Getting Started with Your First Resume
Writing a resume for the first time can be challenging, especially when you don’t have much job experience. But don’t worry, artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can help. Whether you’re applying for a part-time job, internship, or college program, a well-structured resume will help you make a great impression.
Resumes aren’t just for job seekers—they also help students reflect on their skills, achievements, and experiences. The good news? You don’t have to be a professional writer to create a strong resume. With the right approach and a little AI assistance, you can craft a resume that highlights your strengths and sets you apart.
Watch the training guide below for parents & guardian
Why Every High School Student Needs a Resume
Job Applications – Even for entry-level jobs, many employers require a resume.
Internships & Scholarships – Competitive opportunities often ask for a resume to evaluate candidates.
College Applications – Some schools request a resume as part of their admissions process.
Showcasing Skills & Achievements – Resumes help students reflect on their growth and strengths.
How to Structure a High School Resume
A resume should be clear, concise, and focused on relevant experiences. Here’s what to include:
1. Contact Information
Full name
Professional email address (avoid casual or humorous emails)
Phone number (if applicable)
2. Education
High school name
Expected graduation date
Notable coursework (if relevant to your goals)
3. Work & Volunteer Experience
List part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work
Include job title, organization name, and dates
Describe your responsibilities and key skills learned
4. Extracurricular Activities
Sports teams, clubs, student government, or leadership roles
School organizations and events you’ve been part of
Any activities that demonstrate teamwork and dedication
5. Personal Projects & Hobbies
Built a website? Designed a game? Started a YouTube channel?
School projects that showcase your creativity or technical skills
Any independent learning or creative work that highlights your abilities
6. Certifications & Skills
Language skills (e.g., bilingual in Spanish and English)
Technical skills (coding, video editing, graphic design, etc.)
Certifications like CPR, first aid, or software training
7. Achievements & Awards
Honor roll, academic awards, or scholarships
Leadership roles (club president, team captain)
Competitions won (science fairs, debate tournaments, hackathons)
Using ChatGPT to Improve Your Resume
AI tools like ChatGPT can make resume writing easier. Here are some prompts you can use:
Refining wording – AI can help rephrase descriptions to sound more professional.
Customizing resumes – Paste a job description and ask AI to match your resume to it.
Generating ideas – AI can suggest skills and experiences relevant to your field of interest.
ChatGPT prompts for creating a resume:
Here are some helpful ChatGPT prompts specifically designed for students to create impactful resumes. These prompts focus on showcasing educational achievements, internships, extracurricular activities, and transferable skills.
General Resume Creation
“Create a one-page resume for a college student with no prior work experience. Focus on education, relevant coursework, volunteer work, and skills.”
“Write a resume for a high school student applying for internships. Include sections for education, extracurricular activities, and any leadership roles.”
“Generate a resume template for a student applying to [specific role or internship]. Highlight transferable skills and academic achievements.”
Professional Summary
“Write a professional summary for a college student majoring in [field] with experience in [specific skills or projects].”
“Create a short resume summary for a high school student applying for their first part-time job. Include enthusiasm and willingness to learn.”
“Draft a professional summary for a recent graduate in [subject] seeking an entry-level role in [industry].”
Education Section
“Write an education section for a student resume. Include degree, school name, graduation date, and relevant coursework like [insert examples].”
“Add relevant academic achievements and honors to the education section of my resume. Here’s my background: [Insert details].”
Experience and Achievements
“Turn this volunteer experience into strong bullet points: [Describe the volunteer work]. Focus on skills gained and measurable impact.”
“Write 3-5 bullet points for my internship as [role] at [company], emphasizing accomplishments and transferable skills.”
“Highlight leadership skills from my role as president of [student organization]. Include quantifiable achievements if possible.”
Skills Section
“List key technical and soft skills that would be valuable for a student applying to [specific job or internship].”
“Organize my skills into categories like technical, interpersonal, and language skills. Here’s what I know: [Insert details].”
Tailoring to Job Descriptions
“Here’s the job description: [Paste job description]. Tailor my resume to emphasize relevant coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities.”
“Based on this internship description, suggest how I can highlight my academic projects and part-time work experience.”
Extracurriculars and Projects
“Write bullet points for my participation in [club or activity], focusing on teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.”
“Describe my role in this academic project: [Insert project details]. Highlight the tools used and the results achieved.”
Formatting and ATS Optimization
“Format this resume content to make it ATS-friendly. Use standard headings like Education, Skills, Experience, and avoid tables or images.”
“Rewrite my resume to include keywords from this job posting: [Paste job description].”
Entry-Level or No Experience
“Help me write a resume with no work experience. Focus on education, volunteer work, academic projects, and skills.”
“Create a resume for a high school student applying for their first internship. Emphasize enthusiasm, learning ability, and extracurricular involvement.”
Proofreading & Final Touches
“Review this student resume for grammar, consistency, and clarity. Suggest improvements if needed.”
“Check if this resume aligns with the job description provided. Suggest any missing sections or keywords.”
Additional Helpful ChatGPT Prompts for Resume Writing
“I worked as a [position] at [company] and did [tasks]. Can you write a professional job description for my resume?”
“Help me create a compelling resume objective for a part-time [job type].”
“I have been in my school’s robotics club for two years. How should I include this on my resume?”
“What are some strong action words to use in a resume?”
“Can you give me examples of soft skills that employers look for?”
“How can I highlight my leadership experience in my resume?”
AI Resume Builders: Are They Worth It?
AI-powered resume builders can automate the process, but are they necessary for high school students? While many services charge a fee, some free tools can help get you started.
Here are a few AI resume builders to explore:
Zety – Offers resume templates and keyword optimization.
Novoresume – Helps structure a resume with AI-generated suggestions.
Rezi – Uses AI to optimize resumes for applicant tracking systems.
- Canva: For converting your resume into a professional looking pdf file
- Gravity Write : For creating resume from scratch
If you prefer a DIY approach, ChatGPT can assist with writing and refining, while free templates from platforms like Canva or Resume.com can help with formatting.
Tips for Making Your Resume Stand Out
Use a clean, professional layout – Keep formatting simple and easy to read.
Avoid unnecessary information – Stick to relevant skills and experiences.
Proofread carefully – Grammar and spelling mistakes can make a bad impression.
Update your resume regularly – As you gain more experience, add it!