5+ High School Resume Examples & Templates For 2025

Imagine you're a high school student, excited about the future and all the opportunities ahead. Whether you’re applying for your first job, a competitive internship, or your dream college, there’s one crucial step in the process: creating a resume.

But let’s be honest - building a resume when you don’t have much real-world experience can feel overwhelming. What skills should you include? How do you make your resume stand out when you're just starting out? These questions are completely normal because, at this stage, your resume becomes the main tool that represents you to potential employers or admissions officers.

The good news? You don’t need years of work experience to craft a strong resume. By focusing on your achievements, extracurriculars, and strengths, you can create a compelling resume that showcases your potential.

In this blog, we’ve compiled 5+ high school resume templates to help you get started. Whether you're applying for a job, an internship, or college, these examples will guide you in making a resume that opens doors to new opportunities.

High School Graduate Resume

Edit and download this example of a High school graduate resume created using the Instaresume's Ocean · two column CV template with side bar right.

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Why This Resume Template Works Well

Ocean · two column CV template with side bar right

Check out our popular CV layout with two columns. It helps show off your skills and experience in a professional way. Perfect for experienced professionals looking for jobs. Make your resume stand out!

• Professional & Clean Layout – The resume follows a structured format with clear sections, making it easy to read.
• Balanced Design – The dark sidebar contrasts with the main content, helping important details like personal information, skills, and links stand out without overwhelming the reader.
• Skill Level Indicator – The graphical skill bars visually represent proficiency levels, making it easier for recruiters to gauge strengths at a glance rather than just reading a list of skills.

Key Highlights from Example

Project Highlight:

• Showcases initiative and leadership in the Recycling Awareness Campaign.
• Provides concrete results and achievements.

Extracurricular Activities:

• Demonstrates involvement and diverse interests.
• Highlights skills like teamwork and strategic thinking.

Languages and Hobbies:

• Adds personal interests that can be relevant to some jobs.
• Shows a well-rounded personality and eagerness to learn.

High School Resume for College

Edit and download this example of a High school resume for college created using the Instaresume's Sky · Creative Resume template

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Example highlights

Sky · Creative Resume template

A creative resume template offers a visually appealing format for showcasing your skills and experience. With bold design elements and unique layouts, it helps you stand out in creative fields like design, marketing, and advertising. Featuring sections for contact info, summary, work history, education, and skills, it's both eye-catching and informative.

• The experience listed indicates the student is responsible and reliable
• The skills section includes highly sought-after transferable skills such as Microsoft office and adobe and language skills
• The applicant has tailored the resume objective to the specific college program they are applying for.

High school resume with zero work experience

Edit and download this example of a High school resume with zero work experience created using the Instaresume's Night · Black and white resume template

Example highlights

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Night · Black and white resume template

Looking for a classic yet professional resume style? Our black and white resume template is the perfect choice! With its timeless design, it's ideal for showcasing your skills and experience in a clean and elegant format. Stand out from the crowd with our black and white resume template today!

Clear Structure and Layout:

• Easy-to-read format with clear headings.
• Sections are logically organized.

Effective Objective Statement:

• Concisely states goals and relevant qualities.
• Shows enthusiasm and motivation.

Education Emphasis:

• Highlights relevant coursework to demonstrate knowledge.
• Indicates strong academic background.

Skills Section:

• Lists practical skills applicable to various jobs.
• Includes both technical and soft skills.

High school resume for a first job

Edit and download this example of a High school resume for a first job created using the Instaresume's Day · Creative CV template.

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Example highlights

Day · Creative CV template

Each template has been crafted with care to make designing your resume an absolute breeze for you.

Relevant Objective Statement:

• Clearly states desire for work experience.
• Shows enthusiasm and readiness to contribute.

Education Focus:

• Lists coursework relevant to potential job roles.
• Demonstrates preparation and interest in related fields.

Skills Section:

• Highlights essential skills for customer service roles.
• Shows proficiency in software and social media.

Work Experience:

• Includes a relevant part-time job experience.
• Details responsibilities and skills gained.

Extracurricular Activities:

• Demonstrates involvement and development of skills.
• Shows commitment and teamwork abilities.

