A High Schooler’s Guide to Writing Resumes (Part 1): Foundation & Formatting

When you’re in high school, writing a resume can feel… awkward. Maybe you’ve never had a “real” job yet, or you’re staring at a blank page, wondering if your club positions count. Spoiler: they do. A resume isn’t just a list of jobs — it’s a snapshot of your skills, potential, and personality on one sheet of paper, and it is essential to have in various contexts, such as when applying for a summer program or cold emailing for an internship. In this series, I will be discussing how you can make one as a high schooler! This first part of the series will help you lay a solid foundation for your resume and understand how formatting choices can instantly make or break that crucial first impression.

Hook & Why Structure Matters

I once helped a friend land her first interview for a research internship simply by reordering her sections and tweaking her phrasing. She had the same grades, same activities, same skills. The only difference? We organized her resume so that her most impressive achievements sat at the very top, and her less relevant experiences were further down. Within a week, she had her interview.

This works because recruiters, hiring managers, and admissions officers don’t read resumes the way you read a book. Studies have shown they skim for 7 seconds or less before deciding whether to keep reading. In that tiny window, your layout either:

• Draws their attention to your best content, or

• Buries your strongest points under less important details

Think of your resume like a storefront window. People should be able to “walk by” and instantly get a sense of what you offer.

Choosing Your Layout

Your resume layout shapes how your information flows. There are three main formats, each with its own strengths:

Reverse-Chronological

• Lists your experiences, starting with the most recent

• Works well if you have a steady history of work, internships, or consistent extracurriculars

• The simplest and most familiar to recruiters

• Example:

2024–Present | Robotics Instructor, Robot Academy

2023–2024 | Volunteer, BLAH Museum

2022–2023 | Member, Math Honor Society

Functional

• Organizes content by skills rather than by date

• Ideal for students with little to no formal work experience

• Highlights your abilities first, then your experience

• Example:

Programming Skills: Python, Java, Arduino

Communication Skills: Led workshops, presented research at symposiums

Leadership: Organized hackathon, mentored underclassmen

Hybrid (Combination)

• Mixes both formats: you group content by skill or category, but also include a timeline

• Good for students with some experience and standout skills they want to feature

• Example: A “Skills” section at the top, followed by a reverse-chronological “Experience” section

Tip: If you’re unsure, start with reverse-chronological. It’s the most widely accepted format and easiest for someone skimming to follow.

Section Order & Essentials

Here’s the standard order I recommend for most high school resumes:

1. Header

   • Name (largest text on the page)

   • Phone number (make sure your voicemail greeting is professional)

   • Email (avoid casual usernames — ideally firstname.lastname@gmail.com)

   • Optional: LinkedIn profile, personal/portfolio website, or GitHub link

2. Summary or Objective (optional but powerful)

   • 2–3 sentences summarizing who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for

   • Example: “High school junior passionate about electrical engineering and AI, with experience in Python, data analysis, and lab techniques. Seeking opportunities to contribute to research projects and develop real-world skills.”

3. Education

   • School name, graduation year, GPA

   • Relevant coursework (e.g., AP Computer Science, AP Biology)

   • Academic honors or awards

4. Experience

   • Jobs, internships, and volunteer roles

   • Use bullet points to describe what you did and the results and IMPACT you achieved

   • Start each bullet with a strong action verb (e.g., led, designed, organized, improved)

5. Skills & Tools

   • Technical skills (e.g., programming languages, lab techniques, design software)

   • Soft skills (e.g., leadership, public speaking) if relevant

6. Extras

   • Clubs, competitions, awards, special projects, published work

Formatting Fundamentals

Formatting isn’t just about making your resume look pretty — it affects whether someone can read it quickly and easily.

Fonts & Sizes

• Stick to professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Garamond

• Name: 14–16 pt, section headings: 12–14 pt, body text: 10–12 pt

• Avoid overly stylized fonts that can be hard to read

  
  

Margins & Spacing

• Margins: 0.5–1 inch on all sides

• White space makes your resume readable and less intimidating

• Use consistent spacing between sections for a clean look

  
  

PDF vs. DOCX

• Always send as a PDF unless the application specifically asks for a Word document

• PDFs lock in your formatting so it looks the same on every device

• Save your file with a professional name: FirstnameLastname_Resume.pdf

Digital Design Tips

You don’t need fancy design software to make your resume look modern and polished. Small touches can make a big difference:

• Use simple icons for contact info or subtle lines to separate sections

• Consider a two-column layout if you have a lot of short sections (but make sure it’s easy to read on mobile)

• Embed hyperlinks to your online portfolio, LinkedIn, or GitHub so reviewers can see your work with one click

• Avoid bright colors or heavy graphics unless you’re applying for a creative role

Wrap-Up

If you take nothing else from this first part, remember this: your resume is not just a formality — it’s a first impression. Whether you’re applying for a part-time job, a summer program, an internship, or even a scholarship, the way you present yourself on paper can open doors before you ever speak to someone.

The foundation and formatting choices you make now will stick with you. Once you create a strong, clean layout, you can easily update it as you gain more experience. Think of this as building a template for your future self — one that will grow with you as you take on new roles, learn new skills, and collect new achievements.

In Part 2, we’ll go beyond structure and into substance. You’ll learn how to write bullet points that highlight your impact instead of just listing your duties, how to use numbers and action verbs to make your experiences pop, and how to tailor your resume for different opportunities without starting from scratch each time.

If you follow through with both parts of this guide, you’ll have more than just a resume — you’ll have a polished, flexible document that reflects who you are now and where you’re headed next. And when that next opportunity shows up, you’ll be ready to hit “send” with confidence.

About the Author: I'm Jophy Lin, a high school junior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!