Your resume is often your first introduction to potential employers and college admissions officers. Here’s how to make sure it stands out.
Your resume is often your first introduction to potential employers and college admissions officers. As such a powerful document, you want to be sure that it will put you ahead of the competition. However, as high schoolers, it can be challenging to fill a resume. Without tons of work experience, how are we supposed to demonstrate our skills and potential?
If you lack work experience, it is probably because, like most teenagers, you are a full-time student. Your experiences as a student are incredibly valuable, so you shouldn't discount the importance of highlighting your academic success, which many employers see as an indication of your dependability and other soft skills. Mentioning your high grade-point average or any other academic awards you have received is an excellent way to make your resume stand out.
Beyond your academics, highlighting your leadership in school clubs, community organizations, or charity work is another great way to boost your resume. Like your academics, participation in these activities can demonstrate that you have the soft skills which employers are looking. Although you want to avoid overloading your schedule, devoting time to a few extracurriculars is a great way to add credentials to your resume.
If, after school and extracurricular activities, you are still looking for other ways to boost your resume, you will want to consider looking for opportunities such as online courses, internships, or research. While these opportunities will give you new skills that employers want to see, they will also demonstrate that you are proactive and actively searched for ways to learn and grow outside of the classroom. These activities will demonstrate your industrious spirit and make your resume stand out among your peers.
