High School Resume Template and Examples for a Student

Learn how to write a high school resume that shows your skills and potential to every employer, even with no experience. Kickstart your future with a standout high school resume!

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Jumping into the job market can be intimidating for high school students, but a polished high school resume will make all the difference. This guide is your go-to resource for creating an effective resume highlighting your strengths, skills, and experiences. We’ll provide tips, templates, and examples designed specifically for high school students, empowering you to craft a resume that captures the recruiter’s attention and sets you on the path to success. Let’s get started on showcasing your potential!

High School Resume Template

Sophia Carter
Aspiring Sales Associate

(123) 456-7890
sophia.carter@email.com
linkedin.com/in/sophia.carter

Objective
Dedicated high school student with hands-on experience in inventory management and customer service, seeking a part-time retail position at Springfield Boutique. As a Food Bank Volunteer, improved inventory accuracy by 30%, enhanced volunteer satisfaction by 25%, and organized seasonal food drives that increased donations by 20%. Equipped with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that can contribute to a positive shopping experience and boost sales for Springfield Boutique.

Education

High School Diploma
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL
September 2020–May 2024

Relevant extracurricular activities
Student Council Member: Collaborated with peers to plan school events, enhancing organizational and leadership skills.
Captain of the Softball Team: Developed excellent leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills while leading the team to achieve a 78% win rate.

Academic achievements
● Received the school’s Leadership Award for outstanding teamwork and communication skills in group projects.
● Achieved excellent test results (>95%) in relevant coursework, including Introduction to Business, Marketing Principles, Consumer Behavior, and Accounting Fundamentals.

Experience

Food Bank Volunteer
East Side Food Bank, Springfield, IL
May 2022–October 2024

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
● Improved inventory accuracy by 30% by organizing and cataloging food donations, helping to ensure timely distribution of food.
● Interacted with diverse community members while distributing food, leading to positive feedback and a 25% increase in volunteer satisfaction ratings.
● Helped plan and execute seasonal food drives, resulting in a 20% increase in donations over the previous year and raising awareness about food insecurity in the local community.

Skills

● Customer service
● Leadership
● Communication
● Teamwork
● Inventory management
● Time management
● Computer skills

Languages

● English—Native
● Spanish—Intermediate

Interests

Fashion: passionate about exploring new trends and combining styles to create original outfits; running a fashion-themed blog at www.sophiasfashionblog.com with 500+ monthly readers.

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Responsibilities and Duties for a High School Resume

High school students with no work experience can showcase their potential on a resume by emphasizing transferable skills acquired through classes, clubs, and volunteering. Examples include leadership skills gained through managing projects and teamwork from group activities, sports, and coursework.

Here are more examples of how to present school activities and projects as impactful duties on a resume for high school students:

● Worked effectively as part of a team to complete projects and tasks, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills.
● Collaborated with peers to plan and execute school events, enhancing organizational skills.
● Balanced multiple tasks and deadlines while prioritizing responsibilities in a fast-paced learning environment.
● Managed time effectively to ensure timely completion of assignments and projects.
● Presented information to classmates or groups, developing public speaking and presentation skills.
● Led group projects or team activities, coordinating roles and responsibilities to achieve common goals.
● Mentored younger students and peers, providing guidance and support to foster a positive learning environment.
● Promoted school events or fundraisers, utilizing marketing techniques to increase participation and engagement.

Knowing how to frame your activities as accomplishments is one thing, but putting them into the context of a well-formatted high school student resume is quite another! Take a look at these high school student resume templates to see them in action:

First Job High School Resume Sample

Madison Powell
Aspiring Library Assistant
(123) 456-7890
madison.powell@email.com
linkedin.com/in/madison.powell

Objective
Enthusiastic high school student with a passion for literature and a strong background in promoting reading, seeking a Library Assistant position at Lansing Public Library. As a dedicated member of the School Book Club, organized successful reading challenges and a book drive that collected over 300 books for underprivileged children. Strong critical thinking, advanced computer skills, and experience using library catalogs can contribute to a positive and engaging library environment while fostering a love for reading in the community.

