Applying for Work

Module 7

Applying for Work

Tutor File

Kindly reproduced from Foundations for Work project with permission from DiversityWorks (Project no – 2012-1-GB2-LEO05-08201)

Introduction

Searching for a job can take a lot of time and energy. Learners may become overwhelmed and may not know where to start. Perhaps they have been turned down a few times and are feeling discouraged. They may be asking themselves, what if I never find a job? What if my qualifications are not good enough?

People do get discouraged when they feel that things are out of their control. However, things don't have to be completely out of their hands when looking for work. There are a number of steps that can be taken to increase their chances of finding a job. Most importantly they have to be prepared to take initiatives and put time into job searches. An effective job search can take weeks, not just a few hours.

You may ask, what can possibly take so long? Perhaps you think that looking for work is only a matter of looking through the classified ads in the newspaper. No! This is not the case. When searching for a job there are three main steps involved, all of which take a great deal of time and energy to complete effectively. Putting time into a job search will result in the following outcomes for learners:

They will feel like they have taken charge of their future.
They will know their experience, qualifications, and goals.
Their chances of finding a job that fits into the plans for the future will have greatly increased.

We will explore three areas to help achieve this, sourcing jobs, building a CV, completing an application form, interview techniques and mock interviews.

Title

/ Module 7 – Applying for Work
Objective / At the end of this module learners will be able to:

Recognise different ways of sourcing jobs.
Produce a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Complete job applications.
Understand how to prepare for an interview.

Time / Depending on ability level of learners this module should take 10-12 hours facilitation time

Task

Method

To introduce the session

Activity 7.1 Sourcing jobs

Method – Discussion and workbook activity

Activity 7.2 Producing a CV

Method – Discussion, activity and workbook activity

Activity 7.3 Job applications

Method – Discussion and workbook activity

Activity 7.4 Interviews

Method – Discussion, activity and workbook activity / Explain to the learners that they will be exploring how to effectively market their skills and abilities to assist in applying for work. We will look at all elements from job search through to interviews.
To begin ask learners to list as many different methods they can think of for sourcing and applying for jobs. Some examples could be newspapers, employment agencies, internet, word of mouth or social security agencies. You will need to record these on flipchart for the next section.
Once all ideas have been exhausted select a few of the more popular choices and ask learners how they would begin this process from the start through to gaining an interview.
There are 8 examples supplied in the workbooks for learners to review and a section to record how they would use three of these methods.
Now learners have an idea of what methods they can use to source jobs we will begin to look at the two most important resources in the application process a CV and application forms.
CV’s are a very common method for individuals to present their qualifications and skills to prospective employers. Although not used as much in some European countries they can still be a valuable resource to help learners complete application forms.
Standardised CV’s can also vary between countries, for this reason we recommend using the Europass CV format. This is a free resource that can help job seekers create and update their CV, learners will be able to directly create their CV online or if the internet is not available an offline function is also available.
The CV includes standardised information such as personal details, work experience and education and training before moving onto personal skills it is these skills that we will focus on with learners.
The personal skills are sectioned into:
Communication skills
Organisational/managerial skills
Job-related skills
Computer skills
& Other skills
It is beneficial to work with learners on each of these areas separately before entering the information into the CV.
To explore these skills ask learners to come up with as many examples of skills they would include under these headings, some information has been supplied in the workbooks.
Once learners have exhausted their examples ask them to begin to structure this into a select few for each heading in the workbooks. The skills and qualities worksheets form module 3 – Self Development will also give learners additional ideas here.
It is important to stress to learners that just writing these skills down is not enough, they may be asked for examples or to demonstrate these skills if they gain an interview so it is important to be honest here.
To access the Europass website please follow the following link:
For learners to gain applicable skills in completing application forms it is best not to use a standardised example although 2 have been included as additional resources.
To learn the most in this section learners should practice on actual applications for specific jobs they intend to apply for. Ask learners to get an application and make a copy of it. It would be helpful if they also had the job description and specification with them.
Ask learners to examine the job description and identify the key things the employer is seeking. Again 2 examples have been included.
Now learners have identified what the employer wants get them to complete a draft version of their application on the photocopy.
Learners will need to receive feedback on these drafts so additional staff may be required.
Once reviews have been completed provide feedback to each learner and if suitable get them to complete the actual application they will be submitting.
Now we have explored looking for a job, CV’s and applications it is time to prepare the learners for the interview.
Take time to discuss and review with the group the information supplied in the workbooks.
We have supplied information on each stage of the interview process and a number of typical interview questions and the best responses for each.
Once you are confident that learners have understood each stage of the process ask them to indicate what type of job they are/will be looking for (it would be helpful if they could come to this session with a job advert or job description).
Inform learners that you or another staff member will be facilitating a mock interview for this job and learners are to prepare as they would for a real job interview.
If you are intending to hold these mock interviews on a separate day, inform learners that you expect them to attend dressed as they would be for the interview.
A mock interview question list and evaluation have been included at the end of this document for your reference.

