Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Activity Packet

Are you… a résumé, cover letter, or academic transcript in the

…that person who leaves numerous questions blank indicated format.
on your job application?
Provide Solid References
…that person who provides the names of your If the application asks for professional or
references without first asking their permission? personal references and their contact information,
supply the information only after first obtaining
…that person who does not proofread your job permission. Choose people from school, work, or
application before submitting it? volunteer organizations who know you well and will
provide glowing work and character
Don’t be that person! recommendations. When asking permission from
A human resources professional at an oil drilling your potential references, it is helpful to remind them
company keeps a list of online businesses that sell of the dates you worked or volunteered together,
fake diplomas and supply employment references tasks you completed, and skills that you utilized.
from virtual companies. Like other human resources Confirm that references’ contact information,
professionals, her training enables her to spot such as email address, telephone number, and
background and reference frauds. Don’t be that employer are current and accurate. Never provide
person who is caught providing false information on fake information or list family members as a
a job application. reference.

Read and Follow Instructions Demonstrate Workplace Professionalism

To obtain and verify your basic background Check that the information on your application
information, companies may ask you to complete a matches that found on your résumé, cover letter, and
job (employment) application online or on paper. It online social media profiles. Print neatly using a
may be a generic questionnaire used for all job black pen if the document is to be completed by
candidates or a version specific to the position or hand.
department. Proofread your application and correct any
You should read and follow all application spelling, punctuation, grammar, or capitalization
instructions carefully. If you can’t follow instructions errors. Online application systems may not have a
prior to getting the job, what makes a company think grammar or spellchecking feature, so copy and paste
you will follow instructions as an employee? the completed text or free-response answers into a
Therefore, review the document prior to submitting word processing program to help identify errors.
it. Did you answer all questions? Attach all files? Although you want to complete the application as
Provide all reference information? Proofread it? thoroughly as possible, avoid revealing overly
The job application will likely ask you for personal or confidential information. Legitimate job
information similar to that found on your résumé, but applications will not request information such as
in a systematic way that allows hiring personnel to credit card numbers, personal passwords, or bank
verify, store, search, and compare the information. account numbers. Watch for employment scams. You
Always be truthful because your answers will likely should never have to pay to apply for a job. Likewise,
be the basis for any background checks. companies should not demand that a job applicant
The company may keep your application on file specify his or her ethnicity, religion, or marital status.
for months or even years, only contacting you when Choose your words carefully when answering
applicable positions become available. Therefore, questions. If a question asks why you left your
complete the application thoroughly and update previous job, an answer such as “The position was
online versions on a regular basis, if possible not a good fit” is better than “I hated my boss.” You
(including current email address and telephone can express your ideas honestly without coming
number). Provide any requested attachments such as across as a troublemaker.
© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet
 Conduct research before completing the If possible, print, save, or make a copy your
application, including reviewing the job posting. This completed job application so that you can:
includes learning the keywords, job candidate • re-enter the information quickly if a error
requirements, and salary range of the position you occurs,
desire. This knowledge can help guide your answers. • have a reminder of when and where you
Answer all free-response questions in terms of applied,
how you can benefit the company, not how the • remember how you answered the
company can benefit you. If the application requires a questions if asked about them during an
desired salary, make sure you provide an amount that interview, and/or
is reasonable given the current market conditions and • reduce the time needed to complete
your experience level. You don’t want to provide a similar applications in the future.
salary figure that is too low or too high.

Job Application Checklist

Do Don’t
→ follow all application instructions x rush through the process
→ create a strong password for online job and x lose, forget, or share your password
company applications
→ provide all reasonably requested information x supply credit card or bank account information
→ ensure that the application is consistent with your x contradict information you previously supplied via other
résumé, cover letter, online social media profiles, means
and interview answers
→ answer all open-ended questions thoughtfully and x skip free-response questions
diplomatically using complete sentences
→ avoid capitalization, grammar, spelling, x enter incomplete, misleading, or vague information
punctuation, and content errors
→ ask people to be your references prior to listing x list phony or weak references
them on the application
→ provide/attach all requested documents, such as x appear careless or above the rules
a résumé or academic transcript
→ update the application periodically, if the system x forget to update the application when your email
allows it address or telephone number change
→ try to print, copy, and/or save your application, if x regret not having a copy for future reference or if a
possible computer error occurs

