resume objective example for high school student

10 High School Student Resume Objective Examples

As a high school student embarking on your professional life, you should not overstate the importance of a well-written resume.

As the first section of your resume, the objective statement serves as a brief introduction and a powerful encapsulation of your energetic potential and passion.

Below are 10 excellent objective examples you can use on your resume as a high school student.

Each is crafted to assist you in leveraging your strengths and goals to create a lasting impression in a competitive job marketplace.

Through these carefully constructed examples, you can learn how to effectively combine your ambitions with a professional demeanor, ensuring that your resume stands out as a dynamic invitation for potential employers.

10 Exemplary Resume Objectives for High School Students

Crafting an Outstanding Objective for a High School Student Resume

Writing an impressive resume objective for a high school student can set the foundation for a favorable impression among potential employers. Here’s a concise guide to crafting an exceptional resume objective:

1. Clarity and Brevity:

Keep your objective compact, using a sentence or two to underline the primary skills and aspirations you bring to the table.

2. Personalization is Key:

Construct your resume objective with the specific role or internship in mind, ensuring alignment with the prospective organization’s requirements and culture.

3. Your strengths in the Spotlight:

Emphasize the personal abilities and knowledge pertinent to the job, from scholastic success to relevant extracurricular activities.

4. Use Action-Oriented Language:

Initiate your objective with powerful verbs that command attention, presenting yourself as a candidate of action and determination.

5. Show Enthusiasm:

Let your genuine excitement for the industry or field shine through, showing potential employers your zeal and readiness to engage and learn.

To enhance your objective, ensure it reflects your unique experiences and goals. Remember to revise your objective for each job application, targeting it to the specific role and company.

• 10 High School Student No Experience Resume Summary Examples
• 21 High School Teacher Resume Objective Examples
• High School Student Cover Letter Example [How-to Write]
• Sample Recommendation Letter for High School Student

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16 High School Student Resume Examples + Complete Guide

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and what you really need is a free AI resume builder and solid student cover letters to get you on your way.

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 16 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

High School Resume - How-To Guide for 2024 [11+ Samples]

Whether you’re preparing your college application, applying for an internship, or looking for a part-time job, you’ll notice that every single place is asking for your resume. 

You sit down, work on your resume for an hour, trying to come up with what you can include.

And all you end up with is the name of the high school you’re attending.

“What gives?” you wonder.

“What else can I add to my resume, when I have zero work experience?”

That’s a more than valid concern and it’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in this article! 

We’re going to tell you exactly what to write so that your resume is as convincing as any other (even with zero work experience). 

• What to include in a high school resume
• 4 Free high school templates you can use
• A real-life high school resume example
• FAQ on high school resumes

Let’s start with the question you’ve been repeatedly asking yourself:

What to Include in My High School Resume?

At the end of the day, resumes are about showing an employer that you are the right person for the job. 

You want to show you’re a competent, passionate, and responsible individual, with the right skills to get the job done.

Well, work experience isn’t the only way to convince recruiters of that. 

Instead, you can focus on the following sections:

• #1. Contact Information - This is where you write down your personal and contact information (no surprise there) like first and last name, phone number, e-mail address, or links to other profiles.
• #2. Resume Objective - In 3-4 sentences, you should be able to describe your career goals and aspirations as well as list your skills.
• #3. Education - As you probably guessed, this is where you list your education history and relevant certifications.
• #4. Extracurricular Activities - These include participation in high school clubs, competitive events, and volunteer work.
• #5. Projects & Gigs - You can mention relevant projects you have participated in, as well as any internships.
• #6. Work Experience (optional) - If you don’t have any work experience, you can mention apprenticeships or volunteer work instead.
• #7. Languages - Language skills are always a plus for your application.
• #8. Hobbies & Interests - These offer some insight into your personality and can show that you’re passionate and interested in the industry.

As you can see, there’s a lot that can go into your resume to make up for the missing work experience. 

Now, we’ll dive into each of these sections in detail and teach you how to do each of them right!

So, let’s start with:

#1. Contact Information

The contact information isn’t too hard to pull off.

Here’s what you need to include here:

• First and Last Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address

Make sure to use a professional email address , something like: [email protected]. Using your middle school [email protected] account will not leave the right impression. 

#2. Resume Objective

A resume objective is a 3-4 sentence statement of your skills, achievements, and career goals . 

Think of it as a short summary of why you’re applying for this specific position and why you’d be a good candidate for it.

You should try your best to link this summary to the role you are applying for. 

