Résumé Writing
Creating a Résumé
For a high school student, a good introductory level résumé or activity log generally has five parts:
Contact information: The top of your résumé or activity log shows your contact information. Make your name in a larger point size so it stands out. Your contact information should include legal name, phone number (where you can be easily reached), and a personal email address that’s “professional” – make a habit of checking it!
Objective: Briefly describe (2–3 sentences) why you want the job (or college acceptance or scholarship), and what you can bring to the organization (why they should hire/choose you).
Not applying for a job right now? Write an objective for a job you want someday.
Making an activity log for writing a personal statement for college/scholarship applications? More details about your leadership roles, goals, or unique life circumstances are needed.
Skills and Strengths: Even if you have never held a paid job before, you do have skills, abilities, and interests. When you write about your skills and strengths:
Use short points, not sentences. (Ex: Delivered after school care for two younger siblings)
Use action words. (Ex: Led, organized, managed, designed, developed, delivered, prepared, etc.)
Use workplace “soft skills” to describe your strengths. (Ex: Clear communicator, punctual, team builder, adaptable, problem-solver, possibility-creator, responsible, reliable, self-starter, etc.)
Use numbers and percentages to quantify your accomplishments. (Ex: Delivered groceries to 200 elderly citizens during COVID-19 stay at home order)
Include technical or computer skills. (Proficient with Microsoft Office and Adobe Flash)
Education: Note the name of your high school and date you expect to earn a high school diploma. Include the names of classes that help build skills related to the job you plan to apply for, especially Career and Technical Education (CTE), leadership and honors, or college level classes. Consider including your grade point average if 3.0 or higher.
Experience: List your paid and unpaid jobs, including name of company (if applicable) and how long you worked there, and community services/volunteer time and activities; especially any that show your leadership skills and/or dedication. Briefly describe what you did. You can also list any awards or other recognitions you have received either in or out of school.
