Griffin S-4.21

Career Development Activities

Introduction to Business & Technology

Activity Details/Skills Covered

Cover Letter Writing Lesson on cover letter writing was given. Sample cover letters were used as a guide.
Students then went to various websites and searched for a job posting of their choice
from the following: Data Processing Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Secretary, Office
Clerk, Data Entry Clerk, or Receptionist. Students then had to create a cover letter
based on a job posting they found.

Resume Writing A resume is a picture of job candidate’s qualifications for a particular job. In real life it
is very important that everything you include in your resume is honest and accurate.
Students will create a professional resume that can be considered industry
appropriate.

Career Exploration -Students will use GACollege411 to research careers related to the Career Pathway
- Data Processing Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Secretary, Office Clerk, Data Entry
Clerk, or Receptionist

Student Portfolio This activity is designed to guide students through the career development process.
Internet Activity Each student will complete a series of various types of assessments that will help
guide them in selecting the career area for which they are best suited. They can use
GaCollege411.

Portfolio Summary This activity is a follow up activity to the Student Portfolio Internet Activity. Students
are to review the results of the career assessments and reflect upon what they have
discovered about themselves as it relates to identifying their career options.

Career Scavenger Students will follow a guided worksheet that explores professional career options that
Hunt interest them. They will answer the questions in the guided worksheet. This will help
students target in on a career that matches students skills and interest.

Mock Interview -Students will complete 15 interview common interview questions. Read these
common interview questions and write an answer for each. Then trade worksheets
with a partner and ask each other the questions. Answer each question as if you are in
an interview. They will perform mock interviews on other classmates to sharpen the
student’s interview skills.

Business Communications & Presentation

Activity Details/Skills Covered

Cover Letter Writing Lesson on cover letter writing was given. Sample cover letters were used as a
guide. Students then went to various websites and searched for a job posting of
their choice from the following: Office Manager, Data Entry, Bookkeeper, Tellers,
or Customer Service Representative. Students then had to create a cover letter
based on the job posting they found.

Resume Writing Lesson on resume writing was given. Students were also given sample resumes.
Students then used the job posting they found from the above activity to create a
resume.

Career Exploration -Students will use internet researches such as but not limited to GaCollege411
- Accountant, Business Lawyer, Financial Advisor, Tellers, or Customer Service
Representative

Mock Interview -Students will complete 15 interview common interview questions. Read these
common interview questions and write an answer for each. Then trade worksheets
with a partner and ask each other the questions. Answer each question as if you are
in an interview. They will perform mock interviews on other classmates to sharpen
the student’s interview skills.

Career This activity is a follow up activity to the Student Portfolio Internet Activity.
Assessment/Inventories Students are to review the results of the career assessments and reflect upon what
they have discovered about themselves as it relates to identifying their career
options.

Professional Dress -Students researched the appropriate attire for various job settings/scenarios:
company picnic, business meeting, interview, and casual Friday

-Had “Dress for Success” Day to show off and demonstrate the appropriate attire

Public Speaking Students will follow a guided worksheet that explores professional career options
Assignment that interest them. They will answer the questions in the guided worksheet. This
will help students target in on a career that matches students skills and interest.

MOCK COVER LETTER

Date

Contact Person's Name
Contact Person's Position or Title
Company's Name
Company's Street Address
Company's City, State, and ZIP Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Contact Person's Name:

The first paragraph should describe where you found the listing.
 Example: I am writing to apply for the XX position you recently listed with the MiraCosta
College Career Center.

The second paragraph should highlight the special skills, abilities, experience, and education you have
that pertain to the specific job or internship you are applying for. Review the job description, especially
the desired qualifications, and develop a few sentences about how your skills and experience closely
match those the employer is seeking. This is your opportunity to really sell yourself and let the reader
know why you are the best candidate.

