25-45 minutes
Students get first hand experience in filling out actual job applications.
Vc1: Students will demonstrate a knowledge of ways to enter and progress in a career.
Sample job applications (you may get from a local source and copy for class or some sources will provide enough for the whole class).
Give each student an application and then have them look it over.
As the class looks through the application, explain what information is needed, ways to answer questions, how to list skills, types of references and the importance of neatness in filling out the application. Allow students to debate the necessity of some information requested on applications and provide details of what information cannot be asked on applications and in interviews.
Have students fill out the application to the best of their ability.
After everyone is done, divide students in pairs and have each student cirtique the other student's application. This exercise will help students realize that school information is important to the job search process and that school personnel could be valuable references in the future.
Variations: Bring another teacher or counselor into the classroom as an "employer" and have they select the five students they would hire on the basis of the applications. Have another teacher rate the applications on the basis of neatness, completeness, correctness, etc.