#33 Adv Job Interviews and Resumes by EL Civics, SDCCD CE

Student Guide El Civics # 33 Apply for a Job

Advanced Teacher’s Name: _________________ Student’s Name: __________________

Fall 2018

To the Student:

EL Civics is a federally funded program that helps newcomers to the United States find success in their new communities. Thanks to this program, you are going to study some lessons that can help you get a job or get a better job. You’ll prepare for a job interview and you will also practice filling out job applications. After you complete the lessons, you will take a test. There are two parts for the test: 1. Speaking test: The student will play the role of a job applicant in a job interview. The examiner (teacher) will play the role of the employer. 2. Writing test: Create a job résumé.

Use your smartphone to scan the QR code above for video demonstration of job interview assessment.

Job Interviews A job interview can be a nerve-racking experience. However, you will feel less nervous if you are prepared. In this unit you will learn what to expect during a job interview in the United States. You will also practice talking about yourself so that you will be confident at your next interview. 1. How do you feel about job interviews? Circle the words that describe your feelings. terrified confident

excited insecure

hopeful pessimistic

hopeless optimistic

anxious

relaxed

unprepared

ready

Note: If you are worried about an interview in the future, you will probably feel much better after completing these lessons! 2. What do you already know about interviews? Talk about the picture with your class.

Who are these people? What are they talking about? What are they doing?

3. In a small group, discuss the following questions. Then, report to the class. a. What is the job interview process like in your native country? b. Have you ever had an interview for employment in the United States? Tell your classmates about it. c. What questions do you think employers ask in a job interview? d. What is the difference between boasting and *selling yourself in an interview? e. How would you prepare if you had a job interview next week?

*selling yourself = convincing the employer that you are the best person to hire ÂŠ Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2018 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Successful Job Interviews: An Example Sara Sanchez applied for a receptionist position at a small company. She filled out the online application and sent them her résumé. A week later, she was invited to interview for the position. 1. Read the interview below. Employer:

Hello. I’m Jeffrey Walden.

Applicant:

Hello. I’m Sara Sanchez. It’s nice to meet you.

Employer:

Nice to meet you, too. Please, have a seat.

Applicant:

Thank you.

Employer:

How are you today?

Applicant:

I’m fine, thank you. And you?

Employer:

I’m fine thanks. OK. Let’s begin. Please tell me about yourself.

Applicant:

Sure. I would enjoy working as a receptionist because I like working with people. I’m also very organized and attentive to details. I can operate multi-line phones, and can use MS Word and Excel. I know how to follow procedures well. In my last job, I handled the front desk and some clerical duties. I worked there for five years. I’m motivated to work in a clerical position again.

Employer:

All right. That sounds good. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Applicant:

I’d like to work as an administrative assistant after gaining more experience as a receptionist.

Employer:

OK, and why did you leave your last job?

Applicant:

Business slowed down and, unfortunately, I was laid off.

Employer:

Oh, that’s unfortunate. How do you think your peers or co-workers would describe you?

Applicant:

They would say that I was dependable and friendly. They might also say that I was very patient and helpful. Sometimes they would ask me to call some of our more demanding customers because I was comfortable working with them. I like to look for the best in people. I also helped my co-workers with clients who don’t speak English well.

Employer:

That’s great. How are your English skills?

Applicant:

I’ve been successful communicating with clients in person and on the phone, but I’m still taking English classes. Currently I’m attending an Advanced English class and I’m improving every day. I’m sure I can handle this position and I’m motivated to learn more.

Employer:

Fine. Do you have any questions for me?

Applicant:

Yes, if I were offered a job, how soon would you like me to begin?

Employer:

Training will begin the first of the month. We’ll notify you of our decision next week. Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for coming in today.

Applicant:

I’ve enjoyed meeting you, too. I look forward to hearing from you. Use your phone to listen.

2. Evaluate Sara’s Interview. Talk with a classmate about the interview. What did the employer ask her? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ What did you like about Sara’s answers? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Do you think she will get the job? Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________________ 3. In the following lessons you will prepare for a job interview. Write the job title of the position that you would like to prepare for. Job Title: _________________________________________ Job Title = Name of Job (teacher, nurse, cook, receptionist)

A Successful Job Interview: Discussion In a small group, discuss what an applicant should do to insure a successful interview experience. Write your group’s ideas in the chart. •

What should an applicant do before going to a job interview?

•

What should an applicant do during an interview?

