Career · Lesson Plan
Getting a Job: Application & Interview Activity
A hands-on classroom-economy activity where students experience getting a job from start to finish. The class brainstorms classroom jobs and attaches a salary to each, students write job descriptions, fill out applications with references, and interview for at least two positions. Every student is hired and signs on for at least one classroom job — often their first chance to see themselves as a capable worker.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Career
- Grade Level
- Grades 3–8
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 2–3 class periods
- Format
- Lesson + activity
- Materials
- Printable lesson, activity sheet, whiteboard
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Generate a list of classroom jobs and attach a salary to each
- Write a clear job description with duties and qualifications
- Complete a job application and provide references
- Practice interviewing — both as applicant and interviewer
- Understand that interviewers judge eye contact, handshake, and demeanor, not just answers
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed application, job-description, interview-schedule, and job-chart sheets
- Pencils
- Whiteboard or projector for the job/salary list
- Optional: volunteer interviewers from the school
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Application
- A form you fill out to apply for a job.
- Job description
- A written summary of a job’s duties and qualifications.
- Reference
- An adult who can vouch for your character or work.
- Interview
- A meeting where an employer asks questions to decide whom to hire.
- Salary
- The pay a job earns, here in classroom currency.
- Qualifications
- The skills and qualities a job requires.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: two to three class periods.
Lesson sequence
- Brainstorm jobs (1 period). As a class, list classroom jobs, discuss each job’s responsibilities, and attach a salary to each.
- Write descriptions & apply. Students write a job description for one role, then choose two jobs and complete an application (with two adult references) for each.
- Interview day. Role-play interview skills first, then run interviews (peer-to-peer, a partner class, or school volunteers). Remind students to dress appropriately and mind eye contact, handshake, and demeanor.
- Hire & reflect. Use the Job Assignment chart to place every student in at least one job; discuss what made a strong application and interview.
Assessment
Assess the completed application, job description, and interview participation.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What information does a job application ask for, and why?
- Who makes a good reference, and why do employers want them?
- Besides your answers, what do interviewers notice about you?
- How should you dress and act for an interview?
- How did it feel to be the interviewer? What did you look for?
Printable Lesson & Activity
Getting a Job — Lesson & Printable Activity Forms
A printable lesson plan with job-description, application, interview-schedule, and job-chart forms for the classroom activity.
Unlock the full Money Instructor library
Members get unlimited access to worksheets, lesson plans, and teacher resources across every financial literacy topic — budgeting, taxes, credit, banking, and more.