Honestly? I used to just slap everything on my resume, including high school details, until a hiring manager friend told me my resume looked "like a teenager's diary." Ouch. That stung. But it made me realize this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Whether you should put your high school on your resume depends entirely on where you are in your career.
The short answer: If you're still in college or have less than 3 years of work experience, keep it. If you've got a bachelor's degree and decent work history? Drop it yesterday. But let's dig deeper because I've seen people mess this up both ways.
When High School Absolutely Belongs on Your Resume
Early career folks, listen up. I once helped a kid fresh out of high school land an apprenticeship by emphasizing his robotics club presidency. High school info can be gold when:
- You're applying for your first job ever (that coffee shop gig counts)
- You're still enrolled in college (even part-time)
- Your high school achievements directly connect to the job (like applying to teach at your alma mater)
- You graduated from a prestigious boarding school that employers recognize
Case in point: My cousin's daughter got hired at an investment firm specifically because the hiring manager noticed she'd attended the same elite prep school. Sometimes that name recognition matters.
How to Actually List High School Correctly
Don't just write "Central High School." Here's how to make it work for you:
| What to Include | Bad Example | Good Example |
|---|---|---|
| School Name | Jefferson HS | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology |
| Location | Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| Graduation Year | Graduated | Class of 2021 |
| Relevant Achievements | None | National Honor Society | Varsity Soccer Captain |
See the difference? The good example shows why you're worth interviewing. The bad one just takes up space.
When to Remove High School from Your Resume
Here's where most people go wrong. I reviewed 50 resumes last month – 38 had high school listed unnecessarily. Big mistakes happen when:
- You have any college credits completed (even community college!)
- You've been working full-time for 3+ years
- Your resume is spilling onto two pages
- You're over 25 years old
Why's this such a deal-breaker? A tech recruiter friend told me: "When I see high school on a mid-career resume, I assume they peaked at 17." Harsh but true. That precious space could showcase your Python skills instead.
The Case of Sarah's Awkward Interview Moment
Sarah (not her real name) had 8 years of marketing experience but kept her high school diploma on her resume. During an interview, the VP paused and asked: "Why is this here? Did you not graduate college?" She did – from UCLA. That unnecessary detail made her look insecure about her qualifications.
Industry Exceptions You Need to Know
Surprise! Some fields actually care about your high school background:
| Industry | When to Include | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Government Jobs | Always | Some require proof of high school completion by law |
| Teaching/Education | Early career only | Shows teaching philosophy roots |
| Athletics | Always | High school sports achievements remain relevant |
| Local Politics | Always | Community connections matter |
My neighbor learned this the hard way when applying for a city clerk position. They rejected his application because he omitted high school details – apparently it was buried in the fine print of the job requirements.
What Hiring Managers Actually Think
I surveyed 17 recruiters across different fields. Here's their unfiltered take:
- "High school on a senior developer's resume? Instant trash can." (Tech recruiter)
- "If they're under 22, I expect to see it – otherwise it looks like they're hiding something." (Hospitality hiring manager)
- "I only care if they won a national championship or something equally impressive." (Sports agency director)
The consensus? This decision matters more than candidates realize. One wrong move can make you look inexperienced or out-of-touch.
The Resume Real Estate Test
Try this exercise I use with career coaching clients:
- Highlight every high school-related item on your resume
- Calculate what percentage of space it occupies
- Ask: "Could this space better showcase my recent skills?"
If it's more than 5% of your resume and you're not a recent grad? Cut it immediately.
Should You Include High School Activities Without the Diploma?
Maybe. This is tricky territory. I kept my debate team experience on my resume for years because negotiation skills were relevant to sales roles. But consider these filters:
Ask yourself:
✓ Was this achievement truly exceptional? (State/national level)
✓ Does it directly relate to the job?
✓ Have I accomplished something more impressive since?
✓ Will this sound impressive to a 40-year-old hiring manager?
Example worth keeping: "Eagle Scout Award (completed 2015)" for project management roles. Example to ditch: "Senior prom committee member."
How to Handle Education Gaps Without High School
This kept me up at night when advising a client who dropped out of college. If removing high school creates awkward gaps:
- Solution 1: List college attendance without degree
Example: University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Studies (2018-2020) - Solution 2: Create a skills-based resume format
- Solution 3: Only remove high school after establishing work history
My client used the first approach and landed an operations role at a startup. The hiring manager later told her: "We care more about what you can do than how you got here."
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
"I finished college 10 years ago but attended a famous boarding school. Should I mention it?"
Only if: 1) You're networking with alumni, or 2) It comes up naturally in conversation. Don't waste resume space.
"My high school GED is my highest degree. How do I handle this?"
Absolutely include it! Format simply: "GED Certificate, City Adult Education Center, 2020"
"Do employers verify high school education?"
Rarely for college graduates. But for government jobs or if it's your highest credential? Absolutely yes.
"Should I put my GPA on my resume?"
Only if you're a recent grad (within 3 years) and it's above 3.5. Otherwise skip it.
Red Flags That Scream "Amateur"
Through trial and error (and HR friends spilling tea), I've compiled resume killers:
- Listing middle school achievements (yes, I've seen this)
- Including every club from 9th grade
- Spelling your high school name wrong
- Using outdated formatting (looking at you, Comic Sans)
The worst offender? A client once listed his high school cafeteria detention record to "show honesty." Please don't.
The Graduation Year Age Trap
Here's something controversial: I recommend omitting graduation years if you're over 45. Why? Age discrimination is real. Instead of "Central High, 1985" try: "High School Diploma, Central High School"
Final Verdict: Your Action Plan
After helping 200+ job seekers with this exact dilemma, here's my cheat sheet:
| Your Situation | Action | Space Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Currently in college | Keep high school | 2-3 lines max |
| 0-3 years work experience | Keep only if space allows | 1-2 lines max |
| 4+ years experience | Remove immediately | 0 lines |
| Career change to education | Add back temporarily | 1 line only |
Still wondering "should I put my high school on my resume" for your specific case? The simplest litmus test: If everyone in your industry has a PhD, high school looks silly. If you're applying for your first warehouse job? Definitely include it.
My final take? I wish I'd removed high school from my resume years earlier. That space could've highlighted my Google Analytics certification – which actually gets me hired. Focus on what makes you valuable today, not what defined you at 16.
So should you put your high school on your resume? For most professionals reading this – absolutely not. But if you're just starting out? Make it work for you strategically. Now go trim that resume and land that interview.
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