Career Readiness Project

CAREER READINESS

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CAREER READINESS Contents: ❑ Interview Project Checklist ❑ Résumé Pre-Writing Activity ❑ Résumé Basics ❑ Sample Résumé ❑ Cover Letter Basics ❑ Before you Begin the Cover Letter (Cover-Letter Pre-Writing Activity) ❑ Sample Cover Letter ❑ Employment Application (2-page format, 1-page format) ❑ Preparing for the Interview (Sample Questions) ❑ Preparing for the Interview (Dress Appropriately) ❑ How to Have a Great Interview (Tips and Reminders) ❑ Mock Interview Self-Reflection

Name _____________________________

Date ______________

INTERVIEW PROJECT CHECKLIST Below is a list of each component you will be required to turn in to your teacher, either during or after the interview. You will also turn in this paper.

Assignment Résumé Pre-Writing Activity Résumé Basics Résumé (Final Draft) Cover Letter Basics Before you Begin the Cover Letter (Cover-Letter Pre-Writing Activity) Cover Letter (final draft) Employment Application (2 pages) Preparing for the Interview (Sample Questions) Preparing for the Interview (Dress Appropriately) Mock Interview Mock Interview Self-Reflection

Points

Name ____________________

Date ______________

RÉSUMÉ PRE-WRITING ACTIVITY Think about the experience you have gained at past jobs, volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular activities. You will need to use the experience from your past positions to prove that you are the right candidate for the job that you are seeking. Answer the questions below with as much detail as possible.

1.

What can I do really well?

2.

When did I volunteer to complete a task?

3.

Have I completed a task or project that has helped my co-workers/peers? Explain.

4.

Have I received a promotion? Explain.

5.

Have I received a performance review? Explain

6.

Did I ever win awards for a job well done? Think about awards from school, volunteer, or work experience.

7.

Did I complete my work on time and efficiently? Explain.

8.

Think of two great accomplishments in your life. What did you learn by completing each one?

How can you apply what you have learned to a job?

9.

Did my co-workers/peers give me good reviews? Explain.

10.

Did I get any positive feedback from customers? Explain.

Additional Comments:

Name _______________________

Date __________

RÉSUMÉ BASICS A basic résumé usually contains four sections: contact, education, experience, and accomplishments. On this page, you will gather the information that you will be including in each section.

❑ Your full name ❑ Your email address ❑ Your mailing address ❑ Your phone number

Your Contact Information

Education ❑ Schools that you have attended. (High School and above) ❑ Location of schools (City and State) ❑ Date of graduation, actual or anticipated ❑ Degree(s) earned ❑ Grade point average (GPA) if over 3.0 Experience Complete this for every job/volunteer opportunity/extracurricular activity that is relevant.

❑ Company or Organization (Name, City, State) ❑ Job Title ❑ Dates of Employment (From-To) ❑ Description of job duties and responsibilities

Accomplishments

❑ Academic awards ❑ Membership in organizations ❑ Leadership positions that you have held ❑ Community service positions ❑ Work-related awards ❑ Involvement in an activity that is relevant to the job (trainings/workshops)

Other things to consider….

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Only list skills that are relevant to the position you are seeking.

Write it yourself.

Make it brief, concise, and free of errors.

Speak in the third person. (Avoid personal pronouns like “I”, “We”, “He”) Be honest.

SAMPLE RÉSUMÉ John Student 123 Blackberry Drive Apt 4 San Diego, CA 92111 (999) 432-1098 · johnstudent@gmail.com

Contact Information

Objective: Seeking an entry level position as a sales associate with a clothing company.

Education

Education: High School Diploma, Expected June 2016 General Public High School, San Diego, CA Experience: Sales Associate Amazing Clothes R Us, San Diego, CA November 2014-January 2015 • Restocked inventory and maintained clean fitting rooms.

• Helped customers to choose new items and retrieve correct sizes.

Pet Play Pal Humane Society, San Diego, CA June 2014-October 2014 • •

Experience

Walked the dogs and played with the cats in order to help determine their comfort level with pet owners.

Maintained the cleanliness of the kennels and the animal bedding.

