CAPITOL UNIVERSITY

Cagayan de Oro City

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON PACKET

SUBJECT: English for Academic and Professional Purposes LESSON CODE: MODULE 8
ESSENTIAL TOPICS:
a. Job Application Process
b. Job Advertisement
c. Pre-employment Documents
d. Job Interview
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
a. Reconstruct sample pre-employment documents : Cover Letter and Resume
b. Match the preferred vocation or profession to available positions in the job market within the vicinity
c. Answer sample job interview questions

DISCUSSION

Job Application Process

How does one get a job? What is the job application process? Let’s illustrate one of the most common job
application processes. First, a company would advertise for a vacant job position. Applicants will start sending in their
applications. These applications are sorted, and the applicantswith most suitable credentials are screened through a phone
interview arethen invited for a face-to-face interview. After the face to face interview, application forms may be filled
out and examinations may be given such as personality tests and language proficiency exams.

The applicants are further trimmed down based on the results of theface-to-face interview and examinations. If
there is more than one qualifiedcandidate for a position, another round of interview or other types of work-related exams
may be given. The most suitable candidate is then offered a joband its compensation package. If the applicant accepts the
job offer, a contract is signed and the applicant is hired.

Job Advertisement

There are now many options as to where you can look for a job. Before,people highly depended on classified ads in
newspapers to aid them in their job search. Other sources of job advertisements were billboards and radio or TV
announcements. But nowadays, people have many options. In turn, companies may have difficulty in looking for the
perfect match on a job position due to the many applicants that can flood in. Where can one find a job these days? Of
course, classified ads still exist. Also, there is an increasingnumber of job fairs, which are also becoming a regular project of
local governments. Furthermore, the global online network makes it easy to apply for jobs abroad.

Fig. 1 Job Fairs (left) and classified ads (right) are some of the few waysadvertisement certain positions in some companies.

Pre-employment Documents

What are the usual pre-employment documents are from the applicants? Usually, there are three: the cover letter,
a one page resume and portfolio.

The cover letter, by its name, covers the resume. It should be short and simple. The first paragraph should highlight
your objective for applying in the job position, and how you discovered the position. The second paragraph should
highlight your credentials that qualify you for such a position. The third paragraph should bring a friendly end to your
 letter by offering how you canbe reached. Do research to find out the name of the person to whom you address your
cover letter. Avoid using “Dear Sir/Madam.” “To whom it mayconcern.” or other general terms such as “Dear Hiring
Manager” or “Dear Department Head.”

The resume should at least only be of one page. A hiring manager will not have the time and interest to read a
resume that has many pages. The comprehensive resume, which details all your achievements, should be given only
upon the request of the company. The comprehensive resume is also usually given if you are applying for a
promotion within the same office orcompany. The resume should contain important details of the credentials that you
have mentioned in the cover letter. Your one-page resume, on the other hand, should contain only the relevant details for
the job you are applying for. Your highest educational attainment is the most important. You do not include your
kindergarten and elementary schools. Likewise, you do not mention your awards or achievements during your elementary
years.

A lot of professions nowadays require applicants to submit portfolio. A portfolio is a compilation of proofs of your
achievements. For example, if youare a photographer, you can compile the most beautiful photos you have taken in a
clear book. Other proofs can be pictures of your sample works, inwhich the real objects would be hard to compile (e.g.
large graphic can alsoinclude relevant certificates and other documents to prove your worth. If the nature of your interest
lies in photography, pastries, or anything that can be shown in pictures, you can create an online portfolio and just give
the link to the human resources office.

Cover Letter Sample

April 25, 2024

[Link] Manager
Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
[Link]@[Link]

Dear Mr. Hiring Manager,

My name is Juan Dela Cruz, and I am a graduating senior at Capitol University Senior High School. I saw your
posting for the [Position] role on Indeed, and was immediately compelled to apply. My academic and career goals
align with the internship’s stated objectives, and I am confident that I have the right skills for the job.

In addition to taking business-related coursework like Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship, I served as
president of my school chapter’s Model United Nations and as secretary of Student Council. Beyond these
extracurricular activities, I also actively volunteer at MUSC Children’s Hospital and the local homeless shelter.

