What to Put on Your Resume as a High Schooler With No Work Experience
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in October 2023, 51.7% of Americans aged 16-24 were employed. It's good to get some work experience before becoming a legal adult, and it's a great way to earn extra spending money, too.
However, if you don't have any work experience, it can be tough to fill out a resume and be picked by an employer for an interview and employment. Here are some tips on what you can put down so you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Coursework and Academic Achievements
Even if you don't have formal work experience, your coursework can help demonstrate valuable skills and knowledge to potential employers. You should include classes that relate to the job you're applying for, especially if they involved:
Projects
Presentations
Research
Teamwork
Technical skills
You can further strengthen your resume by putting down academic achievements, such as:
Honor roll recognition
Strong GPAs
Academic awards
Participation in advanced classes
These details prove to potential employers that you're responsible and capable of learning new concepts. They also demonstrate that you're committed to achieving goals.
Include Summer Programs, Camps, and Educational Opportunities
High school summer programs can also provide excellent resume material. The following can all show that you're willing to learn and develop new skills:
Academic camps
Leadership programs
Career exploration workshops
STEM initiatives
Language immersion experiences
College preparation courses
What's great about these programs is that they often help you gain exposure to professional environments, collaborate with peers, and develop specialized knowledge that can be relevant to future jobs. Even short-term programs can be enough to show employers that you use your time productively.
Showcase Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Experience
Extracurricular activities can be valuable on your resume, as you can showcase these things:
Commitment
Teamwork
Communication
Time-management skills
Ideas include participation in clubs, sports teams, student governments, music programs, debate teams, or other organizations. These can all show that you're actively involved in your community and are willing to take on responsibilities outside of the classroom. Make sure to highlight any leadership roles, such as club officer, team captain, or event organizer.
These experiences show initiative, and they help potential employers understand how you contribute to a team environment.
Add Volunteer Work, Projects, and Transferable Skills
Volunteer work and personal projects can help fill out your resume, too, as they take many of the same qualities employers look for in paid employees. You can prove responsibility and reliability through:
Community service activities
Fundraising efforts
Tutoring
Mentoring younger students
Personal projects can also highlight valuable skills. Make sure to focus on transferable abilities, such as:
Communication
Problem-solving
Organization
Leadership
Teamwrok
Adaptability
By including these experiences, you can present yourself as a motivated candidate who has already developed practical skills.
Increase Your Chances of Employment as a Teen
Even if you have no formal work experience, that doesn't necessarily mean that all hope is lost for employment. If you know how to create a resume that really shines, then you can catch the right employers' eyes.
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