•

How about after the interview? Before

During

After

Page 1 of 2

Successful Job Interviews: Vocabulary You are going to read some advice about job interviews. Before you read, learn some important words that you will see in the text. Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the underlined words. Write what you think the word(s) mean. 1. Interviews can be intimidating, so it is normal to be nervous. intimidating _______________________________________________________________ 2. With thoughtful preparation, you’ll have a better chance of landing the job. to land a job ___________________________________________________________ 3. Pick up a brochure at the human resources department to find out as much as you can about the position and the company. brochure ______________________________________________________________ 4. Think about the needs of the company, and start to formulate any questions you have for the interviewer. to formulate _____________________________________________________________ 5. Some questions, such as “Tell me about yourself.”, are open-ended. open-ended _____________________________________________________________ 6. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job. traits _________________________________________________________________ 7. When an employer says, “Tell me about yourself,” he or she doesn’t want a literal answer about your personal history. literal _________________________________________________________________ 8. The interviewer will react favorably if you ask intelligent questions. favorably _____________________________________________________________

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9. Confirm plans in which you depend on someone else. Just in case, have a back up plan in place. back up plan _____________________________________________________________ 10. Smiling expresses friendliness and enthusiasm. enthusiasm ______________________________________________________________ 11. Check to be sure that your clothes are clean and pressed. pressed __________________________________________________________________ 12. Make sure you have good posture, which will communicate that you’re interested and excited about the job. posture __________________________________________________________________ 13. Feel free to gesture with your hands but avoid fidgeting, which communicates nervousness. to gesture ________________________________________________________________ 14. Feel free to gesture with your hands but avoid fidgeting, which communicates nervousness. to fidget __________________________________________________________________ 15. It’s important to be diplomatic – never make negative statements about previous jobs or employers. to be diplomatic ___________________________________________________________ 16. Make sure you have a have a well-groomed professional appearance. well-groomed _____________________________________________________________ 17. Don’t look away from the interviewer. Sustain eye contact. to sustain _______________________________________________________________ 18. Sustain eye contact and refrain from chewing gum. to refrain from ____________________________________________________________ © Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Successful Job Interviews: Reading An organization in Washington State called Seattle Jobs Initiative offers advice about how to have an effective job interview. After reading the text, write additional tips from your chart on page 5.

Tips for a Successful Interview Interviews can be intimidating, but with thoughtful preparation, you’ll have a much better chance of landing the job. Here are some tips for success: Preparation Pick up a brochure at the human resources department, and spend some time researching on the Internet, to find out as much as you can about the position and the company. While you’re researching, think about how your experience will match the needs of the company, and start to formulate any questions you have for the interviewer. Think about how you would answer open-ended interview questions such as, “Tell me about yourself.” The employer is looking for information related to work and the job opening. Don’t make the mistake of answering this question literally by giving your life history. Instead, know what you can offer the company by making lists of what your skills and traits are. Try to match them to what the company is looking for in an employee. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job. Prepare questions of your own. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. And they'll react favorably if you ask intelligent questions about the position, the company and the industry. Make travel arrangements for getting to the interview and make certain that you know exactly how to get there. If you plan on driving, make certain ahead of time that you have enough gas in your car. If you’ve never been to the location before, you may want to drive there the day before to avoid any potential confusion. Confirm child care plans and any other plans in which you depend on someone else. Just in case, have a backup plan in place. Make sure that you print out several clean copies of your résumé to take with you. Decide what you will wear and check that it is clean and ironed with no missing buttons. The Interview If your interview is in the morning, get up with sufficient time to get ready, eat breakfast, and even take a walk. This will help you wake up and be able to think more clearly. Arrive at the interview a few minutes early, but no more than 10 minutes early. When you © Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

meet the interviewer, remember that body language is extremely important. Introduce yourself by saying, "Hello, my name is ________." Use your first and last name. Look the person in the eye, speak clearly and enunciate carefully. Being heard and understood is more important than speaking quickly. Offer a firm, solid handshake, and don’t be afraid to smile! Smiling expresses friendliness and enthusiasm. Don’t be surprised if the employer begins the interview with small talk. A good interviewer will try to put you at ease this way. Throughout the meeting, make sure you have good posture, which will communicate that you’re interested and excited about the job. Listen to the interviewer when they talk – don’t interrupt. If you listen carefully, it will help you formulate more thoughtful and appropriate responses. Avoid looking around the room while you’re talking because that can communicate nervousness. Feel free to gesture with your hands or use them while you talk, but do so in moderation. Also avoid fidgeting, which communicates nervousness. It’s important to be diplomatic – never make negative statements about previous jobs or employers. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, there is probably something good you learned from the experience, so emphasize the positive. Also, be prepared to talk about your weaknesses in a positive way. Most interviewers form an initial impression within the first five minutes of meeting you, so make sure that you: • • • • • •

smile often have a well-groomed professional appearance use makeup, jewelry or strong scents conservatively introduce yourself in a relaxed and confident manner sustain eye contact refrain from chewing gum

At some point, the employer will probably ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” Be ready to pose a few questions about the company or the position. At the end of your interview, don’t be afraid to say, "I really want this job; I know I could make a real contribution." After the interview, write a thank-you note to every person you met at the company. In your letter(s), be sure to re-emphasize the skills you would bring to the position. Thank them for their time and ask if it would be acceptable to call later in the week to learn how their search for a candidate is progressing. That candidate may well be you! Copyright © 2008, Seattle Jobs Initiative. All rights reserved Adapted by permission from http://www.seattlejobsinitiative.com/jobs/resources/pages/interviewtips.html

