Resume Launchpad Slides Resume Launchpad
Part 1: The Blueprint for Success
What is a Resume?
It's your personal marketing brochure . It tells the story of who you are, what you've done, and what you can offer in 60 seconds or less.
Purpose
To land an interview
First Impression
Clean and readable
Content
Skills and Experience
Anatomy of a Resume
1
Contact Info
Name, phone, and professional email.
2
Professional Summary
A quick "hook" about your goals.
3
Education
Where you go to school and your grade.
4
Experience
Jobs, volunteering, chores, or sports!
The 30-Second Test
Hiring managers look at a resume for an average of 6 seconds before deciding to keep it or toss it.
YOUR MISSION:
Scan the two samples on your desk. Who gets the job? Why?
Hiring Manager Simulation Worksheet Hiring Manager Simulation
Lesson 1: Analyze & Decide
STUDENT NAME: _________________________
DATE: __________________
THE SCENARIO
You are the manager of "Scoops & More Ice Cream Parlor." You need to hire one person for a summer job. You have two applicants for the same position. You have 30 seconds to look at each resume.
CANDIDATE A: ALEX SMITH
EXPERIENCE
I worked at my aunt's house doing stuff for her. I also played basketball. I am pretty good at math and I like to help people. I've never had a real job but I'm a hard worker.
SKILLS
Video games, TikTok, I'm nice, clean my room.
CONTACT
gamer4ever123@email.com
CANDIDATE B: SAM RIVERA
Experience
2023 - Present
Neighborhood Pet Sitter
Education
Grade 7
Lincoln Middle School - 3.8 GPA; Student Council Representative; Math Club.
Skills
Customer Service, Basic Math, Punctual, Responsible.
The Decision
1. Which candidate would you hire? Why?
2. Name 2 things about Candidate A that looked unprofessional.
3. Name 2 things about Candidate B that made them stand out.
4. Look at the email addresses. Why does the email address matter on a resume?
Teacher Guide Resume Basics Teacher Guide: The Resume Blueprint
Lesson 1 of 5 | Duration: 50-60 Minutes
Objectives
Define the purpose of a resume as a marketing tool.
Identify 4-5 key sections of a standard resume.
Critique professional vs. unprofessional formatting.
Materials Needed
"Resume Launchpad" Slides
"Hiring Manager Simulation" Worksheet
Timers (optional for 30-sec test)
Lesson Pacing
0-10 MIN
The Hook: The 6-Second Challenge
Project the "30-Second Test" slide. Hand out the simulation worksheet and tell students they have exactly 30 seconds to look at Candidate A and Candidate B. No more!
10-25 MIN
Discussion & Simulation
Have students vote on who they would hire. Discuss why Candidate B won (formatting, clear sections, professional email, specific details). Complete the reflection questions on the worksheet.
25-45 MIN
Direct Instruction: Anatomy of a Resume
Use the "Anatomy" slides to walk through the sections. Emphasize that "Experience" doesn't just mean a paid job—it means anything you've been responsible for.
45-60 MIN
Wrap Up & Exit Ticket
Ask: "If you were writing your resume TODAY, what is one thing you would put in your 'Experience' section?"
Pro-Tips for 7th Grade
Address the Email Issue
Students often think "gamer4ever" is fine. Use this to talk about "Digital Identity" and professional personas.
Validate 'Life' Experience
Many 12-13 year olds feel they have nothing to write. Keep reinforcing that chores, sports, and church/volunteer work count!
Skill Scout Slides Skill Scavenger Hunt
"I've never had a job, so I don't have any skills."
MYTH BUSTED!
You have skills. You just need to translate them.
Transferable Skills
The Definition
Skills you learned in one area of your life (like school or home) that you can use in a new job.
Example
If you play on a soccer team, you have Teamwork and Communication skills.
Skills Move With You!
Translation Challenge
Normal Task:
"I babysit my 3 little cousins on Fridays."
Professional Skill:
Childcare & Safety Management
Patience, responsibility, scheduling.
Tip
Don't just say what you did. Tell them what you were trusted to do!
Chore to Career Worksheet Chore to Career
Translating Daily Life into Professional Skills
NAME: _________________________
DATE: __________________
Employers aren't always looking for someone who has done the exact same job before. They are looking for people with Transferable Skills —skills like being on time, following directions, and being responsible. Let's find yours!
