Creating a trade job resume as a high school senior

I'm graduating soon and want to apply for a trade job. What's the best way to create a trade job resume that highlights my skills and any relevant experience, even if I haven't worked in the trade industry before?

When crafting a resume for a trade job right out of high school, the key focuses should be on any related experience you may have and your skills, especially any specialized training or certifications you might have. Here's a step-by-step guide to structure your resume:

1. Contact Information: Start with your full name, e-mail, physical address, and a contact number. It's simple, but this is essential information every employer wants to see.

2. Objective or Professional Summary: A clear and concise summary of your objective or your professional goals can set the direction for the rest of your resume. For example, you might say, "Recent high school graduate seeking an electrician apprenticeship to utilize and further develop technical skills."

3. Skills or Qualifications: Make a list of the skills you possess. These could be anything from proficiency with specific tools to problem-solving abilities. You can also list soft skills like strong work ethic or time management abilities, especially if you can tie them into specific experiences.

4. Education & Certifications: After your skills or qualifications section, list your education. As a recent high school graduate, this would include your high school name, graduation date, and any relevant coursework. If you have taken any vocational classes, earned any certifications, or participated in an apprenticeship program during high school, be sure to highlight it here.

5. Related Experience: Though you might not have direct trade industry experience, any relevant experience counts. If you took a shop class in high school or have done personal repair projects at home, describe these experiences. Did you do an internship or work-study program? If so, mention what you learned and what skills you developed.

6. Additional Sections: If you feel like there are pertinent details that haven't been covered in the sections above, you can add them here. This could include awards you've won, relevant extra-curricular activities, or even a section on interests that tie into the trade industry.

Remember to always tailor your resume to each job posting. Align your skills and experience with the job description as closely as possible. Finally, keep the language clear and concise, and ensure that formatting and spelling are correct. Good luck with your job applications!