How can I make my first high school student resume stand out?

I'm applying for my first job and need to create a resume. Since I don't have much experience, what should I include to make it appealing to employers? Any tips on sections or formatting?

Creating your first resume as a high school student can seem daunting, but there are several ways to make it stand out, despite not having much job experience. Here are a few steps you might consider:

1. Contact Information: Begin with your name, phone number, and a professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile, consider including a link to it here.

2. Objective Statement: Use this section to share your career goals. Since you're a high school student, talk about what you hope to gain from the job you're applying for and how it aligns with your overall career or academic aspirations.

3. Education: List your high school, graduation year, and your cumulative GPA (only if it's strong). If you're taking challenging courses, such as AP or honors classes, you may want to mention that as well.

4. Skills: Highlight skills that are relevant to the job you're applying to, such as problem-solving, time management, teamwork, or specific technical skills (like proficiency in a certain software).

5. Extracurricular Activities: Include activities like clubs or sports to show your involvement, teamwork, and leadership skills. If you've had a leadership role (like club president or team captain), be sure to mention it here.

6. Volunteer Work: If you've done any community service, include it. Volunteering demonstrates responsibility, dedication, and the willingness to work without financial incentive, all of which are traits employers value.

7. Achievements/Awards: Have you won a spelling bee, placed in a science fair, or received an MVP award in a sport? Highlight such achievements on your resume. Colleges are not the only institutions interested in award-winners!

8. Work Experience: Even if you don't have formal work experience, you can include any informal jobs you've had, like babysitting, lawn mowing, or dog walking. These show responsibility and provide examples of your work ethic.

9. References: While not all resumes include references, as a high school student without much work experience, you might consider including a teacher or coach who can vouch for your character and work ethic.

Regarding formatting, it's best to keep things simple and professional. Use a standard font and be consistent with your formatting (for example, if you italicize one job title, make sure to do it for all of them). Keep your resume to one page if possible and ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.

Remember, the goal of a resume is to sell yourself to an employer, so focus on your achievements and what makes you unique. Good luck!