Creating a Resume for My First Job as a High School Student

I'm about to apply for my first job, and I have no idea where to start with my resume. I have no work experience yet. What should I include to make my resume stand out?

Creating a resume for your first job application can seem like a formidable task, but remember that everyone starts somewhere! As a high schooler with no work experience, there are still plenty of ways for you to make a standout resume.

Your resume should ideally include these sections:

1. Contact Information: This includes your full name, address, phone number, and email. Make sure your voicemail message is professional and your email address is appropriate (yourname@example.com, for instance), not funky or informal.

2. Objective/Personal Statement: As this is your first job, a short introduction about who you are and what you're looking for can help set the tone. This is where you can mention you're a high school student currently seeking your first work experience. Try to indicate what job you're applying for and perhaps something unique about yourself or why you're interested in the position.

3. Education: List your high school name, city, and state. Don't forget to include your expected graduation date. Mention your GPA only if it's strong (3.0 or above). You can also mention any relevant coursework that could be beneficial for the job you're applying for.

4. Skills: This is where you can shine even with the lack of work experience. Key relevant skills could be technical (like proficiency in certain software) or soft skills (like communication or leadership). Be sure to include anything that might be specifically relevant to the job you're applying for.

5. Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, volunteer work, and other involvement can show that you're engaged, motivated, and committed to responsibilities outside of school work.

6. Accomplishments/Awards: If you've received any recognitions or awards—academic or otherwise—don't hesitate to include them.

7. References: Unless the job application specifically asks for them, you often do not need to include references on your initial resume. However, do have a separate list of two or three references ready in case they're requested later. These could be teachers, coaches, or family friends known for a reasonable amount of years who can speak to your character and abilities.

Remember that your resume should be clean, organized, and free of errors. Keep it concise—one page is sufficient—one to two bullet points per item, and make sure it's proofread by someone else for typos and grammar errors. Good luck with your first job application!