Final+Culminating+Activity

__Discussion__
Discuss your answers to the following questions with teacher and peers. Post your answers to the appropriate section of your blog.
 * 1) Choose an occupation or a field of work that you think you may pursue. (general)
 * 2) Find seven words related to this occupation or field of work. Try some words that are challenging to you. (glossary)
 * 3) Look up the definitions for these words. Cut and paste the words and definitions into a word document for use in the next step. (glossary)
 * 4) Read others' words and try to guess what field of work these terms belong in. (comment on others' sites)
 * 5) Be sure to reply to others who make guesses about your vocabulary terms. Let them know how they did.

What is an interview?
If you are ever in the position that you are an employer or in a managerial role, you may be in a position to hire an employee. How would you go about doing that? What if twenty people sent you resumes and you did not know a single one personally. What would you do? Would you flip a coin? Even if you did know a few, you would probably want to interview a number of people to make sure you get the best person for the job. After all, in order to do your job well, you need to hire someone who you know will do his or her job well.

A job interview is a very good way for an employer to decide on who could best fill the job. As an employer, you can see how important finding the right person is. Knowing this, how important are interviews to the person who is being interviewed? Well, that all depends on whether they want the job or not. How many job interviews have you had in your life already?

The following should be taken into consideration when approaching a job interview. Remember, if you are not willing to invest some time and effort into preparing for a job interview, do not be surprised if the prospective employer does not invest in you. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you hire someone who put a great deal of effort into getting hired or someone who seemed not to care?

Why is it important to make a good first impression?
First impressions are often critical in interviews. The garlic breath left over from your spaghetti may be one thing a potential employer remembers long after an interview has ended. At the same time, the firm handshake and smile you offered a possible employer may forever put you in a positive light with that person. Often the biggest mistakes we make upon meeting someone for the first time are through our own thoughtless actions--things that may not seem like a "big deal" to us, but it may seem like a big deal to someone else. For example, when hanging out with a new friend, was that sock hole visible? Have you fumbled for the name of a person you know? Have you arrived late before? None of these are criminal offenses, to be sure, but they do create a lasting image in someone else's mind of you fumbling and bumbling sloppily through your day, and this is a lasting image no one needs!

__BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:__
Remember, if you are not willing to take the time to be prepared ... someone else will!
 * research the interviewer and company
 * learn as much as you can about the position
 * improve your physical appearance (get a haircut, manicure, shine your shoes, etc.) Remember, first impressions count!
 * practice answering questions
 * develop your own insightful questions to ask
 * review examples of your success at school, at past employment positions (if applicable), and in the community
 * confirm the date, time, place and details of the interview
 * get enough rest
 * be prepared for the unexpected
 * always bring an extra resume and other relevant work samples

__ARRIVING AT THE INTERVIEW:__

 * it is best to arrive at the interview at least fifteen minutes early
 * review your notes and resume

__DURING THE INTERVIEW:__

 * be enthusiastic and offer a firm handshake
 * correctly pronounce the name of the interviewer
 * use your resume as a guide for your skills and experience
 * maintain eye contact and emphasize your interest
 * focus on your ability to do the job and do not talk about personal problems
 * be specific and think of concrete examples that illustrate your skills
 * speak positively about co-workers and former employers (if applicable)
 * near the end of the interview, thank the employer for the opportunity and find out if you can call to follow up
 * if offered the job, take the time to evaluate it before accepting or rejecting

__AFTER THE INTERVIEW:__

 * write and a letter of appreciation (also known as a "Thank-You Letter")
 * jot down your initial impressions of the interview, job, and company
 * review your performance and decide what you did well and what needs some work

**Practice:** Post the answers to the following questions in the Practice section of your blog

 * Tell me about yourself.
 * What are some of your interests?
 * How did you become interested in this field?
 * Why do you want to work here?
 * What previous work experiences have prepared you for this position? How?
 * What do you see yourself doing in five years?
 * How does this position fit in with your goals?
 * Give an example of a time when you have gone above and beyond the call of duty in order to get the job done.
 * What was the greatest challenge you’ve faced in a previous position?
 * What five words would you say describe you best?
 * Why should I hire you?
 * What skills or abilities do you have that would make you a good candidate for this job?
 * Give me an example of something you have done that would show you are a team player.Have you ever encountered any type of conflict with a co-worker? How did you handle it? What was the outcome?
 * Describe a situation at school or work when you were required to complete several projects simultaneously. How did you do this? What was the end result?
 * Tell me about a time you were unable to complete a project on time. What was the reason for the delay? How did you handle it?
 * Do you have any questions for me?

