Exploring Job Platforms: Unit #1

Curriculum Area: Career Education
Level: Year 12
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 15 students
Country: United Kingdom

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Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to identify online job platforms relevant to their career interests.
• Students will learn to tailor their CVs to match job descriptions effectively.
• Students will explore the skills required by different industries and align them with their personal skills.

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Materials Needed

• Interactive whiteboard or projector
• Student devices (laptops/tablets)
• Pre-prepared example CVs
• Handout: List of Recommended Job Platforms
• Whiteboard markers
• Sticky notes

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Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Class Welcome and Introduction:

   • Briefly introduce the unit focusing on job search skills.
   • Highlight the importance of aligning personal skills with job opportunities in the digital age.

2. Hook:

   • Pose a question: "What skills do you think employers are looking for in today's market?"
   • Note students' responses on the whiteboard to refer back to during the lesson.

Presentation (15 minutes)

1. Introduction to Job Platforms:

   • Discuss the different types of job platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor).
   • Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each platform.

2. CV Customisation:

   • Showcase two contrasting CVs (a generic one vs. one tailored to a specific job ad).
   • Discuss the key differences and emphasize the importance of customization.

Guided Activity (20 minutes)

1. Activity Setup:

   • Distribute the handout with the list of recommended job platforms.
   • Divide students into pairs.

2. Exploration Task:

   • In pairs, students select an industry they are interested in.
   • They use their devices to access one of the suggested job platforms.
   • Each pair identifies three job ads that align with their chosen industry.

3. Discussion:

   • Re-group and have students share their findings.
   • Facilitate a discussion on how the job ads correlate to their skills and interests.

Independent Activity (10 minutes)

1. CV Alignment Exercise:

   • Ask each student to take one job ad from their pair's selection.
   • Using the example CVs, have them jot down quick notes on how they would modify their own CV to align with the job requirements.

2. Sticky Note Reflection:

   • Students write one key skill they identified they need to improve on a sticky note.
   • Place their sticky note on a designated poster board titled "Skills to Develop" for reference in future lessons.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Wrap-Up Discussion:

   • Summarize the day's learning by reviewing how students can utilize job platforms effectively.
   • Highlight that the next lesson will build on refining CV alignment skills and exploring more about the selected industries.

2. Homework Assignment:

   • Students are tasked with updating their CVs based on today's learning and bringing a printed copy to the next lesson.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during the guided activity and participation in discussions.
• Students' engagement in identifying key skills and aligning them with job opportunities.
• Sticky note reflections to gauge understanding and identify areas for improvement.

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Differentiation

• Offer additional support to students who are unfamiliar with using digital platforms.
• Extension activity for advanced students: Research additional job platforms or networking opportunities within their chosen industry and present them in the next class.

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Teacher Reflection

• After the lesson, reflect on the students’ ability to identify and align their skills with job opportunities.
• Consider the effectiveness of the guided pairs and adjust for future lessons if necessary. Evaluate whether the students were engaged and how the flow of the lesson supported learning outcomes.