Job preparation at Argus House was a six-week long program that met every Monday. The objective of the program was to teach the young men how to be successful when applying for their next job. The curriculum included how to write a resume and professional emails, how to answer phones at the office and schedule appointments, and how to present yourself for an interview including proper etiquette and dress.
To write a formal resume, the participants were given a template where they had to fill in their particular skills, education, work experience, etc. Although the template provided where to place such information, the participants needed guidance on what specific information to include. For example, if applying for a tech job, the participant would need to explain his proficiency of social media. Instead of simply writing ‘I can use Snapchat’ for Skills, we guided them towards more advanced diction and professional semantics. ‘I can use Snapchat’ would read better as ‘Proficient in social media, including Snapchat’. Some students also needed guidance as to what information was relevant to include. Most did not know to include their GPAs and certain skills they possess (that is relevant to their next job) on their resumes.
As for professional emails, we taught the participants the proper format and language to use. We made sure that they knew to always keep their emails formal, especially when writing to a potential employer. When learning how to practice phone etiquette, they paired up and had one person be the receiver, and the other be the customer. They had to agree on the date and time for the meeting to be, without becoming frustrated if the time slots did not work, or if the customer was rude. They practiced putting customers on hold and how to reference a manager if they needed assistance.
At the end of the six weeks, the participants had to complete a formal interview using all their acquired knowledge. They had to dress according to the standards of business formal, and all met that requirement. Using what they learned, they had to answer questions professionally and swiftly. We practiced techniques to use if they were to get nervous, or if they needed to think about the question more in preparation for the final interview. The participants made sure to answer the questions with a positive perspective of themselves as well as an honest one. The total interview took around 20 minutes to complete, and the participants were evaluated at the end.
This program was so much fun to run, and all the participants were willing to learn and always thought through their responses. Some questions they asked about the curriculum were very thoughtful, and required me to do more research to have an accurate response. I believe that this program made a difference in these young men’s lives, and I believe that they will be able to take what they learned from this program, and apply it to their actual lives.
