Self-Reliance
Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes


“Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes,” Find a Better Job for Self-Reliance (2016)

“Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes,” Find a Better Job

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Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes

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Read:A successful job search follows this simple formula:

Act in Faith + Work Hard + Work Smart = Success

Interview skills help you work smarter. Because interviews are so important, we will spend the next three chapters learning and practicing interview skills.

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Josh’s Job Search

Read:More good news. Julie from ABC Marketing called Josh after she received his résumé and cover letter. She scheduled an interview with him two days from now for the help desk technician job. Josh has always been nervous during job interviews and is concerned about what questions Julie might ask him. He is pretty sure that he didn’t do well in the two interviews he has had so far, but he isn’t sure what he could improve. Josh wants to be prepared.

Discuss:In what ways can you relate to Josh?

Watch:“The Interview,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 109.)

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Read:Interviews are one of the last steps in getting a job. The purpose of an interview is to get a job offer. The Lord has promised, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). If you prepare well, you can replace fear with confidence.

In this chapter, you will learn to work smart by developing the following interview skills:

  1. Prepare before the interview.

  2. Open the interview effectively.

  3. Use your Me in 30 Seconds.

  4. Use power statements.

1. Prepare Before the Interview

Read:Wouldn’t it be nice to know what questions you were going to be asked in an interview?

You can.

Most interviewers will ask a combination of common interview questions and job-specific questions. You already know how to identify the employer’s needs, so you can use that skill to figure out what the employer will probably ask you. For example, Josh is pretty sure he will be asked about customer service, troubleshooting, and communicating technical things in simple terms.

2. Open the Interview Effectively

Read:When you open an interview, there are some simple things you can do to make a great first impression. As a group, take turns reading the list of do’s and don’ts below.

Do

Don’t

Dress one level above the company’s dress standard.

Dress too casually.

Arrive 5–10 minutes early.

Be late or more than 10 minutes early.

Use positive body language.

Use negative body language.

3. Use Your Me in 30 Seconds

Read:Often one of the first interview questions you will be asked is, “Tell me about yourself.” A Me in 30 Seconds adapted to an interview setting is a great response to this question. The Me in 30 Seconds for an interview is slightly different. For example, you don’t usually need to use your name. And instead of asking for referrals like you would with networking, you close it by showing interest in the company or position.

Discuss:Why was the second example better?

4. Use Power Statements

Read:Power statements should be used to answer most interview questions. They are memorable and powerful and will help you stand out as the clear choice.

Remember to follow the power statement formula:

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power statements formula

Discuss:How did using a power statement make the second example more effective?

Conclusion

Discuss:What were some of the most important things you learned from this chapter?

Read:You have begun to learn some interview skills that will help you work smart.

Act in Faith + Work Hard + Work Smart = Success

If you are prepared, there is no need to fear. Pray for help, and then prepare and practice as much as possible. In the next chapter, we will learn more interview skills.