Lesson Plan
Resume Building Basics
Students will be able to identify key components of a resume and begin drafting their own, highlighting their skills and experiences effectively.
This lesson is essential for equipping students with a foundational job search tool, empowering them to showcase their abilities, and preparing them for future career exploration.
Audience
Small Group of 9th Graders
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive instruction, guided practice, and independent application.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Crafting Your First Resume, Resume Builder Template, Resume Action Verb List, and Pencils/Pens
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Crafting Your First Resume and practice presenting the content.
- Print copies of the Resume Builder Template (one per student).
- Print copies of the Resume Action Verb List (one per student).
- Ensure projector/smartboard is working.
- Review all generated materials as needed to familiarize yourself with the content and activities.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's Your Story?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "Imagine you're telling someone about something awesome you did. How would you make it sound impressive?"
- Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging students to share their thoughts and emphasizing the idea of highlighting accomplishments.
Step 2
Introduction to Resumes
10 minutes
- Present the Crafting Your First Resume (Slides 1-3).
- Explain what a resume is and why it's important, especially for young people starting to think about jobs or future opportunities.
- Discuss the main sections of a basic resume (Contact Info, Objective/Summary, Education, Experience, Skills).
Step 3
Deconstructing a Resume
15 minutes
- Continue with the Crafting Your First Resume (Slides 4-7).
- Go through each section of a resume in more detail, providing examples relevant to 9th graders (e.g., volunteer work, school clubs, personal projects for experience).
- Distribute the Resume Action Verb List and explain how to use powerful action verbs to describe experiences.
Step 4
Guided Practice: Template Time
20 minutes
- Distribute the Resume Builder Template.
- Guide students through filling out each section of the template, providing prompts and examples.
- Encourage students to think about their school activities, volunteer work, hobbies, and any responsibilities they have at home.
- Circulate around the room to offer individual support and answer questions.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
10 minutes
- Ask students to share one new thing they learned about resumes or one skill they discovered they could put on their resume.
- Collect the Resume Builder Template worksheets for review or provide instructions for students to continue working on them.
- Emphasize that this is a living document that will grow with them, and provide encouragement for their efforts.
Slide Deck
Crafting Your First Resume: Your Story, Your Future!
Let's learn how to tell YOUR story to future opportunities!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of resumes. Ask them what they think a resume is or why someone would need one.
What Exactly is a Resume?
– A summary of your skills, experiences, and achievements.
– A tool to show what you can do and who you are.
– Your personal marketing document!
Explain that a resume is a document that highlights a person's skills, experiences, and accomplishments. It's like a personal advertisement!
Why Do I Need One Now?
– Opens doors to part-time jobs or volunteer work.
– Helps you get into special programs or clubs.
– Great practice for future college applications or full-time jobs!
– It helps you recognize your own amazing skills!
Discuss why a resume is important even for 9th graders. Mention part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, club leadership, and future college applications.
The Essential Parts of Your First Resume
Every great story has chapters! Your resume does too:
- Contact Information
- Objective or Summary
- Education
- Experience (Yes, you have it!)
- Skills
Introduce the main sections we will cover. Emphasize that we are building a basic first resume.
1. Contact Information: How to Reach You
– Your Full Name (Big & Bold!)
– Phone Number (Professional voicemail)
– Email Address (Keep it professional: e.g., john.doe@email.com)
– City, State (No need for your full address on a first resume)
Explain what contact information is crucial and how to present it professionally.
2. Objective or Summary: Your Goal
– Objective: What kind of job or opportunity are you looking for?
*Example: "Seeking a part-time position where I can develop communication skills and assist customers."
– Summary: A quick snapshot of your best qualities.
*Example: "Motivated 9th grader eager to contribute strong teamwork and learning abilities."
For 9th graders, an objective is often simpler. Guide them to think about what kind of opportunity they are looking for.
3. Education: Your Learning Journey
– Name of Your School
– City, State of School
– Expected Graduation Year
– Any relevant coursework or special honors (e.g., Honor Roll)
Explain how to list their current school and expected graduation year. Mention any honors or relevant coursework if applicable.
4. Experience: What You've Done!
Don't have a job? No problem! Experience includes:
– Volunteer Work (e.g., helping at school events)
– School Projects (group work, presentations)
– Club Activities (leadership roles, participation)
– Responsibilities at Home (e.g., babysitting, caring for siblings, lawn care)
– Personal Projects (e.g., coding, art, building things)
This is crucial for 9th graders. Help them brainstorm what counts as 'experience' beyond traditional jobs.
