How to Write a Casual Job Resume as a High School Student?

Hey, I'm a high school junior looking for a casual job to do part-time. My resume needs serious work. Any tips on how to tailor it specifically for casual roles? What should I emphasize?

Writing a resume as a high school student for a part-time job might at first seem challenging, especially if you feel like you don't have a lot of experience to list. But don't worry, there's a variety of details you can include that potential employers will find interesting.

1. Start with Personal Details: Your full name, contact information (email and phone number), and perhaps a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.

2. Objective Statement: Open with an objective statement specifying the type of job you're looking for and what you bring to the table. Make it specific to the job you're applying for. For instance, if you're hoping to work at a cafe you could say something like "Hard-working high school junior seeking a part-time role in a café setting. I have a friendly demeanor and experience in customer service from my time volunteering for a charity shop."

3. Education: List your school name and GPA if it's strong. Mention any relevant coursework or school projects.

4. Experience: Here's the meat of your resume. You may not have formal work experience, but you can list part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, or even significant school projects or activities. Make each item measurable, where possible. Instead of saying you were a tutor, you might say, "Tutored 5 students in algebra and improved their grades by an average of 10%.

5. Skills: Highlight the skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Soft skills might include communication, teamwork, or leadership. Hard skills could be things like proficiency in a particular software, knowledge of another language, or even the ability to operate certain equipment.

6. Extra-Curricular Activities: Detail any clubs, sports, or organizations you're a part of at school or outside it, especially if they show leadership or commitment over time.

7. References: Some employers will ask for these, but if they don't, you can simply write "References available upon request."

Remember to keep your resume to a single page, as hiring managers often spend only a short amount of time initially reviewing resumes. Good luck on your job hunt!