Whether you are in high school, college or university, a good student resume follows the same idea: show your potential clearly on one page. You do not need years of experience, just the right sections in the right order. Here is what to include, what to leave out and how to pick a template that works.
The ideal student resume structure
- Header
- Objective or summary
- Education
- Experience (jobs, volunteering, leadership)
- Projects (optional but powerful)
- Skills
- Awards, certifications or activities (optional)
Education comes before experience for most students because it is usually your strongest and most recent achievement.
What to include
Header
Name, phone, a professional email and your city. Add LinkedIn, GitHub or a portfolio link if you have one that looks good.
Objective or summary
Two short sentences: who you are, what you are good at and what you are looking for. Mention your program and year if you are in college or university.
Example: “Second-year Computer Science student at the University of Waterloo with experience building web apps in React and Python. Looking for a summer software development internship.”
Education
School, program, expected graduation, and highlights such as a strong GPA, dean’s list, scholarships and relevant courses.
Experience
Part-time jobs, internships, volunteer roles, club positions and teaching or tutoring. Use two to four bullet points each, starting with action verbs.
Projects
Class projects, personal projects, hackathons, competitions and research. Projects are especially valuable for technical, design and business students because they show real skills in action.
Skills
Software, programming languages, tools, languages spoken and certifications such as First Aid. Choose skills that match the job posting.
What to leave out
- Photos, age and personal details such as marital status. They are not expected in Canada or the US.
- High school details once you are in your second year of college or university, unless they are truly impressive.
- Every course you have taken. List only three to six relevant ones.
- Vague skills like “hard-working” with no examples.
- “References available upon request.” It is assumed.
- Hobbies with no connection to the job, unless they show a skill or make a good conversation starter.
How to choose a student resume template
A good template helps a recruiter find information quickly. Look for:
- Clear headings and plenty of white space
- Readable fonts at 10 to 12 points
- One page layout
- Simple design that software can read, with no text inside images
- A touch of colour if you like, but keep it professional
Creative fields such as design or media can use a bit more personality. For business, healthcare, engineering and government roles, a classic layout is safer.
Student resume tips that make a difference
- Use numbers: “Tutored 6 students in math, all improving by at least one letter grade.”
- Tailor it: Change your objective and skills for each job.
- Show leadership: Club executive, team captain, event organizer.
- Keep it current: Update after each semester or new role.
Need a cover letter too? YoungResume includes a free Cover Letter Maker. Choose a ready-made letter for students, first jobs, experienced roles or career changes, add your details and download a PDF with no watermark, then build your matching resume in the same style. Try the free Cover Letter Maker.
Six student-friendly templates
YoungResume offers six clean templates with a live preview, so you can switch designs without retyping anything. New to resumes? Read our first job resume guide for an example layout.
Frequently asked questions
Should a student resume be one page?
Yes. One page is the standard for students and recent graduates.
Can I include high school on a university resume?
In your first year, yes. After that, replace it with university achievements unless it includes something exceptional.