© Boardworks Ltd 2009 1 of 21 Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation Teacher’s notes included in the Notes PageFlash

© Boardworks Ltd 20091 of 21

Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes PageFlash activity

Web addresses

Extension activities

Sound Printable activity SpreadsheetVideo

Personal Job ApplicationsUnit 11 & 13: People in Business

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Learning objectives

What details are included in a CV?

How can you make your CV look and sound impressive?

How do you write a job application letter?

How can you make a job application letter impress an employer?

What happens in an interview?

How can you prepare for an interview?


How to apply for a job

Before you apply for your first (or any subsequent) full time job, it is a good idea to plan what type of work you want to do by thinking about your likes and dislikes, skills, and attributes. Then you will need to start searching for suitable jobs.

Vacancies can be advertised in a variety of places: inside newspapers and magazines, by recruitment agencies, in Jobcentres, on the Internet and through a careers advisor.

Think of a job that you might like to do by considering how you work at school in terms of your likes and dislikes, skills and attributes. WRITE DOWN THIS JOB ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF A4 PAPER –

Briefly say why you like this and what you would like to be doing in 10 years


Case study – Paul Russo

Paul is 23 years old. He left school, aged 17, with six GCSEs and then went to college to train to become a chef.

After working at the hotel for three years, Paul decided that it was time to move on. He began to look for other jobs and realized that before he could apply for any of them, he needed to create a document that clearly explained what skills he possessed – he needed to create a CV.

Do you know what CV stands for?

During his time at college, Paul spent four months training at a top hotel in Lima. When Paul finished college, he was offered a job at that hotel.


A curriculum vitae

A CV should sound professional, be clearly set out and not contain too much information (one or two pages of A4 only).

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that summarizes a person’s personal details, education and qualifications, previous employment, other achievements and references.

Why is it important that a CV is clearly set out and is not too long?

Most people use word processing or desktop publishing packages to design their CVs – the editing tools and wizards in them can help to create clear layouts.


Personal job applications

When you are creating a CV, completing an application form, writing a letter or attending an interview, remember to…

describe your skillssummarize your

achievements identify your hobbies and

interestsshow your enthusiasm

explain what you could bring

to the job

show you have researched the

businessask

questions


Designing a CV

1. Title: CV or your name

2. Include relevant information.

3. Your D:O:B

4. How to contact you

5. Your Experience

6. Your education (if relevant) – the older you get and the more experienced you are the less relevant your early education becomes.

7. Any relevant interests or skills

8. Married or single

9. Referees: people willing to support your application


The order of a CV


Job application forms

Some businesses ask applicants to complete job application forms as well as OR instead of submitting a CV, for example:

Hyatt Hotel Miraflores – Job title: Chef

Name:

Address:

Phone:

DOB:

Education & qualifications:

Previous employment:

Referees:

Mobile:

E-mail:


The letter of application

An application may include a letter which:

•Includes specific other information relevant to your application e.g. why you are enthusiastic for this position and what particularly qualifies you for it

•Is well presented to create a good (and eye-catching) impression.

•Refers to the attached job application and / or CV

•It be positive, formal, but friendly.


Evaluating an application letter

• Is it well presented?

• Does it include the writer´s and recipients address (and titles)?

• Is it short and easy to read?

• Does it include relevant information?

An effective letter?


Evaluating a CV


Evaluating an application letter


NOTE

Previous slide

Application letter is missing:

The Writers Name & Address on Top right &

The date


Writing your own application letter

Write an application letter for the job in the advert. Remember to try to make your skills sound impressive, and to convey that you are keen to learn new skills.

Trainee Construction Manager required

To work on construction and alteration of banks (e.g. Scotia & BCP) .

You will work on site four days per week and learn on the job as you assist the site manager with the organisation of the various trades and sub- contractors. The other day will be spent in college to gain better knowledge.

To apply, please send your CV to: John Bell, Bell Contracts Ltd., London SW9


Application letter tips

Find a real job advert and then draft a tailored application letter to apply for it.

When writing your letter of application, remember:

take your time when writing it

tailor it to the business – do not reuse the same letter for every vacancy

use it to really sell yourself (without lying)

make sure that it is laid out correctly

proofread it for errors, and then ask someone else to check it too – do not rely on a spellchecker

keep a copy of it in case you attend an interview.


The letter of application

Why is Lisa’s letter effective?


Application letter activity


Preparing for an interview

If an employer likes your application, you may be asked to attend an interview. It can be daunting so be prepared:

research the business

plan general responses to questions you may be asked

wear clean, formal clothes

take your Certificates or examples of relevant work with you

arrive a few minutes early

always be polite and smile.


Answering interview questions

In pairs, take turns to interview each other. The candidate must try to impress the interviewer.


What happens in an interview?

1. The interviewer will meet you and explain what will happen, including any tests.

2. You will be asked about the details on your CV or application form.

3. The interviewer will describe what duties the role entails. Then you will be asked about your skills to see how they relate.

4. Then you will be asked if you have any questions – do ask a couple to show that you are keen and have researched the business.

5. The interview will end with the interviewer telling you when you will be contacted again.


Question time

1.List the sections that a CV must contain and the order in which they should appear.

2.Describe how you would make your covering letter impress an employer if you were applying for a job.

3.Explain why it is important for someone else to read through your CV or application form and application letter before you send them to the employer.

4.If you were asked to attend an interview, how could you research the business or organization?


Suggested answers:

1. Personal details, education, employment, skills, interests and hobbies, referees.

2. I would write an excellent covering letter by describing my skills in a positive way with examples of when I have applied them. Then I would summarize my main achievements in and out of school to show off my talents. I would also show some knowledge of the business or organization by adding a sentence about why I want to work for it, and what I want to learn by doing the job. Finally, I would briefly mention my various hobbies and interests, and explain what skills they have taught me, e.g. teamwork, time management, commitment, etc.

3. It is important for someone else to read through my job application documents before I send them to make sure that I do not have any typographical errors, layout problems or inconsistencies. The person can also read for sense to make sure that I have made the most of my skills, achievements, hobbies and interests. I would not rely on a spellchecker because they do not find words which have been mis-keyed for other words, for example, ‘in’ instead of ‘on’.

4. I would research the business or organization by visiting it and collecting any free literature that they produce, such as a free magazine, newsletter, flyers, etc. to find out what they are currently doing. Then I would find their website on the Internet and read the ‘About us’ section and other relevant sections. Finally, I look on the website of either the local newspaper or a national newspaper, such as The Guardian or The Times (depending on who the business or organization are) to find out if anything has been written about them recently.


Who wants to be an A* student?


Glossary

Documents

© Boardworks Ltd 2009 1 of 21 Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation Teacher’s notes included in the Notes PageFlash