Workplace Lesson Idea: Applying for a Job
Description
Applying for a job can be a frightening experience for many adults especially
those who have limited English. Practicing interviewing skills in a classroom setting can help students overcome
their nervousness and gain confidence in applying for a job.
Materials
Student Handout: Sample Application Form
Additional sample job applications, resumes and interviewing questions.
You may find helpful exercises in the following texts:
You’re Hired! Book One: Charting Your Career Path (by Marilyn Clark and others).
You’re Hired! Book Two: Getting the Right Job; Proven Resumes and Confidence Builders
(by Marilyn Clark and others).
Suggestions
Have students bring to class information they might need to place on a job application, such as
licenses, past pay stubs, etc.
Include a Warm-up Mixer: for five minutes, have students move around the room asking fellow students if
they know of a company hiring for the job they are seeking.
Target Vocabulary: Resume, application, social security number, previous employment, objective
and qualifications.
Model the process of filling out a job application. Discuss vocabulary terms that are new to the students.
Have students fill out a simple job application .