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Create ResumeA high school student resume in Australia should be simple, clear, and focused on reliability, availability, attitude, school involvement, transferable skills, and any practical experience, even if that experience is informal. You do not need a long work history to create a strong resume. You need to show an employer that you are teachable, punctual, sensible with customers, and likely to turn up when rostered. That sounds basic, but in casual hiring, basic is powerful. Retail managers, cafe owners, fast food supervisors, local businesses, and recruiters are not expecting a polished corporate resume from a Year 10, Year 11, or Year 12 student. They are looking for signs of maturity, effort, communication skills, and common sense. Your resume should make those things easy to see quickly.
When I look at a high school student resume, I am not expecting the same thing I would expect from an experienced professional. That would be unfair and, frankly, a bit ridiculous. A student resume is judged differently.
For entry level, casual, weekend, after school, Christmas casual, retail, hospitality, fast food, tutoring, babysitting, admin assistant, warehouse, or local business roles, employers usually want to know:
Can this person communicate clearly?
Will they turn up on time?
Are they available when we need them?
Do they seem responsible enough to train?
Have they shown effort through school, sport, volunteering, family responsibilities, or casual work?
Can they deal with customers without freezing, oversharing, or disappearing into the stockroom forever?
That last one is only half a joke.
A strong high school student resume should usually be one page. Two pages is only needed if you have several jobs, leadership roles, awards, volunteering experience, or strong extracurricular involvement. Most students should keep it tight.
Use this structure:
Name and contact details
Short resume summary
Education
Availability
Skills
Work experience, volunteering, or practical experience
School activities, leadership, sport, or community involvement
The biggest mistake I see students make is thinking, “I have no experience, so I have nothing to say.” That is not true. You may not have paid work experience yet, but you probably have evidence of responsibility. You may have helped at school events, played team sport, looked after younger siblings, completed work experience, volunteered, helped with a family business, done chores, managed study deadlines, created content, sold items online, tutored friends, or taken part in clubs.
Employers do not need you to pretend those things are corporate achievements. They need you to translate them into useful workplace signals.
A good high school student resume does not exaggerate. It positions what you do have clearly.
Achievements or certificates
Referees
This order works because it gives the employer the information they actually need first. A lot of student resumes hide availability at the bottom or leave it out completely. For casual jobs, that is a mistake. Availability can be the difference between getting called and getting skipped.
If a cafe needs someone Saturday and Sunday mornings, and your resume clearly says you are available Saturday and Sunday mornings, you have made the hiring decision easier. That is the whole point of a resume.
Your resume header should be clean and simple. Do not overdesign it. Do not use a giant photo, decorative icons, strange fonts, or a colourful template that looks like it escaped from a school presentation.
Include:
Full name
Mobile number
Professional email address
Suburb and state
LinkedIn only if it is relevant and appropriate
Most high school students do not need a LinkedIn profile, but it can help for office, admin, business, technology, media, or traineeship roles if the profile is tidy.
Do not include:
Full street address
Date of birth
Parent contact details unless specifically requested
A selfie
Your school email if you may lose access to it
Email addresses like soccerqueen2008 or fortnitedemon
I say this kindly, but your email address is part of your first impression. Use your name if possible. Something simple like firstname.lastname@email.com is enough.
Your resume summary should be short. It should not sound like a corporate mission statement. A hiring manager does not need to read that you are “a dynamic and results driven professional” when you are applying for your first casual job at Woolworths, Kmart, a cafe, McDonald’s, a pharmacy, a local bakery, or a weekend admin role.
A good student resume summary should explain:
Your school year
The type of work you are looking for
Your strongest practical qualities
Your availability if relevant
A useful personal strength connected to the job
Weak Example
Motivated student looking for a job where I can grow and develop my skills. I am hardworking and passionate and would be a great addition to your team.
Why this is weak: It sounds fine, but it says almost nothing. Every student says they are motivated and hardworking. The employer still does not know what kind of work you want, when you are available, or why you might be suitable.