For example, if you’re applying for a position as a sales associate, you should make a point of your good social skills, proficiency in math, and teamwork skills.

Let’s have a look at a concrete example of a resume objective for this case:

Hard-working, responsible high school student looking to contribute a positive and collaborative attitude in the retail field. Math-oriented individual with good attention to detail.

#3. Education

In a typical resume, this comes after the work experience section. 

For a high school resume, though, you’d want to do it the other way around, since you want to put more focus on your academic achievements.

This section will most probably consist of only one entry: your high school education. 

Here’s how you can format your education section:

• Name of the Degree
• Name of the Institution
• Years Attended
• GPA (if above 3.5)
• Honors (if applicable)
• Relevant Courses

High School Diploma (Honor Roll)

AB High School

09/2015 - 06/2019

• Relevant courses: AP Calculus, Statistics, Leadership

#4. Extracurricular Activities

Now, this section could be one of your biggest selling points. 

Even if you have a not-so-special GPA, extracurriculars can turn your resume around. These activities are typically school-related, like participation in clubs or student societies. 

Involvement in such, especially in leadership positions like club president or team captain, shows you are sociable and active in your pursuits. 

When listing your extracurricular activities, you should format each entry like this:

Student Body Treasurer

Student Government, AB High School

• Managed the student council’s funds and expenses, kept financial records, and worked with the president and vice president to create budgets and allot funds for clubs and events.
• Participated in organizing student activities like dances, spirit weeks, community service, and fundraising movements and assemblies.

#5. Projects & Gigs

Here you can mention (or even link to) any independent projects you’ve worked on - something you’ve done on the side, unrelated to academics. 

This could be a personal project, small business or startup, side-gig, blog, etc.

Such activities add a lot of value to your resume. They show you’re a self-starter and that’s a quality that’s very much appreciated in any role and industry.

Neighborhood Book Club 

2019 - Present

• Founded a local book club, initially for my friends, and later for all the teenagers of my neighborhood.
• Prepared a monthly book calendar for the club, combining trending, relevant, and classic books.
• Organized weekly meetings to discuss the progress on the books and our thoughts upon finishing them.

#6. Work Experience (Optional)

If you have some work experience, awesome! Here’s how you’d format it on your high school resume:

• Company Name
• Dates Employed
• Achievements & Responsibilities

Sandwich Artist

Joe’s Sandwich Emporium

06/2020 - 09/2020

• Prepared several types of sandwiches for customers.
• Promoted new products on the menu directly to customers.
• Worked with the cash register.
• Interacted with dozens of customers on a daily basis.

If you don’t have any work experience, though, worry not! You can always replace it with another “Other” section.

Volunteer work, for example, is another great addition to your resume. If you also have any informal work experiences like babysitting or dog walking, you should include them in the section. 

Even if you didn’t get a paycheck out of that work, such experiences show you are skilled and reliable. 

For example, an entry for volunteering experience can look like this:

Educational Team Member

Save the Children

2018 - Present

• Assisted in giving weekly art history and drawing lessons to children at the local orphanage
• Helped organize visits at local museums and art galleries

#7. Language skills

Are you bilingual or can speak another language apart from your native one?

Make sure to mention it on your high school resume!

Wherever you might be applying, you can rest assured that they’re going to appreciate your language skills.

Even if you’re applying for a job in the service or retail industry, proficiency in an extra language or two is going to give you an advantage over other applicants, especially if you write your CEFR level , and can back up the claim in conversation.

Who knows when some foreign customers will come in and your knowledge will come in handy!

With that scenario in mind:

Be mindful not to exaggerate your skills, as lying on your resume can only get you in trouble.

#8. Hobbies & Interests

It might feel like you’re just filling up some space, but actually, the hobbies and interests you list on a resume can be significant, especially if you don’t have a lot of extracurriculars or work experience.

You need something to hint as to who you are as a person and employee, and listing hobbies and interests will do that for you. 

They also show that you are an engaged individual and well-rounded applicant. 

However, you should be selective with what you mention here. 

Listing 6+ hobbies will end up having the opposite effect - it will look like you’re just throwing in some random words, hoping some of them will be impressive. 

A good strategy is to look for hints on the job ad i.e. if they are looking for a team player, mentioning a team sport as one of your hobbies is a great idea. 

Keep in mind, though, that you should also avoid hobbies that don’t add to your profile as a candidate.

E.g.: your gaming hobby doesn't make you a better candidate for the role of a sales manager.

