1. Start With What You've Got

You don't need to have worked at a fancy internship. Babysitting your siblings, volunteering at your church, or helping your friend's small business all count! Employers and colleges care more about what you did than where you did it. If you organized your school's pep rally or ran the bake sale for the soccer team, put it on there!

2. Don't be Afraid to Stand Out

Think about it: Would you rather read "helped with events" or "planned and led a pep rally for 200 students"? Your resume should paint a picture of what you did and what you learned. Even simple things sound impressive when framed the right way. You didn't just stack books in the library, you "managed inventory". SEE, that already sounds way cooler!

3. Flex on 'Em

Whether you're captain of the volleyball team or a member of the art club, your hobbies and interests say a lot about who you are. Colleges (like SEMO 😉) love to see students who chase after their passions. Balancing a hobby while keeping your grades up? That's serious time management right there.

4. Highlight Your Skills and Certifications

Ever taken a course on Canva, Photoshop, or coding? Or maybe you're the go-to person when your friend group needs an Instagram edit. Those are skills! Even being good with social media counts, especially if you've helped run a club page or your family business's TikTok.

Bonus tip: Put down anything that makes you unique, like being bilingual or CPR certified.

5. Keep a Clean Aesthetic

Imagine scrolling through a TikTok bio with too much going on, annoying, right? Same with a resume. Keep it easy to read with clear sections and bullet points. No wild fonts or colors (save the flair for your creative projects!). Aim for one page, it's all about quality, not quantity.

Keep in mind, your resume isn't a "one-and-done" thing. Add to it every time you do something cool, like that time you led a team project or nailed an interview. When it's time to apply for jobs or college, you'll already have a solid story to tell.