Have you ever wondered if you should include your high school education on your resume? This common question often perplexes job seekers, especially those early in their careers. Whether you're a recent graduate or transitioning to a new career path, knowing how to put high school on a resume can make a significant difference. This guide will explore when and how to effectively feature your high school education, ensuring your resume stands out to potential employers.
Should High School Be on a Resume?
Including high school on a resume depends on various factors, such as your level of education, professional experience, and the job you are applying for. For recent high school graduates with minimal work experience, listing high school can demonstrate a foundational education and any relevant coursework or extracurricular activities that showcase your skills and interests. On the other hand, mentioning high school might be redundant if you have completed a college degree or have substantial professional experience.
Potential employers look for the most relevant information that demonstrates your qualifications for the position. Therefore, your educational background should align with the job requirements. If your high school experience includes notable achievements, leadership roles, or relevant coursework, it can strengthen your resume.
When You Should Put High School on Your Resume
There are specific scenarios where including high school on your resume is beneficial:
- Recent Graduates: If you have recently graduated and have not pursued higher education, detailing your high school education is crucial. Highlight any honours, relevant courses, and extracurricular activities to showcase your skills and achievements.
- No College Education: If you haven’t attended college or have an incomplete degree, listing your high school education ensures potential employers understand your educational background.
- Relevant Experience: If your high school experience is directly related to the job you’re applying for, such as participation in technical programs or relevant work experience, it’s essential to include it.
- Changing Careers: When transitioning to a new career and lacking industry-specific experience, mentioning high school can fill gaps and show a complete educational history.
Assessing your individual situation and career goals can help you determine the best approach to incorporating high school into your resume.
How to Put High School on a Resume?
If you decide to include your high school education, it should be done in a clear and professional way. Here’s a structured approach:
- Education Section: Create a dedicated section for education. Depending on your desired emphasis, place it at the top or bottom of your resume.
- Format: Use a standard format:some text
- School Name: Include the full name of your high school.
- Location: List the city and state.
- Graduation Date: Mention the month and year of graduation.
- Honours and GPA: Include this information if you graduated with honours or had a notable GPA.
- Relevant Coursework: Highlight courses pertinent to the job you’re applying for.
- Extracurricular Activities: Mention clubs, sports, or organisations where you held leadership roles or gained relevant skills.
Example:
Education
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL
Graduated: May 2020
GPA: 3.8, Honor Roll
Relevant Coursework: AP Computer Science, Advanced Mathematics
Extracurricular Activities: Student Council President, Soccer Team Captain
Organising this information effectively makes it easy for employers to understand your educational background.
When Is Your High School Best Left Off?
While there are scenarios where including high school is beneficial, there are also times when it’s best left off:
- College Graduates: Once you have completed a college degree, especially if it’s relevant to your field, high school information becomes less important.
- Extensive Work Experience: If you have several years of professional experience more relevant to the job you’re applying for, omit high school to keep your resume concise and focused.
- Irrelevant Details: If your high school experience doesn’t add value or relate to the position, it’s best to leave it off. Employers prefer resumes that are brief and directly relevant to the job.
What should I put for education on my resume if I am still in high school?
For those still in high school or recently graduated, your resume should still highlight your education effectively. Here’s what to include:
- Current Status: Clearly state that you are a high school student or recent graduate.
- Expected Graduation: If you are still in school, mention your expected graduation date.
- Relevant Coursework and Activities: Emphasize courses and activities pertinent to the job you seek. This could include advanced placement (AP) courses, relevant projects, and leadership roles in extracurricular activities.
Example:
Education
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL
Expected Graduation: June 2024
Relevant Coursework: AP Biology, Chemistry
Extracurricular Activities: Science Club Secretary, Team Member
This information shows potential employers that you are engaged in your education and developing relevant skills.
What Other Information Can I Include along with My High School Diploma?
To create a well-rounded resume, consider including additional information that complements your high school diploma:
- Volunteer Experience: Highlight any volunteer work demonstrating your skills and commitment to your community.
- Part-Time Jobs: Include part-time or summer jobs that provide relevant work experience.
- Certifications: If you have earned any certifications, such as CPR or a language proficiency certificate, list these as they can set you apart.
- Relevant Skills: Detail specific skills acquired through your education and experiences, such as computer skills, teamwork, or problem-solving abilities.
Example:
Additional Experience
- Volunteer Experience: Assisted in organising community events for the local food bank.
- Part-Time Job: Cashier at Grocery Mart, developed customer service and cash handling skills.
- Certifications: CPR Certified, Spanish Language Proficiency Certificate.
Conclusion
In summary, whether or not to include high school on a resume depends on your current education level and professional experience. For those still in school or recently graduated, detailing high school achievements can be beneficial. As you gain more knowledge and education, high school becomes less critical.
Constantly tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant information for the job you’re applying for. For more tips and guidance on crafting the perfect resume, visit RampedCareers, where we help job seekers get interviews and jobs faster.
Things You Need While Searching for a Job
Once you are armed with the knowledge about what kind of job will make you happy, there are core things to get lined up for a job search. Let's look at a few.
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What to Look for in a Job
Fun fact, most people will have about 12 different jobs in their working lifetime. This goes to show that finding a job that you love enough to hang onto takes some forethought and possibly a bit of trial and error. Just the same, you can make some plans in advance, helping you land in a position that leaves you perfectly content. Check out a few things to look for when looking for that perfect job.
