Applications, Resumes and Interviews

1. Applications, Resumes and Interviews How to Land the Job!

2. Why are we doing this? • All of us will be seeking employment at some time in our lives. • Applications are EVERYWHERE! Can you think of a few that you’ll be doing in the future? • Interviews will happen throughout your life. What are some examples? • We need the skills to be competitive in the world of work.

3. Mock Job Interviews will be held on Tuesday, May 20 during your English class. All 9th graders will participate. • You will present an application and resume at your interview, which will be reviewed by your interviewer. We will work on those today. • You will dress appropriately for a job interview. • You will receive feedback from the interviewer and a test grade from your English teacher, comprised of the following: Quality of Resume and Application Appropriate Dress and Demeanor for an Interview Interview Skills OK, What’s Involved?

4. Business professionals from the community • Davis School District administrators • Adults you do not know (no parents or teachers) Who Are the Interviewers?

5. Training on resumes and applications today. • Training on interview skills and attire during English class on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6 (Barney) and May 7 (Richardson, Hatch, Johnson) • Resumes and applications due to English teacher on Thursday, May 16 • Interviews during your English class on Tuesday, May 20 (with resume and application) Teacher distribute handouts NOW. Just the facts….

6. It’s All About 1st Impressions

7. Documents should be clean, unfolded. • Consider maintaining and presenting them in a folder to keep them safe. • Handwritten application MUST be clear and legible. • Blue or black ink. • No cross-outs or white-out messes. • If you are worried about errors, use an erasable pen. • If your writing is illegible, ask someone else to fill out the form, and you sign it. NEATNESS COUNTS!

8. Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors make a negative impression and will probably keep you from being interviewed. • You are writing a formal document, not texting your friends. Use capital letters and standard abbreviations or spell out words fully. • Don’t expect the employer to “look it up” (addresses, phone numbers, etc.) They won’t! Spelling and Punctuation

9. Resume and application should be consistent – skills, experience, education, references. • Use the same references on both documents. • Avoid silly email addresses (drwhobedabomb@gmail.com). Consider having a generic (boring) email for education and business purposes (robert.smith@gmail.com) • Hiring a new employee is serious business for employers. Show them you are serious, too. Business-Like Documents

10. Try to keep it all on one page; absolute maximum is two pages. • Use language that everyone understands; avoid terms, abbreviations and acronyms that relate to a specific organization or field. • Provide only the most important information; the interviewer will ask for more in person. • Resume should be balanced and easy to read – lots of white space on the page. Resume Standards

11. Read through carefully before you begin. • Complete in blue or black ink. • Do not leave blank blocks. Print NA or Not Applicable when appropriate. • Note the references specifically request a personal, teacher and work reference. All must be adults (over 21), not related to you. • Print or use block letters. Sign in cursive. • Keep it neat, clean and unfolded. Application Standards

12. How would you rate your first impression? Now look at your work…