Combining computer skills with writing skills helps students learn to create resumes.
Help your students break into the work world by introducing the structure and form of a resume. A resume works as an introduction to a hiring employer who seeks to identify a potential employee's skills and experience. Get students involved in a project to help them recognize the skills they possess and how each skill can increase their chances of landing an interview.
Brainstorm and Research
Conducting a brainstorming session with your students will help them come up with ideas of information to include on a resume. Bring in resume books that describe build a resume, and have example resume template designs. "The Resume Handbook" by Arthur Rosenburg can be used when brainstorming. Let students list ideas that they think should be included in the resume, and put the best ideas on a chalk or dry-erase board for the whole class to see.
Explore Formats
Depending on the type of job a student expects to have someday, the resume format or template varies, which affects the information the resume presents. Explain the four basic kinds of resumes: chronological, functional, combination and targeted, pointing out the differences in each kind.
A chronological resume lists job experience and the most recent employer first, followed by subsequent jobs. A functional resume hones in on skills and strengths rather than describing job experience. A combination resume lists job experience chronologically but highlights the skills and experiences for each job. A targeted resume focuses on only the skills a potential employer seeks. Print examples of each type of resume, and give a copy of each kind in a shuffled stack to each student. They should be able to label each one based on the descriptions of resume types. After reviewing the answers, help the students decide which format would work the best for the job they have in mind.
Work with a Computer
The students can learn create resume templates on a computer, too. Get the children comfortable with working with a word processing program on a computer. In the computer laboratory of your school, show them create and save a document and to add and edit text. After mastering the basics of creating a document, help them create a template with the tools they learned in the processing program. Then they can use one of the examples to create their own resume template over several days.
Fill in a Template
After the students create a resume template, let them fill it in with their experiences. Because students may have limited experience for the jobs they wish, instruct them to research the job industry they want to be in and learn how an individual progresses from an entry-level position to their desired job rank. Let them use mock job experience to help them learn what it takes to obtain their dream job. Pointing out a few companies that employ individuals with various skill sets will start students on the right path. Encourage students to detail all the experience they wish to have in their template.
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