Job Application
True or False: Job applications are only online nowadays.
False!
You can apply to jobs online or ask for a physical job application in-person.
True or False: Hard skills are more important to hiring managers than soft skills.
False!
Hard skills and soft skills are important to hiring managers. They are looking for well-rounded employees!
True or False: It's possible to send the same cover letter for several job applications.
False!
Cover letters have to be tailored to the specific job application/company/position.
True or False: Thank you emails are becoming more popular than thank you letters sent in the mail.
True!
What is a reference?
A reference is someone that can speak to your experience and skills. Hiring managers will call your references to get more information about you as a candidate.
True or False: You can only apply to jobs that you have related previous experience for.
False!
Related previous experience helps, but you don't need it to apply for a certain job.
True or False: Hiring managers can assess your hard skills by looking at your resume, cover letter, and job application.
True!
Hard skills are technical, so hiring managers can tell what your hard skills are by seeing your certifications and past experience!
After you write your cover letter, what should you always do before you send it?
Proofread/double-check spelling and grammar/ask someone to read it, check for mistakes & give suggestions
True or False: Thank you letters/emails are another way to show gratitude and manners and highlight your strengths and skills.
True!
True or False: Your reference cannot be related to you (ex: family members).
True!
References should be professional contacts, (in most cases) you can't have a family member give a reference for a job.
Which parts of your job application should you tailor/edit to fit the job description?
Resume and Cover Letter
*BONUS* interview answers & references
True or False: You have to wait for a job interview or your first few weeks on the job to show your soft skills.
True!
Soft skills are people/interpersonal skills, so you have to meet people in-person to show your soft-skills.
True or False: Your cover letter should complement your resume and highlight more information instead of just repeating what's already there.
True!
This is your chance to introduce yourself and your strengths in a more personal way (more than just bullet points)!
True or False: You should always address your thank you letter/email to the person that you interviewed with (Dear [Name / Title]...)
True!
Unlike a cover letter, you've already met with the person who will be reading your thank-you, so make sure to address it to them personally!
Who could you use as a reference?
Previous manager/boss, co-workers, guidance counselors, teachers, CCAP case managers, etc.
Where should you look for key words in a job description or listing?
Required/Preferred Qualifications, Responsibilities/Job Tasks, etc.
*Key words can be anywhere in a job description/listing*
Name 1 Hard Skill
What should you include in your cover letter?
The position you're seeking, your interest in the job, your experience/skills, your contact information
What should you include in a thank you letter?
Expression of gratitude (thank you for taking the time to meet with me), continued interest in the job (I am even more excited about the opportunity), highlight your skills/experience, topics discussed during the interview (you mentioned...)
True or False: You should include your references on your resume.
False!
Most job applications ask for your references and their contact information online or on the paper form. You can also make a reference sheet to attach to your job application or bring into your interview.
What should you do if you don't have related previous experience for a job you're applying to?
Talk about your other work skills that could be helpful, try to bridge the gap between different experiences (for example, customer service is a good skill for food service and office work).
Name 3 Soft Skills
Examples: communication, flexibility, initiative, teamwork, leadership, integrity, awareness, presentation, problem-solving, respect, responsibility, time management
Name 3 parts of a cover letter.
Examples: heading, greeting, introduction, body paragraph, closing paragraph/contact information, signature
Why is it important to mention specific topics that were discussed during the interview?
1) It reminds the interviewer about your conversation, and 2) it shows that you were engaged and paying attention
False!
All parts of your job application are important because they offer different information and perspectives. While you describe your qualifications in your resume, cover letter, and interview, your references can describe how you work for other people, what you are like as an employee, if you actually are a hard worker, etc.