Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Professional Communications
Session Title: Employ Me
Lesson Duration: Approximately four 90-minute class periods
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to research professional communications
and apply for employment.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with the lesson.
2. Define the career environment.
3. Identify career preparation criteria.
4. Describe components of a cover letter.
5. Discuss components of a job application.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
130.99 (C)
(1) The student applies English language arts in professional communications projects. The
student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate use of content, technical concepts, and vocabulary;
(B) use correct grammar, punctuation, and terminology to write and edit documents;
(D) compose and edit copy for a variety of written documents;
(E) evaluate oral and written information; and
(F) research topics for the preparation of oral and written communications.
(2)
The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) adapt language for audience, purpose, situation, and intent;
(B) organize oral and written information;
(C) interpret and communicate information, data, and observations;
(D) present formal and informal presentations;
(E) apply active listening skills;
(F) develop and interpret tables, charts, and figures; and
(G) listen to and speak with diverse individuals.
(4)
The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use
personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation,
and spreadsheet or database applications for professional communications projects.
(5)
The student understands communications systems. The student is expected to:
(A) describe the nature and types of businesses;
(B) analyze and summarize the history and evolution of the various related fields of
study; and
(C) analyze the economic base in order to demonstrate an understanding of the
economic factors influencing the industry as a whole.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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(10) The student develops an understanding of professional communications through
exploration of the career cluster. The student is expected to:
(F) use a variety of strategies to acquire information from electronic resources;
(G) acquire electronic information in a variety of formats; and
(H) use research skills and electronic communications.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Ensuring Success for Every Student: A Resource Guide for School Counselors .Achieve
Texas in Action. from http://achievetexas.org/Resources.htm
Build Your Future. O*Net. from http://www.onetonline.org/
Cover Letter. Wikipedia. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_letter
Background Check. Wikipedia. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_check
Instructional Aids:
1. Employ Me slide presentation
2. Employ Me: Submitting a Professional Application
3. Completing a Job Application
4. Employ Me: Career Presentation Rubric
Materials Needed:
If student computers are not available for the application activities, students will need:
1. Pen or pencil
2. Paper
3. Copy of Employ Me: Submitting a Professional Application
Equipment Needed:
1. Student computers with desktop publishing software, presentation software, and online
capability
2. Teacher computer with desktop publishing software, the ability to display slide presentation,
and online access
3. Printer (optional)
Learner
None.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
DO:
Conduct a poll of the students in your classroom. Ask them what types of jobs
they would like to have when they graduate high school. Record responses
on the board. Look for trends (such as most students wanting to be doctors,
lawyers, or professional athletes) to help guide students toward making
decisions based on true interests and abilities rather than stardom.
ASK: Ask students to share the reasons why they want these types of jobs.
ASK: Ask students if they know what type of knowledge, ability, education, and
training is required to make these types of jobs realistic possibilities.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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SAY: Over the next few days we will be exploring careers that are in alignment with
your interests and aptitudes. We will be looking at the work environment for
these positions as well as the education and training requirements. You will
become an expert on a career and then share your expertise with your
classmates.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Define terms associated with the lesson.
A. Application – form used in requesting a
position with a potential employer
B. Background check – the process of looking
into the criminal and financial records of an
individual as part of the hiring process
C. Cover letter – an introduction to a potential
employer in response to a known job
application, to inquire about potential job
positions, or to network and request
information or assistance
D. Employment verification – the process of
verifying the employment information on a
job application is accurate
E. Reference – a person that can attest to
another’s character or ability
F. Résumé – a short account of one's career
and qualifications prepared typically by an
applicant for a position
1. Chronological – begins with work history
(most recent position listed first)
2. Functional – focuses on skills and
experience rather than employment
3. Scannable – résumé that can be read by
a computer for key words (does not
include advanced formatting)
Use the slide presentation to
discuss key terms.
II. Define the career environment.
A. Tasks
B. Tools and technology
C. Work activities
D. Work context
E. Interests
F. Work styles
G. Work values
H. Wages and employment trends
Use O* Net to illustrate and
discuss the various
categories of work
environment for a specific
career.