Education

High School Diploma (in progress)
Lansing High School, Lansing, MI
September 2021–May 2025 (expected)

Member of the School Book Club since 2021
● Engaged in discussions about 20+ books from diverse literary genres, enhancing critical thinking and analytical skills.
● Recommended books to peers and organized 12 monthly reading challenges, fostering a love for reading within the school community.
● Coordinated a successful book drive, collecting over 300 books for local underprivileged children, promoting literacy and access to reading materials.
● Collaborated with fellow members to host 5 events promoting literacy and reading, contributing to a positive educational environment.

Academic achievements
● Achieved Top 10% in English Language Arts class in freshman and sophomore years, with recognition for outstanding analytical writing and participation in literary discussions.
● Completed AP Computer Science with a score of 4 on the exam, demonstrating proficiency in data analysis systems and programming languages.

Skills

● Critical thinking
● Teamwork
● Advanced computer skills
● Using library catalogs
● Analytical skills
● Creative thinking
● Attention to detail
● Problem-solving skills

Languages

● English—Native
● French—Intermediate

Interests

● Literature—passionate about a wide range of genres, with a particular interest in classic and French literature. Written 240+ book reviews on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/123-mpowell), gathering over 1500 followers.
● IT—interested in programming languages, software development, and database analysis solutions.

Example High School Student Resume with no Work Experience

Jack Roberts
Aspiring Theater Usher
(123) 456-7890
jack.roberts@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jack.roberts

Objective
Dedicated high school student passionate about the performing arts and active involvement in the Drama Club and Stage Crew at Pineview High School. Successfully collaborated on over 12 performances, enhancing teamwork and communication skills while assisting in promoting events that increased ticket sales by 20%. Eager to leverage hands-on experience in theater production and strong organizational abilities as a theater usher at Madison Theater. Committed to providing an exceptional experience for all patrons and contributing to the smooth operation of events.

Education

High School Diploma (in progress)
Pineview High School, Madison, WI
September 2021–May 2025 (expected)

Member of the Drama Club since 2022
● Collaborated with peers in the Drama Club to prepare for 12+ performances, fostering teamwork and creative expression.
● Participated in script readings and character workshops, enhancing communication skills and understanding of theatrical concepts.
● Assisted in promoting club events and productions, developing organizational skills, and helping to increase ticket sales by 20% over one year.

Member of the school theater Stage Crew since 2021
● Supported set design and construction during 8 productions, gaining hands-on experience in theater production and practical problem-solving skills.
● Assisted in the setup and breakdown of stage equipment before and after over 80 performances, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.
● Collaborated with cast and crew to manage cues and transitions during live performances, enhancing the ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment.

Skills

● Collaboration
● Communication skills
● Theatre production
● Event promotion
● Organizational skills
● Problem-solving
● Time management
● Attention to detail
● Adaptability

Languages

● English—Native
● Spanish—Intermediate

Interests

● Performing arts—passionate about theater productions, particularly musicals. Attended over 20 plays at the Madison Theater to pursue a career in set design after studies.

Example High School Academic Resume for College Applications

Jeanne Atkins
High School Senior
(123) 456-7890
jeanne.atkins@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jeanne.atkins

Objective
Ambitious high school senior with a 3.90 GPA and a class rank of 12 out of 150, seeking to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. Demonstrated success as a Science Olympiad participant with 1st place honors in the Regional Physics Challenge and leadership as a Robotics Club member, where I contributed to developing award-winning robots and organized coding workshops for younger students.

