California Career and Technical Education Standards

• FID.FS.11.0 Demonstration and Application
• FID.FS.3.1 Know the personal qualifications, interests, aptitudes, information, and skills ...
• FID.FS.3.2 Understand the scope of career opportunities and know the requirements for educa...
• FID.FS.3.5 Understand the past, present, and future trends that affect careers, such as tec...
• FID.FS.3.6 Know key strategies for self-promotion in the hiring process, such as job applic...
• FID.FS.4.2 Understand the use of technological resources to access, manipulate, and produce...

• Who wants a job? - Hooks / Set

  Put the following opener on the board before you take roll. This information is on a power point slide attached below.

  If you were the owner of a business, make a list and describe what kind of information found on an application that may help you decide who the best person would be for your company.

  Ask them to do this as a think/pair/share. After students have had enough time to do this, share out as a large group and write their answers on the board.

  Questions addressed to students:

  How many of you have looked for jobs?   Usually many hands are raised.

    Are jobs easy or hard to get  ? Normally jobs jare difficult to get, but in this economy they are almost impossible to obtain.

  How many of you have jobs?  How did you get them?  Many times high school students with jobs get them through contacts such as parents, friends of parents, church contacts etc. Acknowledge this is the best way to get a job.

  Who would like to know some secrets of increasing your odds of getting a job?

  Before showing video tell students they are going to watch a video showing quotes from real applications. Pause between each quote to read aloud and ask what the error is and what it is supposed to say. Video is approximately 19 seconds without pauses.

  First one "plaque" instead of "plague"

  Second one "bridge" instead of "bride"

  TYPOS MATTER!

  • 1JobApplicationMistakes_TyposMatter.wmv [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] Job Application Mistakes_Typos Matter
  • Group activity-deciding what is important on an application [ Download ] What information does an employer find important on an application
• Who would you choose? - Group Work

  Set the scene: The student/s is/are the owner/s of a business, they need to hire someone as an employee.  

  Pass out examples of three job applications (see attachment #1-print out a class set and ask students not to write on them so you may use again), have students work in their think/pair/share groups, list the areas they feel are done well or not so well. Give students about 10 minutes to do this activity. Decide as a large group who they would want to interview for their business and why, writing these reactions on the board.

  Have students now analyze their own application they brought in as homework according to what the group thought was poor to excellent examples of applications. Have them write a paragraph about if they would consider themselves as a potential applicant. This is to be attached to their original application for the teacher to check.

  Note: It is nice to have the teacher directed applications, but students sometimes think no one would really do some of these things. Most will see they have done one or more of the don'ts in their own application.

  • Who would you choose-job applications [ Download ] Sample application filled out
• How to fill out an application - Demo / Modeling

  Using a transparency, model a complete application. Make sure students understand the following dos and don'ts. Use the attached powerpoint for student viewing.

  Do:

  Read the form thoroughly so that you put relevant information in appropriate sections.

  Follow the instructions accurately (e.g. ink color, printing vs cursive, continuation sheets)

  Answer the question with evidence from your experience which demostrates you know what the job involves (you have done something similar on another job, team, activity etc).

  If possible keep a copy of the application to prepare for the interview.

  Keep everything positive.

  On a application the student is turning into a business, they need to understand that most applications want them to list employment with the most current first, and then go backwards with other experience. Volunteer/internships count for experience if student does not have any or minimal experience.

  For students with experience "babysitting", use the term "childcare" and for duties/responsibilities, something to the effect-engaged child/children in age appropriate activities.

  Be truthful and make sure you sign it if there is a signature line, as this is a legal document.

  Don't:

  Leave sections blank, write n/a if something is not applicable.

  Write illegibly or cross things out.

  Fail to research the employer and/or type of work in which you are applying.

  Leave time gaps between jobs or have reasons for these time periods.

  **************************************************************

  Go over vocab with the students. See attached vocabulary words in next activity.

  Give vocab quiz-found in the assessment section.

  Give students 2 blank applications and have them finish it at home so they may get all the required information. There are two schools of thought regarding the use of pencil or pen. I have the students do their master application in pencil as it is a living document and will change and this can be accomplished with pencil, the other thought is the student needs to learn how to do an entire application in ink without errors.

  • Powerpoint [ Download ] How to fill out job application-do's and don'ts
  • app.doc [ Download ] Completed job application
• Vocabulary - Other

  Use the attached power point to go over terms and vocabulary for job applications.

  • Job Application powerpoint vocab [ Download ] Job Application powerpoint vocab
• Second Day - How to pickup and return an application - Hooks / Set

  Second Day

  While you are taking roll, students will read and write about the following scenario.

  Write an fictitious ad for a business on the board or use powerpoint (fictitious ad)

  Example:

  Our company is searching for a hostess for a busy restaurant. We are looking for someone who has a background in customer service, prioritizing tasks, team player(may have to help in other areas of the business), and cash handling.
  
  The ideal candidate needs to have these characteristics:
  *detail oriented      *organized     *motivated     *team player     *out-going
  
  We are looking for this candidate as soon as possible. We are offering a generous benefits package along with a starting rate of $10.00 per hour with opportunities for advancement.
  
  Please apply today at:  Anita's Surf and Turf

  Status: Full-time
  Shift: Days/Evenings

  • Location: your town

  Have students write what they should wear, when (time of day) they should apply, with whom they should ask to speak, what should they bring and why.

