how to make a high school resume

Build my resume

• Resume builder
• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• 184 free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

16 High School Student Resume Examples Created for 2024

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and up until now, there hasn’t been a good resource for high schoolers to help  craft compelling resumes or student cover letters .

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 16 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

Recently viewed courses

Recently viewed.

Find Your Dream School

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

   COVID-19 Update: To help students through this crisis, The Princeton Review will continue our "Enroll with Confidence" refund policies. For full details, please click here.

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.

Free SAT Practice Tests & Events

Evaluate and improve your SAT score.

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!

Looking for strategic college advice?

Get one-on-one help from former Ivy League and top tier admission officers . Our College Counselors will help you find, apply, and get accepted to your dream school.

• College  
• Applying to College  

Explore Colleges For You

Connect with our featured colleges to find schools that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.

Career Quiz

Take our short quiz to learn which is the right career for you.

Get Started on Athletic Scholarships & Recruiting!

Join athletes who were discovered, recruited & often received scholarships after connecting with NCSA's 42,000 strong network of coaches.

Best 389 Colleges

165,000 students rate everything from their professors to their campus social scene.

SAT Prep Courses

1400+ course, act prep courses, free sat practice test & events,  1-800-2review, free digital sat prep try our self-paced plus program - for free, get a 14 day trial, what would you score on the mcat today.

Thank you! Look for the MCAT Review Guide in your inbox.

I already know my score.

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

• Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

• Enrollment Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Register Book

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

• SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

• Social Studies

Find the Right College

• College Rankings
• College Advice
• Applying to College
• Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

• Professional Development
• Advice Articles
• Private Tutoring
• Mobile Apps
• Local Offices
• International Offices
• Work for Us
• Affiliate Program
• Partner with Us
• Advertise with Us
• International Partnerships
• Our Guarantees
• Accessibility – Canada

Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Your Opt-Out Rights | Terms of Use | Site Map

©2024 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

How to Write a High School Resume

What resume format to choose for high school resume?

What should you include on your high school resume, tips and tricks.

Every resume has just one purpose.

And that purpose is presenting who you are.

And you would want it to present you in the best possible light.

That being said, sometimes it gets a little tougher to do that.

Especially if you are in or straight out of high school and have limited or no work experience behind you.

It might be intimidating at first, but we’ve got everything you need to perfect your high school resume.

In this article, we are going to explore and answer these questions:

• What Resume Format to Choose for High School Resume?
• What should you include on your high school resume?

And we are going to leave you off with some great tips and tricks and an awesome template to get you going.

Keep reading, and you will surely make your resume stand out .

Upload & Check Your Resume

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

Before you go any further, you need to be sure you are using the best resume format for your needs.

And to do so, you first need to know which are the most common ones and what are their differences.

We are going to go through them one by one.

Reverse chronological resume format

The Reverse Chronological Resume Format is the most common out there.

That’s because it is suitable for pretty much every job position.

This format is mostly career-oriented – it lists your work history in order, as the most recent position would be at the top.

It is the ideal format for people with lots of work experience , relevant to the job position they are applying for.

If you feel like this is the Resume Format for you, you should learn more about it here – Reverse Chronological Resume Format .

If not, we have two more for you.

Functional resume format

Your second alternative is pretty much the opposite of the Reverse Chronological Resume Format.

The Functional Resume Format is also called Skill-Based Resume Format.

And yes, you guessed correctly, it focuses mainly on your skills .

It is the perfect choice for you if you are looking for your first job or career change, or if you are trying to steer away the employer’s focus from a gap in your employment history.

The great thing about the functional resume format is that it groups your skills in categories and presents them in a great and easy-to-read format.

If we’ve got what you need with this Resume Format, learn more about it here – Fucntional Resume Format .

If that’s not what you need either, we’ve got one last option for you.

Hybrid resume format

If neither the Reverse Chronological Resume Format, nor the Functional Resume Format feel quite right, we’ve got what you need.

The Hybrid Resume Format is the perfect combination of the two formats listed above.

It takes all the best features from both formats.

It includes both Reverse Chronological Work History, and a highly detailed Skills section.

It’s mostly used for job positions that require expertise in a variety of fields, and you want to show that you are the right person for the job.

Which resume format to choose for high school resume?

Now, on to the main question – which format should you choose?

There is no easy answer to that question.

You have two good options – Reverse Chronological Resume or Functional Resume.

The Functional Resume would bring up your skills, and it is a better option when you have limited or no work experience.

The reason you need to consider the Reverse Chronological Resume is the workload hiring managers have.

They receive hundreds of resumes for every position, and can’t really afford to spend too much time on any.

On average, hiring managers would spend about 6-7 seconds on your resume.

That’s why, if it is not in an easy-to-read format, they might even skip it.

