How to create a high school student resume with examples

Jobstreet content team – updated on 22 February, 2024

Our country has a K-12 school system, meaning you'll be in school for 12 years before college. This helps you get ready for more school, a job, or starting your own business.

Some students choose to work part-time while they're still in school. Others start working right after they finish high school. That's why knowing how to make a good resume is essential.

When you make a resume, you show the good things you learned in high school and how these can help you do well in a job. This allows potential recruiter who might want to hire you to see how you can be a great addition to their team.

Whether you're a student looking for part-time work or internships, a high school graduate applying to university, or a parent or teacher searching for resources to assist a child or student in these endeavors, your resume can help you stand out. Here's what we'll cover:

Purpose of a high school student resume
Components of a high school student resume
Common mistakes to avoid
Resume template for high school students
High school student resume with no work experience template
High school student resume example
Conclusion
FAQs

Purpose of a high school student resume

A resume may be helpful to high school students in a variety of situations.

Applying to college or university

Most colleges and universities don't ask for a resume when you apply. Instead, you fill out a form, write an essay about yourself, share your school grades, and upload Form 137.

Letters of recommendation from school officials and teachers may be a requirement. An entrance exam may also be necessary to gain admission.

Even though it's not always needed, having a resume can still help you. A good resume can strengthen your application if the college wants to meet you for an interview.

This gives the interviewer a better idea of your qualifications. It also shows you're a serious applicant willing to go the extra mile to stand out.

Applying for scholarships

Some schools give scholarships when you apply for college, and you might not need a resume.

But a resume is a good idea if you're applying for a scholarship from a private company or the government.

Your resume shows why you deserve the scholarship. It also gives the scholarship committee a better idea of who you are as a person and student. It allows them to see beyond your grades and academic achievements.

Applying to jobs   

Since the education system has changed, high school students who work usually do better when looking for jobs.

Many students actively take part-time jobs, like tutoring in English or Math or working online. These jobs help them learn to adapt and communicate well, which are important skills for any job.

The challenge now is how you present yourself when you're job hunting. This is where your high school student resume is vital.

A great resume clearly showcases your key skills and how you're perfectly right for the job. It also prominently highlights your academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

Components of a high school student resume

Here are the elements of a high school student resume:

Personal information

High school resumes should start with your personal information. This includes your full name and contact details, including your address, email address, and phone number. Make sure that the details you provided are accurate and up to date.

Profile summary

A resume summary is like a short introduction about you. It's where you can talk about your skills and the extra things you do outside school that match your desired job. For example, if you want a job helping the community, you can mention any volunteer work you've done.

A practical summary is short – ideally between three and five sentences.  It sums up your key skills and experiences in an eye-catching way and is easy for the hiring manager to read. Remember to write in the third person. You can refer to our article on writing a resume summary for more help.

Education details

High school students need to focus on the education part of their resume. This is especially important if they haven't worked much yet. Hiring managers review this section to understand more about your academic background. Admissions officers and scholarship committee members want to see if you qualify for their program.

The details to include remain largely the same whether you're a recent graduate or still completing your high school education. Write your school's name and location and the year you received or expect to receive your high school diploma. Put your grades there, too (like your GWA). Also, list any relevant subjects you've taken related to the job or scholarship.

Photographer with camera during a photography session

Experience section

In this part of your resume, you can talk about jobs you've had. Hiring managers uses this to see if you're right for the job. You might have little to write here, but mentioning any job or activity that fits is still essential.

You can also write about clubs you've joined or volunteer work you've done. For each thing you list, write down your job title, where you worked or helped out, and when you did it.

Then, make a short list of what you did there. You can also talk about new things you learned or awards you got.

Our guide on how to make your resume stand out even if you don't have much experience may be helpful.

Awards and Achievements section

You can include your awards and achievements in the education section of your high school resume. But if you have a lot of accomplishments, it may be better to create a separate section. Add a bullet point for each of your awards or achievements. You can also provide dates and reasons for the recognition.

Key skills section

Your skills are crucial to succeeding in your job search. In a high school resume, the key skills section should include hard and soft skills.

If you want to go to college or get a scholarship, include any computer or other technical skills you have. Also, mention your people skills and other good qualities you have. These can help you do well in the program or area you want to study.

Suppose you're applying for a part-time position as an English tutor. It's a good idea to list your English communication and language skills first.

You can also add any other languages you're proficient in to show your passion for language learning.

Common skills to list in the skills section include organization, time management, public speaking, computer skills, and leadership.

Include bilingual communication skills in both English and Filipino, essential for customer service roles in the Philippines, along with digital literacy skills critical for the country's growing BPO and IT industries.

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you write a high school resume:

Choosing a colorful and busy design

Keep your resume layout simple unless you're applying for a role in the creative field. Stick to a clean and organized format. If you want to use colors to highlight resume sections, choose complementary and neutral shades. The aim is for your resume to be distinct but easy to read.

Not using action verbs

Use action verbs such as "supervised," "organised," and "developed." They help you showcase the right skills and make your resume more exciting and dynamic.

Neglecting to proofread

An error-free resume makes a good impression, so check for mistakes before you submit your document. Ask a friend or family member to read it and give feedback.

Not optimizing for applicant tracking systems

Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen applications. Your resume is more likely to get through an ATS when you use keywords from the job ad. Include the company name and the exact title of the position. Also, avoid using graphics because the software may not recognize them.

Resume template for high school students

Preparing a resume as a high school student or a recent school leaver can be challenging, mainly when you have limited or no formal work experience.

