Virtual Workroom on Workforce Readiness
CHOOSE THE BEST APPLICANT (Intermediate Low-Advanced)
In this lesson students read descriptions of three job applicants and decide which skills each applicant has and who is the best candidate for the position.
Workplace Skills Used in This Lesson: Work in teams, negotiate, acquire and evaluate data, interpret and communicate, use critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Technique: Jigsaw Reading PP p. 24
· Students form groups of three. Each person in the group reads about a different candidate for the position of front desk clerk at The Orchid Hotel. (See suggestion below)
· Each student tells their group of three about their candidate.
· All group members complete the chart about the candidates with their group.
· The groups decide who the best candidate for the job is and explain why.
Materials:
Handout 1: Job Applicant Information and Skills Chart
Handout 2: Useful Phrases
Tell students that they are going to do a small group activity in which they read about three applicants for a job as front desk clerk at a hotel.
· Before beginning the activity, have students brainstorm a few of the personal characteristics and technical skills that are important for a front desk clerk. Personal characteristics could include being friendly and smiling often. Technical skills could include using a computer and other office equipment.
· Have students form groups of three and count off 1-3. Tell them that they will read about one applicant and describe their applicant to their small group. Student 1 reads about applicant #1, student 2 reads about applicant #2 and student 3 reads about applicant #3.
· Ask each student to tell their group about their applicant.
· Have groups work together to complete the skills chart.
· After groups have completed the chart, ask them to decide who they think will be the best candidate and why. They must defend their answers with information from the skills chart. We think Evan Moreno is the best candidate because he gets along well with the customers and his co-workers.
· Encourage other students to respond by using phrases from the Useful Phrases sheet, such as I agree or I don't agree. (and I disagree.)
Expansion Activity:
1) Give students the title of another job. Have them list the personal characteristics and technical skills necessary for that job.
2) Ask students what job they would like to have. Have them write the personal characteristics and technical skills necessary for that job. Have them check off the skills that they have.
Teaching Tip:
Many online job sites list jobs and the skills necessary for those jobs. Encourage students to browse these online job sites to get information on jobs available in their communities and the skills needed for those jobs. One suggestion is:
http://www.indeed.com/
Job Applicant Information and Skills Chart
A. Sit in a group of three. Read about one applicant. Student 1 reads about applicant #1, student 2 reads about applicant # 2, and student 3 reads about applicant #3. Read about your applicant to yourself.
1Anabel Richards
Anabel is a sales clerk at a clothing store. She greets customers and asks if they need her help. The customers like her because she is polite and helpful. She has excellent communication skills. She trains new clerks how to do their jobs. When there are sales, she makes and puts up signs. She also makes the weekly schedule for her co-workers. She uses a cash register to make different transactions. She enjoys being busy doing different things.
2
Evan Moreno
Evan is a waiter at a French restaurant. He is friendly and gets along well with his co-workers. Sometimes the customers ask to sit at Evan's table because he has a good sense of humor and he takes their orders quickly. He's reliable and can be trusted with money. He also knows how to fix kitchen appliances and use a cash register. He's responsible for opening the restaurant in the morning and counting the money at night when he is closing up. He's very active and doesn't mind standing all evening.
3
Joy Bennett
Joy is a receptionist at a health clinic. She is the first person the patients see when they come to the clinic. She asks them to fill out forms and then she inputs the information in the computer. She also uses the computer to make appointments, fill out insurance forms and order office supplies online. She uses the phone to remind patients of their appointments. Joy is thorough and accurate. She likes repetitive activities and stays at her seat most of the day.
Skills Chart
B. Tell your group about your applicant. Listen to learn about the other two applicants. Complete the chart with your group.
Applicant / Personal Characteristics / Technical Skills /Anabel Richards
Evan Moreno
Joy Bennett
C. Work with your group. Who do you think is the best candidate for the job? Explain why.
______
______
______
______
Useful Phrases
Starting a conversationHi, my name is ______
Excuse me, can I talk to you for a minute?
Can I ask you something?
Can I talk to you for a minute? / Saying goodbye
It was nice talking to you.
Thanks for the information.
Talk to you soon.
Take care.
Take it easy.
See you later.
Ending a conversation
I'd love to continue this conversation, but…
Sorry, but I think I should be going now.
Well, I don't want to take up any more of your time.
I've got to go now. / Asking for repetition/clarification
I didn't catch that.
I didn't hear you.
I missed that.
I'm not following you.
Sorry, I don't see what you mean.
Would you mind saying that again?
Checking another person's understanding
Do you follow me?
Have you got it?
Are you with me?
Be sure to ask if you have any questions. / Showing understanding
Now I've got it.
I understand.
I'm with you.
Uh-huh.
Um-hmm.
Bringing in other people
What do you think, (person's name)?
What's your opinion, " " ?
Don't you agree with us, " " ?
You're quiet today, " " .
What are you thinking, " " ? / Giving advice/suggestions
If I were you, I'd …
I suggest that you…
I think you should…
Why don't you…
I recommend that you…
I think you'd better…
Responding to criticism
Please accept my apology.
It won't happen again.
I apologize.
Please forgive me. / Showing agreement or disagreement
I agree…..
I don’t agree……..
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