What Is a Resume?

A resume, a brief list of a person’s background and accomplishments, is an important tool to use in applying to college and jobs. This is not included with your college application, but it will help you remember all that you have done. It is, however, often included with a job application. Anyone reading your resume should be able to get an understanding of what activities you have already done and what you would like to accomplish in the future. Take a look at this sample resume of a high school student.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter often accompanies a resume and is a place for you to provide more detail about your past experiences and future goals. You should almost always include a cover letter when you apply for a job; here is a sample cover letter of a high school student applying for a job. A request for a letter of recommendation is another type of cover letter—see the Requesting Letters of Recommendation section for examples and strategies for how to write one of these.

What to Include in a Resume

You should start a resume when you begin high school. First, write down your educational history. Then add details about your extracurricular activities and any work experience you may have. It is also a good idea to include a "Summary of Qualifications" section that lists any special skills you may have, such as First Aid Certification or typing skills. And to personalize your resume, you should include a "Personal Interests" category near the end that describes activities you like to do, such as read, play tennis, and do volunteer work.

Adding to Your Resume

You will continue to add to and revise your resume for the rest of your life, so don’t worry if you don’t have very many items to include now. Your resume will grow as you get more work experience, join more activities and develop more skills throughout high school.