I'm preparing to apply for my first job and need to write a resume. As a high school student, what should I include? I feel like I don't have much to put on it yet!
Starting a first resume is a significant step, and it's perfectly okay if you feel like you don't have much work experience to include—every professional has been in your shoes at some point! As a high school student, your resume can showcase various aspects, including your education, academic achievements, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, skills, and any part-time or summer jobs you've had.
1. Header Information: Open your resume with your full name, phone number, email address, and maybe your LinkedIn profile if you have one.
2. Objective Statement: This is a brief statement outlining your career goal, the job you're applying for, and why you would be a good fit.
3. Education: Place your education section at the top, since you're still in school. Include the name of your high school, the city and state, and anticipated graduation date.
4. Achievements: This could be academic awards, recognition from clubs or organizations, or relevant competition placements.
5. Extracurricular Activities: Highlight club memberships, sports, or significant events or projects you've been a part of at school. These can demonstrate teamwork, commitment, and leadership skill.
6. Work/Volunteer Experience: If you've had part-time jobs or significant volunteer work, highlight these next. They don't have to be in your desired industry—any type of work experience develops transferable skills.
7. Skills: Use this section to outline any skills that would be relevant to the job you're applying for. This could be software you're proficient in, languages you speak, or any essential skills like customer service or organization.
8. References: Typically, this is the final section. You could either list out references (name, title, contact information, and relationship to you) or simply put "References available upon request."
Remember, the goal of a resume is to showcase your potential by highlighting your skills, experiences, and motivations. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the most relevant parts of your experiences.
Also, ensure your resume has no spelling or grammar mistakes and uses a professional, easy-to-read format. And remember, a one-page is more than sufficient for a high school student. Good luck with your job hunt!
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