What should a high school student include in a resume for a part-time job?

I'm creating my first resume for a part-time job and I'm not sure what to include. I don't have much experience yet, but I want to make a good impression. Any tips on what to highlight as a high schooler?

As a high school student, your professional experience may be limited, but that doesn't mean you don't have valuable experiences or skills to include in a resume! Here's a list of things you might want to consider highlighting:

1. Academic achievements: This can show employers a level of dedication and commitment. Mention your GPA (especially if it is strong), any honors or advanced classes, and recognitions like honor roll or academic awards.

2. Extracurricular activities: This can be anything from being part of a sports team, newspaper club, student government, or volunteer group. These activities demonstrate teamwork, leadership, and other soft skills that can be valuable in a workplace setting.

3. Relevant skills: Mention any computer skills (like proficiency in MS Office, Photoshop, or coding languages), language abilities, or anything else you think could be relevant to the job you're applying for.

4. Volunteer work: Employers respect community involvement. You can highlight volunteer work, including any roles or responsibilities you may have had and skills you learned or used.

5. Part-time or seasonal work: Include any experiences that involve responsibility and commitment, even if they're not in the field of the job you're applying for. This could be babysitting, lawn care, pet sitting, or a seasonal job.

6. Courses or trainings: If you've completed any job-relevant coursework or training/certification programs (like CPR or food handling safety courses), be sure to include these.

When constructing your resume, start with a brief objective that explains your career goal and why you'd be a good fit for the job. Then list the above details in their respective sections, starting each entry with action verbs. Be sure to tie all experiences back to skills or traits that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Lastly, don't forget to tailor your resume to each job application!

Example: If you're applying for a customer service role, emphasize experiences where you've had to deal directly with others or provided assistance, such as volunteering at a local community center, leading a team in a club, or babysitting. Mention is any skills like active listening or problem-solving that make you suitable for the role. Showing a potential employer you can translate your experiences into relevant skills will make a lasting impression. Good luck with your job search!