How to write a high school student resume

Often high school students wonder, "How can I obtain a job without any professional experience?" Imagine what: Everyone who is presently working started in their first workplace with no prior work experience. You've got to start someplace. A little effort and study might be all that is required to discover a career that will contribute to your skills and experience.

You have indeed decided to seek a job. We'll guide you through all you require in the initial stages to succeed now that you have our set of resources at your disposal. Setting your foot inside the door is the first step.

If you'd like to work throughout the summertime, you're in luck as there is less competition. As per the BLS, few adolescents are opting to join the temporary labor market over time, with only approximately one in three doing so over the summertime of 2018. While fewer high school students perform part-time work throughout the academic year, you will be in demand regardless of when you wish to work.

Your first employment as a high school student will aid in the development of your abilities and achievements for the future. People who begin working at an earlier age have a considerable edge in succeeding job hunting. When you are in high demand, you have options. Your initial career will most likely not be an ideal job, but you may choose employment that will set you up for success in the future. It applies to nearly any sort of task that high school students undertake to earn.

As per the US labor statistics, one-quarter of employed teenagers function in food preparation or service. Because there is enough opportunity in this sector to be differentiating and forward-thinking, even if you wind yourself at a fast-food establishment, you have the option of selecting which one to pick.

With an investigation, you may find a firm that provides training, flexible schedules, or other appealing advantages. And over 10% of employed high school students operate in these professions listed below;

• Personal care and service
• Office and administrative support
• Sales and sales support

It does not imply that you are limited to these sectors, but these are specific instances in which you are probably competent. Furthermore, companies generally collaborate effectively with high school students who are joining the labor market initially. 

Often high school students wonder, "How can I obtain a job without any professional experience?" Imagine what: Everyone who is presently working started in their first workplace with no prior work experience. You've got to start someplace. A little effort and study might be all that is required to discover a career that will contribute to your skills and experience.

You have indeed decided to seek a job. We'll guide you through all you require in the initial stages to succeed now that you have our set of resources at your disposal. Setting your foot inside the door is the first step.

If you'd like to work throughout the summertime, you're in luck as there is less competition. As per the BLS, few adolescents are opting to join the temporary labor market over time, with only approximately one in three doing so over the summertime of 2018. While fewer high school students perform part-time work throughout the academic year, you will be in demand regardless of when you wish to work.

Your first employment as a high school student will aid in the development of your abilities and achievements for the future. People who begin working at an earlier age have a considerable edge in succeeding job hunting. When you are in high demand, you have options. Your initial career will most likely not be an ideal job, but you may choose employment that will set you up for success in the future. It applies to nearly any sort of task that high school students undertake to earn.

As per the US labor statistics, one-quarter of employed teenagers function in food preparation or service. Because there is enough opportunity in this sector to be differentiating and forward-thinking, even if you wind yourself at a fast-food establishment, you have the option of selecting which one to pick.

With an investigation, you may find a firm that provides training, flexible schedules, or other appealing advantages. And over 10% of employed high school students operate in these professions listed below;

• Personal care and service
• Office and administrative support
• Sales and sales support

It does not imply that you are limited to these sectors, but these are specific instances in which you are probably competent. Furthermore, companies generally collaborate effectively with high school students who are joining the labor market initially. 

Applicant tracking software

The primary and probably most significant aspect regarding job search is that many businesses utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS). It does not apply to small enterprises or traditional businesses, but most medium and large-scale firms employ this automated program for job application filtering. For every job opening, large companies obtain hundreds of high school applications.

An employer doesn't have time to go over all the resumes, so they utilize the ATS program to conduct the preliminary sifting. It indicates you must understand how this algorithm-based software operates and how to get your high school resume past the automated screening. They weed out inappropriate resumes before they reach a recruiting manager.

