Resume Writing

ASCA Standards:
C:A2 Develop Employment Readiness
C:A2.6 Learn how to write a rsum
Grade: 9-12
Duration: 2 50-minute class periods
Session 1
Objective:
Students learn the purpose of a resume and the basic rules for writing a resume. They will then
begin to create a resume of their own.
Materials:
Examples of good and bad resumes
A worksheet or questionnaire to get them started on their own resumes
Procedure:
1. List what a resume is used for:
Getting a job
College applications
Scholarship applications
To give to those you would like to write letter of recommendations for you
2. Hand out or project resume examples:
Discuss which are good and which are not
Open a discussion about the basics of resume writing:
Resumes must be typed
Print resumes on high quality paper office supply stores call it "resume paper"
Keep your resume to one page
Use a proper format use a template
Write in the active voice:
No: I have written
Yes: I wrote
Focus on these three skills point out to students that even if they have no work
experience, they should have skills to put in a resume:
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Technical skills
Pay attention to words
Brainstorm a list of words with students to use on resumes
They should come up with 25-50 words to get the idea of work-oriented
action words: assisted, implemented, contributed, organized, planned,

trained, supervised, selected, earned, presented, mediated, taught,

represented
Tell the truth that includes exaggeration
References this is often times not on a resume, but they need to understand they
will need to have contact information for the standard three references
Customize the resume for the purpose a job resume is going to be different from
a resume for a college application
Check, check, and double check and then have someone else proofread it
3. Create a worksheet or some questions that include things teens can put on a resume. Its a way
to get them writing, and it is a lot less intimidating than giving them a template and telling them
to plug it in. Things to be included:
Objective one sentence that states why youre sending the resume to them and its a
worthwhile place to plug some positive characteristics
Challenging or relevant workplace-oriented classes theyve taken in school. And their
GPA , if its good
Work experience, if they have any, with most recent job, what they did and for whom, list
of duties (remind them of the words you brainstormed earlier)
Volunteer or community service
Stress the importance of this, particularly if they have little to no work experience
List their job title or role, what they did and for whom, list of duties
Skills they have that would be relevant
Honors and awards (academic, athletic, community)
Extra-curricular activities clubs, associations, activities outside of school, hobbies and
interests
Session 2
Objective: Students will create professional resume using a template.
Materials:
Computer and printer
Resume template
Procedure:
1. Show students the templates available to them.
They need to choose the template that works best for them. For example, if they dont
have any work experience, they dont want to choose one that highlights work
experience.
2. Students need to copy and paste the chosen template into a Word Document. They can make
changes on a web template, but they cant save it.
3. Input the information they wrote in the previous class, print and turn it in.
Reference
http://lessonplanspage.com/olasslabordayresumewritingforteensandcharacteranalysis812-htm/