How to write a resume for a high school student

Creating a resume as a high school student can be challenging, especially if you have limited work experience.

However, with the right approach and a solid high school resume template, you can craft a resume that effectively showcases your strengths, achievements, and potential.

Follow this guide to create a standout resume that will impress recruiters and admissions officers.

Writing a resume as a high school student involves more than just listing your academic achievements. You need to highlight your skills, extracurricular activities, and any volunteer work to create a well-rounded profile.

Using a resume template for high school students can help structure your information in a professional and appealing manner.

Edit and download this example of a High school student resume created using the Instaresume's Ice · Classic resume template (Free)

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Choose a clean and simple format

When it comes to formatting your resume, simplicity is key. A clean, straightforward layout ensures that your resume is easy to read and professionally presented. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent fonts to make your resume look polished.

Contact Information

Your name: This should be your full name, as it appears on official documents. Make sure it is bold and in a larger font at the top of your resume.

Email address: Use a professional email address, ideally something with your name in it (e.g., [email protected]). Avoid using outdated or unprofessional email addresses.

Phone number: Provide a number where you can be easily reached. Ensure that your voicemail is set up and has a professional greeting.

Resume Objective

A brief summary, typically three sentences, that highlights:

• Who you are: Mention your current status (e.g., high school student, recent graduate).
• Your skills and strengths: Focus on what makes you a good candidate for the role.
• Your career goals: Explain what you aim to achieve and why you’re interested in the position.

Example:

Education

Include:

• High school name: The full name of your school.
• Graduation date: Expected or actual graduation date (e.g., June 2025).
• Relevant coursework or achievements: If applicable, list any advanced classes, honors, or academic awards.

Example:

Work or Volunteer experience

Detail any jobs or volunteer work, even if informal, such as:

• Job title: What was your role? (e.g., Lawn Care Specialist, Volunteer Food Bank Assistant)
• Organization name: Where did you work or volunteer?
• Dates: When did you work or volunteer there?
• Responsibilities and achievements: Describe what you did and any accomplishments.

Example:

Lawn Care Specialist Smith Family Residence June 2023 – Present

• Mowed and maintained lawn areas, ensuring a well-kept appearance.
• Managed a schedule of regular lawn care for three neighboring homes.

Projects

Highlight significant projects that showcase your skills and initiative:

• Project title: What was the project called?
• Dates: When did you work on it?
• Description: Explain what the project was about, your role, and what you accomplished.

Example:

Recycling Awareness Campaign September 2022 – December 2022

• Created a school-wide campaign to promote recycling and environmental awareness.
• Designed posters, organized presentations, and increased recycling rates by 20%.

Extracurricular activities

Mention any clubs, sports, or other activities you participate in:

• Activity name: What is the club or sport called?
• Your role: Are you a member, captain, or leader?
• Dates: How long have you been involved?
• Achievements: Highlight any notable accomplishments or positions held.

Example:

Soccer Team Captain Green Valley High School August 2021 – Present

• Led team practices and coordinated with the coach on game strategies.
• Helped team reach regional finals in 2023.

Languages

List any languages you speak or are studying:

• Language name: The name of the language.
• Proficiency level: Indicate your skill level (e.g., fluent, conversational, beginner).

Hobbies

Include hobbies that reflect your personality and interests:

• Hobby name: What do you enjoy doing?
• Description: Briefly describe the hobby if it’s not self-explanatory.

Part-Time Employment

Detail any part-time jobs you’ve held:

• Job title: What was your role?
• Company name: Where did you work?
• Dates: When did you work there?
• Responsibilities and achievements: Describe what you did and any accomplishments.

Example:

Cashier Local Grocery Store May 2022 – August 2023

• Handled customer transactions efficiently and provided excellent customer service.
• Assisted in inventory management and shelf stocking.

By expanding each section with these details, your resume will provide a comprehensive and impressive overview of your skills, experiences, and interests.

Tips

• Simple format: Use a basic high school resume template with clear sections for education, experience, skills, and activities.
• Professional Fonts: Stick to fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in 11-12 point size.
• Consistent Layout: Use the same format for dates and locations throughout your resume.
• Bullet Points: List your achievements and responsibilities in bullet points for clarity.
• White Space: Ensure there is enough white space to make the document easy to read.

