Hi! I'm trying to put together a resume for the first time and could really use some pointers. What are the must-have sections for a high schooler's resume? Any templates or examples for inspiration?
Sure, happy to help! For a high school student, your resume might be a little different from those with work experience, but it still follows a similar structure. Here are some essential sections:
1. Contact Information: List your full name, phone number, and email address.
2. Objective Statement: Though not mandatory, having a clear, concise objective statement can help frame the rest of your resume. This might include brief information about your career goals or why you're looking for a job.
3. Education: Provide details about your high school, including the city and state, your expected graduation year, and GPA if it's strong. You can also mention relevant courses you've taken that align with the job you're applying for.
4. Experience: For a high school student, this could be any part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering you've done. List each experience with the role title, organization name, and dates. Provide bullets under each one that detail your responsibilities or achievements in that role.
5. Skills: Highlight any hard or soft skills you have that are relevant to the job you're applying for. This might include things like proficiency in a foreign language, computer skills, teamwork, or communication skills.
6. Extracurricular Activities: This is a great place to showcase involvement in school or community activities. Detail responsibilities and accomplishments for each.
7. Awards and Achievements: Showcase any academic or extracurricular awards you've received. This could range from making the honor roll to winning a science fair.
Each entry should be styled consistently with clear headings and organized in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Your resume should be free of errors and ideally one page long. Remember to tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills.
Regarding templates, there are many free resume templates online that may be useful to structure your resume. If your high school has a career center, they might also have templates and could provide personalized feedback.
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