Resume Examples for High School Students: How to Craft a Standout Resume

Crafting a resume as a high school student can feel like a daunting task, especially when you have little to no formal work experience. However, your resume is an important tool that can help you secure a part-time job, internship, scholarship, or even college admissions. Even if you haven't held a formal job, you can still create a resume that highlights your skills, education, extracurricular activities, and other achievements.

This comprehensive guide will help high school students like you build an impressive resume, even with limited experience. We’ll cover key sections to include, different resume formats, and provide examples to get you started.

1. Why High School Students Need a Resume

Many high school students assume they don’t need a resume until they’re looking for their first full-time job after college. However, having a resume can be incredibly beneficial for several reasons:

Part-time jobs: A well-organized resume can help you land a job in retail, food service, babysitting, tutoring, or other part-time work.
Internships: Many internships, even for high school students, require a resume as part of the application process.
Scholarships: Scholarship committees often require a resume to evaluate your achievements, leadership, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
College admissions: Some colleges ask for a resume as part of the application, especially for specific programs or scholarships.
Extracurriculars or volunteering opportunities: A resume can help you stand out when applying for leadership roles or specialized volunteer opportunities.

2. Choosing the Right Resume Format

When deciding how to structure your resume, high school students have three main formats to choose from:

A. Chronological Resume

The most common resume format is chronological. This format lists your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. This is ideal if you have some work experience or a variety of extracurricular activities to showcase.

B. Functional (Skills-Based) Resume

A functional resume focuses more on your skills and abilities rather than work experience. This format is ideal if you lack formal job experience but want to highlight skills gained from extracurricular activities, volunteering, or school projects.

C. Combination (Hybrid) Resume

A combination resume blends elements of the chronological and functional resumes. It includes both a skills section and a work experience section, making it a good fit for students who have a little bit of experience but also want to emphasize their skills.

3. Key Sections of a High School Student Resume

Even if you have limited work experience, there are plenty of sections you can include on your resume to show your strengths. Below are the essential sections for a high school student resume:

A. Contact Information

This section should be at the top of your resume and include:

Your full name
Phone number
Email address (make sure it’s professional)
Optional: LinkedIn profile or personal website, if applicable

B. Resume Objective or Summary

A resume objective is a short statement that explains your goals and what you’re looking to achieve through the job or opportunity you’re applying for. Since most high school students won’t have extensive work experience, the resume objective is a great way to express your enthusiasm and career aspirations.

Example of a Resume Objective: Hardworking and dedicated high school junior with strong organizational skills and a passion for learning. Seeking a part-time position where I can apply my communication and teamwork skills while gaining real-world experience.

C. Education Section

Your education is one of the most important sections of your resume as a high school student. Include the following:

Your high school’s name
Location (city and state)
Expected graduation date
GPA (if it’s above 3.5 and relevant to the job or opportunity)
Relevant coursework (if applicable to the position)

Example: Smithfield High School | Smithfield, TX
Expected Graduation: June 2025
GPA: 3.8/4.0

Relevant Coursework:

Advanced Placement (AP) Biology
Algebra II Honors
Introduction to Computer Science

D. Skills Section

Even if you haven’t worked a formal job, you’ve likely developed valuable skills through schoolwork, extracurriculars, volunteering, or hobbies. In this section, list skills that are relevant to the job or opportunity you’re applying for.

Common Skills for High School Students:

Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management
Leadership
Problem-solving
Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
Social media management (if relevant)
Foreign language proficiency

Example of a Skills Section:

Strong written and verbal communication
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Bilingual: English and Spanish
Leadership and conflict resolution

E. Experience Section

If you have any formal or informal work experience, list it here. If you don’t have job experience, you can include internships, volunteer work, leadership roles in clubs, or significant school projects.

Example of Experience:

Cashier | Local Mart
June 2023 – August 2023

Provided excellent customer service by assisting customers with their purchases and answering questions.
Handled cash transactions accurately and balanced the register at the end of each shift.
Restocked shelves and maintained cleanliness in the store.

