As a college student preparing to enter the workforce, you may be wondering whether to include your high school experiences on your resume as you apply for internships and full-time job opportunities post-graduation. As a general rule of thumb, after your sophomore year of school, removing all high school experiences from your resume is recommended. However, because everyone has a unique background and professional experience, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros:
Demonstrates early achievements: If you excelled in high school, including your accomplishments can show potential employers that you are driven and have a track record of success.
Shows extracurricular involvement: If you were involved in extracurricular activities in high school, listing them on your resume can highlight your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills.
Showcases commitment: Including high school experiences can show that you are committed to personal growth and development, which can be a desirable trait for employers.
Cons:
Irrelevant to the job: If your high school experiences are not directly relevant to the job you are applying for, including them can make your resume appear cluttered and distract from your qualifications.
Takes up valuable space: Your resume should be one page, and including high school experiences occupy space that could be used to showcase your college experiences and achievements.
May make you appear inexperienced: Focusing too much on high school experiences can make you appear as if you did not participate in extracurricular and professional experiences during your time in college.
Ultimately, whether to include your high school experiences on your resume will depend on your individual situation. If your high school experiences are directly relevant to the job or are something you still do in college, it may be worthwhile to highlight them. Otherwise, focus on your college experiences and achievements.
Remember, your resume should be a snapshot of your qualifications and experiences, so make sure to prioritize the most important and relevant information. For more tips to take your resume to the next level, subscribe now and get Resume All Day's free "Resume Do's & Don'ts Guide" to craft a resume that gets you noticed by recruiters.