Employability Quest Game Cards

Instructions: Cut out these cards. During the game, one card will be drawn at a time. Each group will discuss the scenario and write down their best course of action.

Card 1: The Missing Part

You are part of a team designing a presentation. Your teammate was responsible for a crucial section, but they haven't sent it, and the presentation is in an hour. You can't reach them.

What do you do?

Card 2: Conflicting Ideas

Your team is brainstorming ideas for a school fundraiser. Two team members have very different, strong opinions on the best approach, and they are starting to argue. Everyone else is quiet.

What do you do to move forward?

Card 3: New Task, No Instructions

Your supervisor gives you a new task you've never done before. They briefly explain it but rush off before you can ask questions. You're not entirely sure what to do.

What do you do next?

Card 4: Customer Complaint

You are working at a retail store, and a customer approaches you, very upset about a product they bought. They are speaking loudly and attracting attention.

How do you handle the situation professionally?

Card 5: Team Morale is Low

Your project team has been working long hours on a challenging assignment, and everyone seems stressed and demotivated. The atmosphere is tense.

What could you do to boost team morale and productivity?

Card 6: Unexpected Change

Your team has been working on a project for weeks with a clear plan. Suddenly, the client changes a major requirement, meaning a lot of your work needs to be redone.

How do you and your team adapt to this unexpected change?

Employability Quest Answer Key

This answer key provides optimal responses for each scenario, highlighting key employability skills. Use this to guide discussion and award points based on how well student responses align with these best practices.

Card 1: The Missing Part

Optimal Response:

1. Assess the Situation: Quickly determine the impact of the missing section on the overall presentation. Is it absolutely critical, or can the presentation proceed without it, or with a temporary placeholder?
2. Attempt to Contact (briefly): Send a quick message (email/text) to the teammate, but don't wait for a response if time is critical.
3. Proactive Problem-Solving/Adaptability:
   • Can you or another team member quickly create a simplified version or a placeholder for that section?
   • Can you adjust the presentation flow to minimize the impact of the missing part?
   • Be prepared to explain the situation to the audience/teacher calmly and professionally, focusing on the steps taken to mitigate the issue, rather than blaming.

Skills Highlighted: Problem-solving, adaptability, initiative, professional communication.

Card 2: Conflicting Ideas

Optimal Response:

1. Intervene Calmly: Step in as a facilitator. Acknowledge both individuals' passion and ideas.
2. Encourage Active Listening: Suggest that each person fully explain their idea without interruption and that the other listens carefully.
3. Identify Common Ground: Look for aspects of both ideas that might be combined or areas where they agree.
4. Propose a Hybrid Solution or Compromise: Suggest combining the strongest elements of both ideas, or a way to test both approaches on a smaller scale.
5. Focus on the Goal: Remind the team of the ultimate objective (a successful fundraiser) and that collaboration is key.

Skills Highlighted: Conflict resolution, active listening, negotiation, teamwork, leadership (even without a formal role).

Card 3: New Task, No Instructions

Optimal Response:

1. Review Available Resources: First, check if there are any written instructions, manuals, or previous examples of the task.
2. Ask Specific Questions: Identify exactly what you don't understand. Formulate clear, concise questions.
3. Seek Clarification: If the supervisor is still busy, ask a trusted colleague or another team member who might know about the task. If no one else can help, send a polite email/message to the supervisor with your specific questions, indicating you want to ensure you complete the task correctly.
4. Start with What You Know: Begin working on the parts of the task you understand while awaiting clarification on the unclear sections.

Skills Highlighted: Initiative, problem-solving, communication (asking for help effectively), resourcefulness, attention to detail.

Card 4: Customer Complaint

Optimal Response:

1. Listen Actively & Empathize: Let the customer fully express their frustration without interruption. Use phrases like,

Employability Warm-Up: Skill Check-In

Instructions: Take a moment to think about the following questions. We'll quickly share our thoughts with the class.

1. If you were to describe a "dream job," what are three personal qualities (like being a good listener, organized, creative, etc.) that you think would be most important for success in that job?
   
   
   
   
2. Think about a time you worked on a team (for school, sports, or a hobby). What was one thing that made the teamwork successful, or one challenge you faced that could have been handled better?
   
   
   
   

Employability Cool-Down: One Big Takeaway

Instructions: On an index card or a piece of paper, write down your answer to the following question. You don't need to put your name on it.

What is one important social skill related to employability that you want to focus on improving, or that you learned more about today?