III. Identify career preparation criteria.
A. Knowledge
B. Skills
C. Abilities
Use O* Net to illustrate and
discuss the various
categories of career
preparation criteria for a
specific career.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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D. Education
E. Training
F. Certification
IV. Discuss components of a cover letter.
A. Header
1. Sender’s address
2. Date
3. Recipient’s address
4. Salutation
B. Introduction
1. Reference to specific job
2. Eye catching introduction
C. Body
1. Highlights information in application or
résumé
2. Skills
3. Qualifications
4. Past experience
5. Description of job fit or value of individual
to organization
D. Closing
1. Sums up the letter
2. Action the applicant intends to take
3. Valediction
4. Signature line
Key Point: A cover letter
follows the guidelines of a
standard business letter.
Since a cover letter is often
the first impression an
employer has of a potential
employee, it is critical that
excellent spelling, grammar,
and writing skills be used in
constructing the document.
V. Discuss components of a job application.
A. Personal information
B. Education
C. Computer skills
D. Previous employment
Key Point: Be as accurate
and complete as possible on
job applications since many
employers verify information
as part of the hiring process.
If you complete the
application by hand, use your
best handwriting to make
sure your information is clear
and readable.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
•
•
Demonstrate how students should access the online career interest/aptitude
survey available on your campus. Results should be archived for each student to
use in future coursework. A list of career interest/aptitude surveys can be found
on the AchieveTexas website (http://achievetexas.org).
Using a theoretical career title, demonstrate how students access the O*Net and
search career environment information as well as career preparation
requirements.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
•
•
Students should complete an online career interest/aptitude survey (if they have
not already completed one as part of another course).
Students will use the results from the survey to research a career using the
O*Net and summarize their findings into a presentation to share with the class.
Presentations must include:
- Creativity in expression
- Professional presentation design
- Professional text formatting
- Professional graphics
- Graphic/content source citations
- Excellent spelling, grammar, and writing
- Appropriate vocabulary
Note: Distribute and discuss the rubric so students understand how they will be
evaluated.
•
Students will complete the Employ Me: Submitting a Professional Application
activities.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Q: What is a cover letter?
A: An introduction to a potential employer in response to a known job application, to
inquire about potential job positions, or to network and request information or
assistance.
Q: What are the components of a cover letter?
A: Header, Introduction, Body, and Closing
Q: Why is it important to use excellent spelling, grammar, and writing skills in
a cover letter?
A: A cover letter is often the first impression an employer has of a potential
employee.
Q: What is a job application?
A: A form used in requesting a position with a potential employer.
Q: What are the major components of a job application?
A: Personal information, Education, Computer/Technical skills, and Employment
history
Q: Why is it important to be accurate and thorough when completing a job
application?
A: Many employers verify information as part of the hiring process.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher should circulate while students are working on the various assignment
components to ensure students are staying on track and completing the
assignments correctly. The teacher should redirect learning and/or reteach concepts
when necessary.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Grade the Employ Me: Submitting a Professional Application based on accuracy and
neatness.
Have students present their career presentations in small groups. The teacher will
rotate to evaluate presentations using the rubric.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
•
Students will change their career goals over time. They will be able to utilize the
skills learned in this lesson to research future career goals.
•
Students will apply for multiple jobs and will use the skills from this lesson each
time they apply for a job.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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Employ Me: Submitting a Professional Application
Part I: Editing a Cover Letter
Directions: Edit the following cover letter. Insert proper punctuation, correct misspelled words
and grammar errors, insert paragraph breaks and rewrite sentences to improve the structure as
needed.
June 15 2012
mister john smith
The XYZ Company
12345 main street suite 555
Your Town, texas 77777
Mister
Please consider my application for the customer relations representative position advertised on your Web
site on June 9. I am excited about this opportunity and believe that I have the training, experience to fill
the position because i will graduate from Parker high school next week June 16. In high school i majored in
business education courses in marketing, communications, and accounting and maintained a 3.0 gpa and
worked part-time as a receptionist at a real estate firm, which helped me develop strong interpersonal
communication skills. in my senior year i participated in our schools co-op program. Through this co-op
program i acquired on-the-job experience as an assistant sales correspondent for the value insurance
company. My dutys included: following on customer requests for 6 sales representatives. In this position i
discovered an aptitude for relating to customers and served their needs. I am enclosing a complted app
and resume that will give you an over view of my education, and experience. i would appreciate the
opportunity to talk with you about this positon and I can be reached by e-mail and telephone and my
contact information is above. Thank you for youre time please I hope to hear form you soon.
