High School Graduate Resume Examples & Templates
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Graduating from high school is a significant accomplishment, and now is the time to leverage your academic achievements, extracurricular activities and work experiences to create a compelling resume for your future endeavors.
A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from other applicants when applying to colleges, internships or jobs.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with high school graduate resume examples and tips to create a professional resume that effectively showcases your accomplishments and qualifications.
Start by editing this high school graduate resume template, or explore our extensive library of professional resume templates for more options.
High school graduate resume example (text version)
NATHAN CASTILLO
PHOENIX, AZ 85054
(555) 555-5555 | example@example.com
RESUME OBJECTIVE
Highly motivated high school student with a keen interest in software engineering, equipped with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Excelled in various programming courses and competitions, showcasing an aptitude for algorithmic problem-solving and software development. Proven ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies with a proactive approach to continuous learning. Seeking opportunities to apply technical expertise and contribute to real-world projects while pursuing further education in computer science.
EDUCATION
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
North High School
Phoenix, AZ, Expected in June 2024
- GPA: 3.8
- Clubs: Coding Club, Robotic Club and Tech Entrepreneurship Club
- Math Olympiad Winner, FIRST Robotics Competition participant
SKILLS
- Technology literacy
- File and document management
- JavaScript, Python and HTML
- MS Office
- Creativity
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Time management
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Programming Proficiency
- Proficient in Java, Python and JavaScript, with hands-on experience developing applications and solving algorithmic problems.
- Achieved a 98% average score in programming assignments throughout high school.
- Developed a web-based inventory management system for a local charity, reducing inventory processing time by 30%.
Problem-solving Skills
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and devise effective solutions through logical reasoning and critical thinking.
- Won first place in the regional programming competition, solving 90% of challenges within the time limit.
- Implemented an optimized algorithm for a Sudoku solver, reducing solving time by 50%.
Team Collaboration
- Proven track record of collaborating efficiently with team members to achieve project goals.
- Led a team of five students to develop a mobile app for tracking daily water consumption, resulting in over 500 downloads within the first month of launch.
- Received recognition for exceptional teamwork in the school’s robotics club, contributing to winning the state-level robotics competition.
WORK HISTORY
SELF EMPLOYED
Math Tutor | Phoenix, AZ | June 2023 – Current
HONEYWELL
Summer Intern | Phoenix, AZ | June 2023 – August 2023
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Homeless Shelter Outreach Program
- Volunteered at a local homeless shelter, serving meals to 100 residents and assisting with shelter operations every week.
Environmental Conservation Project
- Raised awareness about the importance of conservation through educational materials and social media outreach, reaching over 1,000 individuals.
Important resume sections
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your resume; otherwise, hiring managers won’t know how to contact you for an interview. Include your full name, city, state and ZIP code, followed by your phone number and professional email address. Add your LinkedIn profile and professional website (if you have them) last.
Resume summary
Your resume summary is where you introduce yourself and highlight your top qualifications for the job in three to five sentences.
Your high school graduate resume should include a professional summary with job-relevant skills and one or two accomplishments from your academic career or prior work experience.
If you do not have any prior work experience, we recommend using a resume objective instead. Here is an example of an objective statement for a high school graduate’s resume:
“Recent high school graduate with strong academic performance and excellent communication skills seeking an entry-level position to gain valuable work experience, develop professional skills and contribute to a dynamic team. Quick learner, hardworking and motivated to succeed in any task. Committed to professional growth and eager to contribute to a challenging and dynamic work environment.”
Skills
It is important to let potential employers know what skills you bring to the table. An excellent high school graduate resume will feature a mixture of hard skills and soft skills related to the school, internship or role you are applying for.
Hard skills are job-related abilities learned through training or at work. In contrast, soft skills are characteristics or personality traits that speak more about how you approach your responsibilities.
A high school graduate may have a variety of skills that can be valuable in the workplace, such as:
- Communication skills: Oral and written communication skills developed through coursework, presentations and group projects.
- Problem-solving skills: Experience identifying and solving problems, whether it be through class assignments or personal experiences.
- Time management skills: Experience juggling multiple responsibilities, such as schoolwork, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.
The job description is the best place to find relevant skills that the employer wants to see on your resume. If you have limited work experience, you can list skills that you developed during your academic career.
Work history
When writing the work history section of a high school graduate resume, focus on any relevant work experience, internships or part-time jobs that you have held.
Start with your most recent job and work backward in reverse chronological order, focusing on professional accomplishments in addition to daily tasks and responsibilities.
If you do not have any formal work experience, focus on any relevant volunteer work, leadership roles in clubs or organizations, or any freelance or entrepreneurial endeavors you have pursued.
For more guidance on detailing your professional experience, read up on how to write work experience on a resume for tips from career experts.
Education
The education section of a high school graduate resume should be concise and straightforward, providing the recruiter or hiring manager with the necessary information about your educational background.
Start with your highest level of education, which in this case is your high school diploma or equivalent. List the name of your high school, its location and the date of your graduation. If you have any relevant coursework, honors or awards, include them in this section.
For example, you could list here if you took advanced courses in a particular subject area or received recognition for academic achievements.
If you plan to pursue higher education, you can also include your future plans in this section. For example, if you plan to attend college in the fall, you could include the name of the college, your intended major and any scholarships or grants you have received.
