First Job Readiness: How to Make a Resume Stand Out

Less than 3%. That’s the dismal percentage of resumes that actually lead to a job interview, according to Forbes. 

You read that right. For every 100 resumes sent out, only three will get so much as a callback. For your students, those odds might sound downright discouraging. 

But here’s the good news—they don’t have to be stuck in the 97% pile of “thanks, but no thanks.” With your guidance, they can craft resumes that catch employers’ eyes and open doors. 

Helping students write their first resume is more than just a helpful skill; it’s your chance to give them a competitive edge in a crowded job market. With so many online tools and templates, it’s easy to overlook the essentials that make a great resume. 

But trust us, the basics matter more than ever. It’s all about teaching them the fundamentals and showing them the ropes. Here’s how to help your students shine (and help their resumes stand out). 

How to Teach Students to Write a Resume

Showing your students how to write a resume is one of the best life skills you can give them for their future. Here are some tips on how to do it the right way:

1. Show Them Examples of Real Resumes

When students hear the word “resume,” they may imagine a single sheet of paper with a couple of boring lines and a generic “Hire me” vibe. Your first job is to change this perception entirely. 

Show them a mix of real resumes—great ones, mediocre ones, and truly awful ones—to help them grasp the difference between standing out and getting tossed aside. 

Next, make it interactive. Discuss why a stellar resume works. Is the format clean? Is it easy to scan? Does it communicate achievements clearly, or is it lost in rambling job descriptions? 

Similarly, don’t shy away from showing the bad ones. Everyone can learn from mistakes. Highlight the common pitfalls—poor grammar, cluttered design, or weird fonts—that no one wants distracting from their qualifications. 

2. Model the Process of Writing a Resume With Your Own

Before your students feel the pressure of crafting their own resume out of thin air, give them something even better—you! Demonstrate how to create a resume in real time, step by step, using yourself as the example. 

Walk them through the basics, like choosing a professional font, structuring contact information, and listing work experience in reverse chronological order. But don’t stop there. When they see you actively write skills, accomplishments, and responsibilities under previous jobs, they’ll appreciate the thought process behind the words. 

3. Scaffold the Writing Process

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a good resume. Break the resume-writing process into manageable chunks to help your students stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

Start by having them brainstorm their skills, experiences, and accomplishments. From there, guide them section by section, beginning with something simple, like their contact information. Move on to the trickier parts, like experience and skills, only after they’ve nailed the basics. 

Encourage them to work on one section at a time. By scaffolding the process, you give students milestones to celebrate along the way.

4. Give Feedback

A first draft is called a “rough” draft for a reason. No student’s resume will be perfect right off the bat, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is leaving them to stumble alone. This is where constructive feedback plays a massive role. 

Be specific. Instead of saying, “This needs work,” point out exactly what could be improved. “Your bullet points are strong here, but you can use action verbs to make them even better. Try words like ‘developed’ instead of ‘did.’” 

Balance critique with encouragement. If their formatting is great, tell them! If their description of a part-time babysitting job showcases real responsibility and time management, cheer them on! Giving feedback should be about building skills and confidence at the same time. 

5. Emphasize the Importance of Regular Revision

Here’s the thing most students don’t realize at first—a resume isn’t static. It’s not something you write once, laminate, and call it a day. A resume is a living, dynamic document that needs constant updating as they grow their skills and experiences. 

Teach students to revisit their resumes regularly, especially after gaining a new skill or completing a significant project. Just watched them ace a group leadership exercise? That’s resume material! 

Remind them to tweak and tailor their resumes for different job applications as well. A one-size-fits-all resume will always rank lower than one that’s specific and tailored to the role. 

Keep reminding them this is their career story. It will grow as they do. 

6. Use Templates

For students who aren’t creatively inclined or may be unsure about the structure of their resume, templates can be a lifesaver. Show them how to use professional, well-designed ones to ensure their resumes look polished and readable. 

Word processing programs like Google Docs and Microsoft Word offer a variety of free resume templates, and many online tools provide great layouts as well. 

However, teach them to use these templates as guides—not rigid frameworks. Encourage them to adapt and customize the design where needed to fit their unique content. They don’t need flashy fonts or pastel colors to stand out. Sometimes, simplicity is best. 

7. Explain the Importance and Value of a Good Resume

Here’s a thought to end on—help them understand the why behind all this effort. A good resume isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about telling the story of who they are, what they offer, and why they matter. The more your students see their resume as an opportunity to shine, the more seriously they’ll take the process. 

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Getting your first job can be both thrilling and daunting, but here’s the good news—your resume is your golden ticket to making that first impression count. 

