1. Introduction to Resumes (5 minutes)
Discussion:
Start by asking if you've ever written a resume before and what you think should be included.
Explain that a resume is a document summarizing your work experience, education, skills, and achievements for job applications.
 

2. Key Vocabulary (10 minutes)
Personal Information: Name, address, phone number, email

Objective: A brief statement about your career goals or the job you’re seeking

Work Experience: Previous jobs, including job title, company name, and dates of employment

Education: Schools attended, degrees or certifications earned

Skills: Abilities relevant to the job, like computer skills, language skills, or technical skills

References: People who can vouch for your work or character (usually "Available upon request")

Practice:

I'll give you examples of each term, and we'll practice using them in sentences.
 

3. Resume Structure (10 minutes)
Explanation:

I’ll walk you through the typical sections of a resume:
Header: Personal information
Objective: Your career goal or the type of job you're seeking
Work Experience: List of jobs with descriptions
Education: Schools and certifications
Skills: Relevant abilities
References: Optional, but usually available upon request
 

Example:
We’ll look at a simple resume example together, and I'll explain each part.
 

4. Writing Your Resume (20 minutes)
Step 1: Start with a Template
I’ll provide you with a basic resume template. We’ll start filling it in together with your information or create a fictional resume for practice.
 

Step 2: Writing Together
We’ll write each section step by step, with me guiding you and answering questions.
 

5. Review and Feedback (10 minutes)
Read Through:
We’ll read through what you've written and make any necessary corrections.
Feedback:
I’ll give you feedback on your vocabulary, grammar, and structure, and we’ll make improvements together.
 

6. Conclusion and Next Steps (5 minutes)
Summary:
We’ll quickly review what you've learned about resume structure and key vocabulary.
Homework:
You can revise your resume based on our session and send it to me for further feedback.

 

 

Overview of Resume Writing
Purpose of a Resume
A resume is a document used by jobseekers to promote their skills, abilities, and knowledge to potential employers.
It uses past experiences and accomplishments to position the individual for future opportunities.

Importance of a Well-Written Resume
Resumes are used by employers to identify qualified candidates for interviews.
Well-written resumes facilitate interviews and are a marketing tool.
 

Key Considerations
Resumes are typically viewed for no more than 30 seconds.
Applicant tracking systems scan resumes for keywords matching the job descriptions.
Avoid being vague and list accomplishments rather than just functions.
Adhere to rules of the English language, avoid first person pronouns, and keep sentences short.
Assemble all personal and factual information before constructing the resume.
 

Components of a Good Resume
Personal Information should be highly visible and centered at the top of the page.
Objective is optional and identifies the position being sought.
Highlights of Qualifications should match skills to the target job description.
Experience should be listed in reverse chronological order with specific details.
Education should be listed in reverse chronological order with relevant details.
Activities and Leadership roles demonstrate additional skills and experiences.
References should be available upon request and listed on a separate page.
 

Skills Identification and Action Words
Skills Identification
Communication Skills: Explaining, Listening, Persuading, Speaking, Teaching, Writing
 

Organizational Skills: Prioritizing, Planning, Managing time, Budgeting
 

Judgment Skills: Appraising, Editing, Evaluating, Reviewing, Examining
 

Leadership Skills: Administering, Coordinating, Deciding, Delegating, Initiating, Managing, Supervising
 

Problem-Solving Skills: Investigating, Researching, Observing, Locating, Trouble shooting
 

Creative Skills: Inventing, Designing, Entertaining, Innovating, Displaying
 

Interpersonal Skills: Advising, Cooperating, Confronting, Group facilitating, Interviewing, Negotiating, Researching
 

Maintenance Skills: Compiling, Handling details, Setting up, Updating, Carry out requests
 

Intellectual Skills: Conceptualizing, Analyzing, Classifying, Questioning
 

Action Words
Accelerated, Closed, Developed, Explained, Inventoried, Pinpointed, Reviewed
Coached, Devised, Facilitated, Lectured, Placed, Revised
Collected, Diagnosed, Fired, Led, Planned, Scheduled
Compiled, Directed, Formulated, Lobbied, Posted, Screened
Completed, Discovered, Found, Logged, Presented, Selected
Conceived, Dispatched, Founded, Made, Processed, Simplified
Conducted, Displayed, Generated, Maintained, Produced, Sold
Consolidated, Distributed, Guided, Managed, Programmed, Solved
Coordinated, Elicited, Implemented, Monitored, Purchased, Suggested
 

Accomplishments Worksheet
Guidelines for Accomplishments
List specific and measurable accomplishments.
Quantify whenever possible to demonstrate impact.
Use superlatives and 'firsts' to highlight achievements.
Consider the 'so-what factor' to ensure listed accomplishments truly characterize abilities and potential contributions.
 

Brainstorming Questions
What special things did you do to set yourself apart?
How did you make the job your own and go above and beyond?
What did you do to impress your boss and were you promoted?
List any awards won and tangible evidence of accomplishments.
How did you contribute to operational efficiency, productivity, and building relationships?
How did you solve specific problems in the job?
Vague Claims vs Accomplishments
Replace vague claims with specific accomplishments to demonstrate skills and impact.