1. Creating Your Portfolio/Resume

2. Creating Your Portfolio
School and Community Activities are important aspects of your education
You should participate in at least one activity throughout high school – colleges are very interested in the outside activities of prospective students.
Colleges prefer to see two or three activities in which students have been involved with for long periods of time and possibly developed leadership roles over being involved in 15 activities where you’re simply a member
Remember, community service is an excellent activity which benefits others

3. What is a Resume?
A summary of your background and qualifications to accomplish a job or task
It usually includes information about your education, objectives, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, awards or honors, and any other special skills you might have
Essentially, it is your passport to your future!

4. Resume Essentials
Try limiting resume to one page. This is crucial for students with limited “life experience”
Use no less than 10 for letter size
Use a readable and clear font. Avoid flashy fonts (just because your computer has 967 doesn’t mean you should use them all)
Print resume on a laser jet printer
Use Spell Check and triple check for typos or you might end up saying:
“Received a plague for student of the year form shcool”

5. Top 10 Resume Pet Peeves 1. Spelling Errors, Typos and Poor Grammar
2. Too Duty-Oriented
3. Inaccurate Dates or None at all
4. Inaccurate or Missing Contact Information
5. Formatting
6. Functional Resumes
7. Long Resumes
8. Long Paragraphs
9. Resume Builders
10. Personal and Unrelated Information

6. Pre-Resume To Do’s Research important information
Desired qualifications, experience, skills
If the school or scholarship you’re interested in has a website be sure to check it out for their philosophy, values and any other pertinent information

7. Time to Begin Writing Your Resume
Your “Contact Information”
Put your name, address, address, and phone number(s) at the very top of your resume. Make sure to bold your name. Example:
Natalie Upton
4700 Jaguar Drive
Hoover, AL 35242
Home:
Cell:

8. Objective Statements (if applicable)
Avoid Being Too General:
A position utilizing all of my skills, experience and knowledge
Avoid Being Ridiculous:
My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess no training in meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage
Be clear and concise:
A position as a copy editor for the Sacramento Bee allowing me to develop my journalism skills
To utilize my restaurant service training as a general manager of Red Lobster

9. Education List any AP/Honors Courses that uniquely qualify you
Include elective courses that enhance your abilities
Until your work experience is more impressive than your education, this category should be the first section in your resume

10. Education GPA - Not necessary but can be helpful
- Only use if equal to or higher than 3.0
- You can highlight your Core GPA
Include any academic honors
Recent graduates or students still in school should include extracurricular activities, projects, or academic achievements

11. Relevant Courses This should follow your educational information
List the courses you have taken that relate to the school/scholarship you are applying for
Since class names differ from school to school, refer to the course by specific name and/or description
Example:
Relevant Courses: Jazz Ensemble, Ceramics and Sculpting, Underwater Basket Weaving

12. Honors and Awards
You will want to list any clubs or teams you’ve been involved with
You may want to include more specific skills
- Awards
- Testimonials/Endorsements
- Nominations

13. Work Experience and Qualifications
This section should either follow Education or come before, depending on which section features your strengths more prominently
The goal for this area is to stand out among the other applicants and to persuade the reviewer that you are the ideal candidate

14. Work Experience
Include the positions you have held that are related to the job you are seeking
These positions may include paid positions, as well as internships, volunteer jobs, or appointments
Be creative with this part of the resume by describing and emphasizing your experiences in the most logical way possible

15. Phone: Email Address: Date of Birth:
Your Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone: Address: Date of Birth:
EDUCATION: Spain Park High School – graduating in May 2013 with an Advanced Academic Diploma
GPA: RANK: ACT: SAT:
Advanced Courses Taken: (OR Senior Schedule)
HONORS AND National Honor Society
AWARDS Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society)
Birmingham News All-State Academic Team
Lettered in swimming, band, dance, community service
Set two team records on community swim team
Birmingham News Scholar-Athlete of the Week
EXTRACURRICULAR Swimming: South High School and USS, 9-12
ACTIVITIES Varsity Letter 9-12
- Lead off swimmer for relay
- State meet finalist
Dance Team: 9 – 11
- JV captain – 10
- South High Varsity Jaguar
- All-Star team award
Diamond Girl: (Baseball) 11 – 12
Concert Band: 9 – 12
- 1st chair flute in concert band, 10 – 12
- Member of symphonic band
Student Government Association: 10 – 12
- Class representative
- Chairman, Student Recognition
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: 9 – 11
Peer Tutoring: Math and Science – 12
COMMUNITY Leo Club: Community Service Club, 9 – 11
INVOLVEMENT Committee Chairman for Relay for Life
Juniorette: Community Service, 11
I have visited nursing homes, begun a project to support Ronald McDonald House, taught swimming lessons, helped with the
LifeSouth bone marrow drive, and various other activities.
WORK Lifeguard: 2005
EXPERIENCE Pool Monitor:
Tutor: School Year