Tell Me about Yourself: Personal Qualities We all have good points, but should we talk about them? Many of us grew up with the idea that it is impolite to talk about our best personal traits. However, in the United States, you are expected to be able to talk about your best qualities in a job interview. If you can identify your good points now, you will be ready when an employer says, “Tell me about yourself.” 1. Read the list below. Check five of your best personal qualities:

I am…….

 neat and orderly

 adaptable, willing to make changes

 patient

 attentive to details

 persistent

 attentive to keeping costs down

 professional

 careful

 punctual

 cooperative

 responsible

 creative

 sensitive to the feelings of others

 dependable or reliable

 thorough

 energetic

 well organized

 flexible

I …………

 friendly and cheerful

 ask questions when I don’t understand

 a good listener

 like working with people

 good at following instructions

 like to learn new things

 good at getting things done

 take initiative

 good at working on a team

 take pride in my work

 hard-working

 work quickly and efficiently

 honest

 work well under pressure

 motivated

 work well independently

2. Think about a job that you would like to have. Choose three of your qualities that match that job well. Tell me about yourself.

I am thorough and organized. I also work well under pressure.

Tell Me about Yourself: Practice with Personal Qualities Read the employee statements below. Write the personal quality or qualities that match the employee. There may be more than one correct answer. 1. I don’t mind doing different things at work. I can change easily. ________________________________________________________________________ 2. I enjoy working with people and I get along with everyone. I’m ready to help my coworkers whenever they need it. ________________________________________________________________________ 3. If I see something that needs to be done, I don’t wait for someone to tell me to do it. ________________________________________________________________________ 4. I am careful with my work. I check it twice to be sure that it is complete and accurate. ________________________________________________________________________ 5. I work well alone, and I am not afraid to make decisions. _________________________________________________________________________ 6. I always complete my work, and I’m never late. _________________________________________________________________________ 7. I do the most important tasks first, and I keep my things in order so that I can find what I need quickly. _________________________________________________________________________ 8. If something is difficult, I ask questions and try different ways until I get it right. _________________________________________________________________________ 9. I have handled money and merchandise responsibly. I never take something that isn’t mine, and I care about protecting the company. _________________________________________________________________________ 10. I don’t get upset when someone is angry. I stay calm, and I listen.

1. Write about yourself. Start with a personal quality. Then write an example from your personal or professional life that shows that you have this quality.

I ____________________________________________________________. For example, ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Also, I _______________________________________________________. For example, ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Finally, I ______________________________________________________. For example, ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

I am thorough and well organized. I like to do everything in the most efficient way possible. I also work well under pressure. You can count on me to meet difficult deadlines.

2. Practice speaking at a job interview with a classmate or in a small group. Use the information above, and repeat the practice until you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to read your paper. Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. Applicant:

______________________________________________________. (Talk about your personal qualities.)

ÂŠ Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Tell Me about Yourself: Transferable Skills In addition to telling an employer about your good personal qualities, you must explain your transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that you can use at any job, even if you have never worked before. 1. Look at the list of skills below. Check the skills that you have.  communicate orally and in writing in English

 teach others  solve problems

 speak, read and write in two or more languages

 manage my time well

 am familiar with Microsoft Word

 listen well to help people with their needs

 use MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

 handle many responsibilities

 use the Internet to find information

 work well in a multi-cultural environment

 drive a car and I have a California driver’s license

 make and meet goals

 use tools to fix things

 follow procedures

 troubleshoot technical problems

2. Say complete sentences about your skills. I am able to…

I know how to…

Tell me about yourself.

I can…

I am good at ________ing …

I know how to______, and I am good at _______ing. Also, I can ________.

3. Practice speaking at a job interview with a classmate or in a small group. Name three of your skills. Repeat the practice until you don’t need to read your paper. Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. Applicant:

______________________________________________________. (Talk about three of your skills.)

Tell Me about Yourself: Experience, Education, and Training Your past experience and training are very important to include in a job interview. A general question such as, “Tell me about yourself. Why should I hire you?” is an opportunity to explain what you have studied and where you have worked in the past as well as your plans for the future. 1. Which of these sentences apply to you? Complete only the sentences that describe you best. Past: a.

In my country, I studied ________________________________________________.

In my last job, I was a/an ______________________________________________. My responsibilities were _____________ing, ______________ing, and ________ing.

I worked at ________________________ for ______________ years. (place)

My responsibilities were _____________ing, ______________ing, and ________ing. Present: a.

Right now, I am a __________________________ at ________________________. (place)

Now I’m studying ______________________ at ____________________________.

I really like __________________________________________________________.

Future: a.

I would like to _________________________________________________.

My short-term goal is to _______________________________________________.

This job will be an opportunity to _________________________________________.

My long-term goal is to work as a _______________________________________.

2. Show your work to a classmate and your instructor to check for correct grammar and spelling.

Tell Me about Yourself: Experience, Education and Training 1. Using the previous page as a guide, write two or three statements about your past and present experience, interests, and future goals.

Past _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Present _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Future _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

I was an accountant in my native country. I worked there for ten years. Now, I’m studying English. My shortterm goal is to gain business experience in the U.S.