Accomplishments: • Dean’s List General Public High School • Young Scholar’s Merit Award Winner • Volunteer of the Month at the Humane Society

Accomplishments

References: Sally Smith Humane Society 123 Main St San Diego, CA 92121 (999)555-1234

Johnny B. Good Amazing Clothes R Us 456 Broadway St San Diego, CA 92110 (999)555-7777

June Jones General Public High School 789 Division St San Diego, CA 92114 (999)555-9090 References (no relatives)

Objective:

Formatting:

❑ ❑ ❑

❑ ❑

❑

Should be brief and concise.

Should be at the top of the resume.

T the specific job you Should be tailored to are seeking.

Should discuss the type of job position that you would like to work.

❑ ❑

Only one page if possible.

Font should be plain and legible T (Times New Roman/Calibri) On white or light-colored paper.

Should look clean and uncluttered.

**There are many other résumé templates available online and through programs such as Microsoft Word. This is just one sample. Use one that best suits your needs and experiences.

COVER LETTER BASICS A good cover letter will: ❑ introduce you to the employer, ❑ explain your career objectives, ❑ specify why you would like to work in that position, ❑ clearly state how your experiences are right for the job, ❑ expand on your skills and experiences from the resume, ❑ be written in slang-free, formal language, and ❑ convince the employer to call you for an interview.

Things you should leave out of a cover letter: ❑ typos or errors, ❑ too much information (it should be one page only), ❑ repetition of your resume, ❑ negativity, and ❑ questions about the company to which you are applying.

Name ________________________

Date _____________

BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE COVER LETTER COVER LETTER PRE-WRITING ACTIVITY Research the company and the position.

What is the company’s vision or mission statement?

What would your job responsibilities consist of?

Describe the history of the company. Note any special features of this company that set it apart from similar companies.

Important People Do you know anyone that works for the company that you can use as a reference?

Where should your letter be sent?

SAMPLE COVER LETTER John Student 123 Blackberry Drive Apt 4 San Diego, CA 92111 (999) 432-1098 · johnstudent@gmail.com May 4, 2015

Your Contact Information

Date Written

Contact Name Title of Contact Name of Organization Street Address City, State Zip Code

Contact Information for the Person in Charge of Hiring You

Dear Mr. or Mrs. ____________________, Paragraph 1: What position are you seeking? Where did you hear about the job opening? Who referred you? Why do you want the job?

Paragraph2: What are your qualifications? What skills and experience make you the best candidate for the job? Discuss specific experiences, education, and interests that make you a good fit for the job.

Paragraph 3: Why are you interested in this company? Show that you know some information about the company by discussing some of the things that you learned about the company while completing your research. Explain why you want to work for the company.

Paragraph 4: Thank the person for considering your application. Let the person know that you are looking forward to hearing from them regarding the position.

Sincerely,

John Student

Signature in blue or black ink

John Student

Objective: ❑ Be professional and courteous. ❑ Focus on how you will be a good addition to the company. ❑ Show that youThave researched the company. ❑ Write it yourself. ❑ Sign the letter to show that it is original.

Formatting: ❑ Only one page if possible. ❑ Font should be plain and legible (Times New Roman/Calibri) T light-colored ❑ On white or paper. ❑ Should look clean and uncluttered.

Employment Application Name:

___________________________________ Phone: _(____)_____________ Last

Middle

First

Address: ____________________________________________________________ City Street State Zip Email:

________________________

Are you 18 or older?

Yes

Social Security Number:

XX X- XX-

Are you a U.S. citizen or alien legally authorized to work in the United States?

No

Yes

No

If you are under 18 you will be required to obtain a work permit and provide proof of birthday (birth certificate, passport, etc.)

Educational History Name of School

Location of School (City, State)

Years Completed

Major/Degree

Did you Graduate?

High School

College/University

Employment History Employer: _________________________________

Phone:

_(____)_____________

Address: ____________________________________________________________ City Street State Zip Job Title: ___________________________________ Supervisor: Dates Employed:

_______to_______

Hourly rate/salary:

____

______________

May we contact this employer?

Yes

Employer: _________________________________

Phone:

No

_(____)_____________

Address: ____________________________________________________________ City Street State Zip Job Title: ___________________________________ Supervisor: Dates Employed:

_______to_______

Hourly rate/salary:

____

______________

May we contact this employer?

Yes

1

No

Name:

___________________________________ Last

Middle

First

Availability Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

When are you available to start?

___________________________________

Have you ever worked for this company before?

Yes

No

Do you understand that if hired for this job, you will be required to complete a criminal background check?

