Completing a Job Application Lesson Plan
Submitted By: Frank Holthouse
Lesson Name: Work Based Learning Lesson – Completing a Job Application
Purpose/Objective: Work is for everyone, and getting a job is a very rewarding experience! In this lesson, you will learn the important steps of the job application process.
Lesson Objectives:
1) Learn the steps of the job application process.
2) Understand the difference between a job application, resume, and cover letter.
3) Learn how to fill out a job application.
Process
There are several important steps to the job application process.
1) Consider your interests, skills, and experience. Think about the kind of job you might be well suited for.
2) Search job postings for a position you may be interested in. A great place to start your search is Indeed.com.
3) Identify a job you are interested in applying for. Thoroughly read the job posting, which typically includes:
Job description or list of job duties.
List of qualifications or requirements for the applicant.
Additional information, such as pay range, schedule, and closing date when the employer will stop accepting applications.
An online application may be included in the job posting.
4) Prepare Application Materials: Follow the directions provided in the job posting to start the application process. The employer may want you to complete the application online or on paper. (You will learn how to fill out a job application later in this lesson.) The employer may ask for a resume and/or cover letter as well as the job application.
5) Submit Application Materials: When your application materials are completed and have been carefully proofread, submit all of your required materials (job application, and possibly resume, and/or cover letter) to the employer.
6) Follow Up: It is a good idea to follow up with the employer after submitting your application materials to be sure they received them. Consider calling, sending an email, or stopping by to express your interest in the position and thank the hiring manager for considering your application. Personal follow-up lets an employer know you are very interested, and may encourage them to consider you when filling the position.
Read the following text.
A job application is an official form that employers ask all applicants to fill out. A job application is a list of questions that require factual responses. Some employers may ask you to fill out a paper application, and others may have an online application.
Some of the items you will typically be asked to include in a job application are:
- Personal Information: name, address, social security number, email address, phone number
- Education: schools attended, degrees earned, graduation date
- Work Experience: positions held, dates of employment, reason for leaving
- References: name & contact information for supervisors or personal references
At the end of a job application, you will be asked to sign or e-sign the application. Your signature verifies that all statements on the job application are true. It may also allow the employer to verify the information and give permission for reference checking. Always remember to sign your job application!
Activity: Review Sample Job Application
Now you will learn how to correctly fill out a job application to maximize your chances of getting an interview.
Follow these important steps:
1) Read the application thoroughly before filling it out.
Start by reading the entire application, so you understand what information you need to provide.
If filling out a paper application, ask for two copies so you have one to practice on before filling out the final application.
2) Take your time.
Completing a job application neatly and correctly is your first opportunity to show an employer how much you care about the job.
Be careful about misspellings and grammatical errors. Proofread carefully and use spellcheck if available!
Read through your application several times before submitting it. If your application is well written and accurate, the employer will be more likely to view you as a viable candidate for the job.
3) Answer completely and truthfully.
There may be questions that do not apply to you on the application. If that’s the case, do not make up information to fill the blanks. Simply fill in those spaces with ‘N/A’ or ‘not applicable.’
Always answer questions honestly. Many employers will call your references and/or perform a background check to confirm your information, if they are seriously considering hiring you.
4) List prior work experience.
Employers understand that you may not have any prior work experience if applying for your first job, and that is fine! List relevant volunteer experience that demonstrates qualities an employer might be looking for.
List prior work experience in order, with your most recent job first.
If you don’t have enough previous work or volunteer experience to fill all the lines provided, list ‘N/A’ in the blank spaces.
If there is room, list any relevant training or education you have acquired (food handler’s permit, CPR training, etc.).
5) Include your resume if requested.
Having a resume is helpful, but not always required, when applying for a job.
An employer may request your resume along with your application, in order to gain additional information about your experiences and qualifications for the job.
6) Put in the extra effort.
Some applications provide a section for you to add additional comments. This is your chance to provide an employer with additional information about your strengths, skills, and accomplishments.
Source: Adapted from Indeed.com (June, 2021) “How to Fill out a Job Application.”
Formative Quiz
1). A job application, resume, and cover letter are essentially the same thing.
2).A job application is an official form with factual information that employers ask all applicants to fill out.
3).Your parents should always be included in your list of references since they know you best.
4).You should always get permission from people listed as your references before sharing their phone number on a job application.