Building a Resume in High School (Even Without a Job Yet!)

If you’re in high school and thinking, “How am I supposed to make a résumé when I’ve never had a real job?” — you’re not alone. The good news? You absolutely CAN build a strong résumé, and you probably have more experience than you think.

Whether you’re applying for a part-time job, a summer program, a volunteer role, or a scholarship, a resume helps you show off who you are and what you bring to the table. Let’s break it down.

⭐ Why You Need a Resume in High School

It prepares you for college, jobs, internships, and leadership roles.
It helps you discover your strengths.
It gives you a head start on professional skills adults use all the time.

Even better: you already have plenty to include—school work counts, clubs count, sports count, volunteer work counts!

📌 What You Can Put on a High School Resume (Even Without a Job)

1. Education

This is the easiest part. Include:

Your high school, Graduation year, GPA (if you want), Relevant classes (AP, honors, electives related to your interests)

2. Extracurricular Activities

Think:

Sports teams, Clubs (student council, art club, robotics, etc.), Band, choir, theater, Youth groups, Competitions, ETC.

These show teamwork, dedication, and leadership.

3. Volunteer Experience

Don’t underestimate volunteer work—it’s just as valuable as paid work. Examples:

Helping at events, Tutoring younger students, Community cleanups, Church or community groups, Babysitting or pet sitting (yes, it counts!)

4. Skills

You have more than you think:

Communication, Organization, Public speaking, Social media, Google Workspace or Microsoft Office, Creative skills (art, video editing, design), Bilingual abilities, ETC

5. Awards & Achievements

Include things like:

Honor roll, Perfect attendance, Sports recognitions, Art or writing awards, Certificates from programs or summer camps

6. Projects

This is where you shine. Projects can include:

A science fair project, Designing a website for a club, Creating a short film, Planning a school event, Running a small business (reselling clothes, making jewelry, etc.)

💡 How to Highlight Your Strengths (Even With Limited Experience)

Focus on what you DID, not what your title was.

Instead of:

Member of Art Club
Try:
Created weekly design concepts and helped plan club art showcases.

Use action verbs.

Examples:
Led, organized, created, assisted, designed, planned, managed, improved, supported.

Show results when possible.

Small accomplishments matter!
Instead of:

Helped with school recycling
Try:
Helped organize weekly recycling efforts, reducing classroom waste.

Highlight soft skills.

Employers and schools love:

Responsible, Problem-solver, Team player, Creative thinker, Fast learner

Keep it one page.

Clean, simple, and easy to read.

📄 High School Resume Template You Can Copy

Name
City, State | Email | Phone | LinkedIn (optional)

Education

[High School Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: 20XX
GPA: X.XX (optional)
Relevant Coursework: [Examples]

Extracurricular Activities

[Activity/Club Name] — Role (if any)
Dates

Bullet describing what you did
Bullet describing a skill you used or learned

Volunteer Experience

[Organization/Role]
Dates

Bullet describing contributions
Bullet describing impact (ex: supported ___, helped ___, improved ___)

Projects

Project Name

Brief description
Skills used: ____, ____, ____

Skills

Software skills (Google Docs, Canva, etc.)
Soft skills (teamwork, communication)
Languages (optional)

Awards & Achievements

[Award Name], [Year]

🚀 Final Tip: Start Now, Build as You Go

A resume isn’t something you make once — it grows with you. Start with what you have today and add new experiences as you earn them. By the time you're applying for colleges or jobs, you’ll be miles ahead.

Building a Resume in High School (Even Without a Job)