Education

High School Diploma (in progress)
West Side High School, Portland, OR
September 2021–May 2025 (expected)

Academic Achievements:
● GPA: 3.90/4.0
● Class Rank: 12 out of 150
● Honors Courses: AP Calculus, AP Physics, Honors Biology

Test Scores:
● SAT: 1450 (Math: 750, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700)
● ACT: 32 (English: 33, Math: 34, Reading: 31, Science: 30)

Relevant Coursework:
● Computer Science Principles
● Robotics
● Data Analysis

Extracurricular Activities

Robotics Club Member
West Side High School, Portland, OR
September 2022–Present
● Contributed to building and programming 3 robots for regional competitions, enhancing teamwork and engineering skills.
● Organized 4 workshops to teach coding basics to younger students, demonstrating leadership and communication abilities.

Science Olympiad Participant
West Side High School, Portland, OR
September 2021–Present
● Competed in various events focused on physics and engineering, including the Bridge Building and Egg Drop competitions, earning 1st place in the Regional Physics Challenge and multiple awards for innovative design and performance.
● Collaborated with teammates to conduct experiments and present findings at competitions.

Skills

● Python, Java, and C++
● Git
● Visual Studio
● Analytical skills
● Problem-solving skills
● Organizational skills
● Time management
● Teamwork
● Critical thinking

Languages

● English—Native
● Mandarin—Beginner

1. Pick the Best High School Resume Format

No matter your experience level, the information you include on your high school resume has to be organized in a way that immediately makes sense to the reader. Recruiters don’t have the time to read every resume in depth—you have to give them the Cliff notes they can skim to get what they need.

That’s why using a tried-and-tested resume format will go a long way toward helping you get hired.

The most widely accepted format is the reverse-chronological resume. This is the standard layout you’ve probably seen already, focusing on experience (but you can make it work with just education, too). It’s the best format overall—it puts your achievements front and center and what recruiters expect to see.

Reverse-chronological resumes are broken into sections, including:

● Header with contact details
● Resume summary (introduction)
● Work experience
● Education
● Key skills
● Additional sections (languages, certifications, interests, and so on)

This is the resume format we’ll use in this guide, since it’s the most universal choice. However, you may consider going with a functional resume if you have zero experience—no internships, no volunteering, no projects, not even pet sitting. In such cases, the functional resume could be your friend.

Functional resumes focus on your skills, mentioning examples of when you put those skills to use (most likely during school projects). Note that this format is rarely used; it may confuse recruiters. The combination resume format is a similar solution, although it may also put you at a disadvantage just because it looks so different from what hiring professionals are used to.

In any case, remember to follow these formatting tips on your resume:

● Choose a resume font that’s clear and easy to read—something that doesn’t draw attention to itself. Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, and Roboto are perfect for the job.
● Set the font size to 10–12 points for increased readability.
● Give each of your sections a clear heading that’s around 14–16 points in size. Go with standard section names, like “Experience” and “Education.”
● Add some white space by using one-inch margins on your resume and setting line spacing to 1.15
● Make sure your resume fits on one page. If it’s longer than that, you may be including too much information or having trouble with its formatting.

When you’re ready to submit your resume, check whether the employer has specified a file type they prefer. If not, go with a PDF file, since it works on every device and always looks the same.

Ready to see some examples? Here are a few templates from our resume builder for high school students that you might find helpful:

High school resume template

This High School resume template lets you make an elegant use of color, ensuring a polished design. It’s two-column design also helps to keep the document better organized.

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High school resume template

This High School resume template lets you fill up more space on the page. The result is that you avoid the impression of a lack of experience with too much white space.

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High School resume template

This High School resume template is a perfect blend of creativity and elegance that doesn’t go far into the latter, avoiding a cluttered design. Using this template is a great option for those seeking creative careers.

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2. Add a Header to Your High School Resume

Your resume header is a small section containing your contact information at the top of the page. Here’s what details to include:

● Your full name
● Your phone number
● Your email address

You can also include links to relevant profiles or content online, like your portfolio, if you’re applying for a job in a creative industry. A LinkedIn profile URL is also a great option.

There’s no need to include your street address or any other contact information on your resume—you can share more details with the employer later during the recruitment process if necessary.