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Activity Review

Multiple Choice Questions ____ True or False ________________

1. A job application requires contact information 1. It is acceptable to lie about professional
for three references. What should Miguel do before references if you do not have any. ______
supplying that information?
a. Choose references who know his character, 2. Companies may save your application and
skills, and abilities well. contact you when other opportunities arise. ______
b. Ask his references for their permission. 3. Legitimate companies will not request
c. Confirm his references’ contact information. a credit card or bank account number. ______
d. All of the above.
4. Have contact information for your references
2. A job application asks Omar to describe a personal and previous employers on hand prior to
weakness. Which is his best response? filling out the job application. ______
a. “I am often late.”
5. Ask your references for permission
b. “I have no weaknesses.”
prior to providing their contact information. ______
c. “I am not a confident public speaker yet, but I
joined a speaking group to gain experience.” 6. It is best to answer free-response
d. Do not provide an answer. questions using just one or two words. ______

3. Regina should do all the following before submitting 7. Never provide a transcript or résumé with
her job application EXCEPT- the job application, even if asked. ______
a. Ensure she followed all instructions.
b. List her ethnicity and religion.
Short Answers ___
c. Proofread the document. 1. Compare a résumé and job application.
d. Print or save the document, if possible.
___________________________________________
4. A job application should be consistent with which
of the following? ___________________________________________
a. Résumé only.
b. Résumé and cover letter only. ___________________________________________
c. Résumé, cover letter, and social media profiles ____________________________________________
only.
d. Résumé, cover letter, social media profiles, and 2. List four reasons you should print, save, or make a
interview answers. copy of your job application.
5. Which of the following is not a reason why you ____________________________________________
should answer all job application questions
accurately and thoroughly? ____________________________________________
a. To explain how the company can benefit you
professionally and financially. _____________________________________________
b. To reflect your professionalism.
___________________________________________
c. To describe your abilities, skills, interests, and
qualifications. ____________________________________________
d. To demonstrate you can follow instructions.
_____________________________________

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Crossword Puzzle

1 2 3

4 5

6 7

10

11 12

13 14 15

16

17 18

Across Down
1. If the job application is to be completed by hand, 1. Be sure to _____ your job application before
be sure to _____ your answers neatly. submitting it.
5. Job applications may be available on online or 2. Follow all application _____.
on _____ . 3. Before listing references, be sure to get their _____.
8. Review the instructions and your answers before 4. Online systems allow companies to _____ the
you _____ the application. applications for qualified candidates.
9. Choose personal or professional _____ who know 5. Use a strong _____ for online applications.
you well and will provide good recommendations. 6. A _____ check can verify information listed on a
10. Companies _____ employees who can follow job application.
instructions. 7. Be sure to _____ any requested documents.
11. Choose your _____ carefully when completing a 12. Don’t _____ free-response questions.
job application. 13. Don’t _____ about your education, work
14. Do _____ provide bank account or credit card experiences, or qualifications.
information on a job application. 15. _____ to print, save, or make a copy of your
16. Be sure your application is consistent with your completed job application
résumé, cover letter, and _____ profiles. 16. The information requested on a job application
17. Don’t contradict information you supplied via is similar to that found _____ your résumé.
other _____.
18. Don’t list _____ or weak references.

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Brainstorming Activity

Collect the information you will likely need to complete a job application. Then complete the following.

Contact Information Provide your full name, address, telephone number, and professional-sounding email address.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Previous Employers Provide the name/s, addresses, position/s, supervisor names, and date/s you worked for previous
employers. Also, list the reason you left each job.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education List the name and address of your high school.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

References Identify the names, titles, and contact information for three references.

