Building the Perfect Resume

Seanjula Matthews

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Building the Perfect Resume

Create a professional resume

Students will learn how to create a professional resume, understanding the importance of formatting, content, and tailoring for specific job applications. This lesson will help students prepare for future job applications and internships, setting them up for success beyond high school.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Create a professional resume

Materials

Resume Templates Worksheet, and Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Greet the students and briefly explain the importance of having a professional resume.
Discuss the main components of a resume: Contact Information, Objective/Summary, Education, Experience, Skills, and References.
Show examples of good resumes to give students a visual understanding of what a polished resume looks like.

Step 2

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Distribute the Resume Templates Worksheet. Explain that students will use this to create their own resumes.
Guide students through each section of the resume template, providing tips and answering questions as needed.
Encourage students to think about their own experiences, skills, and goals while filling out their resumes.

Step 3

Peer Review

10 mins

Pair up students and have them exchange resumes.
Instruct them to review each other's resumes, providing constructive feedback on formatting, content, and overall effectiveness.
Remind students to be respectful and helpful in their critiques.

Step 4

Discussion and Wrap-Up

10 mins

Facilitate a discussion using the provided questions on the Discussion Questions attachment.
Ask students to share their thoughts on the resume-building process and any challenges they faced.
Summarize key takeaways and encourage students to continue refining their resumes beyond the workshop.

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Worksheet

Resume Templates Worksheet

Students will use this worksheet to create their own resumes, with sections for each major component of a resume.

Contact Information:

Full Name
Address
Phone Number
Email Address

Objective/Summary:

Write 1-2 sentences summarizing your career goals and what you aim to achieve.

Education:

List your educational background, including school name, degree, and graduation year.

Experience:

Detail your work experience, including job title, employer, and dates of employment.

Skills:

Highlight your skills relevant to the job you're applying for.

References:

List 2-3 professional references, including their name, title, and contact information.

Discussion

Resume Building Discussion

A guided discussion to help students reflect on the resume-building process and share feedback.

What did you find most challenging about creating your resume?

Help students discuss challenges related to formatting, content, and identifying relevant experiences.

How do you think having a strong resume will help you in your job or college application process?

Encourage students to think about the importance of a resume in achieving their career goals.

What are some ways you can continue to improve your resume in the future?

Discuss the value of continuously updating the resume with new experiences and skills, and seeking feedback from others.