bad resume examples for high school students

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18 High School Student Resume Examples Created for 2024

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and what you really need is a free AI resume builder and solid student cover letters to get you on your way.

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 18 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

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Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Diploma Resume

• In the education section of your high school diploma resume, include your diploma, the school’s name, and your start and end date. Add some useful software skills to the mix to secure your seat in any undergraduate program.

Recent High School Graduate Resume

• Begin with clearing which stream and degree you want to pursue. Next, follow suit with your mission and what you hope to gain by completing the program. Try some more personalization by linking your career goal with the college’s agenda.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

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High School Student Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2024

Getting your high school student resume right can be a game-changer. Whether you're going for your first job or applying to college, a good resume can make all the difference. 

Crafting a great resume might feel like a challenge, but don't worry — you've got this! With the right guidance, handy examples, and helpful templates, we can walk through this together. So, let's start building your resume, a showcase of your skills, abilities, and proudest moments, ready to impress.

In this guide, we'll teach you everything you need to know about writing a resume as a high school student. Keep reading to learn all about:

• Exploring high school student resume examples
• Choosing the best format for a high school student resume
• Writing a strong resume summary as a high school student
• Selecting top skills for a high school student resume
• Describing effectively past work experience and impact
• Powering up your resume with effective action words
• Properly listing education on a resume
• Selecting relevant extra sections for your high school student resume
• Avoiding common mistakes on a high school student resume
• Pairing your resume with a relevant cover letter
• Accessing top resources for job-seeking high school students

High school student resume example

Why does this high school resume sample work?

• The all-rounder advantage: A key highlight of this high school resume sample is how it showcases the candidate's ability to handle a diverse range of tasks. It neatly captures their administrative skills, organizational abilities, process improvement initiatives, teamwork, and even presentation know-how. By listing these varied responsibilities, the candidate demonstrates their adaptability and proficiency in handling multiple roles, making them a highly versatile asset for any employer.

What could we improve?

• Making a clear impact: While the resume showcases diverse abilities, its work experience section could use more specific details. Phrases such as "improved administrative procedures" and "prepared professional presentations" are a bit generic. Spicing them up with specifics could add a punch. For example, how many procedures were improved? How much efficiency was achieved? How many presentations were prepared? By including these details, you'd add weight to your responsibilities and make the impact of your work clear.

Part-time job resume sample

What makes this part-time job resume sample effective?

Acing clarity and initiative: The strength of this part-time job resume is its clarity and demonstration of initiative. In just a few concise sentences, the candidate presents themselves as a driven, communicative high school student ready to thrive in a sales role. The crown jewel is their account of creating a new Business Society at school and expanding its membership from scratch to 150 — displaying terrific initiative and leadership, both of which are highly attractive in a candidate.

What could be improved?

• The unnecessary self-reference in the profile: The main improvement area for this part-time job resume lies in the self-reference within the professional summary. While it's common to write resumes in the third person, direct mentioning of your name ('Charlie') is usually avoided as it can come across as repetitive and unsophisticated. As resumes are personal documents, it's understood that the achievements and skills listed are yours. Removing such self-references can provide a cleaner, more professional presentation.

First job resume sample

What makes this first job resume sample stand out?

• Well-structured and comprehensive: One of this part-time resume's compelling features is its clever organization. Despite limited professional experience, it effectively starts with the most crucial part — education — setting a solid foundation. It further showcases a full range of both hard and soft skills, painting a complete picture of the candidate's abilities. The addition of volunteering activities is the icing on the cake, adding depth by highlighting initiative and a broader set of experiences.

What could be done better?

• Outdated phrasing: Despite the well-arranged structure, one area that could use a touch-up is the use of the phrase 'was responsible for.' This term has outlived its usefulness in modern-day resumes, coming across as outdated and vague. A more impactful rephrase of "Was responsible for multiple society functions and supervised more than 20 other students." could be: "Oversaw multiple society functions, leading and coordinating the tasks of over 20 students." 

1. Choose the best format for your high school student resume

In general, the standard resume format is the reverse-chronological resume . This resume focuses on work experience, listing your most recent job first and working chronologically backward from there.

However, unless you have many years of experience working in professional positions, then you will likely not have enough work experience as a high school student for this format. As a result, you may want to consider one of the following alternative formats:

• The Functional Resume: Functional resumes remove the focus from work experience and instead place it on education, skills, and unpaid experience (volunteer work, internships, etc.). This is often the best format for current students, as it allows you to prioritize academic experience and extracurriculars.
• The Hybrid Resume: Hybrid resumes spread the focus of a resume out more evenly between all sections. This type of resume is well-suited for students who have held part-time jobs and have some work experience to showcase alongside their academic experience.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

Try our AI Resume Writer and have your resume ready in minutes!

2. craft an eye-catching high school student resume summary.

A resume summary is a brief introductory statement at the beginning of your resume that helps to show your best attributes to the person reading it.

When writing your summary, it's important to include compelling details such as academic accomplishments or key work experience. This will catch the attention of employers and encourage them to read further into your resume and remember you later on.

To help demonstrate how to write an effective resume summary, here is an example of a weak one followed by a correction and explanation.

Bad example of a high school student resume summary

Soon-to-be high school graduate seeking employment as an office assistant. Served as the school’s morning announcer and office assistant for several years. Flexible schedule, with after-school club activities on Tuesdays.

Why does it fall short?  In this example, the student includes great examples of their professional goals and how their in-school experience ties into these goals. However, they should strive to provide more specific and quantifiable details, such as how many years they worked as an office assistant or what clubs they are a part of.

Good example of a high school student resume summary

Hard-working High School Senior with 2+ years of experience volunteering as the high school office assistant, providing morning announcements and assisting with student check-ins. Co-president of the Student Debate Club, responsible for planning weekly Tuesday meetings.

Why is this example better?  In this example, the applicant is far more specific with their experience as an office assistant. Rather than stating they are a “soon-to-be graduate,” the applicant instead says the exact year in school they are (High School Senior). Overall, this example has a lot more detail and specificity that makes it a more compelling summary.

3. Select top skills to put on your high school student resume

When listing skills on your resume, it is important to include a variety of different types of skills to choose from. Most abilities can be divided into two main categories:

• Hard Skills: Hard skills refer to learned abilities, like being able to play a sport or learning a new concept in school. These skills are gained through education and training, showcasing your talents and technical ability.
• Soft Skills: Soft skills are your people skills. These abilities deal with communication and comprehension, often governing how well you work with other people and understand the world around you. Soft skills can be both inherent and learned.

Including both of these types of skills on your resume is essential, as it will show the person reading the document that you know the importance of both. Plus, it will help you to showcase your diverse skillset!

With this in mind, here are 10 examples of both hard and soft skills that are great to include on a high school student’s resume:

The best high school student hard skills for your CV

• Mathematics
• Athletic ability
• Graphic design
• Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Computer skills (typing, making presentations, etc.)
• Public speaking
• Active listening
• Bookkeeping
• Data analysis

Effective soft skills for your high school student resume

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Responsibility
• Adaptability
• Willingness to learn
• Self confidence

Find out your resume score!

4. Effectively describe your past work experience as a high school student

As a high school student, you likely do not have very much work experience just yet.

If you have worked in part-time positions, then these should be included within your work experience section. However, if you have never worked a job, you may need to consider extracurriculars you can describe and sub in for formal jobs in a section simply titled “Experience” or “Hands-On Experience.” This can include academic positions you have held, such as being a team captain or club president.

No matter what experience you choose to describe on your resume, consider which details will make these examples more compelling. The more specific you can be the better!

Bad example of a work experience section

Barron Collier High, Naples, FL Varsity Soccer Captain  August 2020 to Present 

• Led soccer practices.
• Got approval for new uniforms.
• Encouraged teammates.

Why is it ineffective? This example lacks depth and specificity, making it less impactful compared to a well-detailed description. It simply lists duties without assigning much meaning to them or demonstrating their value. It doesn't fully capitalize on the chance to highlight essential skills or achievements related to the role.

Good example of a work experience entry from a high school student’s resume

Barron Collier High, Naples, FL Varsity Soccer Captain August 2020 to Present

• Led team of 20+ students in daily practice drills, physical conditioning, and scrimmages.
• Designed new uniforms for the team and successfully presented these designs to the Head Coach for approval.
• Provided teammates with encouragement and motivating speeches, helping several to create more balanced schedules with time for their school work set aside. 

Why does it work? This example is detailed and purposefully tailored to reflect specific tasks, accomplishments, and the candidate's contributions to the team. By demonstrating leadership skills, initiative, and impact, it effectively presents a more compelling picture of the candidate's experiences and potential.

5. Power up your high school resume with action words 

Using action words in your high school student resume can make a big difference. They're dynamic 'doing' words that breeze energy and accomplishment into your application. 

These words can: 

• Reflect your pro-activity and initiative
• Illustrate your ability to make things happen
• Make your resume more engaging and easy-to-read

Here are some power-packed action words for your high school student resume

• Coordinated
• Volunteered
• Participated
• Contributed

Integrating these action words throughout your resume can help you paint a vivid picture of your strengths and achievements, giving you an extra edge in your job or college applications.

6. Properly list education on your high school student resume

When you write a resume as a high school student, you will likely still be in the process of completing your education and earning your high school diploma.

It is always necessary to indicate on your resume that your education is ongoing. Additionally, you should list your expected date of graduation, as well as the specific name of the school to give credibility to your educational credentials .