 Include an education statement. Example: I am currently attending MiraCosta College and will
complete my certificate program or AA Degree in XX by spring, [year]. I maintained a 3.5 GPA
and am a member of the President’s List. You may briefly describe classes you completed and
the skills you acquired, and/or describe work experience and how your skills relate to their
desired qualifications; you must decide what from your background is most closely related to
the candidate the employer is seeking.

 Examples of employer desired qualifications in a job listing;
Must have strong communication skills
Coordinate with various staff and management

Work as a liaison between different departments
Ability to build strong relationships between staff and management
 Example of skill/qualification statement to match;
In my position as XX, I utilized effective communication skills while coordinating with
staff and management from different departments, resulting in strong professional
relationships.

The closing paragraph should refer to your attached resume and a timeline to schedule an interview.
 Example: I am confident that my knowledge and abilities will be of value to your company. I
am requesting a few minutes of your time to discuss my qualifications, and will contact you to
arrange a meeting. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Thank you for your consideration of my application.

Sincerely,

Student Name

Resume Assignment:

A resume is a picture of job candidate’s qualifications for a particular job. In real life it is very important
that everything you include in your resume is honest and accurate.

Use the document in this link as a resume guide
http://www.cityofboston.gov/Images_Documents/Teen_Resume_Guide_tcm3-31427.pdf

1. This assignment is to start your resume. Begin by going on Naviance.com and filling in your
resume information on the program.

2. Then go to Microsoft Publisher and click on publications for print and then click resume. Choose a
template to place your own information in.

1. Start with your name ,address, phone number, and email address

2. Goal/objective - this should be specific to the job opening that you are seeking

3. Education- this should be in agreement with the education necessary for your job goal
(example: if you want to be a doctor you need to go to medical school). It should be in
order either by most recent at the top. You should include the full name of each school
and address , leave spaces between each school

4. Work Experience – this should include at least 2 job or internship experiences. You
should also include the dates that you worked each job. If you still work there say “to
present”. Leave a space between job experiences.

5. Volunteer work- list all volunteer experience and dates

6. Clubs and extracurricular activities – clubs, music lessons, sports etc. include dates

7. Notes/awards/honors- throughout middle school or high school include dates

8. References- you need three references. These are people, other than relatives that
know something about your ability to do work. You may use your friend’s name, but
make them professors at the schools you attended or managers at the companies
where you have worked. Also include the person address and phone number. Leave a
space between each reference

CAREER EXPLORATION ASSIGNMENT SHEET

Name: __________________________ Date:_______________________________

Grade: __________________________ Class: ______________________________

After taking the CHOICES PROFILER interest assessment answer the
following:

What are your top 2 or 3 interest areas? 1. ____________________.
2. ___________________ 3. __________________________.

(Artistic, Enterprising, Realistic, Conventional, Investigative)

MVHS’s Career Pathways are: Arts & Communication, Business &
Marketing, Technology & Industry, Health & Human Services, Science &

Natural Resources

Please complete the following questions from the occupation you’ve chosen to explore:

Title of Occupation: ___________________
Career Pathway: ______________________

What are some typical tasks for this occupation (list 3)?

What are the educational and/or training requirements for this occupation?
What are the working conditions?
:
What are some similar occupations?

What are the average earnings? __________________________

Write down the top aptitudes required for this job:

What is the job outlook? Are there lots of openings for this type of work? Example: stable, decreasing,
increasing etc.

What high school courses are recommended that you take? Print out this page. What is the highest
level math suggested?

Write down some helpful websites you can check out?

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Pick one school you are interested in that offers the training/education required for the occupation you
explored? _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

What is the major/program that you are interested in: _____________________________

Where is this school located (address)?________________________________________
Phone: ________________ E-mail: ___________________ Web Site _______________

Campus setting: __________________

What type of student housing is available? ____________________________________
Entrance difficulty? _______________ Application deadline __________________

What entrance exams are required?
_______________________________________________________________________

Application deadline:______________ Entrance Difficulty: ___________________

Costs: Resident Tuition ___________

Annual fees ___________

Room & Board ___________

Other ___________
TOTAL $___________

Updated 11/06

PROFESSIONAL DRESS

Directions: Using the links below (or websites that you can find on Professional Dress) as references,
copy and paste pictures underneath each heading of attire you would wear to different business
situations. Save as: professionaldress and submit.

