CAREER PREPARATION INTERVIEW Contest Description: Individual contestants, using the guidelines and forms, submit a Cover sheet; cover letter; application; resume; and story then participate in a job interview. Use attached score sheets in planning your documents and interview. Contest Superintendent: Elizabeth Gambel Sponsor: Louisiana -H Executive Committee, the Agribusiness Council of Louisiana and the LSU Kiwanis Club Age Requirement: Must have passed his/her th birthday and not passed his/her 0 th birthday by January st of the current year. Contest Rules:. Each parish may send two () contestants ( girls, boys or girl and boy). The contestants will compete individually.. If you are a returning Career Prep Contestant, be sure to update your record book accordingly! Consider changing the Job you are applying for and update all required record forms.. There are two components of this contest: Records and Personal Interview. Refer to score sheets located in Attachment when completing the Record Book components) Part I: Record Book is comprised of six (6) components (Note: the reference page is new): a. Personal Information Page: Follow the outline. The cover sheet MUST be signed by the contestant, parent or guardian, AND Extension Agent. b. Cover Letter: prepare a letter ( page in length, introducing self; address why you want to be hired; why you should be hired and a closing paragraph. (Refer to Attachment ) c. Job Application: complete the job application form that accompanies these contest rules. d. Resume: There is NO designated form provided. Each contestant should research the important components of a resume and prepare a resume accordingly. Contestant submits a resume giving the qualifications for the job for which he or she is applying. It is recommended that the resume be one page in length and typed in 0- point font. e. Reference Page: This should include references that are not related to the applicant and should contain pertinent contact information. f. Personal Development Story: the story shall be a minimum of and a maximum of 6 double spaced, typed pages using point font in Times New Roman or Ariel style. Refer to Story score sheet as an outline. Part II: Personal Interview a. The situation for the contestant s interview with the judges will be a job the contestant is applying for now, one that represents a present day situation. The contestant identifies the job for which he/she wants to be interviewed and places the title of that job on the Job Application and Resume. Contestants will be asked questions relating to workplace ethics and other knowledge as indicated on the interview scorecard during the interview process. Following the interview, judges will inform the contestant that her scoring has ended and the judges will spend a few minutes visiting with the contestant highlighting strengths and suggesting areas of improvement. This will make the contest a true learning experience!
b. Each contestant should wear an outfit appropriate for a job interview. For males: slacks, button down shirt and tie. For females: skirt and blouse, dress, or appropriate slacks and top. c. Contestants will be divided into or groups depending on the number of contestants enrolled in the contest. Each group will be interviewed by a team of judges for a maximum of minutes on the first day of the contest. d. Finalists will be called back for a second interview with a team of three judges. Making the finals does not guarantee a blue ribbon grouping.. Two copies (one for each judge) of the above mentioned record components shall be compiled into two separate bound portfolios NO Ring Binders. These portfolios shall be sent to the State -H Office prior to the contest. Do not place the individual pages in plastic sleeves. Do NOT include the blank score sheets in the portfolio. All pages of the portfolio shall be typed ( point font in either Times New Roman or Arial style). Judges will refer to portfolios during the interviews. The order of items to be placed in the portfolio is as follows: A. Personal Information Page B. Cover Letter C. Job Application D. Resume E. Reference List F. Professional Development Story. Score will be based on: A. Personal Information Page points B. Cover Letter points C. Job Application points D. Resume 0 points E. Reference Page points F. -H Personal Development Story 0 points G. Interview Round 0 points Total possible score after Round 0 points 6. Contestants earning a second interview will be scored as follows: a. Total score earned from Records 0 points b. Interview (Round ) 0 points Total possible score after Round 0 points *Contestants invited to the Round interviews will all begin with only their record book score*
Attachment : Guidelines for a Professional Cover Letter A well written cover letter engages the reader and makes them want to view your resume. There are two types of cover letters, Formal and Informal. A Formal Cover Letter is used for mailing, fax, uploading or copying/pasting purposes. An Informal cover letter is used for email. First let s look at a formal cover letter: A formal cover letter should start off with your present address on the first line; city, state and zip code on the second line; and the date you composed the letter on the third line. You should skip a line and then include the name of the Hiring Manager or contact person, followed by their title (if provided), company/organization, and the company s street address, city, state and zip code. If you do not have access to a contact name you may leave the name and title off. In your greeting, if