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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

In the last chapter, we learned the following interview skills:

• Prepare before the interview.

• Open the interview effectively.

• Use your Me in 30 Seconds.

• Use power statements.

In this chapter, we will be practicing a few more interview skills to help us work smart.

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Josh’s Job Search

Read:Josh has anticipated a few questions and has prepared a few power statements for his interview at ABC Marketing. He has also prepared a solid Me in 30 Seconds to open the interview effectively. Josh would like to be as prepared as possible and decides to call his uncle David to ask him for some interview advice.

Uncle David tells Josh that typically an interviewer asks a job seeker about a weakness. The main purpose of this question is to address possible concerns about the job seeker. He suggests having a few questions to ask at the end of the interview and gives Josh some advice on closing the interview effectively.

Discuss:What do you think of Uncle David’s advice?

Read:The more you improve your interview skills, the more you will have success. You will know you are interviewing effectively when you get job offers. In this chapter we will learn and practice the following interview skills:

1. Turn negatives into positives.

2. Ask questions.

3. Close the interview effectively.

1. Turn Negatives into Positives

Read:A potential employer may have concerns about hiring you. These could stem from your employment history, experience, age, or any number of things. They will often ask you questions about these things in an interview. For example, they may ask questions like the following:

• Why did you leave your last position?

• Tell me about a time you didn’t get along with a coworker.

• What is one of your weaknesses?

When faced with these types of questions, try to resolve the possible concern using honest and favorable terms, preferably with an example.

Josh’s job search icon

Josh’s Job Search

Read:Josh is wondering if the employer will be concerned that he is young and maybe doesn’t have enough experience. He used this simple table to prepare a response.

Potential Weakness	Employer’s Real Concern	How I Overcame It (Will Overcome It)
Young age	Possible lack of knowledge or experience	I have two years of experience providing computer support and hold several technical certificates. At my last job as a help desk technician, I developed a simple diagnostic tool that allowed me to quickly assess and resolve the IT needs of dozens of customers daily. As a result, I resolved over 1,000 help desk tickets in two years, at an average of half the time of my peers. I am confident my experience and skills can add value to your company.

Discuss:What did you notice about how Josh addressed the employer’s possible concern?

Activity (6 minutes)

Let’s practice turning negatives into positives.

Step 1: Review the examples, then identify and write a response to one of your potential weaknesses.

Potential Weakness	Employer’s Real Concern	How I Overcame It (Will Overcome It)
Example 1 Young age	May lack maturity or experience	I have over five years of directly related experience.
Example 2 Multiple jobs in a short period of time	May leave the position soon	During my education years, I had as many jobs as I could close to campus to support my family. Now that I have my degree, I am looking for a full-time job in which I can become stable for the next 5 to 10 years.

Step 2: Pair up with your action partner. Take turns answering the question “What is one of your weaknesses?”

Read:During the week, see page 214 in the appendix for more practice turning a negative into a positive.

2. Ask Questions

Read:Somewhere near the end of an interview, you will typically be asked if you have any questions. You should have a few questions ready to help you gain more information and to show genuine interest in the opportunity. Here are a few examples:

• How does this position contribute to the organization?

• What is the training like for this role?

• Where do you see the company in five years?

Do not ask about money, benefits, or schedules at this point of the interview. Don’t talk about these things until the employer brings them up or an offer is extended. To learn more about negotiating, see pages 215–17 in the appendix on your own this week.

Activity (5 minutes)

Imagine you are nearing the end of the interview for the job posting you brought with you or for a job you are interested in. Individually write down two questions you could ask, and share them with your action partner.

1.

2.

3. Close the Interview Effectively

Read:What you say and do at the close of your interview can have a lasting impact on how favorably your interviewer remembers your conversation. Follow these guidelines:

• When you stand up to leave, make eye contact, smile, and shake hands again (if this is appropriate to your culture).

• Call the interviewer by name.

• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest.

• Determine what the next steps in the process are and how you should follow up. You might say something as simple as, “What are the next steps, and how should I follow up?”

• Indicate your own interest by saying something like, “I enjoyed our visit and look forward to hearing from you,” or “I am confident I can make a positive impact here.”

Discuss:How will doing these things help you have successful interviews?

Conclusion

Watch:“Amy Nails Her Interview,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 126.)

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Discuss:What are the most important things you learned from this chapter?

Read:You now have several interview skills to help you work smart.

Act in Faith + Work Hard + Work Smart = Success

The Lord has promised, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). Prepare by praying for help and practicing as much as possible.