Unit 4 - World of Work
Unit Focus Questions:
a) How do I find and secure a meaningful career?
b) What are the benefits and costs of working?
c) What are my rights and responsibilities in the work environment?
d) Moving out and finding a place of your own
Topics of Study:
1. Benefits & Costs of Working
2. Discovering your passion
3. Resumes & Cover Letter Tips
5. Pumping up your cover letter
6. Polishing your resume
7. Essential Workplace Skills
8. Employee Mental Health & Work/Personal Life Balance
9. Job Search
10. Interview Preparation
11. Workplace Rights
12. Finding a Place to Live
13. How to get from here to there…
Unit Focus Questions:
a) How do I find and secure a meaningful career?
b) What are the benefits and costs of working?
c) What are my rights and responsibilities in the work environment?
d) Moving out and finding a place of your own
Topics of Study:
1. Benefits & Costs of Working
2. Discovering your passion
3. Resumes & Cover Letter Tips
5. Pumping up your cover letter
6. Polishing your resume
7. Essential Workplace Skills
8. Employee Mental Health & Work/Personal Life Balance
9. Job Search
10. Interview Preparation
11. Workplace Rights
12. Finding a Place to Live
13. How to get from here to there…
Thinking about work...
Discovering Your Passion
"Your work is to discover your work
and then with all your heart
give yourself to it."
- Buddah
A) Watch Sean Aiken's TED Talk (7:30)
B) Sean Aiken - One Week Job Project: About the project
--> Documentary 2:40
C) Sean Aiken - One Week Job Webisodes
- Cancer Care Fundraiser
- Tattoo artist
- Brewmaster
_________________________
--> WRITTEN REFLECTION <-- Write a one page reflection summarizing the main points of Sean Aiken's TED talk and One Week Job Project.
In your response, include:
* What is the "big idea" that Sean is trying to get across to people in his TED talk?
* What was the purpose of his One Week Job Project? Why did he do it and what did he learn?
* How does watching this video make you feel about your career plans so far? What will you (re-)consider in your future plans?
_________________________
Finding and Applying for work:
Finding Job Postings
Where to look? You could start here.
Or... Here --> Workopolis
...or check out the website of a company you're interested in!
Resumes:
A) Resume Information Tips (~2min)
B) Common Job Resume Mistakes (~2min)
Make personal notes on these tips
Cover Letters:
The purpose of a cover letter is to get your resume to the top of the pile for consideration for the job.
A) Watch --> 10 tips for a better cover letter (6:20 min)
Make personal notes on these tips
B) Watch --> 9 Cover Letter Writing Mistakes (3:52 min)
Make personal notes on these tips
_____________________________________________
- Why do we work? Brainstorm with your table groups.
- What are the Pro's and Con's of working? Brainstorm with your table groups.
- How can we find meaningful/enjoyable work? Brainstorm with table groups.
Discovering Your Passion
"Your work is to discover your work
and then with all your heart
give yourself to it."
- Buddah
A) Watch Sean Aiken's TED Talk (7:30)
B) Sean Aiken - One Week Job Project: About the project
--> Documentary 2:40
C) Sean Aiken - One Week Job Webisodes
- Cancer Care Fundraiser
- Tattoo artist
- Brewmaster
_________________________
--> WRITTEN REFLECTION <-- Write a one page reflection summarizing the main points of Sean Aiken's TED talk and One Week Job Project.
In your response, include:
* What is the "big idea" that Sean is trying to get across to people in his TED talk?
* What was the purpose of his One Week Job Project? Why did he do it and what did he learn?
* How does watching this video make you feel about your career plans so far? What will you (re-)consider in your future plans?
_________________________
Finding and Applying for work:
Finding Job Postings
Where to look? You could start here.
Or... Here --> Workopolis
...or check out the website of a company you're interested in!
Resumes:
A) Resume Information Tips (~2min)
B) Common Job Resume Mistakes (~2min)
Make personal notes on these tips
Cover Letters:
The purpose of a cover letter is to get your resume to the top of the pile for consideration for the job.
A) Watch --> 10 tips for a better cover letter (6:20 min)
Make personal notes on these tips
B) Watch --> 9 Cover Letter Writing Mistakes (3:52 min)
Make personal notes on these tips
_____________________________________________
Your final portfolio entry will include an ADULT COVER LETTER AND RESUME!
Use the suggestions introduced in class to improve your existing documents, OR start fresh!
If you simply include your current resume and cover letter with no "enhancements", you are only doing yourself a dis-service, and your resume will never be improved..... not to mention how it may affect your future job prospects!
Use the time provided in class and ask the teacher for help with wording!
Use the suggestions introduced in class to improve your existing documents, OR start fresh!
If you simply include your current resume and cover letter with no "enhancements", you are only doing yourself a dis-service, and your resume will never be improved..... not to mention how it may affect your future job prospects!
Use the time provided in class and ask the teacher for help with wording!
Cover Letters & ResumesThis is your opportunity to highlight your education and work experience.
