Completing a Job or College Application

1
Completing a Job or College Application

• Senior Advisory October 7th, 2008

2
Things to Consider Before Applying

• The application is usually the first (and
  sometimes only) chance to communicate who you
  are. Remember first impressions
• The accuracy, neatness, and completeness of the
  application says something about what kind of
  employee or student you will be.

Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
3
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Completing
Job / College Applications

• Not Following Directions Something as simple as
  Last Name First can be easily overlooked by an
  applicant. However, employers notice when you do
  not follow instructions, as it may reflect on
  your ability to follow instructions on the job
  or at school.

1 2 3 4 5
Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
4
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Completing
Job / College Applications

• Spelling Mistakes If you are completing a job
  application by hand and do not have the
  convenience of a spellchecker, then stay away
  from big words you arent sure about. Not all of
  us are spelling bee champs and there is nothing
  wrong with that. However, spelling words
  incorrectly on a job or college application looks
  unprofessional.

1 2 3 4 5
Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
5
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Completing
Job / College Applications

• Scribbling Out Words If you are completing an
  application in person, you will only have one
  chance to get it right. (Asking for another
  application because you messed up is not a good
  idea.) If you misspell a word or make a mistake,
  do not fret. Instead, you should draw a clean,
  horizontal line through that word. Never scribble
  things out in a messy fashion.

1 2 3 4 5
Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
6
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Completing
Job / College Applications

• Incompletion Always hand in a complete
  application, leaving no blanks on the form.
  Employers or Admissions would not include these
  questions on the application if they werent
  important to them. If some questions do not apply
  to you, simply add Not Applicable or N/A.

1 2 3 4 5
Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
7
Top 5 Most Common Mistakes When Completing
Job / College Applications

• Using Negative Phrases For obvious reasons,
  employers regard phrases like I quit, I was
  fired and I was terminated as red flags. If a
  job application asks for your reason for leaving,
  simply add Job Ended if you were fired. This
  also applies to college entrance essays.

1 2 3 4 5
Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
8
Final Reminders

• Make sure you know your Social Security Number.
  An incorrect Social Security Number will almost
  always disqualify your application.
• Use your legal name as it appears on your Social
  Security Card and/or Birth Certificate. Nick
  names or other unofficial names will slow down
  and confuse your application.

Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
9
Final Reminders

• Use only 1 E-mail address with all of your
  applications. Multiple e-mail addresses are hard
  to keep track of. Also, remember your E-mail
  address is a reflection of who you are.
• When recording classes you have taken, include
  the classes you PLAN to take during the 2nd
  Semester of your Senior year.

Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
10
Take a LOOK at Your Practice Application
?
?

• READ all the instructions FIRST
• COMPLETE each section
• ASK your Advisory Teacher if you dont understand
  a section, need assistance, would like
  someone to review your work, or have
  any other questions about job or
  college applications

Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons
11
Next Steps

• Use the remaining time in Advisory to discuss WIN
  What Is Next after high school Remember
  that Senior WIN Day is October 15th.
• Visit the Career Center (Mrs. Santana) for more
  information about career and college planning.
• Schedule an appointment with a Counselor if you
  have any other unanswered questions

Raising ExpectationsBroadening Horizons