Volunteer | Animal Shelter
September 2022 – Present

Cared for animals by feeding them, cleaning their cages, and assisting with adoptions.
Helped organize community events to raise awareness and funds for the shelter.
Developed strong teamwork and communication skills by working alongside shelter staff and volunteers.

F. Extracurricular Activities and Leadership

If you’re involved in any clubs, sports teams, or student organizations, list them in this section. Be sure to include any leadership roles or responsibilities, as these can demonstrate your ability to take initiative and work well with others.

Example:

President | Smithfield High Debate Team
September 2022 – Present

Lead weekly meetings and practice sessions to prepare team members for upcoming debates.
Managed a team of 15 students and organized events, fundraisers, and travel logistics for competitions.

Member | National Honor Society
September 2021 – Present

Participated in community service projects, including tutoring middle school students and organizing food drives.

G. Honors and Awards

If you’ve received any academic awards, scholarships, or recognition in extracurricular activities, include them in this section to show your achievements.

Example:

Honor Roll: Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Math Olympiad Regional Champion: 2023
Student of the Month: May 2023

4. Resume Examples for High School Students

Here are some tailored resume examples for high school students at different stages of their careers:

A. Part-Time Job Resume Example (High School Student)

Name: Jane Doe
Email: janedoe@email.com
Phone: 555-555-5555

Objective:
Motivated high school sophomore with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Seeking a part-time cashier position where I can apply my attention to detail and problem-solving abilities while providing top-notch customer service.

Education:
Green Valley High School | Green Valley, CA
Expected Graduation: June 2025
GPA: 3.7/4.0

Skills:

Strong verbal communication
Basic math skills
Team collaboration
Cash handling and customer service
Proficient in Microsoft Office

Experience:
Volunteer | Green Valley Public Library
June 2022 – Present

Assisted patrons with book checkouts, returns, and inquiries.
Organized community book drives, collecting over 300 books for underprivileged children.

Extracurricular Activities:
Varsity Soccer Team Member

Practiced teamwork and discipline while competing at the regional level.

B. Internship Resume Example (High School Student)

Name: John Smith
Email: johnsmith@email.com
Phone: 555-555-5555
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Objective:
Enthusiastic high school senior with a strong passion for technology and programming. Seeking a summer internship in software development where I can apply my coding skills and learn from industry professionals.

Education:
Riverdale High School | Riverdale, NY
Expected Graduation: June 2024
GPA: 3.9/4.0
Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, Algebra II Honors, Introduction to Web Design

Skills:

JavaScript, HTML, CSS
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Team collaboration
Web development
Python (beginner level)

Extracurricular Activities:
Coding Club | Vice President
September 2022 – Present

Lead a team of 10 students in developing coding projects, including creating a school website and a mobile app for tracking homework assignments.

Volunteer | Local Soup Kitchen
June 2021 – Present

Coordinated weekly volunteer shifts and helped serve meals to over 100 individuals.

5. Best Practices for Writing a High School Resume

Keep it concise: Your resume should be one page long. Focus on the most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.
Use action verbs: Start your bullet points with action verbs like "led," "managed," "organized," "assisted," or "developed" to make your resume more dynamic.
Tailor it for the job: Customize your resume for each position or opportunity by highlighting the skills and experiences that match the job description.
Proofread: Make sure your resume is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Ask a teacher, mentor, or parent to review it before submitting it.
Highlight leadership: Even if you don’t have formal work experience, demonstrate leadership and initiative through extracurriculars, school projects, or volunteer work.

6. Conclusion

Writing a resume as a high school student may seem challenging, but by focusing on your skills, education, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, you can create a professional resume that highlights your strengths. Whether you're applying for a part-time job, internship, or scholarship, a well-crafted resume will help you stand out from the competition.

If you want an easier way to create a standout resume, MyCVCreator.com provides user-friendly templates designed for high school students. With customizable formats and helpful tips, MyCVCreator can help you craft a resume that showcases your achievements and puts you on the path to success.

By following the tips and examples provided in this guide, you're now equipped to write an effective resume that captures the attention of employers and opens doors to exciting opportunities!