2. Practice speaking about your experience and education at a job interview with a classmate or in a small group. Repeat the practice until you don’t need to read your paper. Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. Applicant:

______________________________________________________. (Talk about your past, present and future goals.)

Successful Job Interviews: Body Language

Research shows that an applicant’s body language is very important for making a good impression. Learn below how to make a good impression non-verbally. Listen to your teacher. Fill in the missing words. Study these tips and practice them with your instructor. 1. Smile! Try to keep your face and words _________________________ throughout the interview. 2. Shake hands ______________________, but don't break the interviewer’s wrist. A "wet fish" (weak) handshake will suggest a weak character. 3. Wait to be _____________________________ to sit down. 4. Try to relax. Don’t sit on the ________________________ of your chair, but sit up reasonably _______________________________ and still. Keep your arms relaxed. 5. Don't sit with your arms ______________________________. 6. Maintain good eye __________________________ with the interviewer, but don't __________________________________ at them all the time. 7. Listen carefully and don’t ___________________________________. 8. Avoid _____________________________ with your hands or playing with your hair. 9. Speak ______________________________, and not too fast. 10. Nod your head in __________________________________ to show that you understand what the interviewer is telling you.

Successful Job Interviews: Body Language 1. Reread the advice about body language from the text, “Tips for a Successful Interview”.

When you meet the interviewer, introduce yourself saying, "Hello, my name is ________." Use your first and last name. Look the person in the eye and speak clearly. Offer a firm, solid handshake, and don’t be afraid to smile! Smiling expresses friendliness and enthusiasm. Throughout the meeting, make sure you have good posture, which will communicate that you’re interested and excited about the job. Avoid looking around the room while you’re talking because that can communicate nervousness. Also, avoid fidgeting, which communicates nervousness. 2. Now you’re ready to role-play a complete response to “Tell me about yourself” that includes your qualities, skills and experience. Give this page to a classmate. Your classmate will be the employer. After the interview, your classmate will use the checklist to give you feedback. 1. Stand in front of your classmate. 2. Make eye contact, smile, introduce yourself and shake hands. 3. Wait for an invitation to sit down. Say a complete response to, “Tell me about yourself.” Good

Needs Practice

Hand Shake



Smile



Posture



Clear, Audible Speech



Eye Contact



Personal Qualities



Skills



Experience



Page 1 of 2

Job Interviews: Answering Interview Questions 1. Employers usually ask several questions in an interview. Unscramble the words below to correctly form common interview questions that you should prepare for. 1.

do / here? / you / to / want / work / why

________________________________________________________________ 2.

did / job? / you / your / why /

last / leave

________________________________________________________________ 3.

you / to / tell / a / situation / about / handle. / difficult / had / me

________________________________________________________________ 4.

do / five / see / where / years? / yourself / you / in

________________________________________________________________ 5.

co-workers / how / your / you? / or / describe / would / peers

________________________________________________________________ 6.

and / your / what / weaknesses? / are / strengths

________________________________________________________________ 7.

English / are / your / skills? / how

________________________________________________________________ 8.

to / or / you / work / nights / weekends? / available / are

________________________________________________________________ 9.

you / questions / have / any / me? / for / do

________________________________________________________________

2. Talk about the questions and possible answers with your teacher

ÂŠ Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Page 2 of 2

Job Interviews: Answering Interview Questions 3. Applicants who show preparation, confidence, and a positive attitude have a better chance of getting a job. The sentences below are responses to the questions on the previous page. Check the better answer for each question. 1.  I really need to work. I’ll work anywhere.  This position matches my skills and interests. I’d like to work for a successful company like yours. I think I could contribute a lot here. 2.  I had the chance to come to the United States. There are better opportunities for my family here.  I didn’t like it, and anyway I came to the U.S. 3.  When I first came to this country, it was really hard. We were alone and scared. I was depressed for a long time. Somehow we have survived.  When I came to this country, the adjustment was difficult. However, I like to learn new things. I know I can handle challenges by setting goals and working hard. 4.  I prefer not to look too far ahead.  Five years from now I will have more education and I’d like to have a more responsible position at work. 5.  I think they’d say that I’m hardworking and easy to get along with.  I usually keep to myself, so I’m not sure what they would say. 6.  My weakness is I’ve never worked before, but I’d be happy if you’d give me a chance.  I haven’t had much employment experience, but I’ve managed a lot of responsibilities at home and school. I’m dependable and I’m sure I can learn quickly. 7.  Well, not as good as I would like, but I get along all right.  I’m sure I can communicate well enough to do this job, and I’m improving every day. Currently, I attend an advanced English class. 8.  Yes, I am, if I have to.  Yes, I am available nights and weekends. 9.  No, thank you.  Yes, could you tell me about the training you offer for new employees?

4. Work with your classmates to make another positive answer for each question.

Job Interviews: The Law Do you know that some questions are illegal for employers to ask? It is against the law to discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, marital status, nationality and religion. Therefore, an experienced employer will not ask about these topics. You should not offer information about your family, age, or religious beliefs because it could make the employer uncomfortable.

How old are you?

