Objective 6.01

UNIT:C / Decision Making/Career Planning
Competency
CM06.00 / Create a job application package and career portfolio.
Objective
CM06.01 / Apply those skills necessary to obtain, maintain, and advance employment.
Journal Prompt(s) / How can I make a good impression while obtaining, maintaining and advancing employment?
OUTLINE
Objective 6.01: Apply those skills necessary to obtain, maintain, and advance employment.
A. Apply job seeking skills to obtain employment.
1. Resume
a. Chronological
b. Skills
2. Cover letter
a. Salutation
b. Introduction
c. Body
d. Conclusion
3. Job application
a. In person
b. Telephone
c. Letter of application
d. On-line
4. Interview
a. Questions to expect
b. Questions to ask
c. Dress
5. Pursuit of employment leads
a. Newspaper
b. Networking
c. Internet
d. Colleges
e. Telephone
f. Employment agencies
g. Referral
h. Employment Security Commission
6. Follow-up letter
7. Importance of career portfolio
8. Selection and acquisition of references
B. Understand pre-employment requirements.
1. Documentation
a. Social Security card
b. Work permit
2. Pre-employment tests
a. Ability
b. Performance
c. Physical agility
d. Drug screening
e. Polygraph
f. Psychological
g. Physical exam
h. Health certificates
3. Tax requirements
a. Form W-4
1.) Withholdings
2.) Allowances
3.) Exemptions
b. Proof of US citizenship
4. Pay and benefits
a. Payment Options
1.) Hourly
2.) Salary
3.) One time
4.) Commission
b. Components of a paycheck
1.) Net pay
2.) Gross pay
3.) Deductions/withholdings
c. Benefits
1.) Health insurance
2.) Retirement
3.) Cafeteria plans/flexible spending accounts
C. Understand employability skills needed to maintain employment.
1. Critical thinking
2. Problem solving
3. Management of Resources/Information/Technology
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Honesty
6. Dependability
7. Professionalism
D. Understand occupational skills in reference to the selected career
cluster.
E. Apply employability skills to advance employment.
1. Be friendly/outgoing.
2. Get to know your supervisor.
3. Volunteer to help.
4. Keep informed.
5. Keep a journal of accomplishments.
6. Display a positive attitude.
7. Accept feedback well
8. Demonstrate professionalism.
F. Explain procedures to follow when leaving a job.
ACTIVITIES
Information
Complete Appendix 6.01 (1) - Job Application File. Job applications give employers their first look at you as a potential employee. How you complete the application suggests whether or not you have the ability to prepare ahead, to follow instructions, to fill out a document neatly and accurately, and to follow through on a task. Complete the worksheet to organize the information that you will need to make a good impression with you job application.
Using the criteria in Appendix 6.01 (2) – Job Application Performance to plan and evaluate your performance, complete a sample job application.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (3) - BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR YOUR RESUME
The hardest part of creating a chronological or a “chrono-functional” resume is collecting all of the information for your references, work experience, and education. It is helpful to collect all of the information initially, so that you won’t have to remember everything at a later date when you revise your resume. Complete the form to help you prepare your resume or you may organize this information on 4-inch by 6-inch index cards.
Using the criteria in Appendix 6.01 (4)–Resume Performanceto plan your performance, create a resume from the information recorded on the resume worksheet. Include theresume in your portfolio.
Identify a company you would like to work for and research it. What employment tests, if any, are required? What are the benefits? What are the payment options? Write a summary of your findings.
Develop a handout of advice for beginning a new job.
Create a collage which represents the various employment leads which may be used to obtain a job. You may use pictures, words, or drawings to illustrate the various leads. Be sure to label your leads.
Interpersonal
Ask a teacher, employer or work-based learning supervisor to rate your workplace behavior using Appendix 6.01 (5) - Supervisor’sRating Sheet. Include the evaluation in your portfolio.
Conduct mock interviews. Use Appendix 6.01 (6) - PRACTICE INTERVIEW EVALUATION to critique the interview performance of each candidate.
Currently, your job is student. Your work environment is the classroom. Using Appendix 6.01 (7) - Employer Job Evaluation, have a classmate evaluate your job performance by placing a check mark in the appropriate spaces. Then answer the questions that follow.
Create a PowerPoint Presentation, bulletin board or story cards illustrating interview “do’s and don’ts”.
As a group, create a public service announcement regarding proper preparation for an interview. Include the message as part of the daily school announcements.
