Warm Up: Career Dreams

Instructions: Take a few minutes to think about your dream job. It doesn't have to be something you think you can get right now, just something you would truly enjoy doing. What would it be?

• What kind of work would you be doing?
  
  
  
• What skills would you use?
  
  
  
• Why does this job appeal to you?
  
  
  

Guiding the Job Hunt - Teacher Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're embarking on an exciting journey: 'Your Job Hunt Journey.' This lesson is all about equipping you with the tools and confidence to find a job that's right for you. Finding employment is a big step towards independence and achieving your goals, and we're going to break it down into manageable parts."

"To kick us off, I have a quick 'Warm Up' activity. I've handed out the Warm Up: Career Dreams sheet. I want you to take about 5-7 minutes to think about your dream job. It doesn't have to be something you think you can get tomorrow, just something you would truly enjoy. What kind of work would you be doing? What skills would you use? Why does it appeal to you?"

(Allow 5-7 minutes for students to complete the warm-up.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share a bit about their career dreams? No pressure, but it's great to hear what inspires us." (Call on 2-3 volunteers. Affirm their ideas.) "That's fantastic! Remember, all dreams are valid, and with effort and the right steps, many things are achievable. This exercise helps us start thinking about what we want in a job."

Understanding the Job Search Process (30 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Slide Deck: Your Job Hunt Journey - Slide 2: 'Where Do We Start?') "So, where do we start? The first step is to 'Know Yourself' and 'Identify Your Skills.' What do you enjoy? What are you good at? What kind of place would you like to work? These are important questions. And those things you're good at, like problem-solving, teamwork, or being on time – those are called 'transferable skills,' and every job wants them!"

"Now, I'm going to hand out a short Reading: Unlocking Your Potential. This reading talks more about discovering your strengths and what you can bring to a job. Please take about 10 minutes to read it quietly to yourselves, or if anyone prefers, we can read parts of it aloud together."

(Distribute reading. Allow 10 minutes for reading.)

Teacher: "Okay, after reading 'Unlocking Your Potential,' what was one new idea you learned about identifying your strengths or interests?" (Facilitate a brief discussion, using prompts like:)

• "How can knowing your interests help you find the right job?"
• "Can anyone give an example of a 'transferable skill' they have?"
• "Why is it important to think about the kind of work environment you prefer?"

Building Your Job Search Toolkit (Resume & Skills) (45 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Slide Deck: Your Job Hunt Journey - Slide 3: 'Your Powerful Resume') "Great job! Now that we've thought about ourselves, let's talk about how to show an employer what you can do: your resume. Think of a resume as your personal advertisement for a job. It tells a potential employer who you are, what skills you have, and what you've done."

"On the slide, you see the main parts of a resume: your contact info, what job you want, your skills, experience, and education. Don't worry if you don't have a lot of paid work experience; volunteer work, school projects, or even helping out at home counts as experience and shows skills!"

"I'm now handing out the Worksheet: My Job Search Toolkit. We're going to work on the 'My Resume Basics' section together. Let's fill in each part. If you get stuck, that's okay, I'm here to help. We're just making an outline, not a perfect resume yet."

(Guide students through the resume section of the worksheet. Circulate, offer individual assistance, and answer questions. Emphasize that volunteer work, hobbies, and personal skills are valuable.)

Teacher: "Take a few more minutes to jot down as much as you can. Remember, this is a starting point. The goal is to get your ideas down. Next, still on the worksheet, let's look at the 'Skills I Have' section. Brainstorm a few more skills you possess. Think broadly: Are you good at organizing? Are you a good listener? Do you solve problems effectively?"

(Allow students to work on the skills section.)

Mastering the Interview (30 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Slide Deck: Your Job Hunt Journey - Slide 5: 'Ace the Interview!') "You've got your resume, you've thought about your skills. What's the next big step after you apply for a job? The interview! This is your chance to shine and show an employer why you're the best person for the job."

"An interview is simply a conversation. The employer wants to learn about you, and you get to learn about the job and company too. Look at the tips on the slide for success: dressing neatly, being on time, making eye contact, listening, and asking questions. These make a big difference!"

"Let's do a quick role-play. I'll ask a common interview question, and I want you to think about how you'd answer. Who wants to try answering: 'Tell me a little about yourself?'" (Call on a volunteer, provide gentle feedback. Repeat with another question if time permits, e.g., 'What are your strengths?')

"Now, turn to a partner for a few minutes. You can ask each other some of the interview questions listed in the 'Interview Practice' section of your Worksheet: My Job Search Toolkit. Just practice listening and giving clear answers. Remember, practice makes perfect!"

(Facilitate partner practice for about 10 minutes.)

Finding Opportunities & Discussion (20 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Slide Deck: Your Job Hunt Journey - Slide 6: 'Where to Look for Jobs?') "You're building great skills! But where do you actually find these jobs? The slide shows some places: online job boards, local businesses, vocational rehab services, and networking. Networking is just telling people you know – friends, family, teachers – that you're looking for work."

"Now, let's have a Discussion: Real Talk About Work. I've put some questions on the board/screen. We'll talk about common challenges and how to overcome them, and share any positive experiences or tips."

(Lead the discussion using the prompts from the Discussion material.)

Assessment & Wrap-Up (15 minutes)

Teacher: "We've covered a lot today! To see what we've learned, we'll do a quick Quiz: Job Hunt Check-in. Please answer honestly. This helps me know what we might need to review."

(Distribute the quiz and allow 5-7 minutes for completion. Collect quizzes.)