4 Free High School Resume Templates

So we’re all done with theory at this point. 

There’s one thing left for you to do: sit down and start preparing your resume. 

To help you with that, we’ve gathered 4 free resume templates , perfect for a high school resume. 

All you have to do is pick the ones you like best & get started with your resume!

#1. Simple Resume Template

This versatile template works for all kinds of applicants - from those with plenty to those with zero work experience. 

The neutral colors emphasize information over flashiness and the structure is easy to follow.

#2. Professional Resume Template

This next template is an all-time favorite of ours. 

Unlike the first template, the Professional one is formatted into two columns. It’s simple, yet stands out with its blue accent color (which you can change into any color you like). 

#3. Modern Resume Template

The Modern template adds something more to the traditional resume look. There is a faded design in the background and some of the sections are boxed by large brackets.

It’s a template that stands out without being too loud or wild. 

#4. Creative Resume Template

If you’re applying for a position in a creative field (marketing, design, etc.), this is the template for you. 

It uses accent colors and has a bold header that makes a statement. 

High School Resume Example

As important as picking the right template is, the content of the resume is what’s going to seal the deal. 

Here’s one example of a high school student resume, so you can get a clearer idea of what it should look like!

High School Resume FAQ

If you still have some questions regarding your high school resume, check out the FAQ and our answers below:

1. How can I write a high school resume with no work experience?

As a high school student, it’s more than normal for you to have no work experience. This shouldn’t scare you. 

There’s a lot of activities you can add to your resume that can substitute work experience.

Extracurricular activities, like participation in school clubs, projects, and gigs, are a great indicator of your skills and personality. Any informal work experiences should also be mentioned.

As long as you are showing the recruiter that you are capable of doing the job, your resume will be just fine without a work experience section.

2. How long should a high school resume be?

When it comes to high school resumes, the answer is undebatable: one page. 

A 2018 eye-tracking study showed that recruiters spend about 7 seconds skimming a resume before deciding whether to discard it or not. 

A 2-page resume will be simply excessive. 

Heck, even if you’re a professional with 10 years of work experience, we’d still recommend sticking to 1 page.

For more on resume length best practices, check out our article.

3. What’s the best way to make a high school resume?

An important and time-consuming part of making a resume is getting the formatting right. 

This means meticulously editing a Word or Google doc in order to get the right typeface, font size , line spacing, margins, etc.

What we’re getting at here is, if you’re making your resume manually, it can take you hours…

And then you make a tiny change on your layout, and your resume starts spilling into the second page!

Want to save time and effort?

Just use a resume builder ! The formatting is done for you, and all YOU have to do is fill in the resume!

Key Takeaways

That pretty much covers all you need to know about writing a high school no-experience resume . 

Quite simple and doable, right?

Finally, here’s a recap of what you should keep in mind when writing your high school resume:

• Instead of work experience, talk about extracurriculars like school clubs, personal projects, or gigs.
• Use sections like education, hobbies & interests, and languages to emphasize your skills and give an idea of your personality.
• Grab the recruiter’s attention with a concise resume objective that clearly highlights your top skills and career goals.
• Keep your resume at a maximum of 1 page.

And finally, good luck with your job search!

Related Resume Examples

• No Experience Resume
• Internship Resume
• College Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• Teacher Resume

Suggested readings:

• The Complete Guide to Remote Work [W/ Tips & Tricks]
• 101+ Achievements to List On Your Resume [In 2024]
• The Ultimate Guide to Job Hunt - Land Your Next Job in 2024

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Top 12 High School Student Resume Objective Examples You Can Use

If you are looking to land a part-time job as a high school student, you will be able to attract the attention of many employers by making and submitting a compelling resume or CV, which starts with a powerful objective statement.

Starting your high school student resume with a good objective will make the resume attractive to the recruiter right from when they start reading it and this will increase the possibility that they will read every part of it, which again improves your chances of being selected for an interview.

To make a great resume that gets you an interview with an employer/recruiter, it is important to learn about various resume statistics before writing your resume. According to novoresume, these resume statistics will give you helpful insight into the prevailing HR trends, guide you in making the right decision about your job hunting, and in creating an effective resume.

How to Make an Irresistible Objective for High School Student Resume

To write an irresistible objective statement for high school student resume or CV requires knowing what the employer holds important for the position.

When you know this, then you can use your objective to declare that you possess them for the employer to give you a chance to prove it at an interview.

Most jobs for high school students are part-time or seasonal and do not usually require experience.

