How To Write a Student Resume

A resume traditionally outlines your professional experience, skills, and achievements to show a hiring manager you’re qualified for a role. However, a recent graduate or candidate still in high school or college may not have that level of experience and needs to take a different approach. Learn how to write a high school resume, as well as one for a recent graduate or current college student, including formatting tips and examples.

Why a Student Resume Is Important

A well-crafted student resume can help you qualify for an internship, get a part-time job while pursuing your studies, or find your first full-time job out of school. It can also be an important part of college applications and scholarship opportunities.

Your resume showcases the skills and experience you’ve earned while pursuing your studies and academic achievements in a way that makes them attractive to potential employers. A professional resume also makes a positive first impression as you start networking and exploring open roles in your field.

What To Include in a Student Resume

Contact information

A student resume should have your contact information in the header or sidebar. This information should include your full name, phone number, and professional email address. You generally don’t need to include your address beyond the city and state.

While it’s fine to use your school email in some cases, you may lose access to this after you graduate. Setting up a free email account that includes your first and last name is a better option. If you have one, provide a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume as well.

Profile summary or objective

The first real section of your resume is the profile summary or objective. A profile summary provides a snapshot of your experience and credentials, focusing on how you’re a good fit for the role. A resume objective is generally reserved for specific applications, such as those for graduate school, and explains what you hope to achieve as you continue your studies and start working in the industry.

Education section

The education section should list your degree, institution, and graduation date. If you’re a current college student, using an expected graduation date is acceptable. Those applying for an internship or graduate school may also want to include other details, such as relevant coursework, academic achievements, GPA, and honors and awards. Including this additional information can also help you make a resume longer if you have little to no work experience.

Work experience

The work experience section includes formal employment, but work-study jobs, internships, and volunteer positions also apply here. List each position in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent, and include the organization, dates of employment, and job duties. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities, and use numbers when possible to quantify your contributions and provide the hiring manager with a clearer picture of your achievements.

First-job resumes for students may not have much in this section, and that’s okay. Your resume can focus on your education, skills, and extracurricular activities instead.

Skills section

Your resume should include hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (professional skills). Examples of skills for a student resume include communication, teamwork, leadership, Microsoft Office, and industry-specific skills, such as data analytics or search engine optimization (SEO). Customize this section by including must-have skills from the program or job description.

Extracurricular activities and leadership experience

Other items to include on a student resume, if applicable, include involvement in clubs, sports, or student government. Participating in these programs demonstrates initiative, leadership skills, and the ability to work as part of a team.

Formatting Your Student Resume

• Choose the right resume format: The best resume template for students is often a functional or combination format because these options focus less on formal work experience and more on education and skills.
• Use a professional layout: Break text up with appropriate headings and bullet points. Ensure font sizes and styles are consistent, and there’s enough white space and clear margins for a clean, professional look.
• Length of a student resume: This type of resume is generally limited to one page. A longer resume might be acceptable when applying to graduate school or creating a resume for a student internship that requests more information.

Tips for Writing a Student Resume

• Tailor your resume for each application: Customize your resume for each job or program by using applicable keywords. It can be more difficult to get an early career resume past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and in front of a hiring manager, and tailoring your resume helps improve your odds.
• Highlight relevant experience: If you’re light on work experience, leverage volunteer positions, work-study jobs, and extracurricular activities. Show how these, as well as school projects and coursework, relate to the job’s requirements.
• Use action verbs and quantifiable results: Use strong action verbs in your profile summary and bullet points. Avoid vague phrasing like “responsible for.” Utilize metrics to show measurable achievement and give the hiring manager a better indication of the scope of your role.
• Use resume templates and builders: Starting with a resume template can eliminate the writer’s block that comes with an empty page. These tools can also help you create a professional resume with proper formatting more quickly and efficiently.
• Get feedback from peers, professors, or career advisors: It’s always important to have others review your resume. They can help you spot errors and point out where the wording may be confusing, or you could add more relevant details.
• Keep your resume updated: Check your resume frequently to ensure it reflects your most recent experience and achievements. If you’re actively looking for work, review your resume monthly.

Student Resume Examples

Additional Resources

• How To Build A Professional Resume (Plus Examples and Templates)
• How To Build a Resume for Free (Plus Examples and Templates)
• How To Make a Resume with No Experience
• Resume Examples For Teens: Templates and Writing Guide

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.