And, as the Reverse Chronological Resume Format is the most common out there, it might be a safer choice than the Functional Resume Format.

No matter which resume format you choose, you need to spend some significant time filling up your resume with information.

It is not an easy task, and you need to know how to do it right.

We’ve got you covered with every section that you might want to list on your resume.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to include all of them.

You wouldn’t want your resume to get too cluttered.

Contact information

The resume section that is most crucial to get right is your contact information .

It is the first the hiring manager sees on your resume, so you would want to make it look professional.

Furthermore, you need to check if it is all mistake-free.

You will never get called for an interview, if you misspelled your phone number.

Your contact information consists of a few important components.

That one is hard to get wrong.

You need to list two names in a font that is easy-to-read.

Make sure you accent your name with the font-size.

The hiring manager should know who your resume introduces.

You can consider adding a subtitle below your name to act as a branding statement.

But that one is entirely up to you.

Listing just your two names is more than enough for now.

This one can often be excluded.

But typically, it might work well for you.

There are some reasons for some employers to prefer local candidates , including:

• Tax purposes
• Travelling time

The safe way to go is to check the job listing first and see if it is required.

A thing to be extra careful about here is what part of your address you include.

If you decide to include any, make sure you only list city and state.

Any more information is too much, and can even be harmful to you, if your resume ends up in the wrong hands.

Email address

This is an absolute must on your resume.

In the modern age that we live in, email is usually the preferred method of communication.

But don’t list just any email that you have got.

An email address that seemed funny in college is not the right email address for the job.

You would want a professional looking email to list on your resume.

Your best option here is to use a provider like Gmail and keep the format [email protected].

Phone number

That is the second must that you should not exclude.

It is just as important a means of communication, as your email address.

Make sure you list your personal cell phone, so that you would be sure that the hiring manager would reach you.

Keep only one phone number on your resume.

Any more than that might come off confusing and would be more difficult to keep track of.

If you don’t have to have a LinkedIn profile it wouldn’t hurt you to make an account.

It can usually serve you really well, as hiring managers would definitely want to learn more about you than you can list on your one-page resume .

So make sure you include your LinkedIn profile in your Contact Information.

And if you don’t have a profile yet, there is no better time to create one.

Blog, website, or portfolio

Do you have some projects that you want to share with your potential employer?

Well, you can always do so.

Just include your blog, personal website, or a portfolio of some great projects you have created.

But be careful.

You need to keep it all relevant.

So check the position you are applying for and then decide if it would work in your favor.

Resume objective

Your Resume Objective is your chance to sell yourself to your potential employer.

And that is exactly what you would want to do.

The resume objective is a 3-4 sentence statement that presents your skills, achievements and career goals.

It should present you in the best possible light and keep the hiring manager intrigued all the way through.

Education section

As you probably have limited or no work experience, the focus of your resume would fall much more on your education section .

That’s where you should list your academic accomplishments.

Typically, every entry in your education section should include:

• Your Degree
• Name of the Academic Institution
• Year of Graduation
• Bullet list with relevant courses

If you think you can show off some more in your entry, you absolutely should.

Other things you can list on any entry in your education section are:

• GPA (make sure it is a good one, nothing below 3.0)
• Awards and Honors
• Class rank (if applicable)

Skills Section

Before starting this section, we need to define the difference between the two main types of skills – soft and hard.

hard skills

Using simple words, a hard skill is one that can be learned, taught, or measured and is not dependent on your industry.

Examples of such skills are any language or computer skills, or ability to operate heavy machinery.

Soft skills

A soft skill is a personality trait that is hard to measure, but that makes you great at your job.

Examples of such skills are being a team player, being driven to succeed, or having a great attitude.

Now, how to list hard and soft skills on your high school resume.

As you probably have limited or no experience, focus would not be on your work experience section.

Instead, it falls on your education section, and on your skillset.

That’s why it is really crucial to get this right.

Don’t worry, we are going to help you go through it.

The first thing you need to do is list all skills that you have.

After you have it ready, you should look through it and think about which of these skills are relevant to the job position you are applying for.

You should also help yourself find the right keywords that your potential employer would be looking for.

You can easily find them by checking out the job listing.

That would also help you beat the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that would scan your resume for specific keywords before it ever has the chance to be seen by the hiring manager.

Extracurricular activities

This section might not seem so important at first, but it can really turn your resume around.

Even if you had nothing so impressive so far, some extracurricular activities can really grab the hiring manager’s attention.

These activities are usually school-related, but are never mandatory.

Taking part in them demonstrates your interests and proves that you can make meaningful contributions.

It can also show that you are a strong team player, as typically they require teamwork.

All in all, extracurricular activities on your resume can really show a much greater skillset than your skills section.

And that can really boost up your chances.

School is not the only place you can do things.

And usually out-of-school projects are even more impressive for hiring managers.

