“If you’ll be searching for a job in 2015, don’t just apply the same old tired job search advice about expanding your network, improving your social media presence and cleaning up your résumé. Those things matter, of course, but they’re hardly revolutionary. Instead, here are some New Year’s resolutions to truly kick off your search from a position of strength.” A. Green, US News
ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key
Excerpt: 6 Resolutions That Will Land You a Job in 2015 By A. Green-USNews
1. Go for quality over quantity in your job applications.
“You might be tempted to apply to as many jobs as possible, figuring that doing so will increase your odds of being called for an interview. But in practice, this usually means that you’ll end up “résumé-blasting” – sending out tons of applications without customizing your résumé and cover letter to the particular openings you’re applying for. Employers can tell when you’re submitting the same generic application you’ve submitted to dozens of other places, and you have a far lower chance of catching their eyes.”
Choose quality over quantity. Photo- Smashcave
2. Write better cover letters.
“If you’re like most job seekers, your cover letter is, well, bland and pretty boring… Your cover letter should add new information to your candidacy, such as personal traits, work habits and why you’re genuinely interested in the job.” For Help Visit ESL Voices Business Section
3. Learn from past mistakes.
“Effectively job searching isn’t just about getting a job offer; it’s about identifying jobs where you’ll excel and be happy and avoiding the ones where you won’t.”
Learn from past mistakes. Photo- SFU
4. Stop agonizing about when or whether you’ll hear back from an employer.
“One of the worst parts of job hunting is sitting around and wondering when you’ll hear back from an employer after you interview or submit an application, and trying to read into every tiny sign from an employer.”
ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Language Skills: Reading, writing, and speaking. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.
Time: Approximately 2 hours.
Materials: Student handouts (from this lesson) access to news article.
Objective: Students will read and discuss the article with a focus on improving reading comprehension and learning new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express their personal views on the topic through group work and writing.
I. Pre-Reading Activities
Analyzing headings and photos
Directions: Have students examine the titles of the post and of the actual article. After they examine the photos, ask students to create a list of words and ideas that they think might be related to this article.
II. While Reading Tasks
Word Inference
Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary, thesaurus, and Word Chart for assistance.
- You might be tempted to apply to as many jobs as possible.
- You need to customize your résumé.
- Employers can tell when you’re submitting the same generic application.
- Write cover letters that ensure that your résumé highlights the qualifications being sought.
- If you’re like most job seekers, your cover letter is bland.
- Your cover letter should add new information to your candidacy.
- Avoid making mistakes in the future by reflecting on what red flags you ignored in the past.
- Vow to heed warning signs this time around.
- Stop agonizing about when or whether you’ll hear back from an employer.
- This approach won’t hurt your chances.
Word Map Education Oasis.
Reading Comprehension
True /False/NA-Statements
Directions: Review the following statements from the reading. If a statement is true they mark it T. If the statement is not applicable, they mark it NA. If the statement is false they mark it F and provide the correct answer.
- When sending out job applications the rule is quantity over quality.
- It’s better to send out a large number of applications.
- You should write cover letters that are specific to each job.
- Your cover letter should summarize the experiences that’s already listed on your résumé.
- Your cover letter should add new information to your candidacy.
- Identify apply for those jobs where you’ll excel and be happy.
- Don’t spend time reflecting on red flags that you ignored in the past.
- An unpleasant interviewer is an example of a red flag.
- Your résumé should be detailed.
- Don’t sit around waiting to hear back from an employer after you interview.
Grammar Focus
Structure and Usage
Directions: The following groups of sentences are from the article. One of the sentences in each group contains a grammatical error. Students are to identify the sentence (1, 2, or 3 ) from each group that contains the grammatical error.
I
- You might be tempted to apply to the many jobs as possible.
- Employers can tell when you’re submitting the same generic application.
- You have a far lower chance of catching their eyes.
II
- Send out fewer applications, and spend time customizing each.
- Write cover letters that is specific to each job.
- Ensure that your résumé highlights speak directly to the qualifications being sought.
III
- Your cover letter are probably bland and pretty boring.
- It likely doesn’t do much more than summarize the experience that’s already listed on your résumé.
- Effectively job searching isn’t just about getting a job offer.
III. Post Reading Tasks
WH-How Questions
Directions: Have students use the WH-question format to discuss or to write the main points from the article.
Who or What is the article about?
Where does the action/event take place?
When does the action/event take place?
Why did the action/event occur?
How did the action/event occur?
Discussion/Writing Exercise
Directions: Place students in groups and have them answer the following questions. Afterwards, have the groups share their thoughts as a class. To reinforce the ideas, students can write an essay on one of the following discussion topics.
1. The following four statements were taken from the article. Rephrase each one, then discuss the meaning with the members of your group.
“You might be tempted to apply to as many jobs as possible, figuring that doing so will increase your odds of being called for an interview… Employers can tell when you’re submitting the same generic application you’ve submitted to dozens of other places, and you have a far lower chance of catching their eyes.”
“Send out fewer applications, and spend time customizing each. Write cover letters that are specific to each job you’re applying for, and ensure that your résumé highlights speak directly to the qualifications being sought. If your application package is identical every time you send it out, that’s a sign that you need to be more targeted in your approach.”
“Avoid making similar mistakes in the future by reflecting on what red flags you ignored in the past – such as an unpleasant interviewer or a culture that didn’t feel like a fit – and vowing to heed warning signs this time around.”
“Do yourself a favor, and vow to move on mentally after applying or interviewing. Tell yourself you didn’t get the job so that you’re not sitting around agonizing about why you haven’t heard anything, and let it be a pleasant surprise if they do contact you. This approach won’t hurt your chances, and it will make you a whole lot happier in the meantime.”
3-2-1-Writing
Directions: Allow students 5 minutes to write down three new ideas they’ve learned about job hunting from the reading, two things they did not understand in the reading, and one thing they would like to know that the article did not mention. Review the responses as a class.