How to make a resume in high school?

Making a resume in high school can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. A resume is simply a one-page summary of your skills, experiences, and achievements. This guide will walk you through how to make a resume in high school step by step, so you can apply for jobs, internships, or college programs with confidence.

Why Do You Need a Resume in High School?

Even if you’ve never had a paid job, you still have experiences that matter. A resume helps you stand out when applying for part-time work, volunteer roles, or summer programs. It also gives you a head start on college applications.

Many high schoolers think they don’t have enough to put on a resume, but that’s rarely true. Your grades, clubs, sports, and volunteer work all count. Even babysitting or helping with family business shows responsibility.

What to Include on Your High School Resume

Your resume should be clean, easy to read, and only one page long. Here are the key sections to include:

• Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and city/state. Use a professional email (not a nickname).
• Objective or Summary: One sentence stating what you’re looking for and what you offer. Example: “Motivated high school junior seeking a part-time retail position.”
• Education: Your high school name, expected graduation year, and GPA if it’s above 3.0. List relevant courses like AP or honors classes.
• Experience: Any paid jobs, internships, or volunteer roles. Include your responsibilities and skills learned.
• Activities: Clubs, sports, music, or other extracurriculars. Mention any leadership roles.
• Skills: Languages, computer programs, or certifications (like CPR).

How to Write Each Section

Contact Information

Put your name at the top in a larger font. Below it, list your phone number and email. Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional.

Include your city and state, but not your full street address for safety. You can add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.

Objective or Summary

This is optional but helpful if you’re applying for a specific role. Tailor it to the job or program. Keep it to one or two sentences.

Example: “Hardworking sophomore with strong teamwork skills seeking a summer camp counselor position.”

Education

Start with your most recent school. Write “High School Diploma (Expected June 2028)” if you’re a freshman. Include your GPA only if it’s strong.

List any advanced classes you’re taking, like AP Biology or Dual Credit English. These show you’re ready for challenge.

Experience

Use action verbs like “assisted,” “organized,” or “led” to describe your duties. Even unpaid roles count.

For each experience, write 2-3 bullet points. Focus on what you did and any results. For example: “Managed cash register and handled customer payments accurately.”

Activities and Leadership

List clubs, sports, or community groups. Include any officer positions, like club president or team captain. This shows you can lead.

If you don’t have formal leadership, describe your participation. Example: “Member of the robotics club for 2 years, helped build competition robot.”

Skills

Include languages you speak, computer skills (like Microsoft Office or Google Docs), and any certifications. Soft skills like “good communicator” are okay but better shown through examples.

Think about what makes you unique. Maybe you’re great at social media or know basic coding. Add those if relevant.

Resume Template for High School Students

Here’s a simple layout you can follow:

Section	What to Write	Example
Contact	Name, phone, email, city/state	Jordan Smith | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Austin, TX
Objective	One sentence about your goal	Seeking a part-time job where I can use my customer service skills.
Education	School name, grad year, GPA (if high)	Lincoln High School, Class of 2028, GPA 3.8
Experience	Job/volunteer roles with duties	Volunteer, Animal Shelter (2025–Present): Walk dogs, clean cages, help with adoptions.
Activities	Clubs, sports, leadership	Varsity Soccer Team, Captain (2026)
Skills	Languages, tech, certifications	Spanish (intermediate), Microsoft Excel, CPR certified

Tips for Making Your Resume Stand Out

• Keep it to one page. Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Times New Roman at size 11 or 12.
• Use action verbs and quantify when possible. Say “organized food drive for 100 families” instead of “helped with food drive.”
• Tailor your resume for each job or school. Change the objective and highlight relevant skills.
• Proofread carefully. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to check for errors.
• Save as a PDF to keep formatting intact when emailing or uploading.

What Not to Include

Avoid putting your full address, social security number, or date of birth. You don’t need to list references yet—just say “References available upon request.”

Skip hobbies unless they show skills (like “photography” for a media job). Also, avoid using a photo unless the job specifically asks for one.

How to Use Your Resume

Once your resume is ready, use it to apply for jobs, internships, or college prep programs. You can also bring it to career fairs or scholarship interviews.

Keep your resume updated every few months. Add new experiences and remove old ones as you grow. A current resume is your best tool for new opportunities.

Making a resume in high school is a smart step toward your future. Start with the basics, highlight what you’ve done, and keep it polished. With this guide, you’re ready to create a resume that opens doors.