Good Example
Year 11 student seeking a casual retail or hospitality role after school and on weekends. Reliable, friendly, and comfortable speaking with customers through school fundraising events and netball club volunteering. Quick to learn new tasks and confident working in a busy team environment.
Why this works: It gives the employer useful information straight away. It shows availability, type of role, communication skills, and evidence behind the claim.
A resume summary is not there to impress with big words. It is there to reduce doubt.
For high school students, education usually sits near the top of the resume because it is your main current commitment. Keep it simple.
Include:
School name
Suburb and state
Current year level
Expected graduation year
Relevant subjects if they connect to the job
Academic achievements if useful
Example
Education
Brighton Secondary College, Melbourne VIC
Year 11 Student, Expected Completion 2026
Relevant subjects: English, Business Management, Mathematics, Food Studies
You do not need to list every subject unless it helps. If you are applying for hospitality work, Food Studies may be relevant. If you are applying for admin, Business Management or Digital Technologies may help. If you are applying for tutoring, strong results in relevant subjects matter.
Do not overload this section with every school assignment you have ever completed. Employers care about relevance, not volume.
This is where students panic. They think no paid job means no experience. Employers know many students are applying for their first role. What matters is whether your resume shows signs that you understand responsibility.
You can include:
School work experience placement
Volunteering
Babysitting
Tutoring
Pet sitting
Helping in a family business
School leadership
Sports coaching
Fundraising events
Market stall work
Community events
Helping at a club, mosque, church, temple, gurdwara, charity, or local organisation
Informal cash jobs, described honestly
The trick is to describe the responsibility without pretending it was bigger than it was.
Weak Example
Helped at school event.
Good Example
Supported a school fundraising stall by setting up tables, organising donated items, serving students and parents, handling simple cash payments, and helping pack down at the end of the event.
That second version is still honest, but now the employer can see customer service, organisation, teamwork, and basic money handling.
This is what good resume writing does. It does not invent experience. It makes real experience visible.
Most student resumes list the same skills:
Teamwork
Communication
Time management
Problem solving
Reliable
Hardworking
There is nothing wrong with these skills, but they are weak if they sit there with no evidence. A hiring manager has read those words hundreds of times. The question in their head is, “Based on what?”
Better skills for a high school student resume are specific, practical, and connected to work.
Useful skills can include:
Customer service
Clear verbal communication
Cash handling basics
Food safety awareness
Stock replenishment
Cleaning and presentation standards
Following instructions
Working in a team
Managing school and extracurricular commitments
Basic Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, or Canva
Social media content creation, if relevant
Conflict handling in sport, school, or volunteering
Tutoring or explaining concepts to others
Multilingual communication
If you speak another language, include it. In many Australian workplaces, especially retail, healthcare support, hospitality, childcare, community services, and customer facing roles, language skills can be genuinely useful.
Write skills like this:
Skills
Customer service: Confident speaking with students, parents, and community members through school events and club volunteering
Teamwork: Experienced working in group assignments, netball teams, and fundraising activities
Technology: Comfortable using Google Docs, Canva, email, and basic spreadsheets
Reliability: Able to manage school commitments, training, and weekend volunteering consistently
This is stronger than dumping a list of generic traits with no context.
Resume bullet points should show what you did, how you did it, and why it matters. They do not need to sound dramatic. In fact, dramatic student resume bullet points can work against you.
A Year 10 student saying they “drove operational excellence across customer engagement initiatives” is not impressive. It is suspicious. Nobody wants a resume that sounds like it swallowed a corporate brochure.
Use plain language.
A good bullet point can show:
The task you handled
The people you worked with
The skill involved
The result or responsibility
Weak Example
Was responsible and helped customers.
Good Example
Assisted customers at a school market stall by answering questions, organising items, and handling simple cash payments under teacher supervision.
Weak Example
Good team player.
Good Example
Worked with a team of six students to organise equipment, set up displays, and clean the area after a school community event.
Weak Example
Helped younger students.