Love,
kelly
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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Part II: Completing a Job Application
Directions: Complete the following job application form. Key your responses in the spaces
provided or print the information in your very best handwriting.
Personal Information
Last Name
First Name
Address
City
How long at present address?
Phone Number
Middle
Initial
State
Zip
Last four digits of Social Security
Number
What date will you be available for work?
Type of employment desired
______ Full-Time Only
______ Part-Time Only
______ Full or Part-Time
If hired, can you furnish proof that you are legally eligible to work in the United States?
If hired, can you furnish proof of age?
What position are you applying for?
What are your salary requirements?
Hours you will be available to work
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
If yes, please explain
The XYZ Company is a drug-free employer and you will be required to pass a drug screening test as a
condition of employment. I understand and agree to participate in this testing. (
) initials
Computer Software Knowledge
List the software that you have experience using and your level of proficiency for each.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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Educational Information
Name and Address of School
High School
Course of Study
List Diploma or Degree
Other Education/ Training
Employment History
List your two most recent employers, beginning with your present employer.
Company
Address
Start Date
End Date
Supervisor
Salary
Position and Responsibilities
City/State/Zip
Telephone
Company
Address
Reason for Leaving
Start Date
End Date
Supervisor
Salary
Position and Responsibilities
City/State/Zip
Telephone
Reason for Leaving
Signature:____________________________________________ Date:___________________
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Employ Me
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Employ Me: Career Presentation Rubric
Student Name:
Date:
Excellent
4
Above Average
3
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (95100%) the time,
and
mispronounces no
words.
Student is
completely
prepared and has
obviously
prepared for the
discussion.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (95100%) the time, but
mispronounces one
word.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly most (8594%) of the time.
Mispronounces no
more than one
word.
Student seems
Student is
somewhat prepared somewhat prepared
but might have
but it is clear that
needed more
minimal time was
preparation time.
spent preparing for
the discussion.
Often mumbles or
cannot be
understood OR
mispronounces
more than two
words.
Student does not
seem at all
prepared to discuss
the topic.
Discussion: Use Uses vocabulary
appropriate for
of Vocabulary
the group.
Extends group
vocabulary by
defining words
that might be new
to the group.
Discussion:
Stays on topic all
Focus
(95-100%) of the
time.
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for the
group. Included one
or two words that
might be new to the
group but does not
define them.
Uses several (five or
more) words or
phrases that are not
understood by the
group.
Criteria
Discussion:
Clarity of
Speech
Discussion:
Preparedness
Presentation:
Content
All components
are answered
completely and
thoughtfully.
There are no
grammatical
errors in the
presentation.
Presentation:
All components
Professionalism are presented
professionally
(text formatting,
presentation
design, graphics,
source citations,
creativity).
Point to Grade Conversion Scale:
22-24 = A
19-21 = B
17-18 = C
15-16 = D
14 or Below = F
Below Average
2
Uses vocabulary
appropriate for the
audience. Does not
include any
vocabulary that
might be new to the
group.
Poor
1
Stays on topic most Stays on topic some The student does
(85-94%) of the
(75-84%) of the
not stay on topic
time.
time.
and attempts to
redirect or derail
the discussion.
All components are All components are No presentation is
answered
answered but it is
submitted.
completely and
clear that very little
thoughtfully but
thought was
there are some
involved in
(one to five)
completing the
grammatical errors presentation.
in the presentation. Grammatical errors
make the form
difficult to read.
One of the five
More than two of
No presentation is
components are
the five
submitted.
presented
components are
unprofessionally
presented
(text formatting,
unprofessionally
presentation
(text formatting,
design, graphics,
presentation
source citations, or design, graphics,
creativity).
source citations, or
creativity).
TOTAL POINTS:
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