you do not have a contact name, use an introduction such as Dear Sir or Madam or Dear Hiring Manager instead of To Whom It May Concern. The first section of your cover letter should include: Why Am I Writing? Here you should identify the position you are applying for or the vocational interest area you are inquiring about. You should also identify how you heard of the opening or organization and why you decided to contact the employer. The Second section should include: Who Am I and Why Should You Hire Me? Here is where you can elaborate on your personal skills, experiences and qualities that relate to the position (or interest area) instead of on your actual resume. You can highlight one or two of your strongest qualifications and explain how they relate to the needs of the employer. Do not simply restate the facts that are on your resume ( Through my public relations internship at WBRZ, I have developed selling and communication skills that are essential to the position of X, sounds more informative than, I have worked in public relations as an intern ). Explain why you are specifically interested in the employer and the type of work/location, etc. Lastly your third section should include what your next step should be. Refer the reader to the enclosed application, resume, vita, and/or status of other required documents. Close the letter with a strong interest in pursuing the next step of an informational interview, an employment interview, and/or additional information or application. Be assertive and state how you intend to follow up such as ( I will be calling you on certain date to see if an interview can be arranged or I will call you during the week of XX to arrange a convenient time to discuss career options ). Clearly indicate whether you or the employer will follow up and what the next step will be. You should skip for lines between your salutation and your typed name to allow enough room for your handwritten signature. At the bottom of your document you may identify what enclosures you are submitting with you cover letter, such as application, resume, references, etc. Next we will look at an informal cover letter:
The differences between a formal and informal cover letter are that in an informal cover letter you do not include any names or addresses in the header. The body of your letter remains the same. Also you should not leave spaces for a handwritten signature as you did for a formal cover letter. If you are attaching other documents such as a resume or references, this should be notated at the end of your letter. For an informal cover letter, the body of your email should be your cover letter and you should attach your resume. If asked for, your references should be attached as well. Tips: Remember to match your skills, abilities and experiences to the job description to show the employer that you are the best candidate for the position. Use the company s language found in the job description. If they say customers, use the word customers instead of clients, patrons, guests, etc. Cover letters can be more than three paragraphs but never longer than one page. Font should be formal such as Times New Roman or Arial and font size should be 0- font. This information was obtained from: Trey Truitt, M.Ed., Associate Director - Employment Services President-Elect, LSU Staff Senate, LSU Olinde Career Center, Louisiana State University, 8 LSU Student Union, Baton Rouge, LA 7080
Attachment : Score Sheets for Records and Interview 07 Personal Information Page Score Sheet Category Possible Points Photograph Earned Points Completeness of Personal Information Signatures Total Points 07 Career Preparation Contest Cover Letter page limit using pt. font size in either Times New Roman or Arial style. Outline Possible Points Earned Points Letter prepared in proper letter format Introduce yourself and share any pertinent personal information Address: Why do you want to be hired for this job? 7 Address: Why should you be hired? 7 Closing 7 Total Score 07 Career Prep Job Application Score Sheet
Category Possible Score Points Earned Job Title (job for which you are applying now) Name Address Position Desired Daytime Phone Number Hours Available to work Education: (all schools attended, special classes or training, etc,) Work Experience: (Voluntary or paid) include Dates and Salaries School, Church or Community Activities References: Names of three people who are not relatives whom you would use as references. Include their addresses and telephone numbers. Total Score Judge s Notes: 07 Career Prep Resume Score Sheet
Category Possible Score Points Earned Job Title (job for which you are applying now) Personal Information (Name, Address, Parish, and Phone Number) Education: (all schools attended, special classes or training, etc,) Awards and Honors Work Experience: (Voluntary or paid) include Dates and Salaries Extracurricular Activities: (include clubs, associations, sports activities, offices held) Special Skills and Interests: References: Names of three people who are not relatives whom you would use as references. Include their email addresses and telephone numbers. Total Score Judge s Notes: 07 List of References Include - non relative references with the appropriate contact information. points
References Possible Score Points Earned - references (not related to the candidate) Total Score Judge s Notes
