Creating a High School Job Resume?

I'm putting together my first resume for a job while I'm in high school. What should I include if I don't have much work experience yet? Any tips on how to make it stand out to potential employers?

Creating your first resume can be a challenging task, especially with minimal work experience under your belt. That said, there are strategies you can incorporate to create an engaging resume.

First, start with your contact information: Your name, email, and phone number are necessary elements.

Next, since you have minimal work experience, incorporate an Objective section at the beginning of your resume. This is a short, 1-2 sentence statement that clearly outlines your career direction while simultaneously positioning you for the role you are applying for. It should focus on how you can benefit the employer, not how the employer can benefit you.

In the absence of work experience, emphasize your education. List your high school, your graduation year, your GPA (if it's strong), and any relevant courses you've taken. If you've taken any vocational or college-level classes that relate to the job you're applying for, these would be good to include too.

Additionally, don’t forget about other experiences, such as volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities. Whether it's being part of the school's debate team, volunteering at a local charity, or managing a study group, various undertakings can serve as a demonstration of your skills, such as leadership, organization, team work, etc.

Similarly, add a section dedicated to skills where you list technical (like proficiency in specific software) or soft skills (like communication or problem-solving ability) relevant to the job you're applying for.

Tailor your resume for each job you're applying to. Try to match the wording and requirements of the job posting in your resume and adjust your skills and experiences to align with the specific needs of the position.

Finally, make sure your document is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read. Use a clean, professional font, and use bullet points to keep information concise. Don't forget to proofread.

Remember, everyone has to start somewhere, and employers understand that high school students may not have extensive work experience. Good luck!