They show that you are a self-starter, and you have the motivation and the skillset to see a project through.

It can be as little as a blog, or as big as a small business or a startup.

Either way, it can really put you one step ahead of other candidates.

Work Experience Section (Optional)

You might not have any work experience at this point, and that is okay.

You can always create a substitute section like “Volunteer Work” where you can list all your volunteering.

Or you can create an unrelated to experience section that would show off your talents in a better way.

But if you have any work experience, you should not miss out on listing it.

What you need for listing each entry is:

• Job position
• Company name
• Dates of employment
• A bullet list of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Language skills

It might seem redundant, but you need a second skills section, and it is usually an important one.

That one shows your language skills and the levels of knowledge you have in them.

In the modern world, it is crucial to know more languages, as the world is becoming more and more connected.

So, any language skills you have would not remain unnoticed.

Your potential employer would absolutely be happy to see some additional language skills on your resume.

If you have any certification for any language, don’t miss out on listing it.

You can do so either right there in the language skills section, or in a separate Certifications Section .

Hobbies & interests

This section might seem useless at first, but it can play an important role in your job-seeking as well.

Listing your hobbies and interests can give an indirect hint to the hiring manager about some of your great skills.

But also they show you as a person and describe you as a well-rounded individual.

Don’t list too many hobbies, it might look like you were just throwing words around.

Instead, scan the job listing once again.

That’s where you would find what hobby or interest would be perfect for you to list.

If your potential employer is looking for a team player, you would want to emphasize a team sport.

And, as promised, we are not going to let you go without some tips and tricks to help you out.

There are a few simple rules you need to follow.

If you do, your resume will be guaranteed to look its best.

So let’s go through them all and get you good and ready:

• Stick to one-page resume – two-page resumes are only acceptable when a candidate has tons of work experience
• Choose a professional font - examples of such are Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Cambria and Verdana
• Choose the correct font size - it’s best to keep it around 12pt, and it should never fall beneath 10pt
• Make sure you have sufficient white space - you need to make it clear where a section starts and ends. Don’t forget to also add a margin of at least 0.7 inches.
• Choose the right format - unless specified otherwise, always stick to PDF as it is the only format that will preserve your layout and structure no matter what

Making an effective high school resume is all about presenting yourself in the best possible way. Focus on:

• Your soft and hard skills will play a major role in structuring your resume;
• Don’t hesitate to show high-school accomplishments;
• Show your strengths and explain what will make you a great hiree;
• Stick to a single-page resume.

Check out our tips and tricks once again and use our Resume Builder to make your resume get you your next interview in no time.

• Resume Guides

How to Send an Introduction Email to a Recruiter (Sample Included)

8 example situational interview questions and their answers, email to send resume: how to build yours [+ template], four steps to creating a personal development plan, a real example of a resume with no work experience showing impact, how to list projects on a resume: a concise approach.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

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

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Anatomy of a High School Résumé

What is a résumé.

A résumé is a document that summarizes your knowledge, skills, abilities, experiences, and accomplishments. Think of a résumé as an introduction, helping people get to know you. A high school résumé outlines your interests and goals so people know what you enjoy and where you see yourself going.

Do I need a résumé in high school?

Yes! High school is a good time to begin putting your résumé together. Whether you’re thinking about getting a job, going to college , or doing volunteer work, you may be asked to provide a résumé. A common use for a résumé is to screen applicants for potential jobs . Employers can look through a résumé to quickly determine if someone’s skills, experience, and interests match what they’re looking for. In addition to employers, colleges often invite applicants to include a résumé. Therefore, having a résumé that’s detailed, properly formatted, and up to date is important.

Where do I begin?

Résumés have many acceptable résumé templates and formats─including both paper and digital versions. When choosing the format you want to use, think about what the standard is for the job or organization you’re applying to. Many places have preferred formats.  Follow any guidelines provided to improve your chances for success. Look for résumé examples online to see how other people have crafted their résumés, and apply what you like to your résumé. However, keep in mind that format is less important than content. Focus most on what you’re sharing, not on document design.

How do I write my résumé?

Typically, a high school résumé consists of these sections:

• Header: Include your name and contact information.
• Education: List schools you’ve attended, including graduation dates (if you’ve graduated). Include special courses or areas of interest, particularly if they’re related to the job, school, or opportunity you’re applying for. Include academic honors and awards.
• Skills and Experience: List and skills you learned or demonstrated in paid employment or unpaid volunteer work. Put everything in reverse order, adding start and end dates. List relevant extracurricular activities, as well as club or organization leadership roles.  Show the reader your accomplishments, not just responsibilities. Presenting data such as the number of people you served, projects you completed, or awards received can help tell your story.
• Special Skills: List skills that could be a benefit to the school or employer. This could be languages you speak, computer programs you know how to use, or personality traits (e.g., good with kids, comfortable talking on the phone, enjoy public speaking).

