Here are a few tips on writing your résumé.
HEADING
Name, address, phone and email should be included in the heading at the top of your résumé. Do not include your birth date, health status or Social Security number. Only report these on your college application if requested. Make sure your email address is professional. Use Mary.Smith2009@yahoo.com rather than sassymary@ahoo.com.
EDUCATION
List your educational information with name and address of high school, GPA and class rank.
ACTIVITIES
Include clubs, programs, community service organizations, sports and other activities you participated in during high school. Also include activities outside of school through your church or community.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Include here things you did once or twice, not as an ongoing activity. Examples are participation in science fairs or one-day volunteer service.
EXPERIENCES OR JOBS
You may choose to list any jobs you have had with a brief description.
AWARDS
Your awards or any accomplishments can be listed here.
FORMATTING
Length: The average length of a student résumé is one page. However, if you have a long list of awards and activities, then write a two- or even three-page résumé. Remember that you are selling yourself. If you have exceptional accomplishments as a high school student, you deserve to make sure the reader is aware of them.
Type Size: Use 10 or 11point type for text, 12 point for headings, and 14 point for your name.
Paper: Use plain white paper. Resist colors or designs – you want to impress your reader with content.
Copies: Laser printing or high-quality photocopying of an original résumé is fine. Copying a copy is not acceptable.
TIPS
Update your résumé regularly - at least once a year. Add new summer activities, courses, community service, honors, activities, and jobs.
Avoid writing anything negative. Simply leave out the fact that you have a 1.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale. You don’t have to tell everything.
