Best resume format for high school students looking for their first job?

I'm a high schooler seeking my first job and I'm not sure how to format my resume. Should I focus on school achievements or extracurriculars, and how can I compensate for my lack of work experience?

When drafting your first resume as a high school student, you would likely benefit from a "skills-based" or "functional" resume format rather than the traditional "chronological" format that emphasizes work experience. Since work experience might be sparse, this type of resume will instead highlight your skills, interests, and academic achievements.

Start with a strong objective statement at the top, highlighting your immediate career goals and what you hope to bring to a potential job in terms of enthusiasm, commitment, and skills.

Next, focus on key skills that apply to the job you're applying for. These could be things like leadership, communication, problem-solving, detail-oriented, and more. You can list these skills and give a brief example of how you've used each one, whether that's in a school project, a club, a sport, or volunteer work.

After your skills, include an "Education" section, where you list your high school and anticipated graduation date. If you have a strong GPA, you may want to list it here, or any academic awards you've received.

Then, detail your extracurricular activities under a section titled "Activities" or "Experience." Extracurriculars can showcase your initiative, project management, leadership skills, and other transferable skills. For each activity, describe the role you played and any notable accomplishments.

You can also include a section on volunteering if you've done any. Demonstrating that you've committed your time to the welfare of others signals that you're responsible, capable, and able to manage your time efficiently.

If applicable, add a section for any relevant coursework or training you've completed that may be relevant to the job.

Don't forget to give it a final proofread for any spelling or grammar errors, and you'll be good to go! Good luck with your job search.