Exploring Career Options - Transition Curriculum Unit 4 - Applying for Job Opportunities - Lesson 1 Creating a Resume and Writing a Cover Letter

Sep 13, 2026

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Transition Curriculum Unit 4 Applying for Job Opportunities introduces how students apply for jobs. The unit guides learners to create a high school resume and write a job-matched cover letter, including key components such as relevant skills, neat organization, and targeted professional wording. It also emphasizes interview preparation by building interview-ready interview skills. Lesson 1 provides objectives, goals, key ideas, vocabulary, step-by-step activities, and resume/cover letter samples and builders.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Lesson 1: Creating a Resume and Writing a Cover Letter

Objective and Goals

Key Ideas and Vocabulary

Lesson Steps

Resume Sample

Resume Builder

Cover Letter Activity

Teacher’s Guide Exploring Career Options Transition Curriculum Unit 4 Applying for Job Opportunities In this unit, students will learn how to apply for job opportunities. They will learn how to create a resume and write a cover letter, fill out a job application, and get references. They will also learn interview skills. Lesson 1: Creating a Resume and Writing a Cover Letter CCSS RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.7, SL.9-10.1, SL.9.10.2 TEKS 110.31.(b)(1)(A), 110.31.(b)(9), 110.31.(b)(24)-(26), 110.31.(b)(12) Objective What this lesson will achieve: Students will be able to create a resume and write a cover letter. Goals You’ll know this lesson is successful if students can: • State the need for a resume and cover letter. • Discuss the important items to include on a high school resume and in a cover letter. • Create a resume that matches a job within their chosen career field. • Write a cover letter to accompany a resume. Key Ideas • A resume is a short description of who you are. • A resume can be a tool that helps you get your ‘foot in the door’for an interview. • A resume should be neat, well organized, and use keywords that connect to the skills required for the job that you are applying. • A cover letter is an introduction that tells a potential employer why you are a good candidate for the position they are trying to fill. • A cover letter is tailored to the specific job for which you are applying. • A cover letter is a formal type of writing and must be professionally written. Encourage struggling readers to use the highlighted text or read-aloud functions. Provide an example and non-example of a resume and cover letter describing key items using a think aloud. Consider using one of the free resume building templates listed in the Additional Resources, such as: [www.readwritethink.org/classroom](www.readwritethink.org/classroom)resources/student-interactives/ resume-generator-30808. html. *Optional: The Connect to Home activities for this course are multi-step exercises that have students consider what their life plans are for after they graduate from high school. These activities can be assigned at any time in this unit. Full details can be found in the Student Workbook. Vocabulary Accomplishments, cover letter, resume, soft skill Lesson 1 Steps: 1. Pre-teach lesson vocabulary by having students work independently, in pairs, or as a group, to complete the vocabulary activity in the Student Workbook. 2. Build background by showing students the Things You Should Have on Your Resume video. 3. Introduce the resume lesson to students using ONEder Academy. 4. Informally assess students using the formative assessment. 5. Complete the resume activity in the Student Workbook. 6. Build background by showing students the cover letter video. 7. Introduce students the lesson content on the cover letter. 8. Informally assess students using the formative assessment. 9. Complete the cover letter activity in the Student Workbook. 10. Wrap Up the lesson by having students review what they learned and then introduce them to the next lesson. Lesson 1: Creating a Resume and Writing a Cover Letter In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create a resume and write a cover letter! Before you get started, let’s review the Words You Need to Know for this lesson! Read each of the words in the box out loud and put a check next to the ones that you already know. Then, use the glossary at the back of this book to find the definition for each word. Finally, write the word, its definition, and a sentence using the word, in the space provided below. | Words You Need to Know | | | --- | --- | | Accomplishments
Cover letter | Resume
Soft skills | | Word | Definition | | --- | --- | | Sentence | | | Word | Definition | | --- | --- | | Sentence | | | Word | Definition | | --- | --- | | Sentence | | | Word | Definition | | --- | --- | | Sentence | |

FAQs

What should students be able to do after Lesson 1?

Students should be able to create a resume and write a cover letter for a job in their chosen career field.

What are the key differences between a resume and a cover letter?

A resume is a short description of who you are and helps you get your “foot in the door.” A cover letter introduces why you are a good candidate and is tailored to the specific position.

What does the resume need to include to be effective for a job application?

A resume should be neat and well organized, use keywords connected to required skills, and match the job within the student’s career field.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Mabel