I'm a high schooler looking to create a resume for my first job. What should I include, and how should I format it?
Creating your first job resume as a high schooler may seem a bit intimidating, but it's quite doable with some guidance. Here are some tips on what to include and how to format your resume:
1. Contact Information: Start by including your full name, phone number, and email address at the top of your resume. Make sure to use a professional-sounding email address, preferably with your name (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).
2. Objective or Summary: Briefly state your career goal(s) and what you hope to contribute to the employer in a concise sentence or two. For example, you might write, "Motivated high school student seeking part-time employment in retail sales with excellent customer service and communication skills."
3. Education: List your high school, expected graduation date, and GPA (only if it's above a 3.0). You may also list any relevant coursework or classes that demonstrate your expertise in your target field (e.g., advanced language courses, creative writing, etc.).
4. Experience: This section might include part-time jobs, volunteer work, internships, or leadership roles in clubs and other extracurricular activities. Focus on showcasing the skills you developed in these roles that will be transferable to the job you're applying for. Use bullet points to describe the responsibilities you held and emphasize accomplishments (e.g., "Raised $500 for local animal shelter through organizing a school-wide fundraising event").
5. Skills: List any relevant skills you possess, such as computer or language proficiency, customer service, teamwork, problem-solving, or time management. Make sure to tailor this section to highlight the skills that are most relevant for the job you're applying for.
6. Awards and Honors: If you have received any academic or extracurricular recognitions, include them in this section.
7. Hobbies and Interests (optional): If you have any relevant hobbies or interests that showcase your skills, personality, or demonstrate commitment to the field you're pursuing, consider including them in a brief section at the end of your resume.
Formatting tips:
- Keep your resume to one page in length.
- Use a simple, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial at 10-12pt size.
- Utilize bullet points to make your resume more readable and organized.
- Make sure there is plenty of white space on the page by providing ample margins (1-inch is a good standard) and space between sections.
- Proofread your resume multiple times to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors.
Remember, your resume is a marketing tool that showcases your strengths and skills. Tailor your resume for each job you apply to by emphasizing the most relevant experiences and skills for that specific position. Good luck!
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