How to Make Your Resume Fit on One Page: A Guide for High School Students

Are you a high school student trying to figure out how to make your resume fit on one page? It’s a common challenge, but keeping your resume concise is essential—especially if you’re applying for internships, jobs, or scholarships. Employers and admission officers don’t have time to sift through long resumes. Instead, they expect you to provide a snapshot of your qualifications that is clear, concise, and professional.

But how can you fit all your skills, experience, and education into a one-page resume without leaving out anything important? Don’t worry—this guide will help you create a one-page resume that stands out while staying professional. Let’s dive into some effective strategies.

Why One Page is the Ideal Length for a Resume

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about why keeping your resume to one page is so important. Employers and recruiters often receive hundreds of resumes for a single position. Most of them spend just a few seconds scanning each one. A short, well-organized resume that fits on one page is easier to read and forces you to focus on the most important information.

What Recruiters Look For

Recruiters and admission officers are looking for specific details:

• Relevant skills
• Experience that matches the job or scholarship qualifications
• Your educational background
• Extracurricular activities or volunteer work

 

Since their time is limited, you need to make sure these key points are presented clearly and concisely, which is easier with a one-page resume.

Focus on the Most Important Information

One of the best ways to fit your resume on a single page is to prioritize the information that is most relevant to the position you’re applying for. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had or every extracurricular activity. Instead, focus on what will make the biggest impact.

Identify the Job Requirements

Before you start writing your resume, carefully read the job description or scholarship requirements. Make a list of the qualifications, skills, and experiences they’re looking for. Once you have this list, you can tailor your resume to highlight only the most relevant information.

What to Include

Here’s a list of sections you should consider including on your high school resume:

• Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Objective Statement: A brief one or two-sentence statement summarizing your goals and why you’re applying. This is optional but can be helpful for high school students with limited experience.
• Education: Your high school, anticipated graduation date, GPA (if it’s strong), and any relevant coursework.
• Experience: List internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. Focus on what you’ve learned and your achievements in these roles.
• Skills: Include soft skills (like communication or teamwork) and hard skills (like computer software or technical abilities).
• Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, or other activities that show leadership, teamwork, or dedication.

 

Use a Clean, Simple Format

One of the easiest ways to ensure your resume fits on one page is to use a simple format. Avoid complex layouts or fancy fonts that take up extra space. Instead, focus on readability.

Font Size and Style

Choose a legible font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in size 10 to 12. Stick to one font style throughout your resume. For section headers, you can use bold or slightly larger font sizes (12-14) to make them stand out.

Margins and Spacing

You can adjust your margins to create more space if needed, but don’t make them too narrow. A good rule of thumb is to keep margins between 0.5 and 1 inch. Also, avoid double-spacing between sections. Instead, use single-spacing with a blank line between sections to keep everything organized and compact.

Use Bullet Points to Organize Information

Bullet points are your best friend when trying to fit everything on one page. They make your resume easier to read and help you organize information in a concise manner.

How to Write Effective Bullet Points

Each bullet point should start with an action verb (e.g., “Led,” “Organized,” “Created”) and be as specific as possible. For example:

• Led a team of five students in organizing a school-wide charity event, raising $2,000 for local shelters.
• Created social media content for school’s volunteer club, increasing follower engagement by 30%.

 

Notice how each point highlights a specific achievement or result. This is more impactful than simply listing duties or responsibilities.

Cut Out Unnecessary Information

It can be tempting to include every job, activity, or skill you’ve ever had, but this will only clutter your resume. Here’s what you can safely leave out:

Remove References

There’s no need to include “References available upon request” on your resume. Employers know they can ask for references if they need them, so save that space for more important information.

Limit Your Experience to the Last Few Years

As a high school student, you likely don’t have decades of work experience, but it’s still important to focus on the most recent and relevant jobs or roles. Aim to include experience from the last 2-3 years. If you have older experiences that are more relevant, you can include them, but keep descriptions brief.

Use Keywords from the Job Posting

Another way to make your resume more effective is by using keywords from the job or scholarship description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific words before a human even looks at them.

How to Identify and Use Keywords

Go back to the job posting and look for key phrases or skills that are mentioned repeatedly. For example, if a job posting emphasizes “teamwork” and “problem-solving,” try to naturally incorporate these words into your resume.

Example:

• Collaborated with team members to complete group projects, demonstrating strong teamwork skills.
• Used critical thinking to solve problems during volunteer events, ensuring smooth execution.

 

Edit and Proofread for Perfection

Once you’ve crafted your one-page resume, it’s time to edit. Go through your resume carefully to remove any unnecessary words or repetitive phrases. Be concise and clear.

Get Feedback

Before you send your resume out, ask a teacher, mentor, or family member to review it. They might catch mistakes you missed or offer suggestions for improvement.

Proofread for Grammar and Spelling Errors

Finally, proofread your resume to ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors. Even a small mistake can leave a bad impression on recruiters or admission officers.

Unlock the Potential of a One-Page Resume

Creating a one-page resume might seem like a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase your most relevant skills and experiences in a concise, professional format. By focusing on what’s important, using a clean and simple design, and editing for clarity, you’ll be able to create a resume that stands out and gets noticed.

Ready to take your resume to the next level? Check out our Resume Tips for High School Students for more advice on crafting the perfect application. And don’t forget to explore our guide to writing a compelling cover letter to pair with your resume.

 

If you’re ready to start applying for internships or jobs, contact us for personalized resume advice tailored to your unique experiences!