the job title and the company you are seeking to join.
4. Illustrate how you can contribute value to the organization.

Demonstrate the concept with an example student resume objective for a Business Administration major.

4. How to Craft an Education Section That Boosts Your Job Prospects?

What should you include in the “Summary of Qualifications” or “Resume Heading Statement” on a student resume? Absolutely, the Education section is where you showcase all the courses you’ve diligently completed over the years, and it’s time for them to shine!

What to put in a student resume education section?

The inclusion of educational details on your student resume depends on your highest degree. Typically, you should only include your highest degree, with the exception being if you’re pursuing or have completed a Master’s degree, in which case you should also include your Bachelor’s degree. For a student resume, omit high school details if you’re already in college. Always prioritize your current or most recent educational institution at the top, followed by the previous ones.

In each education entry, include:

Include the following details under the education section of your student resume:

– Your degree
– The name of your institution
– Graduation date (or an expected graduation date if you’re still attending)
– Your major and minors (if applicable)

These elements are standard in a simple student resume, but to make your resume stand out, let’s enhance your education section.

To elevate the impact of your student resume, incorporate the following details into your education entries:

1. Relevant coursework
2. Favorite fields of study
3. Thesis/dissertation titles
4. Key academic achievements,
5. Study abroad
6. Extracurricular activities and student involvement

5.Your Work Experience Section Remains Crucial

Worried about not having professional experience for your student resume? Fear not. Recruiters understand that, as a student, you might not have a lengthy work history. However, a whopping 91% of them still value experience on your resume. Don’t be discouraged; show them you’re ready to excel in your new role. In your student resume’s experience section, include all relevant past experiences, no matter how small. Even minor activities contribute to your overall profile.

Sample Student Resume Work Experience Section Entries

1. Internships
2. Part-time jobs
3. Projects
4. Volunteering
5. Participation in work experience programs
6. Study abroad
7. Freelancing experience
8. Extracurricular student activities

Include all your past experiences, even if not directly related to your industry, in the work experience section of your student resume. This demonstrates your reliability, organizational skills, responsibility, and commitment to self-improvement. Keep in mind that showcasing your strengths is crucial on a resume. Employers typically value the following attributes in a student resume (or any resume, for that matter):

1. Possesses internship experience within your organization
2. Demonstrates internship experience in your specific industry
3. Declares a major relevant to the position
4. Holds a leadership position
5. Gains general work experience
6. Maintains a high GPA (3.0 or above)
7. Participates in extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, student government, etc.)
8. Specifies the attended school
9. Engages in volunteer work
10. Is fluent in a foreign language
11. Participates in a study abroad program

Similarly to the education section, arrange your work experiences in reverse-chronological order. Begin with the most recent position and work your way backward, detailing each one in sequential order.

What other elements should be incorporated into a resume?

1. Your position title,
2. The company’s name and location where you worked or interned,
3. The duration of your employment,
4.  Maximum of four bullet points outlining your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Want to have a look at a few student resume examples? Here you go.

Sample Undergraduate Student Resume for Internship: Work Experience Section

Experience Section

Events and Marketing Intern
Adidas Originals, 06-2017 – 10-2017
Boston, MA
Created and maintained lists of media contacts
Researched opportunities across online media channels
Produced product pitches and press kits
Supported event organization

Observe how the applicant utilized action verbs when detailing his responsibilities. What I’m referring to is…

“

Crafted,” “explored,” and “generated” convey a more impactful message than “responsible for creating, researching, and producing.” The aim is to present yourself as an achiever rather than just a task performer.

Now, suppose you lack internship experience to highlight. For instance, if you’re drafting a high schooler resume and your sole work experience is in a fast-food chain.

High School Student Resume Sample: Work Experience Section

McDonald’s (06-2016 – 09-2016)
Swing Manager
Took accurate food orders
Prepared the world famous McDonald’s food
Ensured items were well-stocked
Motivated crew members to do well in their current positions so they can move on to new roles

This applicant may not boast an outstanding professional background. However, the aforementioned entry vividly illustrates her commitment, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills!

6. How do you present your skills on a student resume?

How should you organize the skills on your student resume? First, create a dedicated skills section to highlight your strongest and most relevant skills. Ensure that these skills align with the requirements of the job you’re applying for. Additionally, review the job description and identify keywords related to skills. Integrate these skills throughout your resume, including the resume objective, coursework description, and experience section, to showcase your proficiency and alignment with the job requirements.

