Entering freshman level is an overwhelming experience in itself. Along with the introduction of complex subjects, concepts, assignments, projects, and many more, students are introduced to the real corporate world where they’re required to create and maintain a resume to present themselves and their capabilities. It is not only writing about your skill set, or achievements, but actually involving yourself in learnings and gaining experience.
To start with the process of resume building, in this blog post, you’ll find the basic template to follow along with a guide to improve your resume and stand out among others. Alongside this, teachers and educators can also employ resume writing activities to help students learn and practice the same.
High school freshman resume template
A resume holds the power to fit you perfectly in your dream fields and positions, provided it is designed in a way that can stand out and provide you an edge over others. With a well-crafted resume, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals and grabbing desired opportunities. The basic and general template is shared below to help you create a high school freshman resume that showcases your strengths and accomplishments:
Contact Information
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
Objective
- A brief statement that summarizes your goals and aspirations (e.g., “To obtain a challenging position that will allow me to develop my skills and contribute to the community.”)
Education
- High school name and location
- Expected graduation date
- GPA (if it’s 3.0 or higher)
- Relevant coursework (if applicable)
Skills
- List any skills you have that are relevant to the position or opportunity you’re seeking (e.g., proficiency in Microsoft Office, fluency in a foreign language, strong communication skills).
Extracurricular Activities
- List any clubs, organizations, or sports teams you’ve participated in, along with any leadership roles you’ve held (e.g., President of the Chess Club, Captain of the Volleyball Team).
Awards/ Accomplishments
- Describe any significant accomplishments or awards you’ve received.
Volunteer Work
- List any volunteer experiences you’ve had, including the organization, your role, and the dates of your service.
- Describe your responsibilities and any notable accomplishments.
Work Experience (if applicable)
- List any part-time jobs you’ve had, including the employer, your position, and the dates of your employment.
- Describe your responsibilities and any notable accomplishments.
References
- List at least two references, including their name, relationship to you, and contact information.
Given below is a basic template to help you get an idea about how to structure the above information in a resume.
Given below is a blank template that can help you design your resume by simply downloading it and adding your details to it.
Crucial areas to focus on for freshmen to create an impressive resume
You may wonder that being a freshman, you don’t have enough things to include in your resume as given above. Fear not as we’ve got you covered. It is understandable that freshman does not have work experience that can prove their worth, however, there are areas that can cover this gap and make a compelling resume.
- Volunteer hours: As a graduation requirement (in some schools), there are certain hours of community service that high school students need to fulfill. Focus on this opportunity and make the most of it. Try to learn and acquire skills to highlight them on your CV.
- Awards/accomplishments: There are many opportunities and competitions at a high school level to participate in. Explore competitions of your interest such as architecture competitions, art competitions, flute competitions, etc, and register yourself. Even if by any chance, you could not make up to the award list, do not get demotivated as participation matters and this shows you’re an active student which you can easily highlight on your resume under the extracurricular activities.
- Online courses: Gone are the days when you can only learn from physical classes. There are a number of free and paid online courses like online veterinary courses, and animation classes. Explore them and shortlist the ones that align with your goals and interest. Enroll yourself and learn extra in your free time. This will not only help you learn more and add to your skill set but also give you an edge over others on your resume.
- Workshops: As freshmen are in the first stage of entering into a real world of skills and professions, it is likely that you’ll come across various industry leaders conducting workshops virtually or in person. You can take advantage of such opportunities to register, learn, and stand out. This will show how involved you’re in your learning and growth.
- Part-time jobs: In order to support yourself financially, there are options for students to work part-time and earn. These jobs not only support you financially but also give you a hang of corporate skills that can be helpful in achieving your goals. Explore for jobs, apply for the ones that align with your interests and skill level, and add to your skill set as well as on your resume.
- Projects: As a part of your curriculum, you might be given certain projects to complete. Take this as an opportunity to showcase your unique talent and abilities. Try to make an effort and give your best so that you can show it as a reference to your work and skills.
Tips and bonus tricks to create an outstanding resume as a freshman
Your resume is a reflection of you and your potential. Work on your skills, follow the right strategies and instructions, and seek guidance from teachers and mentors to create an impressive and tailored resume, you’ll stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of achieving your goals. Discover effective tips and bonus tricks below to help you create an impressive resume as a high school freshman:
- Focus on your strengths: When creating your resume, think about what sets you apart from other students. Maybe you’ve won an award for your artwork or you’ve been the lead in the school play. Perhaps you’ve volunteered extensively in your community or you’ve excelled in a particular subject. Whatever it is, make sure to highlight it prominently in your resume.
- Use action words: Using strong action words in your resume makes it more dynamic and engaging. Instead of saying “I helped to arrange a fundraiser,” you could say “I organized and led a successful school fundraiser, raising over $5,000 for charity.” Action words like “led,” “organized,” “achieved,” and “developed” show that you’re proactive and capable.
- Keep it concise: Try to limit your resume to no more than one page. Include only the most important information. Stick to relevant experiences and accomplishments, and keep descriptions brief and to the point.
- Make it visually appealing: Choose a clean and professional-looking template that’s easy to read. Use consistent font and formatting throughout the resume. Use bullet points and spacing to make it more visually appealing and easier to skim.
- Customize it for each opportunity: While it’s fine to have a general template, make sure to tailor your resume to the specific opportunity or position you’re applying for. Use language that matches the job description or opportunity, and highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the role.
- Get feedback: Have someone else review your resume before submitting it. They may be able to offer suggestions for improvement or catch any errors you may have missed. Consider asking a teacher, guidance counselor, or parent for feedback.
Bonus trick: Including a personal statement or summary at the beginning of your resume can help set the tone and make a strong first impression. This could be a brief statement that summarizes your goals and strengths as a candidate. For example, “Highly motivated and creative high school freshman with a passion for leadership and community service.” This can help to catch the reader’s attention and make them more interested in learning about your experiences and accomplishments.
Do’s and Don’ts of a Resume
By now you’ve got an idea about what things to include and how. Discussed below are some general do’s and don’ts that are crucial to know and can save you from getting caught up in an unwanted situation.
Do’s:
- Use bullet points to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in each activity.
- Proofread and double-check your resume carefully for spelling and grammar errors.
- Limit your resume to one page.
- Customize your resume and give it a personalized touch.
- The objective and summary should be clear.
- Use professional format and language.
- Use action verbs and relevant keywords
Don’ts:
- Don’t include irrelevant information, such as personal hobbies or interests that don’t relate to your academic or extracurricular achievements.
- Don’t exaggerate or fabricate your accomplishments.
- Don’t use overly casual language or abbreviations in your resume.
- Don’t use a generic template that doesn’t reflect your individual achievements and experiences.
- Don’t use cliche or buzzwords
Conclusion
Creating an impressive resume for high school freshmen can be a tedious and ambiguous task at first since it is the beginning and there is not much to write about. However, by carefully analyzing and working on yourself, you can make your resume stand out. Being a freshman, try to grab opportunities that align with your interest and goals. Keep working and acquiring skills that can prove an asset in the long run.
Having a 10+ years of experience in teaching little budding learners, I am now working as a soft skills and IELTS trainers. Having spent my share of time with high schoolers, I understand their fears about the future. At the same time, my experience has helped me foster plenty of strategies that can make their 4 years of high school blissful. Furthermore, I have worked intensely on helping these young adults bloom into successful adults by training them for their dream colleges. Through my blogs, I intend to help parents, educators and students in making these years joyful and prosperous.