22 High School Resume Examples & Templates to Stand Out

How to Write a High School Student Resume

You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to write a high school student resume with no work experience. We all started there at some point. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating.

When writing a resume for a high school student with no experience, the first rule is to go big on your projects, volunteer roles, and highlight transferable skills you’ve gathered during your coursework. But that doesn’t mean all you need is to fill out a resume outline with all the relevant practical activities you’ve been part of during high school.

What it takes to write a job-winning high school resume is being pragmatic: knowing your weaknesses and strengths and how to take advantage of them to convince recruiters that you’re a worthy shot.

In this section, we simplify things for you by providing handy tips based on actual high school resume examples, showing you how to avoid common pitfalls and win the job.

Picking the right high school resume template

The first step to writing an effective high school resume is choosing the right template. You can review our resume templates list and pick one that best suits your preference. But if you don’t know where to start, we’ll break it down so you can make an informed choice.

What’s the purpose of your resume?

You’re not just writing a generic high school student resume; you want it to be specific to the role or purpose you’re writing it for. Therefore, a good place to start is by asking yourself what you intend to achieve with your resume.

• Are you applying for college? If yes, choose a high school resume template that will allow you to focus on your academics, leadership, and extracurriculars.
• Are you eyeing a high school scholarship? Well, it’s not just you chasing the scholarship; thousands of other students are probably applying for it. In this case, you’re better off with a high school student resume template for a scholarship that helps you highlight community service, achievements in and outside the classroom, and awards for being an all-around exemplary student.
• Or is it for an internship/first job? No matter what, a time will come when you have to write a resume for your first job or internship. To put your best foot forward, pick a template that allows you to talk about relevant certifications and skills gained from practical activities and how to apply them in a real work environment.

What is the best high school student resume template?

From our experience, we can tell a good from a bad template for a high school resume. Here’s what makes the perfect template you need to create a piece that will win you interviews;

• Professional and clean – a resume format that’s easy to read with clearly defined headings is what hiring managers enjoy reading. Give them that, and they’ll read your resume to the end and probably call you about an interview.

  Go for a clutter-free layout and one without graphics and other additions. You only want the recruiters to focus on what you can do and not lose them in unnecessary decorations.

• Match your industry—every industry has its way of doing things, and you’re better off knowing the expectations of the place where you would one day build your career. Your high school resume template must align with industry insiders’ standards.

  For instance, college admission and scholarship boards prefer a classic and simple resume format. On the other hand, media and marketing go with a creative and modern resume design.

• ATS-friendliness – you should know that your application will pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS). If you don’t know yet, we’re telling you. These screeners don’t play nice with graphics and fancy fonts. Avoid them at all costs. And for a bonus point, use bullet points and clearly define your headings for ease of readability. To be sure that your ready-to-send piece will make it through the dreaded screeners, run it through this AI checker, and you can sit back and expect an email for an interview or, better still, a job offer.
• Editable format – you’ll edit your resume several times before it’s ready. In that case, templates from Google Docs allow you to edit, save, and share your piece from anywhere. It’s also helpful to save and send your application in PDF due to its portability and acceptance in the HR spaces.

Where to find good high school resume templates

You can start with our vetted and approved Google Docs resume templates and see if you find something that meets your taste.

However, for a guided and personalized experience when creating your high school student resume, this free online resume builder will take you through every step until you have a masterpiece that will beat ATS and receive a standing ovation from recruiting managers.

Including name and contact info

Your name and contact information are like banners waving to recruiters to notice you. Therefore, these sections should be professional, straightforward, and easy to find so that colleges, potential employers, and scholarship boards can quickly reach you when needed. Without that, you’re just another John Doe or Jane Doe, and no one will think twice before tossing your high school student resume with no work experience into the trash bin.

Start with your name at the top of the resume. It should be written in a larger font than the rest of the text and strategically positioned to get attention. You’re good with your first and last name (your middle name isn’t necessary). Ensure that the name you use here is the same in all your other applications.

Next, after your name, on the right, left, or below, comes your contact information. Your phone number, not a family member’s phone number, is necessary. One more thing: ensure that your voicemail is professional without jokes and a vulgar music tone.

You need a professional email address, not one with your nickname from your peers. A combination of your first and last name is fine. For example, [email protected] makes for a simple and professional email address.

Your home city and state are not a must, but you can include them to give a clue about where you’re from. You want the recruiter or admission board to feel like they know you.

Finally, you can include your LinkedIn account. Here, you only need a URL to your profile. Ensure that your profile is updated to give a professional vibe about you. If you have a personal website related to your school work, projects, or relevant hobbies, then you can add it as well.

