Employability Skills Activities

Activity 1:
Create a Persuasive Letter using what youve learned from the PowerPoint.
Persuade a business to be a sponsor for your school, team, organization, etc. Times
New Roman Font, 12 point font 2 paragraphs in length

Activity 2:
Create a Personal Business letter using what youve learned from the PowerPoint.
Complain to a company about an unsatisfactory product or incidence that youve
had there.
2 paragraphs in length.

Activity 3:
Create a Business Letter using what youve learned from the PowerPoint.
Create a letterhead using Paint/Microsoft Office, etc. (Or you may use the one given
to you) Create a business letter using the correct format. Open Complaint Letter
Activity from the share folder.

Activity 4:
Create a Memo to your best friend about your birthday.

Activity 5:

Employability Skills Assignment

Students will use this question to research and gather the data that they will need for this activity. The final activity
submission must be in the form of a Prezi, PowerPoint, PowToon, audio, or video. Be creative with your method of
delivery to the class to make it interesting!

1. What do you think employers expect out of their employees?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. Research the Top 5 Employability Skills that employers look for in their employees.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. Why do you think it is important to have these skills (from #2)?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. Research and list the Top 5 reasons that people lose their jobs and/or are fired.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Personal Goals
1. Think about and list your Top 3 Goals (personal goals) for the next 3 years.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. List 5 things that you must do to achieve the goals listed in #1.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. What are you plans for life immediately after high school (college, trade school, junior
college, work, etc)?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

4. What is your career goal?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
5. List 7-10 things that you must do in order to achieve your career goal listed in #4.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
You will now take this information and present it to the class in the form of a formal presentation
(Prezi, PowerPoint, or PowToon may be used). Be creative!
**See rubric for specific presentation guidelines**

RUBRIC
Questions Completed 9 Questions Total
_____45 pts (5 each)
Presentation Completion
1. Information included for all questions
_____ 10 pts.
2. Related graphics
_____ 10 pts.
3. Design elements and color schemes used
_____ 10 pts.
4. Transitions and Animations
_____ 10 pts.
5. Automatic timing of transitions
_____ 5 pts.
6. Audio included
_____ 10 pts.
Total Points _________/100 pts.

Activity 6

Using Tabs and Tab Leaders

Congratulations! The University of Georgias Admissions
Department has just hired you as an Admissions
Associate. You are going to be in charge of conducting a
meeting to be held with potential students informing
them of various items of interests at UGA. You must
create an Agenda using the following criteria:
School name, meeting name, and Agenda are to be
centered, bold, and 18 font.
Skip two lines
You should format your tabs so that a left tab is 1
and a right tab is 5 with tab leaders.
The following items of interest should be included in
your agenda:

Director
Director
UGA
Students

Introduction...................
UGA Application Process

Your Name
Admissions

Important Deadlines......

Admissions

Admissions Criteria........

Dean of

Cost of UGA...................
Why UGA?......................

Financial Aid
Current

Closing Remarks............

Your Name

 Dont forget to use clipart and fonts that are

professional. The UGA website, www.uga.edu can
help you with pictures.
Activity 7
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Phone Number

Your Name
Objective

What do you want to do?

Work Experience

Company Name
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Job Title
Duties or Achievements
Duties or Achievements

Accomplishments

List one or more things that you have done or a special skill you may have.

Activities

List activities in which you have participated such as scouting, sports teams,
church groups, etc.

Interests

List hobbies, special interests, travel, etc.

