A high school resume serves as an important document for securing college admissions, applying for first jobs, and earning scholarships. Unlike a professional resume built on years of employment history, this document focuses on academic trajectory and potential. It provides a structured overview of a student’s accomplishments, demonstrating readiness for the next stage of their career or education.
Essential Contact Information and Resume Objective
The header should immediately present your full legal name, a phone number, and a dedicated email address suitable for formal correspondence. Including a link to a professional social media profile, such as a well-maintained LinkedIn account, can be appropriate if the content is relevant to the application. The resume objective, or summary statement, is a concise, two-line declaration tailored to the specific opportunity. This statement should look forward, articulating your goals and enthusiasm for the position or program rather than simply summarizing past achievements.
Highlighting Academic Achievements
Academic performance showcases discipline and intellectual capacity. Students should clearly list both their unweighted and weighted Grade Point Averages. If the school provides an official class rank and it is favorable, it should be included to offer context on performance relative to peers. Standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, should be noted if they are required by the institution or if the scores are strong enough to support the application.
Beyond numerical metrics, demonstrating academic rigor through coursework is important. Listing specific enrollment in advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), or honors classes shows a willingness to take on challenging material.
Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work
Activities conducted outside of the classroom indicate a student’s character, interests, and time management abilities. This section is dedicated to organized involvement, including school clubs, athletic teams, fine arts participation, and structured volunteer commitments within the community. Descriptions must highlight measurable impact and specific contributions. Use strong action verbs to describe roles and responsibilities, such as “orchestrated,” “managed,” or “developed,” rather than passive statements.
For instance, instead of stating “Member of Debate Club,” articulate that you “Coached ten novice members for regional competition.” Quantifying commitment is important, so note the duration of involvement and the average number of hours dedicated per week. Leadership roles, whether formal (e.g., Treasurer) or informal (e.g., project lead), should be emphasized to demonstrate initiative and influence within the group.
Listing Formal Work Experience and Internships
Students should list any part-time employment, summer jobs, or structured, unpaid internships with a clear format: job title, organization name, and employment dates. The descriptions should articulate responsibilities using action verbs, even for seemingly simple roles.
Informal employment, such as regular babysitting, lawn care, or tutoring, should also be included and framed to highlight transferable skills. For example, managing a lawn care route demonstrates time management and client relationship skills, while babysitting shows responsibility and trust. Focus on competencies like responsibility, punctuality, cash handling, and customer interaction. Maintaining a strict separation between paid work and volunteer activities helps maintain clarity for the reader.
Relevant Skills and Technical Proficiencies
Hard skills, which are measurable and technical, should be listed explicitly. Examples include proficiency in specific software like the Adobe Suite, particular coding languages, or fluency in a foreign language. These technical skills often hold the most direct utility for potential employers or specialized educational programs.
Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, or problem-solving, should be included sparingly. They must be clearly supported by evidence detailed in the experience or activities sections. For instance, if you led a large project team, it supports a claim of organizational leadership. Avoid listing generic soft skills that cannot be directly substantiated by the accomplishments described earlier in the resume.
Documenting Awards, Honors, and Recognition
This section documents awards, honors, and formal recognition earned both inside and outside the school environment. This includes memberships in academic honor societies, such as the National Honor Society, or specific recognition for performance in academic competitions like Science Olympiad. External scholarships or grants received should also be documented here. The list should be presented clearly, either in reverse chronological order or prioritized by importance. This section provides objective validation of excellence and achievement beyond the standard grade metrics.
Key Formatting and Submission Guidelines
A high school resume should be limited to a single page to ensure conciseness and respect for the reader’s time. Select a clean, professional typeface, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and maintain a font size that is easily readable. Consistency in formatting is paramount, especially concerning the presentation of dates, titles, and bullet points across all sections.
Before submission, proofreading is required to eliminate any typographical or grammatical errors that could undermine the document’s credibility. Always convert the final document to a PDF format before submitting it electronically to preserve the integrity of the layout across different operating systems.