ACTIVITIES CONTINUED
Role-play interviews for entry-level positions in groups of 3. Group members should take turns playing the role of the interviewer, the interviewee and the evaluator. Each member should be prepared to describe their educational history, skill level, employment history and why they wish to work for the company. Interview questions can be selected from Appendix 6.01 (8) –Common Interview Questions. The evaluator can use the criteria in Appendix 6.01 (9) – Rating the Job Applicant to provide feedback to the interviewee.
Using Appendix 6.01 (10) -Practice Interview Questions, record appropriate responses to interview questions in written format. Later, tape record your responses to the questions. Listen to the recording to identify areas for improvement. As a class, discuss the importance of planning for and practicing interview responses.
Technology
Complete the On-line Resume Writing Lab by visiting
One of the key elements in successfully seeking employment is preparation of an effective resume. This document can take a variety of forms, but one of the most common types is the one page resume which summarizes personal information, education, work experience, and other relevant facts.
If you do not have a single page resume, begin preparing one now. If you already have one, bring it in and review it for potential improvements. Some suggestions for preparing this document can be found at the Resume Workshop link . Additional guidance for preparing resumes and other related business documents can be found at the business writing section of the Online Writing Lab link.
Basic Skills
Go to a place of business and ask for a job application. Bring it to class and fill it out. Compose a letter of application for this job. Use the criteria in Appendix 6.01 (2) - JobApplication Performance and Appendix 6.01 (11) – Cover Letter Performance to plan and evaluate your performance.
Look at the classified ads in a newspaper. Bring in an ad for a job that interests you. Write a letter requesting an interview.
Using Appendix 6.01 (12) - Cover Letter Outline as a guide, create a “rough draft of a cover letter.
Using the criteria in Appendix 6.01 (13) – Thank You/Follow-Up Letter to plan your performance, create a follow-up letter.
Using a sample pay stub, identify the components of a pay check.
Complete a sample form W-4.
Thinking Skills
Write a practice script to ask an individual to provide a recommendation for you. Select several individuals to ask. Recommended individuals include past supervisors, teachers, guidance counselors, activity coordinators and mentors. Secure 3 letters of reference for your portfolio.
ACTIVITIES CONTINUED
Complete Appendix 6.01 (14) - SUMMARY STATEMENTS.
Use Appendix 6.01 (15) - A Job Interview Checklist to prepare for your interview. If you can answer “yes" to all the questions, then you are ready. Refer to this list before every job interview.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (16) - Actions for Job Success, critiquing the success potential of employee’s actions on the job.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (17) - Are These Questions Illegal? Read each of the listed questions. Check legal if an employer can legally ask the question. Check illegal is an employer cannot legally ask the question. Below the illegal questions, write an appropriate legal question.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (18) - Communicating Your Skills. List 3 top skills you possess that are related to a job that you wish to apply for or are qualified to apply for. Reflect on situations in your life when you have displayed the skill confidently. Describe how you can support the claim that you possess these skills in an interview situation.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (19) - Creating a Life Work Objective.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (20) - DEVELOPING A CAREER OBJECTIVE.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (21) – Interviewing. Alison is interviewing for a job as a typist in a business office. What advice would you give her at each step of her interviewing process?
Complete Appendix 6.01 (22) - Job Ideas Summary. In the Workplacecolumn, list the five workplaces that interest you the most. In the Job Ideas column, list at least one job that you could do now at each workplace.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (23) - WORKPLACE IDEAS. Listed are some places where you might find a job. Circle all the ones that interest you. Then check the five that interest you the most. Even though you may not be qualified for a professional job, most places need at least some entry-level or unskilled workers. (For example: airports, colleges, and hospitals)
Complete Appendix 6.01 (24) - Know Your Interests. Reviewing the list of interests, circle the ones that interest you most or things you like to do. If you have interests not listed, add them to the end of the list. When you are done, choose your top five and place a check mark by them.
Each person in the class should create fashion cards illustrating proper interview attire and hygiene. Compile the cards and as a class, critique the apparel and grooming habits for appropriateness.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (25) - Lesson 6 – Other Employability Skills. This activity can be accessed on-line at or completed in paper format. This activity will help you critique your own job-seeking behaviors and address employability skills scenarios.
ACTIVITIES CONTINUED
Write an advice column to a teen regarding effective interview techniques before, during and after the interview.
Dear Abby,
I have just been contacted by the local nursery for an interview. I have no idea what to wear, how to respond to questions, or whether or not to take a resume with me. Please help!
Jobless in Carolina
Create a list of 5 possible questions to ask during an interview.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (26) - Treasure Chest of Skills. It is often difficult for us to identify the skills we possess and connect them to the skills needed for a career. This activity will help you select words to identify the things you are good at and then compare them to a career that interests you.
