High School Resume Guide: How to Create Your First Professional Resume

Creating your first resume can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re a high school student with limited work experience. How do you fill a page when you’ve never held a traditional job? What could you possibly have to offer that would impress employers?

Here’s the truth: you have more to offer than you think. Your volunteer work, extracurricular activities, academic achievements, and personal projects all demonstrate valuable skills and qualities that employers seek. The key is learning how to present these experiences effectively.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a professional high school resume step by step. Whether you’re applying for your first part-time job, a summer position, an internship, college admission, or a scholarship, you’ll learn how to showcase your potential and make a strong first impression.

Why High School Students Need Resumes

Before diving into how to create your resume, let’s understand when and why you might need one.

Common Uses for High School Resumes

Part-time jobs: Retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses hiring teens often request resumes.

Summer employment: Camps, recreation programs, and seasonal businesses prefer to see formal applications including resumes.

Internships: High school internship programs, increasingly common, require professional resumes.

College applications: Many colleges request or allow resume submission to supplement applications.

Scholarship applications: Scholarship committees review resumes to evaluate candidates.

Volunteer opportunities: Competitive volunteer positions may request resumes.

Awards and nominations: Recommendations for awards often include resume submission.

What Employers Look for in High School Candidates

When hiring teens, employers understand you lack extensive professional experience. Instead, they look for:

• Reliability: Will you show up on time and consistently?
• Responsibility: Can you handle tasks without constant supervision?
• Communication skills: Can you interact professionally with customers and colleagues?
• Work ethic: Are you willing to work hard and learn?
• Positive attitude: Will you bring energy and enthusiasm?
• Basic skills: Can you handle math, reading, and communication tasks?

Your resume should demonstrate these qualities through whatever experiences you have.

High School Resume Structure

A high school resume follows a straightforward structure, but what you emphasize differs from adult resumes because your strongest content comes from different sources.

Recommended Sections for High School Students

1. Contact Information (required)
2. Objective or Summary (recommended)
3. Education (required, featured prominently)
4. Skills (highly recommended)
5. Work Experience (if any)
6. Volunteer Experience (important for most students)
7. Extracurricular Activities (important for most students)
8. Awards and Honors (if applicable)
9. Projects or Achievements (if applicable)

Section Order Considerations

Unlike professional resumes where work experience typically comes first, high school resumes should lead with your strongest sections:

If you have work experience:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective
3. Education
4. Work Experience
5. Skills
6. Activities/Volunteer Work
7. Awards

If you have no work experience:

1. Contact Information
2. Objective
3. Education
4. Skills
5. Volunteer Experience
6. Extracurricular Activities
7. Awards/Achievements

Building Each Section

Let’s create each section of your high school resume.

Contact Information

Keep your contact information professional and straightforward:

Include:

• Full name
• Phone number (with a professional voicemail message)
• Professional email address
• City and state (full address optional)

Format example:

JORDAN MARTINEZ
(555) 234-5678 | [email protected]
Austin, TX

Important notes:

• Create a professional email if you don’t have one ([email protected] works well)
• Avoid email addresses like “[email protected]”
• Ensure your voicemail greeting sounds professional
• You don’t need to include your full home address—city and state suffice

Objective Statement

An objective statement tells employers what position you’re seeking and what you bring. For high school students, this section is particularly valuable because it explains your situation and goals.

Formula for high school objective: [Who you are] + [What position you want] + [What you offer]

Examples:

“Motivated high school junior seeking a part-time retail position where I can apply my customer service skills and enthusiasm for helping others.”

“Hardworking student athlete looking for summer employment at [Company Name]. Offering strong teamwork abilities, reliability, and a positive attitude.”

“Detail-oriented senior seeking an internship in graphic design to apply my creative skills and gain professional experience before college.”

Keep objectives:

• Specific to the position when possible
• Brief (1-2 sentences)
• Focused on what you offer, not just what you want
• Honest about your experience level

Education Section

For high school students, education is a primary section and should be detailed more than it would be for adults.