If you have any notable academic achievements — such as membership in an honor society or extracurriculars — these can make good extra details to add to your education section as well.

Here's an example of a well-crafted education section on a high school student’s resume

East Rowan High School, Salisbury, NC High School Diploma

• Expected Graduation: May 2023

Academic Achievements:

• Student Body President, 2021 to Present
• Principal’s Honor Roll, 2020 to Present

7. Select relevant extra sections for your high school student resume

Beyond your academic achievements and extracurricular activities, the extra sections you include in your resume can add depth and dimension to your profile, making you stand out from the crowd.

Choose extra sections that reflect your passions, talents, and experiences . For instance, if you're a budding artist, showcase your artistic endeavors with a " Creative projects " section, where you can list any art competitions, exhibitions, or personal projects you've worked on.

Another excellent addition could be a " Leadership and Volunteer Experience " section, where you can highlight any community service, mentoring roles, or leadership positions you've held. These extra sections paint a vivid picture of who you are beyond the classroom, making your resume an inspiring tapestry of your accomplishments and aspirations.

Here's an example of how to list an extra section on your high school student resume

Creative Projects

Art Competition - First Place Winner, City Art Fest (Date)

• Participated in the annual City Art Fest and won first place for my acrylic painting titled "Vibrant Visions."

School Mural Project, School Name (Date)

• Collaborated with a team of students to design and paint a mural representing diversity and unity on campus.

Personal Art Portfolio, Ongoing

• Curated a personal art portfolio showcasing various drawings, paintings, and digital art pieces.

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

8. Avoid common mistakes in a high school student resume

Creating a flawless resume may seem daunting, especially as a high school student at the start of your professional journey. Fear not, let's go through some typical mistakes and how you can avoid them:

• Irrelevant information:  Include only information relevant to the role you're applying for. That trophy you won in third grade? Probably not essential here. 
• Too wordy:  Keep it concise. Resist the urge to write an essay about each experience. Aim to be clear, concise, and specific.
• Forgetting numbers:  Wherever possible, quantify your achievements. Numbers provide a tangible measure of your success and make your contributions easily understood.
• Skipping proofreading:  Ensure your resume is free from typos and grammatical errors. These can give an impression of carelessness. 
• Inconsistent formatting:  Consistent formatting helps your resume look professional and easy to read. Stick with one font style, size, and layout.

Remember, your resume is your personal marketing tool. Making it as polished and compelling as possible starts by avoiding these common pitfalls.

9. Pair your resume with a relevant cover letter

Including a cover letter with your high school student resume can be a wise move. It provides an extra opportunity to showcase your personality , explain achievements , and highlight why you're a strong fit for the job or college you're applying for.

Your resume and cover letter serve different purposes . Your resume is like a factual summary of your skills, accomplishments, and experiences. It's typically a quick, at-a-glance document for employers to assess your qualifications.

On the other hand, your cover letter is your chance to tell a compelling story about who you are. It's where you can dive deeper into specific accomplishments or experiences and explain why you're interested in the opportunity. A well-written cover letter can complement your resume and give recruiters more context about you as a candidate.

So, when should you include a cover letter? When it's specifically requested , or when you feel that the resume doesn't capture the whole picture of your potential. It's one more tool in your job application toolkit, and if used well, it can help you stand out and make a strong impression.

Let your cover letter write itself — with AI!

10. find top job search resources for high school students .

When you're in high school and looking for your first job, it can feel like a bit of a minefield. Navigating the job market isn't easy, but thankfully there are plenty of resources out there designed specifically to help high school students like you: 

• Your school's career center: Most high schools have a career center that provides various resources from resume help to job listings specially catered for students.
• Websites & apps: Websites and apps such as Snagajob , Indeed , and LinkedIn offer part-time, internship, or entry level job listings suitable for high school students. Make sure to set filters suitable for your experience level while searching.
• Job fairs: Attend job fairs conducted in your local community or school district. These provide a platform to meet potential employers face-to-face. 
• Networking: You can network with people through your connections at school or community activities. Volunteering can also be a great way to meet people and build connections.
• Internship programs: Check out internship programs in your local area or fields of interest. Websites like Internmatch or Chegg Internships can provide leads.
• Career-focused social media: Platforms such as LinkedIn provide an excellent space for professional networking and job search. And what's more, you can turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume within a few seconds.

Remember, the job search can be a bit of an adventure, so keep an open mind and keep learning along the way. Don't be disheartened by rejections. Treat them as learning experiences and continue refining your search. Happy job hunting!

High School Student Resume FAQ

Can i include non-work related activities on my high school student resume.

Absolutely! Non-work related activities, particularly those involving leadership roles or skills directly related to the job you're applying for, can demonstrate your values, commitment, and versatility. Highlight team sports, club participation, volunteer work, or even notable class projects.

How should I handle the lack of work experience?

It's completely normal for high school students to have limited work experience. Focus on transferable skills you've gathered from school, extracurricular activities, or volunteering. Think of instances where you've demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, or leadership, as these are highly desired by employers.

What format should a high school student resume follow?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but typically starting with a strong introduction about yourself, followed by education, experience/extra-curricular activities, and skills sections work well for high school students. Remember to keep it concise, clear, and relevant.

How important is the design of my resume?

While function should definitely take precedence over the form, a clean, professional, and easy-to-read resume can make a great first impression. Steer clear of overly complicated designs and stick with standard fonts, bullet points, and white space to improve readability. 

Should I tailor my resume for each job application?

Absolutely. Customizing your resume for each job application shows the employer that you're genuinely interested in the role. Highlight the relevant skills and experiences that match the job description - it takes a little extra effort, but it can make all the difference.

Martin Poduška

Martin is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. In his five years at Kickresume, he has written hundreds of in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles and, as chief editor, he has also edited and revised every single article on this website. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. He holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam .

All student resume examples

• Formal Sciences Student
• Humanities Student
• Student Internship
• Natural Sciences Student
• Professions And Applied Sciences Student
• Social Sciences Student
• University Student

All high school student resume examples

Related high school student cover letter examples

Resume guides

How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

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High School Resume - How-To Guide for 2024 [11+ Samples]

Whether you’re preparing your college application, applying for an internship, or looking for a part-time job, you’ll notice that every single place is asking for your resume. 

You sit down, work on your resume for an hour, trying to come up with what you can include.

And all you end up with is the name of the high school you’re attending.

“What gives?” you wonder.

“What else can I add to my resume, when I have zero work experience?”

That’s a more than valid concern and it’s exactly what we’re going to discuss in this article! 

We’re going to tell you exactly what to write so that your resume is as convincing as any other (even with zero work experience). 

• What to include in a high school resume
• 4 Free high school templates you can use
• A real-life high school resume example
• FAQ on high school resumes

Let’s start with the question you’ve been repeatedly asking yourself:

What to Include in My High School Resume?

At the end of the day, resumes are about showing an employer that you are the right person for the job. 

You want to show you’re a competent, passionate, and responsible individual, with the right skills to get the job done.

Well, work experience isn’t the only way to convince recruiters of that. 

Instead, you can focus on the following sections:

• #1. Contact Information - This is where you write down your personal and contact information (no surprise there) like first and last name, phone number, e-mail address, or links to other profiles.
• #2. Resume Objective - In 3-4 sentences, you should be able to describe your career goals and aspirations as well as list your skills.
• #3. Education - As you probably guessed, this is where you list your education history and relevant certifications.
• #4. Extracurricular Activities - These include participation in high school clubs, competitive events, and volunteer work.
• #5. Projects & Gigs - You can mention relevant projects you have participated in, as well as any internships.
• #6. Work Experience (optional) - If you don’t have any work experience, you can mention apprenticeships or volunteer work instead.
• #7. Languages - Language skills are always a plus for your application.
• #8. Hobbies & Interests - These offer some insight into your personality and can show that you’re passionate and interested in the industry.

As you can see, there’s a lot that can go into your resume to make up for the missing work experience. 

Now, we’ll dive into each of these sections in detail and teach you how to do each of them right!

So, let’s start with:

#1. Contact Information

The contact information isn’t too hard to pull off.

Here’s what you need to include here:

• First and Last Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address

Make sure to use a professional email address , something like: [email protected]. Using your middle school [email protected] account will not leave the right impression. 

#2. Resume Objective

A resume objective is a 3-4 sentence statement of your skills, achievements, and career goals . 

Think of it as a short summary of why you’re applying for this specific position and why you’d be a good candidate for it.

You should try your best to link this summary to the role you are applying for. 

For example, if you’re applying for a position as a sales associate, you should make a point of your good social skills, proficiency in math, and teamwork skills.

Let’s have a look at a concrete example of a resume objective for this case:

Hard-working, responsible high school student looking to contribute a positive and collaborative attitude in the retail field. Math-oriented individual with good attention to detail.

#3. Education

In a typical resume, this comes after the work experience section. 

For a high school resume, though, you’d want to do it the other way around, since you want to put more focus on your academic achievements.

This section will most probably consist of only one entry: your high school education. 

Here’s how you can format your education section:

• Name of the Degree
• Name of the Institution
• Years Attended
• GPA (if above 3.5)
• Honors (if applicable)
• Relevant Courses

High School Diploma (Honor Roll)

AB High School

09/2015 - 06/2019

• Relevant courses: AP Calculus, Statistics, Leadership

#4. Extracurricular Activities

Now, this section could be one of your biggest selling points. 

