OK, slight panic moment - I know I need a high school resume for my applications but I have no idea how to go about this. How should I structure it and what sort of things should I definitely include? Any advice would be so helpful right now.
No need to panic! A high school resume is essentially a document that summarises all of your achievements, skills, and experiences to date. It shouldn't be lengthy - one to two pages is usually enough, so it's about clearly and concisely showcasing what you've accomplished.
Start by adding your basic information at the top: your full name, phone number, email address, and the high school you are attending. Some students also like to include a link to their LinkedIn profile if they have one.
Next up: include a section for your Education. You should mention your high school, your expected graduation date, and perhaps your current Grade Point Average (GPA). It's also good to highlight any relevant coursework that might align with the program you are applying for in college.
Following that, your resume should absolutely include a section on Extracurricular Activities. This is where you highlight your engagement outside of the classroom. Use action verbs to detail what you did in these roles and the impact it had. Remember the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars: involvement at the national or international level (Tier 1), high levels of leadership (Tier 2), leadership at the local or school level (Tier 3), and general involvement (Tier 4).
Next, add a section for Honors and Awards. This is where you highlight your academic and non-academic accomplishments, everything from Honor Roll to winning a local sporting competition.
Work Experience is another must-have section. This includes any part-time jobs, internships, or even significant volunteering experience. You'll want to detail the role, your responsibility, and any significant accomplishments during your time in the role.
Lastly, if you have any outstanding Skills – like speaking a second language or proficiency in any specific software – you might also want to include a section for those.
Remember, your high school resume is a tool to showcase your accomplishments, skills, experiences, and potential. Make sure it is well-organized, free of typos, tailored to the requirements of the college you're applying to, and most importantly, accurately represents you. Good luck!
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