Action Verbs: Make Your Experience POP!
Instead of:
"I helped organize the school play."
Try:
"Coordinated backstage logistics for the annual school play."
Use the Resume Action Verb List to find powerful words!
Introduce the idea of using strong action verbs to describe their experiences. This is where the Resume Action Verb List comes in handy.
5. Skills: What You're Good At
– Hard Skills: Things you've learned (e.g., basic computer programs, a language, playing an instrument).
– Soft Skills: Personal qualities (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving, communication, reliability, creativity).
Discuss both hard and soft skills. Provide examples relevant to their age group.
You're Resume Ready!
– Resumes are important for showing off your best self.
– You have valuable experiences and skills, even if you haven't had a 'job' yet.
– Use the Resume Builder Template to start building your own!
– Good luck!
Summarize the key takeaways and encourage them to start drafting their resume using the provided template.
Worksheet
Resume Builder Template
Your First Step to Showcasing Your Awesome Self!
1. Contact Information
- Full Name:
- Phone Number:
- Email Address:
Make sure it's professional! (e.g., first.last@email.com) - City, State:
2. Objective or Summary
Choose ONE to write about. What kind of opportunity are you looking for, or what are your best qualities?
Objective (What you want to do):
*Example: "Seeking a part-time position where I can develop communication skills and assist customers."
OR
Summary (Who you are):
*Example: "Motivated 9th grader eager to contribute strong teamwork and learning abilities."
3. Education
What school do you attend? When do you expect to graduate?
- School Name:
- City, State:
- Expected Graduation Year:
- Any Honors or Relevant Coursework (Optional):
Example: Honor Roll, Advanced Math Class
4. Experience
Think about anything you've done that shows responsibility, teamwork, or skills! (Use the Resume Action Verb List to help you describe!)
Activity/Role 1:
- Organization/Context:
- Dates (e.g., Sept 2023 - Present):
- Your Responsibilities/Achievements (Use action verbs!):
Activity/Role 2 (Optional):
- Organization/Context:
- Dates (e.g., June 2023 - Aug 2023):
- Your Responsibilities/Achievements (Use action verbs!):
5. Skills
What are you good at? Think about both things you know (like computer programs) and qualities you have (like being a good listener)!
Hard Skills (Things you know):
Soft Skills (Qualities you have):
Answer Key
Resume Action Verb List
Power Up Your Resume!
Using strong action verbs makes your experiences sound more impactful and professional. Here's a list to help you describe your achievements!
Communication Skills
- Addressed
- Arbitrated
- Clarified
- Communicated
- Convinced
- Corresponded
- Debated
- Defined
- Directed
- Discussed
- Educated
- Explained
- Expressed
- Facilitated
- Informed
- Interpreted
- Lectured
- Lobbied
- Mediated
- Moderated
- Negotiated
- Persuaded
- Presented
- Promoted
- Publicized
- Reconciled
- Reported
- Represented
- Spoke
- Suggested
- Translated
- Wrote
Teamwork & Leadership Skills
- Administered
- Advised
- Chaired
- Coached
- Collaborated
- Coordinated
- Delegated
- Developed
- Directed
- Enabled
- Encouraged
- Evaluated
- Guided
- Helped
- Inspired
- Led
- Managed
- Mentored
- Motivated
- Organized
- Oversaw
- Planned
- Promoted
- Recruited
- Regulated
- Reinforced
- Supervised
- Taught
- Trained
- Unified
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzed
- Appraised
- Assessed
- Clarified
- Compared
- Critiqued
- Diagnosed
- Evaluated
- Examined
- Explored
- Identified
- Interpreted
- Investigated
- Judged
- Measured
- Obtained
- Prospected
- Questioned
- Researched
- Reviewed
- Searched
- Solved
- Summarized
- Tested
Action & Accomplishment Skills
- Achieved
- Acted
- Adapted
- Adjusted
- Aided
- Assisted
- Attained
- Boosted
- Built
- Completed
- Conducted
- Created
- Delivered
- Demonstrated
- Designed
- Executed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Generated
- Implemented
- Improved
- Initiated
- Instigated
- Launched
- Managed
- Operated
- Performed
- Produced
- Provided
- Resolved
- Restored
- Simplified
- Streamlined
- Strengthened
- Supported
- Utilized
- Volunteered