Managers configure the algorithm to look for specific talents and characteristics expressed in keywords. The ATS examines applications on this criteria and evaluates and rates them depending on the number of keywords and phrases that occur and other factors. Your resume can hit the mark if it is in the top tier. That implies you must include those keywords from the job description in your high school resume. Ensure to check the job criteria listed in the job posting, like location, contact details, age.

You're probably thinking how I'm going to squeeze those skill phrases in with no work experience. This high school student resume example can answer all your questions. You may use it as you feel fit for the job position.

How to write a high school student objective statement

It might be difficult to describe oneself, but don't be shy. You possess many of the traits that companies want. This section is where you can let your individuality shine. The first element, just under your contact details, is the objective statement. It enables you to be yourself while explaining the traits that will make you an excellent employee.

Your resume's objective statement must not be more than three-four sentences, and with details about who you are and what talents you can offer to a workplace. Here are a few things to consider while creating your overview;

• What qualities distinguish me as an excellent student, friend, team member?
• Which of my abilities or individual characteristics aided me in school? Am I coordinated, imaginative, and take responsibility?
• What hobbies, initiatives, and talents might I mention that transform into employment skills?

Your responses to these questions show characteristics that will make you a successful employee. Utilize them as the foundation for your resume summary. Consider using action verbs to highlight your skills and accomplishments with enthusiasm. Rather than writing: I enjoy academic tasks and activities, write: I organized the preparation of class activities and took part in the school's dramatic improvisation schedule.

Since you won't have professional work experience to highlight, the high school student objective statement may be the best strategy to accommodate for that.

How to write skills section for a high school student resume

Hiring managers seeking novice candidates search for signs of commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. Let's be honest: if you are applying for after-school work at a fast-food joint, the manager will not demand or require you to have extensive culinary expertise. You also don't need any retail background to acquire an entry-level job at a local supermarket.

Soft skills are interpersonal, or social abilities are essential. Interpersonal skills such as understanding, politeness, and the ability to follow instructions, reliability, timeliness, and organization are examples. Of course, outline actual talents on your CV as well. All those are practical abilities necessary or beneficial for specific occupations, instruments, procedures, or sciences.

Computer coding or child care skills are good instances for a high school student. It is known as interpersonal or social abilities. Of course, if you have "technical skills," such as computer coding, child care experience, or other work abilities, you can mention them in this section.

Top skills for entry-level candidates

Because an ATS is likely to analyze your high school student resume unless you want to work for a small firm, you have to identify what keywords will likely get your resume to reach the recruiter. According to a poll, these are the most critical abilities for entry-level employees;

• Customer service
• Communication skills 
• Punctual
• Reliable
• Conflict Resolution
• Flexible
• Listening
• Problem-solving
• Friendly
• Responsible
• Attention to detail

You most likely possess all of these abilities to some extent. As a result, be sure to include such skills on your high school student resume. If feasible, explain how you demonstrate a characteristic like reliability rather than simply adding the word "reliable" with no description.

Now that, you should have a clearer idea of why talents are so crucial on a high school student resume and which qualities you must include in yours. You will also realize that finding the abilities you can provide a manager is a competency in itself.

Consider your abilities in a new light. Feel free to include any skills you gained in high school but have not practically used those skills outside of the classroom. Do you excel at algebra? That necessitates critical thinking! Are you the one who always leads team projects? You're a natural-born leader with excellent organizing abilities!

How to write an education section for a high school student resume

Consider this: your current career is your experience as a high school student. It's essential than your work record, assuming you have any technical training at all, so prioritize the education part of your high school student resume. Put it higher on the document, maybe immediately underneath the objective statement, and add more than simply dates and school's name.

It will alter as you gain more relevant job experience, and your education segment will include a list of programs and credentials. But, for the time being, elaborate on your high school "profession" successes and interests, beginning with a list of coursework related to the profession you desire. In the future, if you want to work with kids? Emphasize your early childhood education course.