  Discuss the importance of being prepared, coming at an appropriate time, not the first or last few minutes of the day, during busy times etc.

  • Sample Ad-Restaurant [ Download ] Sample Ad
• How to ask for and return an application - Lecture

  Decide if you really want a job or are you going through the motions to make someone else happy. ( Parents tell you).

  For every college, job, training program in which you apply, an application will be required.  The ability to complete an application is a skill you will use throughout your life.  You must be able to understand the questions, know all the required information, and be able to fit your answers into limited spaces.  These applications provide an example of your handwriting abilities, neatness, and your ability to organize and communicate information effectively on a form. Your application must be completely filled in with no blank spaces, neat, easy to read and free of any mistakes.

  Finding a job is actually harder than working at a job. It takes a committed effort. It actually takes more time per day/week to look for a job than you will probably work.

  If you really want a job, make a list of where you would love to work, ask friends and parents to help you.  Research the company, find out what they do, or sell, where they operate. Most businesses have web pages, ask your parents, teachers etc about the company. Employers are impressed when applicants actually know about them.

  Be prepared:

  1.Dress the part, dress one step better than people who work in the industry.  Don't wear a suit to a construction job, do wear comfortable closed toed shoes to a warehouse, etc. Dress this way to both pick up and drop off application.Tuck in the shirt. The following is a catchy phase I use, the students laugh but seem to remember the illiteration, always remember the 3 "B's" no exposed breasts, bellies or butts.

  2. Go alone and don't kiss your girl/boyfriend goodbye at the door.

  3. Have your portfolio with you with master application already filled out in case they ask you to fill one out on the spot. Carry a blue and black pen to complete application.

  4. Have letters of reference with you.

  5. Have a resume with you, some businesses do not accept applications , they only accept resumes.

  6. Be excited and smile. Act like you want to be there.

  7. Use good grammar, speak up, use the words "Yes" instead of yea.

  8. Use good posture.

  9. Be courteous to everyone in the business, the "secretary" could be the boss' husband!

  10. Give a firm but not crushing handshake.

  11. Be prepared to interview on the spot.

  12. Make lists of who you saw, what you did (pick-up-drop off, to whom you spoke) with dates, next steps.

  13.  Be sure to ask to speak to the owner, manager, HR (human resources), or whomever makes the hiring decisions, don't just ask anyone if they are hiring (they may want more hours).

  14. No sunglasses, gum, make sure you cover any tattoos or piercings if they may be an issue with the organization.

  15. Be conscious of your personal hygiene, don't go straight from pe to pick up or drop off the application, or use perfumes or after shaves, some people are allergic to these, don't smoke or be in the company of those who do will doing this activity, it lingers on your clothes.

  16. If you are not driving yourself, have your driver drop you off around the corner, it does not look good if you cannot get to work yourself.

   

  • Do I have to get a job - Cartoon [ Download ] null
  • Presentation.pptx [ Download ] List of do's and don'ts to pick up an application
• Role playing - Demo / Modeling

  Enlist a student and give them the following script, they are the manager, you are the applicant.

        Write: Hiring, inquire within        on the board

  Have students come in one at a time

    1. An applicant (you) approachs a busy employee and asks if they are hiring, employee just tells them no because applicant interupted them with a customer (another student).

  2.  An applicant (you) comes in and asks for the manager, you are having a good conversation when your cell phone starts ringing, you ask if they minded if you told the other company you would call them back in a few minutes.

  3. An applicant (you) comes in with shirt hanging out, rolled up piece of paper representing a cigarette in pocket or hand, collar askew, etc asking for a job.

  4. An applicant (you) come in with their portfolio, dressed appropriately, asks for the manager, shakes hands, introduces themselves, and asks if they could fill out a job application.

  Put the words "Good job search skills"            "Poor job search skills"    on the board.

  Ask the students to share as a large group what they saw in the role playing situations.

  Write their answers on the board under each heading.  

   
• Role playing - Assessment

  Students will get in groups of 3 or 4 and write one good and one bad scenario for picking up or dropping off an applicaiton, they will  practice and then demostrate their knowledge of these concepts. If time does not allow all to be shown, teacher can roll a dice, flip a coin or other wise choose which the group will perform.

  Assessment: Students will list at least 10 of the criteria for picking up or dropping off the application.
• On-line applications - Lecture

  Many companies are going to on-line applications, some you may access from home, others have a kiosk where you sit down and fill it out there. It may be a full screen computer screen or small hand held devise.  If you have a master application in your portfolio, the online applicaiton will probably ask the same questions as your master application. It may also ask your driver's license information.

  Read all instructions, make sure you are filling in all boxes or spaces or it may cycle back to you asking you to complete all boxes.

  Check each page before you click on the next button. Check spelling very carefully. Some applications may not allow you to go back over your application, check it along the way.

  Most applications will allow you to save and go back to it several times within time period.

  Be prepared for tests and/or questions attached to the application. Read questions very carefully, take your time.

  Read all the fine print at the end of the application so you know what you are "signing" before you submit your application. These can include statements that references and credit will be checked.

  Students will assess the attached online application, fill it out, print the completed app and turn it in to be graded.

  • Sample Of Online Job Application [ Download ] Sample of Online job application