Good Example
Supported younger students during lunchtime reading sessions by listening to them read, explaining difficult words, and encouraging participation.
The good examples give the employer something concrete to trust.
Use this as a simple structure. Keep it clean, readable, and easy to scan.
Full Name
Suburb, State
Mobile Number
Email Address
Resume Summary
Year level student seeking a casual role in retail, hospitality, administration, customer service, or another relevant area. Mention your availability, strongest qualities, and any useful experience from school, volunteering, sport, family responsibilities, or community involvement.
Education
School Name, Suburb State
Current Year Level, Expected Completion Year
Relevant subjects: Subject, Subject, Subject
Achievements: Optional
Availability
Monday: After school from 4 pm
Tuesday: After school from 4 pm
Wednesday: Not available
Thursday: After school from 4 pm
Friday: After school from 4 pm
Saturday: Available
Sunday: Available
Adjust this honestly. Do not say you are available every day if you are not. Employers would rather know the truth before rostering you.
Skills
Customer service
Teamwork
Communication
Time management
Cash handling basics
Technology skills
Reliability
Organisation
Add short evidence where possible.
Experience
Role or Activity, Organisation, Location
Month Year to Month Year
Describe what you did clearly
Show responsibility, customer contact, teamwork, organisation, or reliability
Keep each bullet practical and specific
Activities And Involvement
School leadership
Sport
Clubs
Volunteering
Fundraising
Community involvement
Certificates And Achievements
First Aid Certificate
Responsible Service of Alcohol, only if legally relevant and completed
Food Handling Certificate
Academic awards
Sports awards
School leadership awards
Referees
Available on request
Or list a teacher, coach, supervisor, volunteer coordinator, or family business contact if they have agreed.
Amelia Nguyen
Brisbane QLD
0400 000 000
Resume Summary
Year 11 student seeking a casual retail or hospitality role after school and on weekends. Friendly, reliable, and confident speaking with customers through school fundraising events and local netball club volunteering. Comfortable working in busy environments, following instructions, and learning new tasks quickly.
Education
Westside State High School, Brisbane QLD
Year 11 Student, Expected Completion 2026
Relevant subjects: English, Business, Mathematics, Food Studies
Achievement: Consistent effort award, 2025
Availability
Monday: Available after 4 pm
Tuesday: Available after 4 pm
Wednesday: Not available due to training
Thursday: Available after 4 pm
Friday: Available after 4 pm
Saturday: Available
Sunday: Available until 5 pm
Skills
Customer service: Confident speaking with students, parents, and community members at school and sports events
Teamwork: Used to working in team environments through netball, group assignments, and volunteering
Organisation: Able to manage schoolwork, training, and weekend commitments
Technology: Comfortable using Google Docs, Canva, email, and basic spreadsheets
Reliability: Strong attendance record and consistent involvement in school and club activities
Experience
Volunteer Canteen Assistant, Westside Netball Club, Brisbane QLD
March 2025 to Present
Served players, parents, and visitors during Saturday morning games
Helped prepare simple food items and restock drinks and snacks
Took basic cash and card payments under adult supervision
Kept the counter area clean, organised, and presentable during busy periods
Worked with other volunteers to pack down equipment after games
School Fundraising Stall Volunteer, Westside State High School, Brisbane QLD
August 2025
Helped set up a fundraising stall for a school community event
Organised donated items and answered questions from students and parents
Assisted with simple cash handling and kept items displayed neatly
Helped clean the area and pack away supplies after the event
Activities And Involvement
Member of school netball team, 2023 to Present
Peer reading support volunteer, 2025
Participated in school clean up day and community fundraising events
Certificates And Achievements
Consistent effort award, Westside State High School, 2025
Netball club team player award, 2024
Referees
Available on request
Liam Patel
Parramatta NSW
0400 000 000
Resume Summary
Year 10 student looking for a first casual job in retail, fast food, or customer service. Reliable, polite, and comfortable working with others through school sport, group projects, and regular family responsibilities. Available after school on selected weekdays and on weekends.
