Workforce Solutions
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A short video demonstrates the importance of non-verbal communication in the forming of first impressions. Viewers observe the facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and appearance of job seekers in an interview, then discuss...
Workforce Solutions
Skills that Pay the Bills
Actions take center stage in an activity that underscores the importance of non-verbal communication. Groups present skits that demonstrate the important role body language plays in any conversation.
Workforce Solutions
Thank You Letters
An important step in the job search process is sending a thank you note to any professional that has been of help. First, pupils discuss the etiquette of thank you notes, then draft a practice letter.
California Department of Education
California CareerZone Student Workbook
A 13-page workbook walks scholars through the California CareerZone website. Class members start by creating accounts then take an interest survey. Results from the survey are used in activities that explore lifestyle choices, budgeting,...
California Department of Education
California CareerZone Make Money Choices Student Workbook
An activity challenges scholars to make smart money choices. While visiting the California CareerZone website, pupils choose between budgeting for one's lifestyle or salary and complete a two-page instructional activity based on the...
Workforce Solutions
30 Seconds
Attention spans are short, but memories are long. Job seekers are challenged to develop a 30-second commercial that highlights their strengths in a job interview.
Workforce Solutions
Networking BINGO
A Networking BINGO game asks participants to find scholars who share a variety of the same interests and characteristics. Categories include everything from shoe size, to biggest fear, to intended college major.
California Department of Education
What’s Next?
A richly detailed, step-by-step plan is designed to help high school seniors create a postsecondary plan for pursuing their career goals. Using the template provided by the California Career Center website, individuals complete their...
California Department of Education
In the Interview Hot Seat
After watching a short introductory video, high school seniors prepare for the interview process by first examining commonly used questions and effective responses. Class members then engage in a series of Speed Interviews to gain...
California Department of Education
California CareerZone Quick Start Activity
Scholars visit the California CareerZone to complete a Quick Start Activity. Once on the webpage, learners complete an interest survey then browse a list of occupations based on the survey's results. Pupils choose three and write why the...
California Department of Education
California CareerZone Account Quick Start Activity
Scholars register an account with the website then complete an interest survey. Using the results, pupils choose three of the recommended professions to compare and contrast.
California Department of Education
California Career Center Career Action Plan Web App Quick Start
Prepare scholars to end their journey through compulsory education by setting up an account with the California Career Center. Learners follow five steps to create an account then answer four short answer questions.
Workforce Solutions
The Negotiations of Interviewing
Sometimes the interview process includes negotiating for what you want. Here's an activity that guides job seekers to achieve The Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). Participants take on the role of job seekers and...
Workforce Solutions
Speed Interviewing
An important part of the job search process is the personal interview. Help pupils prepare with speed interviewing activity—teams of three-act as a job seeker, interviewer, and observer. Every three minutes, participants rotate roles and...
Workforce Solutions
Professional References
To gain an understanding of the importance of professional references, class members engage in two projects. First, individuals examine an online review site (Yelp, for example), paying particular attention to the positive and negative...
Workforce Solutions
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (of Applications)
Creating a complete and professional-looking job application is an essential part of the employment process. Class members review sample applications for an entry-level position to determine who should be interviewed for the job.
Workforce Solutions
Customized Resumes
Resumes are key to the job search process. Class members examine sample job postings and critique sample resumes to understand how to craft a strong resume.
Workforce Solutions
Egg-streme Sports
Here's a new twist in the egg drop competition. Using only six inches of tape, four straws, and 2 pieces of newspaper, teams build a structure that keeps an egg from breaking when dropped. What's different about this project is that the...
Workforce Solutions
Reality Check
Talk about a reality check! High schoolers complete a lifestyle survey indicating their preference for housing, entertainment, etc., and then calculate the salary required to support those choices. Finally, they research the types of...
Workforce Solutions
Evaluating Your Brand
After completing an evaluation worksheet that asks learners to rate their skills honestly, individuals create an action plan that includes specific steps to improve in these areas.
California Department of Education
California Career Center Career Action Plan Web App Quick Start
Scholars take their first step in setting career goals with the California Career Center Career Action Plan. With their device, learners read and follow nine directions, from opening the webpage, creating an account to listing possible...
Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Managers and Cultural Diversity
Let's get down to business. Pupils read a variety of business scenarios and identify appropriate managerial styles for each conflict. Additionally, scholars create a cultural diversity word collage.
Workforce Solutions
Discover Your Interests
For many high schoolers, what they want to be when they grow up can be very intimidating. Here's an activity that gets them thinking about their interests and how they might connect these interests to future jobs. After watching a short...
Workforce Solutions
Human Knot
Employability skills are difficult to measure but are essential in the workplace. Introduce high schoolers to employability skills with the Human Knot activity. Groups of six grab hands to form a human knot and untangle themselves. The...