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Resume for high school students is a key document in any job search. It is a document that showcases your education, work experience, and skills, used to make a great first impression on potential employers. In this guide, you will learn the basics of a resume, and how to make one that stands out.
Also, you will learn the key elements to include, tips on tailoring it to a specific job, and formatting best practices. By the end, you will have the skills to create a polished resume that can help you land your dream job.
Basic Elements of a Resume
Resume for high school students need to include some basic information for an employer to understand who you are and what you have done. Here are some of the key things to include in your resume:
- Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Education: Information about the schools you have attended, including the name of the school and the dates you attended.
- Work Experience: Information about any jobs you have had, including the name of the company, the dates you worked there, and your job title.
- Extracurricular activities: Clubs or activities you have been a part of in school or outside of school.
- Skills: Any special abilities or talents you have that make you a good fit for a job.
While these are the basic elements of a resume, you can also include other information that is relevant to your job search. The important thing is to include the information that will help an employer understand who you are and why you would be a good fit for the job.
Tailoring the Resume to the Job
When you are applying for a job, it is important to make sure that your resume is tailored specifically to that job. Your resume should be tailored to the position you are applying for to make you stand out. Here are a few tips to help you tailor your resume to a specific job or industry:
- Research the job and company: Before you start writing your resume, research the job and the company you are applying to. Look at the job description and the company’s website to get a sense of what they are looking for in a candidate.
- Use the same language: Use the same language and keywords that are used in the job description to show that you understand what the job is about and that you are a good fit for the role.
- Highlight your relevant experience: If you have any experience that is particularly relevant to the job you are applying for, be sure to highlight it on your resume.
- Show how you can solve the company’s problems: In your resume, show how you can help the company by solving its problems or meeting its needs. Particularly, explain how your skills and experiences make you the best candidate for the job.
- Be specific: Finally, use specific examples and numbers to back up your claims of skills and qualifications.
By following these tips, you can create a resume that shows the employer that you are a good fit for the job and that you are excited about the opportunity to work with them. Keep in mind that tailoring a resume for each job application may take more time but it will be worth it.
Formatting and Design
When it comes to resume for high school students, the way it looks can be just as important as the information it includes! Here are a few tips to help you create a visually appealing and easy-to-read resume:
- Keep it simple: Use a simple, easy-to-read font and a clean, organized layout. Avoid using too many different font styles and sizes, and keep the design minimalistic.
- Use headings and bullet points: Headings and bullet points will make it easy for the employer to quickly find the information they are looking for.
- Embrace white space: Leave enough white space on the page to make it easy for the employer to read and understand your resume.
- Use a simple color scheme: A simple color scheme, such as black and white, will make your resume look professional.
- Check for errors: Make sure to proofread your resume carefully and check for any spelling or grammar errors.
Having a resume that not only is easy to read and understand, but also represents you well visually, is crucial. Hence, make sure your resume does not look cramped or cluttered. You can make it interesting and unique as long as it is still professional and easy to read.
Online Resume Builders
Say goodbye to the hassle of creating a resume on your own! Did you know that the solution to a polished resume is just a few clicks away with online resume builders?
Online resume builders can be a great resource for creating a polished and professional resume, especially for high school students who may not have a lot of experience in creating resumes.
These tools typically provide a user-friendly interface and offer a variety of templates and formatting options to help you create a visually appealing and easy-to-read resume.
Some benefits of using online resume builders include:
- Ease of use: Many online resume builders have a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create a polished resume in a matter of minutes.
- Templates and formatting options: Many online resume builders offer a variety of templates and formatting options to choose from, which can help you create a visually appealing and easy-to-read resume.
- Professional design: Many online resume builders use professional design elements that can help make your resume look more polished and professional.
- Time-saving: These websites can save you a lot of time, so you do not have to start from scratch. In fact, you can just pick a template and modify it according to your needs and information.
5 Online Resume Builders Worth Checking Out
Here are some examples of popular online resume builders:
- Canva for Students: A graphic design website that offers a wide variety of templates and formatting options for creating resumes.
- MyPerfectResume: A resume-building website that offers a variety of templates and formatting options, as well as tips and best practices for creating a polished resume.
