Resume Format for High School Students: Layout, Sections and Sample
Last updated: October 2026
You can make a strong resume in high school even if you have never had a formal job. This guide shows the best format, the order of sections, a complete sample, and how to use school, clubs and volunteering to fill the page.
- Why a high school student needs a resume
- The best resume format for a high school student
- Sample high school resume
- Sections to include, in order
- Protect your personal information
- What to write if you have no work experience
- Action verbs to start your bullet points
- Common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
Why a high school student needs a resume
A resume helps when you apply for a part-time job, an internship, a volunteer role, a summer program or a scholarship. It gives the reader a clear picture of who you are in one page, which is far easier than reading a long application form.
The best resume format for a high school student
Use a reverse-chronological layout, which lists your newest experience first, and put education near the top because it is your strongest section. Add sections for activities, volunteering and skills to show what you can do. Avoid a skills-only format, because employers and programs want to see where you used each skill.
- Length: one page.
- Layout: a single column with clear headings. Simple layouts are easier for people and for application systems to read.
- Font: Arial, Calibri or Georgia at 10 to 12 points, with enough white space.
- Margins: about 2 cm (0.8 inch) on all sides.
- File: save as a PDF named like FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf.
Sample high school resume
This sample is fictional. Use it as a guide and replace everything with your own true information.
Omar Al-Ghamdi
Objective
Motivated Grade 12 student with a strong record in mathematics and community volunteering, seeking a part-time customer-facing role.
Education
Example International School, Jeddah – Expected graduation June 2027
GPA 3.7/4.0 · Honor roll, 4 semesters
Relevant courses: Mathematics, Computer Science, English Literature
Experience
- Help customers, handle cash and restock shelves about 5 hours per week
- Created a simple price list in Excel that reduced pricing mistakes
- Tutor 6 younger students every week in math
- Prepared practice sheets and tracked each student's progress
Activities and leadership
- Managed a team budget of SAR 4,000 and tracked spending for competitions
- Led a 5-member team that placed 3rd out of 18 teams at a regional competition
Volunteering
Community clean-up volunteer – helped organize 2 events with about 30 participants
Skills and languages
Microsoft Excel, Canva, basic Python, teamwork, public speaking · Arabic (native), English (fluent)
Sections to include, in order
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Name, city, a professional email address and a phone number |
| Objective | One or two lines saying who you are and what you want |
| Education | School, expected graduation date, GPA if strong, honors and relevant courses |
| Experience | Part-time, family business, tutoring, babysitting or any regular responsibility |
| Activities and leadership | Clubs, sports, student council, competitions |
| Volunteering | Community work and events you helped with |
| Awards | Honor roll, competitions, certificates |
| Skills and languages | Software, languages, teamwork and communication, with proof where you can |
Protect your personal information
What to write if you have no work experience
- Describe school projects, group work and presentations.
- List clubs and roles, even small ones, and what you did in them.
- Include volunteering, tutoring and helping at a family business.
- Show skills with evidence, for example "Built a budget spreadsheet for the robotics club".
Action verbs to start your bullet points
Organized, Led, Created, Helped, Managed, Tutored, Built, Planned, Presented, Improved, Supported, Designed, Coordinated, Trained.
Common mistakes
- Going past one page or using tiny fonts to fit more.
- Using a joke or unprofessional email address.
- Using fancy colors and graphics that make the text hard to read.
- Making claims you cannot back up.
- Not asking a teacher or parent to check spelling.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include a photo on a high school resume?
Usually not, unless the application asks for one. Follow the instructions of each job or program.
How long should a high school resume be?
One page. Admissions teams and employers read many applications, so a short, clear page works best.
Can I make a resume without work experience?
Yes. Use education, projects, clubs, volunteering, tutoring and skills to show your abilities and character.
Should I include my GPA?
Include it if it is strong or if the application asks for it. Otherwise highlight honors, courses and activities.
Ready to build yours? Create a resume in English or Arabic, choose a template and save it as a PDF. It is free and needs no sign-up.
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