Lesson
Resume Basics
Summary
Most resumes never reach a human being at all. Explore how Applicant Tracking Systems filter candidates before instruction on ATS-friendly formatting and the core sections every resume needs.
Bellringer: The 250-Resume Mystery
- Pose the question: what percent of 250 resumes get read by a human?
- Give students 60 seconds to guess a percentage and reason
- Reveal that ATS software filters out most applications before human review
Instruction
- Define Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and its gatekeeping role
- Cover the 6-Second Rule and what recruiters scan for
- Walk through resume do's, don'ts, and essential sections
Discussion: The Template Trap
- Show a flashy graphic resume template with photos and skill bars
- Discuss why visually appealing templates often fail ATS software
- Ask when a creative resume format IS appropriate
Activity: Build Your Resume
- Students complete pages 9-10 of the College and Careers Workbook
- Have students pull details from a prior Target Job Blueprint activity if available
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Define Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and state its primary purpose in hiring.
- Name 2 formatting choices that make a resume ATS-friendly and 2 formatting mistakes that cause rejection.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The 250-Resume Mystery |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 5 min | Discussion: The Template Trap |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Build Your Resume |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
College and Careers Workbook
Complete pages 9-10 on "Resume Builder."
Class Presentation
Includes a 16-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 4: Job Search & Interview Prep
Networking & Social Capital
Most jobs are never posted online—they're filled through people you barely know. This lesson explores how social capital, weak ties, and a sharp elevator pitch can unlock the hidden job market.
Resume Basics
Most resumes never reach a human being at all. Explore how Applicant Tracking Systems filter candidates before instruction on ATS-friendly formatting and the core sections every resume needs.
Resume Drafting Workshop
A resume bullet point isn't a job description; it's proof of impact. This lesson teaches students the Verb + Task + Result formula, ethical AI co-piloting, and hands-on drafting to produce an ATS-compliant digital resume.
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