What is your religion?

Do you go to church?

Are you pregnant?

Are you married?

How is your health?

Do you have children?

Are you planning to have children?

How tall are you?

When were you born?

Where were you born?

Successful Job Interviews: Questions to Ask the Employer Job counselors remind us that an interview is a conversation or two-way street. This means the applicant should be prepared to ask questions, too. Your questions will indicate that you are prepared and serious about the job. Usually an employer will give you a chance to ask questions near the end of the interview. The following questions are considered appropriate to ask: •

Does this job usually lead to other positions? Which ones?

•

What are the opportunities for advancement?

•

How would you describe a typical day for this position?

•

How are employees evaluated in your company?

•

If I were offered a job, how soon would you like me to begin?

•

What is the next step in the interview process?

Counselors typically advise against asking about salary, vacations, or benefits. Also, be patient and don’t ask right away if you got the job. Choose two questions to memorize. Do you have any questions for me?

What are the opportunities for advancement?

Job Interviews: Assessment Practice #1 Practice the interview with a classmate. Student A is the employer. Student B is the applicant. A:

Hello. I’m Mary Williams.

Hello. I’m ___________ _________________. (shake hands) It’s nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too. Please, have a seat.

Thank you.

I hope you didn’t have any trouble finding our office.

No, not at all. Your directions were very clear, thank you.

Great. Let’s begin. Please tell me about yourself.

Sure. I _________________________________________________________

All right. That sounds good. Why do you want to work here?

________________________________________________________________

Fine. Please tell me about a difficult situation you have had to handle.

________________________________________________________________

All right. What do you think your weaknesses are?

________________________________________________________________

OK. Are you available to work nights and weekends?

________________________________________________________________

Fine. Do you have any questions for me?

Yes, I do. If I were offered the job, how soon would you like me to begin?

Well, I’m hoping to have a new person with us at the start of next month. So, that concludes our interview. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for coming in today. We’ll notify you of our decision next week.

Thank you very much. I’ve enjoyed meeting you, too. I look forward to hearing from you. (shake hands)

Use your smartphone to scan the QR code above for video demonstration of assessment

Practice for a Job Interview – Assessment Practice #2 Directions: Write answers to the questions. Practice several times. Then give this paper to a classmate. The classmates will ask the questions and check your answers. Employer: Hello. My name is ________________ _______________. It’s nice to meet you. Applicant: Hello. I’m________________ ________________. It’s nice to meet you. Employer: Please have a seat. Applicant: Thank you. Employer: Please tell me about yourself. Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: Why do you want to work here? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

Employer: Tell me about a difficult situation you had to handle. Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ © Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Employer: Where do you see yourself in five years? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: How would your peers or co-workers describe you? Applicant_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: What are your weaknesses? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: What are your strengths? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: How are your English skills? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: Are you available to work nights and weekends? Applicant:_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Employer: Do you have any questions for me? Applicant: ________________________________________________________________ Employer: (Say an answer to the question.) Thank you for coming. It was nice to meet you. Applicant: It was nice to meet you, too. Thank you for your time.

ÂŠ Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Successful Job Interviews: Checklist Get together in a small group of three students. Choose a role: A. The employer

B. The applicant

C. The evaluator

The evaluator will watch and listen to two classmates performing Practice #1. Then, he or she will fill out the checklist below in the applicant’s student book. Change roles and repeat.

Good

Needs Practice

Hand Shake



Smile



Posture



Clear, Audible Speech



Eye Contact



Personal Qualities



Skills



Experience



Question #1



Question #2



Question #3



Question #4



Question for the employer



Closing



What Is a Résumé and Why Do I Need One? 1. Read the passage from WiseGeek.org. “The main goal of any résumé* is to provide a brief snapshot of your basic skills, talents, and ambitions. It is usually a good idea to provide basic contact information, as well as an overview of your educational and work experience. In most cases, job applicants choose to tailor their résumés to meet the specific criteria of the job to which they are applying. This often includes industry-specific skills and past work experience that may be particularly relevant to the prospective employer. Résumés are typically quite short — often only about a page — but they are often the first chance you will have to make an impression. As such, taking the time to carefully craft a new version for each job you are applying to is usually recommended.” http://www.wisegeek.org/

2. Answer the questions. a. According to this passage, why is a résumé important? _______________________________________________________________ b. What information does the author suggest a résumé should include? _______________________________________________________________ 3. Read the résumé tips. Find the answers to the questions with a partner. a. Should you submit a photo with your résumé? Why or why not? b. Why is it important to include key words from job listing in your résumé? c. What percentage of employers check applicants’ Facebook pages? http://www.business2community.com/human-resources/

wewe

*The word résumé is French so it is usually written with accent marks. You can type é by holding down the Alt key and typing 0233 on the Num Lock (number) pad on most Windows computers.

The Chronological Résumé A clear, organized résumé is your first step to getting hired. Typically, employers like to read résumés in which the relevant experience and skills are organized by date. This is called a chronological résumé. A template for a chronological résumé is available in the SDCE Résumé Workbook by Doug Elliot at http://tinyurl.com/jq39m8k. Read Cuong Nguyen’s chronological résumé.

