How to Write a Resume for a High School Student

A clear resume helps an employer, internship coordinator, or program organizer quickly see what you can contribute—even if you have not held a formal job. Before you begin, gather accurate dates, contact information, school details, and examples of responsibilities or accomplishments. You can draft it in a word processor or a simple document editor; a paid template is not necessary.

What You’ll Need

A computer or other device with a document editor, or paper for planning a draft.
Your school’s official name, location, expected graduation date, and current grade level.
Names and dates for jobs, volunteering, clubs, sports, projects, caregiving, or other responsibilities you may include.
Examples of what you did, tools or skills you used, and outcomes you can describe honestly.
A professional email address and a phone number or other reliable contact method.
A trusted adult, teacher, or school counselor who can proofread the finished draft.

Step-by-Step

Identify the opportunity. Read the job, internship, volunteer, or program description and note its main requirements. Circle skills and responsibilities that match your real experience, such as customer service, teamwork, organization, writing, or familiarity with a particular tool. This gives your resume a focus without changing the facts.
Choose a simple layout. Use a clean, readable font and consistent headings. Keep the page uncluttered, with enough white space to scan easily. A chronological layout—sections and entries arranged with the most recent first—works for most students. Avoid graphics, elaborate columns, and tiny text that may be hard to read on screen or in print.
Add contact information. Put your name prominently at the top, followed by a professional email address and a phone number you check. You may include your city and state, but a full home address is usually unnecessary. Do not put sensitive personal details, such as your Social Security number, on a resume.
Write a brief introduction if useful. A short summary or objective is optional. If you use one, make it specific: name the kind of opportunity you want and mention one or two relevant strengths. For example, “Reliable student seeking a weekend library volunteer role; brings strong organization and communication skills.” Skip broad claims such as “I want any job” or “I am a hard worker” unless you support them with evidence elsewhere.
List your education. For a high school student, education usually belongs near the top. Include your school, city and state, expected graduation date, and grade level if helpful. Add a strong GPA only if you know it is accurate and it supports the application; check whether the opportunity specifies how to report it. Relevant coursework, academic awards, or a school project can be included when they connect to the role.
Gather experience beyond paid jobs. Include part-time work, volunteering, clubs, sports, student leadership, community activities, personal projects, or regular responsibilities that demonstrate useful skills. You do not need to label unpaid activities as jobs. Choose entries that show reliability, initiative, communication, problem-solving, or another quality the opportunity calls for. Leave out activities that do not add relevant information.
Describe what you actually did. Under each role or activity, write one to three concise bullet points, beginning with clear action verbs such as organized, assisted, created, tutored, prepared, or maintained. Add context and results when you can verify them. For example, “Organized weekly club materials and reminded members about meeting tasks” is more informative than “Helped with club.” Do not invent numbers, titles, or outcomes.
Include relevant skills. List practical skills you can demonstrate, such as spreadsheet basics, a second language, writing, public speaking, or using a particular tool. Be specific about your level where it matters, and do not claim expertise you do not have. Soft skills are stronger when an experience bullet shows them rather than when they appear as an unsupported list.
Check dates and details. Use a consistent format for dates and put recent experience first. If you are unsure of a month, check with a calendar, school record, or supervisor rather than guessing. Make sure names, locations, email address, phone number, and graduation information are accurate. Avoid unexplained gaps or vague descriptions; you do not need to account for every month of your life.
Edit for the reader. Compare the draft with the opportunity description and move the most relevant information higher. Remove repeated points, long paragraphs, and unrelated details. Check spelling, punctuation, verb tense, and alignment. Ask a trusted adult or counselor to review it, then save a PDF if the application accepts one; use a clear filename such as “FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf.” Follow the employer’s requested file type and submission instructions.

Common Mistakes

Thinking you need paid experience: School projects, volunteering, clubs, and personal responsibilities can show relevant skills when described clearly.
Using a generic resume for every application: Keep a master draft, then emphasize the experience and skills that match each opportunity.
Making claims without examples: Replace unsupported labels like “excellent leader” with a specific action that demonstrates leadership.
Adding inaccurate or private information: Never inflate a role or result. Leave out sensitive identifiers and avoid personal details unrelated to the application.
Overdesigning the page: Decorative elements and cramped text can distract from your qualifications. Use simple formatting and readable type.
Submitting without proofreading: A typo in contact details can make it difficult to reach you. Check the document at normal size and test that the contact information is correct.

Tips

Keep a running list of activities, projects, dates, responsibilities, and positive feedback so you have examples ready when applying.
Use strong verbs and concrete details. Explain the task, who it helped, or what you learned instead of relying on vague adjectives.
Be ready to discuss every item in an interview. If you cannot explain a skill or accomplishment, revise or remove it.
Use a professional email address and check messages regularly while an application is active.
Ask permission before listing someone as a reference. References are usually provided separately when requested, not placed on the resume by default.
Follow any instructions about length, file type, or required information; those directions take priority over general formatting advice.

Troubleshooting

If you have no work history: Start with education, relevant coursework, volunteer activities, clubs, projects, and responsibilities. Describe what you did and which skills it involved; do not leave the experience section blank just because you have never been paid.

If the resume runs over one page: Remove repeated or unrelated information, shorten bullets, and reduce excess spacing. Do not make the font uncomfortably small. Most high school resumes can fit on one page, but follow the application’s instructions if it asks for something different.

If you cannot remember dates or results: Check old messages, school records, calendars, or ask a teacher or supervisor. If the exact detail remains uncertain, use a truthful broader description rather than guessing or inventing a number.

If you are unsure what to include: Compare each item with the opportunity’s requirements. A school counselor or trusted adult can help you choose relevant examples and check that the format is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a high school student include a GPA?

It is optional unless the application requests it. Include it only if it is accurate and you are comfortable sharing it; do not estimate or round it to make it look higher.

How long should a high school resume be?

One page is usually enough for a student. Prioritize relevant information and follow any specific length instructions from the employer or program.

Can I include babysitting or helping my family?

Yes, if the responsibility is relevant and you describe it professionally and honestly. Focus on tasks such as planning, communication, or dependability without sharing private family details.

Do I need a resume if I have never had a job?

Often, yes. A resume can show education, activities, volunteering, projects, and skills even when you have no formal employment history.

Should I include references on my resume?

Usually, no. Provide references separately if the application asks for them, and ask each person’s permission before sharing their contact information.

Should I use a resume template?

A simple template can help with spacing, but it is not required. Choose one that is easy to read, easy to edit, and free of unnecessary graphics or personal information fields.

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.