High School Student CV example

Everyone has to start somewhere – and your CV is where you show potential employers why that somewhere should be with them. Even without formal work experience, you’ve already built valuable skills through school, group work, extracurriculars, and responsibilities at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn about writing a CV clearly in order to highlight the skills you already have and create a first impression that helps you stand out from the crowd.

Your CV should be as neat and well-organised as your best school project. A clear CV structure helps employers quickly see what you can offer – even if it’s your first job application. Recruiters are busy (and pretty lazy), so make sure your information is easy to navigate through and understand.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place these personal details at the top so employers can get in touch easily. A photo is always optional, so don’t worry about including one.
• Profile – Kick things off with a concise overview of what makes you the ideal candidate for the job, and what sort of roles you’re aspiring to.
• Core skills – Bullet point key qualities you’ve developed through school or hobbies.
• Work experience – List any previous roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent first.
• Education & certifications – List your current school and any qualifications you’re working towards.
• Additional info – Optionally add hobbies, interests, or achievements that show responsibility or enthusiasm.
  

Stick to a one page length if you can, use bullet points to keep things tidy, divide each section with a heading, and choose a clean, easy-to-read font. A neat CV, free of any mistakes, tells employers you care about presentation and can communicate clearly: so don’t underestimate your format.

Think of your CV profile (or your personal statement) as your introduction – it should quickly tell employers who you are, what you’re good at, and what you’re looking for. You don’t need years of experience to make a great impression – just show that you’re responsible and willing to learn.

Since there can be quite a lot to discuss, a cover letter is also recommended to attach alongside your CV.

Here’s what to include:

• Where you are now – Mention your current year in school and your focus areas if relevant.
• Your top qualities – Highlight strengths like reliability, communication, or time management.
• Skills you’ve developed – Mention teamwork, customer service, or problem-solving.
• The type of role you want – Whether it’s part-time retail, a weekend job, or a summer internship.
• Your attitude – Show that you’re keen, adaptable, and ready to take on new challenges.
  
  

This section is perfect for showing what you’re already good at – even if you haven’t had a job yet. Think about school projects or hobbies that demonstrate your strengths.

Rather than vague traits like “hard worker,” focus on practical skills: communication, teamwork, basic IT, punctuality, or customer service. It’s also one of the easiest parts of your CV to tailor between different jobs – just adjust your skills based on what the recruiters are asking for.

As a student, your education will likely be your strongest section – so make sure it’s clear. List your current school, year group, and any qualifications you’re studying for (e.g. GCSEs, Highers, etc.). Include predicted grades if relevant.

You can also include awards, coursework projects, school roles (e.g. prefect or form rep), and any training you’ve completed – like first aid or online courses.

Example education sections

What to include in your education section

For each qualification, add the following info:

• Qualification & organisation – Name the qualification (e.g. GCSE) and the awarding body (your school).
• Dates studied – Let the recruiter know the year you started and the year you end (or expect to end).
• Extra details – Specific subjects and projects might have taught you important, valuable skills. If relevant to the jobs you’re going for, feel free to expand on them.

In the work experience section, you should list all of your previous jobs in reverse chronological order to prove how you can apply your skills and knowledge in the workplace. Even if you have no experience, this section is still vital.

Don’t worry if you haven’t had a paid job yet – work experience comes in many forms. Think about helping at school events, volunteering, babysitting, tutoring, running a club, or doing odd jobs for neighbours or family.

List your experiences starting with the most recent. Include what you did, when you did it, and what you learned or achieved. Focus on reliability or responsibility – even if it was something informal.

• Outline – Explain what the experience was and where it took place.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “helped,” “organised,” “supported,” or “managed.”
• Achievements – Mention anything positive, like “received positive feedback,” or “trusted with handling money.” Try to include some real numbers wherever possible.

For high school students with little or no formal work experience, the Additional Information section is a valuable opportunity to show off personality, potential, and transferable skills.

Whether it’s hobbies, achievements, or personal initiatives, this section helps employers or admissions teams understand what you’re passionate about—and what you could bring to a role or team.

Good additional info for High School Students

Additional info example