However, you may need to have certain soft skills and abilities, such as the ability to learn fast, to be effective on most jobs for high school students.

You will find employers’ requirements for a given job position in the published job description.

Now, let’s see some examples of resume objective statements for high school student jobs that you can study and apply in creating your resume:

12 Samples of Objective Statements for High School Student Resume

1. A caring, patient, creative, empathetic, diligent, and hard working individual seeking the job of Camp Wise Babysitter with XYZ Inc. Coming with high energy and strong ability to communicate with children in providing effective supervision and care to children in camp who are not old enough to participate in organization’s camp activities.

2. An energetic, fast-learner, friendly, and hard-working high school student seeks to work with XYZ Union as a part-time Barista. Bringing exceptional ability to take and follow instructions to the letter, in addition to strong ability to lift heavy items and work while standing for extended period of time in effectively carrying out the responsibility of serving food and beverages to guests according to company service procedures and standards.

3. A high school student with pleasant personality and focus on guest satisfaction seeks the job of Busser at XYZ Burger Company where strong ability to work in a team environment and to go the extra mile in ensuring that tables are set promptly for the next party will be maximally put to use.

4. Bringing exceptional ability to use computer systems and phone in working as Call Center Representative at XYZ Resources. To apply excellent written and oral communication and listening and comprehension skills, as well as strong ability to remain objective and focused in spite of distractions, in providing outstanding support to company’s customers on phone, email, and on the social media.

5. An energetic, fun, and enthusiastic high school student desires the position of Day Camp Counsellor at XYZ Services. Coming with strong creativity, patience, and ability to communicate effectively with campers, parents, and other organization’s staff.

6. To obtain the job of Retail Car Wash Hourly Team Member at MountainT Inc. Bringing strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to get things done quickly in providing accurate, pleasant, and efficient shopping assistance and check-out service that exceeds customer expectations and needs.

7. A talented high school student with strong ability to memorize weekly ad specials and product identification codes seeks to work at XYZ Stores as a Cashier; also brings good maths skills, sense of urgency, and accuracy, and the ability to apply computerized cash registry systems in providing friendly, accurate, and fast check out services to company customers.

8. A strong and energetic high school student with the ability to stand and walk for hours, and to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds, desires the job of Catering Server at XYZ Inc.; to assist in setting up, implementing, and cleaning-up functions following company culinary and hospitality standards.

9. A high school student with an eye for detail, love for food, a positive attitude to life, highly energetic, and a strong ability to learn fast seeks the job of a Dishwasher in a top-notch scratch kitchen where there is need to keep things bright and shinning.

10. A self-motivated, honest, and energetic dog lover desires the role of a Dog Handler at XYX LoveCare Inc. Bringing strong problem solving skills; the ability to stand for up to eight hours on a stretch, lift more than 40 pounds of items, and to remain calm in chaotic situations, to helping local families provide fantastic care to their dogs.

11. To work as a Fast Food Crew Member at XYZ QuickyFoods Inc. where excellent communication and personal skills, in addition to a pleasant attitude and manner will be utilized in serving guests with uttermost courteousness and efficiency.

12. A high school student with strong ability to handle cash, fuel multiple vehicles under pressure, and read and interpret documents, including procedure and operating manual, safety rules, and maintenance instructions seeks the job of Gas Station Attendant at XYZ Corporation, to ensure passengers’ vehicles are fuelled efficiently with dispensing propane, gasoline, and diesel as desired by customers.

If you are a high school student looking to land a part-time job that brings you extra income and helps you build some skills that may become important to your career in future, you need to present a compelling resume to prospective employers to improve your chances of being picked for the job.

Writing an effective resume starts with creating a great objective statement that shows the employer that you’ve got what is required for the job.

This post provides a collection of sample objective statements that you can study and use in creating a high school student resume.

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High School Student resume example & writing guide

Include your contact information

Make use of a summary, outline your work experience or extracurriculars, include the relevant key skills that make you a great employee, detail your education & relevant certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a high school student resume, prospective college student, great first jobs, high school student resume, text only.

Congratulations! You've decided to take your first steps toward getting a job. Chances are this is your first high school student resume. You may not realize it, but you already have some accomplishments and achievements that will make your high school student resume shine. 

This high school student resume example and writing guide will show you how to capitalize on your experience, skills and knowledge even if you've never held a "real" job!

