First Impressions Lesson Plan Your First Impression
Resume & Interview Basics
Tier 1 Lesson Plan
11th Grade • 45 Minutes
Objective
Students will be able to identify key components of a professional resume and understand basic strategies for successful interviewing.
Preparation
Review the Resume & Interview Basics Slides .
Print copies of the Ready, Set, Impress! Worksheet for each student.
Familiarize yourself with the Your First Impression Script .
Ensure projector and computer are ready for the presentation.
Time: 20 minutes prep
Materials
Presentation Slides
Lesson Script
Student Worksheets
Answer Key
Lesson Flow
5 MIN Warm-Up
First Impressions
Ask students: "What makes a good first impression?" Facilitate a brief discussion linking responses to job applications and interviews. Refer to the script for guiding questions.
15 MIN Direct Instr.
Introduction to Resumes
Use the Slide Deck to introduce resume purpose and key components (Contact, Objective, Education, Experience, Skills). Discuss action verbs and tailoring content.
15 MIN Discussion
Interviewing Essentials
Explain the interview's purpose. Cover preparation, appearance, non-verbal cues, and common questions. Conduct a quick role-play demonstration of "Tell me about yourself."
8 MIN Activity
Ready, Set, Impress!
Distribute worksheets. Students work individually or in pairs to identify strong resume points and formulate interview responses. Circulate to provide support.
2 MIN Wrap-Up
Closing & Q&A
Review 1-2 examples from the worksheet. Address final questions and encourage students to start building their own draft resumes.
Why This Matters
Learning how to build a strong resume and ace an interview are essential life skills. These abilities open doors to future opportunities, helping students secure jobs, internships, and gain admission to their desired colleges.
Resume & Interview Basics Slides Your First Impression
Resume & Interview Basics
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS SERIES
The Mighty Resume
What is it?
A summary of your skills, experience, and education. It's your personal marketing document .
Goal: To get you an interview!
Key Sections
1 Contact Information
2 Objective or Summary
3 Education
4 Experience (Jobs, Clubs, Volunteer)
5 Skills (Languages, Software)
Making Your Resume Shine
Action Verbs
Instead of "responsible for," use managed , created , or developed .
Quantify
Use numbers! "Increased sales by 15%" is better than "helped with sales."
Keep it Concise
Aim for one page . Every word must count!
Tailor It
Customize your resume for each specific job you apply for.
Proofread!
Typos and grammar mistakes suggest you don't care about the details. Check it twice!
Ace the Interview!
Phase 1: Preparation
An interview is a conversation to show your personality and see if the role is a mutual fit.
01
Research
Know the company or school mission and values.
02
Practice
Rehearse common answers out loud with a friend.
03
Prepare Questions
Have 2-3 questions ready to ask them .
Interview Day Tips
Phase 2: Execution
Dress Professionally
Arrive 10-15m Early
Eye Contact & Posture
Listen Actively
Be Your (Polished) Self
Send a Thank-You Note
The Big Three Questions
"Tell me about yourself."
Keep it concise. Focus on skills and experiences relevant to this role.
"What are your strengths/weaknesses?"
Strengths: Provide examples. Weaknesses: Choose a real one and explain how you are improving.
"Why do you want to work here?"
Connect your specific goals and skills to their mission. Show you did your research!
Ready, Set, Impress!
Your resume is your ticket.Preparation is your secret weapon.
Activity Time!
Complete the worksheet to practice your skills.
Your First Impression Script Instructional Script
Lesson: Your First Impression
Warm-Up: First Impressions (5 Minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important for your future, whether you're thinking about college, a first job, or an internship. We're going to focus on making a fantastic first impression.
To start, I want you to think about this: What comes to mind when you hear the phrase 'first impression'? Turn to a partner and share your thoughts for about one minute. What makes a good first impression? What makes a bad one?"
(Allow students to discuss in pairs for 1 minute.)
Teacher: "Alright, let's hear some of your ideas. Who wants to share what they discussed? What did you identify as key elements of a good first impression?"
(Call on 2-3 students. Guide the discussion toward appearance, attitude, and communication.)