07 My -H Career Preparation Story Score Sheet This story is to be a minimum of pages in length not to exceed 6 pages and typed using pt. font in either Times New Roman or Arial style). Address each of the topics listed below. Topics to Be Addressed. Self introduction (What do you want the people reading your story to know about you? Emphasize your goals after High School graduation. Keeping the job you are applying for today in mind; discuss: Why are you interested in this job? What will this job entail? (responsibilities) What have you done to prepare yourself for this job? What skills so you have to be successful at this job?. Address the long term career do you plan to follow: Where will you study for this career? What courses must you take? What skills must you acquire to be successful in this career? What work experience could you have prior to achieving your long-term career that would increase the likelihood of being successful in this career? What are your career goals?. Personal Development and the world of work: Discuss how personal development relates to any job/career you may hold. What have you learned through your -H Personal Development project that will help you get and keep a job? What have you done relating to your own personal development to prepare yourself for a job?. Leadership Roles Discuss how the -H Leadership project impacted your life? What have you done to help others learn more about the importance of practicing personal development in their everyday lives? *workshops * talks * posters *demonstrations How has your knowledge of personal development enhanced your leadership experiences? Possible Points 8 8 6 6 Earned Points 6. How has -H influenced your life? 7. Proper grammar/spelling/neatness. Total Score 0 Name Date
-H Career Preparation Interview Scorecard Category Appearance and Courtesy Appropriately dressed Maintained good posture Acted in a polite manner Greetings and Introduction Firmly shook hands of interviewers upon entering Used interviewer name Speech: Spoke clearly Spoke at a reasonable volume Avoided use of phrases such as um, like and you know Attitude and Personality Stayed calm Did not fidget Ability to Convey thoughts and ideas Eye contact Listened closely to the questions Use of body language Focused on strengths Rating Scale (lowest) to highest) Knowledge and Presentation of Abilities Answered questions completely, yet briefly Pointed out work related skills Responded to questions promptly but not hurriedly Career Objective Degree to which the contestant had determined a long term career Can express how this job connects with future career Demonstrated knowledge of the field/company Conclusion of interview Asked questions to the interviewers Thanked the interviewers Total of each column Judge s Comments: Grand Total of Points Attachment : Forms to be used in completing Record Segment A resume is required for the State -H Career Preparation Interview Contest. A resume is a short account of a person s experience and qualifications. People send or give their resumes to prospective employers. Your
statements on the resume should show how you are qualified for the job for which you are applying. The resume is NOT a -H record. Be sure that any -H activities listed are worded so that a perspective employer can tell what skills you possess. Research the important components of a resume by going to Google and searching LSU Olinde Career Center Student Career Guide, then set your page up as you wish using the score sheet as a guide. It is recommended that a resume be typed in 0- point font and page in length. Be Creative! NOTE: Google LSU Olinde Career Center Student Career Guide Download the document and use it as a guide to complete your cover letter, reference sheet and resume. Examples in this document are for students attending college. YOU should adapt the information relating to your present educational level.
07 Personal Information Page Career Preparation Interview Contest Photo Use current head to shoulders Name Last First Middle Address Street or Route Box City Zip Code Age Date of Birth Number of Years in -H Number of Years in Personal Development Name of Parent or Guardian Name of -H Club to which you belong What long-term career (after high school/post-secondary education) do you plan to follow STATEMENT BY CLUB MEMBER I have never received the -H award (Educational Trip) more than twice which is offered to the state winner and alternate in Personal Development. I personally prepared this -H record and believe it to be correct. Date Signature of Club Member APPROVAL OF THIS REPORT We have reviewed this report and believe it to be correct: Date Signed Parent or Guardian Date Signed Agent and Title
-H Job Application Form (Job for which you are applying now) Position Desired: Personal Information Name Last First Middle Street Address or P.O. Box City State Zip Phone Number: Hours Available to Work: Days of the week: Education: List all school attended and highest grade completed in each : Mornings Evenings Afternoons Weekends Name and Address of Most Recent School Attended: Specialized Training or Special Courses: Extra Curricula Activities: (church, community, school) Page
Volunteer Work Experience: Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To Paid Work Experience: Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To Dates Worked From To I hereby certify that the information that I have included in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that intentionally omitting or misrepresenting any information required for this application will result in the rejection of my application or termination of my employment. Signature Date 07 Career Preparation Contest Personal Resume
07 Career Preparation Contest List of References