Employment Applications

When you are applying for a job you can expect to fill out some sort of application.  In todays world many companies are moving to online applications which are submitted electronically, while some have online applications which you print out and submit in person.  Probably the majority of applications you will complete over the next few years will still be paper applications, but for the purpose of this project we will be completing an application online, saving it and printing it for submission (to the teacher).

Complete this application (LINK) and save it to your Thawspace.  If you are missing any information (dates, phone numbers, etc.) bring them tomorrow to complete the application.  Incomplete applications (or made up information) will not receive credit.  [Note: You do not have to include your Social Security Number for this project.]

Some examples of online "print and complete" applications [which you can use as practice applications] are listed below:

• Adobe
• Journeys
• State of Texas
• State of Maryland
• Cinemark Theaters
• Quint Careers
• Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
• Alaska Jobs
• State of Florida
• State of Montana
• Fiesta Grill
• Idaho (Generic Application)

I will be asking you to have a copy of a finished [complete] application in your portfolio.

Asking Questions During an Interview

"Wait... I have to ask THEM questions when they are interviewing ME?!"

Yes.  An interview should be a two-way conversation.  You shouldn't monopolize the conversation, but you shouldn't sit there seemingly disinterested either.

Imagine for a moment that you are introduced to someone new at a party.  You spend a while asking them questions about who they are, what interests them, what experiences they have had, and where they see themselves in the future.  You ask them, “Do you want to know anything about me?”  They reply, “Nope.”  What would you take from that meeting?  You would probably assume that they were not interested in you.

If an interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for us?" and you reply, "No... I can't think of any."  They will get the impression that you are not serious about your application to their company.

Today we will discuss some of the questions you *might* ask during an interview -- obviously you won't ask ALL of them and you won't ask questions that aren't applicable.  We will also explain what benefits you get from asking these questions.

I am including the PowerPoint here: PowerPoint Presentation: Asking Questions During an Interview

25 Most Common Interview Questions

A job interview involves a lot of questions because the interviewer is trying to find out as much information [about the interviewee] as they possibly can in a limited amount of time.  While you may get asked some very specific questions (i.e. "Have you ever worked a cash register before?"), it is likely that you will also be asked a lot of standard interview questions (i.e. "Tell me about yourself.").  Today we will be discussing the 25 most common interview questions (according to the Human Resources departments of several corporations).  I am including the PowerPoint slide show titled, "25 Most Common Interview Questions" here if you would like to review this in the future.

Create a Brag Sheet

Your homework is to ask a parent/guardian and a friend/family member for feedback about who you are, what your strengths are, etc.  We will use that information (and the experiences you have listed on your résumé) to create a "brag sheet."


So what is a brag sheet?

When applying for a job, a college, or a social program (i.e. becoming a foster parent) you need letters of recommendation -- a letter from someone you know who is willing to vouch for your character, experience, or skills.

The biggest difficulty in getting a letter of recommendation is asking someone and, of course, letting them know what it is you need from them.  What should they talk about in the letter?  What should they avoid?  Are there any achievements you would like them to highlight?  Are there other things you want them to know before they write your recommendation?

Today we will be creating a "Brag Sheet" with some of your history and accomplishments that you can give to someone when you ask for a letter of recommendation.

Required:

1. Name as you would like it to appear on the letter.
2. Address, Phone Number, and Email (similar to résumé)
3. Do you have an intended major when applying to college?  What experience(s) have influenced this planned goal?
4. About Me:  Create a bulleted list of six adjectives which you, your family, or friends would use to describe you.  Give an example for each.
5. What are your proudest personal accomplishments?
6. What do you choose to learn on your own time?
7. Looking back at middle and high school, create bulleted lists of each the following:

• Extracurricular (Student government, yearbook, music, drama, art, clubs, etc.)
• Volunteer/Community Services
• Sports (organized sports in and out of school)
• Summer Experiences (Mission trips, summer travel programs (not vacations), etc.)
• Awards/Honors (Includes school, regional or national prizes in any subject, sports awards, etc.)
• Employment (Camp counselor, babysitting, tutoring, internships, jobs, etc.
• Hobbies (Interests that are not organized, like reading [with a book list], computer programming, etc.  Be selective)

Recommended:

1. Which course(s) have you enjoyed most?  Why?
2. Which course(s) have given you the most difficulty?  Why?
3. What positive factors (such as personal, family, summer experiences, teacher interactions) have contributed to your performance?
4. Have there been events, circumstances or experiences which have had a negative impact on your academic standing?  (Moving, cultural differences, sickness, accidents, divorces, deaths, etc.)
5. Looking back, how would you describe your high school experiences in the following ways:

• Academically
• Personally 

Notes:

• List extracurricular activities and hobbies in order of their importance to you.
• Everything else should be listed in chronological order, beginning with the most recent.
• Keep your Brag Sheet on 2 pages (or even better, 1 two-sided sheet).

List of References & Begin Organizing Portfolio

LIST OF REFERENCES:  Today we will be creating a list of professional references to put in the main section of our portfolio.  Here is a sample of a "References" page:

___________________________________________

References for

YOUR NAME

John M. Smith

Director of Management

Management Services Division

A. Datum Corporation

25 Brown Street S.E.

Olympia, WA 69847

(770) 555-0199

Lisa Boseman

Director

Consolidated Messenger

207 Oak Street

Buffalo, WA 30047

someone@example.com

(770) 555-0183

Bonnie McJohnson

Management Lead

Graphic Design Institute

One South Plaza

700 W. Elm Street

Central, WA 46204

(770) 555-0155

___________________________________________

PORTFOLIO CHECK:  When I do a portfolio check I will be looking for format, organization, and a variety of documents.  These are the sorts of documents I will be looking for when I do portfolio checks:

Format:

• Nice / Professional Looking Binder
• Sheet Protectors for Important Documents (Section One)
• Corrected / Reprinted Documents

Section One (Your Portfolio):

• Résumé 
• List of References
• Typing Certificate
• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Awards or Certificates [Optional]
• Transcripts [Optional]

Section Two (Interview / Application Prep):

• Brag Sheet
• Cover Letter: Ad Response
• Cover Letter: Referral
• Cover Letter: Cold Contact
• Follow-Up Letter (To Job Application)
• Thank You Letter (For Interview)
• Sample Job Application (Completed As Reference)
• Handshake Etiquette Handout
• 25 Most Common Interview Mistakes
• 25 Most Common Interview Questions
• Questions to Ask During an Interview
• Extra's (i.e. Notepad, Pen, Breath Mints, Deodorant, etc.)

__________________________________________________________

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation:
During the course of this class we are building our portfolio's to prepare for the future.  An important component to a good portfolio is a "Letter of Recommendation" (or several of them, if possible).  The big question is, "How do I ask for a letter of recommendation?"

• First of all, make your request early:  Give the letter writer two weeks if possible.  The more time the writer has to think about your background and review the information you give him/her, the better job they will do in writing your.
• Assemble the necessary materials:  Include a brag sheet or at least a list of your accomplishments and activities, the abilities or qualities you would like them to focus on, who the letter should be addressed to [if applicable], and a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) if the letter is to be mailed back to you.
• Choose good references:  You want to choose someone that has a good reputation, who writes well, who speaks highly of you, and who knows you fairly well.  Think before you ask -- don't ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation if you have a 'D' or 'F' in their class or if they have had to send you to the office for being disruptive.  Think of someone you have impressed or really "been there" for.