Education

Name of High School

Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Dates attended: From Date Present
Name of Middle School
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Dates attended: From Date Present
Name of Elementary School
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Dates attended: From Date Present

References

Name
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Phone Number

Name
Street Number and Name
City, State and Zip Code
Phone Number

Activity 8
Interview Questions and Answers
Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

Job interviews1 are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The
best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard" interview
questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview
questions.
Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for
the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.
Interview Questions: Work History

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. - Best Answers2

What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? - Best Answers3

What were your starting and final levels of compensation? - Best Answers4

What were your responsibilities? - Best Answers5

What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? - Best Answers6

What have you learned from your mistakes? - Best Answers7

What did you like or dislike about your previous job? - Best Answers8

Which was most / least rewarding? - Best Answers9

What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? - Best Answers10

Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. - Best Answers11

What was it like working for your supervisor? - Best Answers12

What do you expect from a supervisor? - Best Answers13

What problems have you encountered at work? - Best Answers14

Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager? - Best Answers15

Who was your best boss and who was the worst? - Best Answers16

Why are you leaving your job? - Best Answers17

Why did you resign? - Best Answers18

Why did you quit your job? - Best Answers19

What have you been doing since your last job? - Best Answers20

Why were you fired? - Best Answers21

Job Interview Questions About You

What is your greatest weakness? - Best Answers22

What is your greatest strength? - Best Answers23

How will your greatest strength help you perform? - Best Answers24

How would you describe yourself? - Best Answers25

Describe a typical work week. - Best Answers26

Describe your work style. - Best Answers27

Do you take work home with you? - Best Answers28

How many hours do you normally work? - Best Answers29

How would you describe the pace at which you work? - Best Answers30

How do you handle stress and pressure? - Best Answers31

What motivates you? - Best Answers32

Are you a self motivator? - Best Answers33

What are your salary expectations? - Best Answers34

What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? - Best Answers35

Tell me about yourself. - Best Answers36

What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? - Best Answers37

What are you passionate about? - Best Answers38

What are your pet peeves? - Best Answers39

What do people most often criticize about you? - Best Answers40

When was the last time you were angry? What happened? - Best Answers41

If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? - Best
Answers42

If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? Best
Answers43

Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? - Best Answers44

Give some examples of teamwork. - Best Answers45

More teamwork interview questions. - Best Answers46

What type of work environment do you prefer? - Best Answers47

How do you evaluate success? - Best Answers48

If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? - Best
Answers49

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. - Best Answers50

Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. - Best Answers51

More job interview questions about your abilities. - Best Answers52

More job interview questions about you. - Best Answers53

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

What interests you about this job? - Best Answers54

Why do you want this job? - Best Answers55

What applicable attributes / experience do you have? - Best Answers56

Are you overqualified for this job? - Best Answers57

What can you do for this company? - Best Answers58

Why should we hire you? - Best Answers59

Why are you the best person for the job? - Best Answers60

What do you know about this company? - Best Answers61

Why do you want to work here? - Best Answers62

What challenges are you looking for in a position? - Best Answers63

What can you contribute to this company? - Best Answers64

Are you willing to travel? - Best Answers65

What is good customer service? - Best Answers66

How long do you expect to remain employed with this company? - Best Answers67

Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know? Best Answers68
Interview Questions: The Future

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers69

What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers70

How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers71

What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? - Best Answers72

Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers73

What will you do if you don't get this position? - Best Answers74
Candidate Specific Job Interview Questions

Customer Service / Retail Interview Questions75

Administrative Assistant Interview Questions76

College Student / Graduate Job Interview Questions 77

Entry Level Interview Questions78

Manager Interview Questions79

Part Time Job Interview Questions80

Phone Job Interview Questions81

Teen Job Interview Questions82

Behavioral Interview Questions83
In addition to being ready to answer these standard questions, prepare for behavior based interview

questions. This is based on the premise that a candidate's past performance is the best predictor of
future performance. You will you need to be prepared to provide detailed responses84 including specific
examples of your work experiences. Review examples of behavioral interview questions85.
Tough Interview Questions86
These are some of the more difficult interview questions that you may be asked on a job interview.
Interview Questions to Ask87
The last job interview question you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Have an interview
question88 or two of your own ready to ask. You aren't simply trying to get this job - you are also
interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.
Compile Responses to Interview Questions
Take the time to compile a list of responses to both types of interview questions and to itemize your
skills, values, and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize what you can do to
benefit the company rather than just what you are interested in.
Add an Interview Question89
Have you been asked an interview question that isn't on the list? Share the questions you have been
asked on job interviews and add them to our list.

