Free Resume Templates and Examples for High School Students

Getting your first job or internship can feel impossible when you don’t have any experience, but the good news is—you don’t need one to create a great resume. Employers and volunteer coordinators understand that high school students are just starting out, so they look for potential rather than past jobs.

That’s why a strong high school resume isn’t about listing work experience—it’s about highlighting what you do have. Your skills, school activities, volunteer work, and academic achievements can all show that you’re responsible, motivated, and ready to learn. Even small experiences—like tutoring a classmate, helping at a school event, or being part of a club—can make a difference.

The key is knowing how to present these experiences in a way that stands out. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to build a high school resume from scratch. We’ll cover what to include, how to format it, and simple tricks to make it shine—even if you’ve never had a job. Plus, you’ll see real examples so you can follow along and create yours with confidence.

Let’s get started.

What to include in a high school student resume (even if you have no experience)

You might be wondering, “What can I put on my resume if I’ve never had a job?” The good news is, plenty of high school students start with little to no work experience, and employers don’t expect you to have a long job history. Instead, they look for signs that you’re responsible, hardworking, and eager to learn.

A strong high school resume highlights the skills and experiences you already have—even if they don’t come from a paid job. Things like extracurricular activities, volunteer work, coursework, and personal projects can show employers what you’re capable of. The key is knowing how to organize this information in a clear, professional way.

In this section, we’ll break down what to include in your resume and how to make each part count. From your contact information to your achievements, we’ll go step by step so you can create a resume that makes a great first impression.

Let’s start with the basics—your resume header and contact information.

Resume header and contact information

Your resume starts with the header that includes your contact information, so employers or volunteer coordinators know how to reach you. Keep it simple, professional, and easy to read.

Include your full name, phone number, and a professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website related to your work or interests, you can add that too. Just skip social media links unless they’re relevant to the opportunity.

Make sure your email looks professional—no nicknames or random numbers. If your current one is something like baseballstar10@email.com, create a new one using your name, like emma.johnson@email.com.

You don’t need to include your full home address. Just listing your city and state is enough. This shows employers you’re local without sharing too much personal information.

Here’s how a well-formatted resume header should look:

A clear and professional header sets the stage for the rest of your resume. Next, let’s look at your resume summary.

Resume objective

A resume objective is a short introduction at the top of your resume that highlights your skills, academic strengths, and goals. It’s optional for high schoolers, but it can help employers quickly understand who you are and what you’re looking for.

Think of it as a snapshot of your potential—even if you don’t have work experience, you can still show that you’re motivated and ready to learn. A strong resume objective should be 2-3 sentences long and focus on what you bring to the table.

Education section

Your education is one of the most important parts of your resume, especially if you don’t have much work experience yet. It gives employers a quick look at your background and the skills you’re developing in school.

Start with the basics: your high school name, location, and expected graduation date. If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, you can include it, but it’s not required. If your grades aren’t your strongest point, focus on other details that show your strengths—like relevant coursework.

Including coursework helps connect your education to the job or internship you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a part-time retail job, listing a business or math class shows that you’re comfortable handling money. If you’re interested in technology, a computer science or coding course highlights your skills.

Here’s how your education section should look on your resume:

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities are a great way to show employers that you’re responsible, committed, and able to work with others. Even if you don’t have a job yet, being part of a club, team, or school organization can highlight important skills like teamwork, time management, and leadership.

Think about the activities you’re involved in—sports teams, debate club, music, drama, student government, or volunteer groups. These experiences show that you can balance responsibilities, follow through on commitments, and work toward goals.

For example, if you’re on a sports team, you’ve learned discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. If you’re in the school band or drama club, you’ve gained dedication, creativity, and the ability to perform under pressure. Even something like running a school event or participating in a robotics club can show valuable skills.

Here’s how you can list extracurricular activities on your resume:

You don’t need to list every activity—just choose the ones that best show your strengths. Now, let’s move on to volunteer work, another great way to build experience.

Volunteer work and community service

Volunteer work is one of the best ways to show responsibility, teamwork, and a strong work ethic—even if you don’t have a paid job yet. It proves that you’re willing to put in effort, help others, and take on responsibilities.

Think about any community service you’ve done. Have you helped at a food bank, participated in a neighborhood cleanup, assisted at school events, or worked with a charity? Even small acts of volunteering can make a big impact on your resume.

For example, volunteering at a local shelter shows compassion, patience, and reliability. Helping at a school fundraiser demonstrates organization and teamwork. Tutoring younger students proves you can communicate and explain things clearly.

Here’s how to list volunteer work on your resume:

Even if volunteering was just a few hours a month, it shows commitment and initiative. Employers and colleges love to see applicants who give back to their community.

Next, let’s cover part-time jobs and internships!

Part-time jobs and internships (if any)

If you’ve had a part-time job or internship, this is where you showcase it. Even small jobs like babysitting, tutoring, pet sitting, or working at a family business count as experience. They show that you’re reliable, responsible, and capable of handling tasks on your own.

Think about any work you’ve done, whether it was for a company, a neighbor, or a family friend. Did you handle money, follow a schedule, or assist customers? Those are valuable skills that employers look for.