Resume guide for a high school student resume

Landing your first job can feel daunting, but Resume.io is here to help. Even if you're just starting out, our collection of 350+ resume examples and writing guides (like the one you are reading), along with professional resume templates, a resume builder tool and expert advice, can help you craft the perfect resume with ease.

This writing guide, along with the corresponding high school resume examples, will show you how to capitalize on your experience, skills , and knowledge even if you've never held a "real" job! These are the topics we'll cover.

How to write a high school student resume

Choosing the right resume format for a high school student.

• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the entry-level market looks like, and what salary you can expect

Let’s get started! 

Lack of work experience need not stop you from creating an impressive high school student resume! Generally, it should be structured to include the following key sections: 

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

We’ll be taking a closer look at each of these resume components after covering some general considerations.

Optimize your high school student resume!

Employers receive hundreds of high school resumes for each open position. They don’t have time to look through them all, so they use ATS software to do the initial sorting. That's why most employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

This means you have to know how these algorithm-based systems work and how to get your high school resume past the digital filter. Employers program the software to screen for certain skills and attributes reflected in keywords and phrases. 

The ATS scans resumes on that basis, and then scores and ranks them. Your resume will only make the cut if it is in the top-ranking range. 

Unless you already have some work experience, the most commonly used chronological format may not be suitable for structuring your high school student resume. 

It’s the most straightforward way for job candidates to organize their experience and qualifications below employer headings and dates, in order from most recent to earliest.

But for high school students or recent graduates with little or nothing to list in a traditional employment history section, other resume formats can be ideal. The format you choose should depend on the type of job and industry, and how best to present yourself as an ideal match. 

In cases where specialized knowledge and skills, and possibly extracurricular activities, are relevant to prospective employers, a functional resume may be your best bet. It offers greater flexibility to emphasize your most relevant strengths up front in a section labelled “Experience.” 

A hybrid, or combination, resume format offers even more versatility. You can integrate chronological and functional elements in the most applicable manner, and perhaps even put your education section higher up on the page to emphasize your school interests and accomplishments. 

Let us do the hard work for you! 

Check out the many resume templates in our resume builder and choose the format that best suits your situation. We have a wide variety available as resume examples .

A distinctive resume header sets you apart from other candidates by ensuring your resume gets noticed for the right reasons. An eye-pleasing design will make it inviting to read, while also readily identifying who your resume belongs to and how you can be reached for an interview. Here's what yours needs to include: 

• Full name & title. Simply include your first and last name, along with the role for which you are applying. Tailor this each time.
• Professional email address. Employers won't think highly of an address like [email protected] . Your best bet is the golden standard format of first name (or initials) + last name: [email protected] or [email protected] .
• Phone number. Include a number where you can be reached. You can also include when you are available at the given number.
• Location. You don't need to include your full address. However, you should highlight your location — i.e. your state and city.
• LinkedIn. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is active and highlights your expertise. If that is the case, you can include it on your high school student resume.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth. This move could lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details. Relationship status, social security number, passport number , etc.

Mary Smith  Barista  [email protected] 0811 992 1182 New York, New York

High School Student  [email protected] 0811 992 1182 Apartment 22, Victoria Building, New York In a relationship.

Describing yourself can be tough, but don't hold back. You have many of the qualities employers want. Here's where your personality can shine. 

The 2-3 sentence resume summary (also known as the profile or personal statement ) is the first section, directly under your contact information. It allows you to exhibit a bit of personality while you explain the qualities that will make you a great employee. 

Here are some sample questions to ask yourself when writing your summary:

• What makes me a good student, friend, teammate, family member?
• Which of my skills or personal qualities have helped me in school? Am I organized, creative, responsible?
• What activities, projects, and interests could I describe that translate into job skills?

You can find an adaptable high school student resume examples summary below:

Resourceful and dedicated high school student with excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to learning. Strong organizational abilities with proven success managing multiple academic projects . Well-rounded and professional team player dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at a collegiate level.

Driven and proactive high school student with top-notch time management and organizational skills. Previous experience working with CareKittens charity as a volunteer over two summers. Committed to supporting important causes, furthering education, and learning while on the job.

Before you give up on the work history section, don't forget that your high school experience includes a wealth of opportunities to draw from. 

Give yourself credit for jobs you've done for classes or community service points as a high school student. All positions of responsibility count! Maybe you have had a paying job. If so, that's great! Here are some examples to consider: 

• Voluntary experience. Whether you have volunteered at a charity or helped out at an event, now is the time to shout about it. Focus on your transferable skills here.
• Part-time jobs. Did you have a part-time job during high school? If so, you should include it as part of your work experience. You may have worked in a store, in a restaurant, or even babysat for the neighbors.
• Teams and clubs. If you don't have any work experience but are part of a sports team or club, you should add this here. Being a team-player is considered to be a high-level skill, and so it's an easy way to wow the hiring manager.