Pro Tip: Making a strong LinkedIn profile is free and easy—consider creating one to give yourself a professional edge. Use a business-style headshot as your profile picture, and stay active in your chosen industry to show commitment and dedication.

3. Make Your Education Stand Out on Your High School Student Resume

Typically, work experience comes before education on resumes. However, for a high school student, education will likely be the more significant asset, owing to a lack of work experience. That said, if you have work experience that’s more relevant than your high school experience, put your work experience section first.

When listing education on your resume, start by providing the basic details, including:

● The level of your education, so most likely “High School Diploma”
● The name and location of your school
● Your dates of attendance—if you’re still in high school, state your expected graduation date

Next, add more information about your activities at school, focusing on experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Consider adding:

● Extracurricular activities, complete with your related accomplishments
● Academic achievements
● Relevant coursework
● Relevant projects

When describing your high school experience, show specific skills, drawing attention to what you learned with each activity.

In general, there’s no requirement to list your GPA on your high school resume. The only exception is if you’re writing a high school academic resume to attach to your college application.

On an academic resume for high school students, colleges expect to see your weighted GPA, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores. You can also include a separate section for your extracurricular activities on your resume to draw attention to specific accomplishments in relevant clubs and societies. Check out the academic resume example above to see what your document could look like!

4. Outline Relevant Work Experience on Your High School Resume

If you have work experience, list it in a separate section on your resume. Start with your current or most recent job, and include your job title, the company’s name and location, and your employment dates. Internships and volunteering are fair game on a resume with no work experience—you can treat these experiences like any other job.

Now, for each of your jobs, write 3–5 bullet points outlining the impact of your contributions. Here’s how to make your bullet points shine:

● Emphasize your accomplishments in each role rather than simply listing duties. Focus on what you helped achieve.
● Start each of your bullet points with an action word, such as “delivered,” “improved,” or “boosted.” They land much better than a passive language like “responsible for.”
● Use numbers to quantify your achievements. If you improved customer satisfaction scores, say by how much. If you serve a lot of customers, provide a figure. How many are served per day or week? This adds impact and context to your statements.

If you have your eye on several job openings, tailor your bullet points to each job you apply for. If needed, reframe or reword your accomplishments to draw attention to the particular skills required by each employer.

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5. Perfect Your High School Resume Skills Section

List 8–10 of your most relevant skills and abilities in your skills resume section. Try to match the employer’s requirements with your skill set: analyze the job ad and see what skills they’re after. Then, include those skills on your high school resume in the skills section and elsewhere to show you’re the perfect fit.

Resume skills for high school students will differ based on your experience, strengths, and the industry you’re looking to enter. However, here’s a list of high school skills for resumes that should be relevant for most candidates:

Skills for High School Resumes

● Communication skills
● Interpersonal skills
● Leadership skills
● Management skills
● Attention to detail
● Problem-solving skills
● Organizational skills
● Critical thinking
● Creative thinking
● Analytical skills
● Time management
● Teamwork
● Computer skills
● Multitasking

You’ll have developed plenty of soft skills like communication and teamwork through your high school studies, so they’ll likely make up the bulk of your list. However, try to include relevant hard skills on your resume as well. Examples could include software proficiencies, typing speed, customer service, cash handling, design basics, or social media management, depending on your industry and experience.

6. Include Relevant Additional Sections on Your Resume

Additional resume sections are your chance to share relevant details about yourself that didn’t fit anywhere else on your resume. This could include:

Courses and certifications resume section
Volunteering resume section, if you haven’t mentioned your volunteering experience elsewhere on your resume
Foreign languages resume section
● Awards
● Interests

Make sure only to include relevant information on your resume, though. Everything you add to your resume should prove you’re the right candidate.

As an entry-level candidate, consider making the most of your Interests resume section. Use it to highlight your passion for the industry you’re looking to enter. For instance, if you’re applying for a job at a local movie theater, mention your love of international cinema. Look at the sample high school resumes in this guide for more examples.

