Do I need high school staff on my resume for jobs?

As I'm starting to apply for part-time jobs while in high school, should I include any teachers or school staff as references on my resume? Would having their recommendations make a difference when I'm trying to get hired?

It's not obligatory to include high school staff as references on your resume, especially for part-time jobs that students commonly have, despite it possibly making your application stronger. The relevancy of their recommendation to the job you're applying for really depends on what responsibilities you'll have.

For instance, if you're applying for a tutoring job, a recommendation from a teacher or counselor who can vouch for your academic prowess and patience could be extremely helpful. On the other hand, for jobs like retail or food service, references from past employers or others who can speak to your customer service skills, reliability, and work ethic may be more relevant.

When choosing references, it's important to pick individuals who can share specific instances of your skills and competence, rather than just give generic praise. Moreover, always obtain permission from the person you wish to include as a reference. It's courteous to not catch them off guard, and it also ensures they'll provide a positive reference when contacted. Good luck with your job hunt!