Even if you have a not-so-special GPA, extracurriculars can turn your resume around. These activities are typically school-related, like participation in clubs or student societies. 

Involvement in such, especially in leadership positions like club president or team captain, shows you are sociable and active in your pursuits. 

When listing your extracurricular activities, you should format each entry like this:

Student Body Treasurer

Student Government, AB High School

• Managed the student council’s funds and expenses, kept financial records, and worked with the president and vice president to create budgets and allot funds for clubs and events.
• Participated in organizing student activities like dances, spirit weeks, community service, and fundraising movements and assemblies.

#5. Projects & Gigs

Here you can mention (or even link to) any independent projects you’ve worked on - something you’ve done on the side, unrelated to academics. 

This could be a personal project, small business or startup, side-gig, blog, etc.

Such activities add a lot of value to your resume. They show you’re a self-starter and that’s a quality that’s very much appreciated in any role and industry.

Neighborhood Book Club 

2019 - Present

• Founded a local book club, initially for my friends, and later for all the teenagers of my neighborhood.
• Prepared a monthly book calendar for the club, combining trending, relevant, and classic books.
• Organized weekly meetings to discuss the progress on the books and our thoughts upon finishing them.

#6. Work Experience (Optional)

If you have some work experience, awesome! Here’s how you’d format it on your high school resume:

• Company Name
• Dates Employed
• Achievements & Responsibilities

Sandwich Artist

Joe’s Sandwich Emporium

06/2020 - 09/2020

• Prepared several types of sandwiches for customers.
• Promoted new products on the menu directly to customers.
• Worked with the cash register.
• Interacted with dozens of customers on a daily basis.

If you don’t have any work experience, though, worry not! You can always replace it with another “Other” section.

Volunteer work, for example, is another great addition to your resume. If you also have any informal work experiences like babysitting or dog walking, you should include them in the section. 

Even if you didn’t get a paycheck out of that work, such experiences show you are skilled and reliable. 

For example, an entry for volunteering experience can look like this:

Educational Team Member

Save the Children

2018 - Present

• Assisted in giving weekly art history and drawing lessons to children at the local orphanage
• Helped organize visits at local museums and art galleries

#7. Language skills

Are you bilingual or can speak another language apart from your native one?

Make sure to mention it on your high school resume!

Wherever you might be applying, you can rest assured that they’re going to appreciate your language skills.

Even if you’re applying for a job in the service or retail industry, proficiency in an extra language or two is going to give you an advantage over other applicants, especially if you write your CEFR level , and can back up the claim in conversation.

Who knows when some foreign customers will come in and your knowledge will come in handy!

With that scenario in mind:

Be mindful not to exaggerate your skills, as lying on your resume can only get you in trouble.

#8. Hobbies & Interests

It might feel like you’re just filling up some space, but actually, the hobbies and interests you list on a resume can be significant, especially if you don’t have a lot of extracurriculars or work experience.

You need something to hint as to who you are as a person and employee, and listing hobbies and interests will do that for you. 

They also show that you are an engaged individual and well-rounded applicant. 

However, you should be selective with what you mention here. 

Listing 6+ hobbies will end up having the opposite effect - it will look like you’re just throwing in some random words, hoping some of them will be impressive. 

A good strategy is to look for hints on the job ad i.e. if they are looking for a team player, mentioning a team sport as one of your hobbies is a great idea. 

Keep in mind, though, that you should also avoid hobbies that don’t add to your profile as a candidate.

E.g.: your gaming hobby doesn't make you a better candidate for the role of a sales manager.

4 Free High School Resume Templates

So we’re all done with theory at this point. 

There’s one thing left for you to do: sit down and start preparing your resume. 

To help you with that, we’ve gathered 4 free resume templates , perfect for a high school resume. 

All you have to do is pick the ones you like best & get started with your resume!

#1. Simple Resume Template

This versatile template works for all kinds of applicants - from those with plenty to those with zero work experience. 

The neutral colors emphasize information over flashiness and the structure is easy to follow.

#2. Professional Resume Template

This next template is an all-time favorite of ours. 

Unlike the first template, the Professional one is formatted into two columns. It’s simple, yet stands out with its blue accent color (which you can change into any color you like). 

#3. Modern Resume Template

The Modern template adds something more to the traditional resume look. There is a faded design in the background and some of the sections are boxed by large brackets.

It’s a template that stands out without being too loud or wild. 

#4. Creative Resume Template

If you’re applying for a position in a creative field (marketing, design, etc.), this is the template for you. 

It uses accent colors and has a bold header that makes a statement. 

High School Resume Example

As important as picking the right template is, the content of the resume is what’s going to seal the deal. 

Here’s one example of a high school student resume, so you can get a clearer idea of what it should look like!

High School Resume FAQ

If you still have some questions regarding your high school resume, check out the FAQ and our answers below:

1. How can I write a high school resume with no work experience?

As a high school student, it’s more than normal for you to have no work experience. This shouldn’t scare you. 

There’s a lot of activities you can add to your resume that can substitute work experience.

Extracurricular activities, like participation in school clubs, projects, and gigs, are a great indicator of your skills and personality. Any informal work experiences should also be mentioned.

As long as you are showing the recruiter that you are capable of doing the job, your resume will be just fine without a work experience section.

2. How long should a high school resume be?

When it comes to high school resumes, the answer is undebatable: one page. 

A 2018 eye-tracking study showed that recruiters spend about 7 seconds skimming a resume before deciding whether to discard it or not. 

A 2-page resume will be simply excessive. 

Heck, even if you’re a professional with 10 years of work experience, we’d still recommend sticking to 1 page.

For more on resume length best practices, check out our article.

3. What’s the best way to make a high school resume?

An important and time-consuming part of making a resume is getting the formatting right. 

This means meticulously editing a Word or Google doc in order to get the right typeface, font size , line spacing, margins, etc.

What we’re getting at here is, if you’re making your resume manually, it can take you hours…

And then you make a tiny change on your layout, and your resume starts spilling into the second page!

Want to save time and effort?

Just use a resume builder ! The formatting is done for you, and all YOU have to do is fill in the resume!

Key Takeaways

That pretty much covers all you need to know about writing a high school no-experience resume . 

Quite simple and doable, right?

Finally, here’s a recap of what you should keep in mind when writing your high school resume:

• Instead of work experience, talk about extracurriculars like school clubs, personal projects, or gigs.
• Use sections like education, hobbies & interests, and languages to emphasize your skills and give an idea of your personality.
• Grab the recruiter’s attention with a concise resume objective that clearly highlights your top skills and career goals.
• Keep your resume at a maximum of 1 page.

And finally, good luck with your job search!

Related Resume Examples

• No Experience Resume
• Internship Resume
• College Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• Teacher Resume

Suggested readings:

• The Complete Guide to Remote Work [W/ Tips & Tricks]
• 101+ Achievements to List On Your Resume [In 2024]
• The Ultimate Guide to Job Hunt - Land Your Next Job in 2024

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Resume Disasters: 7 Bad Resume Examples To Avoid

A good resume does more than list your skills and qualifications. It gives hiring managers and recruiters a clear picture of your potential, ambition, and experience. 

In a resume, content is king. But if good content is overshadowed by poor formatting, visual, and grammatical choices (among others…), it may affect your chances of being called for an interview.

Want to create a strong resume that doesn’t land in the rejection pile? Let’s explore excerpts from seven bad resume examples to help you identify and avoid some of the most common resume mistakes.

3 key takeaways 

• 7 common resume mistakes to avoid
• More effective approaches for potential resume blunders
• How Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you build a better professional resume

1. Spelling and grammar mistakes

Stepping into a job interview wearing mismatched shoes can be a faux pas—kind of like presenting a resume or cover letter full of grammar and spelling errors. It can give off a negative first impression and may lead recruiters or hiring managers to assume that you don’t pay attention to detail.

Your resume and cover letter need to be cohesive and error-free. Even a small grammatical error or typo can overshadow your qualifications. Resume proofreading is important; remember to run it through a spellcheck program and manually review it for errors. It’s also helpful to have a friend, family member, or coworker scan it over to catch any errors you might have missed.

Results-driven Project Manager with 4 years of expereince leading and managing multiple projects simultaneously, developing and maintaining project timelines and budgets, and implementing project management methodologys. Successful track record of increasing project completion rates, acheiving cost savings, an ensuring timely delivery of projects.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Project Manager

3/2022 – Present

Universal Ventures

• Led and managed multiple projects simultaneously, resulting in an 15% increase in project completion rates.
• Developed and maintained project timelines, budgets, resulting in an average project cost savings of 20%.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Agile/Scrum Methodologys
• Project Planning & Execution
• Project Mangement

Master of Science in Project Management

Boston University

While some of these errors may seem insignificant, they can showcase a lack of attention to detail. Be sure always to double- and triple-check your resume for grammar and spelling errors before submitting it to a hiring manager.

Pro Tip: The Teal AI Resume Builder includes a free spelling and grammar tool to help you get it right—every word, every time. 

2. Showcasing a lack of work experience

The beginning of your career journey is both exciting and nerve-wracking—and an empty work experience section can make the job search even more stressful.

While a lack of work experience might imply that you're a novice without much to offer, that's rarely the truth for young professionals. 