Personal Qualities/Responsibility
Create an ad for yourself which features the qualities you could offer an
employer.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (27) – Lesson 2 - How Is Your Work Ethic?. This activity can be accessed on-line at or completed in paper format. An instrument that has been developed to measure work ethic is the Occupational Work Ethic Inventory (OWEI). This instrument has been used extensively in research and the electronic version is available to provide a basis for comparing your work ethic to that of others. The inventory provides scores for interpersonal skills, initiative, and being dependable will allow you to determine how you rate on these important areas. Complete and click the submit button to electronically take the OWEI. Copy or print out your scores for use in class discussion. Try to be honest as you answer and consider carefully how you are now at work or how you expect to be if you do not have a job at this time.
Create a video/multimedia presentation explaining why you have the interests, skills, and knowledge necessary to pursue the career that you have selected. Remember to dress professionally for the video/photographs. Share evidence of your interests, skills and knowledge, as well as your plans to pursue education/post-secondary training and work experience.
Create a marketing brochure for yourself featuring the 4 P’s of marketing; Product, Promotion, Place, and Price. When describing the product, describe the skills, interests, etc. that you will bring to the prospective workplace. When describing promotion, be sure to describe what benefits your skills will bring to the prospective workplace. When describing Place, describe the perfect workplace environment for yourself. When describing Price, describe how much your skills are worth in regards to salary, and in regards to the business.
Complete Appendix 6.01 (28) - Rating Work Behavior. How well would you do on the job? Rate yourself on these ten items having to do with job performance, work habits, and attitudes in terms of your schoolwork. Be sure you judge yourself accurately and honestly.
RESOURCES
Primary Resources
Kimbrell, Grady & Vineyard, Ben S. (2003). Succeeding in the World of Work. (7th Edition). New York,
NY. Glencoe/McGraw Hill. pp. 111-169, 234-235, 486-499.
Bailey, Larry J. (2003). Working, Career Success for the 21st Century. (3rd Edition). Mason, OH.
Thompson/South-Western. pp. 28-29, 94-97, 107, 132-136, 138-140, 149-150, 396-406.
Littrell, J.J., Lorenz, James H. & Smith, Harry T. (2004). From School to Work. Tinley Park, IL. The
Goodheart-Willcox Company. pp. 25-26, 36-37, 293-305, 306-313, 317-325, 329-339.
Carter, Carol, Izumo, Gary, Kravits, Sarah L. & Reeves, Diane L. (2001). The Career Tool Kit for High
School Students; Making the Transition from School to Work. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Prentice Hall. pp. 172-174, 177-183, 186-222, 227-230, 247-248.
Workbook Resources
Kimbrell, Grady & Vineyard, Ben S. (2003). Succeeding in the World of Work - Student Activity Book
(7th Edition). New York, NY. Glencoe/McGraw Hill. pp. 71-92, 102-103, 106, 237-245, 249-250,
256-258.
Bailey, Larry J. (2003). Working, Career Success for the 21st Century - Student Working Papers and
Exploration Package (3rd Edition). Mason, OH. Thompson/South-Western. pp. 13-14, 56-58, 62,
152-160.
Littrell, J.J., Clasen, Annie H. & Pearson, Peggy. (2004). From School to Work – Student Activity
Guide. Tinley Park, IL. The Goodheart-Willcox Company. pp. 25-26, 61-62, 105-106, 108-131, 135,
159-163.
Supplementary Resources
Cambridge Career Products. (1-800-468-4227). Vocational Job Search Campaign: Successful Guerilla
Tactics
Anema, Durlynn & Lefkowitz, William. (1995). The Janus Employability Skills Program-Don’t Get
Fired. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Globe Fearon.
Livingstone, Mark. (1995). The Janus Employability Skills Program-Job Interview Guide. Upper
Saddle River, NJ. Globe Fearon.
Izzo, Margo V. The Janus Employability Skills Program-Payday! Managing Your Paycheck.. Upper
Saddle River, NJ. Globe Fearon. Pp. 5-18, 59-76.
Feichtner, Sheila H. The Janus Employability Skills Program-Teacher’s Resource Guide. Upper
Saddle River, NJ. Globe Fearon.
Anema, Durlynn. The Janus Employability Skills Program-Get Hired!. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Globe
Fearon.
RESOURCES CONTINUED
Kahn, Charles, Wing, Jew & Tong, Robert. The Janus Employability Skills Program-Job Application
File. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Globe Fearon.
