APPLICATION FORMS SESSION PLAN

SESSION: APPLICATION FORMS
Expected Progress:
Young people can complete a basic application form for a job/course that is relevant to their interests / Description:
This session supports young people to complete an application form for a job/training course that is relevant to their interests and a career choice identified in earlier sessions.
Resources required:
Internet
Pens
Paper
Blank application form / LLN Opportunities:
Recognise different ways of completing and application form;
Read and understand commonly used phrases and words on application forms;
Proof read a job application. / STEM Opportunities: Explore LinkedIn
Go to and create an account. This is a professional networking site, so you should use your real name and details.
You can use your email address to find people you may know on LinkedIn
select some relevant (and work appropriate) interests
Build a profile using a suitable photo, and fill out the Experience, Education, Skills and Summary areas. Just like a CV, these areas will form the core of the profile. LinkedIn will prompt and guide you through the steps, and will often help you find people you may know.
Once you’ve connected with a few people, see if they could give recommendations or endorsements. Much like a reference, having these will add credibility to your profile.
Check out your public profile. You can use this link to direct people to your profile. / Qualifications Opportunities:
Career Planning
SCQF Career Planning
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY / RESOURCES / SUGGESTED LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Introduction and icebreaker
Why do employers use application forms?
Explain that employers use application forms for a number of reasons;
Help the selection of hiring new employees
Keeps the selection process simple
Standardise procedure
Information about you before they have met you
Assess suitability to see if you meet basic requirements for job
Signed document stating details are true - legal
More detail than CVs
Assess motivation – application forms take time
Ask the group to identify different ways of completing applications forms e.g. paper-based forms and online forms. Sometimes you are also asked to submit your CV with a covering letter or email. / Understanding why application forms are used
Completing an application form

Key words on application forms card matching activity – in small groups ask young people to match the key phrases and words commonly found on application forms with the correct definitions. Explain any unfamiliar terms and record them on a word wall.
Ask young people to obtain an application form for a job that is relevant to their career choice and interests. This could be for a specific job, a training course related to that job or a volunteering position.
Explain that young people should complete the form using block capital letters and a pen (usually black ink), should avoid spelling mistakes and answer every question! If they need some practice, they could use the blank application form provided.

Encourage young people to proof-read their complete application forms. Share tips for proof-reading:
read your application form out loud – you’ll read slower and be more likely to spot errors
use your finger tip or a pencil to the follow the text on screen/paper as you read, again this will force you to read slower and it’ll be easier to spot mistakes.
proofread backwards – start at the bottom of your text and read one sentence at a time. This will help you to focus on spotting errors rather than the content.
print it out – sometimes errors can be difficult to spot onscreen so why not print it out to proofread.
ask for help! Try swapping your application with another member of the group and ask them to proofread it for you.
Young people may also be able to apply for a job online. If they do remember to take screen shots of the application for checking. They should also get the opportunity to print their application at the end of the process. / Blank application form
Key words on application forms – card matching activity / Entry 3/Scotland Level 3
Assessment Criteria: Complete an application form
Level 1/Level 2/Scotland Level 4/Scotland Level 5
Assessment Criteria: Complete an application form to an appropriate standard for submission

1 (April 2017)