Suggested Activities - Own Your Own Futureownyourownfuture.com/files/documents/building-a-resume-e.pdf · Journal Building a Résumé Part Two (2-3 days later; computer access required)

• How will a résumé be helpful to you?

• What will be most difficult category to complete?

• Where can you find most of your information?

Journal

Building a Résumé

Developing a résumé is an important part of the college application process because it encourages students to identify their strengths and interests and communicate them in an organized document.

This module contains a video called Building a Résumé that details possible items to include in a résumé and includes advice about the importance of keeping information in a central location.

Additional activities include step-by-step guidance for developing a résumé and effectively reviewing it.

NOTE: The résumé creation and review process will require more than one class period. Students should have access to their college planning portfolios for this lesson or bring any information related

to résumé completion.

Part One1. Begin the lesson by asking students to jot down a few words that

characterize them. Ask them to think about how they would “sell” themselves to someone who knew nothing about them. How would they describe their abilities, interests, skills, grades, awards, and persistence? Allow a few responses from those who would like to share. Remind them that a résumé is a way to introduce yourself to someone who does not know you.

2. Show Building a Résumé. The video features tips on appropriate content for a résumé. Ask students to jot down the categories of information that could be included on a résumé as they watch the video.

3. After the video, review the categories mentioned: Personal Contact Information, Academic Information, Honors and Awards, Community Service, Clubs and Organizations, Hobbies and Interests.

4. Remind students of reasons they might need a résumé, including; • job applications • internship applications • college recruiter interviews • college applications • scholarship applications • support for a letter of recommendation

5. Give students a copy of the handout “Putting My Best Foot Forward.”

The categories listed in the document will help students to focus on the types of content to include in a résumé. Discuss the categories and give examples of items they might include in that category. Note that it is not necessary for students to have every category completed on their résumé at this time, but they should begin to think about what is needed there.

6. Using the document, assign students the task of completing as much information as possible–either in class, in the career center, or at home. Ask them to save a copy of the file and their additions and bring to class in 2-3 days. Those who have a comprehensive college-planning portfolio will have an easier task with the assignment.

7. Close this activity with the journal assignment.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Building a Résumé

Suggested Activities

Journal

Building a Résumé

Part Two (2-3 days later; computer access required) 8. Open the lesson by asking students for a status report

about the information for their résumé. Using their information from the document previously completed, and their college planning portfolio, allow students to begin their résumé during class.

Prompt students to select a résumé template in Word or the applicable word processing software or online. Remind students that when using a résumé template, they must be sure to delete the category prompts, such as “List activities here.”

9. Have students proof their work using the attached “Résumé Checklist.”

10. If time allows, ask pairs to review each other’s résumés and critique them using the attached “Résumé Peer Evaluation.” Peers should read the résumé as though they do not know the person and note any areas that need clarification. Résumés are personal documents, so remind students to make constructive comments and return the document to its owner so they can incorporate their peers’ feedback.

11. Once students have a strong draft, ask them to send their résumé to their parents, siblings, or other teachers for review. Give a deadline for comments. Schedule a last session in the lab to finalize the résumé and make final edits.

12. If possible, have students email their résumés to their guidance counselor and/or teachers they might ask to write a letter of recommendation.


After students have completed their résumés, or at least have a good start on it, ask them to complete the following prompts:

I had lots of information about these categories:

I had the least information about these categories:

When it comes to building a résumé, my advice for younger students would be…


Building a Résumé

In order to reinforce the importance of the information in a résumé, have student pairs conduct a mock college admissions interview in which one assumes the role of a potential college student and another takes the role of a college admissions representative. The admissions rep will use the other student’s résumé to ask questions as they would in an interview. Ask students to make sure they answer as they would in this situation. Once complete, students could switch roles. If interviewers need assistance, prompt them with the following questions:

• How do you feel your high school courses prepared you for college?

• What classes were most challenging for you? Why?

• Did you take advanced courses or dual credit? How many college hours do you have?

• I see you were in several clubs. What skills did you learn from your involvement? How will those skills help you in college?

• Based on your job/organization experience, I see you are interested in ______. Is that what you plan to study in college?

