With a proud heart, I remember years ago sitting down with Jake, my golden child, and helping him create a resume. He was thirteen at the time and applying to be a Junior Life Guard at our community’s pool. It was quite the experience. He was an honor student, involved in many activities, and received many substantial awards.
As each of my children have grown I realize how many interests and abilities they have and at which they excel. Like Jake, we continue to discover that they are more than we can organize and yet substantial to their future. I want my children to experience life, dip their pen into many fountains, and learn what they have a passion for and what opportunities they can pursue.
Finding balance is something I already struggle with and adding to the pot and documenting all their amazing moments is a task. The expectation is college, there are summer programs, like Jake’s Life Guard job, and scholarships. They all play a pivotal role in their future.
While many of us think of resumes for a job, they are so much more.
A great resource is Resumes for Children 17 Years Olds and Under Yes, Really! A Guide to Giving a Child that Edge to Succeed! by Donna Kristine Manley
It is a Mom’s Choice Awards Gold recipient with good reason. It takes a look at a child’s resume and helps make it outstanding. Throughout the 99 pages, Resumes for Children contains:
- a 3-page introduction with
- reasons your child may need a resume
- a list of possible activities to include on your child’s resume
- 21 samples of 1-page child resumes
- kid ages range from about 6 to 17
- includes examples of various interests, hobbies, work experience, etc.
- 1-page sample of various types of references
- 3 sample cover letters
- 1-page list of suggestions for areas to explore (titled “Pearls of Wisdom”)
- 10-page section of blank, lined pages called “Reflections.”
- 15-page section of blank, lined pages called “Ideas.”
- 10-page section of blank, lined pages called “Resources.”
It’s an incredibly organized workbook written by a professional resume writer. It’s not a fill-in-the-blank workbook; like life, there’s gonna need to be some thought to come out of the book with a resume. There is plenty of inspiration and examples to help get the brainstorming session going.
I believe a resume for children is a great way to keep them exploring their options in life. It shows what makes them unique, and what they are great at and gives them a list at a glance when they may not feel that way.
Resumes are great to have on hand and keeping them current is far easier than trying to remember years of experience and accomplishments. This book is a great investment, and to be honest, I learned a few things I am going to use to update my own resume.
* I received Resumes for Children to facilitate an honest review. The opinions, where expressed, are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Others experiences may vary.