Tips for creating a first job resume for high school students

I’m working on my resume for my first job, and I don’t have much experience yet. What should I include in my high school resume to make it stand out for beginner positions? Any tips on layout or structure would be appreciated!

Crafting your first resume as a high school student can certainly feel daunting, but don't worry—employers hiring for beginner positions don't expect you to have a long work history. Your resume can highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, skills, and potential. Here are some tips:

1. Contact Information: At the top of the page, include your full name, phone number, and a professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio, you can include that as well.

2. Objective Statement: Write a succinct objective statement that clearly outlines your career goals and why you would be a good fit for the job. As a high school student, it's important to focus on what you intend to bring to the job, rather than what you hope to gain from it.

3. Education: List out your high school and your expected graduation date. You may also want to include your grades, relevant courses, or any honors/awards if they are impressive and relevant to the job.

4. Experience: This section isn't just for paid work. You can list any clubs or organizations you have participated in, leadership positions held, or even relevant class projects. Be sure to describe any skills you acquired or ways you contributed to a goal or outcome.

5. Volunteering: If you've volunteered in your community or at school, definitely include that. Volunteering demonstrates initiative, responsibility, and other work-related skills.

6. Skills: Highlight any skills that the job requires or that would make you an impressive applicant. These could be technical skills (like proficiency in a certain software) or soft skills (like communication or time-management).

7. References: If you have people who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, or character, consider including them as references. Make sure you ask their permission before including them and only do so if the job listing specifically asks for references.

As for structure, keep your resume to one page. Try to ensure it's clean, organized, and easy to read—consider using bullet points to make your achievements and skills stand out. You can find many templates online if you need help with formatting. Before submitting, proofread your resume for any typos or grammatical errors. You can also ask a teacher, counselor, or family member to review it for you. Good luck!