One might assume that high school students could simply fill out applications when seeking employment.  While most companies do require the completion of an application in accordance with their business policies, a document that cut and dried will do little to open doors for young people competing in an ever-dwindling job market.  By contrast, well-prepared high school student resumes indicate a level of maturity and accomplishment that one’s peers cannot convey solely through a formal application for employment.

High school student resumes should reflect part-time or summer employment, written succinctly, compellingly, and honestly.  No employer will believe inflated achievements, so if you are preparing a high school student resume, speak of accomplishments in terms of team efforts and contributions.  Include hard data, if possible (i.e., Contributed to a 6% increase in sales volume during the summer of 2008).

Designate education, of course, including the name and location of the school, the general curriculum (Academic/College Track or Business Track), and your grade average.  List academic achievements as well, including scholarships, if applicable.  If you will be progressing on to college and have been accepted into a specific institution, indicate so on your resume, including your projected date of graduation, your anticipated degree (Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts) and your major, if you have chosen one.

When an applicant is of high school age, employers often want to know, via high school student resumes, what the student has done beyond the classroom.  Extracurricular activities, including positions played on specific sports teams and/or memberships in various clubs should be listed, along with the relevant dates of participation.  Community service activities are also advantageous to include, as they denote a team spirit and a willingness to extend yourself for others: a trait that will translate as “going the extra yard” to the potential employer.

Finally, be sure to include keywords throughout the resume. High school student resumes lend themselves particularly well to the inclusion of keywords, which can appear in bulleted, summary form.

Take these extra steps in preparing your resume, and you will assuredly improve your chances of meeting hiring managers face to face and increasing your opportunities to secure gainful employment.