Communication Fact Sheet
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RÉSUMÉS
Why do you need a résumé?
Putting together a comprehensive and quality résumé now will save you lots of time when you fill out college applications. It can be tricky to remember every club that you participated in, every leadership position held, and every honor or award earned throughout your four years in high school. If you consider your résumé a work-in-progress, it will grow throughout the years and will come in handy when you need it! You may want to provide a résumé to those from whom you request a letter of recommendation. Include this list of accomplishments with scholarship applications and for job or internship interviews. Now that you understand all of the opportunities to use your résumé, let’s get to work building it!
When do I start when drafting a résumé?
During your high school years, begin recording all your activities and accomplishments. Keep a list of awards, recognition, and even personal triumphs. Create a file for your favorite essays or projects from school assignments. If you are an athlete, writer, musician, or drama student, begin a record of your best plays, concerts, and shows.
What should you include in your résumé?
• Personal Statement – Summarize the skills or characteristics that you want to emphasize with your résumé.
• Personal Information – Name, phone, e-mail address. For safety reasons, leave your home address off the résumé.
• Education – High school, advanced courses, honor rolls, as well as any college courses you have mastered.
• Skills and Accomplishments – Consider the skills you want to emphasize and offer examples on your résumé. Skill-based résumés are very popular with employers. Athletics, musical abilities, leadership through scouting, or school activities are all great examples!
• Volunteer Activities – School or community service as well as church groups or personal outreach activities.
Action Steps:
- Download and review the Communications fact sheet.
- Download and share with your parent or guardian the Professional Etiquette parent article.
- Upload the fact sheet and parent article to your Unit 9 folder.
