Job Interview

Overview

This event was established to provide FFA members an opportunity to demonstrate their ability in competing a job application form, writting a letter of application, preparing a resume, interviewing properly, answering questions clearly, and presenting the proper impression.

Sub-District, District, State, National

6-10 minutes

Rules

• All participants should appear in Official FFA Dress

• Guidelines for the Job Interview materials:

  • Cover Letter:

    • Address to the Sub-District, District, or State FFA Advisor at his/her address for the appropriate level of competition.

    • Must be a letter quality printed document or points will be deducted.

  • Resume:

    • Limited to one page (double sided) or two pages (one sided) including references.

    • Contain current facts about the member.

• Four copies of the written materials must be enclosed in four separate manila (not file folders), one for each of the four judges. The participant's name and school post office must be on each envelope. The written materials must include the resume and letter of application.

• The participant will select one agriculture related entry-level job and apply for that position. The participant may utilize a job search website, like Ag Careers to seach for a position in for which they can apply. An up to one-page printed job description CAN be included in the manila envelopes with the other written materials. The job description can be from a job search website, or it can be created by the student.

• Each participant will complete an online job application form used in the agricultural industry. This form will be completed before the respected Sub-District, Districts, and State events. The form will be sent out by the Sub-District, District, and State Advisor before the event. The application may also be available on the Iowa FFA Website. The application will be submitted with the other written materials in four manila envelopes.

• There shall be four judges for this event. One will role-play the employer and the other three will score the participants. The judge to serve as the employer will be selected by the respective Sub-District Advisor, District Advisor, or State FFA Staff. The participant will be notified of which judge this is upon entering the room. The employer judge may assist the other three judges in making the final evaluations, but will not complete forms nor critique sheets. The employer judge does not have to ask each participant the same questions.

• The same judge will assume the role as the employer for all participants. All judges may ask questions at the end of the interview. There will be a five-minute time limit on questions at the end.

• Each participant will be allowed 6-10 minutes for the interview. However, the interview may be culminated at the end of 6 minutes or less if the employer judge desires. The timekeeper will hold up a warning card with an eight on it and also provide a verbal warning. Points will be deducted for presentations where the student made no attempt to close the interview. Points should not be deducted if the employer judge's participation causes the interview to exceed ten minutes. (0.1 point per second overtime or undertime will be deducted when necessary.)

• Judges may write comments on any of the materials, brochures, or summary sheets. Judges are to use the official score form for the event on which to write comments. The blue critique sheets will not be used for this event.

• At Sub-District level, it is permissible to deliver the written materials to the Sub-District Advisor the day of the event. Written materials will be returned following the Sub-District event. Materials for the advancing teams may be revised and delivered at registration of the District event.

• At District level, it is permissible to deliver the written materials to registration the day of the event. Written materials will be returned following the District event. Materials for the advancing teams may be revised.

• Written materials of advancing chapter must be postmarked to the FFA Enrichment Center seven business days following the District event.

• The judges in each Sub-District shall designate the top two individuals to compete in the District event. The judges shall also name an alternate.

• The judges in each District shall designate the top two individuals to compete in the State event. The judges shall also name an alternate.

• The judges at the State level shall designate the top two individuals. The top individual will compete in the National event. The judges shall also name an alternate and a third place finisher.