1. Landing the Job: The Do’s and Don’ts of Seeking Employment

2. Purpose
The National FFA Employment Skills Leadership Development Event is designed for FFA members to develop, practice and demonstrate skills needed for seeking employment in the industry of agriculture.
Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world activities that are used by real-world employers.

3. Activities for the National Event
Pre-Convention
Cover Letter (100 points)
Resume (200 points)
Job Application (100 points)
Initial Phone Interview (50 points)
Personal Interview (500 points)
Follow-Up Correspondence (50 points)

4. Activities for the National Event
Day 1
Personal Interview (500 points)
Follow-Up Correspondence (50 points)

5. Activities for National Event
Day Two – 12 semi-finalists
Three personal one-on-one interviews (500 points)
Day Two – 6 finalists
Networking Activity (100 points)
Telephone Job Offer (100 points)

6. Tips for Writing Cover Letters and Resumes

7. Cover Letters Read and follow the rules of the event
Never address a letter to “To Whom It May Concern”
Read the job description and use the language the employers are using
Know who you are addressing the letter to and what the date should be
Referencing your resume encourages the reader to learn more about you
It is ok to call or to follow-up
I will contact you the week of November 1st to confirm receipt of my application materials and schedule a time to discuss the opportunity further.
Focus on research and learning rather than awards first.
Please contact me after 4 p.m….
I can be reached by phone any day after 4 p.m. or by at…
Don’t say you have to complete an internship.,…that is not an enticement to an employer
If I do not hear from you in the next two weeks.,..
I will contact you by (date) to confirm receipt of my application materials and resume.

8. Cover Letters
Talk about the most relevant work experience first to get the reader’s attention
Make sure you reference your resume within the experiences of your cover letter
Discuss how you will follow up with the employer
Know who you are addressing the letter to and what the date should be
Referencing your resume encourages the reader to learn more about you
It is ok to call or to follow-up
I will contact you the week of November 1st to confirm receipt of my application materials and schedule a time to discuss the opportunity further.
Focus on research and learning rather than awards first.
Please contact me after 4 p.m….
I can be reached by phone any day after 4 p.m. or by at…
Don’t say you have to complete an internship.,…that is not an enticement to an employer
If I do not hear from you in the next two weeks.,..
I will contact you by (date) to confirm receipt of my application materials and resume.

9. Cover Letters
Rather than stating what the position will do for you, focus instead on how the skills and experiences are a good fit for the position.
Introductory paragraph should describe why you are interested in the position
Avoid the use of “I” in sentences
Know who you are addressing the letter to and what the date should be
Referencing your resume encourages the reader to learn more about you
It is ok to call or to follow-up
I will contact you the week of November 1st to confirm receipt of my application materials and schedule a time to discuss the opportunity further.
Focus on research and learning rather than awards first.
Please contact me after 4 p.m….
I can be reached by phone any day after 4 p.m. or by at…
Don’t say you have to complete an internship.,…that is not an enticement to an employer
If I do not hear from you in the next two weeks.,..
I will contact you by (date) to confirm receipt of my application materials and resume.

10. Cover Letters
Don’t use fancy words you would not normally use in a conversation
Always double check your letter for grammar and spelling
Thank the person for reading and considering your application
Know who you are addressing the letter to and what the date should be
Referencing your resume encourages the reader to learn more about you
It is ok to call or to follow-up
I will contact you the week of November 1st to confirm receipt of my application materials and schedule a time to discuss the opportunity further.
Focus on research and learning rather than awards first.
Please contact me after 4 p.m….
I can be reached by phone any day after 4 p.m. or by at…
Don’t say you have to complete an internship.,…that is not an enticement to an employer
If I do not hear from you in the next two weeks.,..
I will contact you by (date) to confirm receipt of my application materials and resume.

