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How do you bolster your resume as someone who doesn’t have much experience (like someone in high school), and also, how do you find these opportunities? ?
This question was asked by a learner during our Internships 101 webinar
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9 answers
Jack D. Ritchey
Telecommunications Contracts
7
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jack’s Answer
At this stage, this VERY VERY EARLY stage in your career, I'd add any special skills, extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, or after-school things that you do on a regular basis to your resume.
Recruiters and hiring managers may make a connection with something on your resume that would prompt a conversation. For example, if you are seeking a role in tech, you should still consider adding unrelated things like "Boy Scouts" on the bottom of your resume, because a hiring manager may have (at one time) been an Eagle Scout, and may want to bring you in to have a conversation about your skills and career goals, and might want to hire you after that conversation. This works for things like fraternities, sports/clubs/teams, volunteer efforts, etc. If you ride horses, add your competitions to the bottom of a resume about fashion. If you did ballet, add that to the bottom of a resume for legal clerkships. The point is, the more rounded of a person you are, the more people will want to talk to you. And, since you have no direct legal experience, you can show them that as a dancer you learned things like discipline, attention to detail, and punctuality - all things a lawyer would want from an intern on their team. Further, being rounded is a skill. It means you have life experience, and you have learned from those experiences. Your resume, at this stage, should be telling hiring mangers "this person is young, but their extracurriculars and active lifestyle means they're eager, and teachable".
As you get older, you can gain more professional experience directly associated with your career choice, and replace things like "ballet" with your first internships. I wouldn't advise this to anybody after their like first or second internships, but when you are in high school and JUST STARTING OUT, BRAND NEW, you should be highlighting all of the things you do. Paint a broad picture of yourself, and let it shine.
Recruiters and hiring managers may make a connection with something on your resume that would prompt a conversation. For example, if you are seeking a role in tech, you should still consider adding unrelated things like "Boy Scouts" on the bottom of your resume, because a hiring manager may have (at one time) been an Eagle Scout, and may want to bring you in to have a conversation about your skills and career goals, and might want to hire you after that conversation. This works for things like fraternities, sports/clubs/teams, volunteer efforts, etc. If you ride horses, add your competitions to the bottom of a resume about fashion. If you did ballet, add that to the bottom of a resume for legal clerkships. The point is, the more rounded of a person you are, the more people will want to talk to you. And, since you have no direct legal experience, you can show them that as a dancer you learned things like discipline, attention to detail, and punctuality - all things a lawyer would want from an intern on their team. Further, being rounded is a skill. It means you have life experience, and you have learned from those experiences. Your resume, at this stage, should be telling hiring mangers "this person is young, but their extracurriculars and active lifestyle means they're eager, and teachable".
As you get older, you can gain more professional experience directly associated with your career choice, and replace things like "ballet" with your first internships. I wouldn't advise this to anybody after their like first or second internships, but when you are in high school and JUST STARTING OUT, BRAND NEW, you should be highlighting all of the things you do. Paint a broad picture of yourself, and let it shine.
well-said!
Kim Igleheart
Alexis Hagan
1
Answer
Updated
Alexis’s Answer
I think the best way to boost your resume when you have no experience is putting special interests/hobbies (if you sail, tell people that, anything that sets you apart. Additionally, I think that extra curriculars are a great way to get involved in school while also having fun. I was team captain of my high school lacrosse team because I couldn't play senior year and still wanted more on my resume.
You can sign up for student council, volunteer at your local library or a homeless shelter. Even if you take up gardening in your backyard you can document it on your resume. I personally do not believe there is anything off limits for high schoolers when developing their first resume. Everything is new to you, of course you're not going to have all this experience, you're just starting out!
I highly recommend getting a summer job at a restaurant as well. I live down the shore during the summer and having the 4 years of restaurant experience set me apart from others who just had random jobs here and there. Companies look for loyalty. Having this restaurant as a long term, part-time job was very helpful for me. I strongly suggest this if you don't have one already!
There are opportunities for involvement at every corner. And, I truly believe nothing is out of reach, anything is fair game! I think doing whatever makes you happy at this time in your life is crucial - live out your days in high school staying busy and connecting with people in different areas.
Explore on Access Your Potential’s site potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. To learn more:
http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
You can sign up for student council, volunteer at your local library or a homeless shelter. Even if you take up gardening in your backyard you can document it on your resume. I personally do not believe there is anything off limits for high schoolers when developing their first resume. Everything is new to you, of course you're not going to have all this experience, you're just starting out!
I highly recommend getting a summer job at a restaurant as well. I live down the shore during the summer and having the 4 years of restaurant experience set me apart from others who just had random jobs here and there. Companies look for loyalty. Having this restaurant as a long term, part-time job was very helpful for me. I strongly suggest this if you don't have one already!
There are opportunities for involvement at every corner. And, I truly believe nothing is out of reach, anything is fair game! I think doing whatever makes you happy at this time in your life is crucial - live out your days in high school staying busy and connecting with people in different areas.