Cuong Nguyen

3792 Home Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

(619) 388-4500 / (619) 388-1975 cuongnguyen@email.com

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position as office assistant with San Diego Continuing Education SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS • • • •

Three years’ experience working in an office environment Detail-oriented, organized, able to multi-task Skilled with MS Office Suite, computer maintenance, and file management Bilingual: English and Vietnamese COMPUTER PROFICIENCES

• •

MS Word Internet Research

• •

MS Excel Email

• •

MS PowerPoint Social Media

RECENT CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSEWORK Advanced English as a Second Language (Level 6), San Diego Continuing Education, Mid-City campus

2016 – present

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Server Assistant, Roy’s Hawaiian Restaurant, San Diego, CA 2015-present • Provide friendly, prompt, and courteous food and beverage service to guests • Present specials, answer questions, and make suggestions about menu items • Perform closing duties such as dining room set up, restocking, and cleaning • Follow policies and procedures to ensure sanitation and safety Computer Lab Administrator, Saigontech, Saigon, Vietnam 2010-2014 • Maintained four computer labs to ensure consistent, up to date performance • Provided technical support to students and faculty • Managed and reported records of inventory, purchasing, ordering, and installation IT Technician, Long Vu Computer Center, Saigon, Vietnam • Advised clients with technical support • Troubleshot and upgraded hardware and software • Installed and monitored new equipment and software ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2009-2010

Saigon Institute of Technology, Computer Science Saigon, Vietnam

2006- 2009

The Functional Résumé Functional résumés highlight one’s abilities rather than the chronology of one’s work history. People who have no job history, little related work experience are changing work fields or have gaps in their employment history find these résumés to be a good alternative to chronological résumés. The job gap may be an extended time with no employment or significant time away from the related work field. A template for a chronological résumé is available in the SDCE Résumé Workbook by Doug Elliot at http://tinyurl.com/jq39m8k Read Cuong Nguyen’s functional résumé.

Cuong Nguyen 3792 Home Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 (619) 388-4500 / (619) 388-1975 cuongnguyen@email.com

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position as an office assistant with San Diego Continuing Education SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS • • • •

• •

MS Word Internet Research

• •

MS Excel Email

• •

MS PowerPoint Social Media

RECENT CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSEWORK Advanced English as a Second Language (Level 6), San Diego Continuing Education, Mid-City campus

2016 – present

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE & ACCOMPLISHMENTS OFFICE SKILLS • Ensured security and performance of busy PC and Apple computer lab stations • Maintained records of equipment purchases, installation, and upgrades with MS Excel • Created monthly activity reports with MS Word • Scheduled computer lab support personnel • Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment • Supervised computer lab personnel and assigned duties appropriately

Résumé Vocabulary and Comprehension

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS • Experienced with delivering excellent customer service in a variety of settings • Active listener; ability to accurately identify needs and deliver quality service or product • Skilled at developing good relationships on teams of working groups TECHNICAL SKILLS • Able to troubleshoot hardware or software problems • Experienced in installing and updating software

Résumé Vocabulary and Comprehension

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Server Assistant, Roy’s Hawaiian Restaurant, San Diego, CA Computer Lab Administrator, Saigontech, Saigon, Vietnam IT Technician, Long Vu Computer Center, Saigon, Vietnam

2015-present 2010-2014 2009-2010

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING Saigon Institute of Technology, Computer Science Saigon, Vietnam 2006- 2009 © Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM

Résumé Vocabulary and Comprehension 1. Work with a partner. Discuss the questions about Cuong’s résumés on pages 26,27. 1. Are there any significant employment gaps in Cuong’s résumés? 2. Are all of Cuong’s skills and experience related to his employment objective? 3. Do you think Cuong should use a functional format or a chronological format for his résumé for the office assistant position at San Diego Continuing Education? Why? 4. Do you think Cuong will get an interview for the office assistant position at San Diego Continuing Education? Why or why not? 2. Match the words on the left with the meanings on the right. 1. qualification

_____

a) a relationship between people

2. objective

_____

b) a résumé that focuses on your skills rather than your job history

3. relevant experience

_____

c) adequate skills to do something

4. proficient

_____

d) get a job

5. interpersonal

_____

6. summary

_____

7. obtain a position

_____

e) job history that is similar to job you are applying for f) a skill or experience that makes you suitable for a job g) a brief statement or statements with the most important information h) a résumé that features the history of your work experience

8. chronological _____ résumé 9. functional _____ i) goal résumé 3. Read the information below. Learn more about chronological and functional résumés and determine which format is best for you at http://tinyurl.com/hnbocaa or use this QR code to access the information quickly.