What not to include

• Email with fancy names – such as [email protected]
• School email – use a personal email that you have access to even after graduating
• Full home address – your privacy is important, and no one has to know the lane of/and your house number
• Social media links – a professional LinkedIn account is OK, but you don’t need to add Facebook, Twitter, etc.

A Good Example of a name and contact info section

Here’s how a proper name and contact section should look on your resume for a high school student:

Including a career objective on a high school student’s resume

A career objective is the section at the top of your resume, typically not more than two sentences. It’s brief about you: skills, experiences, attributes, and goals for what you’re applying for. It’s a powerful statement that can elevate your pitch and get you noticed if used well. However, you must be careful about when and how you use it.

When to use a career objective

Here are instances when using a career objective is both logical and can potentially add value to your application:

• With limited and/or no work experience – it’s a natural course of action for a high school student resume with no work experience to use a career objective. It helps you concentrate more on showcasing your skills and goals for the position you’re eyeing.
• Internships and voluntary work – you want a statement that expresses your willingness to learn on the job. This short statement shows your passion for a particular field and makes it easy for recruiters to see your potential even without work experience.
• Applying for your first job – a resume for a high school student’s first job is a piece of work. But do you know what can make it easy? Throwing in a career objective that highlights your enthusiasm and mission for whatever you’re applying for.
• College scholarships and admissions – you want the admission and scholarship committees impressed as soon as they open your high school student resume. An objective can be that attention-grabbing opportunity to demonstrate your academic and career aspirations.

When not to use a career objective

More often than not, you don’t need a career objective when:

• You have relevant work experience – here, your achievements and impact can speak for themselves.
• Short on space – when you choose a resume template that doesn’t have a lot of space, you better dedicate it to showcase skills and impact from past roles.

What makes a strong career objective

Not every career objective will make your high school resume a must-read piece. However, here’s what it takes to make yours impressive:

• Staying brief – one to two sentences can hook hiring managers to your piece. Anything longer will spoil your chances of getting noticed.
• Tailor it to the role – you must be intentional and specific about your application. Say it and show why you’re the best fit for the open opportunity.
• Optimize your strengths – your skills, achievements, and unique qualities are what you need to make a great first impression.

Good examples of high school student resume’s career objectives

To give you a snippet of what a good career objective looks like, here are a few examples:

• For college scholarships – “Aspiring computer scientist passionate about problem-solution and software development, looking forward to leveraging coding skills to create impactful technology. Seeking the Durham Tech scholarship to pursue a degree in computer science and contribute to advancements in the field.”
• For first job with no experience – “Compassionate and dedicated nursing graduate, yearning to bring strong communication skills and a patient-centered approach to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Committed to learning from experienced professionals while providing excellent patient care and support.”
• For college admissions – “Aspiring law student with a strong passion for justice, critical thinking, and advocacy, eager to make a meaningful impact in the legal space. Seeking admission to Harvard Law School for rigorous academic challenges and contribute to a diverse community committed to excellence and ethical professionalism.”
• For internship – “Motivated high school student with strong analytical skills and a passion for finance, ready to use classroom knowledge in a hands-on accounting internship at Gensler. Dedicated to learning industry best practices while contributing to a dynamic team with attention to detail and a growth mindset.”

Common career objective mistakes to avoid

When you decide to use a career objective, avoid the following pitfalls:

• Drafting a generic statement – a fit-all objective will not fly. If anything, it dims your chances of standing out.
• Too long – more than two sentences are way too long for recruiters’ liking.
• When you have skills/experience – it’s unnecessary to add a career objective when you have skills and work experience. Don’t waste space on something that doesn’t make a difference.

Adding education

When creating a high school student resume, there is a higher chance that you don’t have industry-specific experience. That’s not a crime, but you can use your education to seal that gap.

When adding the education section, it’s critical to know how to format it and what to include to make an impression on recruiting managers.