Part 1: Skill Translation
Look at the daily activities below. Match them to the "Professional Skill" that best describes them by writing the skill name in the middle column. Then, list a "Character Trait" needed for that job.
Daily Activity Professional Skill Character Trait Watching your little brother after school ______________________ ______________________ Walking the neighbor's dog every morning ______________________ ______________________ Being the Captain of your soccer team ______________________ ______________________ Cleaning your room and organizing your desk ______________________ ______________________ Mowing the lawn every Saturday ______________________ ______________________
Part 2: Your Experience
Think about your life. List three things you do (at home, school, or in the community) and translate them into professional skills.
Activity/Role
Professional Skill(s)
Reflection: Why do employers value "Soft Skills" (like responsibility and teamwork) just as much as "Hard Skills" (like being able to use a cash register)?
Transferable Skills Cheat Sheet Transferable Skills Cheat Sheet
The Resume Vocabulary Guide
"I don't know what to call what I do!" Use these categories to find professional words that describe your experience.
Communication
Active Listening: Understanding instructions fully.
Public Speaking: Presenting to a class or group.
Customer Service: Helping people politely.
Conflict Resolution: Handling disagreements fairly.
Responsibility
Punctuality: Always being on time.
Trustworthiness: Handling money or keys.
Initiative: Doing things without being told.
Time Management: Balancing school and chores.
Teamwork
Collaboration: Working well in a group.
Leadership: Guiding others toward a goal.
Motivation: Encouraging teammates.
Delegation: Assigning tasks to others fairly.
Thinking & Problem Solving
Adaptability: Handling change easily.
Critical Thinking: Making smart decisions.
Organization: Keeping track of tasks/items.
Creativity: Finding new ways to do things.
PRO TIP: Choose 3-5 of these skills that you are actually good at. You will need to explain an example of each during an interview!
Action Power Slides Power Up Your Resume
Weak & Boring:
"I was responsible for cleaning the gym."
Action-Oriented:
"Maintained gym facility to ensure student safety."
Verbs show Action . Adjectives show Talk . Guess which one employers like more?
The Bullet Point Formula
1. Action Verb
Directed
2. Task
daily soccer drills
3. Result
to improve team speed.
Final Product:
"Directed daily soccer drills to improve team speed."
Choosing the Right Word
Leading
• Managed
• Guided
• Supervised
• Facilitated
Helping
• Supported
• Resolved
• Communicated
• Advised
Organizing
• Arranged
• Scheduled
• Categorized
• Maintained
"I helped..." → "Facilitated..."
Upgrade your vocabulary to upgrade your resume.
Bullet Point Booster Worksheet Bullet Point Booster
Mastering the Action + Task + Result Formula
NAME: _________________________
DATE: __________________
The Resume Formula:
Action Verb + Task + Result/Purpose
Part 1: Deconstruct the Sentence
Read the professional bullet point below and identify each part of the formula.
"Organized neighborhood cleanup events to promote environmental awareness."
Action Verb
Task
Result/Purpose
Part 2: The Power Upgrade
Rewrite these "boring" sentences into professional bullet points using the formula and the Action Verb Vault handout.
1. Boring Statement: "I watched my little brother after school."
Write final polished bullet point here...
2. Boring Statement: "I helped clean up after the basketball game."
Write final polished bullet point here...
3. Boring Statement: "I was on the student council."
Write final polished bullet point here...
Action Verb Vault Handout The Action Verb Vault
Ditch the Boring Words
Leadership & Management
• Directed
• Managed
• Guided
• Supervised
• Facilitated
• Coordinated
• Oversaw
• Instructed
Helping & Communication
• Assisted
• Supported
• Resolved
• Collaborated
• Advised
• Represented
• Mentored
• Communicated
Organizing & Accuracy
• Arranged
• Scheduled
• Maintained
• Cataloged
• Organized
• Monitored
• Documented
• Distributed
Achievement & Change
• Improved
• Increased
• Created
• Launched
• Achieved
• Developed
• Transformed
• Optimized
How to use this vault:
INSTEAD OF...
"I helped my teacher after school."
TRY...
"Assisted instructor with classroom organization and materials management."
Layout Logic Slides Layout Logic
The look of your resume tells an employer how organized and professional you are before they read a single word.
Rule #1:
White space is your friend. Don't crowd the page!