• What majors are you interested in?

• You list a number of organizations and activities. How do you organize your time? How did you fit it all in?

• Why do your experiences make you a good fit for our university?


Possible Extensions

Putting my best

foot forward

Building a Résumé


Basic InformationName

Address

Phone – home and mobile numbers

Email address

Questions to ask yourselfIs everything accurate?

Do I need a more professional email address?

Does this font show that I take this seriously?

Notes:

Academic InformationName of high school and location

Class rank

GPA

SAT/SAT II /ACT scores

Questions to ask yourselfDo I have accurate information?

Are these scores the most recent?

Notes:

Academic AchievementsGraduation Plan - Distinguished or Recommended

Honors/awards nominations

Honor Society

Advanced Placement classes

Early College

College credit classes

Questions to ask yourselfWhat special honors have I received?

What am I proud of?

What shows my hard work and accomplishments?

Notes:

The video called Building a Résumé, details possible items to include in a résumé, along with advice about the

importance of keeping information in a handy location, such as a college portfolio. After watching it, use this

checklist to help you organize information for your résumé.


Building a Résumé


Skills and CompetenciesComputer skills – publishing/web site design/programming

Technology skills – Equipment you know how to operate

Media – Editing, filming, producing

Journalism/Marketing skills

Fine Arts - music, art, drama, dance

Athletics

Questions to ask yourselfWhat skills show that I can handle independent work?

What production skills will help me with college projects or work-study jobs?

What special talents do I possess?

Notes:

Special ProjectsCompetitions

Independent study

Camps

Tutoring

Seminars attended

Community service projects

Questions to ask yourselfWhat contests have I entered?

What independent study or projects did I do on my own?

What have I done to expand my learning?

Notes:

Work ExperienceJobs

Internships

Questions to ask yourselfHow does my work experience show that I am responsible and able to manage my time?

Notes:

Clubs and OrganizationsLeadership roles

Offices held

Church, community, school groups

Questions to ask yourselfWhat shows that I am involved in my school and community?

How have I shown I care about others?

Notes:

Hobbies and InterestsReading

Surfing

Art

Questions to ask yourselfWhat makes me a well-rounded person?

What interests might lead to a career or degree?

Notes:

____1. All words are spelled correctly.

____2. The font is easy to read.

____3. The resume is clearly written and easy to understand.

____4. It is informative and complete.

____5. Something is listed in every category.

Total points = _________ out of possible 25

Résumé Checklist

Review your resume using this checklist. Correct any mistakes NOW.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Résumé Checklist

� Spelling

• Did I do spellcheck and check words that have more than one spelling?

• Did I have a friend read it, too?

� punCtuation

• Did I use correct punctuation?

• Did I use the correct quotation marks?

• Did I use bullets to list important items?

� gRammaR

• Did I switch tenses?

• Does anything sound vague or strangely worded?

• Are all proper nouns capitalized?

• Did I write numbers correctly? Numbers between one and nine are written as words; numbers 10 and above are numerals.

• Did I use one format consistently?

� WoRd ChoiCe

• Did I avoid using shortcuts? (Alright, OK, etc.)

• Did I use action verbs?

• Do I know the meaning and correct use of all the words I used on this document?

� Content

• Did I read for content?

• Does the information I included tell a story about me?

• Did I check all dates to see that they were correct?

• Is my address and phone number current and correct?

• Is the name of the university spelled correctly?

� deSign

• Is it too crowded? Is there plenty of white space?

• Can I get it all on one page?

• How many fonts did I use? Two is the max.

• Did I use a font that is easy to read?

• Did I justify the lines of type? Left justified is best.

• Did I overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features?

• Is the printed copy clear? Use high-quality paper and print on one side of the paper only.

Résumé Rating Scale (for peer evaluation purposes)

Rate the resume using this 5 point scale:

5=top job, 4=almost there, 3=average, 2=not quite, 1=not so much.

Write notes after each item if possible.

Documents

Suggested Activities - Own Your Own Futureownyourownfuture.com/files/documents/building-a-resume-e.pdf · Journal Building a Résumé Part Two (2-3 days later; computer access required)