I'm working on my resume for my first job while still in high school. Any advice on what to include to make it stand out to potential employers?
First, remember that as a high school student, employers won't expect too much professional experience. Here are a few guidelines to help you craft a compelling resume:
1. Identification: Your name, address, email, and phone number should be at the top of your resume.
2. Objective Statement: This is a one or two-sentence statement that outlines your career goals and why you are applying for the job.
3. Education: List your high school information and your expected graduation date. Also, include any relevant courses you’ve taken, and your current GPA (but only if it's strong).
4. Skills: Mention the skills relevant to the kind of work you're seeking. Are you especially good at problem-solving, or are you proficient in a specific software?
5. Experience: Detail any work, volunteering, or relevant projects you've completed. Even if your experience doesn't seem related to the job, the skills you've learned like responsibility, teamwork, or leadership can transfer to any job.
6. Extracurriculars/Achievements: These can show you're well-rounded and dedicated. Make certain to mention relevant clubs or organizations you're involved in, awards you've earned, or leadership roles you've held.
7. References: These can be teachers, coaches, or mentors who can attest to your reliability and skills.
Overall, just remember, even without any job experience, your resume might still be strong due to your demonstrated skills and personal attributes. Eventually, you'll build it up with more job experience. Just make sure you're always honest about your skills and experiences, and you shouldn't have any issues!
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