[Company Name] is an emerging leader in the educational software industry, making your internship the perfect
opportunity to grow my understanding of business development. I have no doubt that my unmatched enthusiasm
and eagerness to learn can take the internship to new heights.

I have attached my resume, which further details my skills and involvement in the community. Please do not hesitate
to reach out if you have any questions about my background. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you
further; thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Juan T. Dela Cruz

Enclosure: Resume
Resume Sample

DELA CRUZ, Juan T.

234 Subd., Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City
abcd@[Link]
0917-111-1111

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth: August 21,1998
Age: 20
Place of Birth: Cagayan De Oro City
Sex: Male
Civil Status: Single
Citizenship: Filipino

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Senior High School: Capitol University 2016- Present

Cagayan de Oro City
Academic Strand: ABM

Junior High School: CDO National High School 2012-2016

Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City

SKILLS

Computer Skills Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Interpersonal Skills Leadership and Team-oriented
Languages Cebuano, English and Filipino

SEMINARS ATTENDED AND AWARDS RECEIVED

Activity/Award Designation Duration/Date

 2020 Marketing Capitol University August 26, 2017
Management Congress:
Trends, Issues And
Innovations

 3rd Honors-Grade 11 Capitol University Basic Education Department 2017

CHARACTER REFERENCES
Mr. Allan L. Gonzaga
SHS Teacher/Adviser, Capitol University Basic Education Department
Cagayan de Oro City
0955-555-5555/amazing@[Link]
The Job Interview

As mentioned above, the initial interview is usually done over the phone. If your phone interview has been a
pleasant and positive one, you will be invited for a face-to-face interview. Study the most common job interviews and
possible answers:

1. Tell me about yourself.

Give a short background about yourself. It is not wrong to share personal details in a face-to-face interview such as
your civil status and family background. Talk about your education, achievements, work experiences or any relevant
experiences. For example, if you are a youth leader in your church, you can say that this experience has shaped your
leadership skills,making you ready for a managerial position. Whatever you say, make syre thatyou are honest. False humility
and arrogance are both annoying, so avoid these two pitfalls.

2. Why did you choose to apply in our company?

You should do a background check on the company so that you know the best things about it. You can then
mention these details during the interview. For example, you can say, “The revenues of this company have increased from
5% to 50% in the last two years. This is a good indicator that the company is growing, and I would like to be a part of it.

3. In a team, are you the leader or the follower?

Again, give specific examples that would show how you have demonstrated being a leader or a follower. If you are
a follower (which may sound a bit less impressive, as compared with being a leader), you can describe your strengths as a
follower that contributed to the team’s successand how your support has made the life of the leader a lot easier.

4. What has been your most stressful situation and how did you handle it?

Be sure to describe the context well, so that the interview will understandthe stress and the pressure that you went
through. If you were able to handlethe stressful situation well, then highlight the steps you did to overcome it. If not, then
highlight the lessons you’ve learned from it.

5. Why should we hire you?

How do you answer this questions without sounding too arrogant? The question should really be rephrased as, Why
are you the best fit for the job?”So highlight your skills and accomplishments that make you the best personfor this job.

6. What is your edge over other applicants?

In this question, you can highlight the special skills that you have the other applicants may not have. For example, all
applicants may be high school graduates but you can speak three languages or have language proficiencycertification. You
can mention these outstanding qualities.

7. What are your goals in five years’ time?

Never mention that you are only gaining some job experiences becauseyou plan to go abroad. The interviewer
should see that your personal goals will contribute to the company’s goals. For example, you can mention that you plan to get
a master’s degree. This goal will also benefit the company. Don’t mention something that implies you are looking for the
benefits the company can give you.

8. Describe your greatest achievement in life.

The interviewer should see “Why” it is the greatest achievement in your life because what may be great for you may
mean nothing to others. You may say that graduating in high school was your greatest achievement because you had learning
difficulties when you were young and your parents thoughtyou would not even make it through the first grade.

9. Describe one time in your life where you failed and how you handled your situation.

Be sure to make the interviewer understand the context of your [Link] how you handled the situation and the
lessons you learned from your failure.

10. What are your career plans?

Describe plans that would contribute not only to your personal growth but also to the growth of the company. Make
sure that your career plans are SMART: S pecific, M easurable, A ttainable, R ealistic, and T ime-bounded.
INTERVIEW TIPS

INTERVIEW ATTIRE