How to create a secondary school student resume

Finishing SPM is a big deal for secondary school students. It allows you to continue your studies in Form 6, do matriculation, get diplomas, or go to university. It also helps you start working in basic jobs. 

No matter what you want to do next, making a good resume can really help you stand out. 

Knowing how to properly reflect your secondary school education in your resume can help potential employers or schools understand your value and how your education can help.  

This is a guide to creating a secondary student resume. Whether you're trying to find a part-time job, finished secondary school, or want to go to college, a good resume can make you stand out. We'll show you how to make one. Here's what we'll cover: 

Here's what we'll cover:

• Purpose of a secondary school student resume
• Components of a secondary school student resume
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Resume template for secondary school students
• Secondary school student resume with no work experience template
• Secondary school student resume example
• Conclusion
• FAQs 

Purpose of a secondary school student resume 

For Malaysian secondary school students, a well-crafted resume is crucial for several reasons:  

Applying to a community college, university 

In our country, more than half of the students who finish secondary school decide to keep studying.  

Depending on your future plan, you might go straight to a community college, a technical school, or a vocational institute.  

Or, you might take STPM, Diploma, Matriculation, or GCE A-Level to get into university. 

When you apply to universities in Malaysia, either public (IPTA) or private (IPTS), it's really helpful to show what you did at school. This is especially important for courses where you have to give an interview. 

Most vocational and community colleges in Malaysia don't require a secondary school resume.  

Instead, applicants must meet all the eligibility criteria. 

School officials and teachers may sometimes need to write letters of recommendation. Or you might have to take an entrance exam for admission. 

Even though it's not always common, having a resume as a secondary school student can be useful. For instance, if the school you want to go to asks for an interview, giving them a good resume can make your application look even better. 

This gives the interviewer a better idea of your qualifications. It also shows you're a serious applicant willing to go the extra mile to stand out.  

Applying for scholarships 

Schools sometimes offer scholarships for secondary school students. And in that case, they often combine the scholarship and admission application. Here, a resume may not be necessary. But if you're applying for scholarships with a separate application, a secondary school student resume can help.  

In Malaysia, getting a scholarship can be tough, especially from JPA, MARA, and Petronas. It's really important to have a detailed resume that shows your leadership experiences, community involvement, and academic excellence.  

Your resume shows why you deserve the scholarship. It also gives the scholarship committee a better idea of who you are as a person and student. It allows them to see beyond your grades and academic achievements. 

Applying to jobs    

If you're planning to enter the workforce after SPM, it's important to consider how you should present yourself when you're job hunting. This is where your secondary school student resume is vital.  

A great resume showcases your key skills and how you're right for the job. It also highlights your academic achievements and extracurricular activities. This can help set you apart from other job seekers. 

Components of a secondary school student resume 

Here are the elements of a secondary school student resume: 

Personal information 

Secondary school resumes should start with your personal information. This includes your full name and contact details, including your address, email address, and phone number. Make sure that the details you provided are accurate and up to date. 

Profile summary 

A profile summary, or resume summary, is a brief overview of your qualifications. As a secondary school student, you can use this to mention relevant co-curricular activities and experiences. A good example is volunteer experience if you're interested in a community service position. 

An effective summary is concise – ideally between three and five sentences. It sums up your key skills and experiences in an eye-catching way and easy for the hiring manager to read. Remember to write in the third person. You can refer to our article on writing a resume summary for more help. 

Education details 

Secondary schoolers should focus on the education part of their resume, especially if they have yet to work much. 

Hiring managers review this section to understand more about your academic background.  

Admissions officers and scholarship committee members want to see if you qualify for their programmes. 

They check if you're a good fit for their programs or jobs. 

You should include the same kind of information whether you just finished secondary school or are still in it. Write your school's name and location and the year you received or expect to receive your SPM result. List your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Include any relevant coursework. 

Experience section 

In this section, job seekers can showcase their work experience. Hiring managers look at this part to see your suitability for the position. You may not write much in this section. But it's still important to include any relevant experience. 

In addition to part-time jobs, you can list your hobbies and any volunteer work you've done.  

For every experience, include your position title. Also include the company or organisation and the dates of your involvement. Then, add a short bullet list of relevant duties. You can also mention any new skills or accomplishments you gained from your experience.  

Our guide on how to make your resume stand out even if you don't have much work experience may be useful. 

Awards and achievements section 

You can include your awards and achievements in the education section of your secondary school resume.  

But if you have a lot of accomplishments, it may be better to create a separate section.  

Add a bullet point for each of your awards or achievements. You can also provide dates and reasons for the recognition. 

Key skills section 

Your skills are key to succeeding in your job search. In a secondary school resumé, the key skills section should include hard and soft skills that help you perform the job's responsibilities. 

If you're an aspiring college student or a scholarship applicant, include relevant technical or computer skills. Also, include soft skills, such as interpersonal and personal qualities. These can help you succeed in your chosen programme and field of study. 

Suppose you're applying for a part-time position as an English tutor. It's a good idea to list your English communication and language skills first.  

Also, remember to highlight if you can speak two or more languages. For example, Bahasa Malaysia, English, and Mandarin. Being able to speak different languages is a big plus for many jobs. 

Some common skills to list in the skills section include organisation, time management, public speaking, computer skills, and leadership. 

Common mistakes to avoid 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you write a secondary school resume: 

Choosing a colourful and busy design 

Keep your resume layout simple unless you're applying for a role in the creative field. Stick to a clean and organised format. Choose complementary and neutral shades if you want to use colours to highlight resume sections. The aim is for your resume to be distinct but easy to read. 

Not using action verbs 

Use action verbs such as "supervised," "organised," and "developed." They help you showcase the right skills and make your resumé more interesting and dynamic. 

Neglecting to proofread 

An error-free resume makes a good impression, so check for mistakes before you submit your document. Ask a friend or family member to read it and give feedback. 

Not optimising for applicant tracking systems 

Many Malaysian companies screen applications using an applicant tracking system (ATS). Your resumé is more likely to get through an ATS when you use keywords from the job ad. Include the company name and the exact title of the position. Also, avoid using graphics because the software may not recognise them.   

Cultural considerations 

Be mindful of cultural sensitivity and professionalism in their resumes. Avoid overly casual language or slang that traditional employers might not receive well. 

Resume template for secondary school students 

Here's a secondary school resume template you can use as a guide when you create your own: 

[Full name] 
[Address] 
[Email address] 
[Phone number] 

[Profile summary: Write three to five sentences highlighting your most relevant skills and experience.] 

Education 
[Secondary school name], [Town/City, State] 
Graduation date/Estimated date of graduation: [Month and year] 
SPM Results: [include if applicable] 
Relevant coursework: [Course 1, Course 2, Course 3] 

Experiences 
[Position title] 
[Company/Organisation name], [Dates]

• [Relevant duty]
• [Relevant duty]
• [Relevant duty] 

Awards and achievements

• [Name of award/achievement]
• [Name of award/achievement]
• [Name of award/achievement] 

Skills 

• [Hard or soft skill]
• [Hard or soft skill]
• [Hard or soft skill] 

Secondary school student resume with no work experience template 

Objective 

As a motivated and dedicated secondary school student with a strong academic record and involvement in extracurricular activities, I am eager to leverage my skills and experiences in [specific area or position you are applying for]. With a commitment to learning and growth, I aim to contribute positively to [Company/Organization/School Name]. 