1. Be sure the format of your resume, matches the format of your cover letter. Your name and contact information should be formatted exactly the same on both pages. 2. Use a catchy "objective" or "profile" to catch the employers attention and draw them to look deeper at your resume. For example: Instead of… Recent high school grad looking to obtain a full time position within your company. Try… Thoughtful and enthusiastic high school graduate looking to become part of a dynamic work environment and to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal. WOW!!! Tell me more! :) 3. All experiences should be listed beginning with your most recent designations and accomplishments, and dating back to earlier experiences. 4. Keep it to one page for two reasons: a) Employers don't have time to read a two page resume b) Being concise is a desirable trait and is something we should always strive for (e-mails, essays, voicemails, etc.) 5) Be conscious and thoughtful of every sentence you include on your resume. Try to pack as much power into each line to make your experiences stand out above others. Try it now --> Pump up these experiences: 1- worked at a cash register 2- washed dishes 3- cut grass 4- shovelled snow 5- babysat 6- did chores at home 6. Additional Tips: An Awards and/or Accomplishments section should be included if you have qualifications such as Frist Aid, CPR, Lifeguarding, Licences, etc. An "additional skills" section is optional, especially if you have extensive educational and work experience and are limited in space. You should have highlighted your most prominent traits and skills by this point (in your cover letter and resume "profile") that it's not as impactful to start listing off words like "reliable", "responsible", "punctual", etc. at the end of your resume. This would be a good time, however, to list any additional languages you may be fluent in. Bilingualism is a huge bonus when it comes to many jobs. But…. don't put another language down unless you're 100% fluent in it. No Experience? No Problem! Click the link to find out how to market yourself when you have limited work experience. Consider the following steps to guide you in cover letter writing:
1. Use your letterhead at the top of the letter. 2. Along left side, address the letter to recipient. 3. Paragraph 1- Indicate the job you are applying for and where you heard of it. 4. Paragraph 2- Complete a summary of how you fit the job. This will be your largest paragraph and should include wording used in the advertisement. 5. Paragraph 3 - Wrap up your letter and thank the reader for their time. 6. Finish off with "Sincerely," or "Yours truly," **Remember - a cover letter is not intended to re-state what is in your resume!!! |
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Preparing for (and acing!) the Interview
No matter how much you may think you have great social and communication skills, you should ALWAYS prepare for an interview.
Think about it this way...
What would happen if you chose NOT to study for a final exam?
You probably wouldn't do as well as you'd like, and chances are, those who did study, would easily be able to "beat" your score.
Similar to interviews, those who prepare and "study" for the interview will be more likely to outshine someone who does not to prepare. Knowing just a little more about the position and/or company could be what separates you from the successful candidate - Don't let this happen!!
Plus- with a slim job market to begin with, you want to give yourself the best shot at each job opportunity that comes your way!
So, what's the lesson here?
Don't let laziness or procrastination get in the way of you road to financial independence :)
So... how to begin preparing? Find out what some common interview questions are, and rehearse your answers.
Top 10 Interview Questions
top10interviewquestionsandbestanswerslinkforreference-2.pdf | |
File Size: | 84 kb |
File Type: |
Summative Interview Assignment Due: Wednesday Jan 7 |
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Balancing Work & Personal Life
Have you ever heard the adage: "We work to live, and live to work"
What is it suggesting?
- Taking inventory on what's most important to you in life, is your best asset in establishing a healthy "work-personal" life balance.
Sadly, it's all too common for work to become so busy and demanding, that it starts impacting our personal life and relationships.
However...
On the other hand, challenges and trouble in our personal lives an relationships, can also cause our work to suffer.
Think About it...
--> Is it worth taking on extra shifts/overtime just to make a few extra bucks, if it's going to cause significant stress and strife in your personal relationships, and possibly impact your mental health?
--> So, what should a healthy "work-personal" life balance look like?
--> Or, more importantly.... what should it NOT look like?
'The Devil Wears Prada' Video Review & Discussion
What is it suggesting?
- Taking inventory on what's most important to you in life, is your best asset in establishing a healthy "work-personal" life balance.
Sadly, it's all too common for work to become so busy and demanding, that it starts impacting our personal life and relationships.
However...
On the other hand, challenges and trouble in our personal lives an relationships, can also cause our work to suffer.
Think About it...
--> Is it worth taking on extra shifts/overtime just to make a few extra bucks, if it's going to cause significant stress and strife in your personal relationships, and possibly impact your mental health?
--> So, what should a healthy "work-personal" life balance look like?
--> Or, more importantly.... what should it NOT look like?
'The Devil Wears Prada' Video Review & Discussion
Enjoying your Work
hip_workplace_psych.pdf | |
File Size: | 75 kb |
File Type: |
*Employers must take responsibility for managing worker satisfaction & morale, if we want work-related-stress rates to decline
*Employers must understand, that "happy" employees, will complete better work and be more productive
* Even in small companies, little changes can make a big difference the work environment --> Boosting Morale
Team Building - Team building is the use of different types of team interventions that are aimed at enhancing social relations, as well as solving interpersonal problems that affect team functioning
Team Building Activity Ideas
Worker Rights and Responsibilities
What are your responsibilities at work?
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Understanding the WHMIS labels -->
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Finding a Place to Live
- at college
- at university
- in small towns
- in large cities
First thing is first.... Know what you're looking for (and what you're NOT)
rentingaplace--worksheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
File Type: |
Where do you start looking?
Ontario Student Housing - http://www.ontariostudenthousing.com/wluschool1.aspx
Ontario Tenants - http://www.ontariotenants.ca/apartments.phtml
Kijiji - http://www.kijiji.ca/b-apartments-condos/ontario/c37l9004
Important Terms to Know... Before Renting Your First Place
Ontario Student Housing - http://www.ontariostudenthousing.com/wluschool1.aspx
Ontario Tenants - http://www.ontariotenants.ca/apartments.phtml
Kijiji - http://www.kijiji.ca/b-apartments-condos/ontario/c37l9004
Important Terms to Know... Before Renting Your First Place
renting_a_place_to_live_in_ontario.docx | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Meeting with the Landlord
*Some of this pages resources & images are adapted from Mr.Wilson's HIP3E course website @ http://mrwilsons.weebly.com/hip3e.html