Your high school resume is your ticket to showcasing your unique skills and achievements to colleges, scholarships, and potential employers. Set yourself apart by learning how to craft a standout resume that reflects your strengths and potential.

Why a Resume Matters

A well-organized resume helps admissions officers, scholarship committees, and hiring managers see what you bring to the table. It highlights your:

  • Academic accomplishments
  • Extracurricular involvement
  • Leadership experience
  • Volunteer work and job skills

Even if you don’t have extensive experience yet, your high school resume is a great way to start building a professional profile.

Start with a Clear Format

A clean and organized layout makes your resume easy to read. Use sections to group similar experiences and present them in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Recommended Sections:

  1. Contact Information
  2. Objective (Optional)
  3. Education
  4. Extracurricular Activities
  5. Volunteer Experience
  6. Work Experience
  7. Skills
  8. Awards and Honors

Pro Tip: Stick to a simple font like Arial or Times New Roman, use bullet points for clarity, and keep it to one page.

Include Your Contact Information

At the top of your resume, include your name, phone number, email address, and city/state. If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website relevant to your goals, include those as well.

Example:
Name: Jordan Smith
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: jordansmith@email.com
Location: Boston, MA

Highlight Your Education

In the Education section, list your high school’s name, location, and expected graduation date. If your GPA is strong (e.g., 3.5 or higher), include it. Mention any honors or advanced coursework, such as:

  • AP or IB classes
  • Dual-enrollment courses
  • Relevant academic projects

Example:
High School: Lincoln High School, Springfield, IL
Graduation Date: June 2025
GPA: 3.8
Advanced Coursework: AP Biology, Dual Enrollment in English Composition

Showcase Extracurricular Activities

Your extracurriculars say a lot about your interests and dedication. Include activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, or long-term commitment, such as:

  • Sports teams
  • School clubs (e.g., debate, robotics, or theater)
  • Student government
  • Music or arts programs

Example:
Varsity Soccer Team

  • Captain (2024 season)
  • Organized team fundraisers, raising $2,000 for new equipment
  • Awarded Most Valuable Player (2023)

Pro Tip: Focus on the skills you gained or the impact you made in each role.

Detail Your Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work shows your commitment to giving back. Highlight experiences that align with your passions or career interests.

Example:
Community Food Bank Volunteer

  • Assisted with sorting and distributing food to over 200 families weekly
  • Developed organizational skills and learned the value of community service

Pro Tip: If you don’t have volunteer experience yet, look for opportunities at local nonprofits, libraries, or community centers.

Add Work Experience (If Applicable)

Even part-time or summer jobs provide valuable skills. Include the company name, job title, and a few bullet points describing your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Example:
Cashier, Local Grocery Store

  • Managed transactions and provided excellent customer service
  • Learned time management by balancing a 15-hour workweek with school

Highlight Skills

List hard and soft skills relevant to your goals. Hard skills are measurable, like coding or graphic design, while soft skills include qualities like teamwork and communication.

Examples of Skills to Include:

  • Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
  • Public speaking
  • Bilingual proficiency
  • Time management

Pro Tip: Tailor your skills to match the requirements of the opportunity you’re applying for.

Mention Awards and Honors

If you’ve received recognition for your achievements, include them in a dedicated section. Examples include:

  • Academic honors (e.g., Honor Roll, National Honor Society)
  • Competition awards (e.g., science fairs, speech contests)
  • Scholarships or grants

Example:
Awards and Honors:

  • National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (2024)
  • 1st Place, Regional Science Fair (2023)

Write an Optional Objective

An objective statement is a brief sentence at the top of your resume that outlines your goals. Use it when applying for specific opportunities like scholarships, internships, or part-time jobs.

Example:
“Motivated high school junior seeking an internship in environmental science to gain hands-on research experience.”

Customize for Each Opportunity

No two resumes should look exactly the same. Tailor your resume to fit the college, job, or scholarship you’re applying for by emphasizing relevant experiences and skills.

Example: For a scholarship focused on leadership, highlight your roles in student government or club activities.

Proofread and Review

Small errors can hurt your credibility. Before submitting your resume:

  • Check for spelling and grammar mistakes.
  • Ensure consistency in formatting, such as bullet points and font sizes.
  • Ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend to review it.

Pro Tip: Save your resume as a PDF to preserve the formatting.

Moving Forward

Building a strong resume in high school is about more than listing achievements—it’s about telling your story. By focusing on your unique experiences, skills, and goals, you can create a resume that stands out to colleges, employers, and scholarship committees. Ready to get started? Start drafting your resume today and watch it grow with your experiences!

Related Content

Essential Tips for Acing College Interviews

College interviews are your chance to make a lasting impression beyond your application. Master the art of showcasing your personality, goals, and enthusiasm with these essential tips for acing admissions and scholarship interviews. Understand the Purpose of the...

Financial Aid Tips for Adults Going Back to School

Why Financial Aid Looks Different for Adult Learners If you're an adult thinking about returning to school, you’re not alone—and you're definitely not out of options. Financial aid isn’t just for recent high school grads. There are grants, loans, scholarships, and...

