Resume Writing 101

Teaching high school students how to write the traditional resume provides them with a much-needed life skill. Need some ideas on how to make the lesson as interesting as it is practical? Check out these tips and internet resources before you plan your Resume Writing 101 Course!

ACTIVITY #1
RESUME PUZZLES: Collect enough sample resumes for each student to have one to look at as you discuss the sections, spacing, and requirements of the traditional resume.

Then, spice up the activity by having students slice the resume into horizontal strips (minus the section labels "Education," "Work History," "References," etc.) so that each strip contains only one "entry." Have them trade their pile of strips with the person sitting closest to them. Hand each student a "worksheet" that is basically a blank piece of paper with the side labels in the correct order along the left side of the page. Have the students glue the strip entries onto the "worksheet" in the most logical order.

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ACTIVITY #2
JOB SEARCH: Browse a newspaper for interesting job advertisements to cut from the paper, enough for each student to have one. It is often better to get several extras so that students have a chance to choose something that sounds interesting to them!

Next, have the students research on-line, by phone, or at the library to learn about the particular career being advertised. Students should understand the required education and experience necessary to pursue that career, as well as an idea of what the job would involve. Additionally, students should gather information about the company or industry, and finally, what objective a person actually applying for that position would have.

Once the students have compiled their research, have them pretend to be an applicant for the job. They will write a phony resume for the position advertised.

NOTE: This might be a good time to incorporate a lesson on ethics, reminding students that it is never O.K. to fabricate information, experience, or education on a resume or in an interview.

After the students have typed up their professional looking resume [perhaps proper addressing of a business envelopes, too] , why not have a businessman/woman from your area who is responsible for hiring new employees at his/her firm visit your class. Get his/her feedback on what looks good or what isn't as effective in their phony resumes. Perhaps this person could give some interviewing tips to the class and/or field their questions.

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