Basic format:

EDUCATION

Lincoln High School, Springfield, IL
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.7/4.0

Relevant Coursework: Business Communications, Computer Applications, 
Advanced Mathematics, Marketing Fundamentals

What to include:

• School name and location
• Graduation date (or expected graduation)
• GPA if it’s strong (typically 3.0 or above)
• Class rank if impressive
• Relevant coursework for specific applications
• Academic honors (honor roll, academic letters, etc.)
• Dual enrollment or college courses if applicable

GPA considerations:

• Include GPA if it’s 3.0 or higher
• Can use weighted or unweighted GPA (be consistent with what your school reports)
• Don’t include GPA if it would hurt your candidacy

Sample detailed education section:

EDUCATION

WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, San Antonio, TX
Expected Graduation: June 2026
GPA: 3.85/4.0 (Weighted) | Class Rank: Top 10%

Academic Achievements:
• Honor Roll (all semesters)
• AP Scholar Award
• National Honor Society Member

Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, Business Marketing, Personal Finance, 
Advanced Algebra

Skills Section

A skills section is particularly valuable for students because it highlights capabilities even without extensive experience to demonstrate them.

Categories of skills to consider:

Technical skills:

• Computer software (Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
• Social media platforms
• Basic coding or web development
• Point-of-sale systems (if you’ve used them)
• Industry-specific software
• Typing speed (if relevant)

Languages:

• Bilingual abilities
• Language coursework

Certifications:

• CPR/First Aid
• Food handler’s permit
• Lifeguard certification
• Driver’s license (relevant for delivery/driving positions)

Soft skills:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Time management
• Customer service
• Problem-solving

Sample skills section:

SKILLS

Technical: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Basic HTML/CSS, 
Social Media Management (Instagram, TikTok)
Languages: Bilingual (English and Spanish)
Certifications: CPR/First Aid Certified, Valid Driver's License
Additional: Strong written and verbal communication, team collaboration, 
time management

Work Experience

If you have any paid work experience, include it—even informal jobs count.

Types of work experience:

• Part-time jobs
• Summer employment
• Babysitting
• Lawn care/yard work
• Pet sitting/dog walking
• Tutoring (paid)
• Family business work
• Freelance work (social media, design, etc.)

Format:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Babysitter | Smith Family | 2022-Present
• Provided reliable care for three children (ages 4, 7, and 10) on weekly basis
• Prepared meals, assisted with homework, and organized activities
• Maintained open communication with parents regarding schedules and child needs

Lawn Care Service | Self-Employed | Summers 2022-2024
• Managed weekly lawn maintenance for 8 neighborhood clients
• Handled scheduling, billing, and customer communications independently
• Grew client base through word-of-mouth referrals and quality service

Tips for describing work experience:

• Use action verbs (provided, managed, assisted, organized)
• Quantify when possible (number of customers, hours per week, etc.)
• Focus on skills and responsibilities, not just tasks
• Show initiative and results where applicable

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work demonstrates initiative, community involvement, and relevant skills—especially important for students with limited paid experience.

Types of volunteer experience:

• Community service organizations
• Church or religious group activities
• Hospital or nursing home volunteering
• Food banks or soup kitchens
• Environmental cleanups
• Tutoring programs
• Youth mentorship
• Event volunteering
• Animal shelter work

Format:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer | Austin Animal Shelter | 2023-Present
• Provide care for shelter animals including feeding, walking, and socialization
• Assist visitors with adoption process and answer questions about available pets
• Contributed 100+ volunteer hours over two years

Event Volunteer | Community Food Bank | 2022-2024
• Helped organize and distribute food to 200+ families monthly
• Sorted donations and maintained inventory organization
• Coordinated with team members during high-volume distribution events

Extracurricular Activities

Your activities outside the classroom reveal personality, interests, and skills. Include significant involvements.

Types of activities:

• Sports teams
• Clubs and organizations
• Student government
• Performing arts (band, choir, theater, dance)
• Academic competitions (debate, Model UN, science olympiad)
• Religious youth groups
• Community organizations (scouts, 4-H)
• School newspaper or yearbook
• Hobbies with demonstrated commitment

Format:

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Varsity Soccer Team | Lincoln High School | 2022-Present
• Captain (2024-Present): Lead team warm-ups and coordinate with coaches
• Balanced 15-hour weekly practice schedule with academic responsibilities
• Received Most Improved Player Award (2023)

Spanish Club | Lincoln High School | 2021-Present
• Vice President (2024-Present): Plan cultural events and community outreach
• Organize weekly conversation practice sessions for members
• Led fundraiser that raised $800 for language program scholarships

Drama Club | Lincoln High School | 2022-Present
• Performed lead roles in two annual productions
• Assist with set design and construction
• Mentor new members in acting techniques

Leadership roles to highlight:

• President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
• Captain or team leader
• Committee chair
• Project leader
• Mentor or tutor

Awards and Honors

Recognitions demonstrate excellence and stand out on student resumes.