Jobs or work experiences to consider listing

Any volunteer work or projects for social or community groups are a great addition to your high school student resume, whether in the past or continuing now. 

List each item in your experience section as any other job applicant would in the conventional employment history format —  in reverse chronological order. That means you start with the current or most recent listing and work backward to the earliest, by date.

Look for job referrals! Ask friends who already have a job where you're interested in working for a referral. Some companies have referral programs that reward current employees when their referral is hired. Employers like referrals, because they eliminate some of the unknowns of hiring. Few people would recommend a person they did not think could do the job.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a high school student resume.

Sales Associate at B&B Booksllers, New York  September 2022 - Present 

• Feed animals and made sure they had access to fresh water at all times.
• Answer customer questions and reported issues in person or by phone.
• Help customers select products that best fit the needs of their pet.
• Keep the selling floor clean and maintained neat and orderly product displays.
• Maintain accurate work logs.
• Recognize for my reliability and zero absence work record.

How to write a high school student resume with no experience

Let's say you have no direct work experience on your resume . One way to approach this conundrum is to focus on either voluntary experience or your extracurriculars.  As a high school student, you may be putting a lot of time and effort into extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to showing up and participating. These may be especially relevant if they illustrate an interest related to the job you are applying for. 

Creating a master list of your extracurricular activities is a worthwhile exercise in its own right. It can reinforce your choices of which skills and personal attributes to highlight in other resume sections. It may also clarify the type of job you want, and lead you to consider targeting your job search to a field that fits your extracurricular interests. 

Any master list — be it for skills, activities or jobs — can be useful for your own reference and convenience. It’s a visual tool that highlights what you are looking for at a glance, then makes it easy to cherry-pick the most appropriate resume samples for your current resume version.

If you are a go-getter who participates in multiple activities outside of school and work, perhaps associated with accomplishments , consider adding a separate resume section for extracurricular activities. 

These show your talents, determination, and time-management skills. This is another way to inject a little personality into your resume. 

Science Honor Society, Callaway High School, Jackson  2019 - Present  National Honors Society, Callaway High School, Jackson  2019 - Present  Participated in several volunteer activities, including:

• Built a house for Habitat for Humanity
• Collected supplies Stewpot Community Services
• Organized food drive & fundraiser for Cascades Humane Society   

Volunteer, Cascades Humane Society Jackson  Aug 2019 - Aug 2020 

• Performed various administrative and clerical tasks as needed.
• Served as a support for the entire office staff.
• Monitored & observed animals for signs of illness & reported symptoms to superiors.
• Created online pet profiles for potential adopters.
• Collected and recorded adoption fees.

Employers willing to hire inexperienced workers are looking for signs of responsibility, initiative, and desire to learn.  What you do need are soft skills, also known as interpersonal, social or people skills. Examples include communication — including listening, courtesy and ability to take direction — as well as dependability, punctuality and being well-organized. 

Of course, hard skills have a place on your resume too. these are pragmatic skills necessary or valuable for certain jobs, tools or programs or sciences. Examples for a high school student might include computer programming or child care expertise. 

With ATS likely to be scanning your high school student resume (unless you are applying to work for an individual or at a very small company, you need to know what keywords will help get your resume in the hands of hiring managers.  Respondents to a Society for Human Resource Management survey ranked these as the most important skills for entry-level employees:

• Dependability and reliability (think being at work on time or fulfilling promises) — a whopping 97% said these were a must!
• Integrity — 87%.
• Respect (towards clients and co-workers) — 84%.
• Teamwork — 83%.

You probably have all of these skills to one degree or another. So, make sure you list them on your high school student resume. 

Check out a high school student resume skills sample below.

• Excellent Customer Service Skills
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Advanced Computer System Skills

Think of it this way: your career right now is your experience as a high school student. It's probably more important than your employment history if you have any work experience at all, so treat the education section of your high school student resume as a higher priority. 

