Do Juniors Need a Resume? Yes!
The Importance of Resumes for High School Juniors
As your juniors approach their senior year of high school, you may be wondering why they need to start thinking about creating a resume. After all, they're still in high school, right? However, crafting a resume at this stage can be a crucial step in preparing for the college admissions process and beyond.
Showcasing Achievements and Experiences
A well-crafted resume allows your junior to highlight their accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements in a concise and organized manner. This document serves as a comprehensive snapshot of your child's high school career, making it easier for college admissions officers to quickly assess their potential fit for the institution.
Helps Teachers Tailor the Recommendation
I always recommend to my clients to provide their resumes to teachers and counselors writing a letter of recommendation. It helps the teacher tailor their words specifically for the student and can provide valuable context from their academic journey. It also provides information from outside the classroom that the teacher would not know otherwise.
Preparing for College Applications
Many colleges now require or strongly recommend that applicants submit a resume along with their application. By starting early, your junior will have ample time to refine and update their resume, ensuring it's polished and ready when application season arrives. This proactive approach can reduce stress and last-minute scrambling during the already hectic college application process.
Identifying Gaps and Setting Goals
Creating a resume can be an eye-opening experience for your child. It allows them to take stock of their accomplishments and identify areas where they may need to improve or gain more experience. This self-reflection can motivate them to seek out new opportunities, join clubs, or take on leadership roles during their remaining time in high school.
How do I create a resume?
Believe it or not, AI tools like Chat GPT are the perfect resources to help you create your first resume. AI can help write effective descriptions of activities and share examples of well-written high school resumes. Please don’t overdo it, though! It needs to be formatted without fancy photos or bright colors. This is one way AI is acceptable to serve as a tool for resume building!
The resume can be updated accordingly over time. It is helpful for students to go to college with a resume in hand as they apply for clubs and internships. It can be adjusted as needed but serves as an effective tool for students throughout their college journey.