Another way to impress a prospective employer is to write a thank you letter to the person who interviewed you. Why? Because it sends another message that you really want the job, and besides, it’s always nice to get a thank you.

__Why write a "Thank-You Letter"?__ (also known as a "Letter of Appreciation")
Most interviewers **expect** you to send thank you letters. It is also an effective interviewing strategy. For example, it:
 * shows that you are courteous, knowledgeable and professional;
 * demonstrates your written communication skills;
 * helps to make you stand out in the minds of the interviewers;
 * places you above competing candidates who didn't bother to write;
 * gives you an opportunity to reinforce your good points;
 * allows you to include something important you forgot to mention during your interview;
 * confirms your understanding of topics discussed and helps to avoid misunderstandings.

Introduction to Letter Writing
When you choose to correspond via letter, you need to realize that letters come with a long tradition of formal expectations about parts and layout. Understanding which layout to use can make a significant impression on the overall effect of the message of your letter. For example, if you chose a less formal or personal layout for a cover letter--a letter that accompanies your resume--for an employment position, your layout will not match the purpose of your letter. Many readers won't bother to read a letter that looks unprofessional. Because many people within the business industry expect certain formats or layouts for specific types of letters, you have to have a good working knowledge of these formats. Only then can you best match your layout with your intended message. The most commonly used layouts for letters are: ====**Note**: For additional clarification, use google to conduct two web searches using the keywords: 1) "Example of a Full-Block Letter", and 2) "Example of a Semi-Block Letter". Try to find as many example as you can, and note the differences and similarities between the two styles. What is similar? What is different? If you have been successful in your web findings, you will have noticed that there are specific differences in the "Full-Block" and "Semi-Block" letter styles. For the purpose of your assignment, please refer to the example of a "Thank-You Letter" at the bottom of the page.====
 * **full block** (often called block)
 * **semi-block**
 * or some variant of the two

Sample "Thank-You Letter"
John B. Anyone 10 Sunshine Avenue Somewhere, ON., K5P M2X (613) 743-4444

January 01, 2030

Jane Oversee [Interviewer's name] Dragon's Cove [Company name] 200 Import Street [Number and Street Name] Jobville, ON., P57 3V8 [City, Province, and Postal Code] (613) 555-2222 [Phone Number]

Dear Jane Oversee: Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy day to talk with me about the [//**job title**//] position. I enjoyed meeting you and the members of your department, and I am excited about the chance to work with such a great team.

Since I am a self-starter by nature and a team player too, I like that you encourage individuals to take ownership of projects, but each can still count on team-member support. It's the best of both worlds.

Judging by our discussion earlier today, I believe that my qualifications are an excellent fit, particularly my [//**specific education, experience, skills, etc.**//]. The position is exactly what I am looking for, and I am confident that I can be a significant contributor to the success of [//**company or department name**//]. I sincerely hope you agree. Thanks again for interviewing me. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Sincerely,

[//**Sign here**//]

John B. Anyone

**Assignment 2**
Before you perform your mock interview, you will need to prepare for the interview. Some of the information will come from you and then you will be asked questions by the interviewer. Lucky for you, the company has decided to release the questions you will be asked beforehand so that you can prepare. Look over the following information in order to prepare for the interview:


 * Part 1 - (You can look in the classified ads of a paper or go online and find a job of your choice)**
 * 1) What is the name of the company?
 * 2) Describe the job you are interviewing for? (title, job description, rate of pay, etc.)


 * Part 2 - (The Interview- Here are the questions you will be asked)**
 * 1) What is your long-term career goal?
 * 2) What does this company offer that you are looking for?
 * 3) What are three of your strengths?
 * 4) What is your greatest weakness?
 * 5) What will you do to address this weakness?
 * 6) What would one of your references say about your work habits if I called?
 * 7) What skills do you possess that make you a suitable candidate for the job?
 * 8) Where do you see yourself in five years?

