Applications, Resumes and Interviews How to Land the Job!

Why are we doing this? All of us will be seeking employment at some time in our lives. Applications are EVERYWHERE! Can you think of a few that you’ll be doing in the future? Interviews will happen throughout your life. What are some examples? We need the skills to be competitive in the world of work.

Top 10 Skills in Wanted Reading Comprehension Instructing Time Management Active Listening Critical Thinking Writing Active Learning Speaking Coordination Skills Monitoring Top 10 Skills in Wanted

OK, What’s Involved? Mock Job Interviews will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb 8th and 9th during your English class. All 9th graders will participate. You will present an application and resume at your interview, which will be reviewed by your interviewer. We will work on those today. You will dress appropriately for a job interview. You will receive feedback from the interviewer and a test grade from your English teacher, comprised of the following: Quality of Resume and Application Appropriate Dress and Demeanor for an Interview Interview Skills

Who Are the Interviewers? Business professionals from the community Davis School District administrators Trained adults

Teacher distribute handouts NOW. Just the facts…. Training on resumes and applications 1st week of February in English. Training on interview skills and attire during English class the first part of February. Resumes and applications due to English teacher at time appointed by teacher. Interviews during your English class on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 8-9 (with resume and application.) Teacher distribute handouts NOW.

It’s All About 1st Impressions

NEATNESS COUNTS! Documents should be clean, unfolded. Consider maintaining and presenting them in a folder to keep them safe. Handwritten application MUST be clear and legible. Blue or black ink. No cross-outs or white-out messes. If you are worried about errors, use an erasable pen. If your writing is illegible, ask someone else to fill out the form, and you sign it.

Spelling and Punctuation Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors make a negative impression and will probably keep you from being interviewed. You are writing a formal document, not texting your friends. Use capital letters and standard abbreviations or spell out words fully. Don’t expect the employer to “look it up” (addresses, phone numbers, etc.) They won’t!

Great Resume Action Verbs Analyzed Assigned Chaired Coordinated Delegated Developed Evaluated Organized Planned Arranged Authored Influenced Recruited Operated Identified Examined Great Resume Action Verbs

Business-Like Documents Resume and application should be consistent – skills, experience, education, references. Use the same references on both documents. Avoid silly email addresses (drwhobedabomb@gmail.com). Consider having a generic (boring) email for education and business purposes (robert.smith@gmail.com) Hiring a new employee is serious business for employers. Show them you are serious, too.

Resume Standards Try to keep it all on one page; absolute maximum is two pages. Use language that everyone understands; avoid terms, abbreviations and acronyms that relate to a specific organization or field. Provide only the most important information; the interviewer will ask for more in person. Resume should be balanced and easy to read –use white space to enhance the look of the resume. Have a “Master Resume” you adjust specific to each job application.

Application Standards Read through carefully before you begin. Complete in blue or black ink. Do not leave blank blocks. Print NA or Not Applicable when appropriate. Note the references specifically request a personal, teacher and work reference. All must be adults (over 21), not related to you. Print or use block letters. Sign in cursive. Keep it neat, clean and unfolded.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR STRENGTHS TURN YOUR COMMUNITY, SCHOOL, OR CHURCH INVOLVEMENT INTO RESUME BONUS POINTS! Example: “Planned and organized activities, lessons and workshops for youth groups (children groups, etc.) and supervised committee meetings. HIGHLIGHT YOUR STRENGTHS

How would you rate your first impression? Now look at your work… How would you rate your first impression?