Expand on your high school "career" achievements and focuses, starting with a list of classes that are relevant to the job you seek. Looking to work with children? Highlight your early childhood education class. Here are some examples of relevant certificates: 

• Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) : If you undertook this certificate while in high school, you don't want to leave it out. It shows that you have digital media skills, which is a real asset if you are applying for jobs within the creative fields.
• Certified Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) : Most hiring managers will expect you to be confident using Microsoft Office. However, if you happen to have this certificate, you can show that you are a cut above the rest.
• Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Interested in a career in IT? You might find that having this Google-certified qualification gives you the gravitas you need.
• Food Safety Certification : Hospitality roles are highly popular among high school students and graduates. If you want to show that you are serious about this role, you should let the hiring manager know that you have a Food Safety Certificate.
• Language proficiency: Speaking a second language is always going to be a valuable skill. Let the hiring manager know if you can and provide details of your certificates.

Also, mention any accolades and honors, or even your grade point average (SAT/ACT/GPA Scores) if they shine. Should your scores be high, you can elevate your resume above the competition. You can also use the education section to describe projects you are proud of and how they reflect your skills.

Choose a structure that works for you! Your resume sections do not have to be in the same order as they are listed in this high school student resume sample. Put the section you think is most important and impressive first and go from there. Just remember, the summary must remain at the top. 

High Honors, Callaway High School Jackson  Aug 2019 - Present 

• Academic High Honor Roll 2015 - 2017
• Presidential Award for Academic Excellence 2016

Are you itching to show off your artistic bent here? You may be tempted to try standing out from the crowd with a strikingly colorful high school student CV design. 

But unless you are applying for a graphic design job or other position in a creative field, it's in your best interest to keep the look of your resume simple, streamlined, and polished. Strive for a first impression that's as legible and inviting to read as it is eye-catching.

Simple doesn't rule out creative choices when it comes to the layout, design, and formatting of your high school student CV.

Why use a template?

Unless you've already developed a great eye for graphic design and the computer skills to match, a resume template may be your best bet to create an eye-pleasing resume without much difficulty.

Resume.io offers four categories of resume templates, any of them suitable for a high school student to personalize for a professional and beautiful result. Start by choosing one of these style categories before drilling down to select the right layout: simple, professional, modern or creative. 

One benefit of using a resume template is that you can avoid formatting errors that make your resume look sloppy or incomplete. Using the Resume.io builder tool makes every step of creating your resume a breeze. 

Don't lose your hard work!  If you are cutting and pasting your resume into a computer program, first save it as a text file to eliminate odd formatting marks.

Personalization

As emphasized already, the rule of thumb for resume layout, design and formatting is: keep it clean and organized! Working with one of our templates and the builder tool takes away any guesswork. Yet, you still have room to make your high school student resume stylishly unique. 

Contrary to popular wisdom, Times New Roman is not the only professional-looking font that will serve you well. Try Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Cambria, or Calibri. 

If your resume template of choice uses a color, feel free to change it. But resist any urge to add more color. One small splash is all you need. And don't use a color other than black for your text. The rule of thumb for layouts is: keep it clean and organized!

Job market and outlook

Many high school students ask themselves, "How will I get a job without experience?" Guess what: Everybody who is now working started out in a first job without having any employment history. You have to start somewhere. A little time and research can be all it takes to find a job that adds to your skills list while putting some money in your pocket!

You have already made the decision to look for work. Now, with Resume.io's collection of tools at your fingertips, we'll walk you through everything you need in the first steps to success. It all starts with getting your foot in the door. 

More than half of young people have jobs! 

Thinking of getting a first job? You're not alone. As of July 2023, 55% of people aged between 16 and 24 had jobs. Often enough, these roles are part-time and fit around the young person's studies. Look for a flexible option that suits your schedule.

Being in demand means you have choices. Your first job probably won't be the job of your dreams, but you can target work that will lead you in the right direction for your future. This can apply in almost any type of work that high school students are typically hired to do.

About one-quarter of working teens have jobs in food preparation or service, according to BLS data. And there is plenty of room to be selective and forward-looking in this industry. Even if you end up at a fast food restaurant, you can choose which one it is. 

With a little research, you can pick a company that offers management training, flexible hours or other benefits that appeal to you. More than 10% of working high school students have jobs in these fields:

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

This does not mean you are restricted to these industries, but they are examples of areas you're likely to be qualified for. 

Resourceful and dedicated High School student with excellent analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to providing great customer service. Strong organizational abilities with proven successes managing multiple academic projects and volunteering events. Well-rounded and professional team player dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at a collegiate level.

Employment history

Key takeaways for a high school student resume

An effective high school student resume can make finding your first job much easier. So, what are you waiting for? Employers understand your lack of experience and instead are interested in the soft skills you are likely to have.Highlight these soft skills, along with any hard (practical) skills you have, in the summary section of your high school student resume.