7. The key to enhancing a student resume lies in incorporating additional sections strategically

Many students conclude their resumes with the skills section, often facing challenges in securing a job.

To stand out from other candidates, consider incorporating an extra section into your student resume. Demonstrate to hiring managers that your skills and experiences have received recognition and appreciation from others. Here are three types of sections you can include to enhance your student resume:

Honors and Awards

Consider incorporating a dedicated section for awards if you have received numerous accolades during your academic journey. For one or two honors, like being on the dean’s list, you can alternatively include them in the education section. If you graduated with Latin honors, such as magna cum laude or summa cum laude, or held prestigious positions like valedictorian or salutatorian, showcase these achievements alongside your degree in the education section. Refer to the example below from a master’s student resume.

Sample Student Resume: Honors and Awards Section

Purdue University 2005 – 2009
BA in English Literature – Valedictorian, Magna Cum Laude
Other honors and awards could include:
Any academic award or scholarship.
Academic Honors – participation in an honors program, making the Dean’s List, or acceptance into honors societies (campus, national, or international).
Work-related awards or honors (these can go in an honors and awards section or under the relevant job in your experience section).

Activities and Associations

Incorporating an “Activities and Associations” section proves beneficial for high school student resumes and recent college graduate resumes with limited experience.

This section provides an opportunity to demonstrate the development of specific skill sets through relevant activities. Select activities that align with the type of work you are pursuing and showcase skills outlined in the job description.

Sample Student Resume: Activities and Associations Section

Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scoutmaster
2015 – present

Offered support and guidance to scouts aiming to attain an advanced rank.

Your engagements may encompass on-campus student body organizations, publications, and clubs, extending to volunteer work, athletics, and various off-campus activities.

Hobbies and Interests

Incorporating a section for hobbies and interests enhances almost any resume. This section is particularly straightforward to include in a student resume as you likely have numerous hobbies and interests outside of your academic pursuits.

The crucial aspect is aligning your hobbies with the work culture of your prospective company. If you’re keen on learning the precise approach, explore this guide that provides valuable insights: “Attractive Hobbies for a Resume

Honors and Awards

You may create a dedicated section if you’ve received numerous awards in school. Alternatively, you can incorporate honors and awards into your resume’s education section if you received only one or two, such as making the dean’s list.

If you graduated with Latin honors, such as magna cum laude or summa cum laude, or held prestigious titles like valedictorian or salutatorian in your graduating class, you can include these achievements in the education section alongside your degree.

Refer to this example of a master’s student resume for clarity.

Sample Student Resume: Honors and Awards Section

Purdue University 2005 – 2009
BA in English Literature – Valedictorian, Magna Cum Laude
Other honors and awards could include:
Any academic award or scholarship.
Academic Honors – participation in an honors program, making the Dean’s List, or acceptance into honors societies (campus, national, or international).
Work-related awards or honors (these can go in an honors and awards section or under the relevant job in your experience section).

Activities and Associations

Including an “Activities and Associations” section is beneficial for high school student resumes and recent college graduate resumes with limited experience. This section provides an opportunity to showcase where and how you developed specific skill sets. Choose activities that align with the type of work you aim to pursue and highlight skills mentioned in the job description.

Sample Student Resume: Activities and Associations Section

Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scoutmaster
2015 – present
Provided guidance and assistance for scouts wishing to achieve a higher rank.

Your activities can range from on-campus student body organizations, publications, and clubs to volunteer work, athletics, and other activities off campus.

Hobbies and Interests

Incorporating a hobbies and interests section enhances almost any resume. This section is particularly straightforward to include in a student resume because you likely have numerous hobbies and interests beyond your academic activities.

8.Creating a cover letter as a student: Yes, it’s a necessary step

Paraphrase: In fact, it presents your greatest opportunity. Why? Well, as a student, you might lack a multitude of achievements to completely fill your resume. Cover letters have a unique ability that even the best resumes lack—they tell a story. Humans tend to connect more with narratives than mere lists of data.

In your student cover letter, you can delve into your enthusiasm for the industry, elaborate on your skills, and substantiate them with concrete evidence. The impact of a cover letter is significant, as it provides a personal touch that resonates beyond a standard resume.