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Resume Building

What goes on a high school resume, what doesn't, and how to format it.

Keep it to one page

High school resumes are one page. Always. If you have so much to list that you need two pages, you don't have a resume problem. You have an editing problem.

The exception: applying to specialized programs that ask for a CV. But for college and most opportunities, one page.

Lead with action verbs

'Led, built, designed, organized, researched, published, founded, won, increased, decreased, presented, taught.'

Not 'responsible for' or 'helped with.' You did things. Say what you did.

Quantify when possible

'Organized a school-wide food drive' is fine. 'Organized a school-wide food drive that collected 800 pounds of food for the local shelter' is better. Numbers are specific. Specific is memorable.

Quick checklist

  • One page only
  • Contact info at top
  • Action verbs throughout
  • Quantified achievements where possible
  • No typos or grammar issues
  • Consistent formatting (font, sizes, spacing)
  • Tailored to the specific opportunity