Sample Resume for High School Graduate (2026): 4 Examples + Template

Quick answer: A good sample resume for a high school graduate fits on one page and includes your contact info, a 2–3 sentence objective, education listed as "High School Diploma" with school, city, and graduation year, any jobs, volunteering, or activities with numbers attached, a skills section, and certifications like CPR or a food handler card. Tailor it to each job.

You just graduated. Congratulations! Now everyone from your aunt to your neighbor wants to know "what's next?", and at least one of them will say "you should get a job." Fair enough. This guide gives you resume samples for exactly where you are: 17 to 19, diploma (or GED) in hand, heading to work full-time, starting college, taking a gap year, or aiming for a trade.

If you are younger and still in school looking for a first part-time job, our teenager resume examples post is a better fit. If you are older and changing careers without experience, see how to write a resume with no experience.

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What Changes Once You Graduate

A high school graduate resume is not just a teen resume with a new date. A few things shift:

• You can apply for full-time roles. Employers will look at your availability, reliability, and whether you can handle a full schedule.
• Your education line is now complete. You write "High School Diploma, 2026" instead of "Expected graduation."
• You may have a plan to mention. Starting community college in the fall, enrolled in a trade program, or taking a year to work and save. A short, honest line about it helps employers schedule you.
• More jobs open up. Some roles require applicants to be 18 or to hold a high school diploma. Now that you have it, check each posting's requirements and apply wider.

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What to Put on a High School Graduate Resume

1. Contact information

Full name, city and state, phone number, and a professional email. If your email is still the one you made in seventh grade with your favorite video game character in it, now is the moment. Firstname.lastname at any free provider works fine. A LinkedIn profile is optional but useful if you are applying to offices or internships.

2. Objective (or summary)

Most high school graduates use an objective, a short statement of what you offer and what you want. Keep it to 2–3 sentences and focus on what the employer gets. Avoid "seeking a position where I can grow." Every employer reads that line hundreds of times a year.

Formula: [Recent graduate] + [1–2 strengths or experiences] + [what you want to do for them] + [availability if useful].

3. Education

This is your main credential, so give it a proper entry:

Add GPA only if it helps you (many guides suggest around 3.5 or higher; see our GPA on resume guide). You can also include honors, AP or dual-enrollment classes, and career and technical education (CTE) courses that relate to the job.

If you have a GED, list it as "GED" or "High School Equivalency Diploma" with the year earned. It counts the same way on a resume.

If you've enrolled in college, add it above your diploma: "B.S. Nursing (in progress), Sacramento State University, Expected 2030."

4. Experience

"Experience" means more than paid jobs. Include:

• Part-time and summer jobs
• Informal work (babysitting, lawn care, pet sitting, tutoring)
• Volunteer work (volunteer work on resume shows how)
• Internships, job shadowing, or work-based learning programs
• Leadership roles in clubs, sports, or student government

Use bullet points that start with action verbs and include numbers wherever possible: hours per week, customers served, money handled, people trained, events organized.

• Weak: "Worked the register."
• Strong: "Handled cash and card transactions for 100+ customers per shift with accurate drawer counts."

5. Skills

Mix hard skills (what you can do) with soft skills (how you work). Only list what you could prove in an interview.

• Hard skills: cash handling, POS systems, Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Docs and Sheets, social media, basic bookkeeping, a second language, food safety, typing speed
• Soft skills: reliability, customer service, teamwork, time management, communication, problem-solving

6. Certifications and extras

Short, cheap, or free certifications make a graduate resume stand out: CPR and First Aid, food handler card, lifeguard certification, OSHA safety training, Microsoft Office Specialist, or a driver's license for delivery or field roles. Our certifications on resume guide shows how to format them.

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High School Graduate Resume Template (Fill in the Blanks)

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Sample Resume for High School Graduate: 4 Examples by Path

Example 1: Resume for high school graduate with no experience

Use this if you have never had a formal job. Lean on school, activities, and volunteering.

Example 2: Graduate heading straight into full-time work

Example 3: Graduate starting college in the fall (campus or summer job)

Example 4: Graduate taking a gap year or entering a trade

If trades interest you, browse our blue collar jobs list for roles that hire right out of high school.

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Formatting Tips for a High School Graduate Resume

• One page. No exceptions at this stage. Nobody expects more, and a two-page resume at 18 reads like a stretched-out book report.
• Simple layout. Single column, clear headings, a readable font at 10–12 pt. Many employers use applicant tracking systems that read plain layouts best.
• Save as PDF unless the application asks for a Word file. Name it "Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf."
• Reverse-chronological order inside each section (most recent first).
• Proofread out loud. Then have a parent, teacher, or friend read it too. Typos are the easiest reason to get passed over.

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What Not to Put on Your Resume

• Middle school achievements. Once you have graduated high school, middle school awards are retired.
• A photo, your age, or your full birthdate. Not needed for US resumes.
• "References available upon request." Employers assume it. Prepare a separate list instead, and ask your references before you share their names.
• Hobbies that say nothing. "Hanging out with friends" is not a hobby on paper. "Rebuilding old bikes" is, especially for a mechanic shop job.
• Exaggerations. If you were a cashier, do not call yourself a "Retail Operations Associate." Interviewers will ask.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do you put on a resume right out of high school?

Include contact info, a short objective, your high school diploma with school name and graduation date, any jobs, volunteer work, or leadership roles, a skills section, and certifications. Use numbers to show results, even for small jobs, and keep everything on one page.

How do I list my high school diploma on a resume?

Write "High School Diploma," then the school's name, city and state, and graduation month and year. You can add GPA (if strong), honors, or relevant classes on the line below. If you are enrolled in college, list the college entry first and the diploma underneath.

Should a high school graduate use a resume objective or summary?

An objective usually works better because it explains what you want and what you offer when your experience is limited. Keep it to 2–3 sentences, make it specific to the job, and focus on what the employer gains. A summary makes more sense once you have a year or more of steady work.

How do I make a resume for a high school graduate with no experience?

Treat school, volunteering, clubs, sports, and informal jobs as experience, and describe them with action verbs and numbers. Add skills and quick certifications like CPR or a food handler card. A specific, enthusiastic objective also helps an employer picture you in the role.

Should I put my GPA on my resume after high school?

Include it if it is strong, often 3.5 or higher, or if the job asks for it. If your GPA is lower, leave it off and highlight honors, relevant classes, or attendance instead. Once you have college grades or work history, you can drop your high school GPA.

When should I take high school off my resume?

Keep it until you have a higher credential or a solid work history. Many people remove it once they finish a college degree or have several years of relevant work experience. If a diploma is your highest education, keep it on.

Can I list a GED on my resume?

Yes. Write "GED" or "High School Equivalency Diploma" with the year you earned it, in the same spot you would put a diploma. Employers that require a high school diploma generally accept a GED, but check the posting if you are unsure.

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Make Your First Real Resume Today

Your graduation party had a better playlist than most job applications will. Still, a solid resume is the thing that gets you hired for the job that pays for the next one. Our Resume Builder walks you through each section, suggests bullet points for your experience, and formats everything cleanly so you can start applying today.