What is a Resume?

A resume is a document that highlights your experiences, skills, education, and accomplishments. It gives an employer a quick snapshot of what you have to offer and why you could be a good fit for the opportunity.

Think of your resume as a way to show an employer what you bring to the table!

What Makes a Good High School Resume?

You may not have years of work experience yet, and that's okay! Your resume can highlight the experiences and skills you've gained in school, through activities, volunteering, work, and your community. 

• Contact Information

  • Your name

  • Professional email address

  • City and State (you do not need to include your full address)

  • LinkedIn profile or personal website, if you have one

• Objective or Professional Summary: A quick introduction to who you are and what you're looking for

  • If you don't have much work experience, focus on your career interests, goals, strengths, and how you can contribute to the organization.

  • If you have work experience, highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments to create a brief overview of your background.

• Work and Volunteer Experience

  • Include jobs, internships, volunteer positions, or other experiences where you developed valuable skills.

  • For each experience, highlight what you did and what you accomplished rather than simply listing your responsibilities.

• Achievements and Activities

  • Awards and Honors

  • Clubs and Organizations

  • Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

  • Leadership Roles

  • School or Community Involvement

  • Major Projects or Accomplishments

• Skills

  • Languages you speak

  • Technology and computer skills

  • Communication

  • Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Leadership

  • Organization and Time Management

  • Customer Service

  • Other skills related to the job you're applying for

⭐ Pro Tip: Your resume should be tailored to the opportunity you're applying for. Look at the job description and highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that specific position.

Resume Resources

• Resume One-Pager

• Resume Template

• High School Resume Examples

• Job Specific Resume Examples

• Resume Skills

Interview Prep

I have interview coming up. What do I do next?

1. Be prepared! Before your interview, take some time to research the company and the position you're applying for. You want to walk into the interview knowing what the organization does and why you're interested in working there. 

Consider these questions:

• • What does the company do?

  • What is the role you're applying for?

  • What skills and experiences do you have that align with the role?

  • What is the company's mission?

  • What are the company's values?

  • What products or services does the company offer?

  • What types of roles and departments exist within the company?

⭐Pro Tip: Be prepared to explain why you want to work there and why you're a good fit for the position.

2. Practice Interview Questions! Practice answering questions before your interview so you feel more confident and prepared. Think about the specific job you're applying for and consider what questions the interviewer might ask about your experience, skills, and interest in the position. For example, if you're applying for an education-related job, you might be asked about your experience working with children, classroom management, or teamwork.

Common Interview Questions

• • Why do you want to work here?  Research the company's products, services, mission, history, and culture. Then explain how those things connect to your interests, values, and career goals.

  • What interests you about this role? Use this question as an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experiences and explain why they make you a good fit for the position.

  • What are your greatest strengths? Talk about both your technical skills and soft skills, and whenever possible, connect your strengths back to the position you're applying for.

More Common Interview Questions

What should I wear to my interview?

When in doubt, it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Business casual or business professional attire is generally appropriate for interviews.

Business Casual - appropriate for most interviews. Examples include:

• • • Slacks, khakis, or trousers

    • Blouses, collared shirts, or button-down shirts

    • Skirts or dresses

    • Sweaters, blazers, or sport coats

    • Loafers, flats, boots, or other neat, professional shoes

Business Professional - a more formal option that may be appropriate for industries with traditional or strict dress codes, such as finance, government, or law. Examples include:

• • • Dark-colored suits

    • Dress pants or skirts

    • Ties (Click here to learn how to tie a tie!)

    • Professional dresses

    • Button-down shirts or blouses

    • Blazers

    • Dress shoes, loafers, flats, or heels

⭐Pro Tip: If you're unsure about the dress code, research the company or ask your contact what attire is appropriate.

The interviewer asked, "Do you have any questions for us?" What do I say?

The answer is ALWAYS YES! Ask questions. Remember, they're interviewing you, but you're also interviewing them. An interview is an opportunity to decide whether the company, position, and work environment are a good fit for you.

You can always say no to a job offer if you decide the position isn't right for you.

Questions You Could Ask:

• What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?

• What do you enjoy most about working here?

• What qualities do your most successful employers have?

• Why is the position currently open?

• What opportunities are there for growth or professional development?

• What are the next steps in the hiring process?

⭐Pro Tip: Choose 2-3 questions that you're genuinely curious about. Avoid asking questions that could easily be answered by looking at the company's website.

I've completed the interview. What should I do next?

Congratulations! Completing an interview is an accomplishment. Consider sending a thank-you/follow-up email to your interviewer within 24 hours.

Your email should:

• • Thank the interviewer by name and mention the position you interviewed for. Double check that you spell their name correctly!

  • Mention something specific from your conversation, such as company goal, project, or priority that stood out to you

  • Connect that conversation point to your own skills, experience, or interests

  • Let them know you're happy to answer any additional questions

  • Close by expressing your continued interest in the position and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Follow-Up Email Examples