Instead of emphasizing a short or irrelevant work history, choose the best resume format to showcase what you do bring to the table—highlighting achievements, academic projects, and transferable hard and soft skills—instead of your lack of experience.

Work Experience

1. Sales Assistant, Taluka Paper - June 2023 to August 2023

• Assisted customers with product inquiries and selections.
• Handled cash register operations and processed customer transactions.
• Communication
• Computer applications

Imagine this candidate is a recent graduate aiming for a role in SaaS customer success. Although these bullet points may be true to the position’s basic duties, they don’t speak much to the candidate’s value or the role they’re seeking. 

In this example, it would be better to focus on the transferable skills that someone in customer success would use. 

For example, instead of “Assisted customers with product inquiries and selections,” a more effective bullet point may be something like,  

“Increased monthly sales by 15% by assisting customers with product inquiries and selections, leveraging strong interpersonal communication and QuickBooks Point of Sale.”

Instead of “used the cash register,” the bullet point could focus more on the customer service aspect of the job to align with skills needed in customer success, such as,

“Handled cash register operations and processed customer transactions with a 99.5% accuracy rate, leveraging POS system operations and excellent customer relationship building—increasing customer satisfaction rate to 98%.”

3. Using unprofessional or hard-to-read fonts

Even in more casual or creative industries, your resume should look professional, so stick with a basic, readable font. Fancy, intricate fonts can make your resume hard to read, while casual fonts seem unprofessional.

And don’t go overboard with different fonts for headers, bullet points, and summaries. This can make your resume look chaotic and hard to follow.

4. Incorporating all you've ever done

While you want potential employers to get a clear, comprehensive picture of who you are as a professional, your resume is not an exhaustive memoir of your career. The job of your resume is to showcase the top 10% of your experience that’s 100% relevant to the role you’re applying for. It should be clear, concise, and impactful. 

Instead of taking a hiring manager or recruiter through all the twists and turns of your professional history, take a step back and review the job description to see what they’re really looking for in a candidate. Then, tailor your resume , prioritizing experience, accomplishments, and skills that are relevant to the position and cutting information and details that don’t demonstrate why you’re right for the role. 

1. Intern, TechPlace - Anytown, USA August 2011 - May 2012 (worked Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other Friday)

• Assisted in software installations
• Participated in three team meetings
• Watered office plants

2. Junior Administrative Assistant, Office - Smalltown, USA June 2010 

• Photocopied 100+ pages daily, once helped with a 105-page document.
• Answered phones during lunch breaks, precisely between 12:15 PM and 12:45 PM.
• Refilled the coffee machine and restocked sweeteners.

A good guideline is to focus on the experience that is most relevant to the role you’re applying to. While you may have held brief roles like these, it’s best to focus on the experience that best highlights what you’d bring to the table in the potential new job.

5. Including unnecessary graphics or pictures

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to resumes, an unwarranted image might cost you your dream job—for a few reasons.

First, applicant tracking systems (ATS) can only parse text. So, for example, if you present your work experience section or skills section as a graph or image, the content won’t be searchable within the ATS. 

Second, hiring managers sort through potentially hundreds of applications. They want to quickly understand your skills, experiences, and unique accomplishments. Visuals can be distracting and make it harder to skim your resume. 

Third, biases are an unfortunate reality, whether they’re subconscious or blatant. While a headshot can help recruiters put a face to the application, it can also make the hiring process less objective.

It comes down to one simple rule: to get your application seen, you want to create an optimized resume for ATS that’s scannable—and this excludes using pictures and graphics.  

Imagine Claudia, a qualified software developer with five years of experience, is applying for a competitive role at a tech firm. Along with her detailed, well-formatted resume, she includes a headshot. 

The hiring manager, David, has an unconscious bias he's unaware of. Claudia looks a lot like someone he knew growing up, and based on her appearance, he makes assumptions about Claudia’s background, age, or even work ethic.

A few days later, another resume lands on David’s desk. This one is from Eldria, who has a similar skill set to Claudia. However, Eldria has not included a headshot. 

David, without any potential biases triggered by a photo, focuses solely on Eldria’s qualifications and experiences. So Eldria gets shortlisted for an interview, while Claudia (despite being equally qualified) does not.

Pro Tip: The free Teal AI Resume Builder offers four resume templates that can be easily parsed by an ATS and read by a human hiring professional. 

6. Poorly formatting your resume

A well-formatted resume isn't just about aesthetics—it’s about making sure that recruiters can easily understand your worth. 

Bullet points, headers, bold text, proper spacing—all of these resume design features help break up information and make your resume skimmable. 

Social Media Manager

Driven and successful Social Media Manager with 4+ years of experience developing and executing campaigns that have driven significant website traffic and generated leads, resulting in a 25% increase in followers and engagement, as well as a 20% increase in conversions across multiple platforms. 

White Mountain Holdings

Implemented a successful social media strategy resulting in a 25% increase in followers and engagement across all platforms

Developed and executed campaigns that drove significant website traffic and generated leads, resulting in a 20% increase in conversions

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute social media content that aligned with overall branding and marketing goals

Social Media Strategist

3/2020 – 3/2022

Redshift Technologies

Developed and managed social media calendars, resulting in a 15% increase in engagement and followers

Collaborated with design and content teams to develop visually compelling and engaging social media content

Social Media Specialist

3/2019 – 3/2020

Summit Solutions Group

Assisted senior social media managers in developing and executing social media campaigns and strategies.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather information and create social media content.

Skills and competencies

Social Media Strategy Development

Social Media Campaign Planning & Execution

Social Media Calendar Management

Social Media Content Creation

Social Media Insights & Metrics

As you can see, without using any bold, italics, underlining, or bullet points to separate sections of your resume, it can be tough to tell the difference between your resume title and your “Skills” section. Remember, recruiters see a lot of resumes, so make yours as easy to skim as possible!

7. Including too many buzzwords

"Synergy," "leveraged," "optimized." While these words have their place, overstuffing your resume with buzzwords can make it seem insincere. It's important to be genuine and use terms that truly reflect your experience and skills.

Experience:

Global Strategic Visionary MegaCorp Intl., Big City, USA - 2022 to Present

• Synergized cross-functional teams to elevate stakeholder engagement and maximize ROI.
• Leveraged state-of-the-art techniques to streamline, optimize, and reinvent the wheel of customer interface processes.
• Pioneered paradigm-shifting initiatives that transcended traditional business constraints.

Again, these buzzwords aren’t always bad—they have a time and a place. But in a resume, it’s best to use a balance of power and simplicity in terms of vocabulary. It may not be immediately clear what it means to “synergize a cross-functional team,” but it’s a lot easier to understand what it means to “collaborate with cross-functional teams.”

If vocabulary isn’t your forte, don’t worry—you’re not alone! The good news is that Teal’s AI Resume Builder has made it easy for job seekers like you to create powerful resumes that highlight your experience with all the right words. 

As a Teal member, you get real-time feedback and recommendations for how to adjust your resume’s wording to include optimal keywords and measurable descriptions. With Teal, it’s easy to accentuate your strengths and position you as an ideal candidate for the job.

Create better resumes with Teal

A well-formatted, professional, error-free resume is key for any job seeker—but that’s easier said than done! Fortunately, there’s Teal.

Teal's AI Resume Builder can help you build tailored resumes with optimized formatting, clean resume templates, and correct spelling and grammar for every job you apply for. 

Ready for a resume that shows you off as a professional? Sign up today and get started with Teal!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common design mistakes to avoid in a resume, how can i ensure my resume is tailored to the job i'm applying for, is it a bad practice to include personal information on my resume.

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13 Bad Resume Examples: The Worst Resumes to Avoid in 2024

April 15, 2024

Still not landing any interviews after applying to dozens of jobs? There could be a problem with your resume. A resume is your first impression with a hiring manager or recruiter. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we’ve got a bad resume and don’t even know it. Recruiters see countless resumes every day - so they know what a great resume looks like. But they’ve also seen the worst resumes you can imagine. This post will highlight some bad resume examples to help save you from making a resume that doesn’t land you in the interview pile.

Don't want to create a bad resume?

Use Huntr to build your resume, get instant feedback, and more.

1. The typo filled resume

The worst resumes are always those filled with typos. The grammar police will always discard a resume with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. It shows a lack of attention to detail. When creating a resume, you’ll want to have someone you trust look over your resume to catch any typos or easy-to-scan grammar errors to ensure you give yourself the best shot of landing yourself a job. We get it. Not everyone is good at writing, especially if writing isn’t a core part of your job’s required skill sets. But that doesn’t mean the person assessing you isn’t going to judge you for it. These kinds of issues pop to a reader scanning a resume, which can serve as a distraction while assessing your competence for a role. Here’s a bad resume example when it comes to the typo filled resume.

2. The AI takeover resume

In 2024, AI is all the rage. But if you take a quick look at the average recruiter's posts on LinkedIn, it’s obvious that some people are taking it a little too far. Recruiters get a ton of AI resumes that lack the personalization they need to make the best hiring decisions. Injecting a few AI bullet points can ensure you cover your bases when highlighting your core skill set and professional accomplishments. But if you’ve got a resume that’s 100% written by AI, you’ve probably got a bad resume. It’ll lack the personality, key accomplishments, and tidbits that accurately reflect your own work experience to make you truly shine. It also shows a lack of effort, so those recruiters scanning your resume will truly wonder, “how much effort will this person put into their job?” You need to tailor your resume for a job, but if you’re just regurgitating the exact same sentences into your resume, it’s probably a bad resume. The worst resumes won’t highlight what makes you and your accomplishments exceptional.

