How to Write a Resume as a High Schooler

A resume gives an employer or program a quick picture of what you can contribute. You do not need years of paid employment to make one: school projects, volunteering, family responsibilities, clubs, sports, and informal work can all show useful skills when described honestly. Before you begin, gather accurate dates and contact details, then tailor the document to the opportunity.

What You’ll Need

A computer or device with a word-processing or document-design app.
The job, volunteer opportunity, or program description, so you can identify relevant qualifications.
Your school name, expected graduation date, contact information, and a list of activities, projects, jobs, and responsibilities with approximate dates.
A professional email address and, if appropriate, a trusted adult who can proofread your draft.

Step-by-Step

Decide what the resume is for. Read the opportunity description and note the duties, skills, or qualities it emphasizes. A resume for a first job might highlight reliability and customer service; one for a school program might emphasize relevant classes and projects. You will use this list to decide what to feature.
Make an inventory of your experience. Write down paid and unpaid work, volunteering, clubs, sports, school projects, awards, and responsibilities at home or in your community. Include informal work such as tutoring, babysitting, yard work, or helping at an event if it is relevant. Record what you did, who benefited, and when. You do not have to include every activity; use the strongest and most relevant examples.
Choose a simple layout. Use a readable font, clear section headings, and consistent spacing. Keep it to one page in most cases, with enough white space to make it easy to scan. Avoid elaborate graphics, multiple columns that may be hard for application systems to read, and decorative fonts. Use a conventional file format requested by the employer; if no format is specified, a PDF usually preserves your layout.
Put your contact details at the top. Include your name, a professional email address, and a phone number where you can reliably receive messages. A city and state are usually enough for location. Do not include sensitive details such as your Social Security number, full home address, birth date, or a photograph unless an application specifically and appropriately requires information. Check that your voicemail greeting is suitable.
Add your education. List your high school, city and state, and expected graduation date. You can include a strong grade-point average, relevant coursework, academic honors, or a school project when it helps demonstrate fit. Do not feel compelled to list a GPA if it is not requested or does not support your application. Never present a course as completed if you are still taking it.
Describe experience with action-focused bullets. For each job, volunteer role, or responsibility, give the role, organization or context, and dates. Start bullets with direct verbs such as “organized,” “tutored,” “served,” or “maintained.” Explain the task and, where you can do so truthfully, its result or scope. For example: “Set up supplies and checked in families at a school event.” Do not invent numbers, job titles, or outcomes to sound more impressive.
Include activities, projects, and skills. Clubs, sports, performances, independent projects, and caregiving can demonstrate teamwork, persistence, planning, or communication. Give enough context to show your contribution; “member of robotics club” is less informative than a brief description of what you built or organized. List skills you can actually use, such as a language, spreadsheet tool, or equipment relevant to the role. Avoid vague claims like “hard worker” without an example.
Consider a short objective only if useful. A one-sentence objective can name the type of opportunity and a relevant strength, especially when the purpose of the resume may not be obvious. Keep it specific and skip generic statements that simply say you want to gain experience. A summary is optional; do not let it displace concrete evidence.
Check, tailor, and save the final copy. Compare your draft with the opportunity and move the most relevant details higher. Read it aloud and check spelling, dates, formatting, email address, and phone number. Ask a trusted person to review it, but make sure every claim remains yours and accurate. Save a clean copy with a sensible filename, such as your name and “Resume,” and follow the application instructions when sending it.

Common Mistakes

Leaving out unpaid experience: Relevant volunteering, projects, and responsibilities count when presented clearly; do not imply they were paid jobs.
Using a generic resume everywhere: Reorder or adjust truthful details to match each opportunity instead of sending the same untailored document.
Writing vague or inflated bullets: Replace “helped with things” with a concrete task. Do not exaggerate your role or claim skills you cannot demonstrate.
Adding unnecessary personal information: Keep private identifiers and unrelated personal details off the resume. Share sensitive information only through legitimate application steps when required.
Overdesigning or crowding the page: Readability matters more than decoration. Use consistent formatting and leave room around sections.
Forgetting proofreading: A wrong phone number, email, or date can prevent a response. Check the exported file, not just the editable draft.

Tips

Put the most relevant and recent information first within each section; use reverse chronological order when listing dated roles.
Use present tense for a current role and past tense for finished roles. Keep bullets brief, but include enough detail to show what you contributed.
Use words from the opportunity description when they accurately describe your experience. This makes relevant qualifications easier to spot without copying claims you cannot support.
If you lack formal experience, use school assignments, community involvement, personal projects, or regular responsibilities as evidence of skills.
Keep a master list of activities and dates, then make a tailored copy for each application. This helps avoid inconsistent details.
Follow any application directions about file type, naming, or delivery. If you submit by email, use a clear subject line and a brief, polite message.

Troubleshooting

“I have no experience.” Start with the inventory: class projects, team roles, volunteering, helping at events, tutoring, or responsibilities that show reliability may be relevant. Describe the actual tasks, not a formal job title you did not hold.

“My resume is too short.” A concise one-page resume is acceptable for a student. Do not add filler, unrelated hobbies, or unsupported claims just to fill space. Add useful detail to relevant bullets or include a meaningful project or activity if you have one.

“It spills onto a second page.” Remove repeated or less relevant information, shorten long bullets, and simplify spacing. Keep the text readable rather than shrinking the font excessively. If the application asks for a different length, follow its instructions.

“I do not know exact dates or how to describe a role.” Check old emails, calendars, school records, or ask the organization or a family member. If only the month or season is known, use a consistent, honest estimate rather than inventing an exact date. If you are unsure whether an activity belongs, include it only if it supports the opportunity and you can explain it clearly.

“I am worried about sharing my information.” Use a professional email and a contact number you can monitor, but do not put sensitive identifiers on a general resume. If a request seems unusual, verify the organization and ask a trusted adult before sending personal documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a high school resume be?

One page is enough for most high school students. Prioritize relevant details and keep the layout readable rather than padding it or shrinking the text.

Should I include my GPA?

Include it if the employer or program requests it, or if it strengthens your application. Make sure it is accurate and use the school’s standard scale or explanation if needed.

Can I include babysitting or chores?

Babysitting, yard work, and regular responsibilities can be included when they relate to the opportunity and show specific skills. Describe what you actually did and avoid presenting household duties as employment unless they were paid work.

Do I need a reference section?

Usually, list references separately only when requested. Ask each person’s permission before sharing their contact information, and do not write “references available upon request” unless the application expects it.

Should I use a resume template?

A simple template can help with alignment and headings, but choose one that is easy to read and edit. Review the finished document for awkward spacing, columns, or design elements that could make information difficult to scan.

What file type should I send?

Use the format specified in the application. If it gives no preference, a PDF generally keeps the layout consistent; open the saved file once to confirm it looks right.

Further reading: U.S. Department of Labor. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.