Project Guide
Job Quest Project Guide
Duration: 300 minutes over 5 sessions
Group: 11th Grade Small Groups
MTSS Tier: Tier 2 (Group)
Project Overview
Teams will simulate a real-world job hunt by crafting tailored cover letters, organizing and tracking applications, and conducting mock interviews. Through this process, students will refine professional communication, organizational strategies, and interview techniques essential for college and career readiness.
Learning Objectives
- Write clear, targeted cover letters aligned to specific job descriptions.
- Build and maintain an organized application tracker.
- Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal interview skills.
- Give and receive constructive feedback.
Session Timeline
Session 1 (60 min): Project Launch & Job Posting Analysis
- Introduce project goals and deliverables
- In teams, analyze sample job postings for key requirements
Session 2 (60 min): Cover Letter Workshop
- Review best practices with Cover Letter Essentials
- Draft and peer-review initial cover letter drafts
Session 3 (60 min): Application Tracker & Interview Prep
- Set up and populate your Application Tracker
- Learn interview question types and practice responses
Session 4 (60 min): Mock Interviews & Feedback
- Conduct interviews using the Mock Interview Script
- Provide feedback guided by the Interview Feedback Rubric
Session 5 (60 min): Reflection & Next Steps
- Discuss lessons learned and refine materials
- Create a personal action plan for real-world applications
Deliverables
- Cover Letter: A polished, error-free letter tailored to your chosen posting.
- Application Tracker: A fully populated worksheet with at least three job applications.
- Mock Interview Participation: Completion of one interview as interviewer and one as interviewee.
- Reflection & Action Plan: Written summary of feedback received and next steps.
Grading Criteria
| Criterion | Exceeds Expectations (4) | Meets Expectations (3) | Needs Improvement (1–2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Letter Quality | Exceptionally tailored; no errors | Relevant and clear; minor errors | Generic or contains major errors |
| Application Tracker Completeness | All fields populated; organized | Most fields populated; some organization lapses | Incomplete or disorganized |
| Interview Performance | Confident; thoughtful, detailed responses | Adequate responses; moderate confidence | Hesitant; unclear or off-topic answers |
| Feedback & Reflection | Insightful analysis; concrete next steps | Constructive feedback; some next steps | Vague feedback; no clear action plan |
Materials
Slide Deck
Cover Letter Essentials
Learn how to craft a compelling cover letter that complements your resume and convinces employers you’re the right fit.
Welcome educators! Introduce today’s focus on writing impactful cover letters. Explain we’ll cover purpose, structure, customization, style, and pitfalls. Encourage questions.
Why Cover Letters Matter
- Make a strong first impression
- Highlight your unique qualifications
- Demonstrate genuine interest in the role and company
- Bridge your resume to the job description
Discuss why a cover letter matters: it shows communication skills, highlights fit beyond a resume, and allows personalization.
Key Components
- Header: Your contact info and date
- Greeting: Address the hiring manager by name
- Opening Paragraph: Hook the reader and state the role
- Body Paragraphs: Match your skills to the job requirements
- Closing Paragraph: Reiterate interest and next steps
- Signature: Professional sign-off
Walk through each section and its purpose. Show examples on the board or projector.
Customization Tips
- Research the company’s mission and culture
- Mirror language from the job posting
- Focus on 2–3 key achievements that align with requirements
- Show how you’ll add value in this specific role
Emphasize the importance of tailoring. Model matching bullet points from a job ad to candidate experiences.
Tone and Style
- Use professional, positive language
- Keep sentences concise and focused
- Write in active voice: “I developed,” not “was responsible for”
- Avoid jargon unless common in the industry
Explain why tone matters. Contrast passive vs. active language, formal vs. informal style.
Common Pitfalls
- Generic greetings (e.g., “To Whom It May Concern”)
- Repeating your resume word-for-word
- Typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting inconsistencies
- Failing to quantify achievements
Highlight frequent errors and encourage self-editing and peer review.
Next Steps
- Draft your cover letter for a selected job posting
- Exchange with a peer for feedback
- Revise based on suggestions
- Save a final copy to your Application Tracker
Prompt students to apply what they’ve learned. Pair up for peer review and refer to the application tracker in Session 3.
Script
Mock Interview Script for Job Quest
Purpose: Guide students through realistic interviewer and interviewee roles, practice key questions, and use feedback to improve.
Setup (5 minutes)
Teacher (T):
"Class, today you’ll practice mock interviews in pairs. One of you will be the interviewer, the other the candidate. Then you’ll switch roles. We’ll spend about 25 minutes on each round and 5 minutes debriefing at the end. Use your Interview Feedback Rubric to guide feedback and record reflections in your Application Tracker. Any questions before we begin?"
Pause for student questions.
T: "Great—let’s get started. Pair up and decide who goes first."
