High School Graduate Resume: Template & 20 Examples
Yesterday you threw your hat in the air, today you throw yourself into the job search pool.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Yes, the competition is fierce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 60% of young people enter the workforce every summer. You need a killer resume.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But that cursor just glares at you as you picture a long, stuffy document full of fancy words and sharp bullet points.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
This is scary. How on earth are you going to write a great resume and get a good job if you don’t have any experience?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Whether you’re a bookworm or a total dudebro, a great high school grad resume will turn your job search into an unlocked achievement.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
This guide will show you:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- A sample high school graduate resume that beats 9 out of 10 other resumes.
- How to write a graduate resume that will get you more interviews.
- Tips and examples on how to put skills and achievements on a graduate resume.
- How to share your experiences describe on a resume for a high school senior to get any job you want.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Want to save time and get your resume ready in 5 minutes have? Try our resume builder. It’s quick and easy to use. You also get ready-made content to add with one click. Check out 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
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Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Sample resume created with our builder— See more resume examples here.
One of our users, Nikos, said:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page, not three. With the same stuff.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here are some other guides for high school students:
- High School Student Resume
- High School Resume for College Application
- Student Resume
- College Freshman Resume
- College Student Resume
- First CV without work experience
- CV for part-time job
- All CV examples
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
1
What is the best format for a graduate resume?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Writing a resume isn’t that different from any other writing task – the format is key.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The best resume templates will urge the recruiter to even read them.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
So how do you keep your high school graduate resume doesn’t look like would the dog chew it up and throw it in the trash?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Use 1.15 line spacing and a chic, modern 12- Dot font for your resume. Add headings to make it easier to navigate between resume sections.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Also select the reverse chronological format.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
This format got its name with long letters because that’s how it was written above last happened and below things that happened later.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
It brings your skills to the fore, so it’s super helpful if you’re new to work experience. It keeps things neat and tidy and recruiters are used to seeing it.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The following sections should be included in your graduate resume from start to finish:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Resume Template for High School Graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Contact Information
- CV Goal
- Education
- Work experience (if any)
- Skills
- “Extra” sections: awards, certifications, volunteering, or hobbies and interests.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Not sure if using the reverse chronological format for your college degree resume is right? You have options! Check out our guide to the best resume formats: Resume Formats: 10+ Examples and Templates for All Types of Resumes
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Now you’re probably thinking this is going to be a piece of cake. Not so lucky my friend!
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Put a typo in your name or number, or accidentally link to a drunk picture and your chances of getting your first job are up that of a snowball to hell.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here is a clear list of what you need to include:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
CV for a high school graduate : Contact Information section
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- First and Last Name
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Be sure to use your real name. Only add your middle name if you use it every day.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Phone number
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Include the number that recruiters can actually reach you on most of the day (most likely your mobile number).
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Professional email
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Well, [email protected] may seem cool to your friends, but recruiters will disagree.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Work with a professional email provider to create a fancy email address with your name on it. Example: [email protected]. Much better.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Social Media Sites
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Yes and NO.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Should you include a LinkedIn profile on your resume? Yes, and if you don’t already have one, create one. Do you have blogs or online portfolios relevant to the position you are applying for? Add those as well.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
What about other social media like Facebook or Instagram? Well, let’s put it this way – if you wouldn’t show your mom, you wouldn’t want to show a recruiter either.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here is a good example of contact information in a high school resume:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
High School Resume— Header
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Pro Tip: Make sure your online presence is clean, regardless of whether you refer to your linking to social media, or not least set to super private. It’s a digital age and recruiters are going to Google.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You know that infamous clickbait title on every other YouTube video? That’s what you’re trying to do here.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You want the hiring manager to take one quick look at the beginning of your resume and think, “Hey, that looks interesting, huh comes next?”
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
How do you do that, especially without work experience? Write a resume goal.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The Goal is a short, crisp blurb that mentions your career goals and the relevant skills you have to become the next employee of the year.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Place it just below the contact information section so it’s one of the first things the recruiter sees.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But what does a resume goal for a high school graduate include?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Start with your strongest trait.
- Mention how your education will help you excel in your job.
- Name the company and position you are applying for.
- Express the value you want to add to the company.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
See also: How To Run A Blog Series
Here are two graduate resume goals in practice:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Graduate Resume Goal
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
See the Difference? The example on the right mentioned relevant knowledge and attributes with numbers to support it. This candidate looks pretty silly.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Wrong example? Well, they’re not going anywhere in a big hurry.