Farr, J. Michael & Christopherson, Susan, (1999). Why Should I Hire You?.Indianapolis, IN. Jist
Publishing Company.
Mendlin, Ronald, Polonsky, Marc, & Farr, J. Michael. (2000). Job Search Tools. Indianapolis, IN. Jist
Publishing Company.
Troutman, Kathryn. (2003). Creating Your High School Resume. Indianapolis, IN. Jist Publishing
Company.
Wright, Dixie L. (1997). Know-How Is the Key Activity Book. Indianapolis, IN. Jist Publishing Company.
Farr, J. Michael & Christopherson, Susan, (1999). An Introduction to Job Applications. Indianapolis,
IN. Jist Publishing Company.
Porot, Daniel. (1999). The 101 Toughest Interview Questions. Berkley, Ca. Ten Speed Press.
ISBN: 1-58008-068-5
Fein, Richard. (2000). 101 Dynamite Questions to Ask at Your Job Interview. Manassas, Va. Impact
Publications.
ISBN#: 1-57023-144-3
Bolles, Richard & Brown, Susan. Job-Hunting for the So-Called Handicapped. Berkley, Ca. Ten Speed
Press.
ISBN#: 1-58008-195-9
Boles, Richard. (2005). What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and
Career-Changers. Berkley, Ca. Ten Speed Press
ISBN#: 1-58008-615-2
Farr, Michael. (2000). The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book. Indianapolis, IN. Jist Publishing
Company.
Stevenson, Ollie. (2000). Career Success Is Color-Blind. Indianapolis, IN. Jist Publishing Company.
Boles, Richard. (2005). What Color Is Your Parachute? Workbook. Berkley, Ca. Ten Speed Press
ISBN#: 1-28195-15880-1
The Public Library Association and the Editors of VGM Books. (2004). The Guide to Basic Cover
Letter Writing. New York, NY. VGM Career Books.
ISBN#: 0-07-140590-9
RESOURCES CONTINUED
Web-Site Resources
to Love The Job You Have, Considering A Career Change, Questions to Ask When Researching A Company, Be A Powerful E-Job Seeker, Disabilities Are Not Barriers to Jobs, JIST Cards, Get The Job You Want, Find The Best Opportunities After Graduation, The Rules of Job-Hunting Netiquette, Seven Steps to Getting A Job Fast, Cracking The Code to Landing A Federal Government Job, Disclosing Your Disability, 20 Quick Tips for Successful Networking, Common Networking Mistakes to Avoid, The Networking Mindset, Four Quick Tips for writing A Good Resume, Example of A Functional Resume, Quick Resume Writing Tips, Nine Resume Strategies for Teachers and Educators, Write Winning Cover Letters, Resume Tips for Executives and Managers, Ten Tips for An Eye-Catching Resume, How to Write A Resume for A Federal Job, Twenty-Five Tips for A Pleasing Cover Letter, Make Your Resume A Job-Searching Asset, Get Started with Your IT Resume, The Top Ten Strategies for Writing Winning Cover Letters, First Impressions, Ten Most Frequently Asked Problem questions, Improve Your Interviewing Skills in Hours, Interview Tips for Teaching Candidates, How to Negotiate Your Job Offer)
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NC Employment Security Commission
Us Department of Labor
(Interview Mastery)
to Write a Resume)
(CareerCenter—UNCW)
(Resume Word Scramble)
(Power/Action Verbs—UNCW)
(Resume Formats—UNCW)
(Sample Resumes—UNCW)
(Resume Scramble)
(JobStar Central - This is a great resource covering resume guidance, salary information, and the hidden job market.)
(JobWeb - This site sponsored b the National Association of Colleges & Employers offers excellent employment information and tools.)
(Cover Letter Activity/Job Application Activity)
RESOURCES CONTINUED
(You’re Hired Guide)
(Job Search)
(NC Careers Spanish Version – ACRN Brochures, Web-based Activities, The Family Toolkit, Career Pathways Posters)

(JobBank USA Site-Electronic Resume’s)
(NC employment Security Commission)
(Access to Job-Link Sites)
(Lesson 2 and 6 – Employability Skills/Work Ethic)
(Quizzes Link – Cover Letter Quiz, Resume Quiz, Job Hunting Etiquette Quiz, Job Hunting Skills Quiz, Marketing Yourself Quiz, Time to Change Jobs Quiz)
(Get a Job Link)
(Career Development Link -Job Interviews, Networking, Résumé’s)
(Career Development Manual Link – Network and Contacts, Work)