3. The overly designed resume

It might be hard to believe, but the worst resumes aren’t the simple black and white ones. Those often perform pretty well because they’re easy to read and scan. However, with everyone trying to stand out among other job seekers, there’s a growing trend to have overly designed resumes with photos on them. However, photos on resumes can often lead to discrimination or present bias during the interview process. Some people will add graphs or charts on their resume to present information in a novel way, but in the end it takes up valuable space for you to better highlight your key accomplishments. An overly designed resume can distract hiring managers from seeing your potential. There’s just too many gimmicks on the page for them to see what you truly offer to help you land that role. Here’s a bad resume example from a design perspective.

4. The task-driven resume

The bullet points you add to your resume should focus on key achievements you had in your previous roles. This is the place to sell yourself as the perfect candidate. By framing bullet points as achievements with data, you help recruiters imagine what you could do. A bad resume will often only add tasks instead of achievements. It’ll list the work you did rather than the result of the work you did. It ends up coming across as boring, unoriginal, and unimpressive to a recruiter. The worst resumes will include tasks completed in bullet points with no call outs to any data, key metrics, achieved goals, or results.

5. The bad font choice resume

One of the main goals of a resume is to convince someone it’s worth reading. You want a resume that’s scannable, easy-to-read, and lands you in the interview pile. Bad resumes will include unreadable fonts. In fact, the worst resumes will use unreadable fonts, which makes it impossible for a recruiter to read. Most recruiters will look at your resume for a few seconds before making a decision on whether or not to call you. If hard concentration is required to read past the comic sans or weirdly cursive font, the recruiter will simply give up and reject the candidate. Even if all the content on the resume is top tier, you’ll be overlooked. You need to choose standard fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or some other easy to read font. Avoid cursive or any non-traditional font when choosing the best font for your resume.

6. The Linkedin resume

Your LinkedIn profile includes all of your professional work experience. Your resume shouldn’t. Using Huntr, you can import your entire LinkedIn work experience into Huntr’s resume builder . But you should actively remove the work experiences that aren’t relevant to the positions you’re applying to. A bad resume includes pages and pages of professional experience that no recruiter has the time to read. The ideal length of a resume is one page and two pages max. You don’t need to tell the story of your entire work history. Keep it simple by focusing on the key experiences that make you most qualified for a job. The worst resumes are too long and include way too much professional experience that isn’t tailored or optimized for the role.

7. The buzzword overload resume

Including too many buzzwords can have a counterproductive effect on how you’re perceived. You also don’t want to use too much jargon, acronyms, or any other flashy words to make yourself sound like a “superstar hire.” The buzzwords people use the most include things like hard worker, perfectionist, innovative, creative, results-driven, and so on. Unless your accomplishments can warrant the buzzwords, you should actively avoid including them. Find alternative ways of saying and showcasing your qualifications.

8. The bad formatting resume

A resume with bad formatting can be an eyesore and off-putting for hiring managers. When you think of a bad resume, the design is one of the easiest things to critique since it stands out to you. Bullet points that aren’t aligned, resume content that’s centered rather than left aligned, not enough or too much white space, changes in formats at different points in the resume, inconsistent punctuation, and so on could all create some of the worst resumes. You want your resume to be visually appealing so that there’s no distractions preventing the hiring manager from reading your resume. You don’t want your resume to be an eyesore where they notice inconsistencies instead of realizing how qualified you are for the role. The best way to prevent bad formatting is to use a resume template from a resume builder instead of downloading your own template and modifying it. You can find several stunning resume templates on Huntr where formatting will stay consistent, so you can present your work experience with no distractions.

9. The plain resume

The worst resumes are boring to read. You’ll use plain descriptions in the bullet points or a standard resume summary instead of one that captures attention. What creates a boring resume is not being specific enough, being too generic, or using copy and paste content from other resumes that aren’t distinct to what you bring to the table. You don’t want to be too unfocused either. You want to tailor your resume so that it’s interesting to the person on the other end. If you use the same resume for every job, it’ll come across as generic which won’t interest the hiring manager at all. Having a base resume can allow you to pull points for a tailored resume. But your base resume shouldn’t be the one you apply to all jobs with. You have to add that bit of oomph to your resume to stand out amongst other candidates. You can add a QR code to a video of yourself talking to add some personality, add links to a portfolio website with attention grabbing content, or showcase personality in other ways where your resume is the jump off point to get them to keep checking you out.

10. The super personal resume

Your resume should be detailed when talking about your professional work experience. But to avoid making a bad resume, you want to avoid mentioning things outside of your work history. For example, don’t share your political affiliations, sexual orientation, marriage status, family dynamics, salary expectations, reasons for leaving your last job , unrelated hobbies, and other personal information that don't belong on your resume. The worst resumes are the ones that get rejected. And including these kinds of personal tidbits about yourself will get you rejected fast due to a bias that gets added to your resume. Having these kinds of details on your resume is unprofessional. Avoid oversharing your life story or unnecessary information about yourself. Stick to the relevant work experience you have to come across as the ideal hire. Most employers are hiring you for your expertise, not your personality. As long as you seem kind and willing to grow, that's about as much personality as hiring managers are looking for beyond your work experience and soft skills.

11. The terrible online presence

While this might not have to do with a resume per se, it still affects your ability to get hired. People will post their whole resume on LinkedIn hoping to get hired. But when you go through their comments on LinkedIn, you might find some not-so-nice comments. When people are employed, they’re under the impression that people can’t find their social media posts. But just as your public content can get you fired from a job, it can also prevent you from landing a job. In addition to a bad resume, the worst hire is the one who spends their time on social media writing negative comments on people’s posts, putting people down all day on social media. You’re allowed to disagree with opinions, but criticizing people publicly is going to come across poorly to future employers. Everything you post online will reflect on you just like your resume would. Having a bad resume is fixable, but a bad online presence will need a lot more work to make improvements upon.

12. The exaggeration resume

Having big accomplishments is worth celebrating. But if you can’t back your accomplishments up with proof, or if you exaggerate or lie on your resume, it could backfire on you. For example, if you say you’re fluent in Spanish, but making tons of grammatical mistakes in Spanish, it’ll come across as lying or an exaggeration. If you make a big claim, you need to back it up with data. Maybe showing a screenshot or having access to a tool that highlights the proof. Either way, having evidence to prove your claims on your resume, particularly with big accomplishments will help showcase you were telling the truth and are an extremely qualified candidate. Getting caught in a lie will turn a bad resume into the worst resume. So, when in doubt, try honesty.

13. The unrelated resume

The worst resume is an unrelated resume. A hiring manager getting a resume from a completely unqualified candidate won’t be willing to entertain an interview with them, they’ll just instantly reject the candidate. For example, if all your professional experience is in the restaurant industry but you’re applying to be a marketer with zero education or professional experience, you won’t be considered. You need to have some evidence of initiative you’ve taken to learn the skill for the role you’re applying for. If you’re an entry-level candidate, you need to have done an internship, taken a course, or started a side hustle of some sort to practice the skills. Otherwise, there’s literally nothing that’s going to convince the interviewer that you’d be a good fit. You need to have some sort of connection or transferable skills to position yourself for a career change.

How to Avoid Creating a Bad Resume

Following the tips above will help ensure you don’t create the worst resume out there. Still, there are things you can do to avoid creating a bad resume. Using Huntr’s resume builder will help ensure you have a beautiful resume that looks professional, is properly formatted, includes relevant work experience through AI suggestions, and more. Huntr also has a built-in resume checker , also known as a resume grader, to help you catch buzzwords and other issues which could hold you back from getting an interview when you’re looking for your next role. If you’re looking to build a great resume, you can sign up for Huntr today !

Nicole Martins Ferreira

Nicole Martins Ferreira, Senior Writer at Huntr, brings a rich background in marketing, tech, and ecommerce to craft insightful content on job search strategies and career advancement. With experience from Super Magic Taste to Shopify, she excels in creating engaging, actionable advice for job seekers. Nicole's expertise in SEO and content marketing, honed across diverse roles, enables her to effectively guide individuals through the complexities of the job market. Her contributions at Huntr are vital, offering readers valuable tips and strategies to navigate their professional journeys successfully, making her work an invaluable resource for job seekers everywhere.

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15 Impressive Resume Examples for High School Students

Put your best foot forward.

Many professionals struggle to write a strong resume, even after years in the workforce. It’s not surprising, therefore, that it’s even harder for those with limited work experience. That’s why we put together this list of resume examples for high school students. They need it!

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , teens are experiencing the highest employment rate since 2008. In May 2022, 5.5 million U.S. teens ages 16 to 19 held jobs, and by summer 2023, analysts predict “that the share of 16- to 19-year-olds working this season will rise to 33.6 percent, from 32.7 percent last year.” Use these templates, which are perfect for students applying f or jobs, college admissions, or scholarships, to edge out the competition!

What To Include on High School Students’ Resumes

When you don’t have years of work experience to showcase, what should you include on your resume? Here are some ways to put your best foot forward.

• Highlight academic strengths.
• Mention extracurricular activities including clubs, sports, and volunteerism.
• List any honors, awards, or other achievements.
• Emphasize leadership experience.
• Share projects or gigs, including any internships.
• Include a “Skills” section and list computer skills, soft skills, or language skills.
• If your hobbies and/or interests are relevant to a job, include those as well. 

