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High school cover letter: two examples and what to say

A high school cover letter is a short note, three or four paragraphs, that goes with your resume and tells an employer who you are, why you want this job and when you can work. This page gives a cover letter for a high school student with no experience, a second example for a part-time job, and a plan for what to write when your resume is almost empty.

Write my cover letterSee templatesFacts checked 13 October 2026

By Rajesh Kumar · How these pages are made

Do high school students need a cover letter?

Not every application asks for one, but a high school cover letter helps when you have little to show on the resume. For many entry-level jobs, a manager skims a page of limited history; a few lines that say why you want the job and when you can work give them a reason to call you. If the posting says “cover letter” or “tell us why you want to work here”, write one. If an online form has a text box, paste the letter's three short paragraphs in it.

Keep the tone polite and plain. You are not expected to sound like an experienced professional: you are expected to be clear, careful with spelling, and genuinely interested in this job at this place. Some states require a work permit for workers under 18, and some employers ask your age or availability on the form, so check with your school counselor or the state labor department before you apply.

Cover letter for a high school student with no experience: first job example

This example is for a student applying to a grocery store. It has no paid history, so it uses school, volunteering and reliability. The names and details are invented.

Mara Quinlan
88 Linden Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 555-0166 · mara.quinlan@example.com

October 13, 2026

Mr. Walter Hendry
Store Manager
Greenfield Market
1200 Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Dear Mr. Hendry:

I am a junior at Lincoln Heights High School, and I would like to apply for the part-time cashier and bagger position I saw posted at Greenfield Market. I shop at your store with my family every week, and I like how the staff greet people by name.

I have not had a paid job yet, but I have handled money and served people. For the last year I have worked the register at our church's monthly thrift sale with another volunteer, taking cash from about 60 shoppers a sale and counting the box with a second person at the end of the day. I have a B average, I have not missed a shift I signed up for, and I am comfortable learning a new system quickly.

I can work Monday to Friday after 4 p.m., all day Saturday and Sunday, and during school breaks. I have attached my resume, and I would be glad to come in for an interview. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Mara Quinlan

High school cover letter example for a part-time job with a little experience

This second letter is for a student with camp work and a lifeguard certification who applies for a pool job.

Dear Ms. Alvarez: I am writing to apply for the lifeguard position at Riverbend Community Pool for the summer season. I am a senior at Central High School, hold a current Red Cross lifeguard certification, and have swum on the school team for three years, where I am now the captain. Last summer I worked as a camp assistant for 20 children aged 6 to 10 and handled check-in, sunscreen breaks and incident notes under a head counselor. I take safety rules seriously and stay calm when something unexpected happens. I am free from the first week of June through August and can work weekends. I would be happy to come for a swim test and interview. Sincerely, Tomas Eriksen.

What to say when you have no experience at all

When you cannot point to a job, point to things that look like one. A school club or team where you had a role, a class project you led, a regular chore or job at home with real responsibility, helping at a family business, volunteering, or an award for attendance or grades. Name what you did and a fact about it: how many people, how often, how long. Then say what you will bring to this job, such as showing up on time, learning quickly and being friendly with customers.

Mention one thing about the employer. A line such as “I like that you hire students for the summer” or “I use your app every week” shows that you wrote this letter for them. Finish with your availability, since that is the first practical question a manager has about a student. The page on a resume for your first job shows what goes on the page that comes with the letter, and high school resume examples has complete samples.

Format and mistakes to avoid

Use a business-letter layout: your contact details, the date, the manager's name and title, a greeting, three or four short paragraphs, and Sincerely with your name. One page is the limit; cover letter length covers the rule. Save it as a PDF named with your name, and use a plain email address, not a nickname.

  • Starting every sentence with I, which is hard to avoid but easy to soften with the employer's name or the job.
  • Saying you are a hard worker without an example, which every applicant says.
  • Leaving out your availability, or giving hours that conflict with school without saying so.
  • Spelling the manager's name wrong, or sending a letter written for another job.
  • Pages of detail about grades, when one line is enough.

Sources

Checked on 13 October 2026.

    FAQ

    Questions, answered.

    Do high school students need a cover letter?

    Not always, but it helps when your resume is short. A brief letter that shows why you want the job and when you can work gives a manager a reason to call.

    How long should a cover letter for a high school student be?

    One page at most, usually three or four short paragraphs, about 150 to 250 words, with your availability and one example of responsibility.

    What do you put in a cover letter with no experience?

    Use school activities, volunteering, projects or family responsibilities that show reliability, and say what you will bring to the job and when you can work.

    Still unsure? Send us a message — a real person replies.

    Be specific about the job, honest about what you have done, and clear about when you can work.

    Pick a template, fill in your details or upload your old file, and tailor it to a job ad with your approval on every line. Free to build and check; pay only to download.

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