Lesson Plan
Ace Your Application!
Students will be able to identify key sections of a job application, accurately complete personal and employment history, and apply strategies for presenting qualifications effectively.
Successfully completing a job application is the critical first step towards securing employment. This lesson equips students with the practical skills and confidence needed to navigate this process, avoid common mistakes, and make a strong first impression, opening doors to new opportunities.
Audience
Adult Learners
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, slide presentation, and a practice worksheet.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Ace Your Application! Slide Deck, Application Practice Worksheet, Application Practice Answer Key, and Pens/Pencils
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Ace Your Application! Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Application Practice Worksheet for each student.
- Have the Application Practice Answer Key ready for reference.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is set up and working.
- Review the Teacher Script to guide the lesson effectively and ensure smooth transitions.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Your Application Story
5 minutes
- Begin with the Warm-Up.
- Ask students to briefly share one positive or challenging experience they've had with a job application (if comfortable).
- Briefly introduce the day's lesson:
Slide Deck
Ace Your Application!
Your first step to a new job.
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's exciting title. Explain that today we'll tackle job applications, a crucial step in finding work. Ask them to think about why a well-filled application is so important.
Gather Your Info!
- Personal Details: Name, contact information (phone, email, address)
- Availability: When can you start? What hours can you work?
- Legal Eligibility: Are you authorized to work in this country?
Ask students: 'What information do you think is usually asked on a job application?' Guide them to think about personal details.
Your Story: Education & Work
- Education: High school, college, vocational training (dates, degrees/certificates)
- Work Experience: Previous jobs (employer, dates, title, key responsibilities)
- Start with your most recent job first!
Discuss why employers ask for education and work history. Emphasize honesty and accuracy. Provide an example of how to list a previous job effectively.
Who Can Speak For You? References
- Professional References: Former supervisors, teachers, mentors
- Always ask for permission first!
- Have their contact information ready.
Explain the importance of references and who to choose. Stress that you should always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incomplete information
- Spelling and grammar errors
- Not following instructions
- Being dishonest
- Leaving sections blank when
This slide is crucial for avoiding common errors. Discuss each point and share anecdotes if appropriate. Ask students if they've heard of any other common mistakes.
Let's Practice!
Time to put your knowledge to work with our Application Practice Worksheet!
- Read instructions carefully.
- Do your best!
Introduce the worksheet as a practical application of what they've learned. Emphasize that practice makes perfect.
Review & Questions
Let's go over some of the questions from the worksheet. What challenges did you face? Any questions about specific sections?
Briefly review some of the answers, perhaps having students share their responses. Use the Application Practice Answer Key to guide the discussion.
You're Ready to Apply!
You now have the tools to confidently complete job applications. Remember to be thorough, accurate, and professional.
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main takeaways and offering encouragement. Introduce the Cool-Down as a final thought.
Warm Up
Application Warm-Up
Think about a time you had to fill out an important form (a school enrollment form, a doctor's office form, a job application, etc.).
1. What was one thing that was easy about filling it out?
2. What was one thing that was challenging or confusing?
3. What do you hope to learn today about job applications?
Script
Teacher Script: Ace Your Application!
## Warm-Up: Your Application Story (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Welcome. To get us started today, I want you to think about a time you had to fill out an important form. Maybe it was for school, a doctor's visit, or even a previous job. Take a few minutes to complete the Application Warm-Up worksheet in front of you."
Give students about 2-3 minutes to write their responses.
Teacher: "Now, if you feel comfortable, I'd love for a few volunteers to share one thing that was easy or challenging about filling out that form. And what do you hope to learn today?"
Allow 2-3 students to share. Validate their experiences and connect to the day's topic.
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing! Today, we're going to tackle something really important for anyone looking for a job: how to Ace Your Application! Successfully completing a job application is often the very first step to getting hired. A well-filled application can make a great first impression, while mistakes can sometimes close doors before you even get a chance to interview. Our goal today is to give you the skills and confidence to fill out any job application effectively."
## Gather Your Info! (Slide 2 - 5 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 2: 'Gather Your Info!'
Teacher: "Before you even start filling out an application, the best thing you can do is gather all the information you'll need. This saves time and prevents mistakes. What kind of personal details do you think every job application will ask for?"
Allow students to brainstorm. Guide them to discuss Name, Contact info, etc.
Teacher: "Exactly! Your full name, current address, phone number, and a professional email address. Make sure your email sounds professional, like firstnamelastname@email.com, not 'partyanimal@email.com'. They'll also ask about your availability – when you can start, what days or hours you can work. And importantly, if you are legally authorized to work in this country."
## Your Story: Education & Work (Slide 3 - 7 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 3: 'Your Story: Education & Work'
Teacher: "Next, applications will want to know about your background in terms of education and work experience. For education, you'll list your high school, any college, or vocational training, including dates of attendance and any degrees or certificates you earned."
Teacher: "For work experience, you'll list your previous jobs. What order do you think is best to list your jobs? Most recent first, or oldest first?"
Wait for responses.
Teacher: "Always start with your most recent job first and work backward. For each job, you'll need the employer's name, their location, your job title, the dates you worked there, and your main responsibilities. Be specific and use action verbs! Instead of saying 'Did stuff,' say 'Managed customer inquiries' or 'Prepared daily reports.'"