Resume Examples for High School Students

High school student resume templates and examples.

These helpful resume templates and examples are perfect for high school students trying to land their first job or internship. This resource shares tips on how to make a great impression. 

Resume with no experience: first job examples

Trying to land a job with no work experience? No problem! This template offers an ideal resume for high school student applicants who are entering the workforce for the first time.  

Resume for a part-time job

For students looking for a part-time job, their high school resume needs to reflect their availability. This sample offers guidance for creating a resume that sends the right message. 

Experienced high school student resume

Multiple work experience examples should be listed on an experienced high school student resume, so you might need to change the layout to make everything fit nicely.

McDonald’s resume

While this resume specifically highlights McDonald’s, it could easily be modified for any fast-food chain. The important thing is that students’ work history includes customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to take orders, prepare food, accept payments, keep a restaurant clean, and more. 

Customer service resume

Hiring supervisors are aware of and anticipate the fact that you may not have much work experience as a high school student, but this template will help tailor your resume to the demands specified in the customer service job description.

Camp counselor resume

If you’ve ever worked as a camp counselor (or similar leadership role), you likely have a well-rounded set of skills. This resource provides tips and examples of how to list your achievements and abilities in a way to stand out above the competition. 

High school student sales resume

Writing a high school student sales resume can be challenging, especially if you have little professional experience. One solid strategy is having numbers on your side. This great template will help you get started!

Athlete resume

Depending on the student, athletics can make up a huge part of their high school experience. Should athletics be mentioned on a resume? If it’s relevant to the job or if a student was a stand-out athlete, gained leadership skills, or was recognized for their great attitude and/or outstanding abilities, this guide will show you how to include it.

High school graduate resume

Once students graduate, they’ll either be continuing their education or heading into the workforce (or both!). This great, straightforward high school resume is perfect when applying for their first real job. 

College resume for high school students

The future is bright, which is why high school students need to focus on creating a college admissions resume that will really make an impression. These tips and samples offer clear guidance on how to make a college application truly shine. 

High school student office worker resume

It’s alright if a high school office worker resume isn’t packed with noteworthy achievements. Instead, list any project that highlights your leadership qualities or relevant skills you’ve acquired along the way!

Scholarship resume

You already know that college tuition is expensive. There are plenty of scholarships out there, but the competition is fierce. This high school resume template focuses on academic achievements while highlighting skills, professional experience, and career objectives to help students stand out from the crowd. 

High school student music resume

Of course you want to highlight any musical work you’ve done, whether it’s in school or professionally. Also highlight lessons, achievements, and interests that showcase your love and passion for music. This template will give you a good idea of where to begin!

Internship resume

It can be tough to find a decent internship as a college student, which is why high school students should start looking before they graduate. These types of jobs might not come with a paycheck, but the rewards are immeasurable in terms of experience. This template offers tips for writing a strong resume for an internship position. 

Do you have more great resume examples for high school students? Share them in the comments below.

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High School Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a High School Student Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

High School Student Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Brenda Martin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Tampa, FL 33601 | www.linkedin.com/example

Reliable high school student with strong recent sales experience at a major clothing retailer. Committed to providing positive service experiences to new and returning customers. Motivated and adaptable to new work schedules, challenges, and conditions.

• Creative problem-solving
• Customer service and relations
• Inventory monitoring and control
• POS systems
• Product sales and merchandising

Work Experience

Sales Associate, XYZ Clothing, Tampa, FL | May 2022 to September 2022

• Provided high-quality service to new and repeat customers of this popular clothing store
• Greeted and directed store visitors to their desired apparel section
• Assisted customers with sizing and product choices
• Efficiently operated cash register to process order payments
• Tagged and displayed incoming merchandise and performed markdowns on previous season styles
• Maintained a clean and tidy work area at all points

Highlight :

• Won “Employee of the Month” in August 2022 for outstanding customer service

Assistant, Paw Plus Pet Shop, Tampa, FL | June 2021 to September 2021

• Gained a strong foundation in customer service, helping visitors find their desired products
• Stocked shelves and maintained inventory
• Worked the cash register and helped other retail associates as needed

Candidate: Diploma, Tampa High School, Tampa, FL | expected June 2025

Michelle Hamilton (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent volunteer work at a veterinary clinic. Naturally curious and motivated to learn about new health care procedures and equipment. Passionate about supporting the health and well-being of all types of animals.

• Data gathering and entry
• Filing and documentation
• Microsoft Word, Excel
• Task prioritization
• Team collaboration
• Veterinary procedures and equipment

Volunteer Experience

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic , Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to Present

• Assist veterinarians and staff with various daily tasks such as animal feeding, walking, and cage cleaning
• Facilitate phone, mail, and email communications with pet owners
• File and maintain information on over 150 clients and their pets
• Help maintain an adequate inventory of pet medications
• Refill paper towels and other exam room essentials as needed

Candidate: College Prep Diploma, Sacramento High School, Sacramento, CA | expected June 2024

High School Honors & Activities

Member, Debate Team | August 2022 to Present

• Collaborate closely on a 10-person team to form and organize compelling debate arguments

Attendee, National Honors Society Conference | May 2022

Aliya Jackson (111) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 94248 | www.linkedin.com/example

High school student with recent formal experience helping care for toddlers. Dedicated to providing children with fun, educational indoor and outdoor activities. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Childcare Provider, Sacramento, CA | January 2021 to August 2022

• Assisted and collaborated with parents of two children, ages 4 and 6
• Created engaging, educational indoor and outdoor activities for each child
• Organized and cleaned the play area regularly
• Provided meals and snacks and assisted with nap times
• Candidate: Diploma, Texas Preparatory School, Austin, TX | expected June 2023
• 3.9 GPA and perfect attendance record to date
• Taking advanced core curriculum classes in math, science, and language arts for college credit
• Voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by the student body in 2022

High School Athletics

Member, Volleyball Team | August 2021 to present

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for the Spring 2022 season
• Demonstrated strong teamwork and adaptability in a high-pressure setting

Fluency in Spanish

If you’re a high school student searching for a job, having a well-crafted resume can help you find potential opportunities. But you may be unsure where to start, especially if you’ve never written your resume. How do you present your education when it’s still underway? And how do you get interviews with little or no work experience?

These concerns shouldn’t keep you from writing a great resume for high school jobs. Chances are, even at a young age, you have experiences you can translate into strong resume content. The trick is focusing on the relevant skills like foreign languages, writing, or leading groups you’ve gained through work, educational, and volunteer experiences. Read on for tips and examples that will help focus your high school resume.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

In a brief paragraph, your profile summary should describe your top three to five qualifications for your target high school job. You may think this resume section isn’t necessary for young job seekers and entry-level positions. Yet, at every career level, the profile section improves your resume by focusing the hiring manager’s attention on whatever makes you a great fit.

If you’ve worked before, you may want to base your profile points on that job experience. But you could also base them on your high school experience or other activities. It just depends on what’s relevant to the role you’re pursuing. For instance, maybe you have volunteer experience that overlaps strongly with your target job duties. Or you’ve excelled in an AP class at school that relates to your goal. Maybe you have advanced skills in a foreign language and would like to use those in a work setting. Whatever your top qualifications, feature them in the profile, and you’ll ensure your resume makes a great first impression.

Profile Example 1

Profile example 2, 2. add a pertinent experience section.

Your resume’s experience section should center on your relevant duties, skills, and highlights. By focusing on your relevant background (whether in or outside high school), you can give hiring managers a clear view of how you fit their needs.

You don’t need directly related work experience (or any experience) to draft a solid high school resume. But you must brainstorm how you’ve applied yourself in other ways and write how those experiences helped prepare you for the job you’re seeking. This may sound tricky, but you can use details about your high school activities, volunteering, or any other area of your life so far.

Below is a list of experience areas you might develop for your high school resume:

• Community service
• High school athletics
• High school clubs and societies
• Hobbies and interests
• Internships
• Leadership experience
• Personal accomplishments
• Research experience
• Summer camps or coursework
• Travel or study abroad experience
• Volunteer experience
• Work experience

For each of the above areas you have experience in, take 10 minutes or so to brainstorm answers to these questions:

1. What were your primary roles, duties, or focus areas? 2. What are you most proud of about this experience? 3. What general skill areas did you develop (e.g., teamwork, efficiency, customer service)?

Next, determine which of your answers overlap with the key skills required for the job you’re now pursuing. Include on your resume anything that overlaps and leave out anything that doesn’t. With this approach, you can show the most relevant aspects of your life and give hiring managers a better sense of the skills you offer. For instance, say you’re applying to be a pizza delivery driver. In citing any high school sports on your resume for this job, you could focus on the relevant skills you gained, such as teamwork or adaptability.

Work Experience Example

Volunteer experience example.