Round 1: Interviewer Role (25 minutes)
Instructions for Interviewer
Teacher (T):
"Interviewer, you’ll lead the session by greeting your partner, asking three key questions, and closing the interview. Keep time—spend about 5 minutes on each question and 2–3 minutes at the end for final comments. Use this script:
- Greeting (1 minute):
Interviewer (I): "Hello, [Candidate Name]. Thank you for coming in today. How are you?"
Candidate (C): "I’m well, thank you! Excited to be here."
I: "Great—let’s get started." - Question 1 – Strengths & Fit (5 minutes):
I: "Can you tell me about one of your strengths and how it makes you a good fit for this role?"
Follow-up Prompts:- "Can you give me a specific example?"
- "Why do you think that skill stands out for this position?"
- Question 2 – Classroom/Experience Example (5 minutes):
I: "Describe a challenging team project you worked on. What was your role, and how did you handle conflict?"
Follow-up Prompts:- "What did you learn from that experience?"
- "How would you handle a similar situation differently now?"
- Question 3 – Career Goals & Motivation (5 minutes):
I: "Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this position align with your goals?"
Follow-up Prompts:- "What skills do you hope to develop here?"
- "How will this role help you reach your long-term objectives?"
- Closing (2–3 minutes):
I: "Thank you for your time, [Candidate Name]. Do you have any questions for me?"
C: Asks questions
I: "Those are great questions. Thank you again—expect to hear from us within a week. Have a great day!"
After the interview, interviewer fills out the Interview Feedback Rubric and gives verbal feedback for 3–4 minutes."
Round 1: Interviewee Role Reflection (5 minutes)
Teacher (T):
"Candidate, take 5 minutes to reflect silently. In your Application Tracker, write:
- One thing you did well.
- One area you’d like to improve.
- One follow-up question you wish you’d asked."
Students work individually.
Switch Roles (1 minute)
T: "Please switch roles and repeat the process in 10 minutes."
Ensure pairs swap roles and reset the timer.
Round 2: Repeat Interview (25 minutes)
Repeat the interviewer/interviewee cycle with new feedback and reflections.
Full-Class Debrief (10 minutes)
Teacher (T):
"Let’s come back together. I’d like to hear a few takeaways from each role."
- "Interviewers, what was the most challenging part of asking questions?"
- "Candidates, what was the hardest question to answer?"
- "How did the feedback from your rubric help you identify areas to improve?"
T calls on volunteers, encourages respectful listening, and highlights strong examples.
T: "Finally, update your personal action plan in your Application Tracker with two concrete steps you’ll take before your next real interview. Great work today—these skills will serve you well beyond this classroom!"
Rubric
Interview Feedback Rubric
Use this rubric to provide structured, constructive feedback on your partner’s mock interview performance.
Grade each criterion on a scale of 1–4 and add specific comments.
| Criterion | 4 – Exceeds Expectations | 3 – Meets Expectations | 2 – Approaching Expectations | 1 – Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professionalism & Body Language | Maintains confident posture; strong eye contact; clear, audible voice; professional demeanor throughout. | Good posture; consistent eye contact; voice is audible; generally professional. | Uneven posture or eye contact; voice occasionally soft; some unprofessional mannerisms. | Poor posture; avoids eye contact; mumbles or speaks too quietly; unprofessional behavior. |
| Clarity & Communication | Responses are concise, well-organized, and articulate; no fillers; language is professional. | Responses are clear and organized; occasional filler words; generally professional language. | Some responses are unclear or ramble; frequent fillers; inconsistent professionalism. | Responses are disorganized or off-topic; excessive fillers; language is inappropriate. |
| Use of Specific Examples & Evidence | Provides detailed, relevant examples that directly illustrate skills and accomplishments. | Provides clear examples with some detail; examples relate to the question. | Examples are vague or only loosely connected to the question; limited detail. | No examples given or examples are irrelevant; lacks concrete evidence. |
| Active Listening & Engagement | Listens attentively; responds thoughtfully to follow-ups; shows genuine interest; asks insightful questions. | Listens and responds appropriately; one or two follow-up questions; shows engagement. | Occasionally distracted; responses don’t always address the question; minimal follow-up. | Appears disinterested; ignores cues; no follow-up questions; does not engage. |
Comments and Next Steps
- Strengths:
- Areas for Improvement:
- Two Actionable Suggestions:
Worksheet
Application Tracker Worksheet
Use this tracker to organize and monitor your job applications. Complete at least three entries.
Application Entry 1
Job Title:
Company:
Posting URL:
Date Applied:
Materials Submitted (e.g., Resume, Cover Letter):
Follow-Up Date:
Status (e.g., Pending, Interview Scheduled):
Notes:
Application Entry 2
Job Title:
Company:
Posting URL:
Date Applied:
Materials Submitted (e.g., Resume, Cover Letter):
Follow-Up Date:
Status (e.g., Pending, Interview Scheduled):
Notes:
Application Entry 3
Job Title:
Company:
Posting URL:
Date Applied:
Materials Submitted (e.g., Resume, Cover Letter):
Follow-Up Date:
Status (e.g., Pending, Interview Scheduled):
Notes: