Resume Template
Click the button below to view our resume example on Google Drive.
Scroll down to the next section for notes on this example, and some tips & tricks on strong resume writing!
To download, just click File > Make a copy (must be signed in to Google)
This example resume is for ‘Cady Heron,’ a high school student with little/no prior experience in ocean conservation. In my head, Cady is applying for a volunteer role at a local ocean conservation non-profit, and is trying to make a general resume template she can reuse to apply for other conservation-related things in the future. If you feel like you are in the same boat, keep on reading!
Section Guidelines
Summary: Tailor this statement for each application, expressing your genuine interest in the specific organization or opportunity. Scan your volunteer or job posting for key words/skills that they may be looking for, and use them here! This will not only show that you read through the description thoroughly, but often applications can be put through search systems for these key words.
Education: Include any academic achievements or recognition for your efforts. Be careful about including GPA if you feel that positions are competitive. Mention any relevant coursework or certifications, even if they are basic. Note: if your GPA is low, don’t worry! Instead, consider what other aspects make you a good candidate and focus on those, such as your passion, eagerness to learn, teamwork, strong communication. School & grades only get you so far- making a good impression is FAR more important, and it’s all to do with how you present yourself & your narrative.
Skills & Certifications: Focus on your transferable skills gained from school projects, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs. Some key skills to mention are communication (written & verbal), time management, organization. However, don’t go overboard here - mention your strongest skills!
Work, Volunteer & Extracurricular Activities: Emphasize any leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving experiences you may have. Even if your position or part-time job doesn’t feel relevant to what you are applying for, I guarantee you have learned a skill there you can emphasize. For example, working as a grocery store cashier may not feel relevant, but you can use this to tell a story of how you learned time management, friendly communication, and organization! Another tip here is to start your descriptions with ‘action words’. Using these words to describe yourself can help you condense your potential into a short, powerful statement rather than just a description of “working the cash register”.
Projects: Highlight any hands-on projects you have done, even if they were part of your coursework. This section is where you can showcase your passion for specific topics, and where you can prove that you have strong communication skills.
Other interest: Depending on how much space you have, this can be a good section to include to showcase yourself! Crafting hobbies can show creativity, team sports can show responsibility & dedication. Use this section to show a little personality.
References: Just provide their contact info if it is requested by the application! Be sure to give your references a heads up that you are applying for something, and give them some details to help them describe you & your work as best as possible. References could be a teacher, advisor, or someone you've worked with in a volunteer capacity, or even supervisors at a part-time job.
Tips & Tricks
Keep It Concise: Aim for a 1-2 page resume, especially if you or have limited experience. Use clear and concise language to convey your achievements.
Use a Clean & Professional Layout: Choose a simple, easy-to-read font. Organize your resume into clear sections with appropriate headings. If you are uploading it anywhere, make sure it is named appropriately & your full name is in the file name, e.g. “HeronCady_Resume”
Balance Text & White Space: Ensure a good balance between text and white space for a visually appealing layout.
Use Bullets for Readability: Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements for easy readability.
Quantify Your Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, "increased sales by 20%" or "managed a team of 10."
Tailor Your Skills Section: Match your skills with the requirements of the job. Include a mix of technical and soft skills.
Professional Contact Info: Use a professional email address, preferably one with your name. If you have a LinkedIn, feel free to include it!
Proofread: Thoroughly proofread your resume for grammatical errors and typos. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well!
Update Regularly: Keep your resume up-to-date with your latest experiences and achievements. As you gain more experience, you’ll be able to pick and choose which jobs are most relevant & just include those. I recommend keeping a “master resume,” which includes every job, position, or project you have done, and then you can pull sections from there to tailor your resumes for specific roles as needed.
Be Honest: Represent your experiences truthfully. Avoid exaggerations or misrepresentations.