Include any awards and distinctions you've received, as well as your grades if it stands out. You can also utilize the academic area to discuss projects that you are glad about and how they demonstrate your abilities. Add group projects, highlight collaboration, videos, or other presentations showcasing your digital media abilities and imagination. It would be much better if you could incorporate some more keywords.

How to write a high school student's employment section?

If you lose up on the job record part, keep in mind that your high school experience provided you with many options. As a high school student, reward yourself for work you've accomplished for academics or community work credits. Every level of authority counts! Perhaps you've had a paying job. That's fantastic! Maybe you maintained lawns, tutored children, or kept an eye on someone's pet when they had to go out.

All of these types of jobs indicate accountability, reliability, and the skill to take instructions.

Mentioning the list of employment experiences 

Any volunteering or initiatives for social groups are an invaluable asset to your high school student resume.

Add these jobs in your employment section the same way that any other job candidate would in the traditional work record style, reverse chronological order. That is, you begin with the most recent job and move backward in time to the oldest.

Is public service required as a graduation requirement at your high school? That is significant! Do you have any instances of jobs or situations where you had to organize, lead, or plan meetings or activities? Being president of a debate club is a great experience to write on a resume. The same is for cleaning the chemistry lab to assist the lecturer.

Extra-Curricular Activities

This portion of your high school student resume is not necessary, but it might be beneficial. As a high school student, you may devote a significant amount of time and energy to co-curricular activities that reflect your dedication to turning up and contributing. These are noteworthy if they indicate a passion for the position for which you wish to qualify.

Making a comprehensive list of all of your co-curricular activities is a good activity in itself. It might help you decide which talents and character traits to emphasize in other areas of your resume. It may also enable you to narrow down the sort of work you desire and prompt you to explore tailoring your job hunt to a sector that matches your co-curricular pursuits.

Any master list, whether for talents, hobbies, or employment, may be beneficial for access and efficiency. It's a graphic tool that illustrates what you're looking for at a glimpse and then allows you to cherry-pick the most relevant skills for your latest resume edition.

Probably include a different resume section for co-curricular activities if you are a self-starter who engages in various events from outside school and job, maybe connected with successes.

These reflect your abilities, dedication, and time management skills. It's another approach to add some individuality to your CV. Keep in mind that not everything must be officially structured. If you have a blog, make your computer games, create fan fiction, participate in community theatre, or have any other hobbies that take up time outside of your regular schedule, incorporate them here.

How to format a high school student resume

You could be eager to grab the employer's attention with a brightly colored high school student resume style. However, unless you are going for a career in graphic design, fashion design, or any other creative sector, it is to your best advantage to maintain the style of your resume clean, concise, and professional. Make an effort to make an easily-readable first impression. When it comes to the style and formatting of a high school student's CV, simplicity does not preclude creative possibilities. It is better to use resume templates that have everything an employer wants. If you've previously established a keen eye for graphic design and the necessary computer abilities, a resume template is your best choice for quickly creating a visually appealing resume layout.

Check out these resume templates as per your requirements; creative, modern, simple, professional.

One advantage of utilizing a resume template is that you may prevent formatting mistakes that can make your resume appear unprofessional or inadequate. Keep in mind that not everyone will be using the exact word processing application or edition of that software. That implies that if you email your resume as a file and the recruiter views it in different software, the formatting may be incorrect.

Such structural errors can also render your resume impossible to read by ATS screening algorithms, an unpleasant but regular occurrence that stops numerous job applications from ever reaching a hiring manager.

Employing the HipCV resume builder tool not only simplifies the way of developing your resume but is also the easiest way to assure formatting compliance.

Submitting the finished product as a PDF file preserves the formatting, ensuring that everything appears the way you want it on the hiring manager's computer.

As previously said, the general rule for resume style, aesthetics, and formatting is to make it clean and structured. Even so, there is still space for you to create your high school student resume to stand out positively.

Despite common belief, Times New Roman is one of the formal-looking typefaces that will work well for you. Garamond, Helvetica, and Cambria are all perfect choices.