- Resume.com: an online platform that offers a step by step process for creating a polished resume, including pre-written phrases and suggestions for customizing your resume to the job you are applying for.
- Zety: An online platform that offers a variety of templates, formatting options and resume-writing tips, as well as a built-in resume editor for a more professional look.
- LinkedIn Resume Builder: LinkedIn provides a free service, LinkedIn Labs, where you can make a resume from your LinkedIn profile. In fact, you can use this if you are applying to a job on LinkedIn.
These are just a few examples of online resume builders that you might consider using when creating your own resume. Be sure to review the features and pricing of each service to determine which one best fits your needs.
High School Resume Examples: A Template for Students to Follow
Looking for inspiration to create your own high school resume? Look no further! In this section, we will be providing two samples of high school resume template that can serve as a guide to help you format and organize your own information.
Whether you are a first-time resume writer or a seasoned pro, this example can help you create a polished and professional document that showcases your skills and experiences in the best light possible.
Example 1
Here is an example of a high school student’s resume for a position as a server at a restaurant:
Name: Jane Smith
Contact Information:
- Phone: 555-555-5555
- Email: janesmith@email.com
- Address: 1234 Example St, Anytown USA 12345
Objective: To obtain a position as a server in a fast-paced restaurant where I can utilize my strong customer service skills and enthusiasm for food.
Education: Anytown High School, Anytown USA
Graduated: June 2022
Work Experience:
Server, XYZ Restaurant, Anytown USA (May 2021 – Present)
- Greeted and seated customers, took food and drink orders, and assisted with payment and other customer needs.
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment, including washing dishes and sweeping the floor.
- Demonstrated excellent customer service skills and a positive attitude, leading to a 20% increase in customer return rate.
Busser, ABC Restaurant, Anytown USA (Summer 2020)
- Assisted servers with stocking, cleaning and resetting tables.
- Worked as a team to ensure a fast-paced and efficient work environment.
- Maintained a clean and organized work environment, including washing dishes and sweeping the floor.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Volunteer, Anytown Food Bank (2019-2022)
- Member of the school’s Cooking Club (2019-2022)
Skills:
- Strong customer service skills
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Familiarity with POS systems
- Strong knowledge of food safety practices
- Good organizational and multitasking skills
References:
- Available upon request
Example 2
Meanwhile, here is an example of a high school student’s resume for a position as a camp counselor:
Name: John Doe
Contact Information:
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: johndoe@email.com
Address: 1234 Example St, Anytown USA 12345
Objective: To obtain a position as a camp counselor where I can utilize my leadership and mentorship skills to provide a safe, fun and educational experience for the campers.
Education:
Anytown High School, Anytown USA
- Graduated: June 2022
- Current CPR and First-Aid certification
Work Experience:
Volunteer counselor, Anytown Summer Camp (Summer 2021)
- Supervised a group of children ages 7-12 in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and arts and crafts.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of the daily schedule and lesson plans.
- Demonstrated excellent leadership and communication skills and received positive feedback from both campers and parents.
Junior Counselor, XYZ Summer Camp (Summer 2020)
- Assisted senior counselors in the supervision and care of children ages 6-12 in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming and arts and crafts.
- Provided support to campers during meals and downtime, and helped with cleaning and organizing the cabin.
- Worked as a team to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all campers.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Volunteer, Anytown youth group (2018-2022)
- Member of the school’s volunteer club (2018-2022)
Skills:
- Strong leadership and mentorship skills
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Familiarity with basic first aid and emergency protocols
- Strong knowledge of campfire and survival skills
References:
- Available upon request
Please keep in mind that these are generic examples. Thus, it is important to tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for and customize it to your own experiences. Also, you should always double-check the grammar and formatting before you apply to any job.
What’s Next?
All in all, creating a polished and professional resume for high school students can be a challenging task, but with the right information and resources, it is definitely possible.
By following the advice and examples provided in this guide, you should now have a better understanding of what a resume is, how to create one, and how to make it stand out from the competition.
Next, always ask a teacher, counselor, or a trusted mentor to review your resume before you submit it. They might be able to catch errors you missed or have suggestions for improvement. Last but not least, keep your resume up-to-date. This way, you will always have the latest and most relevant information to share with potential employers.
