The Job Seeker. Program Support Notes by: Peter Krausz B.Ed; Grad Dip Career Development; Masters in Career Development

Transcription

1 Program Support Notes by: Peter Krausz B.Ed; Grad Dip Career Development; Masters in Career Development Produced by: VEA Pty Ltd Commissioning Editor: Darren Gray Cert IV Training & Assessment You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act Executive Producer: Simon Garner B.Ed, Dip Management To order or inquire please contact VEA: VEA (Video Education America) 6902 Hawthorn Park Dr Indianapolis, IN Phone: Fax: Website

2 For Teachers Introduction Applying for jobs is a significant event for many people, and can be seen as a very competitive event. Using The Apprentice reality program as a template, this program pits three job seekers against one another, as well as a tough host and his assistant, in order to find the best candidate for a specific job. The program investigates the role preparation, research, job applications, cover letters, resumes and job interviews have in determining the best candidate for a job. The competition is intense as the three candidates are put through a number of challenges, with one eventually emerging as the best candidate. Throughout the program, a lot of advice is given for anyone applying for a job. Will you be the best candidate when you next apply for a job? Timeline 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:13 Matching your skills to the job 00:05:50 The job application 00:10:38 The interview 00:15:09 The final verdict 00:20:04 Conclusion 00:20:45 Credits 00:21:19 End program Related Titles How will this help me get a job? Careers in the Non-Profit Sector Emerging Occupations: New Jobs of the 21st Century Negotiating Workplace Contracts Answering Interview Questions Are you Job Ready? E-Networking for Jobs Recommended Resources

3 Student Worksheet Initiate Prior Learning 1. Discuss any recent experience you have had applying for a job. What were some of the key issues and challenges you faced? 2. Have you seen The Apprentice on television? Discuss how that program works, and what role the competitive set-up has in determining the final outcome. 3. Consult the Job Guide. What advice does it give about applying for a job? 4. What are some of the key attributes an employer would be looking for in a potential employee? 5. Prepare a resume before watching the program and then compare it with the advice given in the program. 3

4 Active Viewing Guide 1. There are three applicants for the job, list the names of each applicant on a table, briefly describe the background of each, and what qualities they bring to the interview. Applicant 1: Name Applicant 2: Name Applicant 3: Name 2. What is the job they are all competing for? What skills are required for the job? 3. How will The Apprentice model be used to select the successful job applicant? 4

5 4. The first major issue they face is Matching Your Skills to the Job. What does this mean, and how do they go about doing that? 5. What is the purpose of the research time they are all given? 6. Why are the resume and the cover letter so important in the job application process? 7. What advice is given about the length and contents of the resume and cover letter? 5

6 8. The three candidates had different reactions to their resumes and cover letters. What were they? 9. What advice is given about preparing for the job interview? 10. How did the three candidates perform at the interview? 11. When the final verdict was given, who was successful and why? What reasons were given for the other two not being successful? 6

7 12. What is the useful advice given about applying for jobs? 7

8 Extension Activities 1. Do you agree with the outcome of the program (the eventual winner)? Why? Discuss the relative merits of the three applicants. 2. How effective was The Apprentice format in demonstrating the qualities of the three job applicants? Discuss. 3. Set up your own Apprentice program in class with students competing for a particular job. Ask a career counselor and an employer to adjudicate the winner. 4. Make a film about competing job applicants for a particular job. What are some key issues you will include? Plan the film carefully and then show it to the class, careers counselors and employers for feedback and discussion. 5. Based on the advice received from the program, revisit your resume and modify it to fit the recommendations given. 6. Visit the website and compare the advice it gives on job applications, resumes, cover letters and interviews, with the program. 7. Prepare a poster/brochure that highlights the key aspects of job seeking. Use the advice given in the program. Present it to various audiences for feedback. 8