Chronological Résumé Advantages: • •

Somewhat preferred by employers Emphasizes job titles and work history

Disadvantages: • •

Can emphasize that you changed jobs frequently Could show your lack of experience

Functional Résumé Advantages: • •

Highlights accomplishments and strengths Allows flexibility in how you present yourself

Disadvantages:

•

Somewhat de-emphasizes specific job titles and companies and how long you worked at each job

Writing an Objective Statement for Your Résumé 1. Read. Since the purpose of a résumé is to land you an interview, choose your language carefully to attract the employer’s attention. A well-written objective can help convince employers that you know what you want and are familiar with the field. Be specific about the position and type of employment desired and what you can do for his/her company. Example: "A challenging entry-level secretarial position that allows me to contribute my skills and experience in a successful business." Sample Résumé Objective Statements: • To obtain a position at ABC Company where I can maximize my management skills, program development and training experience •

To obtain a marketing position that utilizes my writing skills and enables me to make a positive contribution to the organization

•

To obtain a position that will enable me to use my strong organizational skills, educational background, and ability to work well with people. https://www.livecareer.com

2. Complete the activities. a. Look at Cuong Nguyen’s résumé on page 26. Write his objective statement below. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ b. How might you revise Cuong’s objective statement to reflect what he has to offer the employer? Work with a partner write a revised objective for Cuong below. Mention skills that he listed in his Summary of Qualifications. ________________________________________________________________ c. Share your revised objective statement with the class. As a class, choose the statement that is mostly likely to earn an interview for the applicant. d. Think of a job position of interest to you. Write the position here. _____________ e. Write an objective statement for this position. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Summary of Qualifications 1. Study the words and phrases below that describe an applicant’s qualifications. Discuss unfamiliar terms with a partner or with the class. Strong organization skills Organized Team player Able to multi-task Detail-oriented Exemplary problem-solving skills Goal-oriented

Strong communication skills Ability to develop good working relationships with customers Bilingual / Multilingual Proficient in Excel, MS Office Suite Three-years’ experience working in office environment Experience in complying with company policies _________________________________________ _________________________________________ __________________________ _________________________________________ 2. Look at Cuong Nguyen’s résumé on page 26. Do you see any words from the box above in his Summary of Qualifications? Circle them on the résumé 3. Underline the words in the box above that describe your qualifications. Add more words that describe you. 4. Read the job advertisement for Smile Dentistry below and the Summaries of Qualifications that follow.

WANTED: Smile Dentistry Front Desk Receptionist     

Qualified candidates will demonstrate the ability to: Welcome clients into our studio. Maintain our clean, inviting studio atmosphere. Call: 619-822- 8763 Handle busy phones. Or visit: smile.dentistry.com Communicate in a warm, pleasant phone voice. Professional appearance is required.

Candidate A - Summary of Qualifications • • • • •

Proven customer service and organizational skills Able to answer telephone calls and greet visitors courteously and efficiently Detail oriented; able to multi-task Bilingual – English and Spanish Well-groomed appearance

Candidate B - Summary of Qualifications • • • • •

Able to talk to clients Able to answer phones Hard worker Friendly Good-looking

5. Talk with a partner.

a. Which candidate do you think is more likely to get an interview? Why? b. Which job skill did neither candidate address?

Page 1 of 2

Incorporating Keywords in your Résumé, Part 1 Employers search more than 90 percent of résumés using computer software to search for job-specific keywords that relate to their job opening. What kind of keywords are employers searching for? They are nouns including types of degrees, job titles, industry-specific skills and technology competencies. To find keywords to use, take a look at job postings on the Internet that match your background and experience. Then look at the keywords included in the job postings and incorporate them into your résumé. Note: the job responsibilities in employment ads usually list most important skills/qualifications needed first, and then follow with lesser important skills/qualifications. Be sure to address the most important skills/qualifications in your résumé. 1. Read the job announcement from Rals Supermarket.

Date: Jun 16, 2017 Location: San Diego, CA, 92109 Company Name: Rals

Our primary focus is to create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service. We are looking for friendly, fun people who love food and want to share that passion with our customers. Our associates work in different departments in our stores, but share a common goal of welcoming and serving customers with excellence so they want to shop with us again and again. As a part of our team, you could: • Prepare gourmet dishes, make artisan sandwiches and serve local and imported cheeses • Bake fresh breads and cookies, decorate cakes and serve personalized coffees • Build attractive displays and stock shelves • Create artistic floral arrangements • Cut and serve the highest quality meats and seafood • Assist customers at checkout and bag groceries We are now accepting applications for all positions including bagger, meat clerk, deli clerk and bakery clerk. We are always looking for smiling, energetic, friendly and fun people. Rals Supermarket 2564 University Ave San Diego, CA, 92109 Phone: 619-823-1234 Website: ralsmarket.com

Page 2 of 2

Incorporating Keywords in your Résumé, Part 2 Customize words in your résumé to match, as best you can, the requirements listed in the job posting. The closer a match your skills and qualifications are to the job requirements, the better your chances of being selected for an interview. 2. Work with a partner. Discuss the questions about Rals job announcement. a. For which positions is Rals now accepting applications? b. Are there any possible tasks in the ad that are unfamiliar to you? Discuss the job duties. c. Which of the positions might be of interest to you? What skills and qualifications do you possess that are a good match for the job responsibilities? 3. List words that show the skills and personal qualities that Rals is seeking in the ad. Skills