This template will help you create a compelling and professional resume.

Here's a high school resume template you can use as a guide when you create your own:

[Full name]
[Address]
[Email address]
[Phone number]

[Profile summary: Write three to five sentences highlighting your most relevant skills and experience.]

Education
[High school], [Town/City, Province]
Graduation date/Estimated date of graduation: [Month and year]
GWA: [include if applicable]
Relevant coursework: [Course 1, Course 2, Course 3]

Experiences
[Position title]
[Company/Organization name], [Dates]

[Relevant duty]
[Relevant duty]
[Relevant duty]

Awards and achievements

[Name of award/achievement]
[Name of award/achievement]
[Name of award/achievement]

Skills

[Hard or soft skill]
[Hard or soft skill]
[Hard or soft skill]

[Your Full Name]

Address: [Your Address]
Phone Number: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email Address]
LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile] (Optional)

High school student resume with no work experience template

Objective

A brief statement about your goals and what you aim to achieve in the position or field you're applying for. This should be tailored to each application.

Example: Motivated and detail-oriented high school graduate seeking to leverage leadership skills and academic excellence in a team-oriented environment, aiming to contribute positively and learn from experienced professionals.

Education

[Your High School Name], [City, State]

Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GWA: [Your GWA]
Relevant Subjects: [Course 1, Course 2, Course 3]

Skills

Technical Skills: [Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3] (e.g., Microsoft Office, basic coding in Python)
Soft Skills: [Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3] (e.g., communication, teamwork, time management)

Extracurricular Activities

[Activity or Club Name], [Position if Any]

[Month, Year] – Present
Brief description of your role and any accomplishments.

Volunteer Experience

[Organization Name], [Role]

[Month, Year] – Present
Brief description of your responsibilities and any notable contributions or achievements.

Awards and Honors

[Award Name], [Organization/Affiliation] – [Month, Year]
Brief description of the award.

Projects

[Project Title]

[Month, Year]
Brief description of the project, your role, and any outcomes.

Certifications

[Certification Name], [Issuing Organization] – [Month, Year]

Languages

[Language]: [Level of Proficiency]

References

Available upon request.

Read: Is A Character Reference In Resume Important? Yes, Here Is Why

High school student resume example

Here's a high school resume example that you can refer to as you develop your own:

Margarette Ponce
38 Sage Street, Greenwoods, Calatagan, Batangas
[email protected]
+63 917 877 2562

Motivated senior high school student with a strong academic record and a passion for science. Founded a club that organizes STEM-related activities and school events to inspire other students to enter a career in the field. Received a sponsorship from the National Science Foundation to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly flocculant for water filtration.

Education
Jose Philippine Science High School, Batangas City
Estimated date of graduation: June 2024
GWA: 1.13
Relevant coursework: Biology IV, Math Modeling, Chemistry III, Design and Make Technologies

Experiences
Laboratory Assistant
Jose Philippine Science High School, 2022–Present

Checking records of borrowed reagents and equipment to ensure a complete inventory 
Maintaining orderliness in the laboratory by sorting and storing chemicals and equipment
Assisting the laboratory manager with teaching research students to perform laboratory procedures

Volunteer
Wagging Angels Animal Sanctuary, 2020–Present

Keeping the holding area for rescued animals clean
Performing routine tasks, such as feeding and grooming animals
Observing and recording the health status of the animals

Awards and achievements

On the Director's List since 2018
Co-founder of Youth for Nature Club
First place in Editorial Writing, Regional Schools' Press Conference

Skills

Communication
Science proficiency
Math proficiency
Analysis
Problem-solving

Certifications

Basic First Aid and CPR Certification, Philippine Red Cross – June 2023
Certificate in Basic Programming with Python, TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) – March 2023

Languages

Filipino: Native proficiency
English: Full professional proficiency
Cebuano: Intermediate proficiency

References

Maria Santos

Position: Science Department Head
School: Jose Philippine Science High School
Phone Number: +63 932 345 6780
Email: [email protected]
Relation: Science Teacher and Research Club Adviser

Jose Dela Cruz

Position: Community Service Coordinator
Organization: Barangay Tulong Kapwa
Phone Number: +63 917 654 3210
Email: [email protected]
Relation: Supervisor for Volunteer Projects

Conclusion

A high school resume highlights your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments. You can use it to apply for jobs, scholarships, or admission to a college or university.

When writing a high school resume, include your personal details and create a profile summary.

Describe your education and experience, and list your achievements and relevant skills. You can use the template in this article to start the perfect resume.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about high school resumes:

How to create a resume for a high school student with no work experience?
⁠If you want to create a high school student resume with no work experience, just use the examples and guides we've shown here.
⁠You can include your extracurricular activities, certificates, and volunteer work if you don't have professional experience.
What is an example of a high school student's objective for a resume?
⁠Here's an example:
⁠Motivated and dedicated high school student seeking opportunities to apply strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and gain valuable experience in a professional environment. Committed to academic excellence and personal growth.
How do you put high school on your resume if you haven't graduated yet?
⁠If you haven't graduated yet, you can still follow a template for a resume of a recent graduate. Just write the date you expect to get your high school diploma.
Can I include my part-time job experience on a high school student resume?
⁠Yes. This can help job applicants get a foot in the door.
Should I include references on my high school student resume?
⁠This isn't necessary. But it's a good idea to prepare a brief list of names in case the interviewer asks for references.
Can I include extracurricular activities on my high school student resume?
⁠Yes. You can include any relevant activities in the experience section of your resume.