Writing a Job Description: How to Showcase a High School Diploma on My Resume?

I'm updating my resume and want to know the best way to highlight my high school diploma in the job description section. Any tips or examples on how to make it stand out?

Generally, showcasing your high school diploma on a resume can be straightforward. However, to let it shine, especially if you don't have a degree yet or many years of work experience, there are ways to strategize its placement and use it to highlight associated achievements. Instead of just mentioning the diploma, focus on the knowledge and skills you gained in the process.

Here's an example of how you could present it:

Education

- XYZ High School, City, State, Graduation Year

- Graduated with a high school diploma while maintaining a GPA of 3.9

Under this section, you can also indicate any relevant coursework or honors you received. For example:

- Enrolled in several AP courses including AP Calculus and AP English Literature

- Earned 'XYZ High School's Student of the Year' award for academic excellence

Although the 'Education' section is often placed towards the end of a resume, as a recent high school graduate, you may consider having it towards the start, following your 'Contact' and 'Objective' sections, as it is one of your most significant qualifications to date.

Remember to also highlight any extracurricular activities, internships, or work experiences that have equipped you with the skills matching the requirements of the job you're applying for.

Additionally, if there are any specific subjects you did exceptionally well in that relate to the job you're applying for, be sure to mention this. For instance, if you're applying for a writing position, you might say, "Excelled in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition."

Tailoring your resume like this helps potential employers see why you'd be a great fit for the job. It also paints a clearer picture of who you are beyond just the fact that you have a high school diploma.