Pre-Employment Situations

By: Martha Marks

As a WBL Coordinator, these are some things that we may hear from our students.

Take a look at the following three scenarios to see how best to help our students handle different situations.

Ellie Ekuse

A good employment opportunity for Ellie has been set up.

The problem is Ellie does not make the call for the interview.

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Choices Ellie Ekuse Could Make

Ellie could continue to make excuses for not calling.

Ellie could tell her WBL Coordinator she doesn’t want a co-op.

Ellie could tell the WBL Coordinator the real reason why she hasn’t made the call yet.

Appropriate Solution for Ellie Ekuse

Ellie should tell the WBL Coordinator why she hasn’t made the call and get some help/advice from the coordinator.

Once Ellie has asked for help…believe it or not, Ellie probably will get the job and it may end up changing the rest of her life!!

Fred Fickle

Fred has an interview with one of the WBL Coordinator’s best employers.

The problem is twice Fred has failed to appear. His reasons:– Couldn’t find the employer’s building– Didn’t have enough gas to drive to the

interview– Says he doesn’t want to work at that type of

job

Choices for Fred Fickle

Fred could just quit the co-op program. Fred could try to get his coordinator to give

him a listing of some “better” jobs. Fred could call the employer and apologize

for not showing up twice. Fred could talk with his WBL Coordinator

about why he hasn’t made the appointments.

Appropriate Solution for Fred Fickle

The best solution for Fred is a combination of the previous choices.– Fred should talk with his WBL Coordinator to

discuss why he hasn’t gone to the appointments and ask for some advice. I bet his coordinator would be able to give him very sound advice.

– Of course, Fred has to call and apologize for missing the appointments!!!

Suzie Sleeveless

Suzie goes to her job office interview wearing inappropriate clothing.

The employer calls the WBL Coordinator to ask what the coordinator is teaching the students.

Choices for Suzie Sleeveless

The coordinator calls Suzie into her office when Suzie returns to school & asks her about the interview. Of course, a discussion will occur regarding what Suzie wore to the interview.

Choices for Suzie (continued)

Suzie could say, “Well, this is how I dress and I’m not going to change. I see nothing wrong with what I’m wearing.”

Suzie could ask the coordinator what would be appropriate to wear to an office.

Suzie could ask for help in finding/buying appropriate clothes.

Suzie could call the site & apologize for the appropriate clothing & ask if she could have another chance.

Appropriate Solution for Suzie Sleeveless

As with Fred, Suzie’s best solution would be a combination of the choices.

Her best choices would be to ask for help in finding/buying appropriate clothes. She needs to also call the interviewer to apologize for her inappropriate attire.

As you can tell from all of the previous “situations” it is the job of the student to correct whatever mistake was made whether intentional

or not.

The WBL Coordinator is there to help the student understand his/her error, not correct it. The

student needs to take responsibility for his/her actions.

What a terrific learning experience for all students!!!