**Activity 2**
Before you move on, watch these two short videos that show employers who discuss employability skills. This will model an interview that you will be performing later on.
 * || Watch Interview 1 ||

Information interviewing involves speaking to people who work in the field you want to learn more about. It is not interviewing for a job. Use it as a way to gather more information about the field you are interested in, so that you can make informed career choices, gather information necessary to write effective cover letters and resumes, and be better prepared for future job interviews. You may have thought about the type of work you would like to do and the working environment that would suit your personality. If so, it is time to meet an employer to find out if you would like to pursue that particular job at a specific company. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that most people are willing to talk about the work that they do.
 * || Watch Interview 2 ||

**Assignment 3**
There are two parts to the following assignment. Only part 2 needs to be posted on your blog.

Part 1 of this assignment asks you to gather information from an expert in the field you are researching. In Part 2 you will use the information from Part 1 to write a summary. Be sure to take good notes during the interview or record it so that you can use this to help you later on.
 * Part 1 - Gathering Information**


 * To find an interviewee, you can:**
 * call the manager at a company you would like to work at and ask to speak to someone in an information interview;
 * interview a friend or relative if you know someone working in the field;
 * look in business directories for the names and telephone numbers of contacts;
 * send an email request for an information interview and arrange an interview with willing contacts.


 * Once you have successfully located someone who is willing to discuss his/her job, the following list provides examples of possible interview questions:**
 * 1) How do people normally obtain a position like yours?
 * 2) What skills and personal qualities are most important for success?
 * 3) What education and training is needed?
 * 4) Is there growth in this career field?
 * 5) What do you do on a typical day? Describe job responsibilities.
 * 6) What are some of the challenges?
 * 7) What do you enjoy least about this job?
 * 8) What do you enjoy most about this job?
 * 9) What advice do you have for someone who is looking to get into this field?

Now you will write a summary (approximately 200 words) of the information you have gathered from your interview. Follow the guidelines below on how to write a summary.
 * Part 2- Writing your summary.**

A summary is a concise version of an original text; do not include your personal opinion. Summary tasks require one to reduce a text to fewer words (e.g., 200 words to 100 words); however, in this case, you are asked to summarize an information interview. We summarize for many reasons, especially for clarity.
 * How to Write a Summary:**

Before you begin to write your summary on an information interview, while listening to the original interview or reviewing your notes on the interview, note all important words. Find the main idea of the interview and at least two or three important details that support it. Using rough notes, start to plan your summary while listening to the interview.

When writing your summary, it is important to leave out non-essential information and unnecessary words. Organize your ideas clearly to help your reader follow and understand your summary, and use transitions to link your ideas

**Activity 3**
Quite often in life, you will participate in an application process. There are many different application forms that serve different purposes. There are application forms for: insurance (home, car, employment, etc.), passport requests, credit cards, school bursaries and awards, subscription orders, rental agreements, and employment opportunities. When applying for a job, you will be asked to complete an application form. This form is usually directly available from the potential employer, and nowadays can be downloaded from the web. An employment application form is designed to gather information about you (e.g., experience, education, and other general interests). It is important to remember that, like a resume and cover letter, a completed application form creates an impression of you as a potential employee, so do not rush when completing an application form.

Completing an Employment Application Form:

 * read through the entire application form before you start
 * read and follow directions carefully
 * always write neatly in pen
 * give accurate, honest answers to all questions
 * be specific as to the job you want, and use a specific job title--one relevant to the potential workplace
 * provide complete information
 * read it carefully when you are finished to check for possible errors or omissions.

**Assignment 4**
__Discussion__ Think about a possible application form that you may have to fill out in the near future. Research and locate an available online application form that is relevant to you (though it does not have to be), and read through to see if there are areas that are difficult to understand. You are required to reflect your findings in a class discussion, be sure to include the following information:
 * 1) **Posting Title:** Online Employment Application
 * 2) **Online Link** (the full site name in order to retrieve the application)
 * 3) **Personal Area of Difficulty** (What part of the application is confusing?)

**Activity 4**
Throughout our lives, we all need to fill out resume and application forms. You'd be surprised at how many people make errors on these forms. Simply ask any member of society who deals with reviewing the information on forms; they'll surely go into a rant about how they feel people don't even read the forms before filling them out. While filling out forms correctly may not matter if the form is a ballot for winning a free prize, when you are dealing with a job application, let's hope most of you take the form a little more seriously.

When filling out //application forms//, there are certain mistakes you should watch out for.