Explore on Access Your Potential’s site potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. To learn more:
http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
Hi Alexis! Thanks for being a part of CareerVillage -it's an awesome way to reach young people. I hope you enjoy it. Welcome! Kim
Kim Igleheart
Carolyn Corda
Consultant
3
Answers
Sausalito, California
Updated
Carolyn’s Answer
It's a great question and one that I'm sure a lot of students are asking themselves. I'd encourage you to go through a make a list of all the activities you've engaged in over the past couple of years including extracurriculars, summer jobs, hobbies or responsibilities you have at home. Once you've created a comprehensive list, review them for some key themes. Perhaps, you're innovative and you came up with a new way to accomplish a task that was more effective. Or maybe you're a great communicator and you've helped your siblings understand difficult concepts in their homework. Select 2-3 themes and use them to illustrate what's unique about you and how you're continuing to grow your skills.
Also, since most companies use automated resume readers think about the jobs you're interested in and make sure you include the keywords that align with your interests. LinkedIn and your school advisors are both good resources for identifying what those keywords should be.
Best of luck!
Also, since most companies use automated resume readers think about the jobs you're interested in and make sure you include the keywords that align with your interests. LinkedIn and your school advisors are both good resources for identifying what those keywords should be.
Best of luck!
Molly Sly
Talent Acquisition Manager
31
Answers
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Updated
Molly’s Answer
You can put a summary at the top of your resume which would be a few sentences to call out what you are looking for or for your elevator pitch. For example, "I'm a High School junior seeking to utilize my xxx skills in a part time position in the xxx field". You could also add a skills or attribute section where you highlight areas you excel in. Finally you can add a section at the bottom for awards, projects and/or volunteer work.
You can google resume examples for high school students. Here are some of the samples I found:
https://resume.io/resume-examples/high-school-student
https://resumecompanion.com/resume-examples/high-school-student-resume-sample/
I wish you the best of luck in your search! Molly
You can google resume examples for high school students. Here are some of the samples I found:
https://resume.io/resume-examples/high-school-student
https://resumecompanion.com/resume-examples/high-school-student-resume-sample/
I wish you the best of luck in your search! Molly
Hollise Mitter Brown (US)
2
Answers
Updated
Hollise’s Answer
Hello there!
Don't forget to include your volunteer work and extracurricular activities. They're not just fun, they're also a great way to develop and showcase your skills. When you're leading a project, organizing an event, or collaborating with a team, you're gaining valuable experience that employers love to see.
Whether you’re starting college or finishing up your studies, Access Your Potential Career Readiness and Digital Skills curricula are available to help you grow and discover what you want for your career. For more information: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/
Don't forget to include your volunteer work and extracurricular activities. They're not just fun, they're also a great way to develop and showcase your skills. When you're leading a project, organizing an event, or collaborating with a team, you're gaining valuable experience that employers love to see.
Whether you’re starting college or finishing up your studies, Access Your Potential Career Readiness and Digital Skills curricula are available to help you grow and discover what you want for your career. For more information: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/
Angelina (Yun Chu) Kuan
Risk Consulting
34
Answers
Foster City, California
Updated
Angelina (Yun Chu)’s Answer
Building a robust resume as a high school student can seem daunting, but there are plenty of ways to showcase your skills and interests even without much formal experience. Here are some tips:
Highlight Academic Achievements: Include any honors, awards, or high grades you've earned in school. Academic achievements demonstrate your dedication and capability.
Extracurricular Activities: List any clubs, sports teams, or volunteer groups you're involved in. These activities showcase your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills.
Part-Time Jobs or Volunteer Work: Even if you haven't had a formal internship, any part-time jobs or volunteer positions can be valuable experience. Highlight any responsibilities or skills you gained from these roles.
Personal Projects or Hobbies: If you've worked on any personal projects or pursued hobbies relevant to your interests, include them on your resume. For example, if you're interested in programming, mention any coding projects you've completed.
Skills and Certifications: Don't forget to include any relevant skills or certifications you've acquired, such as proficiency in a foreign language, computer programming, or first aid training.
Highlight Academic Achievements: Include any honors, awards, or high grades you've earned in school. Academic achievements demonstrate your dedication and capability.
Extracurricular Activities: List any clubs, sports teams, or volunteer groups you're involved in. These activities showcase your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills.
Part-Time Jobs or Volunteer Work: Even if you haven't had a formal internship, any part-time jobs or volunteer positions can be valuable experience. Highlight any responsibilities or skills you gained from these roles.
Personal Projects or Hobbies: If you've worked on any personal projects or pursued hobbies relevant to your interests, include them on your resume. For example, if you're interested in programming, mention any coding projects you've completed.
Skills and Certifications: Don't forget to include any relevant skills or certifications you've acquired, such as proficiency in a foreign language, computer programming, or first aid training.
