Intro
You don’t need awards, a long list of jobs, or fancy design to make a strong resume (even though they actually help). You just need to organize what you already do and present it clearly.
This guide will walk you through what to include, how to format it, and how to make yours stand out using our resume template.
Resume Templates
Before we start, make a copy of either the "no experience" or "experience" template:
Section Breakdown
We’re gonna start with the top section. I’ll refer to sections based on the lines between:
- Section 1 — Header
- Section 2 — Education
- Section 3 — Experience
- Section 4 — Activities & Involvement
- Section 5 — Skills & Interests
Section 1 — Header
Start by adding your full name at the top.
Below that, fill in:
- City, state, and zip code
- Example: (Staten Island, NY 10312)
- Phone number
- Format: (999) 999-9999
- Email
- Just your email
Section 1 Example
Now the easiest part is done! Congrats.
Section 2 — Education
Now let’s move onto the education section.
If you used the no experience resume template, skip the personal statement and do that in section 3. If not, continue with section 2.
I left Tottenville High School since that's universal for everyone in our school, so let’s move on to the next line.
What to update
- Replace the first box with your weighted average
- If you don’t have an SAT, remove it
- If you do, replace it with your score
- You can substitute Regents Average if you want
Coursework
- List any coursework that applies to where you want to apply
- Example: volunteering at a hospital and taking med-tech → WRITE IT
Honors
- List awards
- Examples:
- NHS
- Principal’s Honor Roll
Dates
- Fill in the year you started
- If you haven’t graduated yet → keep Present
Dual Enrollment
- If you don’t have it → remove it
- If you do → include:
- program/class
- college name
Example:
- College Now → Kingsborough Community College
Section 2 Example
Section 3 — Experience
This section could be replaced with a personal statement if you have no experience.
If you have experience
I have 3 spots made for work experience, but if you have less or more, copy and paste the sections.
- The bolded section is the company/organization name
Let’s go over the bullets:
- This is an important section — recruiters skim very fast
- Use action verbs and measurable results
Action verbs list: https://capd.mit.edu/resources/resume-action-verbs/
- If this is confusing, use the example to help you come up with something
- Be precise and concise with wording
Example Experience
- If you only have 1–2 experiences, try to add 3–4 bullets
No Experience
If you have no experience, replace this section with a personal statement.
This is just a short blurb about who you are.
- Most recruiters won’t read this at big companies
- But it’s useful for volunteering positions to gain experience
Example Personal Statement
Section 4 — Activities & Involvement
This is one of the most underrated parts of your resume.
Even if you don’t have job experience, showing:
- initiative
- involvement
- consistency
looks great.
What counts
- Clubs
- Sports
- Volunteering
- School events
- Anything where you contributed
Roles
If you hold a position (President, Captain, Organizer):
- list it
If not:
- still include what you did
- consistency and effort still matter
Keep it short and professional.
Format
Each activity should follow:
- [Action verb] + [what you did] + [impact/result]
- [Action verb] + [what you did] + [how it helped]
Example
If you don’t have activities
List things like:
- community work
- tutoring
- helping at a church
- family responsibilities
Try to come up with at least 2–3 things
Section 5 — Skills & Interests
This section is short but important.
It tells the reader:
- what you’re good at
- gives your resume personality
Split it into small categories so it looks clean.
What to include
- Technical skills
- Languages
- Interests (optional)
Example
Final Notes / Common Mistakes
When you finish:
- Keep everything one page
- Cut words if needed
- Use consistent formatting
- Bold headings, regular text for details
- Ask someone to proofread
Closing
Feel free to contact us or just find me (Alan) if you need resume help.
If you ask, I might just help you make your entire resume.
