Graduation Action Plan: 11th Grade Career/College

Planning Unit

Module Five:

The World of Work

What skills do you need to help you enter and remainin the world of work?

BRAINSTORM

Employability Skills• Interview Skills

• Job Application Knowledge

• Workplace Etiquette

• Networking Skills

• SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills)

InterviewingInterviewer needs to answer this question:

“Why should I hire this person?”

Interviewee needs to convince interviewer:

“I am the best person for this position because……(skills, abilities,

accomplishments, goals, knowledge, experience, etc. that provide evidence).”

Interview Skills

• Answer questions completely and directly

• Go alone

• Smile and introduce yourself

• Listen carefully

• Maintain eye contact

• Keep all comments positive

• Know the job requirements and the company before the interview

• Match your strengths to the job

• Arrive early

Job Application KnowledgeThe application you turn in will become“you on paper”:

• Read the entire application first• Complete a draft copy on a

separate piece of paper• Complete NEATLY using

a pen with black ink• Do not leave any questions blank• Proofread for errors or mistakes

Workplace Etiquette

• Offer help when someone else needs it• Be positive about work and employees• Be aware of personal hygiene• Keep personal matters out of the workplace• Respect cultural differences

• Be on time or EARLY!

• Ask for help when needed• Dress appropriately

Networking• Talking to people about your job

search and your skills• Who? Friends, neighbors, teachers,

career center personnel, employers, acquaintances, coaches, etc.

• Ask:

– Do you know any openings for a person with my skills?

– Do you know of someone else who might know of such an opening?

– Do you know someone who knows lots of people?

Information Interviewing• Opposite of an employer interview: You

ask the employer questions to get information about the job.

• Five Basic Rules:– Ask questions; do not talk about yourself– Keep the interview brief-20 minutes or less– Ask for the employer’s advice to people

entering the field– Ask for another contact to interview– Send a thank you note

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills)

Workplace Competencies

Effective workers can productively use:

• Resources

• Interpersonal Skills

• Information

• Systems

• Technology

Resources• Effective workers

know how to use time, money, materials, space and staff

• Examples in school/workplace?

Interpersonal Skills• Effective workers know how to work on

teams, teach others, serve customers, lead, negotiate and work well with people of culturally diverse backgrounds

• Examples in school/workplace?

Information• Effective workers can acquire and evaluate

data, organize and maintain files, interpret and communicate, and use computers to process information

• Examples in school/workplace?

Systems• Effective workers understand social,

organizational and technological systems; they can monitor and correct performance; and they can design or improve systems.

• Examples at school and in the workplace.

Technology• Effective workers can select

equipment and tools, apply technology to specific tasks and maintain and troubleshoot equipment.

• Examples in school/workplace?

Post Secondary GoalsAfter graduating from high school, what you want to

do regarding school and work?

Your decisions should be based upon: – your hobbies and interests– your skills and abilities– your expectations– your preferred/most successful

school subjects– your volunteer/paid and

extra-curricular experiences

Please complete theCollege and Career Planning

Student Guide: 11th Grade Post-Secondary

Plan Insert

Resume Writing

• Its theme is “I want (this job) because I can do (these things) and because I know (these things).”

• See The Career and College Planning Guide page 14 for example and suggestions.

• A one page summary of your skills, accomplishments, experiences, and education designed to capture an employer’s interest.

• An advertisement for and about you.

Back Up/Alternative Plan

• What steps will you take should your first plan not work out?

• Be prepared to reach your goals, even if obstacles should come your way.

• Planning ahead can eliminate or reduce obstacles along the way to your goals.

EXIT INTERVIEW

Be prepared to communicate your

Post-Secondary Plan to others.

Go for it!