I've never had a job before, but I want to apply for part-time positions. How should I structure my resume to highlight my skills and any school activities? Should I include my GPA?
Creating a resume as a high school student with no work experience involves highlighting your skills, school activities, and other relevant accomplishments. Here's a foundational structure you could use:
1. Contact Information: This includes your full name, address (or city and state), phone number, and professional email address. It’s not required to include your address if you're uncomfortable disclosing that information. You can simply include the city or town you’re based in.
2. Objective Statement: This is a brief 1-2 sentence description of your career goals and why you're applying for the job. For a high school student, it might look like this, "Dedicated high school student seeking a part-time position to utilize organizational and customer service skills."
3. Education: List your high school and expected graduation date. If your GPA is strong (typically 3.5 or higher), you could include it as well. However, GPA isn't mandatory for a part-time job. Most employers care more about demonstrated skills.
4. Skills: This section could include both hard and soft skills. For example, tech knowledge (e.g. Microsoft Office) or soft skills such as strong communication or time management.
5. Activities/Experiences: Here, you can list your participation in school clubs, sports, volunteering, or any other activity that demonstrates leadership, teamwork, or other job-related skills. Describe your role and any accomplishments or responsibilities you had. This could also include any one-off events or activities you participated in, like a charity walk or a science fair.
6. Awards/Honors: This section can include academic or extracurricular awards and recognitions. If you received an honor related to a skill that’s relevant to the job, definitely include it.
7. References: Common practice is to write "References Available Upon Request." This saves space and you can provide them later if an employer asks.
Remember, the goal of a resume is to illustrate your skills and experiences that make you a good candidate for the job. Use bullet points for readability and be succinct yet descriptive when outlining your experiences and skills. Furthermore, always tailor your resume for each specific job you're applying for, emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences.
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