## Who Can Speak For You? References (Slide 4 - 3 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 4: 'Who Can Speak For You? References'
Teacher: "Some applications ask for references. These are people who can tell a potential employer about your work ethic, skills, and character. Who are good people to ask to be a professional reference?"
Listen to student suggestions.
Teacher: "Great ideas! Former supervisors, teachers, or mentors are excellent choices. Someone who knows your professional abilities. What's the MOST important thing you need to do before listing someone as a reference?"
Wait for responses, guiding them to 'ask for permission.'
Teacher: "Yes, always ask for their permission first! And make sure you have their current contact information ready."
## Common Mistakes to Avoid (Slide 5 - 2 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 5: 'Common Mistakes to Avoid'
Teacher: "Even with all this information, people sometimes make common mistakes that can hurt their chances. Let's look at a few."
Read through the points on the slide: Incomplete information, spelling/grammar, not following instructions, dishonesty, leaving sections blank.
Teacher: "Remember, applications are often the first impression you make. Treat it like a mini-interview on paper!"
## Let's Practice! (Slide 6 - 5 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 6: 'Let's Practice!'
Teacher: "Now it's your turn to put what we've learned into practice! I'm handing out an Application Practice Worksheet. This is a simplified application form. Read the instructions carefully and do your best to fill it out as completely and accurately as possible. You have about 5 minutes for this."
Distribute the Application Practice Worksheet. Circulate and offer help as needed.
## Review & Questions (Slide 7 - 2 minutes)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 7: 'Review & Questions'
Teacher: "Alright everyone, time is up for our practice. We won't go through every answer, but let's discuss some key points. What challenges did you face while filling out the worksheet? Were there any sections that were confusing?"
Facilitate a brief discussion, using the Application Practice Answer Key as a reference if specific questions arise.
## You're Ready to Apply! (Slide 8 - 1 minute)
Teacher: Transition to Ace Your Application! Slide Deck - Slide 8: 'You're Ready to Apply!'
Teacher: "You've just taken a great step towards acing your next job application! Remember the key takeaways: gather your information, be accurate and thorough, use professional language, and always proofread. You now have the tools to confidently complete job applications."
"To wrap things up, please complete the short Cool-Down activity. This will help you reflect on what you learned today."
Collect worksheets if desired, or have students keep them for future reference.
Worksheet
Job Application Practice Worksheet
Instructions: Pretend you are applying for a job. Fill out the sections below as completely and accurately as you can, using your own information or making up realistic details. Pay attention to spelling and neatness!
---
## SECTION 1: Personal Information
Full Name:
Current Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
What is your desired starting salary (per hour/year)?
What is your availability? (Check all that apply)
[ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time [ ] Weekdays [ ] Weekends [ ] Evenings
Date available to start:
---
## SECTION 2: Education
Highest Level of Education Completed:
[ ] High School Diploma/GED [ ] Some College [ ] Associate's Degree [ ] Bachelor's Degree [ ] Master's Degree [ ] Other (specify):
Name of High School:
City/State of High School:
Year Graduated/GED Obtained:
If you attended college or vocational school, please list:
School Name:
Location (City, State):
Degree/Certificate & Major (if any):
Dates Attended (From - To):
---
## SECTION 3: Work Experience (Start with your most recent job first!)
### Job 1 (Most Recent)
Employer Name:
Employer Address:
Your Job Title:
Dates Employed (From - To):
Reason for Leaving:
Key Responsibilities/Duties (list 3-4 bullet points):
*
*
*
*
### Job 2 (Previous Job, if applicable)
Employer Name:
Employer Address:
Your Job Title:
Dates Employed (From - To):
Reason for Leaving:
Key Responsibilities/Duties (list 3-4 bullet points):
*
*
*
*
---
## SECTION 4: References (Optional - provide if requested)
Note: Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.
Please list 2 professional references (not family members).
### Reference 1
Name:
Relationship (e.g., Former Supervisor, Teacher):
Phone Number:
Email Address:
### Reference 2
Name:
Relationship:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
---
## SECTION 5: Certification
By signing below, I certify that the information provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
Date:
Answer Key
Job Application Practice Answer Key
Purpose: This answer key provides suggested content and general guidelines for the Application Practice Worksheet. Actual student responses will vary based on their personal details and experience. The goal is to ensure completeness, accuracy, and adherence to instructions.
---
## SECTION 1: Personal Information
Full Name: [Student's Full Name, e.g., Jane A. Doe]
Thought Process: Emphasize using legal name, clearly written.
Current Address: [Student's Street Address, City, State, Zip Code]
Thought Process: Should be current and accurate.
Phone Number: [Student's Phone Number, e.g., (555) 123-4567]
Thought Process: Provide a reliable contact number.
Email Address: [Student's Professional Email, e.g., jane.doe@email.com]
Thought Process: Stress the importance of a professional email.
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? [X] Yes [ ] No
Thought Process: Most applicants will mark 'Yes'. If 'No', may require further explanation in a real scenario.
What is your desired starting salary (per hour/year)? [e.g., $15.00/hour or $30,000/year, or