1._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Free-Response Question What value can you add to this organization? Use complete sentences.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Answer Key Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Activity Packet

Are you… a résumé, cover letter, or academic transcript in the

…that person who leaves numerous questions blank indicated format.
on your job application?
Provide Solid References
…that person who provides the names of your If the application asks for professional or
references without first asking their permission? personal references and their contact information,
supply the information only after first obtaining
…that person who does not proofread your job permission. Choose people from school, work, or
application before submitting it? volunteer organizations who know you well and will
provide glowing work and character
Don’t be that person! recommendations. When asking permission from
A human resources professional at an oil drilling your potential references, it is helpful to remind them
company keeps a list of online businesses that sell of the dates you worked or volunteered together,
fake diplomas and supply employment references tasks you completed, and skills that you utilized.
from virtual companies. Like other human resources Confirm that references’ contact information,
professionals, her training enables her to spot such as email address, telephone number, and
background and reference frauds. Don’t be that employer are current and accurate. Never provide
person who is caught providing false information on fake information or list family members as a
a job application. reference.

Read and Follow Instructions Demonstrate Workplace Professionalism

To obtain and verify your basic background Check that the information on your application
information, companies may ask you to complete a matches that found on your résumé, cover letter, and
job (employment) application online or on paper. It online social media profiles. Print neatly using a
may be a generic questionnaire used for all job black pen if the document is to be completed by
candidates or a version specific to the position or hand.
department. Proofread your application and correct any
You should read and follow all application spelling, punctuation, grammar, or capitalization
instructions carefully. If you can’t follow instructions errors. Online application systems may not have a
prior to getting the job, what makes a company think grammar or spellchecking feature, so copy and paste
you will follow instructions as an employee? the completed text or free-response answers into a
Therefore, review the document prior to submitting word processing program to help identify errors.
it. Did you answer all questions? Attach all files? Although you want to complete the application as
Provide all reference information? Proofread it? thoroughly as possible, avoid revealing overly
The job application will likely ask you for personal or confidential information. Legitimate job
information similar to that found on your résumé, but applications will not request information such as
in a systematic way that allows hiring personnel to credit card numbers, personal passwords, or bank
verify, store, search, and compare the information. account numbers. Watch for employment scams. You
Always be truthful because your answers will likely should never have to pay to apply for a job. Likewise,
be the basis for any background checks. companies should not demand that a job applicant
The company may keep your application on file specify his or her ethnicity, religion, or marital status.
for months or even years, only contacting you when Choose your words carefully when answering
applicable positions become available. Therefore, questions. If a question asks why you left your
complete the application thoroughly and update previous job, an answer such as “The position was
online versions on a regular basis, if possible not a good fit” is better than “I hated my boss.” You
(including current email address and telephone can express your ideas honestly without coming
number). Provide any requested attachments such as across as a troublemaker.
© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet
 Conduct research before completing the If possible, print, save, or make a copy your
application, including reviewing the job posting. This completed job application so that you can:
includes learning the keywords, job candidate • re-enter the information quickly if a error
requirements, and salary range of the position you occurs,
desire. This knowledge can help guide your answers. • have a reminder of when and where you
Answer all free-response questions in terms of applied,
how you can benefit the company, not how the • remember how you answered the
company can benefit you. If the application requires a questions if asked about them during an
desired salary, make sure you provide an amount that interview, and/or
is reasonable given the current market conditions and • reduce the time needed to complete
your experience level. You don’t want to provide a similar applications in the future.
salary figure that is too low or too high.

Job Application Checklist

Do Don’t
→ follow all application instructions x rush through the process
→ create a strong password for online job and x lose, forget, or share your password
company applications
→ provide all reasonably requested information x supply credit card or bank account information
→ ensure that the application is consistent with your x contradict information you previously supplied via other
résumé, cover letter, online social media profiles, means
and interview answers
→ answer all open-ended questions thoughtfully and x skip free-response questions
diplomatically using complete sentences
→ avoid capitalization, grammar, spelling, x enter incomplete, misleading, or vague information
punctuation, and content errors
→ ask people to be your references prior to listing x list phony or weak references
them on the application
→ provide/attach all requested documents, such as x appear careless or above the rules
a résumé or academic transcript
→ update the application periodically, if the system x forget to update the application when your email
allows it address or telephone number change
→ try to print, copy, and/or save your application, if x regret not having a copy for future reference or if a
possible computer error occurs

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Answer Key Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Review

