by Building an application for your first job or internship? Choosing the right high school resume skills can help you stand out—even if you have little to no work history.
Whether you're looking for a part-time position, volunteer role, or college program, the abilities you highlight can show employers that you're responsible, motivated, and ready to contribute.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best hard and soft skills to put on your high school resume, how to organize them, and how to make even basic experiences shine.
Why do resume skills matter for high school students?
You might be thinking: Can I really write a resume if I’ve never held a job?
The answer is yes. This document isn’t just a record of employment—it’s a snapshot of your potential. That’s where showcasing your strengths becomes essential.
When a hiring manager or college reviewer looks at a student’s resume, they aren’t searching for an extensive background in the workforce.
They’re scanning for signs that you:
- Interact effectively with others
- Stay on task and meet deadlines
- Solve problems creatively
- Learn new tools or systems quickly
Even if your experience is limited to school activities, sports, or helping out in your community, you’ve built valuable capabilities that are worth highlighting.
Surveys from NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) show that recruiters prioritize qualities like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication—even more than technical training in some cases.
High school skills for a resume such as organization, adaptability, or computer literacy apply across different industries.
These strengths, often developed through group projects, leadership roles, or extracurriculars, are just as meaningful as on-the-job know-how.
- Managed a school art exhibition?
- That’s coordination, event planning, and teamwork all rolled into one.
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Top soft skills for a high school resume
High school resume soft skills tell employers how you work—not just what you’ve done. These traits show that you're reliable, motivated, and able to thrive even without years of experience.
1. Communication
Being able to share information clearly, listen actively, and adjust your message for different situations.
Gave a well-organized speech in history class with supporting visuals.
Wrote engaging posts for your school’s social media page.
Helped classmates understand math concepts by explaining them in simpler terms.
Useful for:
- Retail Assistant – Explaining product details to shoppers makes their experience smoother.
- Tour Guide Trainee – Sharing information in an engaging way keeps audiences interested.
- Front Desk Helper – Welcoming visitors and answering questions creates a positive first impression.
2. Teamwork
The high school student skills for a resume include cooperating with others to accomplish a common objective.
Worked with a group to design and publish the school newspaper.
Helped coordinate a food drive with student council peers.
Played defense on a basketball team, communicating during plays.
Useful for:
- Fast Food Crew Member – Handling rushes together depends on seamless group effort.
- Camp Counselor – Co-leading activities means constant cooperation with staff.
- Library Page – Restocking and organizing with teammates keeps the space efficient.
3. Time Management High School Resume Skills
Handling priorities and staying on schedule without feeling overwhelmed.
Balanced school assignments, after-school theater, and weekend tutoring sessions.
Set weekly study goals ahead of final exams and stuck to the plan.
Completed a major art project while maintaining responsibilities at home.
Useful for:
- Student Intern – Juggling tasks and meetings calls for consistent scheduling.
- Grocery Clerk – Staying productive during shifts improves efficiency.
- Babysitter – Sticking to routines builds parent confidence and child comfort.
4. Problem-Solving
Analyzing challenges and finding smart ways to overcome them.
Came up with a new seating chart to reduce distractions during a group activity.
Resolved a tech issue during a video project by troubleshooting audio settings.
Suggested a fair solution during a disagreement in a school club meeting.
Useful for:
- Tutor – Tailoring explanations for different learning styles helps students thrive.
- Stockroom Assistant – Finding better storage methods improves organization.
- Event Volunteer – Adapting when plans change makes you a reliable team member.
5. Responsibility
Showing reliability by completing tasks thoroughly and being trusted with important duties.
Managed attendance records for your language club consistently.
Looked after a neighbor’s dog every day during their vacation.
Handled your own schedule, including rides and study time, without reminders.
Useful for:
- Pet Sitter – Daily care requires reliability and attention to detail.
- Cashier Trainee – Accuracy and accountability are key when handling money.
- Volunteer Usher – Being on time and prepared ensures events run smoothly.
6. Adaptability
Adjusting to new circumstances, tools, or work environments with ease.
Learned how to employ a new editing app for a school video project overnight.
Took on someone else’s lines in a play when a classmate was sick.
Shifted smoothly from in-person meetings to virtual club sessions.
Useful for:
- Café Helper – Quickly learning menu changes or filling different roles is essential.
- Event Setup Crew – Adapting to space or weather changes helps the team succeed.
- Youth Program Volunteer – Switching between tasks keeps things running smoothly.
7. Leadership High School Resume Skills
Encouraging others, making decisions, and taking charge when needed.
Organized a school fundraiser, assigning roles and keeping everyone motivated.
Served as group leader during a class research project, guiding deadlines.
Launched a recycling initiative and presented it to your principal.
Useful for:
- Club Officer – Leading meetings and activities keeps the group engaged.
- Junior Coach – Helping younger teammates learn builds team morale.
- Orientation Guide – Supporting new students makes them feel more welcome.
Best high school student resume hard skills
Hard skills are teachable, measurable abilities that are typically gained through courses, training, or hands-on practice. They’re often tied to specific tools, software, or tasks and can be demonstrated through tests, certifications, or work samples.
1. Microsoft Office
Confidence with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related tools for writing, organizing, and presenting.
Formatted a newsletter layout in Word for your school club.
Used Excel to calculate and visualize club fundraising progress.
Developed a visual slideshow for a science fair project in PowerPoint.
Useful for:
- Office Assistant Intern – Producing clean documents and simple spreadsheets supports daily operations.
- Student Council Secretary – Maintaining organized records and creating agendas is easier with these tools.
