Student Resume Tips
As a high school student, creating an effective resume can be a valuable skill to have, especially if you have work-based learning experience. A well-crafted resume can help you stand out when applying for jobs, internships, or college applications. Keep reading for tips and tools to create a resume that stands out.
If you need help or have questions, please reach out to your school's counseling office.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
Before you start writing your resume, collect all the necessary information:
- Personal Details: Include your name, contact information (phone number, email address), and optionally, your address.
- Objective (Optional): Write a brief statement about your career goals and what you hope to achieve through your resume.
- Education: List your high school name, graduation date (expected), GPA (if it's strong), and any relevant coursework or honors.
- Work-Based Learning Experience: Highlight the key details of your work-based learning experience, including the company/organization name, your role, dates of involvement, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
- Skills: Identify your skills, both hard (e.g., computer programming) and soft (e.g., communication), that are relevant to the job or educational program you're applying for.
- Extracurricular Activities: Mention any clubs, sports, or volunteer work that demonstrates your skills and commitment.
Step 2: Choose a Resume Format
High school students typically use a chronological or functional resume format:
- Chronological: This format lists your experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first), which is suitable if your work-based learning experience is your most significant achievement.
- Functional: Use this format if you want to focus on your skills and qualifications, which can be helpful if your work-based learning experience is not directly related to your future goals.
Step 3: Write Your Resume
- Start with your contact information at the top.
- Include a concise objective statement (if desired).
- List your education details.
- Highlight your work-based learning experience, emphasizing relevant skills and achievements.
- Showcase your skills and abilities.
- Mention any extracurricular activities.
- Proofread your resume for errors and consistency.
Step 4: Use Online Resources
Here are some online resources to help you create your resume:
- Canva (canva.com) - Offers resume templates and design tools to make your resume visually appealing.
- ResumeGenius (resumegenius.com) - Provides resume-building tools and tips.
- Purdue OWL (owl.purdue.edu) - Offers a comprehensive guide on resume writing with examples.
- Jobscan (jobscan.co) - Helps optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) commonly used by employers.
- LinkedIn Learning (linkedin.com/learning) - Offers courses on resume writing and career development.
Step 5: Review and Customize
Tailor your resume for each job or educational program you apply to. Customize your objective, skills, and experiences to match the specific requirements of each opportunity.
Step 6: Seek Feedback
Ask teachers, mentors, or career counselors for feedback on your resume. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.
Step 7: Finalize and Save
Save your resume in a widely accepted format (PDF is a safe choice) and give it a clear, professional file name (e.g., "JohnSmith_Resume.pdf").