Activity 9

Workplace Ethics Activity:

Making Informed Ethical Decisions
Teacher Instructions
Divide students into groups of three or four. Assign each group of students one of the following scenarios
to read and discuss. Then, instruct students to follow the steps below for making ethical decisions. Each
group should select a feasible alternative and be prepared to discuss their reasoning for selecting that
alternative with the class. Other groups should challenge the decision and give appropriate feedback.

Scenarios
For all scenarios, assume you are employed by Best Computer Systems, a large computer manufacturing company with approximately 1000
employees. The company is located in a large metropolitan area.

CASE 1: Lorna is an administrative assistant in the Human Resources Department. Her good friend, Bill,
is applying for a job with the company and she has agreed to serve as a reference for him. Bill
approaches her for advice on preparing for the interview. Lorna has the actual interview questions asked
of all applicants and considers making him a copy of the list so he can adequately prepare.
CASE 2: Emily works in Quality Control. Once a year, her supervisor gives away the refurbished
computers to the local elementary school. No specific records are kept of this type of transaction and
Emily really needs a computer for her son who is in college. Her supervisor asks her to deliver 12
computer systems to the school.
CASE 3: Marvin is the secretary in the Facilities Management Department. He has just received a new
computer and wants to try it out. Though his supervisor has a strict policy about computer use for
business purposes only, he wants to learn the e-mail software more thoroughly than his training can
provide. One good way to do this, he figures, is to write e-mail messages to his friends and relatives until
he gets the knack of it. He is caught up on all his work and only has 30 minutes left to work today. His
supervisor left early.
CASE 4: Richard and Conway are talking in the hallway about the employee benefits program. Conway,
who has had some recent financial trouble, explains to Richard how the benefits program has a loophole
that will allow him to receive some financial assistance that he really needs to help pay health care costs
for his mother. Cathy, a fellow worker, overhears the conversation. Later, Cathy is approached by her
supervisor who says he heard a rumor that some people were taking advantage of the company benefits
program.
CASE 5: Jennie was recently hired to work as a receptionist for the front lobby. As receptionist, she is
responsible for making copies for the associates. Her son, Bruce, comes in and needs some copies for a
school project. He brought his own paper and needs 300 copies for his class. If he doesnt bring the
copies with him, he will fail the project. The company copier does not require a security key nor do they
keep track of copies made by departments.

Steps for Making Ethical Decisions

1. Identify the ethical issue or problem.

2. List the facts that have the most bearing on the decision.
3. Identify anyone who might be affected by your decision and how.
4. Explain what each affected person would want you to do about the issue.
5. List three alternative actions and identify the best and worst case scenario for each
alternative, anyone who would be harmed by this choice (and how), any values that
would be compromised by selecting this alternative, and any automatic reasons why
this alternative should not be selected (legal issues, rules, etc.).
6. Determine a course of action.

Adapted from:

http://jcomm.oregon.edu/~tbivins/j495/Worksheet.html

Activity 10

IT Careers Short Presentation/Blog

1) Read an article about IT careers
a. Choose an article pertaining to:
i. minorities in the field
ii. career outlook
iii. salary
iv. overview of the life of a worker
v. etc.
b. Write one paragraph summarizing the article
c. Comment to tow other students blogs
d. We will discuss some of these issues as a class.