Sacramento Veterinary Clinic, Sacramento, CA | August 2021 to present

High School Athletics Experience Example

• Won “Most Valuable Player” for Spring 2022 season

3. Include your high school education and certifications

You may wonder how (or whether) to give education details when you’re still working toward your diploma. It’s actually pretty simple – see below for a template you can use to accurately show your in-progress high school education and a template for any certifications you’d like to add as well. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Candidate: Diploma, High School Name, City, ST | expected graduation date
• [academic awards or distinctions]

Certification

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
• Service Excellence Certificate, VCU Advanced Solutions | 2023

4. List key skills and proficiencies

Include a “key skills” section to help further focus your resume on your relevant background. For many high schoolers (especially those with limited work experience), this section should include “soft skills” like problem-solving and collaboration. But also feel free to add specific software programs you’ve used, or other technical skills you’ll need in your target job. Below are some common key skills for high school resumes:

How To Pick the Best High School Student Resume Template

A clear and straightforward resume template is usually best for high school students. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most relevant information. Use a simple resume font , and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: High School Student Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for high school student resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your experience section. The following verbs list will help you brainstorm and capture the various ways you’ve applied yourself so far:

How do you align your high school student resume with a job posting? -

As of 2021, more than 36% (or 6 million) of U.S. teens held jobs for at least part of the summer season. This was the highest rate of summer employment for teenagers since 2008.

You can get more interviews for high school jobs if you tailor your resume to each application. Look at the job post text and highlight words or phrases that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases against the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, look for ways to align your resume language with the job post (while not copying phrases or misrepresenting your background).

For example, if the employer is looking for someone collaborative, you can name that aspect of your experience with a profile line as simple as “Thrive in team-oriented work settings.” Or say the organization has many non-English speaking customers. You could highlight your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each new opportunity.

What is the best high school student resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also simplest for you to modify based on your job goals.

With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your experience section(s) and an intro section. (This combination of experience and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also include an awards or career highlights section.

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To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our high school cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our student and internship cover letter guides.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

College Student Resume Examples and Templates

Internship Resume Examples and Templates

Student Resume Examples and Templates

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10 High School Student No Experience Resume Summary Examples

Stepping into the world of work can be thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once, especially for high school students without any job experience.

Crafting a resume might seem like a challenge, but it’s your ticket to landing that first exciting opportunity.

This guide aims to ease your worries and arm you with powerful examples to create a standout resume summary.

We’ve lined up ten excellent examples that highlight your unique talents and eagerness to contribute, all without the need for formal job experience.

Dive into these crafted samples and find the spark to create a resume that shines bright with your potential.

These examples are your starting blocks to not just write a resume but to launch your journey into a bright professional future.

Top 10 High School Student No Experience Resume Summary Examples

How to Write a High School Student Resume Summary With No Experience?

1. start with a strong opening.

Begin your summary by stating your name and highlighting your enthusiasm, motivation, or positive traits that make you stand out. For example, “Proactive and resourceful high school student with a positive attitude and a willingness to take on new challenges.”

2. Focus on transferable skills

Since you don’t have formal work experience, emphasize the skills and abilities you’ve gained through your education, extracurricular activities, volunteering, or personal projects. Highlight skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, time management, leadership, or organization.

3. Tailor it to the job

Research the job or industry you’re applying for and customize your summary accordingly. Identify the key qualities or requirements sought by employers and align your skills and traits with them. This shows that you understand the job and are a good fit for the role.

4. Highlight academic achievements

If you have excelled academically, mention any honors, awards, or relevant coursework that demonstrate your commitment and competence. This can include your GPA, relevant classes, projects, or academic clubs.

5. Emphasize extracurricular activities

Showcase your involvement in clubs, sports teams, community service, or leadership roles. Highlight any achievements or responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to work in a team, manage projects, or take on additional responsibilities.

6. Demonstrate motivation and willingness to learn

Highlight your eagerness to gain experience, learn new skills, and contribute to a team or organization. Employers value individuals who are motivated, adaptable, and open to growth.

7. Keep it concise and focused

Keep your summary brief and to the point, ideally within 3-4 sentences. Remember to use action words and be specific about your accomplishments or responsibilities.

8. Personalize it

Make your summary unique by incorporating your own experiences, interests, or passions. This will help you stand out and provide a glimpse into your personality.

These 10 high school student resume summary examples are excellent resources to help you create a compelling summary that highlights your skills and potential despite having no prior work experience. Implement these tips and make a strong impression on employers, increasing your chances of securing your desired job opportunity.

• 10 High School Student Resume Objective Examples
• High School Student Cover Letter Template and Example
• Recommendation Letter for High School Student Entering College
• Top 2 High School Student Resume Samples

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Good and Bad Resumes: Want to See the Difference?

Writing a resume is much like writing a paper for school. Every detail contributes – positively or negatively – to your final "grade." Like teachers, hiring managers look for a cohesive story; a persuasive argument; a neat, well organized appearance; and of course, perfect spelling and grammar. The difference is that teachers read the entire paper (at least we hope) before assigning a grade. Hiring managers will probably decide within 10-30 seconds whether your resume is worth their time. If they spot an error or see nothing noteworthy during that brief scan, your resume may never get a full reading. The lessons illustrated in the examples below will help your resume make the grade with hiring managers. Your Email Address The contact information you provide at the top of your resume should make it easy for a hiring manager to reach you. It’s pretty straightforward: name, address, one or more telephone numbers, maybe a fax, and an email address. It’s the email address that tends to get people in trouble. The ones we use with friends and family are not necessarily appropriate on a resume. The BAD examples below would look foolish and unprofessional on a resume. Keep it simple, as shown in the GOOD examples.

BAD Email Address Unless you’re applying for a position as a beer taster, a motorcycle mechanic, or a pet store associate, respectively, don’t use an email like the following on your resume: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] GOOD Email Address Ideally, the email address on your resume should be as simple and direct as your name: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

If necessary, create a new email address specifically for your job search. Your Objective An Objective is appropriate when you’re just starting out and have yet to establish yourself in a profession, or when you’re changing careers or industries. A Summary of Qualifications, on the other hand, will work better for those with several years of experience and established qualifications. (If that’s you, skip down to the "Your Summary" section.) Since the Objective is the opening to your resume, it's your first chance to communicate who and what you are, and how that puts you above other job applicants. Your Objective should describe your desired job and field AND demonstrate the relevant value you bring to the position. The BAD Objective below has several problems: 1) it's generic, 2) it’s self-focused, and 3) it does nothing to tell the reader what you have to offer or even what type of position you’re seeking. Compare it to the GOOD example, which clarifies your education, your experience, the value you bring to the table, and the type of position and organization you’re interested in.

BAD Objective OBJECTIVE: A challenging creative opportunity where I can apply my skills in a dynamic organization with plenty of room for advancement. GOOD Objective OBJECTIVE: To apply the knowledge acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications and two summer internships at a public relations agency to an entry-level position on the marketing or PR team of a major financial institution.

Your Summary of Qualifications If you have already been working for a while, and you’re looking for a new job in the same field, skip the Objective and open with a Summary section that puts your most impressive and relevant qualifications right up front. This section might be called Summary of Qualifications, Professional Summary, or Career Highlights. It can be written in paragraph form, or as a bullet list. The BAD Summary below is bad because: 1) it has two typos; 2) it focuses on duties; 3) it does nothing to differentiate the candidate; and 4) it states what the candidate wants, rather than what benefits he or she might bring to the employer. The GOOD example shows a Summary that presents similar information in a way that is much more meaningful to a prospective employer.

BAD Summary SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS A loan and credit underwriter, experienced at analizing loan applications and working with customers in commerical and retail loan transactions. GOOD Summary SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Accomplished loan and credit underwriter with nine years’ experience in commercial and retail banking and a proven record of profitable lending transactions. Adept at combining in-depth knowledge of industry practices and legal requirements with analytical expertise, strategic negotiation, and skillful relationship building to secure new and repeat business. Earned top underwriter or runner-up status in Northeast region for past four years.

Your Professional Experience The Experience section (which may be titled Professional Experience, Work Experience, or Work History) should do more than just list the duties that were assigned to you in past jobs. It should show how you achieved results in those roles. Future employers want to see how your experience has prepared you to meet their needs. Clarify the kinds of businesses you have worked for, and how they benefited from your skills and talents. The BAD Experience section below has the following problems: 1) it reads like a boring job description, with duties but no accomplishments; 2) it gives no indication of the size or scope of the business; 3) it uses inconsistent bullet wording; and 3) it lists an activity (“Organized company softball team”) that has no apparent relevance to a new job. The GOOD Experience section shows how to correct these errors. (And here’s a tip that can make your resume read more like the good example: Use action words to describe your accomplishments, such as led, spearheaded, facilitated, negotiated, reorganized, developed, or created.)

BAD Experience Section Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter September 2005 to Present Lotsa Bucks Trust, St. Louis, MO Took commercial and construction loan applications Negotiated terms Five direct reports in commercial loans division Trained new hires on loan research methods Organized company softball team GOOD Experience Section Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter September 2005 to Present Lotsa Bucks Trust, St. Louis, MO Processed $10 billion in commercial construction loan applications for the top commercial lender in Eastern Missouri Managed a team of five junior underwriters who exceeded departmental goals consistently for past six months Facilitated professional training on loan research methods to shorten learning curve for new hires Applied professional team-building skills to development of successful company softball team, resulting in higher corporate visibility in local community and enhanced employee morale

The last item about the softball team probably wouldn't be on an actual resume – but it shows how to take a non-impressive skill and tie it in with impressive business results. Your Education As a rule, the longer it’s been since you were in school, the less emphasis you need to place on the Education section. For a recent grad, the Education section should probably come first. For a seasoned professional with a 20-year track record, it may be just a formality tacked on at the end. Here’s a list of things to remember when you’re composing the education section:

List your highest level of education first.

