Job-Applications.com Job Hunting Lesson Plan

http://www.job-applications.com/resources/lesson-plans/©Copyright Job-Applications.com
Successfully Navigating the Job Hunt
BY DOUG CRAWFORD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Job-Applications.com

http://www.job-applications.com/resources/lesson-plans/©Copyright Job-Applications.com

http://www.job-applications.com/resources/lesson-plans/
©Copyright Job-Applications.com
Mistakes Young Job Seekers Make
 Starting a job search too late.
 Excluding certain types of jobs.
 Job hunting with friends or parents.
 Students looking for summer work
should start looking in the spring to
beat returning college students to the
punch.
 All work experiences provide ample
learning opportunities and look good
to both college recruiters and future
employers.
 Shows immaturity and that perhaps
the applicant can’t do things on their
own.

Mistakes Young Job Seekers Make
 Using unprofessional email accounts.
 Not following directions.
 Giving up too quickly.
 Not networking or asking for help.
 Using an account utilizing your first and
last name or some variation is always
better than cute, funny, or perhaps
inappropriate emails in professional
settings.
 Fill out applications correctly, not quickly.
If it says “Apply Online,” “No Phone
Calls,” or “Do Not Send Resume”—Do
what the employer asks.
 Persistence and polite follow ups are key.
 Asking for help during a job hunt may be
the difference between finding a job
and not.

Tailoring Your Job Search
 Younger workers should search for jobs that pertain to areas of interest:
 For example, interest in animals may lead to work with veterinary offices or pet
stores, while a love of children may mean work in a daycare or summer camp.
 Local libraries, amusement parks, retail stores, fast food locations, and grocery
stores all regularly hire younger workers.
 Libraries frequently hire teens as pages, who regularly put books back on shelves
 Retail and grocery stores can help foster a love of fashion and food
 Fast food jobs actually help pave ways for careers in the restaurant industry
 Always consider the possibility of opening your own business
 Lawn service, babysitting, or dog walking may help serve your neighborhood or
local community

How To Properly Prepare
 Depending on state and local laws, younger workers typically need the following when applying for
jobs:
 Proof of age (birth certificate or photo ID)/ A work permit
 Social Security card
 Correct & current contact information
 References
 All references should be made aware the applicant is using them as such and should get the okay to do so.
 Set goals
 Apply to two places a day
 Set a date for when you want to start working
 Write them down; it becomes more real

How To Find Available Jobs
Who Can Help?
 High school guidance counselors
 Newspaper want ads
 Help wanted signs
 Online job boards
 Community job boards
 Government offices, such as the ETA
What To Expect
 Be prepared to work
 Employers produce work schedules with the
expectation that employees work specified
hours
 Keeping open availabilities typically help find
and keep entry-level jobs
 If the job isn’t right for you:
 Give appropriate notice
 You may not get the first job you apply for.
 Always remain polite and courteous,
thanking employers for their time.

Approaching
the Job Search
 Should You Take a Blanketed Approach
or a Targeted Approach?

Blanketed Job Search
 Best used when searching for a variety of jobs with no preference
in the final outcome
 Works well for applicants with little to no experience
 When candidates use form resumes not tailored to the specific job
or company
 Instead, job searches are more focused on getting multiple
resumes out there to find employment quickly.
 Good for hourly jobs and applicants with no resume

Targeted Job Search
 Best used by motivated job seekers with an idea of what direction to take
 The more targeted the search, the easier the search becomes
 How to target helps determine what about the job is important to the
applicant
 Earning money for savings, to buy things, or to help with everyday expenses
 Proximity to home or school
 Personal interests, such as hobbies, career aspirations, and what sounds fun to try
 What kind of company does the applicant want to work for?
 Research the company and all its main competitors
 Apply to all of them

Stuck? Ask Questions
 If the job seeker has never worked before, how do they know what they
want to do?
 Asking questions of themselves about their motivations, needs, and
aspirations may help narrow down job searches
 Retain goals and continue networking, even after receiving offers for
employment
 Don’t job hop, but keep options open for better opportunities when they
present themselves
 Stay professional though, and always work hard at whatever the current job
asks of employees

Ask Yourself The Following
 Do you want to work directly with customers?
 Not everyone is cut out to work in customer service
 Customers may be demanding, expectant, and even rude, but understanding
how to interact with others and perform well under pressure are excellent
personality traits to build upon for later employment
 Do you want to work with food?
 Getting in at the ground floor in the restaurant or fast-food industry means those
who eventually want to be a chef, work in a kitchen, or even own their own
business or franchise remains invaluable

 Do you want to work flexible hours?
 Extra-curricular activities, social lives, and family time are probably important
 Entry-level jobs frequently can schedule around such things, but that means
remaining flexible and available on different shifts, such as nights, weekends,
and holidays
 Do you want to be constantly busy or have lulls in the work?
 Working in the service industry may mean working non stop during your shift
 Other jobs may afford more breaks and intermittent customer traffic
 Knowing your preference is key to both applying and working once hired

 Do you prefer manual labor or working with your mind?
 Some people prefer working with their hands, while others like to be challenged
mentally on the job
 If you don’t like one or the other, tailor your job search accordingly
 Will this type of work remain satisfying?
 The longer you do a job, the more tedious or not as fulfilling it may become
 Understanding the roles, potential growth, and financial gain that come with
employment remains paramount to whether or not a job may or may not be for
you long term

 Can I shadow anyone in this line of work?
 Find out if anyone you know is currently working in the type of industry or field you
hope to apply
 If possible, join them at their work for a couple of hours and shadow their daily duties
to see if the job is what you expected or want for yourself
 What are you working for?
 Everyone has different goals
 Are you working for that new car, saving for college, or just need pocket money?
 Do you want to advance in the company or is it just a seasonal job to get you
through?
 Each idea matters to different people for different reasons; what’s your motivation?

Additional Resources
For more information about searching for a job, check out the following
resources from Job-Applications.com:
http://www.job-applications.com/
http://www.job-applications.com/blog/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrJobApplications
http://www.job-applications.com/video-library/
https://www.facebook.com/JobApplications

Job-Applications.com Job Hunting Lesson Plan

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Job-Applications.com Job Hunting Lesson Plan