Planning Ahead - Application Worksheet

Before you complete an application, you need to be able to answer the following questions:

1. 	Application Worksheet
   	Application Worksheet.

   Will you have transportation to and from that job location?  Will you drive yourself, will you walk or ride a bike, will you take the city bus or subway, will a parent or job coach take you, or will you receive specialized transportation due to your disability?
   
   
2.  On what days are you able and willing to work?  The more available you are, the more likely it is that a company will want to hire you. 
   
   
3. Are there certain times of day that you are unable to work (early morning, night, etc..)? 
   
   
4. Do you want full time (at least 35 hours per week) or part time (less than 35 hours per week)?  Or, would you be willing to take either part or full time?
   If possible, it is best to show flexibility here.  
   
   
5. Would you accept a temporary or seasonal job?  This means that the job might last for several months only (i.e. during the summer or winter holiday season). 
   
   
6. When can you start working (immediately, in 1 week, in 2 weeks)?
   
   
7. When is the best time for the company to contact you?  Mornings, afternoons, evenings, anytime?    You want this job, so the company needs to be able to reach you very quickly!  If they cannot reach you, they might think that you don’t care about getting the job. Please make sure you always respond to phone calls or emails promptly, within a day.
   
   
8. What type of job do you want?  Some companies might be looking for more than one person to hire.  For instance, at Walmart, they might need a cashier, a nighttime shelf stocker, and a technician to work in the photo lab.   So, you need to know ahead of time what type of job you are willing and able to apply for. 
   
   
9.  How much money do you need to earn per hour?  Or, if you are seeking a full time job, what salary amount do you need?   This can be a very tricky part of the application process. Click here for helpful tips! Remember to always be realistic with your salary/ hourly rate expectations.  If they feel you have unrealistic ideas they might move on to the next applicant.     
   
   
10. Some applications ask for you to describe your "work-related skills or talents."  Bring a cue card that lists the things you are good at so you can write / type that information onto the application form.  If you are applying to work as a cashier at a movie store, your description of work-related talents and skills might look like this:   "I have strong math skills, and I pay attention to details.  I also really enjoy helping people and I know a lot about movies.   Finally, I complete my work very quickly."
    
    
11.  Some jobs require typing skills.  Be prepared to write down your word-processing or data entry speed.  This means, how many words can you accurately type in one minute?  Do not exaggerate about this on the application form.