Teacher: (Transition to Slide Deck: Your Job Hunt Journey - Slide 7 & 8: 'Keep Going! You Got This!' and 'Next Steps') "Remember, the job search takes time and persistence. Don't get discouraged! Every 'no' is just one step closer to a 'yes.' Keep improving your skills, and never be afraid to ask for help. You have the tools and the power to find a job that is right for you!"

"Finally, let's do a Cool Down: My Next Step to reflect on one thing you'll do next based on what you learned today."

(Distribute cool down and allow 3-5 minutes. Collect or have students share out.)

Teacher: "Thank you all for your engagement today. I'm confident you're all now better equipped for 'Your Job Hunt Journey'!"

Worksheet: My Job Search Toolkit

Part 1: My Resume Basics

Let's start building your basic resume. Fill in the blanks with your information. If you don't know something, or don't have it yet, that's okay! Just write down what you can.

Contact Information

• Your Name:
  
  
  
• Phone Number:
  
  
  
• Email Address (if you have one):
  
  
  
• City, State:
  
  
  

Objective or Summary (What kind of job are you looking for?)

• *Example: "To find a part-time job where I can use my organizational skills."
• My Objective/Summary:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Skills I Have

Think about things you are good at, even if you don't use them in a paid job. (e.g., Good listener, organized, good with computers, strong, friendly, can follow instructions, good at teamwork, punctual)

Experience (Paid Jobs, Volunteer Work, School Projects, Helping at Home)

• Job/Role Title:
  
  
  

• Company/Place:
  
  
  

• Dates (From - To):
  
  
  

• What I did (List 2-3 responsibilities or achievements):

  • 
    
    
    
  • 
    
    
    
  • 
    
    
    

• Job/Role Title (if you have another):
  
  
  

• Company/Place:
  
  
  

• Dates (From - To):
  
  
  

• What I did (List 2-3 responsibilities or achievements):

  • 
    
    
    
  • 
    
    
    
  • 
    
    
    

Education

• Highest Level of Education (e.g., High School Diploma, GED, some college):
  
  
  
• School Name:
  
  
  
• Year Completed (if applicable):
  
  
  

Part 2: Interview Practice

Think about how you would answer these common interview questions.

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What are your strengths? (What are you good at?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What are your weaknesses? (What do you need to improve?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Why do you want to work here?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Do you have any questions for me?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reading: Unlocking Your Potential

Everyone has unique talents and strengths. Sometimes, finding a job isn't just about what you've done, but what you can do and what you enjoy doing. Thinking about these things is the first step to finding a job that makes you happy and successful.

Discovering Your Interests

What activities do you enjoy? What do you like to learn about? What tasks do you find satisfying? Your interests can be a big clue to what kind of work might suit you.

• Do you like working with your hands? Maybe a job in construction, repairs, or making things could be a good fit.
• Do you enjoy helping others? Jobs in caregiving, customer service, or community support might be rewarding.
• Are you good with details or numbers? Office work, inventory, or data entry could be areas to explore.
• Do you like being outdoors? Landscaping, park maintenance, or agricultural work might appeal to you.

Don't limit yourself! Think about hobbies, volunteer work, or even tasks you do around the house. These all reveal your interests.

Identifying Your Skills

Skills are what you can do. Some skills are learned in school or previous jobs, like using a computer program or operating a machine. But many important skills are ones you use every day, often without even realizing it. These are called transferable skills because you can use them in almost any job.

Here are some examples of transferable skills:

• Communication: Listening well, speaking clearly, asking questions.
• Teamwork: Working well with others, sharing ideas, helping out.
• Problem-Solving: Figuring out how to fix something when it goes wrong.
• Reliability/Punctuality: Showing up on time, completing tasks, being dependable.
• Organization: Keeping things neat, managing time, planning tasks.
• Attention to Detail: Noticing small but important things, being thorough.
• Adaptability: Being able to adjust to new situations or changes.
• Initiative: Starting tasks without being told, looking for ways to help.

Take a moment to think about what skills you use regularly. You might be surprised by how many you have! Writing them down can help you see your strengths clearly and talk about them in a job interview.

Understanding Work Environments

Beyond the tasks, the environment where you work matters too. Do you prefer a quiet space or a busy one? Do you like working alone or with a team? Do you prefer working indoors or outdoors?

• Indoors vs. Outdoors: Some jobs require you to be inside, like office work or retail. Others are outside, like gardening or construction.
• Independent vs. Team: Do you like working on your own projects or collaborating with others?
• Fast-Paced vs. Calm: Some workplaces are very busy and require quick thinking, while others are slower and more focused.
• Structured vs. Flexible: Do you like clear routines, or do you prefer variety in your daily tasks?

By understanding your interests, skills, and preferred work environment, you can start to narrow down your job search and find opportunities that truly fit who you are and what you can offer.

Discussion: Real Talk About Work

Let's have an open conversation about finding a job. Share your thoughts and experiences with respect for everyone.

1. What is one thing you find exciting or hopeful about the idea of getting a job?
   
   
   
2. What is one challenge or fear you have when thinking about looking for a job or working?
   
   
   
3. How can we use our personal strengths or interests to overcome some of these challenges?
   
   
   
4. Have you ever had a positive experience related to looking for work, even if it wasn't a job you got? What happened?
   
   
   
5. What kind of support do you think would be most helpful during a job search? (e.g., help with resumes, practicing interviews, finding job leads, encouragement)
   
   
   

Cool Down: My Next Step

Instructions: Based on what you learned today, write down one concrete step you will take towards your job hunt journey.

• What is ONE thing you will do after this lesson to help you find a job?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Who could you talk to or what resource could you use to help you with this step?