How to Conduct a Successful Resume Writing Workshop

How to Conduct a Successful Resume Writing Workshop
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By crossroadUser-Submitted Article
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Conducting a successful workshop entails use of creativity, careful planning, and use of demonstration and application, as well as group participation. People generally feel that a workshop is successful when they have not only learned something but had fun during the learning process. A resume workshop can be a fun learning process and experience when the presenter uses the right approach.

Create an Agenda
1. Step 1
Determine how long the workshop will last and make an agenda.
2. Step 2
Include on the agenda what the participants can expect to learn.
3. Step 3
The Presenter should bullet point the following learning objectives on the agenda:What is a resume and what is it used forResume writings do’s and don’ts How to write a good objective statementDifferent types of resume styles and approaches Choosing which style of resume is right for youUnderstanding and choosing the right words to describe your job skills and experiencesThe importance of formatting and understanding how to format your resume to stand out
Conduct Introductions and Ice Breaker
4. Step 1
During the first part of the workshop the presenter should introduce herself and provide her audience with brief information about her credentials. Set up an ice breaker and ask each individual to introduce themselves, tell why they decided to come to workshop and explain how they learned about the workshop.
5. Step 2
The presenter should take a mental note or jot down their own personal note of what each participant has to say about their learning expectations and have a goal of addressing the participants expectations during the workshop.
6. Step 3
Thank the participants for choosing to come and make them feel comfortable by letting them know that they can feel free to ask plenty of questions. Let them know that there are no dumb questions. Invite them to partake in refreshments. Light refreshments may consist of cookies, juice, water, vegetable tray, fruit tray or cheese and crackers
Conducting Workshop Exercises
7. Step 1
Conduct the first exercise, "define a resume." The presenter conducts the first exercise and separates the participants into even numbered groups. Allow them to brainstorm and come up with their own definition of a resume. Designate someone to write the participant's answers on a dry eraser board for everyone to see. The presenter than gives the Webster Dictionary definition first, explaining that a resume is presenting yourself on paper by providing specific information relevant to employers or professional organizations about your work history, education, training and experience. A person submitting a resume is literally selling themselves on paper to the HR manager or person reviewing the resume. The purpose of the first exercise is to get the groups comfortable working with each other and defining a resume and what it is used for.
8. Step 2
Conduct the second exercise, "Think like a hiring manager." Pass out two resumes to each group. Tell them not to look at the resumes until you say so. The first resume of Jane Doe should be in small print, with several noticeable errors and the second resume of John Doe should be the same experience and credentials as Jane Doe but presented in a professional font without any errors. Give the groups 30 seconds to look at each resume and then ask them which person they would hire if they were the HR manager. Discuss why.The purpose of the second exercise is to get participants to think like a Hiring Manager and understand the importance presenting a professional error free resume.Explain to the participants that most Hiring Managers have very limited time to look at resumes due to receiving so many. Most likely they skim or browse through the resumes immediately eliminating resumes that are not formatted properly or have blatant errors.
9. Step 3
Conduct third exercise and discuss the "do’s and don’ts on a resume" and "formatting a resume." Provide the groups with various sample resumes and job postings. Ask them to make a decision about which person would they choose to hire for the job postings based on the resumes and why. The presenter than provides handouts on choosing action verbs to describe their experience and also discusses when and how to create a chronological and functional resume. The purpose of the exercise is to help participants to get familiar with various resume formats and understanding the difference between good and bad resumes.
10. Step 4
Conduct thefourth exercise and have participants develop their own Oobjective statement and resumes. The presenter should define the objective statement on a resume as follows:A short section (usually 1-3 lines), often in the form of a sentence fragment, immediately below your contact information.An “at a glance” picture of you and your career interest.Other names are: Professional Objective, Resume Capsule and Career Goals Presenter provides sample objective statements to participants then gives the participants time to come up with their own objective statements. Allow participants to share and exchange ideas about their objective statements.
11. Step 5
Conclude the workshop by answering participants’ specific questions on creating a resume for the following problems. Learn how to write a resume if and when you don't have enough experience, enough education or a lot of different types of odd jobs in several different fields.
12. Step 6
Work one on one and in group sessions to help participants draft their own resumes on the draft resume form.
13. Step 7
Pass out and distribute any additional handouts and resources. Have participants complete a "How did you like this workshop" survey form. Thank the participants for coming and provide them the Presenter contact information.