 * 1) ====Be neat and write clearly. If your handwriting is really messy, why not have a friend or family member write it for you.====
 * 2) ====Fill out all the sections that apply to you. Leaving portions of an application or form blank will cause your application to be on hold while someone contacts you. Make sure every check box, blank space, and short answer question is fully completed. If it is a job application that is incomplete, most employers would simply throw your application out. First impressions are important, and if you haven't filled the form out properly, you can imagine the type of first impression the person reading your application will have.====
 * 3) ====Make sure you proofread carefully for any spelling and grammatical errors. This, again, has to do with first impressions. You want to show your capabilities and potential.====

When completing //resumes//, there are other aspects to consider.
//Experience// - describe your employment history //Education// - just list your high school unless you've taken college courses on the side //Other Skills/Information// - this is where you list your computer or language skills, any associations or memberships to which you've belonged, and any volunteer experience || 2. Proofread carefully for any spelling or grammatical errors. This is especially important with resumes. If employers are looking to narrow down a pile of resumes, it is awfully easy to throw out those that have errors in them.
 * 1. Be sure your resume is organized and well planned. You can organize your resume in different ways, but the following order is the most common. Be sure to always put your name and contact information a the top, before the following information. || //Objective// - state what kind of job or internship you're looking for

__Filling Out Application Forms__
Many of you have already had the opportunity to fill out application forms, and write resumes in your career studies course. This activity requires you to correct and critique other people's resumes and applications. Through this activity, you may become more aware of the types of mistakes that are commonly made in resumes and applications.

In this assignment, you will be reviewing two credit card applications, and two resumes. You will be choosing one candidate to grant a credit card to, and one candidate to hire. You are basing your decision solely on the application and resume, but it is important to note than in the real world, a credit card application must go through a financial credit check, to make sure you don't have any other debts.

As you review these documents, remember the reasons why you are making your choice. **//When you are done reviewing all four documents, write a 3-paragraph essay making your decision and outlining your reasons for it. Make sure you use specific examples to back up your decision. Post your decision in the Portfolio section of your blog.//**

Credit Card Application 1 (in pdf format) Credit Card Application 2 (in pdf format) Resume 1 (in pdf format) Resume 2 (in pdf format)

**Activity 5**
Read the following poem, and then complete assignment 6. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could. To where it bent in the undergrowth, Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost ||
 * ===The Road Not Taken===

Assignment 6
__Journal__

Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" depicts an image of a solitary traveler who has come to a fork in the road in his journey and must make a decision on which way to proceed. In life, you will make many decisions regarding your career choices and employment paths.


 * **Regarding employment, what decisions have you made so far that have ultimately changed the course of your life?**
 * **What decisions have others made that have influenced you?**
 * **What employment choices are important to you?**
 * **How will you determine your employment path?**
 * **What decisions are involved to achieve your employment goals?**

In your response, be sure to respond in a thorough and insightful fashion. Post it to the learning log section of your blog

What is the Virtual Job Fair?
This is a place - a "virtual" place - where jobs are posted and applications are accepted. Here you will be playing roles.


 * You will be the **employer** with a job that needs to be filled who is posting a **Help Wanted** ad.
 * You will also be the **hopeful employee** who is looking for a job in the Help Wanted ads and applying to jobs that sound interesting.
 * This is the Virtual Job Fair! You and your classmates will be both the employers and the people looking for jobs.

You as the Employer
Perhaps someday you will have a business and will be looking for someone to work for you. What will you be looking for in that person?
 * During this course you have practiced your skills in communication and interviewing. As an employer what will you look for?
 * What kind of business would you like to run someday?
 * Can you imagine yourself hiring another person?
 * Will you be looking for someone with a friendly personality who likes to work with others?
 * Will you be looking for someone who is a good communicator?
 * Will that person need some specialized workplace skills?

You as the Hopeful Employee
Perhaps you have already applied for a job. Probably you will be applying for several jobs during your working career. Statistics seem to show that most people change jobs over 5 times during their lives. What should you look for in a job? > This role will give you an opportunity to practice some of those skills.
 * How do you prepare yourself for a job application?
 * During this course you have investigated many different ways to communicate.
 * Do you want a job with a friendly, comfortable working environment?
 * Do you want a job with a lot of security? Money?
 * Do you prefer working in the days or nights? Does that matter to you?
 * Do you have any special interests that could become workplace skills?