For example, if you worked at a summer camp, you likely gained patience, leadership, and teamwork skills. If you babysat regularly, you learned time management, problem-solving, and responsibility. Even mowing lawns or walking dogs shows that you can commit to a job and follow through.

Here’s how to list part-time work on your resume:

Key skills

Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your resume. It helps employers see what you’re good at—even if you don’t have much work experience yet. The best way to make this section strong is by focusing on transferable skills—abilities that you can use in different jobs, internships, or school projects.

Think about the skills you’ve developed in school, extracurricular activities, volunteering, or part-time jobs. Do you work well in a team? Are you great at solving problems? Can you stay organized and meet deadlines? These are all valuable skills that employers look for.

Make sure to only list skills that you actually have and can explain with an example if asked. Instead of just listing “communication,” think about how you’ve used it—like giving a presentation in class or helping customers at a part-time job.

Now, let’s wrap up with awards and achievements—a great way to make your resume stand out.

Awards and achievements

Your awards and achievements section is a great way to highlight what makes you stand out. Whether it’s academic success, competition wins, or special recognitions, this section shows that you’re hardworking and dedicated.

Think about any awards you’ve earned in school, sports, clubs, or community activities. Have you made the honor roll? Won a scholarship? Placed in a competition? These accomplishments prove that you’re willing to put in effort and excel.

When listing your achievements, be specific. Instead of just saying “won a competition,” mention what it was and how you placed. If you’ve earned multiple awards, focus on the ones that best match the job or internship you’re applying for.

Now that your resume is almost complete, let’s go over some final tips to make it even stronger!

What’s the best resume format for a high school student

A well-formatted resume makes a strong first impression. If your resume is clear, easy to read, and well-organized, it will help you stand out—even if you don’t have much experience yet.

The best format for a high school resume is simple and clean. Use a professional font like Rubik, Lato, or Volkhov, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points. Your resume should fit on one page—no need for anything longer.

Stick to a consistent structure so employers can quickly find the most important details. Use bold headings for sections like Education, Skills, and Work Experience, and list your experiences in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent).

Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs to make your resume skimmable. Keep your margins between 0.5” and 1” to ensure your content looks balanced.

Before sending your resume, proofread it carefully. Spelling mistakes or formatting errors can make you look unprofessional. If possible, ask a teacher, friend, or family member to review it.

A well-structured resume shows that you’re professional and ready to work. Now, let’s go over some final tips to make sure yours stands out!

Tips to make your high school resume stand out

A well-written resume can help you land your first job, internship, or volunteer opportunity. But with so many applicants, how do you make yours stand out?

The key is customization—tailor your resume to each job or program you apply for. Read the job description carefully and match your skills and experience to what they’re looking for. If a job values teamwork, highlight your experience working in groups, whether in sports, clubs, or school projects.

Use strong action words when describing your experience. Instead of saying “Helped with events,” say “Organized a school fundraiser that raised $500.” This makes your achievements sound more impactful.

Whenever possible, include numbers to give employers a clearer picture of what you’ve done. Did you tutor three students? Volunteer for 50 hours? Win first place in a competition? Specific details make your resume more impressive.

Keep your resume clean and professional—avoid fancy fonts, bright colors, or unnecessary graphics. Employers want something that’s easy to read.

Finally, proofread everything before sending it out. A small typo can make a bad impression. Ask a teacher, parent, or friend to review your resume for mistakes.

A little extra effort goes a long way. Follow these tips, and your resume will stand out from the crowd! Now, let’s wrap things up with a final checklist.

High school studen resume examples

Creating a strong resume as a high school student may seem challenging, especially if you don’t have any formal work experience. However, employers and college admissions officers value more than just jobs—they want to see your skills, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and academic achievements. A well-structured high school resume can help you stand out and land your first job, internship, or even a leadership role in a school club. Below, you’ll find resume examples tailored for high schoolers, starting with one designed for students with no prior work experience.

High schooler resume with no work experience

High schooler resume with some work experience

Cover letter tips for high school students (optional)

A cover letter isn’t always required, but it can help you stand out when applying for a job or internship. It gives you a chance to introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested, and highlight your strengths in a more personal way.

Keep your cover letter short and to the point—about three short paragraphs is enough. Start with a strong opening that mentions the job you’re applying for and why you’re excited about it.

In the second paragraph, highlight your best skills and experiences. Even if you don’t have work experience, you can mention school activities, volunteer work, or personal projects that show you’re responsible and hardworking.

Here’s a simple example:

In conclusion

Creating a high school resume might seem challenging at first, but once you know what to include, it’s much easier. Even without work experience, you can build a strong resume by highlighting your education, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and skills.

Remember to keep your resume simple and well-organized so employers can quickly see what makes you a great candidate. Use bullet points, clear headings, and a professional format to make your information easy to read.

Don’t forget to tailor your resume for each job or opportunity. Focus on the experiences and skills that match what the employer is looking for. If you write a cover letter, keep it short and personal to show your enthusiasm.

Before sending out your resume, proofread it carefully. Even small mistakes can make a bad impression. If possible, ask a teacher, parent, or friend to review it for you.

Most importantly, be confident in what you have to offer. Your first resume is just the beginning, and every experience you gain will help you build an even stronger one in the future.

Now, take the next step—apply for that job, internship, or volunteer opportunity. You’ve got this! 🚀