Your First Resume! Script

Warm-Up: What's Your Super Skill? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super cool that can help you show off all the amazing things you do. To start, let's play a little imagination game."

"Imagine you're applying for a 'Super Kid' job – a job where you get to use your unique talents. If you were applying for this job, what's one awesome skill or experience you'd want the 'employer' to know about you? It could be anything! Maybe you're great at teamwork, always on time for practice, or you can build amazing Lego structures. Think for a moment, and then I'll ask a few of you to share."

(Allow students a minute to think. Call on a few students to share.)

Teacher: "Those are fantastic examples! You're already thinking about what makes you special and valuable. And guess what? That's exactly what we're going to do today, but for something called a resume."

Introduction to Resumes (10 minutes)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 3: What is a Resume?). So, what exactly is a resume? A resume is like your personal highlight reel, a document that tells a potential employer, or even a coach, or a leader of a club you want to join, all about your skills, your experiences, and your achievements.

"Think of it as your personal marketing flyer. It's a quick way for someone to learn who you are and what awesome things you've accomplished."

"(Transition to Slide 4: Why is a Resume Important?). You might be thinking, 'Why do I need a resume now? I'm only in 8th grade!' That's a great question! Even in middle school, resumes can open doors. They can help you:

• Apply for a babysitting job in your neighborhood.
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter or community event.
• Join a special club at school that requires an application.
• And definitely for future scholarships or jobs when you get older."

"It's never too early to start thinking about how to present your best self!"

"(Transition to Slide 5: Resume Sections: The Building Blocks). Resumes have several key sections, like building blocks. We'll go through each one today, and don't worry, we're just brainstorming to get started."

Deep Dive: Resume Components (10 minutes)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 6: Contact Information). The first building block is Contact Information. This is super important because it's how people can get in touch with you! You'll include your full name, big and bold, your phone number, and a professional email address. Remember, something like 'coolkid123@email.com' might not be the best choice for a resume. Think 'firstname.lastname@email.com'. You'll also list your city and state."

"Any questions about contact info?"

(Pause for questions.)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 7: Objective or Summary). Next up is your Objective or Summary. This is a short sentence or two that tells the employer what kind of opportunity you are looking for and what skills you bring. It's like a mini-advertisement for yourself!

"For example, if you wanted to volunteer at the library, your objective might be: 'Seeking a volunteer position at the local library to utilize strong organizational skills and a passion for reading.' It tells them what you want and why you'd be good at it."

"(Transition to Slide 8: Education). Then we have Education. This is where you talk about your school! You'll list the name of your school, its location, and your current grade level. If you've achieved anything special academically, like being on the Honor Roll, or excelled in a specific subject, you can add that here too."

"What kind of things might you put under education besides your school name?"

(Allow a student or two to respond, guiding them towards academic achievements or special projects.)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 9: Experience). Now, for Experience. This is where many students think, 'But I don't have a job!' And that's totally okay! 'Experience' isn't just about paid jobs. It's anything you've done that shows responsibility, skills, or effort.

"Think about:

• School Projects: Did you lead a group project? Create a great presentation?
• Volunteer Work: Have you ever helped out at school events, participated in a community clean-up, or helped a neighbor?
• Household Chores: Babysitting for siblings or neighbors, mowing lawns, pet sitting, even consistently doing your chores at home demonstrates responsibility.
• Clubs/Sports: Being part of a team or club shows teamwork, dedication, and sometimes leadership."

"It's about showing what you've done and what you learned from it."

"(Transition to Slide 10: Skills). Then we have Skills. What are you good at? What can you do? This can be:

• Computer Skills: Are you good at typing? Using Google Docs, PowerPoint, or other software?
• Languages: Do you speak another language?
• Soft Skills: These are personal qualities that help you succeed, like teamwork, problem-solving, good communication, creativity, leadership, or being responsible."

"What are some skills you think are important for, say, being a good team member in a sport?"

(Elicit responses like communication, listening, cooperation.)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 11: Awards & Achievements). Finally, we have Awards & Achievements. This is where you list any special recognition or accomplishments.

"Have you received academic awards, like for perfect attendance or a specific subject? Sports awards? Any certificates, like from swimming lessons or a first aid course? Maybe recognition from a club or organization? Don't be shy – this is where you show off your hard work!"

Activity: My Resume Brainstorm (10 minutes)

Teacher: "(Transition to Slide 12: Time to Brainstorm!). Alright, now that we've talked about all the different parts of a resume, it's YOUR turn to start thinking about your own!

"I'm going to hand out the My Resume Brainstorm Worksheet. This worksheet is designed to help you gather your thoughts and remember all the cool things you've done. There are no right or wrong answers here; just think about your experiences, skills, and achievements. Don't worry about perfect sentences right now, just get your ideas down.

"I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions or get stuck. Let's start filling out our worksheets!"

(Distribute the worksheets and circulate, offering assistance.)

Wrap-Up: The Power of Your Story (5 minutes)

Teacher: "(After 8-9 minutes of activity, bring the class back together. Transition to Slide 13: Your Story, Your Future!). Okay, let's bring it back together. I hope that worksheet got your brains buzzing with all the amazing things you've already done!"

"Can a few people share one new thing they learned about resumes today, or maybe one interesting skill or experience they rediscovered about themselves while working on the worksheet?"

(Call on a few students to share.)

Teacher: "Fantastic! Remember, you have amazing skills and experiences, and a resume is just a way to clearly and effectively share your unique story with the world.

"It's a living document – it will change and grow as you do. So keep track of your achievements, big and small, because you never know when you'll need them! Great job today, everyone!"

My Resume Brainstorm Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Introduction: Your Story So Far!

This worksheet will help you think about all the cool things you've done, learned, and achieved. This is the first step to building your very own resume!

1. Contact Information

How would someone get in touch with you?

• Full Name:
  
  
  
• Phone Number:
  
  
  
• Email Address: (Remember to keep it professional!)
  
  
  
• City, State:
  
  
  

2. Objective / Summary

What kind of opportunity are you looking for, and what do you bring? (e.g., "Seeking a volunteer position at the local animal shelter to help care for pets and learn more about animal welfare.")

3. Education

Tell us about your school and any academic highlights!

• School Name:
  
  
  
• Grade Level:
  
  
  
• Special Projects or Achievements: (e.g., Honor Roll, science fair participant, special class projects)
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Experience

What have you done? Remember, this isn't just paid jobs! Think about responsibilities at home, school, or in your community.

• Examples: Babysitting, pet sitting, lawn mowing, helping a neighbor, leading a school project, volunteering at an event, consistent household chores.

• My Experiences: (List 2-3 examples and describe what you did or learned from them.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. Skills

What are you good at? What can you do? Think about computer skills, languages, or personal qualities.

• Examples: Typing, using Google Docs/Slides, speaking Spanish, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, creativity, leadership, responsibility, organization.

• My Skills: (List 3-5 of your strongest skills.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

6. Awards & Achievements

Have you received any special recognition or accomplishments?

• Examples: Academic awards, sports awards, certificates (e.g., swimming, first aid), recognition from clubs.

• My Awards/Achievements: (List any special recognitions you've received.)