Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: Includes quantifiable achievements that demonstrate clear impact and measurable results, such as improving attendance rates by 30% through effective management of student study session calendars.
- Highlights transferable skills: Showcases transferable skills, such as communication, organization, and customer service, indicating the job seeker’s readiness for entry-level roles and workplace responsibilities.
- Showcases digital literacy: Highlights computer skills through experience managing calendars, calls, and visitor logs in Google Workspace, demonstrating proficiency in digital tools and administrative support tasks that apply to many industries and roles.
More High School Graduate Resume Examples
Explore high school graduate resume examples for various entry-level and part-time jobs. These student resume samples will help you create a resume that stands out to potential employers.
Retail Associate
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: The education section stands out and includes details that are relevant as a recent high school graduate, including a strong GPA and involvement in clubs such as DECA and the yearbook committee.
- Touches on relevant accomplishments: Achievements such as managing mock transactions during school business simulations with 98% cash balancing accuracy highlight skills that are highly relevant to retail associate roles.
- Puts skills at the forefront: Skills are prominently listed, showcasing capabilities in time management, conflict resolution, cash handling, and inventory restocking, all of which are essential for the retail industry.
Camp Counselor
Why this resume works
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Showcases a balanced skill set by detailing technical abilities like arts and crafts instruction and interpersonal skills such as group management and inclusion techniques.
- Demonstrates leadership abilities: Spotlights relevant leadership skills developed through mentoring students, leading outdoor games, and enforcing safety rules during playground supervision.
- Displays safety and supervision expertise: Underscores specialized training relevant to camp counselor positions, including CPR and First Aid certification and training in emergency preparedness.
Cashier
Why this resume works
- Emphasizes customer service skills: Demonstrates customer service skills by detailing experience assisting and managing a school store, providing peer-to-peer tutoring, and interacting with donors at school fundraising events.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Showcases accomplishments relevant to cashier roles, such as maintaining 100% transaction accuracy over 10 cash register simulations and handling simulated bank deposits and reconciliations with error-free results.
- Lists relevant volunteer experience: Relevant volunteer experience for community center fundraisers highlights the job seeker’s organizational and customer service expertise and commitment to ongoing professional development.
High School Graduate Resume Template (Text Version)
Amy Prince
EASTON, PA 18042 (H) 555-555-5555 (C) 555-555-5555 EXAMPLE@EXAMPLE.COM
Resume Objective
Motivated and personable high school graduate, seeking a receptionist position to gain hands-on administrative experience while preparing to pursue a college degree in business administration. Brings strong communication, organization, and customer service skills developed through school and volunteer roles. Committed to creating a warm and professional first impression for every visitor.
Summary of Qualifications
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills developed through volunteer front-desk and event assistant roles.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, with experience assisting diverse communities in both school and youth center settings.
- Proficient in Google Workspace and basic office software, with hands-on experience managing calendars, calls, and visitor logs.
Professional Skills
Front Desk and Communication:
- Greeted over 100+ parents and guests during school events, offering directions and assistance with professionalism.
- Answered phones as part of school office support, transferring calls accurately and taking clear messages.
- Delivered daily announcements and updated bulletin boards with timely information.
Scheduling and Organization:
- Managed calendars for student study sessions, resulting in a 30% improvement in attendance rates.
- Organized parent-teacher meeting schedules with minimal overlaps or missed appointments.
- Created sign-up sheets and managed room bookings for student clubs and tutoring events.
Customer Service and Problem-solving:
- Resolved visitor questions at youth center events, directing them efficiently to the right locations.
- Collected event feedback and implemented suggestions, increasing participant satisfaction by 25%.
- Worked as a peer guide during school tours, ensuring all guests felt welcome and informed.
Work History
JANUARY 2024-CURRENT
Youth Event Assistant | Greater Easton Youth Center | Easton, PA
SEPTEMBER 2023-JUNE 2024
Student Office Assistant (Volunteer) | Easton Area High School | Easton, PA
Education
JUNE 2024
High School Diploma
Easton Area High School, Easton, PA
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Member
Advice for Writing Your High School Graduate Resume
Crafting an impressive resume is essential for standing out and landing your dream job or internship. Explore our tailored tips on how to write a resume specifically for high school graduates and discover how to highlight your unique skills, experiences, and potential.
Highlight your most relevant skills
Listing your relevant skills is essential when applying for a job as a high school graduate. It helps employers quickly see what you bring to the table. A dedicated skills section lets you showcase both technical skills and interpersonal skills. Hard skills might include computer proficiency or knowledge of specific software. Soft skills can be teamwork, communication, or problem-solving abilities.
To strengthen your resume, incorporate these key skills into your work experience section. For example, if you mention a part-time job at a retail store, highlight how you used communication and customer service skills there. This approach shows that you not only have these skills but also know how to apply them in real-life situations.
Listing your skills clearly and linking them to past experiences will help potential employers understand why you’re the right fit for the job. Keep your skill descriptions short and focused, using bullet points for easy reading. This makes your resume more appealing and easier to scan quickly.
Identify keywords from the job description and include them in your resume to get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and impress recruiters.
Showcase your accomplishments
When showcasing your accomplishments as a high school graduate, organize your work experience in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent job and work backward. Each entry should include the job title, employer name, location, and employment dates. The chronological resume format helps employers quickly see your most relevant experience.