Education
Parramatta High School, Parramatta NSW
Year 10 Student, Expected Completion 2027
Relevant subjects: English, Commerce, Mathematics, Technology
Availability
Monday: Available after 4 pm
Tuesday: Not available
Wednesday: Available after 4 pm
Thursday: Available after 4 pm
Friday: Available after 4 pm
Saturday: Available
Sunday: Available
Skills
Communication: Able to speak clearly with classmates, teachers, parents, and younger students
Teamwork: Experienced in soccer, group assignments, and school activities
Responsibility: Regularly helps care for younger siblings and manages household tasks after school
Technology: Confident using Google Docs, slides, email, and basic online research tools
Organisation: Balances school assignments, sport, and family commitments
Experience
Family Responsibility And Household Support, Parramatta NSW
2024 to Present
Help younger siblings with homework and reading after school
Prepare simple snacks and assist with basic household tasks
Follow family routines and manage responsibilities around school commitments
Communicate with parents about schedules, school needs, and activities
School Group Project Leader, Parramatta High School, Parramatta NSW
May 2025
Helped organise a group presentation for Commerce class
Divided tasks between team members and followed up before the due date
Created slides, checked information, and presented to the class
Supported quieter group members to contribute ideas
Activities And Involvement
School soccer team, 2024 to Present
Commerce class market day participant, 2025
Assisted at school open evening, 2025
Certificates And Achievements
School attendance recognition, 2025
Soccer participation award, 2024
Referees
Available on request
A mature student resume is not one that uses the biggest words. It is one that shows judgement.
Hiring managers notice when a resume feels grounded. They like students who understand the basics of work: showing up, listening, asking questions, being respectful, helping the team, and staying calm when things are busy.
A mature resume usually has:
A clean layout
A sensible email address
Honest availability
Specific examples
No fake corporate language
No exaggerated job titles
No irrelevant personal details
No spelling mistakes
Clear evidence of effort
What often worries employers is not lack of experience. It is lack of self awareness.
For example, if a student writes that they are available every day but then says in the interview they cannot work Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, school holidays, or after 5 pm, the employer starts doubting everything else. Not because availability is a moral issue, but because casual hiring depends on rosters.
Be honest. A realistic resume is stronger than an overpromising one.
The same mistakes appear constantly. Most are easy to fix.
Making the resume too long
A five page resume for a student applying to a casual job is not impressive. It makes the useful information harder to find.
Using a flashy template
Creative templates can look nice, but many are hard to read. Some also confuse applicant tracking systems. Simple is safer.
Writing a vague summary
“I am passionate and hardworking” is not enough. Show what kind of role you want and what makes you suitable.
Leaving out availability
For casual and part time jobs, availability is not a minor detail. It is often one of the first screening factors.
Listing skills with no evidence
Anyone can write “team player”. Give a short example that proves it.
Including too much personal information
You do not need to include your date of birth, full home address, nationality, religion, or a photo.
Using adult references who barely know you
A referee should be someone who can comment on your reliability, attitude, or behaviour. A teacher, coach, supervisor, volunteer coordinator, or family business contact is usually better than a family friend who cannot say much.
Sounding too casual
Do not write the resume like a text message. Employers are not expecting perfection, but they are expecting effort.
You do not need a completely different resume for every job, but you should adjust the summary, skills, and examples based on the role.
For retail jobs, highlight:
Customer service
Presentation
Stock organisation
Communication
Availability on weekends and school holidays
Comfort approaching customers
For hospitality jobs, highlight:
Working quickly
Cleaning standards
Food safety awareness
Teamwork
Customer service
Early morning, evening, or weekend availability
For fast food jobs, highlight:
Following procedures
Working under pressure
Reliability
Teamwork
Learning quickly
Handling repetitive tasks well
For admin or office jobs, highlight:
Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Organisation
Attention to detail
Phone confidence
Professional communication
For tutoring or childcare related roles, highlight:
Patience
Explaining concepts
Responsibility
School subject strengths
Working with younger children
Clear communication with parents or teachers
This is where candidates often get the logic wrong. Tailoring does not mean rewriting your whole personality for each employer. It means making the most relevant evidence easier to find.
