From Blank Page to Opportunity: How I Wrote My First Resume
By Lindsey Blum, FCWS Youth Apprentice
As a high schooler, the idea of writing a resume felt intimidating. I always felt that they were something adults used when applying for big jobs, not something I would need anytime soon. When it became time for me to start applying for internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work, and even a part-time job, I realized that I needed to learn how to make a resume.
Start with the Basics: Name, Contact Information, and Objective
The first thing I learned is that the basics aren’t that tricky. The top section is where I introduced myself and gave the person looking at my resume a way to contact me. I put my name in large bold font, so it stood out. I added my contact information: phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. I put the city and state that I lived in, but not my full address.
Next comes the objective. This part was confusing at first, but I realized that it is just a short statement explaining what I was looking for in a job and what I hoped to gain from the experience. Since I was applying for an apprenticeship position at FCWS I said, “A motivated high school student seeking a job where I can challenge my potential and put my good skills to use. Eager to contribute to your organization while further developing skills.”
What to Include: Skills, Volunteer Experience, Education, Extracurriculars
Once I got the basics down, I learned that the next section was about highlighting my strengths and experiences. This was a chance to showcase what I had learned so far, even if it wasn’t much in terms of formal jobs.
Skills: The skills section is where I could show my strengths. I didn’t have a lot of work experience, but I had gained different skills from school projects, personal hobbies, and volunteering. For example, I included things like “strong communication skills”, “problem solving”, and “Spanish 1/2/3”. This is a great section for high schoolers to show off skills they have developed.
Experience: Most high schoolers have never had a job, but volunteering is a great way to show employers that you have had real-world experience. Even if you have not been formally employed, your volunteer work can still demonstrate the skills you listed. The volunteer role I included was my experiences as a camp counselor. I put my total hours, and stated the actions I took volunteering which helped me gain skills.
Education: As a high school student, my education was an important part of my resume. I made sure to include the name of my high school, expected graduation date, and any relevant coursework that might stand out to employers. I had taken courses that related to the job I was applying for, so I made sure to mention those. This helped demonstrate my commitment to learning and my ability to manage schoolwork alongside other activities.
Extracurriculars: Extracurricular activities are the last section on the resume. This was another section where I could show my involvement. I added my participation in my school’s field hockey and lacrosse programs, honors societies, and clubs. This gave employers insights to my interests, time management skills, and ability to work with others. It was a great way to show how I was a well-rounded candidate.
Formatting and Final Touches
Once I had all the content in place, I learned the importance of formatting. A clean, organized resume is easier to read and leaves a better impression. I chose a simple, professional font and made sure the sections were easy to navigate. The goal was to keep it neat and concise, so potential employers could quickly see my strengths and experiences. Finally, I double-checked for spelling and grammatical errors because those little mistakes can leave a bad impression.
Writing my resume turned out to be a valuable experience that not only helped me land my apprenticeship at FCWS but also boosted my confidence in presenting myself professionally. By breaking it down into manageable steps and focusing on the skills and experiences I had, I was able to create a resume that reflected my potential and opened doors to opportunities.
If you are still looking for help, attend our free resume classes or schedule a job search support appointment!