Summary

This article outlines 10 rules that can be broken when applying for a job and goes on to offer advice on behaviours to avoid and good habits and traits to identify.

Getting Started

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Careers, business studies, family studies

Key Questions to Explore:

  • What should I do when applying for a job?
  • What are some behaviours I need to avoid?
  • What traits and habits can I stress about myself?

New Terminology:

Work ethic

Materials Needed:

Copies of the article for the students

Study and Discussion Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

As teenagers begin their job searches they are usually offered a great deal of advice by well-intentioned people. Many times, that advice is either misdirected or outdated and it is only through experience that the applicant comes to understand what appears to be good practice. This lesson will help the students to understand how some of the tried and true rules can be broken and to appreciate the need to avoid certain behaviours and to stress the more positive attributes they have.

Action (lesson plan and task):

  • Begin the lesson by asking the students to assume the role of a job counselor and write down five pieces of advice they would give someone who is beginning to hunt for a job.
  • Once they have done this, ask them also to write down three behaviours they believe should be avoided and three personal traits that they would recommend a candidate stress.
  • Inform the students that they are now going to engage in a “doubling up” activity in which they will first be paired with another student to exchange their ideas and then the pairs will be united with another pair to repeat the idea exchange and increasing their lists from five pieces of advice to eight and the number of traits from three to five. The final doubling up will involve each group of four joining another group of four to discuss their lists.

Consolidation of Learning:

  • Have the groups of eight report their lists and respond to any questions or comments.
  • Compile a master list from the group suggestions.
  • Once this has been completed, provide the students with a copy of the article and allow them time to read it.
Success and Additional Learning

Success Criteria:

The students will be able to:

  • Offer considered advice to anyone beginning a job search
  • Identify behaviours to avoid and traits to stress when applying for a job.

Confirming Activity:

  • Have the students respond to article they have just read and compare it to the master list that was compiled as a result of the group reports.