Yes Preferred method of contact: Phone

Email

2

If yes, please explain: ___________________________ _____________________________________________

No

Employment Application Name:

___________________________________ Last First Middle

Address:

____________________________________________________________ Number Street State City Zip

Email:

________________________

Social Security Number:

X -

X

X

Phone:

X

-

_(____)_____________

Are you a U.S. citizen or alien legally authorized to work in the United States? Yes

Are you 18 or older?

Yes

X

No

No

If you are under 18 you will be required to obtain a work permit and provide proof of birthday (birth certificate, passport, etc.)

Educational History Name of School

Location of School (City, State)

Years Completed

Major/Degree

Did you Graduate?

High School

College/University

Employment History Employer: _________________________________

_(____)____________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone:

City Street State Zip Job Title: ___________________________________ Supervisor: ______________

Dates Employed:

_______to_______

Hourly rate/salary:

____

May we contact this employer?

Yes

Employer: _________________________________

No

_(____)____________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone:

City

Street

Job Title: ___________________________________ Dates Employed:

_______to_______

Hourly rate/salary:

____

State Zip Supervisor: ______________

May we contact this employer?

Yes

No

Availability Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

From:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

To:

When are you available to start?

__________

Have you ever worked for this company before?

Yes No If yes, please explain: ___________________________ _____________________________________________

Do you understand that if hired for this job, you will be required to complete a criminal Yes background check?

Preferred method of contact: Phone Email

No

Name ________________________

Date ____________

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW SAMPLE QUESTIONS Answer the questions below before you attend your interview.

1.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

2.

What are your strengths?

3.

What are your weaknesses?

4.

How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you?

5.

Do you have difficulty getting places on time?

6.

Describe a time when you solved a problem.

7.

Describe a time when you were asked you to follow a policy that you did not agree with.

8.

Describe a time when you dealt with someone who was upset.

9.

Why do you think that you will be a good fit for this job position?

10.

Why do you want to work for our company?

11.

Why did you leave your last job?

Remember: ❑ Stay positive. ❑ Avoid criticizing others when giving examples of past experiences. ❑ Highlight your strengths. ❑ Show how you can turn a bad situation into something manageable.

Name ______________________

Date ____________

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW DRESS APPROPRIATELY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Wear clean clothing free of holes, stains, and logos.

Have clean and styled hair.

Avoid cologne or perfume.

Wear minimal make-up.

Wear minimal jewelry.

Fresh breath.

No hats.

Clean shoes.

Draw a sample outfit below.

How to Have a Great Interview – Tips and Reminders Research the company ahead of time. Be sure you know what the job will entail and what the company is all about.

Dress appropriately. Review the “Dress Appropriately” guidelines sheet. Even though this is a “mock” interview, you will be graded on how you present yourself.

Bring the following to the interview: ❑ Résumé ❑ Résumé should be formatted correctly, include all contact information, and be free of errors. Be sure to have at least 2-3 people review your résumé prior to the interview. Résumé should be typed in black ink on light colored paper. Be careful not to crinkle your résumé prior to the interview. ❑ Cover Letter (if not submitted prior to interview) ❑ Cover letter should be typed and free of errors. You should be sure to sign your cover letter above your printed name. ❑ Application ❑ Application should be filled out completely in blue or black ink. Be sure to write N/A in any section that does not apply to you. Be honest on your application. Please write in your neatest handwriting.

Practice! Rehearse the practice interview questions ahead of time so that you know what to expect.

Interviewee ______________ Interviewer ___________ Date ______ MOCK INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Why do you want to work for ________________?

What is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness?

Have you ever had a job before? (If student says no, ask if they’ve had any unpaid experience such as volunteer work.)

Why do you think you will be a good fit for this job position?

In which area of the store/restaurant are you the most interested in working?

Can you give an example of a time where you had to work under pressure?

How would you deal with an upset customer? (Interviewer – try to give an example specific to the job)

Describe a time when you worked to achieve a goal.

How are you at working as a part of a team?

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

What is your availability?

Do you have any questions about the job or the company?

Name ________________________

Date ____________

Mock Interview Self-Reflection On a scale of 1 to 10, please rate the following: Overall, how do you think your interview went?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

6

7

8

9

10

How well prepared were you for this interview?

1

2

3

4

5

What went well during your interview? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

What do you think you should work to improve? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ What advice would you give to another student doing this assignment? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Was this assignment valuable? Why or why not? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________