Assignment 7a - Planning your Ideal Business
In this part of the Virtual Job Fair, you will be playing the role of the Employer. You are a person with a business who is looking for someone to work for you. Start by thinking about your business. Is it a home renovation company? Do you have a hair salon? Are you running a transportation company? Are you an agent who books concerts for musical groups?

When you think about your ideal business, it's a good idea to start by thinking about your ideal job. Remember you will be working there too.

Step 1: Planning
You may be as creative as you want to be, but there are some components that you need. You **must** have at least **three** of the following items:
 * a business card with logo
 * an advertisement poster/flyer with graphics
 * a story board for a video commercial
 * a brochure with some promotional items
 * a web site
 * a yellow pages entry for your business
 * a newspaper ad or radio commercial spot with a song or jingle

Note: You must finish, and submit to me, the above tasks before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Creating Your Virtual Job Fair Entry

 * Describe your target audience. What are you looking for in an employee?
 * Describe your business and the job. What does your business offer the community? What part in that business will the employee have?
 * Include demographics such as community statistics or size of town/city if the job involves moving to a specific place.
 * Include any skills, education, or certificate that you require in an employee.

Assignment 7b - Writing a Job Ad
In the body language interview in Unit 2 you were asked about the ideal job for you. That ideal job is probably related to the virtual business that you are creating in this project. Did you use the Ideal Job checklist in the first part of this project? It is now time to do some research on the Internet and find out more about that job.

Step 3: Research
Research information about the skills and experience a person in that career might need. If you want some ideas about job ads, check your local newspaper or go to the workopolis sites on the Internet. There are thousands of ads there for you to view, and some of them may provide excellent samples of what you can do in this assignment.
 * Did you see any ads for people in similar jobs?
 * What did they contain?
 * How did they list the qualities of the ideal employee?
 * Imagine your business has been extremely successful during the past year. You are now in a position to hire another employee.
 * What are the qualities or skills that you will want in this employee?
 * YOU are the boss!! Be picky! Go for the best! Be sure to ask for the best.


 * You have 2 tasks in this part of the project.**

**Step 4: The Rough Ad**
In a well-written paragraph, describe **five qualities** that you want this employee to have. Post to the Portfolio section of your blog.

**Step 5: The Job Ad**

 * U**sing techniques you learned when you created your advertising pamphlet, design, write, and create a job posting ad for the Virtual Job Fair. Include all the features of the job that are important and don't forget to add all the skills that the ideal candidate will have. When finished, either post to your blog or submit to the drop off box.

Assignment 7c - Applying to a Job

 * There are three steps:**
 * Step #1:** Choose a job ad.
 * Step #2:** Apply to that job by preparing a resume. Make up 'pretend' personal information, such as phone #, address, etc., if you do not want your classmates to know these things about you.
 * Step #3:** Send your resume to the person who posted the job and post a copy in the Portfolio section of your blog. It should be such a good fit with the job requirements that you become the obvious candidate for the job.

This assignment allows you to demonstrate everything you know about good writing.

Assignment 7d - Off to the Virtual Job Fair

 * There are 4 tasks to this visit.**


 * Task #1: Visit all the Virtual Booths at the Fair.**
 * Complete the Checklist Template for each booth.
 * You can save it and use it to submit a record of your visit to me.
 * Be sure to include something in the 'Comments' column.
 * Submit your checklist for each Booth you visit.

Find one business person at the fair to interview. Arrange to meet that person in a meeting for a conversation.
 * Task #2: Interview another person at the fair.**

Discuss your observations of the various booths. For example you should state which booths are effective and give your reasons. Use the checklist from Task #1 for some ideas for picking the most effective booths.
 * Task #3: Feedback**

Discuss suggestions and feedback for the other business people. Remember to use an encouraging tone. This discussion will be evaluated using the same Discussion Rubric you have been using all through the course.

Owners of the businesses may wish to fine-tune their presentations. If so, that is fine. In fact, that is what should happen in a real workplace. Make sure your three promotional items from Part 1 are included. Update your own entry if you wish.
 * Task #4: Fine tune your display booth**


 * Don't forget to check the Virtual Job Fair Rubric which will be used to evaluate the overall project.**

Assignment 8
====In this assignment you will reflect on what you have learned in Unit 5. Post your metacognitive reflection to the Learning Log Section of your blog. Complete the Looking Back worksheet and either post it to the Practice section of your blog or submit to me via drop box.====