Pro Tip: Don’t turn your resume goal into a copy of Moby Dick. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point like a great tweet.
Not much to write about? Choose a headline for your resume. Write down your job title, years of experience, and a great achievement.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Need more advice on writing career goals on a resume for a recent high school graduate? Check out our guide: How to Write a Resume Goal: 50+ Examples for All Professions.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
When you create a resume in our builder , drag and drop bullet points and abilities and autofill the boring stuff. spell check? Check over. Start creating a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zetys resume generator will assess your resume and tell you exactly how do it better.
4
Does your education make you look like an idiot?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You never will Be happier that you went to school than you are now. Why?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Your education will be the section that will make your resume sick.
Especially if you are writing a high school graduate resume with no experience, to brag about.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
In a case like this, put your educational background over your professional experience.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
So, what exactly do you list in the education section?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Sample Education Section for High School Resume
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
It may not seem like much at first glance, but take a closer look.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You have all the necessary information like your school name and yours Graduation Date.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But there are also some cool mods for that extra boost. If you apply for a job in the hospitality industry, like in this example, the relevant food, cooking classes and club show that food is definitely a passion of yours.
Pro Tip: Considering adding a GPA to your resume? If it doesn’t impress the letters on someone’s school jacket, then leave it out.
Do you have a different learning scenario? Check out this guide: Education Resume Section: How to List College and Higher Education
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
And now it’s your turn, probably stumbled. You are a recent high school graduate with no work experience.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You might feel like you don’t need to add anything here, but think of it more like a clown car – it fits more than you think.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Whether you’re applying for an internship, part-time job, or full-time job, the examples below will work for any situation.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Don’t first let’s take a look at what to do if you have any work experience at all.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
CV for high school graduates with work experience – example
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You have everything you need to convince a recruiter that you are gold in the right example: detailed job tasks and a specific achievement.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The wrong example just looks like this as someone wrote it for the Lulz.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Have you done some online work or some freelance gigs? Add these to your work experience section as well.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But what if you don’t have any paid work experience like volunteering?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Check it – this actually counts as work experience !
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
CV of a university graduate with no paid work experience – example
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You can see the difference. Setting the right example shows that you are accountable and take your job seriously, and recruiters want to see that.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Don’t have any work experience at all?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
It’s all good. Just skip straight to the Skills section.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Would you like more information on how to add volunteer or freelance work to your graduate resume? These guides will help you: How to list volunteer work on your resume and How to list freelance work on a resume
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
No, not skillz.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The Washington Post reported that knowing your iPhone and picking the best emojis isn’t enough when looking for a job.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But this list of skills your dream job requires is seriously muddled. And there are tons of people who are much better qualified, right?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Simple.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The trick is to identify what skills you have and link that to what is mentioned in the job description.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Although finding experienced candidates is a major migraine for recruiters, more than 30% say they find a qualified entry point Hiring is also a headache for them.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
So this is your chance to really nail your skillset and shine like a Twix wrapper.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Now there are two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Hard Skills are more technical and things you can easily learn (Microsoft Office, Photoshop).
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Soft skills are more a part of your personality and your approach (ability to communicate, ability to work in a team).
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here is a list of the most popular skills on graduate resumes:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The most common skills on graduate resumes
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
See also: How To Build an Author Website: a Step-by-Step Guide [ Checklist]
Hard Skills:
- Writing Skills
- Computer/IT Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Computer Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Foreign Languages
- Fundraising
- Presentation Skills
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Soft Skills:
- Creative Thinking
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork / Collaboration
- Problem Solving Skills
- Time management skills
- Organizational skills
- Coping with stress
- Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Now bend over many candidates to technical skills list skills, but soft skills are just as important. A recent federal study found that it is actually a lack of appropriate soft skills that causes teens and high school seniors to be passed over for jobs.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But don’t just copy List everything and expect someone to believe you have all of those skills. Keep it 100.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Use the job posting as a cheat sheet for the skills you should include and be able to demonstrate.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here is a sample job description for a High School Records Administrator position:
- Self-motivated, reliable, responsible and accountable.
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment environment.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Planning and organizational skills needed to coordinate workload across multiple tasks and clients.
- Recognizes own Needs learning and seeks appropriate manager/supervisor support.
- Excellent computer skills including: proficient typing skills, MS Office and data entry.