Craft an outstanding objective statement

Tailor it to the specific role. Your professional summary should highlight your most relevant experiences and skills, directly reflecting what the job description calls for. A well-crafted summary can quickly convey your suitability for the role and grab the recruiter’s attention. Keep it to 3-4 sentences, incorporating 2-3 key achievements or skills.

By thoroughly understanding the job description, you can tailor your resume objective to reflect exactly what the employer is looking for.
This means highlighting the specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements, showing that you are not only qualified but also a perfect fit for the role.
For example,

Examples:

For internship in environmental science

For marketing Internship

For part time in software engineering

For a role in community services

For finance world

Tips:

• Be specific about your goals.
• Highlight key achievements and skills.
• Keep it concise – one to two sentences are ideal.

Showcase your volunteer and Extracurricular Activities

There is no need to worry if you are a fresher with zero or no work experience. You can simply replace the work experience section of your resume with a section describing details like your:

• Main extracurricular activities
• Examples of volunteer work
• Contracting and freelance gigs

Extracurricular activities and volunteer work demonstrate your ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work well with others. These experiences can be just as valuable as paid work.

Examples:

Volunteer, Springfield Animal Shelter

• Assisted with the care and feeding of animals.
• Organized adoption events and increased engagement by 30%.

Member, Debate Club

• Participated in regional and state competitions.
• Developed strong public speaking and critical thinking skills.

Captain, Varsity Soccer Team

• Led the team to the state championship.
• Organized practice sessions and mentored younger players.

Volunteer, Local Food Bank

• Helped distribute food to families in need.
• Coordinated fundraising events, raising over $2,000.

Treasurer, Student Council

• Managed the budget for school events.
• Increased fundraising efforts by 25%.

Tips:

List relevant coursework

If your high school resume lacks extensive volunteer or extracurricular activities, don't worry.

Focus on emphasizing your relevant coursework in the education section. Highlighting related coursework demonstrates that you possess relevant unpaid experience and can manage projects effectively.

If you have taken any advanced or relevant courses, include them in your resume. This is especially important if you’re applying for a position related to your coursework.

Examples:

• Relevant Coursework:
  • AP Biology
  • Introduction to Business
  • Computer Science Principles
• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Calculus
  • AP English Language and Composition
• Honors Classes:
  • Honors Physics
  • Honors World History
• Electives Related to Job/Internship:
  • Graphic Design
  • Digital Photography
  • Creative Writing
• STEM-Focused Courses:
  • Robotics
  • Engineering Design
  • Statistics

Tips:

• Only include coursework that is relevant to the job or opportunity.
• Use bullet points to list the courses.

Emphasize your transferable skills in high school resume

Transferable skills are abilities that you can apply in various contexts, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills are highly valued by employers and colleges alike.

Examples:

• Communication:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills developed through debate club participation.
• Teamwork:
  • Effective teamwork and collaboration skills demonstrated as a member of the varsity soccer team.
• Problem-Solving:
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities honed through participation in math club competitions.
• Leadership:
  • Leadership skills showcased by organizing and leading volunteer events at the local food bank.
• Time Management:
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills developed through balancing academics and extracurricular activities.

Tips:

• Use a resume template for high school students that includes a skills section.
• Highlight skills that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Utilize descriptive action verbs in high school resume

Action verbs help to clearly convey your responsibilities and achievements. They make your resume more dynamic and engaging.

Examples:

• Organized school events, leading to a 25% increase in participation.
• Led a team of 10 in community service projects.
• Managed social media accounts, increasing engagement by 40%.
• Developed a new club at school, growing membership to 50 students.
• Coordinated fundraising events, raising over $3,000 for charity.

Tips:

• Start each bullet point with a strong action verb.
• Avoid using the same verbs repeatedly.

Include quantifiable data

Whenever possible, include numbers to quantify your achievements. This provides concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Examples:

• Increased social media engagement by 40%.
• Raised $5,000 for the school charity drive.
• Organized events that were attended by over 200 students.
• Managed a budget of $1,500 for the student council.
• Led a team that completed a community project in half the expected time.