How to list education on a high school resume

You can use your education section to show that you’re the best candidate for the position an employer is trying to fill. To get that right, here’s the best way to do it:

• Your high school name, city, and state – For example: Chicago Vocational High School, Chicago, IL
• Graduation date – For example: December, 2026
• GPA (if relevant and strong) – For example, 3.7/4 (include if 3.5 and/or above)
• Coursework (if relevant) – For example, Honors AP English, Algebra, Math, and Fine Arts
• Awards – For instance, State Drama Festival second runners-up, diversity & culture club vice president
• Extracurriculars – For example, school magazine, varsity hockey team
• Special programs’ recognition – For example, Microsoft Office Specialist, CPR-certified

Example of a good education section

Chicago Vocational High School, Chicago, IL

Expected Graduation: December 2026

GPA: 3.7/4.0

Relevant Coursework: AP English, Algebra, Math, and Fine Arts Achievements: State Drama Festival second runners-up, diversity & culture club vice president

Showcasing transferable skills

You have little to no work experience. Are you doomed? Not at all. You can still create a solid high school student resume by adding transferable skills that you can apply across different roles. Here’s how to do that correctly:

Skills from projects and coursework

Even without work experience, you’ve gained relevant skills through group projects, extracurriculars, and classwork. They can include:

• Time management – doing and submitting assignments before deadlines
• Writing and research proficiencies – gained from essay and report writing for lab experiments
• Communication and presentation – class presentations and club debates
• Problem-solving – math quizzes and practical science projects

Highlighting extracurriculars

Skills gained from sports, student clubs, and events are valuable. Examples you can add to your resume include:

• Technical skills – gained from the robotic club, coding, and web development group, managing social media page for wildlife club
• Creativity – drama festivals, art & music clubs
• Teamwork and leadership – being the captain of the soccer team, the campus student vice president
• Event planning – organizing club meetings, fund drives, and environmental conservation days

Skills from community and voluntary work

Don’t let your role in community service and volunteer work go to waste when you can leverage them to demonstrate valuable skills as follows:

• Strong work ethic and passion – supporting a noble cause without expecting any reward
• Planning and organization – creating and planning activities for participants
• Customer service – taking part in charity events and food banks and playing a role in mobilizing donations

Highlighting soft skills

Just like technical skills, employers value soft skills that are transferable to an actual workplace, such as:

• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Positive attitude
• People skills

Packing bullet points with active words

Descriptive action verbs on a high school student’s resume convey that you’re not just another option but a real doer. These power words demonstrate your abilities, initiative, leadership, teamwork, and accomplishments.

Here’s a dynamic pool of active verbs you can use to stand tall and showcase your unique talents:

Collaboration and teamwork

• Supported
• Assisted
• Collaborated
• Partnered
• Contributed
• Teamed up with

Initiative and leadership

• Led
• Supervised
• Coordinated
• Initiated
• Managed
• Directed
• Oversaw
• Organized

Achievements

• Optimized
• Surpassed
• Completed
• Accomplished
• Awarded
• Realized
• Achieved
• Exceeded

Planning/managing

• Prepared
• Processed
• Scheduled
• Organized
• Planned
• Arranged
• Executed

Communication

• Presented
• Explained
• Informed
• Educated
• Advised
• Communicated

Problem-Solving

• Streamlined
• Improved
• Solved
• Created
• Designed
• Developed
• Formulated

Tips for writing an invincible high school student resume

You expect to get interview invites and at least close one of the positions you’re applying for. To get that wish granted for your high school resume with no experience, follow these tips:

• Customize for the specific role – read the job description or the college admission or scholarship prerequisites. Next, borrow keywords from there and use them throughout your application. Including the exact details a potential employer or a program is looking for boosts your chances.
• Do your homework about the employer/school/program – before writing your high school resume, research your prospective employer, the school, or the scholarship program you’re applying to. You want to come across as someone knowledgeable about the company’s culture and principles, the school’s history and mission, and the scholarship’s goals.

  When reading your application, the recruitment team wants to feel that you know where you want to join and that you fit their expectations.

• Quantify your achievements – you may lack industry-specific experience, but that doesn’t limit you from adding measurable impact from projects and other voluntary activities.

  For instance, if you were part of a fundraising team, talk about the number of donors you wrote letters to and what amount you directly collected.

• Be brief—you’re not writing your life story, and recruiters don’t expect it anyway. A one-page resume is enough to sell your value and have the admission board and HR teams call you for an interview. Be brief by only including what makes you the best candidate for the vacancy.
• No room for errors – how do you, for instance, expect to crunch numbers for a giant retail company serving millions of customers each month when your resume is full of grammatical mistakes?

  Your piece must be error-free to make the impression you’re hoping for. Read your resume aloud several times, have your advisor review it, or use an editor to review and correct it. In the world of employment, where cut-throat competition is the game’s name, you don’t want to give hiring managers a reason to dismiss your application.

• Write for both ATS and humans – before your resume gets a chance to be reviewed by a human, it has to pass through online screeners. To pass this test, design your piece to be professional, simple, and well-organized. Use text as opposed to graphics and organize all sections under headings. For humans and ATS, you want a piece that’s easy to read and pick out the most outstanding things about yourself.