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
34
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Misha’s Answer
- Think about what activities you are involved in; what skills are transferable, how can you frame them in a way that aligns with the roles you are looking for?
- Think about what activities and clubs organizations would like seeing on resumes based on the skills they provide to members (debate, etc.)
- Think about volunteering opportunities you have been engaged with and what you learned from those; what skills are transferable?
- Are you involved in any organizations outside of school? (Boys and Girls Club, camps, after school programs, religious organizations, etc.) What do you do there? What have you learned through them?
- Talk to your teachers, counselors, and/or other mentors to get insight and feedback.
- Feel empowered to reach out to the organizations directly to see what they are looking for and what is available!
This answer is curtesy of Cloudera interns Kimberly and Olamide
- Think about what activities and clubs organizations would like seeing on resumes based on the skills they provide to members (debate, etc.)
- Think about volunteering opportunities you have been engaged with and what you learned from those; what skills are transferable?
- Are you involved in any organizations outside of school? (Boys and Girls Club, camps, after school programs, religious organizations, etc.) What do you do there? What have you learned through them?
- Talk to your teachers, counselors, and/or other mentors to get insight and feedback.
- Feel empowered to reach out to the organizations directly to see what they are looking for and what is available!
This answer is curtesy of Cloudera interns Kimberly and Olamide
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1699
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Lots of good advice already. To that I would add:
When highlighting extracurriculars, it's okay to put a short sentence or a couple of bullet points about what you did and the skills you acquired. Don't assume that everyone knows about the hard work, attendance requirements, etc that go into being a football player. If you helped mentor younger team members, did equipment inventory, etc., say it! Also while it should be obvious, say a word or two about compliance with rules, importance of proper techniques for safety purposes, wearing safety equipment, etc. All employers like a safety conscious team member!
Another thing you can do is to consider using a FUNCTIONAL RESUME. I encourage this if the employer has an on-line application, and you are attaching the resume. There's no sense in attaching a resume that looks just like the application! Use this opportunity to show that you know how to market yourself. The functional resume lets you highlight 3-5 skills/traits and show how you excel at them. It takes a little effort, but, it can really be a plus for you in getting your foot in the door. Google it.
When highlighting extracurriculars, it's okay to put a short sentence or a couple of bullet points about what you did and the skills you acquired. Don't assume that everyone knows about the hard work, attendance requirements, etc that go into being a football player. If you helped mentor younger team members, did equipment inventory, etc., say it! Also while it should be obvious, say a word or two about compliance with rules, importance of proper techniques for safety purposes, wearing safety equipment, etc. All employers like a safety conscious team member!
Another thing you can do is to consider using a FUNCTIONAL RESUME. I encourage this if the employer has an on-line application, and you are attaching the resume. There's no sense in attaching a resume that looks just like the application! Use this opportunity to show that you know how to market yourself. The functional resume lets you highlight 3-5 skills/traits and show how you excel at them. It takes a little effort, but, it can really be a plus for you in getting your foot in the door. Google it.
Rochak Mangal
Technology Consulting Manager
4
Answers
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Updated
Rochak’s Answer
Hello, That’s a great question and appreciate your interest in an early career starting question.
In terms of high school following could help boost your resume :
1- Academic projects- Highlight these with impact. e.g.: Created a prepaid electricity meter prototype which will be future of utility consumption where persons will be able to pre pay and use services as theh like
The impact will give reader an impression of your thought process and overall capability as a person.
2-Extra curriculars- Highlight 1-2 activities from your school/ outside school schedule where you made significant strides.
eg: Performed 50+ stage shows with a band xyz, recorded an EP and went live on Radio 📻 etc…..
3- Plan for some certifications- If you are interested to go in technology field then do a oracle java cert, salesforce beginner, amazon aws or equivalent basic cert
4- Startups- even if u did a small stint with not much value showcase that, what matters is the effort and not the numbers at this stage of life. So go ahead and describe that.
Overall, resume in the larger run is about building and listing experiences not just a template of showing your educational history and fancy jargons.
In terms of high school following could help boost your resume :
1- Academic projects- Highlight these with impact. e.g.: Created a prepaid electricity meter prototype which will be future of utility consumption where persons will be able to pre pay and use services as theh like
The impact will give reader an impression of your thought process and overall capability as a person.
2-Extra curriculars- Highlight 1-2 activities from your school/ outside school schedule where you made significant strides.
eg: Performed 50+ stage shows with a band xyz, recorded an EP and went live on Radio 📻 etc…..
3- Plan for some certifications- If you are interested to go in technology field then do a oracle java cert, salesforce beginner, amazon aws or equivalent basic cert
4- Startups- even if u did a small stint with not much value showcase that, what matters is the effort and not the numbers at this stage of life. So go ahead and describe that.
Overall, resume in the larger run is about building and listing experiences not just a template of showing your educational history and fancy jargons.