Middle school provides many opportunities to grow as a student and as a person. Taking electives and signing up for extracurricular activities can help you discover new passions. After a while, you may achieve one or two things you’re really proud of. But did you know that you can turn your accomplishments into something more, something that can help you in high school and beyond?

That something more is creating a student resume in middle school.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to create a record of your achievements, explore why it’s important, and answer some questions you may have. 

Why Create a Student Resume in Middle School? 

Creating a student resume in middle school has many advantages:

·      It is a record of your achievements.

o   A written record makes sure you don’t forget anything.

·      You can continue building it in high school. 

o   You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try and achieve new things.

·      It may help you get a part-time job.

o   If you want to get a summer job in high school, a student resume can help convince adults that you’re the right person for the job.

·      It can improve your organizational skills.

o   Organizing what you’ve done is just as important as organizing your stuff. Taking time to create a student resume, also known as a student brag sheet, trains you in this important skill. 

Now that we’ve got the why settled, it’s time to move on to the how. Don’t fret, because in just a few steps, you can create your first student resume. 

Step #1: Brainstorming

For the brainstorming step, I’d recommend getting out a piece of paper and a pen. Get rid of all electronic distractions. As you get started, ask yourself, What do I do well? And What do I like? Some ideas include:

·      A class you’re passionate about.

·      A good grade you recently made.

·      Something interesting you did in a club, sport, or extracurricular activity.

·      Something you do outside of school, such as volunteering or other community involvement. 

You should try to fill up as much of the page as possible. Don’t worry about what words you choose or how well you write. This step is a starting point. Nothing more, nothing less.

After you’re done, sleep on it and come back the next day to do Step #2.

Step #2: Outlining

You’ve probably heard the word outline in your English class. An outline is a roadmap for something you plan to write. It helps you:

·      Pick which ideas are most important. 

·      Arrange your ideas.

·      Make sure nothing’s missing.

That said, let’s untangle and organize the ideas you wrote down yesterday. For this step, it’s okay to use a computer. Open a new document (and make sure to save it!) and copy what you wrote yesterday. 

You might ask, “But hey, this is just the same jumbled mess as yesterday! What’s the difference?!”

The difference is that a document lets you move/trim/expand on the things you wrote down the day before. Here are the goals you should accomplish with this step:

·      Separate what you wrote into different sections.

o   One section for school, one for extracurriculars, and one for what you do outside of school.

·      Identify key ideas.

o   These are the things you’re most interested in or accomplishments you’re most proud of. 

Now that you have your thoughts organized, it’s time to start the writing process.

Step #3: Writing

Writing a student resume in middle school is like writing a professional resume. Although it may not be as long or detailed, your resume should:

·      Discuss specific events/facts/etc. 

·      Discuss things in chronological order.

Try to avoid:

·      Using slang.

·      Making common grammar/spelling mistakes.

·      Writing run-on sentences.

When it comes to how your resume should look, remember that:

·      Bullet points (i.e., just like this one!) help people skim information.

·      Bolded headings introduce new information. 

This step will take some time, and don’t worry if you think your first draft isn’t all that impressive. That’s what the final step is for.

 Step #4: Reflecting & Refining 

Set your first draft aside for a day or two. Then, put yourself in the shoes of someone reading your student resume for the first time. Ask yourself:

·      Is this easy to read?

·      Does it seem like the writer left out important information?

·      Does the information look jumbled on the page?

·      Are there grammar/spelling/spacing mistakes?

Tweak your resume before asking a parent, teacher, or other adult to critique it. Review their feedback with an open mind and make changes. 

Note: A completed resume is just the beginning. At the end of every semester of middle and high school, update it with your latest achievements. To make sure your resume isn’t too long, delete the oldest achievement for each new one you add. A good student resume is no more than one page.

FAQ

Are there templates available?

Yes, many free resources exist! Reviewing these samples can help you custom-tailor your resume and avoid common mistakes. Even if you use a template, make sure you have an adult critique your resume before you use it to apply for a part-time job.  

What if I haven’t done anything important yet?

Even if you feel that you haven’t done anything important, there are probably a few things you could put on your resume, such as:

·      What extracurriculars you’re involved in.

·      How you dedicate your free time to your passions.

·      A class you do well in.

A first resume, even a short one, has value. Reviewing it can help you decide which goals or accomplishments to shoot for next. 

How can a student resume in middle school help me get a job?

A good resume is like a good introduction. In just a few minutes, an employer can learn a lot about you. If you’re old enough to apply for a part-time job, don’t forget that employers want to see that you can:

·      Use time wisely.

·      Stay organized.

·      Follow instructions.

Review your resume and make sure what you’ve written shows off these three important skills.  

How can I gain experience in something?

Finding your passion as a middle school student is a great way to gain experience in something, build your resume, and bring joy to your life. What passion you select today may not last throughout middle school, but it will help you gain experience you can put on your resume. Try out new things with an open mind and move on to something else if your interests change.