Types of awards to include:

• Academic honors (Honor Roll, AP Scholar, National Merit)
• Athletic awards (MVP, All-Conference, sportsmanship awards)
• Competition wins (debate, art, science fair)
• Community recognition
• Leadership awards
• Scholarships received
• Attendance awards (if relevant to reliability)

Format:

AWARDS AND HONORS

• Honor Roll with Distinction (all semesters)
• Regional Science Fair - First Place, Chemistry Division (2024)
• Student of the Month - September 2023
• Girls State Delegate (2024)
• Perfect Attendance Award (2022-2023)

Projects and Achievements (Optional)

For students applying to specific positions or programs, showcasing relevant projects can be powerful.

Examples:

• Significant class projects
• Independent research
• Creative portfolios
• Business ventures
• Technical projects (websites, apps, coding projects)
• Personal achievements

Format:

PROJECTS

School Website Redesign | Web Design Class | Spring 2024
• Led four-person team to redesign school club information pages
• Created improved navigation and updated visual design
• Increased page visits by 40% according to school analytics

Personal Photography Portfolio | 2022-Present
• Maintain portfolio of 200+ nature and portrait photographs
• Selected for display in local coffee shop art exhibition
• Built Instagram following of 2,000+ through consistent posting

Formatting Your Resume

Professional formatting makes your resume easy to read and creates a positive impression.

Design Principles

Keep it simple: Clean, professional design beats flashy graphics for most applications.

Use white space: Don’t cram everything together. Adequate margins and spacing improve readability.

Consistent formatting: Use the same fonts, bullet styles, and spacing throughout.

One page: High school resumes should never exceed one page.

Specific Formatting Guidelines

Font: Use professional, readable fonts:

• Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Cambria, or Times New Roman
• 10-12 point size for body text
• Slightly larger (12-14 point) for your name

Margins: 0.5-1 inch margins on all sides

Sections: Clearly labeled with bold or slightly larger headers

Bullet points: Use consistent bullet styles throughout

Dates: Choose one format (May 2024 or 5/2024) and use it consistently

Sample High School Resume Template

STUDENT NAME
City, State | Phone | Email

OBJECTIVE
[1-2 sentence objective statement tailored to the position]

EDUCATION
School Name, City, State
Expected Graduation: Month Year
GPA: X.XX/4.0
• Relevant achievement or honor
• Relevant coursework if applicable

SKILLS
Technical: [List relevant technical skills]
Languages: [List languages if bilingual]
Additional: [List other relevant skills]

WORK EXPERIENCE (if applicable)
Position Title | Employer | Dates
• Accomplishment or responsibility
• Accomplishment or responsibility
• Accomplishment or responsibility

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Position/Role | Organization | Dates
• Accomplishment or responsibility
• Accomplishment or responsibility

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Activity/Club | School | Dates
• Leadership role or achievement
• Key contribution or skill developed

AWARDS AND HONORS
• Award name and year
• Award name and year

Creating a Resume with Limited Experience

The biggest challenge for high school students is feeling like there’s nothing to put on a resume. Here’s how to reframe your experiences.

Recognizing Transferable Skills

Everything you do teaches you something. Consider what skills these experiences demonstrate:

Babysitting → Customer service, responsibility, problem-solving, communication with adults

Sports → Teamwork, dedication, time management, handling pressure, following direction

Group projects → Collaboration, communication, meeting deadlines, handling feedback

Social media use → Digital literacy, content creation, communication, trend awareness

Family responsibilities → Reliability, time management, helping others

Video gaming → Strategic thinking, problem-solving, quick decision-making (especially for tech jobs)

Finding Hidden Experience

Think broadly about what you’ve done:

• Helped at family business or parents’ workplace?
• Organized any events (parties, fundraisers)?
• Taught someone something (younger sibling, friend)?
• Made or sold anything?
• Managed social media accounts?
• Participated in any competitions?
• Completed any courses outside school?
• Maintained any consistent commitments (pets, hobbies)?