• Don’t include your high school if you have a college degree or higher.
• Spell out the school name (e.g., University of Massachusetts, not UMass).
• Don’t lie about or exaggerate your education.
• Leave out the graduation year if you wish, but be prepared to provide it if you’re hired, so that the employer can verify your background.

In the BAD Education section, the job candidate made several mistakes: 1) abbreviating the university name; 2) listing a non-stellar GPA ; 3) listing college activities that are professionally irrelevant and may be controversial; and 4) listing high school in addition to college. The GOOD Education section is just right; it gives the necessary information without extraneous details.

BAD Education Section SLU, 1998 St. Louis, MO B.S., Finance, GPA: 2.75 Beta Beta Beta Fraternity, Party Planning Committee Member Elected to Student Government Led campus movement for reelection of State Senator I.M. Partisan St. Louis High School, 1994 St. Louis, MO Diploma, College Prep, GPA: 3.0 GOOD Education Section St. Louis University, 1998 St. Louis, MO Bachelor of Science, Finance

One last thing: Never put " References available on request " at the end of your resume; it's an outdated practice, it wastes space, and it goes without saying that you'll give them references if they ask! Remember, every piece of information you choose to include in your resume, and the way you present it, will contribute either positively or negatively to the overall impression you make on the recruiter or hiring manager. By avoiding these common errors, you can earn high marks with employers and increase your chance of getting an " interview-worthy " grade on your resume.

RELATED LINKS Top 10 Things to NOT Put in a Resume 4 Easy Steps to a Powerful Resume Objective Plain Text Resumes: How to Make Them a Little Less Ugly

4 Bad Resume Examples

Here are several BAD resume examples—don’t do this! These are some common mistakes I often see people make on their resumes. Refrain from making these common errors and you will set yourself apart from the hungry pack of job hunters.

Bad Resume Example 1

• Don’t center everything! This makes it very difficult to read. Especially with bullet points.
• Don’t use too much white space, or too little. Balance your text with the white space around it.
• Don’t use the same typeface weight or size. It is difficult to see where categories begin and end.
• The margins are too small on this bad resume. It looks like you’ve crammed everything into a little space—too crowded. Margins and white space let your words and design “breathe.”
• Don’t italicize your headlines. It makes them look like a logo for a hockey team, or like they are running a race.
• Don’t use a font larger than 11 points for body copy. It looks too bulky and unprofessional.
• Too much color looks like an American “theme” gone wrong. It also looks a little like a cheap advertisement… “Step right up folks, here’s your chance…”
• The variation of color disconnects the categories and decreased unity. Nothing looks like it goes together.
• Margins on this one look pretty good though. Nice “breathing” room.
• Don’t use Papyrus! Unless you’re designing the poster for Avatar VIII.
• Don’t use overly decorative typefaces. They are too hard to read when used for body copy.
• Don’t combine decorative typefaces

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I'm a teen expert, trust me when I say #3 is so important...

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I vividly remember nervously opening my GCSE results at school in front of friends and teachers - they were less than expected. I was supposed to get all As, but that was the summer I discovered boys and alcohol and I invested significantly more time in them than studying, so I left with mostly Cs .

Luckily, my results didn’t impact my post-16 plans and my parents were supportive, if a little disheartened at my lacklustre performance. Times have changed now. My children all received their GCSE, A-Level, BTEC and even university degree results over email, both good news and bad read via a screen sitting in their home. I’m not sure if this approach is better, but it provides privacy to grieve if the results are not what they hoped, or worse, it takes away the camaraderie of the day and support from their peers. Many schools and colleges still offer students the ability to collect results in person, and even if they are sent via email, most schools will be open for students to visit and speak to their teachers and careers advisors about the next steps, especially if results aren’t as expected.

What should you do, as a parent, if your teen’s results aren’t as good as they, or you, hoped? As someone who has lived through results days many times with my own teens, here are my best tips:

• Remember they are not your results, don’t make them about you
• Listen, don’t jump straight in with advice
• Don’t dismiss their fears and tell them everything will be OK
• Make sure they know you love them unconditionally
• Let them know about your failures (and how you overcame them)
• There are always options
• Get support from their school or college
• Take some time, don’t rush into immediate decisions

1. Remember they are not your results, don’t make them about you

Yes, you may be disappointed, your child may have more potential and capability than the results show and you may have been expecting much better results, but ultimately they are not yours. Don’t make this time even trickier for your teen by adding your own emotions into the mix. Keep any disappointment in them and their results to yourself and most importantly stop yourself from saying unhelpful things like “well, this is what happens if you don’t revise. I told you so!.” All statements like this will do is to drive a wedge between you and your teen at a time that they need you most.

2. Listen, don’t jump straight in with advice.

As parents we tend to immediately jump into a ‘fix it’ mentality if we get bad news from our children. Our adult brains start whirring and we think “OK, so how can I improve this situation?” and we start spewing advice at our teens. The thing is, they are usually not in a position to listen to this advice, especially if the news of their results is still fresh. What happens instead is that they will get angry, tell you to “stop it!,” “shut up!,” completely ignore you, or walk away. While they are likely to need your help over the coming days, the best thing you can say in the early moments is “I’m here to support you however you need. Would you like my advice? Or do you just want me to listen to how you feel?.” Giving your teen a safe space to offload their emotions first puts them in a much better frame of mind to start considering their options and next moves.

3. Don’t dismiss their fears and tell them everything will be OK

While you may know that ultimately they will be OK, telling them this is not helpful, it’s dismissive. Right now it’s likely they feel like the bottom of their world has fallen out.

As an adult you know nobody cares about GCSE or A-Level results when you go for a job interview, but to your teen this is ‘the big stuff.’ Try to resist the temptation to tell them that everything will be OK, you only got a handful of Cs and Ds and you’ve got a good job and resist referring to the annual Jeremy Clarkson tweets!

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4. Make sure they know you love them unconditionally

Now is a time to let your teen know that no matter their exam results, your love and pride in them is unwavering. Let them know that they are so much more than some grades and that you see them as the whole person that they are, with all their wonderful traits and accomplishments in life. Don’t presume that they know this, tell them. Take them out for a special lunch or cook their favourite meal and let them know how special they are, regardless of a string of numbers or letters.

5. Let them know about your failures (and how you overcame them)

As parents we can often set impossible goals for our teens and expect them to be better and achieve better than us. Sometimes we can also set ourselves up to be unachievable role models, thinking that somehow we need to be a perfect example. It’s much better for teens however for them to know that you have messed up and made mistakes. Let them know about disappointing grades you received and how you turned things around or talk about other mistakes you have made and how you overcame them.

6. There are always options

While it may feel as if the door has closed on your teen’s dreams, there are always options available to them. Research some alternatives together and when they feel ready talk them through. These options could include retakes, exam re-marks if they were one or two points off of the next grade bracket, taking an alternative course, attending an alternative sixth form, college, or university, taking on an apprenticeship or internship, or for those who have just taken their A-Levels, taking a gap year giving them headspace to decide on their next steps.

7. Get support from their school or college.

Even if your teen has technically left their school or college, they will still be available to support them with their exam results and next steps. Get in touch and arrange a phone call or an appointment for your teen to discuss their options. Ask if they would like you to attend with them and accept their decision if they would prefer to attend alone.

8. Take some time, don’t rush into immediate decisions.

It can be tempting for your teen to jump at the first offer if they are worried that they may not be any better alternatives available to them but encourage them to ask for a little breathing space, even if that’s only for a couple of hours or half a day. This time will allow them to really consider if the offer is right for them, or if perhaps it is worth pursuing other alternatives first.

Although we’ve discussed that these results are not yours, as a parent it’s likely you will still take them personally. What could you have done differently to encourage more study, more revision? Should you have paid for a personal tutor? Should you have worked less and been around more? Should you have had more screen time limits? Ultimately this sort of navel gazing and self-blaming does nothing positive for you or your teen. Your guilt isn’t going to change anything, neither is wishing you had done things differently. I suspect you did your best at the time, with the energy, time, and resources available to you. Be kind to yourself as well as to your teen and take this day to reflect on all the wonderful qualities your teen has that show the impact and effort of your parenting far more than a series of grades which are far more focussed on memory, performance under pressure and sheer luck.

Where to go to for more help

All About School Leavers https://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/

National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Get My First Job https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/

UCAS https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/who-contact

Sarah is a GoodtoKnow expert, a mum-of-four and author of many a child development book, including tweens and teens, she creates engaging, relatable and helpful teen content such as busting the myth that ' teenagers are lazy' that will make you feel relief, and tips to get your teen to revise will make you realise it's not just you. Plus her insight into why teenagers never leave their room is hugely relatable - send to anyone in your life with a teen.

Sarah Ockwell-Smith is a mother of four young adults. She has a background in Psychology and clinical research and has also worked as an antenatal teacher and doula. Sarah has written fifteen childcare books, covering everything from newborns to teenagers, with a special emphasis on ‘gentle parenting’. Sarah regularly contributes to National TV and radio, including Good Morning Britain and BBC Radio 4 and 5, she has also written for national publications including The Guardian , The Express , The Daily Mail , The IPaper and The HuffPost . Sarah lives with her family, two rescue dogs, cats and chickens in North Essex. Sarah's newest book How to raise a teen is due to hit shelves July 4th 2024.

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