How to optimize your resume (CV)
Lesson plan overview
This intermediate Business English lesson deals with the topic of resumes (CVs) and how to optimize them for the Applicant Tracking Systems many companies use nowadays. Students will discuss job applications, will learn useful vocabulary, and will work on creating or tweaking their resume. Other lessons you might find interesting are “Hard skills vs soft skills”, “How to avoid job scams”, “How to ace your job interview” and “Phrasal verbs: job interviews” and “Phrasal verbs: human resources“.
Speaking: The lesson starts with a few questions about looking for a job nowadays and what is the best way to go about it.
Vocabulary: Students complete 9 expressions related to finding a job, according to the definitions given (e.g. tailor your resume, fit the job requirements, land a job interview, to follow up after an interview). To practice, students complete a gap-fill activity, and then discuss a few questions.
Next, students read a bit about Applicant Tracking Systems, and discuss situations in which it is important to have a resume that is optimized for them.
Video: Students watch a video called https: “A guide to Applicant Tracking Systems”, which is divided into 2 parts, and complete 2 comprehension activities.
Writing: a resume/CV. Next, students look at a basic resume template and then read a few examples of professional summaries, and sentences containing action verbs. Finally, they are asked to create or tweak their resume (if they already have one), according to the tips presented in this lesson.
For more speaking practice, you can use the conversation cards.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
Pre-class activities
All video-based ESL lesson plans include online pre-class activities, which are FREE and can be completed without registration. Perfect for teachers who wish to embrace the blended learning approach. By providing students with resources and engagement opportunities before the actual class session, educators can foster active participation, enhance comprehension, and optimise in-class discussions.
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In-class activities
Additional resources
Each video-based lesson plan includes links to additional resources (videos and articles), which are FREE can be found online (in the pre-class activities page. These links aim to extend the learning experience, enabling students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
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Teacher’s lesson plan
Student’s worksheet
Student’s interactive PDF
Conversation cards PDF
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