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/workplacesurvival/a/professionalism.htm
http://www.jwilliamsstaffing.com/job-tips/professionalism-in-the-workplace/
http://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/dress-impression.htm
http://www.ehow.com/info_8238858_professionalism-affect-workplace.html
http://work.chron.com/dress-language-workplace-5186.html
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/businesscasual.htm

Professional Dress Business Interview
Company Picnic You are interviewing for a promotion within
You have been invited to a company picnic your company. Show three pictures of
where your bosses, co-workers, and clients will appropriate dress for this occasion based on
attend. There will be BBQ and all the fixings. your gender.
Children and spouses are also invited. It is a hot
July day. Show three pictures of appropriate
dress for this occasion based on your gender.

Business Meeting Casual Friday
You are having a meeting with a potential client Although you work in a professional setting,
to talk about an upcoming marketing campaign. Fridays are generally considered to be business
You are the head of the team that is making the casual. This doesn’t mean blue jeans, shorts, or
presentation to the client. Your immediate t-shirts, but a little less formal than the business
supervisor will also be on hand to watch. Show dress for the rest of the week. Show three
three pictures of appropriate dress for this pictures of appropriate dress for this occasion
occasion based on your gender. based on your gender.

Career Search Scavenger Hunt (with the internet)

1. The three careers that interest me most are ________________________________,
_______________________________, and ________________________________
The three websites where I can find these careers are _______________________.

_______________________________, and _______________________________.

2. My favorite career out of the three is ______________________________________
because ____________________________________________________________

Website: __________________________________________________

3. The amount of money I would make each year from doing this job is $___________
Website: __________________________________________________

4. The benefits I would receive from this job are _______________________________
Website: __________________________________________________

5. The skills I would need for this job are _____________________________________
Website: __________________________________________________

6. The education level I would need to have for this job (college, tech school, etc.) is
_______________________. Website: __________________________________

7. I would get this education at _____________________________________ because
_______________________. Website: __________________________________

8. My second choice for a place to get this education would be ___________________
because ____________________. Website: ______________________________

9. Name 3 good places on the internet to find information about jobs that are avail-able and
how to apply to them. ____________________________________________,
_______________________________, and ________________________________

10. Name one good website to go to in order to figure out what type of job would be best for
you: __________________________________________________________

Common Interview Questions Worksheet

Directions: Read these common interview questions and write an answer for each. Then trade
worksheets with a partner and ask each other the questions. Answer each question as if you are in an
interview. Do not look at your written answers.
1. Why do you want this job?

2. How would you describe yourself?

3. What is your favorite subject in school and why is it your favorite?

4. What are your hobbies or interests?

5. What did you do at your last job?

Continued on the next page

6. What was your greatest accomplishment at your last job?
7. Give an example of a conflict or problem you had at school or at a job and describe what you did

about it.
8. What are your strengths?
9. Are you a self-starter? Explain.
10. Do you work well under pressure? Explain.
11. What did you like best about your last job?

Continued on the next page

12. What type of supervisor or management style suits you?
13. What are your career goals and how are you working toward them?
14. What do you already know about our organization?
15. Why should we hire you?

Public speaking worksheet

To give a good speech there are a whole lot of things you need to think about beforehand, and not just
what you’re going to say. Use this worksheet to work out what.

What are some of the things you need to think about as preparation the night before?

1. ____________________ Now, when I was
just a small boy…

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

How can you use body language to your advantage?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
What are some ideas for using your voice well?

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

What are some characteristics of a bad public speaker?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

What are some characteristics of a good public speaker?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________