If you’re helping your students prepare for their very first job application, use these tips to make sure their resumes stand out—whether they’re applying to be a barista, an intern, or a teacher’s assistant. 

1. Make it Visually Attractive

First things first, appearance matters. A clean, easy-to-read resume can make all the difference. 

Make sure to advise students to skip complicated fonts (sorry, Comic Sans), keep the layout simple, and stick to a professional format. White space is their friend—it helps a resume feel organized and easy on the eyes. 

2. Understand What the Employer is Looking For

Every job posting is a cryptic treasure map, and the key is to crack the code. Teach students to carefully read job descriptions and figure out what employers truly value. For example, if “teamwork” or “organization” is mentioned multiple times, they should highlight those qualities in their applications. 

You can even run mock exercises, where students analyze job ads and outline the top requirements. This practice helps them see how resumes should be customized with purpose. 

3. Tailor it to the Job and the Industry

If tailoring the resume sounds tedious, here’s the logic that makes it worth it—83% of recruiters say they’re more likely to hire a candidate who customizes their resume to the role. . This doesn’t mean rewriting everything from scratch but rather tweaking the details. 

For instance, a student applying for a retail role might showcase their people skills or previous part-time customer-facing experience. Meanwhile, a tech role might benefit from specific mentions of school coding projects. A one-size-fits-all resume simply won’t cut it. 

4. Add Relevant Skills

Skills often get overlooked in favor of academic achievements. Big mistake. 

Recruiters look at the skills section first 41% of the time, so this is a golden opportunity. Coach your students to include a mix of hard skills (e.g., Excel knowledge, using POS systems) and soft skills (e.g., problem-solving, adaptability). 

And encourage honesty! If “fluent in French” really means “knows how to ask for croissants,” they might want to reconsider listing it. 

5. Keep it Short and Sweet, But Personal

Attention spans are short—one page is plenty, especially for first-time job seekers. Help students focus on the highlights of their academic and extracurricular experience. They should throw in a line or two about personal passions that tie back to the job. For instance, an interest in sustainability is perfect for a green-focused employer.  

6. Add a Cover Letter

Encourage students not to skip this step! A strong cover letter says, “I’m serious about this job, and I’ve done my homework.” Use it as a space for your students to show personality and enthusiasm. They can expand on one or two key achievements and explain how they align with the company’s goals. 

You might consider dedicating a lesson to writing mock cover letters, so your students feel confident when it’s go-time. 

7. Proofread 

What can sink a resume faster than forgetting to attach it? Typos. Even small mistakes can give the impression of carelessness. Encourage students to double-check, triple-check, and even recruit a friend (or you!) for a final review before they hit “Send.”  

8. Update for Every Job

Again, resumes are not set-it-and-forget-it documents. They should evolve with every opportunity. 

A constantly updated resume feels fresh and matches what hiring managers are actually looking for. Approaching resumes this way makes students feel more engaged in the process—and shows employers they’ve taken the time to personalize the application.  

9. Focus On Your Strengths

Here’s a simple mantra for first-time job seekers—lean into what you’re great at. Whether it’s communication skills, creativity, or tech savviness, emphasizing strengths over what’s “missing” helps students come across as capable and confident.  

10. Include Keywords, But Not Too Many

With so many companies using automated systems to screen candidates, keywords can be a student’s secret weapon. However, it’s critical to keep the keywords relevant and natural—overdoing it makes the resume feel like a buzzword salad. 

Teach your students to pull keywords directly from the job description (e.g., “customer service,” “problem-solving”) and incorporate them organically. It’s like sprinkling seasoning; you want flavor, not overwhelm. 

11. Use Bullet Points

Great resumes tell a story, but they shouldn’t read like a 500-page novel. Using concise bullet points for each experience keeps things focused and digestible. This format ensures recruiters can spot key information in seconds. 

Show your students a few bullet point examples to inspire crisp, action-focused language. 

12. Incorporate Outcomes-Centric Language

Results matter. A lot. Employers appreciate measurable outcomes, even from part-time or volunteer roles. Encourage students to include concrete achievements like “increased club membership by 20%” or “consistently met assignment deadlines ahead of schedule.” Numbers and outcomes show they’re not just doers but achievers. 

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s their first part-time job or an internship that could launch their career, forging a standout resume is all about strategy. Use these tips to guide your students through the process—and remind them that their first job is just the beginning of an exciting adventure. 

For a full step-by-step approach to preparing your students for the workplace, explore First Job Survival Skills Complete. Help them master not just resumes but the hands-on skills they’ll need to thrive in any job.