Pro Tip: Short on extras for your resume? Take online courses on topics relevant to your chosen industry, then list them on your resume. Check out edX, Udemy, and Reed for inexpensive, high-quality online courses.

7. Write a Resume Objective for High School Student Resumes

Your resume objective (or summary) is the first section after the header. However, it’s best to write it last—it’s supposed to summarize your resume, which is much easier to do once the rest of your document is complete. Candidates with work experience write what’s called a resume summary. It needs to feature your most significant professional achievements, a few relevant skills, and an offer to contribute to your prospective employer’s business positively. Here’s an example resume objective for high school students:

Motivated high school student seeking a server position at The Copper Grill. Gained strong communication and teamwork skills through participation in school events and an internship at a local community center, where I assisted in organizing events for over 100 attendees. Developed excellent time management and customer service abilities as a volunteer for school fundraisers, ensuring smooth operations and positive guest experiences with 98% customer satisfaction scores. Eager to contribute a strong work ethic and positive attitude to deliver outstanding service and enhance the guest experience at The Copper Grill.

8. Complete Your Application with a Cover Letter

Even if the job advertisement doesn’t list a cover letter as a requirement, it’s always worth writing one. A well-written cover letter can boost your chances of getting hired, if only because it shows your commitment and determination. Plus, it’s a chance to reiterate your skills and achievements. You don’t need work experience to write an eye-catching cover letter. You can draw on your other experiences to show your potential. Consider this example:

Dear Mr. Stevens,

I am excited to apply for the Sales Associate position at Bright Styles Clothing. My strong communication and organizational skills and my ability to work well in a team have been honed through my involvement in student council, volunteering, and school projects. I am passionate about delivering excellent customer service and eager to bring my enthusiasm for fashion and commitment to helping customers to your team.

As a student council member, I helped organize school events, including a fundraiser that raised $2,500 for local charities. This experience taught me to work well with a team, handle multiple responsibilities, and provide excellent customer service during event planning. Additionally, I volunteered at a local food bank, where I assisted in stocking shelves, organizing inventory, and interacting with customers, which honed my ability to work efficiently and communicate clearly with diverse groups of people.

I am particularly drawn to Bright Styles Clothing because of its reputation for excellent customer service and trendy products. My enthusiasm for fashion, communication skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment will allow me to contribute positively to your team.

I would love the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experiences align with your store’s needs. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the Bright Styles team.

Sincerely,
Samantha Green

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High School Student Resume Dos and Don’ts

Dos:
  • Highlight extracurricular activities, particularly if you have no work experience. Include relevant clubs, sports, or volunteer work that showcase leadership, teamwork, and initiative.
  • Tailor your resume to each job by focusing on the skills and experience most relevant to the position you're applying for.
  • Focus on your skills—emphasize transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, or organization, even with limited work experience.
Don’ts:
  • Get too creative with your resume formatting. Stay away from images, overly decorative fonts, and vibrant colors. Keep your resume clean and professional.
  • List every class you’ve taken. Only mention relevant coursework directly related to the job; everything else will add clutter to your resume and make your accomplishments harder to find.
  • Submit your resume without proofreading it first. Even spell-check can sometimes fail you, so go over your resume in detail to eliminate errors.

Sources

1. 20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2024, Jane Meehan, LinkedIn Sales Blog, accessed October 5, 2024, https://www.linkedin.com/business/sales/blog/profile-best-practices/17-steps-to-a-better-linkedin-profile-in-2017
2. Write a High School Student Resume for College Applications, The Princeton Review, accessed October 5, 2024, https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/high-school-resume

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Donna Profile
WRITTEN BY Donna

Donna is a career expert with extensive experience in the fields of Marketing, Publishing, Direct Mail and Communications. She’s witnessed firsthand the importance of a powerful resume and cover letter to a job search, so she takes great pride in helping change the lives of job seekers by sharing expert career advice and tips to help land the perfect job.