Choosing the Right Major: What to Consider for Career Success

Picking a college major is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your education, and it can shape your career path for years to come. While it's important to follow your passions, choosing a major that aligns with job market demand, salary potential, and career...

10 Study Hacks for College Success

College classes can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can stay on top of your coursework and excel academically. Uncover these simple yet effective study techniques to boost your skills and ace your classes. Create a Study Schedule Time management is...

Returning to School After a Break: What You Need to Know

Going back to school after a break can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a chance to chase new goals and open doors to better opportunities. Whether you’re starting fresh or finishing what you started, returning to school as an adult requires planning, focus, and a bit...

The Best Websites for Finding Scholarships

Searching for scholarships can feel overwhelming, but the right websites can make the process much easier. Instead of manually sifting through hundreds of programs, scholarship search engines allow you to filter by eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts. Whether...

Mental Health Resources for College Students: How to Stay Balanced

College can be an exciting but stressful time. Between academic pressure, financial stress, and personal challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? You don’t have to handle everything alone. Many mental health resources are available to help students...

Merit-Based vs. Need-Based Scholarships: What’s the Difference?

Why It Matters to Know the Difference When it comes to paying for college, scholarships can make a major dent in your expenses—but not all scholarships are created equal. Understanding the difference between merit-based and need-based scholarships can help you target...

Leveraging Your College Education for Career Growth

Your college education is more than just a degree—it’s a launchpad for career success. By taking advantage of networking opportunities, internships, and campus resources, you can build a strong foundation for your future. Discover practical tips to help you make the...

Continuing Education: Why Lifelong Learning is Key to Career Success

Graduating with a degree is a major accomplishment, but learning shouldn’t stop there. In today’s fast-changing job market, continuing education is essential for staying competitive, increasing earning potential, and expanding career opportunities. Whether through...

Check out these scholarships:

Youth Foundation Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarships

Established in 1968, the Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally worthy high school seniors with demonstrated financial need, for up to four years of college undergraduate studyScholarship Sponsor Youth FoundationAward Type $4,000 CashGender...

JLB Young Women Voluntarism Scholarship

It is with great pleasure that the Junior League of Baltimore, Inc. offers the annual Young Woman Voluntarism Scholarship. This annual scholarship program awards $1,000 to a Maryland female graduating senior who has performed outstanding volunteer service during her...

G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund

G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to an outstanding high school student who has volunteered at a Veterans Administration Hospital, Clinic or similar organization providing services to military veterans, to attend an accredited...

Mel C. Marshall Student Scholarship

The Mel C. Marshall Student Scholarship was developed to encourage high school seniors or college students to enroll in careers related to the precast concrete industry and to provide opportunities for those students who receive financial support to liaise with CPCA....

NSA Scholarship Foundation Awards

The NSA Scholarship Foundation Scholarship assists dedicated students who are committed to a career in accounting by providing financial assistance to support their education. Scholarship Sponsor National Society of AccountantsAward Type $2,200 CashGender Eligibility...

The R.L. Gillette Scholarship

The R.L. Gillette Scholarship offers two scholarships to women who are enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music.Scholarship Sponsor American Foundation for the BlindAward Type $1,000 CashGender Eligibility FemaleOther...

Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit Scholarship

Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are currently attending Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Students must live in Michigan and have a financial need that might otherwise prevent them from attending...

FWSF Scholarship

The FWSF Scholarship provides graduate and undergraduate scholarships to San Francisco Bay Area women pursuing careers in finance and financial services. Beyond financial support, scholarship recipients have the opportunity to be mentored by FWSF members, and attend...

Charles Shelton Veterinarian Medicine/Technology Scholarship

The Charles Shelton Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to African-American students pursuing a degree in veterinarian medicine or veterinarian technology. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have...

Principia College President’s Scholarship

The President's Scholarship is an academic four-year scholarship awarded to first-time freshmen in the fall or winter quarter. Scholarship Sponsor Principia CollegeAward Type $36,500 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA...

EMU Presidential Scholarship

The EMU Presidential Scholarship is only available to incoming freshmen who have competed in the Presidential Scholarship Competition. Students must complete an EMU Admission Application as well as a separate application for the Competition. These applications are...

Ohio News Media Foundation Minority Scholarship

The Ohio News Media Foundation will award a $1,250 scholarship to a minority high school senior in Ohio who plans to major in a field relevant to the newspaper industry, particularly journalism, advertising, marketing, or communications degree program at an accredited...

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Scholarships

Every year the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame awards up to six $3,000 scholarships to outstanding Oregon student-athletes who will be attending Oregon colleges. These worthy scholarship recipients are routinely straight-A students with multiple All-League and All-State...

ACF American Advertising Federation-NM Scholarship

The American Advertising Federation-New Mexico (AAF-NM) Scholarship Fund has been established to provide scholarships to deserving men and women who intend to enter the advertising profession.Scholarship Sponsor Albuquerque FoundationAward Type $1,400 CashGender...

Jesse L. Jackson-Fellows Toyota Scholarship

The Jesse Jackson Fellows-Toyota Scholarship is a renewable scholarship that awards up to $25,000 dollars annually to deserving African-American college sophomores.Scholarship Sponsor Push ExcelAward Type $25,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria...
Skip to content