A hiring manager should not have to dig through your resume to understand why you applied.
When a job ad says “no experience required”, it does not mean “we have no standards”. It means the employer is willing to train someone who has the right attitude, availability, and basic communication skills.
Behind the scenes, they are still asking:
Does this person seem reliable?
Can they follow instructions?
Will they be respectful to customers and staff?
Are they available for the shifts we need covered?
Will training them be worth the effort?
Do they seem like they want this job, or are they applying because someone told them to?
This is why a strong student resume matters. It gives the employer early confidence.
You are not trying to prove that you already know everything. You are trying to prove that you are worth training.
That is a very different message.
Yes, but do not overcomplicate it. ATS stands for applicant tracking system. Some large employers in Australia use these systems to manage applications, especially in retail, supermarkets, fast food, banks, large hospitality groups, government programs, and big companies.
For a student resume, ATS friendly usually means:
Use a simple Word or PDF format
Avoid tables, text boxes, graphics, and complicated columns
Use standard headings like Education, Skills, Experience, Availability, and Referees
Include relevant keywords naturally from the job ad
Keep the layout clean and readable
Do not hide important information in images
The funny thing about ATS advice online is that people often make it sound like you are trying to outsmart a robot guarding a castle. In reality, most student resumes are screened by a mix of system filters and human judgement.
The system may help sort applications, but a person still wants to quickly understand who you are, when you can work, and whether you are suitable.
Write for both. Clean enough for the system. Clear enough for the human.
A high school student resume stands out when it is specific, honest, and easy to trust.
You do not need dramatic achievements. You need useful signals.
Good standout details include:
Clear weekend and school holiday availability
Customer facing volunteering
Sport or club commitment over time
Leadership roles at school
Helping with a family business
Community involvement
Strong attendance or effort awards
Food handling, first aid, or other relevant certificates
Multilingual skills
Practical technology skills
Evidence of handling responsibility without constant supervision
The strongest student resumes usually have one thing in common: they make the employer feel less uncertain.
Hiring a student is a small risk for an employer. They are wondering whether you will adapt, listen, cope with pressure, and stay reliable after the excitement of getting the job wears off. Your resume should answer that quietly through evidence.
You can write “available on request”, but if you already have suitable referees who have agreed, listing them can help.
Good referees for students include:
Teacher
Year coordinator
Sports coach
Volunteer supervisor
Work experience supervisor
Tutor
Family business supervisor
Community leader who knows your reliability
Avoid listing someone without asking them first. Also avoid using close family members unless the role was genuinely connected to a family business and they can speak professionally about your work.
A referee should be able to comment on things employers care about:
Reliability
Attitude
Communication
Teamwork
Punctuality
Willingness to learn
Behaviour under pressure
If your referee can only say, “Yes, I know them,” they are not a strong referee.
Before applying, check your resume properly. Not a quick glance. A proper check.
Your high school student resume should:
Fit on one page if possible
Use a clear, simple layout
Include your mobile number and professional email address
Include your suburb and state
Have a short, specific summary
Show your current year level and school
Include honest availability
Include relevant skills with evidence
Include work experience, volunteering, school activities, or informal responsibilities
Avoid exaggerated language
Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes
Use Australian English spelling
Be saved as a PDF unless the employer asks for another format
Match the role you are applying for
One last recruiter point: do not make the employer work too hard. The easier your resume is to understand, the easier it is to say yes to calling you.
That does not mean your resume has to be perfect. It means it has to be clear, relevant, and believable.
Written by Simar Malhi, a recruiter and headhunter with international recruitment experience. I write about CVs, job applications, hiring decisions, and the reality behind recruitment processes. My goal is to help candidates understand more honestly how employers, recruiters, and hiring managers actually select candidates.
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