Teacher: "Excellent points! Today, we're going to learn about two major ways you make that impression: your resume and your interview skills ."
Introduction to Resumes (15 Minutes)
Slide 2: The Mighty Resume
Teacher: "A resume is your personal marketing document. It's designed to showcase why you are the best candidate. Its main goal? To get you an interview! If your resume doesn't stand out, you might not even get the chance to speak to someone."
(Go through key sections: Contact Info, Objective, Education, Experience, Skills. Emphasize professionalism in email addresses.)
Slide 3: Resume Best Practices
Teacher: "It's not just about what you put on your resume, but how you present it. Use Action Verbs . Instead of 'responsible for helping customers,' say 'Assisted customers daily, resolving inquiries and improving satisfaction.' Also, Quantify Achievements —use numbers whenever possible!"
Interviewing Essentials (15 Minutes)
Slide 4: Ace the Interview!
Teacher: "Congratulations, your resume worked! Now for the interview. It's a structured conversation. Before you go: Research the company, Practice your answers out loud, and Prepare Questions to ask them."
Slide 5: Interview Day Tips
Teacher: "On the day of, dress professionally, arrive 10-15 minutes early, and listen actively. And don't forget the Thank-You Note within 24 hours!"
Ready, Set, Impress! Worksheet Ready, Set, Impress!
Resume & Interview Practice
Name:
Date:
Instructions: Apply what you've learned about resumes and interviews. Work thoughtfully to complete each section below.
Part 1: Resume Building Basics
1. Action Verbs Power-Up!
Rewrite the following bland statements into strong resume bullet points using powerful action verbs and quantified achievements.
Bland: Helped customers at my dad's store.
Bland: Was part of the school newspaper club.
Bland: Made sure shelves were stocked at the grocery store.
2. Identify the Best Fit
You are applying for a volunteer position at a local animal shelter . Which bullet point is most relevant? Circle one.
a) Participated in the school drama club for three years.
b) Cared for personal pets daily, including feeding and walking.
c) Organized a school fundraiser that raised $500 for a local charity.
d) Achieved honor roll status for all four quarters of 10th grade.
Explain your choice:
Part 2: Interviewing Essentials
3. Common Interview Questions
Outline your answer ideas for these common prompts.
"Tell me about yourself." (Focus on school, skills, and goals)
"What is one of your strengths, and how have you demonstrated it?"
4. Questions for the Interviewer
Imagine you are interviewing for a summer job at a community center . What are two thoughtful questions you could ask at the end?
Ready, Set, Impress! Answer Key Answer Key
Ready, Set, Impress! Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Part 1: Resume Building Basics
1. Action Verbs Power-Up!
Bland: Helped customers at my dad's store.
Example: Assisted 30+ customers daily, managing transactions and resolving inquiries to ensure high satisfaction.
Bland: Was part of the school newspaper club.
Example: Wrote and edited bi-weekly articles for the school newspaper, reaching an audience of 500+ students.
Bland: Made sure shelves were stocked at the grocery store.
Example: Managed inventory and restocked shelves daily, ensuring product availability and an organized store layout.
2. Identify the Best Fit
Correct Choice: b) Cared for personal pets daily, including feeding and walking.
Reasoning:
Option (b) directly demonstrates experience and responsibility in caring for animals, which is highly relevant to a position at an animal shelter. While other options show good qualities (leadership, fundraising), they are not as directly applicable to the specific duties of animal care.
Part 2: Interviewing Essentials
3. Common Interview Questions
"Tell me about yourself."
"I'm currently an 11th-grade student at [School] with a strong interest in [Field]. I'm passionate about [Skill/Hobby] and have gained teamwork experience through [Sport/Club]. I'm looking for opportunities to apply my communication skills in a professional setting."
"What is one of your strengths...?"
"One of my strengths is problem-solving. For example, during a history group project, we had conflicting research. I organized a brainstorming session that helped us reconcile the facts and finish the project early."
4. Questions for the Interviewer
1
"What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?"
2
"What opportunities are there for staff to learn new skills or take on more responsibility?"
3
"What is the team culture like here at the community center?"
Review these answers with students to emphasize the importance of relevance, action-oriented language, and preparation.
