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.

OK, What’s Involved? Mock Job Interviews will be held on Tuesday, May 23 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 Successful Completion of Interview Everything you need for a resume and application is in your packet.

Who Are the Interviewers? Business professionals from the community U. S. Military managers (did you know that Hill AFB is the largest employer in Utah?) Davis School District administrators Adults you do not know (no parents or teachers)

Teacher distribute packets and Rough Applications NOW. Just the facts…. Training on resumes and applications today. Training on interview skills and attire during English class on Monday, May 8 (Barney and Leak) and Wednesday, May 10 (Richardson, Hatch, Johnson) Resumes and applications due to English teacher on Monday, May 8 Live interviews during your English class on Tuesday, May 23 (with resume and application) Teacher distribute packets and Rough Applications NOW.

It’s All About 1st Impressions

What Do I Have to Offer? Before you fill out an application or resume, think about what skills and characteristics you possess that would be valuable to an organization. Fill out the “What Do You Have to Offer” page. Jot down any notes that will help you promote yourself as a potential employee of value.

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 PENCIL! 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. The application you received today is a Rough Draft. Print a clean one for your final product. Do NOT turn in the Rough Draft.

Spelling and Punctuation Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors make a negative impression and may keep you from being hired or even 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.

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.

Application Specifics Read through application carefully before you begin. Read the Application Instructions page in your packet. The application in your packet is a ROUGH DRAFT and will not be accepted as a final product. Complete in blue or black ink. Print or use block letters. Sign in cursive. Do not leave blank blocks. Print NA or Not Applicable when appropriate. Choose a position from the sheet in your packet and be sure to provide information that supports that position. Note the references specifically request a personal, teacher and work (or volunteer work) reference. All must be adults (over 21), not related to you. Use school address for the teachers. Keep it neat, clean and unfolded.

Resume Specifics Read the Resume Writing Instructions and Resume Typing Instructions pages in your packet. 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 – lots of white space on the page.

Now look at your work… How would you rate your first impression? If you were an employer, would you want to interview this person? If not, try again!