Interview Question Examples

Introductory

Tell me a bit about yourself
Refer to candidate’s CV and ask a question about a particular area e.g.
I see you have some experience in…. tell me about that
I see you are interested in …..tell me about that

Educational background

What have you learnt from being at university?
Do you think your results are a fair indication of your academic potential?

Knowledge of industry/position applied for

Why do you want to work for us?
Why have you applied for this job?
Why have you applied to this organisation?
What qualities do you have that would make you successful in [sector/area/industry]?
What do you think it takes to be successful in this field?
What qualities do you think you have that would make you successful in this career field?

Personal qualities

What are your strengths/weaknesses?
How would your best friend describe you?
Describe a mistake you’ve made and what you’ve learnt from it
Describe the achievement that you are most proud of
What motivates you?
Give me an example of an important goal you set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it
How would you describe yourself?
How would you describe your major strengths?
What skills do you have to offer us?
Name 3 personal qualities that in your opinion would contribute to your effectiveness in this position?
What contribution do you think you can make to our organisation?
Why should we hire you?
Tell me about your previous work experience – pick out any one activity or job that has challenged you most and tell me about it

Specific skills/Behavioural questions

Teamwork

Tell me about a time you worked in a team, how did you help the team achieve its goals?
Give an example of how you worked effectively with people to accomplish an important result
Do you prefer to work independently or in a group?
What kind of people do you find difficult to work with and why?

Problem-solving/time management/working under pressure/decision making

Tell me about a recent problem you’ve had and how you solved it
What evidence other than academic can you provide regarding your ability to work under pressure?
What is your approach to solving problems?
Give me an example of a good decision you made in the last 6 months. How did you reach the decision?

Leadership/influencing

Give me 3 qualities that a leader should have & then tell me how you have demonstrated any one of these qualities
What lessons have you learned from holding positions of responsibility?
Tell me about a situation where you had to change someone’s opinion on something important. What did you do and say?
When have you been in a leadership role? What was your approach?

Communication

Tell me about a time when you had to use your verbal or written communication skills in order to get an important point across
How do you communicate effectively with others?

Customer service

What evidence do you have that you could handle our various customers/clients?
Give me an example of when you have demonstrated excellent customer service

Concluding questions

Is there anything that I haven’t asked that I should know about you?
What questions do you have for us?

Mock Interview Evaluation

Interviewer: ______

Interviewee: ______

Date: ______

NONVERBAL BEHAVIOURS

Dressed appropriately12345
Firmly shook hands of interviewer before and after12345
Maintained eye contact12345
Maintained good posture12345
Did not fidget12345
Used hands for emphasis where appropriate12345

VERBAL BEHAVIOURS

Listened closely to questions12345
Answered questions completely, yet briefly12345
Greeted interviewer by name12345
Thanked interviewer12345
Emphasized qualifications12345
Pointed out work related skills12345
Displayed enthusiasm12345
Focused on strengths, avoided weaknesses12345
Acted in a polite manner12345
Stayed calm12345
Responded to questions promptly, but did not rush12345
Knows when a decision will be made12345
Asked appropriate questions12345
Spoke clearly 12345
Demonstrated knowledge of the field/company12345
Avoided phrases such as “um” and “you know”12345
Stated career goals and related it to position12345

Any other comments/observations?