- Reception Volunteer – Preparing calendars and editing schedules keeps workflows running smoothly.
2. Google Workspace
Skilled in Docs, Sheets, and Drive for collaboration, editing, and cloud-based file sharing.
Revised a group paper in Docs with comments and color-coded highlights.
Maintained a shared calendar in Drive for your theater team.
Compiled data in Sheets to track voting results for a club election.
Useful for:
- Program Assistant – Handling shared resources helps keep everyone coordinated.
- Classroom Tech Helper – Teaching others how to manage Docs makes projects flow better.
- Youth Project Leader – Cloud tools support remote teamwork and updates.
3. Typing
Accurately at a fast pace boosts productivity and written communication.
Reached 70 WPM with free online speed tests.
Transcribed interview notes during a journalism elective.
Submitted essays and assignments efficiently under timed conditions.
Useful for:
- Data Entry Volunteer – Accurate input keeps digital records reliable.
- Remote Assistant – Typing messages and updates quickly improves responsiveness.
- Class Scribe – Capturing real-time notes benefits peers who miss school.
4. Social Media Tools
Experience with apps like Canva, Instagram, and platforms for content planning.
Designed story graphics for a sports team with Canva’s templates.
Planned and scheduled weekly updates with Buffer for a club campaign.
Wrote captions and selected images to boost post engagement.
Useful for:
- Student Marketing Intern – Curating posts and visuals helps build an online presence.
- Event Promotions Assistant – Creating content raises awareness before school events.
- Digital PR Volunteer – Sharing updates and highlights keeps communities informed.
5. Basic Coding
Understanding programming fundamentals in HTML, CSS, or Python helps with building or customizing tech.
Created a personal portfolio site in HTML for a class project.
Wrote a Python script to organize files by type.
Styled your own blog layout with CSS tweaks.
Useful for:
- Junior Web Assistant – Making small edits to code supports larger development teams.
- Coding Club Member – Contributing basic functions to group projects builds experience.
- Student Tech Support – Explaining code logic strengthens peer learning.
6. Video Editing
Editing and enhancing clips for class projects or online content.
Trimmed and rearranged footage for a group film with CapCut.
Synced music and transitions in a highlight reel for graduation.
Published short tutorials with edited intros and voiceovers.
Useful for:
- Media Production Intern – Supporting editors with basic assembly saves time.
- School Broadcast Team – Polishing visual content keeps viewers engaged.
- Freelance Creator – Producing simple clips helps build an early portfolio.
7. Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Comfort with sales tools like digital registers, scanners, or mobile checkout platforms.
Helped manage orders at a bake sale with a Square device.
Learned to handle payments during a job shadow in retail.
Recorded purchases during a charity event with a tablet system.
Useful for:
- Retail Cashier Trainee – Learning register basics makes the training smoother.
- Food Booth Volunteer – Handling sales quickly keeps customer lines short.
- Pop-Up Shop Helper – Tablet-based POS ensures transactions are simple and clear.
High school resume skills examples
Now that you know what skills to put on a resume for high school students, let's see them in basic resume examples.
Alex Morgan
alex.morgan@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | Austin, TXSummary
Motivated high school student with strong communication and technical skills, experienced in digital media, customer service, and school leadership. Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and video editing software. Eager to apply my creativity and organization to support teams and learn in fast-paced environments.
Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
- Communication & Collaboration
- Social Media Management
- Canva & CapCut Video Editing
- Time Management & Problem Solving
- Basic HTML & CSS
- Typing Speed: 70 WPM
Experience
Media Intern
Austin Teen Arts Council | Austin, TX | June 2025 – Present
- Collaborate with a student team to create promotional videos and visual content for community art events.
- Edit weekly reels and short-form video updates using CapCut, selecting music and transitions to maintain viewer engagement.
- Draft captions and design social media graphics in Canva, contributing to a 25% increase in page engagement.
- Organize digital files in Google Drive to streamline team communication and avoid redundant content.
Cashier Assistant (Volunteer)
GreenSprout Farmers Market | Austin, TX | June 2024 – Aug 2024
- Assisted with checkout operations during weekend markets, processing purchases using a Square POS system.
- Guided customers on where to find seasonal produce, handling questions with clarity and professionalism.
- Balanced the cash box at the end of each shift, ensuring accurate transaction records.
- Helped track inventory using spreadsheets to restock high-demand items efficiently.
Yearbook Staff – Editor
Travis High School | Austin, TX | Sept 2023 – May 2024
- Coordinated layout design and photo selection for yearbook spreads, working closely with photographers and writers.
- Wrote short student profiles and event summaries, adapting tone to suit different themes and sections.
- Used Google Sheets to track submission deadlines and proofing rounds, improving team productivity.
- Conducted interviews and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and originality in final print.
Education
High School Diploma (Expected May 2026)
Travis High School | Austin, TX
- GPA: 3.8 | AP Courses: English Language, U.S. History, Computer Science
- Honors: National Honor Society, Student Council Vice President
Certifications
- Google Workspace Certification – Docs & Sheets | Issued: Feb 2025
- CPR & First Aid – American Red Cross | Issued: Nov 2024
Additional Information
- Fluent in English and conversational Spanish
- Video editing portfolio available upon request
- Volunteer at Austin Youth Community Center (event setup, tutoring, cleanup support)
Conclusion
Even without a long work history, your application can still be impressive if you showcase the right mix of skills for a resume for high school students.
Tailor your list to the opportunity you're applying for, and don’t overlook things like teamwork, time management, and tech fluency—they matter more than you think.
By using the tips in this guide, you'll be able to craft a document that reflects your strengths and sets you up for future success.
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