Multiple Choice Questions ____ True or False ________________

1. A job application requires contact information 1. It is acceptable to lie about professional
for three references. What should Miguel do before references if you do not have any. False
______
supplying that information?
a. Choose references who know his character, 2. Companies may save your application and
True
contact you when other opportunities arise. ______
skills, and abilities well.
b. Ask his references for their permission. 3. Legitimate companies will not request
c. Confirm his references’ contact information. a credit card or bank account number. True
______
d. All of the above.
4. Have contact information for your references
2. A job application asks Omar to describe a personal and previous employers on hand prior to
weakness. Which is his best response? filling out the job application. True
______
a. “I am often late.”
5. Ask your references for permission
b. “I have no weaknesses.” True
prior to providing their contact information. ______
c. “I am not a confident public speaker yet, but I
joined a speaking group to gain experience.” 6. It is best to answer free-response False
d. Do not provide an answer. questions using just one or two words. ______

3. Regina should do all the following before submitting 7. Never provide a transcript or résumé with
her job application EXCEPT- the job application, even if asked. False
______
a. Ensure she followed all instructions.
b. List her ethnicity and religion.
Short Answers ___
c. Proofread the document. 1. Compare a résumé and job application.
d. Print or save the document, if possible.
They both contain similar information, but the
___________________________________________
4. A job application should be consistent with which
of the following? job application asks for it in a systematic way that
___________________________________________
a. Résumé only.
allows the hiring personnel to verify, store, search,
___________________________________________
b. Résumé and cover letter only.
c. Résumé, cover letter, and social media profiles and compare the information.
____________________________________________
only.
d. Résumé, cover letter, social media profiles, and 2. List four reasons you should print, save, or make a
interview answers. copy of your job application.
5. Which of the following is not a reason why you 1. To re-enter the information quickly if an error occurs
____________________________________________
should answer all job application questions
accurately and thoroughly? 2. To have a reminder of when and where you applied
____________________________________________
a. To explain how the company can benefit you
professionally and financially. 3. To remember how you answered the questions if
_____________________________________________
b. To reflect your professionalism.
___________________________________________
asked about them in an interview
c. To describe your abilities, skills, interests, and
qualifications. ____________________________________________
4. To reduce the time needed to complete similar
d. To demonstrate you can follow instructions.
applications in the future
_____________________________________

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Answer Key Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Crossword Puzzle

1 2 3
____p r ____i n t ____p
4 5
____s r n ____p a p e r
6 7
e o s ____b a r ____a
8
a o t a ____s u b m i t
9
____r e f e r e n c e s i t

c r u k w s a

h e c g o s c
10
____w a n t r r i h
11 12
d i ____w o r d ____s o
13 14 15
____l o u k ____n o ____t
16
i ____o n l i n e i r
17 18
____m e a n s d ____p h o n y

Across Down
1. If the job application is to be completed by hand, 1. Be sure to _____ your job application before
be sure to _____ your answers neatly. submitting it.
5. Job applications may be available on online or 2. Follow all application _____.
on _____ . 3. Before listing references, be sure to get their _____.
8. Review the instructions and your answers before 4. Online systems allow companies to _____ the
you _____ the application. applications for qualified candidates.
9. Choose personal or professional _____ who know 5. Use a strong _____ for online applications.
you well and will provide good recommendations. 6. A _____ check can verify information listed on a
10. Companies _____ employees who can follow job application.
instructions. 7. Be sure to _____ any requested documents.
11. Choose your _____ carefully when completing a 12. Don’t _____ free-response questions.
job application. 13. Don’t _____ about your education, work
14. Do _____ provide bank account or credit card experiences, or qualifications.
information on a job application. 15. _____ to print, save, or make a copy of your
16. Be sure your application is consistent with your completed job application
résumé, cover letter, and _____ profiles. 16. The information requested on a job application
17. Don’t contradict information you supplied via is similar to that found _____ your résumé.
other _____.
18. Don’t list _____ or weak references.

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet

Name Answers will vary Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Job Application Brainstorming Activity

Collect the information you will likely need to complete a job application. Then complete the following.

Contact Information Provide your full name, address, telephone number, and professional-sounding email address.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Previous Employers Provide the name/s, addresses, position/s, supervisor names, and date/s you worked for previous
employers. Also, list the reason you left each job.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education List the name and address of your high school.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

References Identify the names, titles, and contact information for three references.

1._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._______________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Free-Response Question What value can you add to this organization? Use complete sentences.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

© Career and Employment Prep Job Application Activity Packet