Resume Tips for High Schoolers Applying for a Summer Job

I'm a high school student looking to get a summer job. What's the best way to structure my resume when I don't have a lot of experience? Are there any key things I should highlight to improve my chances?

Absolutely! Your resume will be an essential tool in helping you land that summer job. While you may not have a wealth of professional experience yet, there are numerous things you can include that convey your skills, potential, and eagerness to work.

1. Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, and email address. Using a professional email address is always a plus. For example, a simple firstname.lastname@gmail.com is a safe bet.

2. Objective: This should be a one or two sentence summary of what you hope to achieve with the job and how you can bring value to the employer. For instance, you could say "Motivated high school junior seeking a summer job in retail. Known for being reliable, quick to learn and eager to take on a variety of tasks."

3. Education: Since you're still in high school, your education will take precedence over work experience. Detail your high school's name, your graduation year, and any relevant coursework or skills learned that could be useful for the job. If you've maintained a high GPA, include this as it can illustrate commitment and discipline.

4. Extracurricular Activities: These play an important role in painting a picture of who you are. List any clubs, sports teams, or organizations you've been a part of, especially any leadership roles you've held.

5. Volunteer Work/Community Service: Volunteering can be viewed quite positively by employers, as it shows commitment and a willingness to help out. If you've volunteered somewhere, be sure to include that experience.

6. Certifications and Skills: Are you CPR certified? Can you code in Python? Are you bilingual? These unique skills can help you stand out to potential employers.

7. Work Experience: Even if your work experience doesn't consist of traditional jobs, don't leave this out. If you've ever babysat, tutored, mowed lawns, or dog walked, it's worth including.

8. References: A teacher, coach, or supervisor who knows you well can vouch for your work ethic and reliability. Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.

Formatting and presentation are also key. Make sure your resume is pleasing to the eye, well-structured, and free of spelling or grammatical errors. Keep it concise (1 page max) and use bullet points to make it easy to read. Remember that the goal of your resume is to make a positive impression that lands you an interview. Once you're there, you can expand on the highlights of your resume in more detail. Good luck!