Creating a resume as a high school student can be difficult. Limited work experience, basic class selections, and the lack of thought previously given to the subject matter all contribute to the downfall of the majority of student resumes. However, by highlighting the best points of an early career and understanding the in’s and out’s of formatting techniques, it can be easy for any high school student to produce an impressive resume that lands in the primary applicant pool.
The saying “never judge a book by its cover” does not apply to a resume. In fact, the most important aspect of a resume will be the formatting. According to LinkedIn, a media platform for both employees and recruiters, the average time that an employer will spend looking at a resume will amount to 6 seconds. That means that in six seconds, a resume must display a lifetime’s worth of education, volunteer experience, personal skills, and goals. In other words, nobody will care about a resume unless it presents reasonable potential for a second glance. In order to maximize the capabilities of a resume, be sure to leave plenty of white space surrounding the text, allowing for easy reading. Additionally, limit the amount of color and distracting details on the page, while keeping it classy and elegant. Consider utilizing columns, headers, and borderlines to separate information.
Clear advertising and promotion of oneself can be the key to a memorable resume. By placing both a name and tagline in bold letters at the top of the page, a person creates the opportunity for an employer to immediately take notice of the person. The title of a resume document itself should also contain the name of the applicant, rather than the title “Resume”. Winward Academy also provides some suggestions, saying that one should never place a personal picture on a resume, as it can be considered unprofessional and possibly contribute to early bias on a potential employee. Contact information also remains of utmost importance. Using a professional email handle containing your first and last name would be much more effective than using an immature tag. Add a personal phone number that uses a formal voicemail recording, and make sure that all contact information remains up to date. Additionally, verify that all other information listed on the resume proves accurate and relevant.
When writing the bulk of a resume as a high schooler, remember to hit the highlights. By separating groups of information into sections, the resume becomes easier to read and much more effective. Include a paragraph that discusses the main goals of the application, called a career objective. Detail educational experience, including grade, school, and GPA. This section can be supplemented with a list of relevant courses that have been taken. Consider including sections that contain extracurricular activities and volunteer work, making sure to include a description of each. Additionally, it could be beneficial to use design elements such as miniature graphs or gauges to display a list of skills that could be helpful for the desired job. Remember to use proper grammar, and try to eliminate any use of the word “I”, in order to sound professional. Keep the language of a resume strong and concise. The Balance Careers suggests looking at examples of other student resumes in order to gain some perspective before beginning.
Resumes can be complicated. Arguably, they will be the most important step on the path to getting a job. However, by using the correct words and layout, creating an exemplary resume could be simple. In the end, just remember to spotlight skills and potential, and to keep it professional. Best of luck on all future endeavors.
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