Activity 11
Computing Through the Years
Instruction sheet
PART I-TimeLine
The students will work in groups of 3 or less to summarize topics on their
assigned time line section.
o 1937-1946
o 1947-1955
o 1956-1964
o 1965-1974
o 1975-1984
o 1985-1994
o 1995-2004
o 2005-present
In Microsoft Word, students will type up the summaries(who, what, when,
where)
Students will find appropriate graphics to enhance the project
Students will print, cut out, and mount print and graphics horizontally on 11x17
construction paper
Groups will present timeline to class highlighting key events
PART II-PowerPoint
1. Groups will decide on one topic during their timeframe to research in detail
covering criteria in accordance with project instructions
2. Students will present PowerPoint to class

www.scsite.com/dc2005 GROUP
MEMBERS_________________________________________________
________
_________________________________SAVED
UNDER___________________________
COMPUTING THROUGH THE YEARS PART I
ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
CRITERIA

POSSIBLE
POINTS

Appearance How does the work appear visually

Are attractive fonts and appropriate formatting used throughout?
0-poor 5-fair 10-average 15-good 20-very good 25-superior

25

Grammar and spelling Correct?

Are correct grammar, spelling and citation used throughout?
0-errors throughout 5- many 10-several 15-few 20-only 1 25-error free

25

Professionalism Were terms summarized?

Were answers copied and pasted?
0-poor 5-average 10-good 15-very good 20-excellent 25-superior
Completeness How thoroughly have you answered terminology questions?
Are all answers completed sufficiently?

0-none complete 5-< half complete 10-half complete 15-> half complete 20- complete

Total Score

INSTRUCTOR
EVALUATION

25

25

100

GROUP
MEMBERS_________________________________________________________
_________________________________SAVED
UNDER___________________________
COMPUTING THROUGH THE YEARS PART II
ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
CRITERIA
Creativity
How unique is your idea?
0-not creative 5-somewhat creative 10-creative 15-very original 20- superior
Appearance
How attractive, colorful and eye-catching is your presentation?
0-poor 5-average 10-very good 20-superior
Professionalism
Are correct grammar, spelling and citation used throughout?
0-frequent errors 5- numerous errors 10- few errors 20-error free

POSSIBLE
POINTS
20

20

20

INSTRUCTOR
EVALUATION

Completeness
Are all concepts covered and correct?

20

Effectiveness
How effectively does the project convey information to audience?

20

Total Score

100

0-incomplete 5-less than 4 10-4 or less covered 15-4 or more very good 20-8 correct

0-not effective 5-somewhat effective 10-effective 15-very effective 20- superior

Unethical behaviors in the Workplace

Standard: Discusses various types of unethical behavior in the workplace.

Choose an unethical behavior that may happen on the job. Research it and type and email to your
boss about the topic. In your email it should be understood that you know about your topic. In
this email, you are notifying your boss or boss boss about a particular problem about behaviors
in the workplace. The email should state: The problem, who did the unethical behavior, details
about the unethical behavior, etc.
Examples of unethical behaviors include but not limited to:
Stealing
Stealing time
Stealing credit
Stealing money
Money Laundering
Embezzlement
Favoritism
Doing things without qualifications
Being dishonest
Breaking confidentiality/violations (client/staff)
Inappropriate personal relationships with clients
Not following procedures
Accepting gifts (expensive)
Not speaking up when you see something wrong
Plagiarizing
Copyright infringement
Aggressive/passive actions
Misappropriation of funds
False reporting
Sexual harassment
Lack of supervision
Discrimination (profiling)
Intimidation/harassment
Misrepresentation
Inappropriate use of power
Gossip
Lack of professional behaviors
Inappropriate physical contact (violence)
Grading: Worth 50 pts Points will be deducted for not being a full page, not fully explaining
the topic and/or completion of paper, and errors in grammar, spelling, incorrect word usage etc.

Industry Standards
Define the following and determine how each relates to an industry standard.
RecallsOSHA-

Find out who sets the standards or protects each

1)
2)
3)
4)

Safety on the JobFood safety and inspectionsMedicine/DrugsBusinesses/Consumers/Workers-

Virtual Interview
Click on the link and complete the virtual job interview:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/11_16/gogetit/getthatjob/interviewga
me.shtml