Personal Qualities

4. Now write two items for a Summary of Qualifications, using keywords that describe YOUR qualifications and skills for a position at Rals. • ___________________________________________________________ •

___________________________________________________________

5. What about you? Think of a position of interest to you. Write four or five items for a possible Summary of Qualifications for the position. Tell a classmate about the position and your related qualifications. Position: _____________________ Summary of Qualifications • ___________________________________________________________ • ___________________________________________________________ • ___________________________________________________________ • ___________________________________________________________

Experience and Skills 1. Look at the Relevant Experience and Skills section on Cuong Nguyen’s résumé on page 26. Read the words in the box. Do you see any words from the box in his résumé? Underline them on page 26. Can you think of any other words to describe skills? Write them in the box. assist

create

operate

report

contact

handle

organize

schedule

contribute

Identify

supervise

serve

coordinate

improve

train

solve

design

maintain

plan

__________

develop

manage

provide

__________

perform

monitor

recommend

__________

2. Read. Which candidate do you think is more likely to get an interview? Why?

WANTED: ExpressLube Auto Technician CALL 619-822-8763 Job responsibilities include: Perform vehicle maintenance Communicate with Parts Department and Service Advisors regularly to effectively manage production and Customer communication. Document work performed on each vehicle on the repair order. Participate in factory-sponsored training classes as appropriate. Provide an exceptional customer experience to drive loyalty

Candidate A - List of Skills/Experience

Candidate B – List of Skills/Experience

•

Gained experienced in working on cars

•

Talked to people

•

Stayed open-minded to learning new things

•

Used safety goggles

•

Performed vehicle maintenance and maintained an organized workspace Followed policies and procedures to ensure safety Communicated technical information effectively to co-workers and customers. Participated in professional training activities to learn new skills

3. Answer the questions. a. Which candidate do you think is more likely to get an interview? Why? b. What job responsibility did neither candidate address? c. Use words from the box above to write three phrases that describe your skills and experience that are related to the job objective you wrote on page 29.

Education and Training The education/training section(s) of your résumé documents your preparedness for the job for which you are applying. Choosing where to place your education/training information depends on what you wish to highlight in your résumé. 1. Read the article.

http://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/put-your-education-to-work

2. Work with a partner. Discuss the article above and compare the suggestions to Cuong’s résumé. Cuong does not follow the placement of education as suggested in the Monster.com article. Instead, he followed the template on the SDCE Career Services website: http://cds.sdce.edu/. How are the sections similar? How is the formatting different? 3. List your education and training. Education or Training Location

Dates

4. Talk with a classmate. Where will you place your education history on your résumé?

Résumé Worksheet, Part 1 1. In each résumé section below, write information about you.

NAME Your Street Address, City, State, Zip (619) xxx-xxxx / Cell (619) xxx-xxxx YourEmailAddress@Email.com __________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position as (Specific Job Title) with (Name of Company)

OBJECTIVE: ______________________________________________________

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS •

Number of years’ experience in the field, line of work or recent training statement

•

A quality or characteristic of yours that supports your employment goal

•

Key skills, talents or special knowledge related to your job objective

•

Computer skills

•

Multi-lingual abilities

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS •

________________________________________________________________

•

________________________________________________________________

•

________________________________________________________________

•

________________________________________________________________

Résumé Worksheet, Part 2 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Job Title, Company Name, City, State 2006-present • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective ___________________________________________________ __________ •

___________________________________________________

•

___________________________________________________

•

___________________________________________________

Job Title, Company Name, City, State 2005-2006 • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective ___________________________________________________ __________ •

___________________________________________________

•

___________________________________________________

Job Title, Company Name, City, State 2004-2005 • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective • One-line skill statement from this job that’s relevant to the job objective ___________________________________________________ __________ •

___________________________________________________

•

___________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING List university, community college, adult education, high school (one line for each) ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

Résumé Checklist Check your résumé. Check “Yes” or “No” after each question. Then, exchange the checklist and your résumé with a classmate. Check each other’s résumé. Self Yes

Partner Yes No

Content 1. 2.

Does the résumé have necessary personal information? Does the résumé include a job objective that states how the applicant will benefit the employer? Does the Summary of Qualifications include computer, interpersonal and relevant job skills if appropriate to objective listed on résumé

Does the résumé include work experience and skills related to the job objective?

Are the dates for the work experience listed with most recent job first?

Does the résumé contain educational information including class(es) at San Diego Continuing Education?

Grammar and Mechanics 1.

Are all words spelled correctly?

Are names of companies or educational institutions capitalized?

Are verb tenses for present jobs in present tense?

Are verb tenses for past jobs in past tense?

Format

1. Does the résumé follow the correct format as shown in the model?

2. Are all parts of the résumé in proper order? 3. Is the résumé neat and clean? ASSESSMENT: Your instructor will provide papers for you on which you will create your assessment résumé, or you will be instructed how to create your résumé electronically. © Continuing Education, San Diego Community College District, EL Civics Program, 2017 8/21/2018 9:44 AM