Bridging the Gap: Preparing Business Communication Students for Effective Resume Writing

Julie Stewart The University of Texas at Dallas ; Bethany Pitchford Sam Houston State University

Abstract

Business communication courses play a key role in preparing students for job market challenges, such as matching resume skills to the job ad. This article presents a classroom activity where students analyze a job description, create a t-chart listing the criteria on one side and experience/skills on the other, and develop an action plan for filling the gaps between the skills and experience the student has and what the ideal candidate would bring to the job. Through this experience, students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses while creating actionable strategies to become the ideal candidate for their post-graduation employment.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2026-03-20
DOI
10.1177/23294906261429032
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