What Is a Resume?

A resume is a description of your unique skills and experiences. It is usually one typed sheet of paper that outlines your experiences. This includes both things you have done and skills you have learned.  Resumes are often requested when you are applying for a job or internship.

But, resumes aren’t just for work. Sometimes you will need a resume for a scholarship application, a summer program, or even to secure a volunteer position. Many students even include them in their college applications or make them available at college interviews.  Some colleges require or strongly recommend that you submit a resume along with your application (see UT Austin). Others forbid it (see UVA). So check with individual colleges to see what they prefer.

However, keeping a professional resume on hand will serve you in a few  other ways. How?

Your resume:

• Serves as a foundation for the Activities List for both the Common App (an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of more than 800 member colleges and universities in 49 states and the District of Columbia) and Apply Texas (allows students to apply for admissions to any Texas public university, participating community colleges, or participating private universities all in one place).
• Gives teachers and counselors a framework for their letters of recommendation.
• Provides you with a list of ready-made talking points for an admissions interview.
• May inspire your College Application essay.
• Is a requirement for many scholarships or internship and employment opportunities

It is important to begin your resume during your 9th grade year and to continue building it throughout your high school career.  Most students struggle to come up with material for their first resumes because they believe that without “work” experience, they have nothing relevant to include. Try to think more broadly about your accomplishments.

You can include volunteer positions, leadership roles, and achievements in school and extracurriculars when you’re first getting started with building a resume.

What counts as an extracurricular activity? Extracurricular activities can be anything that you participate in outside of the classroom. These can be clubs and organizations, NJHS, fine arts, sports teams, and much more!

Extracurriculars show admissions and scholarship committees your commitment and leadership abilities. They are also a window into your interests and passions. 

Resume Goals

After filling out each part of the sample resume above, look over what you have done so far in middle school. Is there anything you wish to continue in the future or a new activity/accomplishment you want to go for?  Perhaps you would like to try a new sport, make "A" honor roll, be captain of a team or president of a club.

Set some goals for yourself that you would like to accomplish in the next school year.  List them below to help improve your resume.