9 Suggested Student Responses Initiate Prior Learning 1. Discuss any recent experience you have had applying for a job. What were some of the key issues and challenges you faced? Answers will vary 2. Have you seen The Apprentice on television? Discuss how that program works, and what role the competitive set-up has in determining the final outcome. The Apprentice features American business tycoon Donald Trump. One whole series is like one big job interview. A group of candidates must perform set tasks and they are judged according to their performance in various areas e.g. teamwork, leadership, creativity and decision-making. Each week one of the candidates is fired. The competitive set-up provides judges (employers) with a comparison of the strengths and weakness of the candidates. It is a simulation of the key processes employers use in determining who they will employ. Prospective employers may not require you to go out and see how quickly you can earn a $ armed only with a shoelace and a bucket, but they will be assessing your suitability for a role against their own employment criteria and against the quality of other candidates. 3. Consult the Job Guide. What advice does it give about applying for a job? Thorough preparation of a resume and cover letter, researching the job, preparing well for the interview 4. What are some of the key attributes an employer would be looking for in a potential employee? Punctuality, enthusiasm, commitment, experience (or willing to learn), transferable skills, appropriate education, etc 5. Prepare a resume before watching the program and then compare it with the advice given in the program. 9

10 Active Viewing Guide 1. There are three applicants for the job, list the names of each applicant on a table, briefly describe the background of each, and what qualities they bring to the interview. Applicant 1: Name Peter Peter has extensive experience Applicant 2: Name Chelsea Chelsea has some experience Applicant 3: Name Jack Jack has little experience 2. What is the job they are all competing for? What skills are required for the job? The job is Travel Guide, and involves planning a tour, taking people to various tourist spots, researching the areas visited, and dealing with people s issues during the tour. Key skills include planning, organizing, communication, dealing with people, administration, trouble-shooting, problem solving. 3. How will The Apprentice model be used to select the successful job applicant? The program is structured as a competitive event, set in an intense atmosphere, to eventually find the best applicant for the job. Each stage of the process is established, observed, evaluated and commented upon. 4. The first major issue they face is Matching Your Skills to the Job. What does this mean, and how do they go about doing that? An audit is needed to see whether your skills match the job you have applied for; each applicant had to check their skills and transferable skills to ensure they matched the skills required for the job. 5. What is the purpose of the research time they are all given? To investigate the organization, the job in detail, the requirements for the job, and using the internet to research the industry. Contacting referees is another essential task. 6. Why are the resume and the cover letter so important in the job application process? They are the key window to an employer to determine the strengths and abilities of the applicant, and a summary of why they are applying for the job. 7. What advice is given about the length and contents of the resume and cover letter? The cover letter should be short and sharp, and no more than 1-2 pages. The resume should be well set out and concise, and no more than 2-3 pages. 8. The three candidates had different reactions to their resumes and cover letters. What were they? Peter s cover letter was too long as was his resume: he was not keen to edit it to fit the job. Jack had appropriate length for both but had some spelling issues and his letter needed more detail to cover the lack of experience. Chelsea had an appropriate cover letter and resume, but had not checked referees. 10

11 9. What advice is given about preparing for the job interview? To prepare, anticipate questions being asked, rehearse the interview, be prepared to expand on the resume and cover letter, have a question or two ready to ask the interviewer. 10. How did the three candidates perform at the interview? Peter did not do well as he was too smug and uncommunicative; Jack spoke well and covered his lack of experience in the industry competently; Chelsea was a little nervous but explained her experience well and demonstrated a willingness to learn and commit to the job. 11. When the final verdict was given, who was successful and why? What reasons were given for the other two not being successful? Chelsea was offered the job as she had the most skills and was willing to learn; Jack was advised to reapply once he had more experience in the industry; Peter needs to improve his communication skills and explain his extensive experience better in the context of the job he is applying for. 12. What is the useful advice given about applying for jobs? Be prepared, research the job, audit your skills carefully and thoroughly including transferable skills, prepare appropriate length resumes and cover letters, be honest and as confident as possible, prepare some questions to ask the interviewer, rehearse the interview and anticipate questions. 11