High School Student Resume With No Experience
If you're a high school student applying for your first part-time job, you might think you have nothing to put on a resume. You'd be wrong. Babysitting, mowing lawns, volunteering at church, playing on a sports team, tutoring classmates — all of this counts. Here's how to put it on paper.
What to Include on a High School Resume
- Contact information — Name, phone, email (use a professional one, not your gaming handle)
- Objective statement — One sentence naming the job you want and one skill you bring
- Education — School name, expected graduation year, GPA (if 3.0+), relevant courses, honors
- Activities and leadership — Sports, clubs, student government, band, drama, debate
- Volunteer work — Church, food bank, animal shelter, community events
- Skills — Languages, software, customer service, physical abilities
- Informal work — Babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care, car washing, tutoring
Motivated junior at Lincoln High School with a 3.4 GPA, two years of volunteer experience at the local food bank, and strong communication skills. Seeking a part-time cashier position at [Company] where reliability and a positive attitude can contribute to customer satisfaction.
How to Describe Activities Like Jobs
Frame every activity with an action, a context, and a result — just like professional bullet points:
Varsity Soccer Team Captain — Lincoln HS (2023–2025)
• Led team of 22 players through daily practices, game preparation, and conflict resolution
• Organized 3 team fundraisers raising $1,200 for equipment and tournament entry fees
• Maintained a 3.4 GPA while balancing 15+ hours weekly of practice and travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a high school student have a resume?
Absolutely. In fact, employers who hire teens (fast food, retail, tutoring, babysitting) are impressed when applicants bring a resume. It shows initiative and professionalism that most teenage applicants don't demonstrate.
What do high school students put on a resume?
GPA and coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, babysitting or lawn care, sports and leadership roles, awards, and relevant skills like languages or computer proficiency.
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