Creating a Resume :: Curriculum

Lesson Time

Block Scheduling - 2 Classes: 220 Minutes

Standards

English Language Development Standards

Objectives and Goals

Students will become aware of the step-by-step process necessary to get hired for a job.
Students will use Microsoft Word to build a professional-looking resume.
Students will be able to create a complete resume representing their skills, experience, and educational background that will make them employable in today's workforce.

Activities in this Lesson

Be the Boss - Hooks / Set
Act out being a “boss” dialogue:

Pretend you are the human resources manager and you are looking at a newly arrived resume. Be a good performer and be creative with staging: sit behind a desk piled high with papers if you like. Read a sample resume aloud and comment as you go. You might begin by saying "OK, here's another resume for that customer service job. Let's see, what's his name? Oh, there it is. John Doe." Then begin to read through the resume, pointing out flaws. For example, say "Ah, I see he worked as a customer service agent for Big Bucks Co. That's good. What did he do there? " Then switch to a tone that indicates you are reading and say "Answered phone calls from customers and assisted them with questions." Change back to your regular voice and say "Well, duh! That's what every customer service agent in the world does. That doesn't tell me anything." Continue in the same vein and point out common mistakes, such as listing duties instead of functions, failing to provide clear contact data and using an unprofessional email address. Over-act to make a point. Students will get the picture.
Resume Details Presentation - Lecture
Explain to the students that you are going to present information on how to write an excellent resume.

Explain to students that they will be creating their own resume by the end of the lesson.

Present the “ CTE Online – Resume 2 Presentation” to the class.

After the presentation distribute the “ CTE Online- Resume Lesson 2 – Knock Their Socks Off” handout.
- Resume 2 Presentation [ Download ] Resume Details presentation
- Knock Their Socks Off [ Download ] Knock Their Socks Off handout
What Pooh Character are You? - Demo / Modeling
Turn on the SmartBoard or projection device.

Ask students to do the same as you do it.

Open up Microsoft Word and pull up a Resume template. (File, New, Resumes and CV’s) Open any basic resume.

Pick a Pooh Bear character and ask your students to each pick a different character than you chose. Characters to choose from: Pooh Bear, Tigger, Rabbit, Eeyour, Piglet, Owl, Christopher Robin, Kanga, and Roo.

With the class create a resume for your chosen Pooh Bear character.

Assume that the character is applying for a job to become a Teacher at the local elementary school.

Complete each section with the class and after each section have students write their section based on their chosen character.

Continue until the resume is complete with references.
Class Discussion - Check Understanding
After the demonstration and shadowing is complete, hold a class discussion.

Ask students to share what they wrote about each character by resume section.

Throughout the discussion, ask “Does anyone that did not write about that character have anything to add?” Direct students to write down other students’ suggestions.
Video - Check Understanding
Show the following video: RESUME MISTAKES: TOPPEL TIPS VIDEO
- Resume Mistakes [ Go to Site ] Common Resume Mistakes
The Perfect Pooh Character Resume - Group Work
Group students together by the character they chose in the demonstration activity.

Students will work together comparing and contrasting the resumes they individually wrote with each others.

Team members will work together to combine their resume content and create one excellent resume based on that character.

The teacher should walk around to each group checking for understanding and offering suggestions.

The completed Pooh bear character's resume should be put into the instructors basket for final evaluation. Ensure that all team member names are on the resume.
Create Your Resume - Lab / Shop
Explain to the students that they are creating a resume about themselves.

Ask the students to pick one of the three job positions:

1.     pizza restaurant hostess

2.     retail sales clerk

3.     grocery store bagger

Ask students to search the Internet for a job posting for the job position they chose.

Handout the Resume Checklist being used to evaluate the assignment.

As students work on their own computers, the teacher should walk around to check for understanding and productivity. Encourage peer-assistance and individual teacher-student discussions.
- Resume Checklist [ Download ] Checklist of good habits to follow when writing resumes.
Self-assessment - Closure
Once the assignment is completed, the students should print their resumes and meet with the instructor for a personalized evaluation.

Students should be given suggestions to amend their resume and be expected to do so at least one time.

Self-Assessment Activity:

After the personalized evaluation, students will be asked to write a self-reflection regarding the resume activities done today by answering the following questions/statements:

·         What does a resume explain about the job applicant?

·         What is the most important part of a resume?

·         Explain the purpose of a job objective.

Completed resumes and self-reflections should be turned in to the instructor’s basket when complete for final grading.

Assessment

Assessment Types:: Writing Samples, Interviews, Observations,

The teacher will meet individually with every student.

The teacher will use the criteria listed in the Résumé Checklist (handout) to see how well the student has presented themselves and their experience. The student should be prepared to explain to the teacher why they made certain choices concerning their job objective, how they chose their format, and why they used certain words and phrases to describe their experience.

The teacher will offer suggestions for changes and require the student to edit their assignment before turning it in.