It doesn't end there. You should also use keywords that automated screening software will likely scan and score for. Remember, education has been your “career” up until now, so leverage your school experience when writing this section of your resume.

Use our resume builder to browse simple resume samples, then personalize the template that speaks to you. Make sure your resume writing is error-free and looks amazing.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

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15 Impressive Resume Examples for High School Students

Put your best foot forward.

Many professionals struggle to write a strong resume, even after years in the workforce. It’s not surprising, therefore, that it’s even harder for those with limited work experience. That’s why we put together this list of resume examples for high school students. They need it!

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , teens are experiencing the highest employment rate since 2008. In May 2022, 5.5 million U.S. teens ages 16 to 19 held jobs, and by summer 2023, analysts predict “that the share of 16- to 19-year-olds working this season will rise to 33.6 percent, from 32.7 percent last year.” Use these templates, which are perfect for students applying f or jobs, college admissions, or scholarships, to edge out the competition!

What To Include on High School Students’ Resumes

When you don’t have years of work experience to showcase, what should you include on your resume? Here are some ways to put your best foot forward.

• Highlight academic strengths.
• Mention extracurricular activities including clubs, sports, and volunteerism.
• List any honors, awards, or other achievements.
• Emphasize leadership experience.
• Share projects or gigs, including any internships.
• Include a “Skills” section and list computer skills, soft skills, or language skills.
• If your hobbies and/or interests are relevant to a job, include those as well. 

Resume Examples for High School Students

High school student resume templates and examples.

These helpful resume templates and examples are perfect for high school students trying to land their first job or internship. This resource shares tips on how to make a great impression. 

Resume with no experience: first job examples

Trying to land a job with no work experience? No problem! This template offers an ideal resume for high school student applicants who are entering the workforce for the first time.  

Resume for a part-time job

For students looking for a part-time job, their high school resume needs to reflect their availability. This sample offers guidance for creating a resume that sends the right message. 

Experienced high school student resume

Multiple work experience examples should be listed on an experienced high school student resume, so you might need to change the layout to make everything fit nicely.

McDonald’s resume

While this resume specifically highlights McDonald’s, it could easily be modified for any fast-food chain. The important thing is that students’ work history includes customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to take orders, prepare food, accept payments, keep a restaurant clean, and more. 

Customer service resume

Hiring supervisors are aware of and anticipate the fact that you may not have much work experience as a high school student, but this template will help tailor your resume to the demands specified in the customer service job description.

Camp counselor resume

If you’ve ever worked as a camp counselor (or similar leadership role), you likely have a well-rounded set of skills. This resource provides tips and examples of how to list your achievements and abilities in a way to stand out above the competition. 

High school student sales resume

Writing a high school student sales resume can be challenging, especially if you have little professional experience. One solid strategy is having numbers on your side. This great template will help you get started!

Athlete resume

Depending on the student, athletics can make up a huge part of their high school experience. Should athletics be mentioned on a resume? If it’s relevant to the job or if a student was a stand-out athlete, gained leadership skills, or was recognized for their great attitude and/or outstanding abilities, this guide will show you how to include it.

High school graduate resume

Once students graduate, they’ll either be continuing their education or heading into the workforce (or both!). This great, straightforward high school resume is perfect when applying for their first real job. 

College resume for high school students

The future is bright, which is why high school students need to focus on creating a college admissions resume that will really make an impression. These tips and samples offer clear guidance on how to make a college application truly shine. 

High school student office worker resume

It’s alright if a high school office worker resume isn’t packed with noteworthy achievements. Instead, list any project that highlights your leadership qualities or relevant skills you’ve acquired along the way!

Scholarship resume

You already know that college tuition is expensive. There are plenty of scholarships out there, but the competition is fierce. This high school resume template focuses on academic achievements while highlighting skills, professional experience, and career objectives to help students stand out from the crowd. 

High school student music resume

Of course you want to highlight any musical work you’ve done, whether it’s in school or professionally. Also highlight lessons, achievements, and interests that showcase your love and passion for music. This template will give you a good idea of where to begin!

Internship resume

It can be tough to find a decent internship as a college student, which is why high school students should start looking before they graduate. These types of jobs might not come with a paycheck, but the rewards are immeasurable in terms of experience. This template offers tips for writing a strong resume for an internship position. 

Do you have more great resume examples for high school students? Share them in the comments below.

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