High School Resume Templates and Examples for College Applications
Your resume is a professional introduction to potential employers, highlighting your skills, achievements, and experiences. Choosing the right resume template is crucial, as it sets the foundation for presenting your qualifications effectively. The best template for students should balance simplicity and professionalism, showcasing your unique attributes while remaining easy to navigate. Your student resume should capture the attention of hiring managers and speak to how your abilities will meet their needs.
Now that you know what kind of resume template to choose, you can start thinking about what to write in each section. A student resume should include all the basic elements of a resume: contact info, profile, work experience, education, and skills. Below we’ll dive deeper into each section and go over what you should include:
Writing a compelling student resume can be challenging, but there are tactics you can use to make the process easier. This section will guide you through quantifying your experiences, tailoring your writing, highlighting your skills, leveraging powerful action verbs, and overcoming the challenge of little to no work history. By implementing these techniques, you’ll effectively engage resume readers and show your potential as a valuable candidate. Let’s dive into these expert strategies and unlock the full potential of your student resume.
When you quantify your work experience, you’re showing the real impact you’ve had in your previous roles. Using numbers helps employers understand what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve added value. You clearly prove your abilities by giving hiring managers indisputable evidence of the results of your work ethic. These numbers distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to get things accomplished. When employers can see your measurable value, you build trust and interest. Both of which are stepping stones to landing an interview.
It’s a smart move to align your resume with the specific job you’re applying for. You can do this by incorporating relevant keywords and emphasizing the skills and requirements the hiring manager is seeking. Customizing your student resume this way increases your chances of getting noticed. Review the job description carefully and identify the language used. Without forcing or overdoing it, mirror those words and phrases in your resume. Highlight your experiences and achievements directly related to the desired role, showcasing your suitability for the position.
Another way to stand out among the crowd of applicants is to feature your unique skills. Creating a simple bullet-point list of key skills demonstrates your relevant qualifications, even with limited work experience. It allows for quick and efficient scanning by recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
By presenting your key skills clearly, you can increase your chance of being shortlisted for further consideration. Highlighting a range of skills acquired from various experiences showcases versatility and adaptability, making you more appealing to potential employers.
| Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
|---|---|
| Computer Literacy | Teamwork |
| Foreign Language Proficiency | Communication |
| Point of Sale Knowledge | Critical Thinking |
| Basic Coding (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) | Leadership |
| Graphic Design (Adobe Suite) | Organization |
Action verbs will add clarity and energy to your student resume. These words bring your experiences to life, showcasing your active involvement in projects, initiatives, and extracurricular activities. They help paint a vivid picture of your abilities and contributions, demonstrating your potential value to future employers. Choose action verbs that accurately represent your accomplishments and remember to align your language with that of the hiring company. Consider using action verbs such as:
If you don’t have any work experience yet, don’t worry. When beginning your career, it’s common to start at the entry-level. Focus on skills you’ve learned through school, clubs, or volunteering. Highlight qualities like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and organization. Consider doing internships or volunteer work to gain more experience and practical skills. You can also talk about your school achievements, projects, and any training or certificates you have. Even without formal experience, you can show employers your skills, passion, and determination.
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Self-motivated and friendly college student with a strong work ethic and a passion for providing exceptional guest experiences. Seeking a summertime Lifeguard position at Wings & Waves Waterpark to contribute to a fun and safe destination for park visitors. Detail-oriented and safety-conscious, committed to maintaining a clean and secure environment.
Lifeguard, YMCA, Seattle, WA
May 2021 – Present
Volunteer, Oregon Humane Society, Portland, OR
April 2019 – May 2021
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Business Administration, September 2022 – Present
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
High School Diploma, September 2018 – June 2022
Roosevelt High School, Portland, OR
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
A resume should be a forward-looking value proposition that showcases your most relevant accomplishments for a target role — not a rear view summary of your previous roles and responsibilities.
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