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Here’s how you can now match your skills to the recruiter’s expectations:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Live Graduate Run – Skills Section
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
The example on the right is specific and can easily be matched to the requirement nts for the job . This is a resume skills section tailored to the job description.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
And hey, this is not only important for getting the hiring manager on the phone, but also for getting through the ATS to come .
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
This is a tracking system used by many companies to filter hundreds of resumes they receive. The system uses resume keywords to identify potential new hires and suggests them to the hiring manager. Matching your resume skills with the wording of the job posting will earn you important credits.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
TL;DR resume keywords.use them Straight to the top.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Need to spice up the skills section of your graduate resume even more? Take a look at this guide: 99 key resume skills (all kinds of job skills included with examples!).
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Take a good look at all the things you did outside of class. This is the spice you can add to your high school graduate resume to give the recruiter the whole enchilada and not just a boring corn tortilla.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
But wait.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
According to a government study, most teens have extracurricular activities even when they are employed. This makes for stiff competition.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Add relevant stuff. Don’t mention that you like cats or that Star Wars is the best movie of all time. Nobody has time to read this.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here are some great extras to add to your graduate resume:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
High School Graduate Resumes – Extra Sections
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Awards and Honors
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here’s where You can mention honors or awards you have received, such as B. Scholarships, making an honor roll or being affiliated with the NHS.
Have you taken part in advanced courses, academic fairs, bees or other competitions? Make a note of these too.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Language skills
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Knowledge of any foreign language, especially as a recent university graduate, you will notice how bling bling it is. Make sure you use a standardized scale to rate your language proficiency.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Hobbies and interests
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Skip?
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No.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
In this section you can show your hard and soft skills in action instead of just listing them.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
It should also be easy to write, given all the interests and activities you have outside of class (just remember to adapt them to the work culture of your future company) .
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here is a good example of an additional interests section on a high school resume:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Example for a High School Resume : Additional Sections
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Remember to include all the necessary sections in your college degree resume. What are you? Here is a guide to answering this question: What Categories to Use in a Resume: Examples and Guide
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
You are about to to drop a crazy knowledge on you
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Yes, you must write a cover letter. You don’t want to go job hunting looking for all the skills and no swag, do you?
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Most experts say the cover letter shows that you’re genuinely interested in the job Getting a job and it’s a chance to stand out from other applicants.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Here are the things to include in a high school senior application letter asking for an Amen ask:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Start with an attention-grabbing cover letter addressing you by name. “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”? – Drop them.
- Tell them why they absolutely need you for the role.
- Add achievements from previous work or school to prove your skills . Don’t just list them again. You already have it on your CV; add some meat to those bones.
- Mention something about the company you are related to. This is how you show that you have taken the time and energy to get to know the company and its values.
- Finish your cover letter with a meaningful final word.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Remember, a great high school cover letter + best high school resume resume = most likely to be successful.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
See theory put into practice in our dedicated guide Cover letter for beginners (example and guidelines).
Pro tip: If there is no option to upload a cover letter via the application system, apply just go without. There’s no point in trying to stuff it in and potentially ruining your resume.
Plus, a great cover letter that goes with your resume will give you an edge over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter generator here. It could look like this:
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Check out more cover letter templates and get started
Want to learn more high school cover letter tricks that always work? See these articles: 35+ Tips, Advice and Guidelines for the Best Cover Letter and How to Write a Successful Cover Letter in 8 Easy Steps (12+ Examples)
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Starting a career might be crazy, but writing a resume doesn’t have to be.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Let’s recap what it takes to blow your high school resume:
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
- Start with a killer goal. A professional career goal is tailored to the company, describes your background and summarizes your candidacy for the position.
- Use your education. You may not have work experience, but you have a college education.Mention your academic achievements and relevant study achievements and use them to your advantage!
- Add your work experience. Part-time, freelance, online, unpaid – list them all there and highlight relevant responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Highlight relevant skills. Include both hard skills and soft skills and use keywords for your resume.
- Add additional sections. Add volunteering, languages, hobbies, interests, and extracurricular activities to show them you’re ambitious.
- Edit and Proofread. Go through it at least twice. Use Grammarly if you’re not sure about something or want to triple check it.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Now you have a college degree resume that FTW in a crowd of IDK is *drop the mic*.
Reading: How to create a resume for a high school graduate
Have questions about writing a resume for a college grad? Not sure how to talk about your job skills as a young adult or your school achievements? Let us know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
See also: How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Writing Guide for 2023
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