Job Application Package: Intro to Psych Studies 202
Due April 17, 2009 -- worth 100 points
Class presentation - due April 17 - worth 10 points
Purpose & overview: In this project, you will further develop the professional tools you need in seeking a position after graduation. At this point, you've already identified some of your skills and interests; drafted a four-year plan, resume, and cover letter; and learned about some local jobs related to a psychology degree. This project strengthens and gathers some of these pieces into a single package that can be the springboard for your future applications.
Job/Position Research:
Find a full- or part-time position opening that interests you AND is related (directly or indirectly) to psychology AND requires a bachelor's degree (not just a high school degree; not master's or other professional degree).
Networking is the best way to learn about openings, especially those not publically advertised, so call your relatives, work supervisors, professors, etc., to see what openings they know about; don't be afraid to call their acquaintances for more information, and even call the acquaintances of those people
Local newspapers and the web are probably your next best sources (e.g., monster.com, yahoo's hotjobs, jobsearch.about.com, careerbuilder.com)
Print/copy the position description (perhaps from a company web site)
to attach to your paper
Research the company/organization with the position opening you chose:
Look on the company's web site, at a general business site (e.g., Company Research) or call the company to get more information
Learn about the position itself and related positions (e.g., desirable skills and experience, clients)
Learn about the company: mission, location(s), size, products/services, customer/client base, history, etc.
Fill out a company fact sheet to keep track of important information (remember - you'll likely be applying for several positions at the same time); sample company facts sheet
Keep track of your sources, as you'll need them for your APA-style references page for this assignment
Professional Documents & Interview Preparation
Tailor your cover letter
to show how your skills/experiences match this particular position (which you know
doing an ad analysis and from your company research). Neither
undersell nor oversell your qualifications, but emphasize the aspects of
your experience that best fit this position.
Tailor
your resume
for this particular position (e.g., revising objective or courses taken, changing the order of responsibilities,
highlighting some activities and leaving out others)
References
list:
On a separate page, give contact information for three professional references
for you (e.g., professors, job supervisors) and
one personal reference (e.g., pastor, family friend).
Ask these people first if you may list them, which will same you time
and hassle later on when you're applying for scholarships, jobs, etc.
List of questions: On a separate page, type at least five questions to ask in an interview for this particular position. These questions show your interest while demonstrating that you researched the company/position; they also give you information that helps you decide if this position/company are a good fit for you (values, work environment, management style, etc.). Here are some good sites with sample questions:
Narrative/Reflections
Reflections: On a separate page, write a reflective essay about the career unit and this assignment in terms of the self-insights you may have gained and insights into the job application process. You may use the following questions to prompt your thinking.
- what did you realize about yourself as they relate to finding a position? or realize about your experience and education?
- what skills, experiences, or other areas do you want to build between now and graduation?
- what do you know now about the job-seeking and application process that you didn't know before?
- what part of the job preparation and application process do you still wish you knew more about?
Requirements: Compile your paper in this order:
APA-style title page
Copy of the position advertisement (if you used a networked source, print the company home page if they don't list the position)
Company fact sheet
Cover letter
Resume
List of reference people and contact information
List of interview questions
Narrative/Reflections page
APA-style references page
Evaluation: Your application package, worth 100 points, will be evaluated with the rubric below.
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Excellent |
Satisfactory |
Unsatisfactory |
|
Cover letter
|
Letter tailored to and demonstrates knowledge of specific company & position; describes relevant skills, knowledge, and traits and supports with evidence/experience; connects skills/experiences to position; well-written |
|
Letter too general; does not demonstrate knowledge of specific company or position; states skills without supporting evidence/experience; does not connect skills/experiences to position; numerous grammatical or other writing errors |
| Resume | Tailored to specific position; work history is documented and described concisely; well-written (no errors); layout enhances access to content | Not tailored to specific position; important information is missing or unclear; numerous writing errors; layout distracts from content | |
|
List of references
|
Appropriate professional and personal references; complete contact information provided; relationships clear |
|
References are missing, inappropriate or the relationships are unclear; contact information is incomplete |
| List of questions | Questions are professional, appropriate to the organization/position, and reveal knowledge of organization | Questions are missing, inappropriate, or not specific to the organization/position | |
| Company fact sheet | Demonstrates good research and familiarity with important aspects of organization | Shows little familiarity with organization; important information missing | |
| Reflections | Shows depth of insight about own preparation and job application process; well-written | Reflections are superficial; poorly written; focus only on self or on job application process. | |
| Format Requirements | Virtually perfect APA-style title and references page; position is appropriate; ad attached | Title page or references page is missing or significant number of APA format errors; position ad is not attached; position is not appropriate for assignment |
Tip: Once you've received feedback on this assignment, make appropriate revisions to your resume and post it on College Central. Later, you'll know right where to find it.
Presentation: You've done a lot of work researching a particular position and your classmates can benefit from what you've learned. Prepare a 3-4 minute oral presentation on your chosen position, including the titles of the position and company/agency, main position responsibilities, any application requirements (education, experience, etc.), and salary or other relevant information. Your presentation, worth 10 points, will be evaluated primarily on the comprehensiveness of your information; secondary factors are public speaking skills and ability to stay within time limits.
page revised April 2009