Summary

The article suggests considering 16 aspects of a job and then picking the five most important to you before you target any job. It goes on to explain that as the chosen candidate you are being seen as the solution to a problem and, as such, you should consider what you believe that problem to be and how you are the solution. It offers the PAR approach – explain the Problem, describe the Actions you took and recount the Result.

Getting Started

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Careers

Key Questions to Explore:

  • What aspects of a job do I consider important?
  • Do I need all of them to be met in order to accept the position?
  • How am I the solution to their problem?

New Terminology:

Resonate

Materials Needed:

Copies of the article for the students

Study and Discussion Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

When young people begin a job search they often have no organized plan of attack. Frequently they just prepare a resume and blanket any and all companies they can think of. Seldom do they give consideration to the various aspects of the job, worrying about them only after they have been hired. With competition for employment so high these days it is important for young people to target the right situations for them and then approach the search with organization and enthusiasm. This lesson will have the students consider how they would begin a job search and then, through peer discussion and a review of the article, determine how they would adjust their approach in order to make it correct and meaningful.

Action (lesson plan and task):

  • Begin the lesson by asking the students to consider how they would approach a job search.
  • Have them write down the basic steps they would follow.
  • Once they have done this, pair each student up with another in the class and have them discuss and compare their strategies.
  • Once this has been done, conduct a plenary session during which the pairs offer their ideas about the strategies for preparing a job search.
  • Once this has been completed, provide the students with a copy of the article and, allowing them time to read it, have the pairs discuss their reactions to the article and prepare a list of the top five aspects they would consider in applying for a specific job. (If there is disagreement between the two have them indicate which they agreed to and which they would like to see considered.)

Consolidation of Learning:

  • Have the pairs report their list to the others in the class and respond to any questions or comments.
Success and Additional Learning

Success Criteria:

The students will:

  • Understand the need to have an organized approach to a job search.
  • Understand the need to carefully consider the various aspects of a job.
  • Appreciate the need to make certain that their important aspects are addressed by the position.

Confirming Activity:

  • After all the pairs have reported ask the pairs to reconsider their list to see if they would make any changes to it based on the ideas of their classmates.