Building Experience Quickly

If your resume feels thin, you can quickly build experience:

Immediate options:

• Volunteer (food banks, animal shelters often need help)
• Offer to help neighbors (yard work, pet sitting)
• Join a school club
• Get certifications (CPR, food handler’s)

Short-term options:

• Start a small business (tutoring, lawn care)
• Pursue a passion project
• Organize a community event
• Complete online courses or certifications

Tailoring Your Resume

Just like adults customize resumes for different jobs, you should tailor yours to each opportunity.

For Part-Time Retail Jobs

Emphasize:

• Customer service experiences
• Cash handling (if any)
• Reliability and availability
• Communication skills
• Ability to stand for long periods (physical demands)

For Food Service Positions

Emphasize:

• Food handler certification (if you have it)
• Speed and efficiency
• Working under pressure
• Teamwork
• Following instructions precisely
• Multitasking

For Summer Camp Jobs

Emphasize:

• Experience with children
• Leadership roles
• Creativity and energy
• Outdoor activities
• First aid certifications
• Sports or arts skills

For Internships

Emphasize:

• Academic achievements
• Relevant coursework
• Computer and technical skills
• Research or projects
• Professionalism and maturity

For College Applications

Emphasize:

• Leadership positions
• Academic achievements
• Community involvement
• Unique experiences and interests
• Personal growth and development

Platforms like 0portfolio.com can help you create professional portfolios to showcase projects, artwork, or achievements that go beyond what a traditional resume can display—particularly valuable for college applications or creative positions.

Common High School Resume Mistakes

Avoid these errors that weaken high school resumes.

Content Mistakes

Including irrelevant personal information: Don’t include age, photo, race, religion, or political affiliations unless directly relevant to the position (religious organization, political campaign, etc.)

Listing every activity ever: Focus on significant involvements, not a complete list. Quality over quantity.

Exaggerating or lying: Employers may check references or ask detailed questions. Be honest about your experiences.

Being too vague: “Helped at animal shelter” is weak. “Provided daily care for 10+ dogs including feeding, walking, and administering medications” is strong.

Forgetting to proofread: Spelling and grammar errors immediately damage your credibility. Have someone else review your resume.

Formatting Mistakes

Using unprofessional fonts or colors: Stick to standard fonts and black text on white paper.

Cramming too much: White space is your friend. A clean, readable one-page resume beats a crammed two-page resume.

Inconsistent formatting: If one section uses bullets, all similar sections should use bullets.

Poor file format: Save and submit as PDF unless instructed otherwise to preserve formatting.

Strategic Mistakes

Using one resume for everything: Tailor your resume to each opportunity.

Not including contact information: Every resume needs working phone and email.

Listing objectives that are too general: “Seeking employment” says nothing. Be specific about what you’re applying for.

After Creating Your Resume

Your resume is a living document that needs maintenance and support.

Get Feedback

Before submitting your resume:

• Have a parent or guardian review it
• Ask a teacher or counselor for feedback
• Have a friend check for errors
• Consider school career center resources

Keep It Updated

Update your resume:

• After joining new activities
• After receiving awards or recognition
• After gaining new experience
• Before each application submission
• At least every few months during school year

Prepare for Next Steps

Your resume gets you to the next step—the application or interview. Be prepared to:

• Fill out application forms with the same information
• Discuss anything on your resume in detail
• Provide references who can speak positively about you
• Follow up professionally after submitting

Conclusion

Creating your first resume is a significant milestone—it’s your introduction to the professional world and a valuable skill you’ll use throughout your life. While it might feel challenging when you have limited work experience, remember that employers hiring high school students understand your situation. They’re looking for potential, attitude, and character traits that predict success.

Focus on presenting what you have accomplished thoughtfully. Your academics, activities, volunteer work, and personal projects all demonstrate valuable qualities. Describe your experiences with specific details and action verbs. Format your resume professionally and proofread carefully.

Every adult professional started somewhere—often with a high school resume much like the one you’re creating now. This first resume marks the beginning of your professional story. Make it a strong start by putting genuine effort into presenting yourself well, and you’ll be ready to take the next steps in your career journey.