Tips:

• Use a resume template for high school students that allows for easy inclusion of quantifiable data.
• Be specific with your numbers to provide clear evidence of your achievements.

FAQs for high school students resume

How do I write a high school resume with no experience?

Even if you have no work experience, you can create a strong high school resume by focusing on skills, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and academic achievements. Highlight transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

What should a high school student put on a resume?

Your high school resume should include:

• Contact information
• Education (GPA, coursework if relevant)
• Extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, student government)
• Volunteer experience
• Skills (computer proficiency, communication, leadership)
• Part-time jobs or internships (if any)

How can I make my high school resume stand out?

• Use strong action verbs (e.g., "organized," "led," "developed").
• Quantify achievements (e.g., “Increased club membership by 30%”).
• Customize your resume for each job or scholarship.
• Highlight unique skills (e.g., coding, graphic design, public speaking).

Do high school students need a resume for college applications?

While not always mandatory, a well-structured high school resume helps showcase your achievements for college applications and scholarships. It provides a clear, professional summary of your experiences and leadership roles.

What is the best format for a high school resume?

The best formats for high school students are:

• Functional resume (focuses on skills if you lack work experience).
• Combination resume (blends skills and experience).
• Keep it one page, easy to read, and professionally formatted.

Check out our AI resume builder to get your own.

How do I highlight extracurricular activities on my high school resume?

List them under an “Extracurricular Activities” section. Mention leadership roles, achievements, and skills gained (such as teamwork, time management, or problem-solving). Use bullet points to describe your impact. This is especially useful in high school resume examples for college applications, where admissions officers want to see involvement beyond academics.

Can I use a high school resume template?

Yes! A clean, professional high school resume template helps structure your information effectively. Avoid overly decorative designs that might not be ATS friendly resume formats, as many schools and employers use applicant tracking systems. You can also explore high school resume builder tools or resume editing services for a polished look.

How do I write a high school resume for a part-time job?

Focus on transferable skills such as responsibility, communication, and customer service. Highlight volunteer work, school projects, or leadership roles that demonstrate reliability and initiative. Many resume writing services for high school students also recommend tailoring your resume to match keywords from the job description.

How do I format my resume for an internship as a high school student?

Use a combination resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over work history. Highlight relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and volunteer experience. For example, high school resume examples for internships often showcase project work and academic achievements alongside personal skills.

What should I include in a high school resume for college applications?

Include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, leadership roles, and skills such as research or writing. A high school resume format USA should also list honors or awards. Admissions officers value well-rounded candidates, so balance academics with extracurricular highlights.

Can I get professional help with my high school resume?

Absolutely. Many students use high school resume writing services or resume consultation services to create impactful documents for college applications, scholarships, or jobs. A professional review ensures your resume uses the right structure and keywords to stand out.

What are the best high school resume examples with no work experience?

The best high school resume samples with no work experience focus on skills, extracurricular involvement, and volunteer work. Include sections for leadership roles, projects, and personal achievements. Even without job history, a strong skills-based resume shows initiative and potential.

Should I include a skills summary in my high school resume?

Yes. Adding a skills summary helps recruiters and admissions officers quickly identify your strengths. Common skills to include are teamwork, communication, computer literacy, and time management. Many high school resume examples with skills summary show how students apply these skills in real situations.

Conclusion

Creating a strong high school resume is the first step toward showcasing your potential, whether you’re applying for a college program, scholarship, internship, or part-time job. Even if you have little to no formal work experience, highlighting extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and transferable skills can make your application stand out.

Using a professional high school resume template or an ATS friendly resume format ensures that your document is well-structured and recruiter-ready. If you’re unsure about formatting or wording, consider using a high school resume builder tool or investing in a resume writing service for high school students to give your resume a polished, professional finish.

Remember, your resume isn’t just a summary of what you’ve done — it’s a chance to show colleges and employers who you are, the skills you bring, and the value you can add. By following the tips and high school resume examples provided in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a resume that opens doors to future opportunities.