If your ideal resume template has a color, feel free to alter it. However, avoid the desire to add additional color. A lit a little spray is all you require to give the professional effect to your resume. Also, don't use any other color for your font except black. The general idea for layouts is to keep things neat and clean.

Common errors to check in a high school student resume

Because this may be your initial CV, so take your time to edit and proofread it. Verify with a family member, teacher, or a friend as well. It never harms and nearly always benefits to having a second pair of eyes. Here are some examples of mistakes to look for;

1. Words that are incomplete or misleading
2. Repetitive words 
3. Spelling mistakes
4. Flaws in grammar or punctuation
5. Font or font size inconsistency
6. Columns that do not align
7. Inaccurate or incorrect tense

• Just use the present tense if you are actively doing anything.
• Employ the past tense if you performed something in the past.

Tips on what to include in high school student resume

Because most high school students haven't had many jobs, it's critical to reflect on all parts of your life that illustrate you have the integrity, work ethic, talents, and attitude to thrive in a career.

• Describe Management Roles - Make a list of any managerial activities you had in these positions (for example, secretary of a group or sports captain). Provide a bullet list of your duties and successes for each item.
• Boost Your Mindset and Performance -  Your work processes and approach will be of the utmost importance to recruiters. They don't anticipate you having a lot of experience. You may use wording to such effect when summarizing an incident if you have impeccable or near-perfect punctuality and are timely for school and other responsibilities.
• Highlight Your Successes  - Companies seek employees who have a track record of making good contributions. Examine each of your experiences and check for accomplishments in school, clubs, athletics, or the job that you can add. If yes, show what you did by using verbs including improved, restructured, boosted, developed, established, or expanded. Provide any challenging projects to indicate to the hiring manager that you perform complex tasks.

Tips for writing a high school student resume

• Develop a Blueprint - Before you try to identify the appropriate terminology to explain your experiences, prepare a brief list or overview of all conceivable paid and unpaid experiences to put in your resume. Consider this as the thinking cap phase, and write down as much as possible.
• Add Resume Credentials - It's usually a great idea to integrate resume skills relevant to the position and the job description. You most likely have many talents you may mention from school, athletics, co-curricular activities, or volunteer work.
• Employ Action Words -  When discussing your experiences, incorporate active language to depict yourself dynamically. Begin your sentences with action words such as organized, analyzed, guided, managed, directed, examined, produced, constructed, and reviewed.
• Brief And Concise - Your resume should not be more than a one-page document. Some elements of the curriculum vitae are necessary, like contact details and experience.  
• Create a story - Match your experience and talents to the job requirements. For instance, if you're looking for a cashier job but haven't previously had one, stress your customer service abilities, mathematical ability, work ethic, and potential to operate as part of a team. Examine the job requirements and match your qualifications to the criteria.
• Check your resume -  Before submitting your paper, thoroughly review your application to ensure no punctuation or grammar mistakes. Request a resume review from your advisor, relatives, or friend.

Key Points

• Obtaining your initial job as a high school student is easy than it looks.
• Companies understand your lack of employment experience and are keener in the soft talents you are likely to possess despite your lack of a job record.
• In the objective statement part of the high school student resume, emphasize these soft talents and any technical abilities you have.
• Incorporate keywords to indicate talents and other areas of your resume that computerized screening tools would most likely evaluate and rank your application.
• At this stage in your life, the experience part of your CV may provide more than mere employment.
• Schooling has been your "job" up to this point. So include your educational experience when creating this portion of your resume.
• Ensure that your resume is glitch-free and the structure is appealing and polished.

Check out our other guides on resume writing, CV writing , interview tips, international resume writing tips, remote job interview, skills, cover letter writing ,resume tips for changing careers, remote job hiring tips, no work experience resume tips, cover letter formatting tips, hobbies and interests on a resume, cover letter writing, one page resume tips.

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