Lesson Objectives: |
- explain the standard job application process
- discuss the purpose of resumes - develop appropriate content for a resume - plan a reverse chronological formatted resume |
Discuss:
What are some key issues highlighted by this video that raises some concerns regarding jobs in the future? Is there a solution to this problem?
Applying for Jobs |
Applying for jobs in our modern society has become increasingly difficult due in part to the technological advances that make certain job roles redundant. The majority of these positions are junior, lower skilled, entry level type of jobs that computers can easily do instead. This makes the job market ten times more competitive and high stake for job applicants.
When a job vacancy does arise, we know that employers are looking to fill a position with the most suitable person for the job. They must follow a certain procedure to ensure fairness for all potential candidates - it also allows them to check each candidate against the selection criteria in a more logical, accountable and systematic way. Two points must be made here. One, that some employers do not always follow the correct procedure for professionally filling a job position. They may perform unfair shortcuts, or they may skip a few steps depending on the qualities of the applicants. Two, if the job market is more competitive it only makes sense to stand out from the crowd - both in paper and in person. Discuss: Take a look at the video below and discuss with the person next to you what made this particular person so endearing to the interviewers. |
When we are applying for that any job, let's always bear in mind two things over the next few weeks:
1. Make sure you address the selection criteria. If a job requires you to drive a crane but you don't have a heavy machinery licence, it is probably not a good idea to pretend you can. It's also probably not a good time to talk about your cat. 2. Go to the point of making yourself stand out - sell yourself and make it seem as if you are indispensable. You are a long term asset that the company/business will not be able to refuse. |
The Application Process: |
The following flow diagram below demonstrates the common procedure that most job applicants go through before they finally get the job. Some of these processes take many months due to the volume of applications.
The only part of this process that you have any control over is the initial application (sending of resume and cover letter), and the interviewing stage. Therefore it is best to be prepared - which is what we will focus on doing this term.
Resumes: |
Your resume (sometimes called your "CV") is your most important tool when applying for a job. It doesn't matter how qualified you are, or how much experience you have - if your resume is poorly presented or badly written, you're going to have trouble getting the job you want - or even an interview.
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Taking the time to work on your resume is really important. Your resume is a marketing tool. It needs to demonstrate:
- That you are employable
- How you meet the job and the organisation's requirements
- That you have the right qualifications and education
- That you have the right experience and skills
Most resumes have the following parts:
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How to Structure My Resume: |
Depending on your age and level of experience, you will find that some resume templates are available online that suit the type of content you wish to put in your resume.
Regardless of your list of experiences, all resumes follow a reverse chronological format in which current experiences are listed at the top and the least current listed at the bottom.
Regardless of your list of experiences, all resumes follow a reverse chronological format in which current experiences are listed at the top and the least current listed at the bottom.
Workshop - Resume Writing
This week we are going to practice our resume writing on the real life Seek advertisement shown below. Follow the activity steps each lesson to learn the process.
Activity #1: Analyse the job advert
Open a word document and note down the following:
- the skills/qualifications required of the candidate
- duties that the job entails
- the type of language used
- key words that describe their ideal applicant
- descriptions of the organisation/business
Activity #2: Gather information
Find a resume template online (or make one yourself) for yourself and compile all your work, education, skills, personal and reference information. Begin to fill out your basic info, work and education in your resume - do not worry about the other sections or formatting as we will cover this next lesson. A list of good sources for templates are included below:
Youth Central Victoria here
Hudson Recruitment here
Career FAQs here
Career Centre WA here
Job Access. gov here
This week we are going to practice our resume writing on the real life Seek advertisement shown below. Follow the activity steps each lesson to learn the process.
Activity #1: Analyse the job advert
Open a word document and note down the following:
- the skills/qualifications required of the candidate
- duties that the job entails
- the type of language used
- key words that describe their ideal applicant
- descriptions of the organisation/business
Activity #2: Gather information
Find a resume template online (or make one yourself) for yourself and compile all your work, education, skills, personal and reference information. Begin to fill out your basic info, work and education in your resume - do not worry about the other sections or formatting as we will cover this next lesson. A list of good sources for templates are included below:
Youth Central Victoria here
Hudson Recruitment here
Career FAQs here
Career Centre WA here
Job Access. gov here