Career · Job Skills · HTML Lesson

Resume Writing — How to Write Your Own Resume

A lesson plan teaching students how to write their own resume — what to include, how to format it, and how to present work experience professionally. A lesson excerpt is free to read. The printable lesson, sample resume, and worksheet require Full Membership.

Grades 7–12 HTML Lesson Free Lesson Excerpt Printable Materials: Full Membership

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

What a resume is — a marketing document that gives employers a quick overview of employment history and qualifications
Why writing your own resume is valuable — how to save money by creating it yourself with a computer and printer
The two main resume formats — chronological and skills-based — and when to use each
Why chronological format is generally preferred — it prevents missing key information and is easier for employers to follow
What content belongs on a resume — personal information, employment history, education, and references
How to identify and fix common resume problems to improve professional presentation

For Teachers

How to use this lesson

Read the lesson with students or distribute printed copies for independent reading. After reviewing the content, have students draft their own resume using the sample as a model. The lesson includes a sample resume and a worksheet for hands-on practice. Members can print the full lesson package — lesson, sample resume, and worksheet — for classroom use.

Discussion prompt: Ask students what they would put on a resume today. Even with limited experience, they can identify volunteering, extracurriculars, and skills — this grounds resume writing in something realistic and immediate.

Designed for Grades 7–12, high school, and adult education. Pairs well with job application and interview lessons to form a complete job-readiness unit. Also appropriate for career and language arts crossover instruction.

Mixed Access