Education 

[Your Secondary School Name], [City, State] 

SPM Result (Expected Graduation: [Month, Year])

• List down your SPM Grades 

Academic Achievements

• [List any academic honours, awards, or scholarships you've received]
• [Mention any high scores on standardised tests, if applicable] 

Co-curricular Activities 

[List the extracurricular activities you participate in, including any leadership roles. Examples include:]

• [Activity/Club Name], [Position, if any] ([Month, Year] – Present)
• [Brief description of your responsibilities, achievements, or skills developed] 

Volunteer Experience 

[List any volunteer work or community service projects you have participated in. Include the organisation's name, your role, and a brief description of what you did. For example:]

• [Organization Name], [City, State] ([Month, Year] – Present)
• [Brief description of your responsibilities and contributions] 

Skills 

[List skills relevant to the job or position you're applying for. Include both hard and soft skills. Examples include:]

• Computer Skills: [Specific programs, e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop]
• Languages: [Languages you speak and your proficiency level]
• Communication: [Both written and verbal communication skills]
• Leadership: [Any leadership experiences or qualities]
• Time Management: [Your ability to manage time effectively] 

Certifications and Courses 

[List any additional certifications or courses you've completed relevant to the job or field you're interested in, including online courses.]

• [Course/Certification Name] – [Institution/Organization] ([Month, Year]) 

References 

Available upon request. 

Secondary school student resume example 

Here's a secondary school resumé example that you can refer to as you develop your own: 

Alice Chin 
38 Jalan BU 11/1a, Bandar Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor 
[email protected] 
+6016-917-2562 

Motivated senior secondary school student with a strong academic record and a passion for science. Founded a club that organises STEM-related activities and school events to inspire other students to enter a career in the field. Received a sponsorship from the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly flocculant for water filtration. 

Education 
Sekolah Menengah Sains Alam Shah, Kuala Lumpur 
Estimated date of graduation: June 2024 
CGPA: 3.87 
Relevant coursework: Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics 

Experiences 
Laboratory assistant 
Sekolah Menengah Sains Alam Shah, 2022–Present

• Checking records of borrowed reagents and equipment to ensure a complete inventory
• Maintaining orderliness in the laboratory by sorting and storing chemicals and equipment
• Assisting the laboratory manager with teaching research students to perform laboratory procedures 

Volunteer 
PAWS Animal Welfare Society, 2020–Present

• Keeping the holding area for rescued animals clean
• Performing routine tasks, such as feeding and grooming animals
• Observing and recording the health status of the animals 

Awards and achievements 

• Co-founder of Youth for Nature Club
• Winner of Asimov Award at the WSC Global Round 2022
• Winner of UCSI University's Science and Mathematics Quiz 

Skills

• Communication
• Science proficiency
• Maths proficiency
• Analysis
• Problem-solving  

Conclusion 

A secondary school resume highlights your qualifications, skills, and accomplishments, which can help you impress employers and schools in Malaysia. You can use it to apply for jobs, scholarships, or admission to a community college, polytechnic, or university.  

When writing a secondary school resume, include your personal details and create a profile summary.  

Describe your education and experience, and list your achievements and relevant skills. You can use the template in this article to start the perfect resume. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to some common questions about secondary school resumes: 

1. How to create a resume for a secondary school student with no work experience? 
   ⁠Follow a secondary school student resume with no work experience template, such as the one in this article. You can include your extracurricular activities and any volunteer work you've done.  If in doubt, consider consulting a certified professional resume writer. 
2. What is an example of a secondary school student's objective for a resume? 
   ⁠Here's an example: 
   ⁠Motivated and dedicated secondary school student seeking opportunities to apply strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and gain valuable experience in a professional environment. Committed to academic excellence and personal growth.
3. How do you put secondary school on your resumé if you haven't graduated yet? 
   ⁠If you haven't graduated yet, you can still follow a template for a resume of a recent graduate. Just write the date you expect to finish your SPM or GCE O-Level.
4. Can I include my part-time job experience on a secondary school student resume?
   ⁠Yes. This can help job applicants get a foot in the door.
5. Should I include references on my secondary school student resume?
   ⁠This isn't necessary. But it's a good idea to prepare a brief list of names in case the interviewer asks for references. 
6. Can I include extracurricular activities on my secondary school student resume? 
   ⁠Yes. You can include any relevant activities in the experience section of your resumé.