I've never made a resume before and need it to apply for summer jobs. What should I include as a high school student with little work experience? Any tips or examples would be super helpful!
Creating a resume for a summer job, especially when you don't have extensive work experience, can seem a bit daunting at first. But worry not, let's walk you through the process.
1. Start with Personal Contact Information: This includes your full name, phone number, email address, and home address. Make sure to use a professional email address; if necessary, create a new one for your job applications.
2. Objective Statement: Since you're a high school student with limited work experience, it can be helpful to have an objective at the top of your resume. This is a brief statement outlining your goal for seeking employment. With this, you can clarify that you're a student looking for a summer position to gain work experience and develop skills.
3. Education Section: List your high school and expected graduation date. If you have a high GPA or any school-related achievements, this is the spot to include them.
4. Skills: Don't underestimate your skills even if you have little to no work experience. Highlight soft skills that are relevant to any job, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, or adaptability. If you have any technical skills such as proficiency in a foreign language, computer software, or machinery, be sure to list them.
5. Work Experience: Include any part-time, voluntary or school-based activities you've been involved with. These may not technically be jobs, but they can help you demonstrate your skills and ability to take on responsibility. For each experience, list the organization's name, your position, and the dates you were there. Then write bullet points detailing your responsibilities and any accomplishments.
6. Extracurricular Activities and Achievements: It can be useful to include activities and achievements that demonstrate your dedication, drive, and commitment. These can be sports, clubs, competitions, or any relevant projects.
7. References: If you have people who can vouch for your character and work ethic, list their names and contact information. Be sure to ask for their permission before you include them.
Keeping these points in mind, an example could look something like this:
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John Smith
1234 Street Name, City, State, 12345
(123) 456-7890
john.smith@email.com
Objective:
Dedicated high school student seeking a summer job to gain work experience and develop interpersonal skills.
Education:
XYZ High School, City, State
Expected Graduation: June 2023
GPA: 3.8
Skills:
- Excellent communication and team collaboration skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Intermediate Spanish speaker
Work Experience:
School Newspaper, XYZ High School
Assistant Editor, September 2021 - Present
- Assisted in curating, editing, and publishing articles
- Collaborated with team of five to design layout
Volunteer Experience:
Local Food Bank, City, State
Volunteer, July 2021 – August 2021
- Sorted, packed, and distributed food to participants
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of storage areas.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Member of High school chess club: 2020 - Present
- Captain of the school soccer team: 2021 - Present
References:
Available upon request
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Remember, the resume should ideally be one page long and all information should be well-organized and easy to read. Good luck!
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