Read our guide to listing your degree on your resume for more tips.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action verbs for your resume
If you take a look at our high school graduate resume sample, you’ll notice that it has a lot of action verbs at the beginning of each statement. Pack your resume with the right words using some from our list below:
- Achieved
- Completed
- Contributed
- Created
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Implemented
- Improved
- Led
- Organized
- Participated
- Resolved
- Served
- Supported
- Adapted
- Communicated
- Analyzed
- Researched
You can edit our high school graduate resume templates in our Resume Builder for expert insights and professionally written content suggestions.
Top skills for your resume
When writing a resume with no experience, lean on your transferable skills but make sure the resume skills you include on your high school graduate resume are relevant to the job description and what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Here are some high school graduate resume skills examples you might consider:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Computer skills
- Customer service
- Organization
- Time management
Browse our 800+ resume examples for real-world resume samples for different job titles, industries and career levels.
Certifications for your resume
Include any certifications or licenses on your high school graduate resume by creating a separate section for them and placing it under your education. List them out using bullet points.
Here are a few examples of certifications a high school graduate might have that they can include on their resume:
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification
- National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification
- Google Digital Marketing Certification
- Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
Remember to only include certifications that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What is a simple objective for a high school graduate resume?
A simple objective for a high school graduate resume could be: “Seeking an entry-level position to apply communication and critical thinking skills, gain valuable work experience and contribute to the success of the organization.”
This objective statement is concise and straightforward, highlighting your desire to start your professional journey and contribute to the organization you’re applying to.
It shows your eagerness to learn and grow in a new role while emphasizing your commitment to making a positive impact. Remember to tailor your objective statement to align with the specific job or industry you’re targeting.
Check out our college student resume examples if you are starting your degree and crafting a resume for part-time work or an internship.
How do you indicate that you are a high school graduate on a resume?
You can include a section dedicated to your education to indicate that you are a high school graduate on your resume.
Here’s an example of how you can format your education section:
Education
High School Diploma [Year]
[Name of High School]
[Location]
You can also add any relevant information about your high school experience, such as honors, awards or relevant coursework.
If you have any certifications or additional training related to your high school education, you can include them in this section as well.
What is the best resume format for high school students?
The functional resume format is typically the best option for high school students.
This resume format highlights your skills and achievements rather than focusing on your work experience.
It’s suitable for high school students with limited work experience but want to showcase their relevant skills and accomplishments.
You can divide the resume into sections like “Skills,” “Education,” “Extracurricular Activities” and “Volunteer Experience.”
Read our guide on how to write a resume for detailed steps on writing the best high school graduate resume. You can also review the high school graduate sample resume on this page for more inspiration.
How do you write a resume if you just graduated from high school?
If you’ve just graduated from high school, you can still create a strong resume that showcases your skills, achievements and potential. Here are the steps you can follow to write a resume as a high school graduate:
- Start with a strong objective or summary statement that highlights your strengths, skills and career goals.
- Create an “Education” section and list your high school diploma, including the name of your high school, location and graduation date.
- Create a “Skills” section and list any skills you have that are relevant to the job or industry you’re applying for.
- Create an “Experience” section and list any work experience you have. If you don’t have any work experience, you can include any relevant volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities you participated in during high school.
See what to put on a resume for additional details about each section and tips from career advice experts.
How long should a high school graduate resume be?
A high school resume should generally be one page long. Since high school students typically have limited work experience and achievements, it’s important to keep the resume concise and focused on the most relevant information.
A one-page resume is easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read and can help you make a strong first impression.
Remember, the goal is to showcase your best qualities and demonstrate your potential as a candidate in a clear and concise way.
Best practices
- Use measurable achievements to describe your abilities and academic experience.
- Use action verbs to make an impact on your resume. For example, instead of saying “worked at a restaurant,” you could say “assisted with food preparation, served customers and maintained cleanliness in a fast-paced restaurant environment.”
- Tailor your resume to your target job. A customized resume is an excellent way to stand out to potential employers and land an interview.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
- Format your high school graduate resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Don’t lie about your academic or professional experience and skills.
- Don’t boast that you’re the “best student ever.” Instead, provide concrete examples of relevant skills such as teamwork, critical thinking or computer skills.
- Don’t include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Don’t include irrelevant skills and work experience.
- Don’t forget to proofread. A resume with errors is unprofessional.
Interview tips for high school graduates
Research the organization.
A few days before your job interview, do your due diligence and check the organization’s website. Read through their mission statement and vision and learn more about their culture. What do they stand for? How happy are their current employees? Can you see yourself working for them?
Practice your answers.
Put together a list of questions that the interviewer might ask and practice your answers with someone you trust or in front of a mirror.
Some commonly asked questions during job interviews include:
- Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?
- What Motivates You To Do A Good Job?
- What Are the Most Important Rewards You Expect to Gain From Your Career?
It’s always a good idea to prepare answers for some possible behavioral interview questions the hiring manager might ask, such as:
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
Turn your interview into a conversation by asking the hiring manager questions about the organization, culture and expectations. There’s a high chance that they’ll open the floor for you at the end of the interview, so write a list of questions to ask, such as:
- Can you provide more details about the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?
- What are the key qualities or skills you are looking for in the ideal candidate?
- How would you describe the company culture and values?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?
Gather references.
Have professional references ready during your interview. It comes in handy, especially if the hiring manager offers you the job on the spot. Make a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your abilities and performance.
CV examples for the next step in your student career
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- Seattle Pi. Article. Miles, Sally. Skills Most Required for Success After High School
- The Balance. Article. Doyle, Alison. First Resume With No Work Experience Example
- Edmentum. Article. Seven Essential Life Skills for High Schoolers to Build Before Graduating
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Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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