11. Resumes
In the employment objective, indicate what you will do for the company in additional to what you want from the company
Quantify relevant experiences and skills as you can
Provide specific details related to achievements and honors
Identify relevant educational experiences that connects your ability to do the job you seek
How many newsletters did you publish?
How many hours of community service do you perform?
How many members did you lead in committees?
Just don’t say meeting their needs,…be specific in relating to company’s goals.
Separate honors from leadership roles
Fluent in foreign language….which language
Words like I and me are assumed since the resume is about yourself

12. Resumes Make clear connections between awards/honors and career goals
Provide complete information for your references
Awards/honors listed should be relevant to the employment you seek
Be consistent in listing information on the resume
How many newsletters did you publish?
How many hours of community service do you perform?
How many members did you lead in committees?
Just don’t say meeting their needs,…be specific in relating to company’s goals.
Separate honors from leadership roles
Fluent in foreign language….which language
Words like I and me are assumed since the resume is about yourself

13. Resumes Use strong action verbs when identifying skills
Make everything in the resume connect back to the objective
Be consistent in the use of punctuation within the resume
Use bulleted lists instead of sentences
How many newsletters did you publish?
How many hours of community service do you perform?
How many members did you lead in committees?
Just don’t say meeting their needs,…be specific in relating to company’s goals.
Separate honors from leadership roles
Fluent in foreign language….which language
Words like I and me are assumed since the resume is about yourself

14. Resumes
Be consistent in use of active/passive voice when writing statements
If in school, list anticipated graduation date instead of dates of attendance
List information in reverse chronological order
Make sure the reader knows the language
How many newsletters did you publish?
How many hours of community service do you perform?
How many members did you lead in committees?
Just don’t say meeting their needs,…be specific in relating to company’s goals.
Separate honors from leadership roles
Fluent in foreign language….which language
Words like I and me are assumed since the resume is about yourself

15. Completing the Job Application

16. Online Job Application
Make sure information is consistent with resume
Carefully edit for possible mistakes in capitalization, abbreviations, and spelling
If you can, fill blanks with as much information as possible, particularly when asking for skills and experiences
Information requested – addresses, three references, phone numbers, etc.

17. Online Job Application
Provide all of the information requested on the application
Follow directions listed on the application
Maintain consistency throughout the application
Watch the use of N/A within an application
Information requested – addresses, three references, phone numbers, etc.

18. Initial Phone Interview

19. Initial Phone Interview
Contacted by potential employer to arrange an interview time
Potential employer may ask questions regarding the applicant’s resume
Interview lasts approximately 3 – 5 minutes
Potential employer will call, introduce self, and ask applicant if they can ask some questions regarding their resume

20. Initial Phone Interview
Potential questions the applicant should expect:
Why are you applying for the position?
What personal experiences do you have related to the position you are applying for?
What are one or two things that are important to you in a job?

21. Initial Phone Interview
Applicant can ask questions
Applicant should ask for date, time, and location of personal interview

22. Answer the phone confidently and make sure to introduce yourself
Be cautious of using too many uhs, ums, and you knows in your conversation
Speak in a pleasant voice

23. Remember to ask for all necessary information for the interview
Don’t ramble with your answers and make them too long
Try not to use clichés when talking on the phone
Be knowledgeable and confident in your responses

24. Tips for Completing the Personal Interview

25. Personal Interview Personal interview with a panel of three judges
Each judge scores the applicant individually
Interview lasts between 15 and 20 minutes

26. Comments from judges Make sure official dress fits appropriately
Make sure you introduce to everyone in the room (if there is a small number)
Give the panel an opportunity to introduce themselves to you
Use a firm handshake
Wait to be asked to be seated

27. Comments from judges Smile
Maintain a strong, confident voice throughout the interview
Provide complete and thorough responses to questions you are asked
Avoid canned responses

28. Comments from judges Avoid clichés
Don’t ramble when answering questions
Avoid using uhs and ums
When speaking, maintain eye contact with the judges

29. Comments from judges Watch talking with your hands
Be careful using rehearsed gestures
Provide specific, concrete examples to situations when appropriate
Remain seated when asking questions to the panel
Be prepared with questions to ask the panel

30. Tips for Completing Follow-Up Correspondence

31. Follow-Up Correspondence
May be a letter, , or thank you note/card
Formats will be different, but content will be basically the same
Address correspondence to the appropriate person and use appropriate salutation
Express appreciation, reiterates qualities, re-expresses interest, provisions for follow-up
Use appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling

32. Tips for the Networking Activity

33. Start off with a strong confident introduction to whoever you “bump” in to
Maintain eye contact with who you are networking with
Give specific example to illustrate your abilities and skills
End with a strong concluding statement and make provisions for following up

34. Tips for the Telephone Job Offer

35. Answer the call confidently
Be enthusiastic when receiving the offer
Do your research ahead of time on what the current benefits, salary, etc. are for the job in your are. Use that in negotiating the final details.