Student Resume: Structure and Common Mistakes

Structure: What to include in a resume

1. Contact details

• First and last name
• Address (street, house number, ZIP code, city)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date of birth

2. Short profile

2-3 lines that explain what you are looking for and what you bring to the table.

3. School education

• Current school, city
• Expected qualification (e.g. "Secondary school certificate, expected 2027")
• Relevant focus areas (if available)
• Grades only if requested or if they are truly strong

4. Internships and experience

This section can include:

• School internships
• Holiday jobs or mini-jobs
• Babysitting, tutoring, newspaper delivery
• Project work (e.g. tech club, student company)
• 2-4 bullet points per role describing what you specifically did

5. Knowledge and skills

Split this into categories, for example:

• Languages: German (native), English (B2)
• IT: MS Word/PowerPoint (good), Excel (basic)
• Driver's license: Class AM / B (if relevant)

6. Engagement and activities

This is often a real plus in a student resume:

• Club membership with responsibility (e.g. junior coach)
• Volunteer work
• Class representative
• School clubs (theater, robotics, first aid service)

7. Hobbies (optional)

Only include hobbies if they create a positive impression or fit the role.

• Good examples: Team sports (teamwork), programming (interest in personal projects), music (perseverance)
• Less helpful: "Netflix", "chilling", "gaming" (unless you do it competitively and can explain it meaningfully)

8. Place, date, signature

Still commonly used in Germany.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Unprofessional email address

Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@provider.com).

Mistake 2: Unclear dates or gaps

• Use a consistent date format (e.g. 04/2026 - 06/2026; April 2026 - June 2026).
• If you do not know exact dates, estimate the period and make sure there are no unexplained gaps.

Mistake 3: Overdesigned layout

• Use a consistent font family and size.
• You can use different sizes for headings and body text, but keep it consistent.
• Avoid overly bright colors.
• Keep line spacing consistent.
• Use consistent bullet points (e.g. dashes or dots).

Mistake 4: Spelling and copy-paste errors

A single small spelling mistake is human. Too many look careless.

• Double-check the company name, contact person, and date.
• Ask someone else, such as a parent or friend, to proofread your resume.

Mistake 5: Not tailoring your resume to the role

Always tailor your resume for each application. Highlight your experiences so they match the role requirements (e.g. if you apply for IT, make sure to mention IT projects and skills).

Mistake 6: Unprofessional photo

A photo on a resume is not mandatory in Germany. However, it can add a personal touch. If you choose to include one, make sure it looks professional.

Mistake 7: Wrong file format and file name

• Do not send a Word document - that is only your working file. Always save your resume as a PDF before attaching it to your email.
• Give your PDF file a clear, meaningful name (Resume_FirstName_LastName.pdf).
• If you also want to send a cover letter and certificates, combine everything into one single PDF file.

Checklist before sending

• 1 to max. 2 pages, easy to read
• Correct contact details, professional email address
• School + expected qualification included
• Experience with 2-4 concrete bullet points per role
• Skills stated realistically
• Spelling checked (including company names)
• Professional photo (if you use one)
• Place, date, signature
• File saved as PDF and named clearly: Resume_FirstName_LastName.pdf

Conclusion

A good student resume clearly shows who you are, what you are looking for, and what you can already do - even without extensive work experience. With a clear structure, real examples, and a clean PDF, you are well prepared for internships, part-time jobs, and apprenticeships.

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