Résumé Writing Tips

If you’re new to résumé writing, it can feel overwhelming. Take your time and be patient. Here are some tips to get started writing your résumé in high school:

• Write your résumé in reverse chronological order. Put your most recent experience and schooling at the top. Then work your way backward.
• Make sure that everything you’ve included is relevant and worded concisely. Limit the résumé to one page.
• Don’t worry about making your résumé flashy. It’s better to keep everything simple, clear, and easy to read than to use unique fonts, images, or layouts. 
• Remember to be accurate. Never exaggerate or bend the truth.  
• Make sure to proofread your résumé more than once, looking for typos, misspellings, and incorrect grammar and punctuation. Then have someone else look over it. Mistakes can make the reader feel you’re not as thorough, careful, or detail oriented as they’d like you to be. 
• Add new experiences and skills to your résumé as you gain them. As time passes, delete the oldest and least relevant experiences. It’s okay to revise your résumé as your interests and goals change.  

Related Articles

Official websites use .mass.gov

Secure websites use HTTPS certificate

A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• search    across the entire site
• search  in Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences
• search  in Department of Public Health
• search  in Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• This page, Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, is   offered by
• Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences
• Department of Public Health

Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses

Stay home when you have symptoms of any respiratory illness, like flu COVID-19, and RSV. Staying home when sick helps prevent the spread of germs.

Table of Contents

Overview of things you can do to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19
• Stay home when you are sick (follow the recommendations below)
• Use hand and respiratory hygiene  
• Wear a mask around others 
• Get tested for flu and COVID-19 so you can get treated
• Avoid crowded areas and maintain physical distance
• Increase fresh air  

If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus (isolation)

If you have new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home and stay away from others in your household.

While you are staying at home:

• Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment if you test positive.
• Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Clean  high-touc h surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

You should stay home even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick. 

When you start to feel better:

You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if: 

• You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND 
• Your other symptoms are improving

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. 

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people 
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease

If your symptoms get worse again: 

If your fever comes back or any other symptoms start to get worse, you should go back home until you are better again. Wait to resume normal activities until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines AND your symptoms are improving again. When you resume normal activities, take the recommended additional precautions during the next 5 days:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces
• Wear a mask indoors around other people
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your coughs and sneezes

If you have tested positive for a respiratory virus but do not have any symptoms

You can still spread the virus. Take additional precautions to protect others from getting sick.

For at least the first 5 days, take these extra precautions: 

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease .
•  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean high-touch surfaces  (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

If you develop any respiratory symptoms: 

If you get a fever, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness, you should go home. You may begin to resume normal activities with some precautions when:

• You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
• Your symptoms are improving again

Then, take the recommended extra precautions during the next 5 days:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces 

If you were exposed to someone with a respiratory virus illness (exposure precautions)

If you have been exposed to someone with a respiratory virus, you do not need to stay home as long as you remain asymptomatic. You may be able to spread a respiratory virus before developing symptoms.

To protect others, especially those with risk factors for severe illness , take precautions: 

• Consider wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places
• Monitor yourself for symptoms carefully

Stay home if you start to develop any signs of illness. 

Protecting people with risk factors for severe illness from respiratory viruses

When you are sick from a respiratory virus, you may spread germs for about 10 days after your symptoms start or after a positive test, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Be aware that some people around you may have risk factors for more severe disease. Masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and covering your coughs and sneezes helps protect them.

People at increased risk can include: 

• Older adults 
• Individuals with chronic underlying medical conditions, for example heart, lung, liver or kidney disease 
• Young children, especially those under 2 years old 
• People with weakened immune systems 
• People with disabilities 
• Pregnant people 

Schools and childcare settings

Schools and childcare settings should follow the recommendations for the general population. Recognize that young children may not always be able to wear a mask effectively. Children under 2 years are not asked to mask when they return to normal activities.

School health offices are health care settings. School nurses and other health office staff should follow the guidance for health care settings .  

Health care settings

View specific guidance and protocols for health care settings:  Guidance for Health Care Personnel with SARS-CoV2 Infection or Exposure .

Health care guidance is intended for:

• Inpatient settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities)
• Outpatient settings (e.g., clinics, urgent care, ambulatory surgical centers, imaging centers, dialysis centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, alternative medicine clinics)
• Community settings where health care is being delivered (e.g., emergency medical services, home health agencies)
• Tips to protect yourself and others from getting sick 
• Guidance for Health Care Personnel with SARS-CoV2 Infection or Exposure 

Help Us Improve Mass.gov   with your feedback

The feedback will only be used for improving the website. If you need assistance, please contact the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences . Please limit your input to 500 characters.

Thank you for your website feedback! We will use this information to improve this page.

If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site.