Fonts & Visual Hierarchy
Headings
EXPERIENCE
Bold, All-Caps, or Larger Font
Body Text
Managed daily schedules...
Clean, simple, and readable (10-12pt)
Sans-Serif Fonts
Arial, Calibri, Inter (Modern & Clean)
Fonts to Avoid
Comic Sans, Papyrus (Unprofessional)
The "Summary" Hook
A professional summary is 2-3 sentences that answer the question:
Bad Example:
"I want a job because I need money for a new bike. I like school and am nice."
Good Example:
"Dedicated 7th-grade student with a passion for animal care and 2+ years of neighborhood pet sitting experience. Proven reliability and communication skills."
Professional Summary Planner The Hook Planner
Drafting Your Professional Summary
NAME: _________________________
DATE: __________________
What is a Professional Summary?
It’s the first thing an employer reads. It’s like a movie trailer for your resume. It highlights your Identity (who you are), your Skills (what you’re good at), and your Goals (what you want to do).
Step 1: Your Identity
How do you describe yourself in a professional way? (e.g., "Hard-working 7th-grade student," "Honors student," "Active community volunteer")
I am a(n)...
Step 2: Your Top Skills
Pick 2-3 skills from your Transferable Skills Cheat Sheet .
Skill 1
Skill 2
Step 3: The "Mad-Lib" Draft
Try to plug your ideas into this formula to see how it sounds!
"___________________________________ with a strong background in __________________________________. (Step 1 Identity) (Skill 1)
Dedicated to _________________________________ and providing _________________________________." (Skill 2) (Goal/Value)
Step 4: Final Draft
Write your final 2-3 sentence summary here. Make it sound smooth!
The Resume Skeleton Template YOUR FULL NAME
City, State, Zip Code | Phone Number | Professional Email
Professional Summary
Insert your polished summary from "The Hook Planner" here...
Education
Your Middle School Name
Current Grade: 7th Grade
Expected Graduation: June 20XX
Relevant Honors/Clubs:
Experience
Role Title (e.g., Neighborhood Pet Sitter)
Dates (e.g., Summer 2023 - Present)
Role Title (e.g., School Newspaper Contributor)
Dates
Skills
• Skill 1
• Skill 2
• Skill 3
• Skill 4
Resume Doctor Checklist The Resume Doctor
Peer Review & Diagnostic Checklist
REVIEWER: _________________________
OWNER: __________________
"Stat! This resume needs a checkup." Use the checklist below to diagnose any "illnesses" in your peer's resume. Check the box if the requirement is met. If not, write a "prescription" (feedback) for how to fix it.
Vital Signs: Formatting
Professional Font:
Is the font easy to read (like Arial or Inter)? No Comic Sans or overly decorative fonts.
Consistency:
Are all the headers the same size? Are the bullet points aligned? No random bolding.
The Heart: Content
Contact Information:
Is the email address professional? Does it include a phone number?
Power Verbs:
Do bullet points start with strong action verbs (Directed, Managed, Created)? No "I helped" or "I did".
Spelling & Grammar:
Zero spelling errors. Resume is "perfect" for the employer.
Prescription (Feedback)
1. One thing this resume does really well:
2. Two specific things the author should "cure" (fix):
Resume Mastery Rubric Resume Launchpad Rubric
Final Assessment Guide
Criteria 4 - Exemplary 3 - Proficient 2 - Developing 1 - Beginning Visual Layout & Hierarchy Professional font; perfect alignment; clear sections; effective use of white space. Consistent formatting; sections are clear; easy to read. Inconsistent fonts or sizes; somewhat cluttered or hard to navigate. No clear sections; unprofessional font choice; messy layout. Action-Oriented Language All bullet points follow the AV+T+R formula with powerful, varied verbs. Most bullet points use action verbs and provide some detail. Uses passive language (e.g., "I helped"); lacks results or detail. No action verbs used; bullet points are vague or missing. Professional Summary Compelling 2-3 sentences clearly stating identity, skills, and goals. Includes summary but may be slightly generic or missing one element. Summary is overly personal or uses unprofessional language. No summary provided; summary is only 1-2 words. Conventions & Accuracy Zero errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. 1-2 minor errors that do not distract the reader. 3-4 errors; unprofessional contact info used. Many errors; significantly unprofessional tone or content.
Instructor Feedback:
Final Mastery Score:
/ 16
14-16: MASTER
11-13: READY
