Getting a job. Three tips:
A. Filling In an Application Form
Note: Have four tables and chairs at the front, two facing one wall, two the other. Have a competition as to who will get the job. Whilst the volunteer “candidates” are filling in their forms put it on a large screen for all to read quietly. You will need to copy and paste this into Word to be adjusted for your own usage. In all the years I have handed this out, I have only know two pupils who “got the job”.
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Job Application Form: FE124-C
| Application For Position of: | Manager Of Asda (Town Centre Site) |
| Salary: | £58,000 – £65,000 |
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED COMPLETE THE FORM
Use Black Ink Only
1. Name: ___________________________________________
2. Male/Female: ____________________________________
3. Age: ____________
4. Address:
_________________________________________________
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5. Married? Y/N: _________________________
6. What are Your Hobbies?
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7. What Are Your Sporting Interests?
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8. Write one sentence explaining why you want this job.
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9. Now that you have read through the paper, answer questions 1 and 9 only.
10. Explain why you think you have filled in this application form well.
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B.
Every application form has a box, usually somewhere near the end, entitled “Hobbies and Interests”. Many applicants do not appreciate how important this section is in defining their character.
A few years ago The Confederation of British Industry (the organisation of the top bosses) published a list of 300 possible “Hobbies/Interests”. They put them in the order of the impression they make with the “most likely to succeed” at the top and so on.
It is helpful to know that in first and second place were:
1. Rock Climbing. Think about it. When your life depends upon a person on the other end of a rope, what kind of individual do you want?
2. Rugby. Rugby players are viewed as people who sort out their own problems and know how to “play by the rules”. It seems they also know when they can be “bent” a little. This character trait is best summed up by watching a tiny, stick thin referee giving a lecture to a man mountain who has done something wrong. Is this huge player talking back to the referee? No he is not. In fact he is likely to be looking at the ground. Indeed, if he tried to be cheeky to the referee his own team would have something to say about it.
I should mention at this point, the reason rugby is at number two is the same reason that football came in at 85th place. I greatly regret this. I know many first rate characters that play football. However, it remains their fate to be branded by the professional players that we see on TV, diving and rolling around on the floor when replays clearly show they are acting. This sort of specialised complaining is definitely not what any employer wants. I am sure these professional footballers have no idea of the harm they do.
For obvious reasons the last two in the list (things not to put on your application) were:
1. Pool
2. Darts
C.
A very famous interview question for those wishing to enter management.
Note: This is question 69 from the “Logic Puzzles” section of this website.
Change gender as appropriate.
You are driving along through pouring rain in your Porsche. It is extremely heavy rain and there is only room for one other person in the car. You are, very sensibly, driving slowly when you pass a bus stop. You notice three people in the queue and they are all obviously soaked through. The first is an elderly lady who looks extremely ill. You know the bus goes to the hospital but you cannot help but wonder why she has not called an ambulance. You are tempted to stop and give her a lift. The second person in the queue is your best friend in the whole world who saved your life last month. He sees you and waves. The third person in the queue is the girl of your dreams. You have always loved her and just hoped one day for an opportunity to meet and talk to her. What do you do?
Put the question on the big screen and ask the four “candidates” (from competing classes) to write out their answers.
Scroll down for the “perfect” answer.
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Answer: You stop the car. Get out and give the keys to your best friend. Tell him to drive the ill lady to hospital and look after her (which will take some time). You stay and wait for the bus (getting soaked) with the girl of your dreams.