Make your resume stand out by turning duties into achievements with measurable results. Instead of just listing responsibilities, show what you accomplished by adding numbers or percentages. For example, “Improved customer satisfaction by 20%” is more impressive than “Helped customers.” Use action verbs like “achieved,” “designed,” or “implemented” to describe your core duties and quantify them to highlight the impact you made.
Quantified accomplishments help hiring managers assess your skills and the difference you can make. They offer concrete proof of your capabilities and show that you are results-oriented. By focusing on measurable achievements, you clearly show how you’ve contributed in previous roles, volunteer experiences, or school events.
5 high school graduate work history bullet points
- Assisted in managing daily store operations, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction scores.
- Trained and supervised 10 new employees, improving team efficiency by 20%.
- Handled cash transactions and reconciled registers with a 99.9% accuracy rate.
- Developed and implemented a new inventory tracking system, reducing stock discrepancies by 25%.
- Organized promotional events that boosted sales by 30% during peak seasons.
Choose a resume template that looks clean and professional. Use bold headings and simple fonts, and avoid excessive design elements that may hinder readability.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary introduces you and is key for making a strong first impression. For experienced candidates, it highlights key achievements and roles in past jobs. However, for high school graduates or those with limited work experience, a resume objective is more suitable, focusing on your skills, education, and career goals.
As a high school graduate, use action-oriented language to emphasize your strengths. For example: “Motivated high school graduate with strong communication and teamwork skills seeking an entry-level position to apply my abilities in customer service.”
Highlight relevant coursework, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate responsibility and initiative. This approach helps employers see why you’re a good fit for the role. Place this section at the top of your resume so it’s the first thing hiring managers read.
High school graduate resume summary examples
No work experience
Recent high school graduate with a strong academic record and a passion for technology. Completed coursework in computer science and mathematics, and obtained certification in Microsoft Office Suite. Adept at problem-solving and teamwork and eager to apply foundational skills in a dynamic work environment.
Part-time work experience
High school graduate with one year of experience working part-time as an administrative assistant while completing education. Proficient in office management software, scheduling, and customer service. Recognized for excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
Full-time work experience
High school graduate with 3+ years of experience in retail management. Demonstrated expertise in team leadership, inventory control, and customer relationship management. Proven track record of driving sales growth by implementing strategic initiatives and delivering exceptional customer service. Committed to fostering a positive work environment and mentoring junior staff.
High school graduate resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Recent high school graduate with a strong academic record and excellent communication skills, seeking an entry-level position in customer service. Eager to apply my problem-solving abilities and enthusiasm for helping others to contribute to a dynamic team environment while gaining valuable professional experience.
Career changer
Dedicated individual transitioning from part-time retail work to a career in administrative support. Possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Looking forward to contributing to office efficiency and supporting team goals through diligent work and a proactive attitude.
Specialized training
High school graduate with certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and volunteer experience at local community centers, seeking an entry-level healthcare assistant position. Passionate about providing quality care and eager to support medical staff in delivering exceptional patient services while furthering my knowledge in the healthcare field.
Need help making your first resume? Our Resume Builder simplifies the process with guided prompts and professional templates to help you showcase your skills and experience.
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring your resume to match job descriptions is essential, especially for high school graduates. Employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes, so using the right keywords to create a targeted resume can help you stand out. Review the job posting and identify keywords and phrases that are frequently repeated. These might include skills, responsibilities, or qualifications.
Once you’ve identified these keywords, incorporate them into your resume. For example, if a job posting highlights “strong communication skills,” ensure you mention this in your skills section or describe how you’ve utilized communication in past experiences. If the job description mentions “assist with event planning,” you can add a bullet point such as, “Helped organize school events, including dances and fundraisers.”
This approach helps you create an ATS-friendly resume and demonstrates to potential employers that you possess the skills and qualifications required for the role.
Make your resume stand out! The ATS Resume Checker helps you match job descriptions and get noticed by employers with quick, easy feedback.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my high school graduate resume?
Including a cover letter with your high school graduate resume is not always required, but it’s highly recommended, especially if you’re applying for your first job or have limited experience.
A cover letter gives you a chance to explain why you’re interested in the role and how your school, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences make you a good fit.
For instance, if you’ve participated in clubs, sports teams, or volunteer activities, mention how those experiences have prepared you for the job you’re applying for.
You can explore our cover letter examples for inspiration and use our Cover Letter Generator for personalized content suggestions tailored to your target role.
How long should a high school graduate’s resume be?
As a recent high school graduate, your resume length should ideally be one page. Emphasize your education, part-time jobs, volunteer experiences, internships, and skills relevant to the job.
A one-page resume is easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read and can help you make a strong first impression.
Keep your resume concise while showcasing achievements that highlight your strengths. Tailoring it to each job application can enhance your visibility.
The goal is to showcase your best qualities and demonstrate your potential as a candidate in a clear and concise way.
How do you write a high school graduate resume with no experience?
If you just graduated from high school, you can still create a strong resume that showcases your skills, achievements, and potential.
Start by emphasizing your education, including your high school, graduation date, and any honors or relevant classes. Then, showcase extracurricular activities. Clubs, sports teams, or volunteer work can demonstrate leadership and teamwork. Be sure to specify the roles you held and the skills you developed.
Add a skills section listing abilities like communication, problem-solving, or technical skills like Microsoft Office proficiency. These are valuable, even if they were honed through school projects or personal hobbies.
Include part-time jobs or internships you’ve had — even if they’re unrelated to the position you’re seeking. These experiences highlight your responsibility and reliability. Explore our guide on writing a resume with no experience for additional tips and examples.
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High School Graduate
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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