Filling out a Job Application

Filling out a Job Application

CLB Level: 4
Essential Skills Focus: Document Use (read, interpret and enter information); Writing (organize, document and inform); Continuous learning (as part of a job search)
Task: Enter information on a job application form
Purpose: Students will

• Read, understand and fill out a job application form
• Understand appropriate

answers to
questions (job
culture in Canada)
Materials: Correctly filled-out Tim Horton’s application form, an incorrect form, blank copies of the form, student resumes
Learning Style: Visual, tactile
Time: Approx. 1.5 hours / Method: 1. Show and discuss a completed, correct Tim Horton’s* job application form. (Teacher-made overhead.) Highlight common questions and discuss appropriate answers.
2. Show an incorrect Tim Horton’s job application form and find the mistakes. (Teacher-made overhead.) Discuss why the form is filled out incorrectly and why the person would not get called for a job interview. (#1 and #2 use discussion pages below.)
3. Provide students with a blank Tim Horton’s job application form to fill out on their own. Students should use their resumes to help them fill out their forms if they have them.
4. Circulate and provide feedback to students as needed.
*A Tim Horton’s form is the most basic form available. A pdf version of the form is available at:

Follow Up: 1. Common application form questions worksheet
2. Application forms true or false worksheet with discussion notes
3. Examples of application forms from other companies
Debrief/Transfer: What essential skills did you cover in this activity? How do you think these essential skills will improve your chance of getting called for an interview?
Do you think you can use any of this information when you go to fill out a different application form on your own?

Common Application Form Questions

1. Last name ______

1. Middle initial ______

1. Surname ______

1. Date available ______

1. Family name ______

1. Are you willing to provide a criminal record check? ______

1. Availability ______

1. E-mail address ______

1. May we call you at work? ______

1. Do you have any medical conditions that will prevent you from doing the job? ______

1. Are you bondable? ______

1. Do you have a vehicle? ______

13. Are you attaching your resume to the application form? ______

14. What languages do you speak? ______

15. Are you entitled to work in Canada? ______

16. Are you under the age of 18 or over the age of 65? Yes___ No___

17. Rate of pay expected ______

18. Are you available nights? ______

19. Can you work weekends? ______

20. Are you submitting a resume? ______

21. Wage expected ______

22. Mailing address ______

23. Are you able to work in Canada? ______

24. Do you have any injuries that would prevent you from doing the job?

______

25. What is the earliest time you can start work? ______

26. What is the latest time you can finish work? ______

27. Will you undergo a medical examination? ______

28. Middle name ______

29. Do you have a class 5 driver’s license? ______

30. Do you have safety boots? ______

31. Rate per hour expected? ______

32. SIN Number ______

33. Do you have a shift preference? ______

34. Are you willing to work overtime? ______

35. Are you familiar with the Metric System? ______

36. Are you familiar with the Imperial System? ______

37. How did you hear about this job? ______

38. Will you comply with safety rules in our company? ______

Application Forms

Answer T for true or F for false.

1. You must use a pen when filling out an application form.

2. It is okay to use a red pen.

3. You should write what position you want and not write any job.

4. You should print on the form.

5. You must ask before you write someone’s name as a reference.

6. You can lie on an application form.

7. Do not ask for two copies of the form.

8. You should try to spell correctly on an application form.

9. Always check over the application form after you fill it out.

10. If you forget to sign the form, the employer will not call you.

11. You do not have to put the date on the application form.

12. Date available means when you can start working.

13. If you do not answer the question, “Are you legally entitled to

work in Canada?”, you will not get called for an interview.

14. Position means job.

15. It is a good idea to write down that the company cannot phone

old bosses.

16. Always put the salary that you want to get for the job.

17. If you forget to answer questions on the form, an employer will still call

you.

18. Surname means first name.

19. You can put the names of relatives as references.

20. Never write where it says notes. This is for the company.

21. Do not write your social insurance number on the form. If the

employer wants this number, write upon hiring.

22. If the form asks for an e-mail address, write it down even if

you check your e-mail only once a week.

23. If you don’t understand a question, write N/A.

24. If the form asks for the hours you can work, it is important to

write a.m. or p.m. after the time.

25. You must write the full names of your references on the

application form.

Discussion

1. True. Students must use either blue or black pen.

2. False. Red pen is normally associated with correction and it is more difficult for the employer to read. Any colour other than blue or black may appear unprofessional.

3. True. Writing any job shows that the student has not researched the company or does not know what positions are available. Writing down the job he/she wants lets the employer know that the student feels qualified to do the job.

4. True. Handwriting is often difficult to read.

5. True. Who are appropriate references?

• Former Canadian employers/supervisors/co-workers (Most employers will not call another country to check references so it is not advisable to use former employers from the student’s country unless they have a letter of reference in English).
• Contacts in volunteer organizations
• Church and community leaders
• Instructors
• Counselors
• Character references
• Landlords

It is important that students ask permission before they use someone’s name as a reference. A student should have a minimum of 3 references for a resume and be sure their references will speak positively about them.

6. False. If a student lies on an application form or on a resume and the employer finds out the student can be fired for misrepresentation.

7. False. Always ask for two copies of the application form. Most employers expect this. One is for a rough copy and the other is for a good copy to be handed in. Students should always get someone to check over their form (if they are allowed to take it off site). It is rare, but if the employer will not give the student two forms, then the student should get it photocopied.

8. True. Correct spelling is important, however if an employer really needs workers, he/she will not throw a form away because of a few spelling errors especially if it has been determined that the student is a newcomer.

9. True. No matter what their benchmarks, the biggest mistake students make is not answering all of the questions.

10. True. Signing the form means that everything that is stated on the form is true.

11. False. An application form must always be dated. Many companies keep application forms on file for at least 3 months.

12. True. The best answers are ASAP or Immediately.

13. True. The employer needs to know that the student is legally allowed to work in Canada otherwise the company may be breaking the law.

14. True.

15. False. The employer will assume that there was a problem with the student at his/her previous jobs or that they are definitely hiding something. It is alright if a student does not give permission for the employer to call a current boss as he/she may not want that boss to know that they are searching for another job.

16. False. The salary that is written must be close to what the company is paying. If the salary is too high or too low, it looks like the student has not done any research. If the student does not know, he/she should write entry level wages or standard wages.

17. False. Not answering all of the questions is an incomplete form. Incomplete forms usually don’t get phone calls.

18. False. Surname or last name or family name may appear on application forms.

19. False. The employer does not want to speak to relatives as they are biased toward the student. See question #5.

20. True. Many students think that this is where they can tell more about themselves and their skills. This is for the employer to make notes about the form or for the interviewer to make notes during the interview.

21. True. Hopefully, all employers shred the application forms of the students that they never call. Identity theft is always a concern.

22. False. Students should only give out their e-mail addresses if they check their e-mail every day. More and more employers are sending out interview requests via e-mail. Many employers also send out information about their companies. Not responding in a timely manner could be a problem.

23. False. N/A is used to show that the question is not applicable to the student. For example: What computer programs are you familiar with? The students answer N/A if they are not familiar with computers. This tells the employer that the student has not just overlooked the question.

24. True. Some employers will think that the student might want the night shift.

25. True. Companies can be very big. If the student just puts the first name of his/her reference, an employer will not call as there may be more than one person in the company with that name. It shows that the student probably did not inform their reference otherwise he/she would have the last name. Students can use the Human Resources Department of the company as a reference. The department can speak about their work history and then they usually direct the employer to the correct supervisor.

Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL ProgramEssential Skill Focus: Document Use / Writing

Author: Lisa ReichertCLB level: 4