Learn

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How do I stand out as the clear choice?

Time:Set the timer to 60 minutes for the Learn section.

“What Is He Looking For? Part I” (No video? Read page 66.)

Discuss:What do employers want to know during interviews or when they give you an application? What if your answers could help you stand out as the clear choice for the employer?

Read:QUESTION OF THE WEEK—How do I stand out as the clear choice?

ACTION OF THE WEEK—Give great answers to interview and application questions.

During this meeting, you will learn to answer interview questions and complete applications in a way that will help you stand out!

How do I prepare for an interview?

Read:Are we afraid of interviews? Do we wonder what interviewers are going to ask or what they really want to know?

Actually, we can know. Most interviewers ask common questions. As a group, let’s take turns reading this chart.

COMMON QUESTIONS	WHAT THE INTERVIEWER MAY WANT TO HEAR	ANSWER TOOLS
What can you tell me about yourself?	Can she speak well? Is she prepared?	“Me in 30 seconds”
What are your strengths?	Does his experience meet our needs?	Power statement
Why do you want to work for us?	Does she have a clear goal?	Power statement
What did you think of your last boss?	Does he respect leaders?	Power statement
How do you react to pressure?	Does she take ownership of problems?	Power statement
What do you expect to be paid?	Are his expectations reasonable?	Answer with a question

“What Is He Looking For? Part II” Pause and participate as directed. (No video? Read pages 67–68.)

Discuss:When is your “me in 30 seconds” a useful tool in an interview? When are your power statements the right tools? Did you see how to turn a negative into a positive?

pairs of people shapes

Practice:

Take six or seven minutes to do the following “speed practice.”

• Stand up and turn to another group member.

• One of you is the employer; ask a common question from the chart above.

• The other is the job seeker; answer the question with your tools.

• Switch roles and do it again. Give each other helpful feedback!

• Once you have both been employer and job seeker, move to another partner. Repeat this until time runs out.

Keep practicing after our meeting with your family or friends. See the chart on page 69 for more questions.

How do I answer questions with questions?

Read:What if we can’t tell what the interviewer wants? Or what if we need more information? Sometimes we can answer with a question.

Read:Let’s look at these two common questions. We will read each question and then the information to the right of it.

COMMON QUESTIONS	WHAT THE INTERVIEWER MAY WANT TO HEAR	ANSWER TOOLS	ANSWER WITH A QUESTION
What salary do you want?	Is he confident enough to negotiate?	Answer with a question	What do you typically pay for this position?
Do you have any questions?	Does she understand the job?	Answer with a question	What is the best thing about working here?

Discuss:When would it be good to answer a question with a question? When would it not be a good idea? How could you prepare to ask good questions in an interview?

Tip:

Learn when and when not to ask questions. Don’t take answering questions with questions too far.

Be sensitive to the feelings of the interviewer. Don’t come across as too aggressive.

Read:Before the interview, we need to study the employer and go prepared to ask good questions. We can also be prepared to add a question to a “me in 30 seconds” or a power statement. For example: “What other skills would you like me to talk about?”

Good questions can create a good conversation!

two persons

You

I’m very interested in your products. How do you make them?

Interviewer

I’m glad you care! First we bring in the raw materials. Then, we …

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: HOW DO I NEGOTIATE EMPLOYMENT THAT MEETS MY NEEDS?
(DO NOT DO THIS DURING THE MEETING.)
If you choose, before our next meeting you may do this activity. One important part of an interview is negotiating. If you want to learn more, take time to review “How Do I Negotiate Employment That Meets My Needs?” on pages 70–72 in the Resources section. Discuss and practice with your family.

What about my attitude and appearance?

Practice:Everyone stand and repeat this phrase together three times:

We have only one chance to make a first impression!

Discuss:What does this mean to you as you try to “stand out”?

Practice:Move your chair to work with another group member. Read this chart to each other. Decide what you can improve to be your best self.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Attitude	Pray for help and peace. Be polite and respectful. Be on time. Show interest in the company and the interviewer. Smile and be pleasant. Act confidently. Speak clearly.
Grooming	Be clean: face, hands, fingernails. Use moderate make-up (women). Use moderate hairstyles. Smell good. Trim or shave facial hair (men). Look like a professional.
Dress	Wear clean clothes without holes (clothes do not have to be expensive). Iron clothes. Dress one step above work dress: If you would go to work in jeans and a T-shirt, dress in slacks and a nicer shirt. If you would go to work in a nicer shirt, wear a shirt and tie (for men) or a blouse (for women).

How do I fill out job applications?

Read:We want to spend most of our time with personal contacts and interviews through our network. But we will likely have to fill out applications, too, either on paper or online. An application is like an interview on paper.

Practice:Get with two other group members. Fill out the application on the next two pages. Then read the following and discuss how to improve your applications. After our meeting, review pages 73–75.

APPLICATION SECTION	WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR	TOOLS AND TIPS
Personal Information	Is there anything to disqualify her (such as a crime or other problem)?	Answer every question. Use “me in 30 seconds” information. Be honest; avoid unnecessary details.
Education	Does he have the necessary training?	If possible, start with highest degree or certificate and go back in time. Add all specific training and certifications. Add power statement information.
Employment History	Does she have the experience we need?	If possible, start with most recent work and go back. Try to avoid gaps in time or explain them. Use power statement information.
References	Is there enough information for me to contact them?	Prepare at least one reference (get permission) for your character (honesty, etc.) and one for your job skills and results.
Awards or Recognitions	Does he have special skills?	If possible, start with most important and go toward least important. Add power statement information.
General	Is the application neat and clean?	Write clearly. Make it nice to look at.

JOB APPLICATION FORM
Name:

Date:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Position:

Desired Salary:

Date available:

Have you ever worked for this company?

• Yes

• No

Date:

If yes, when?

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

• Yes

• No

Date:

If yes, explain:

Education

College:

Address:

From:

To:

Did you graduate?

• Yes

• No

Diploma:

High School:

Address:

From:

To:

Did you graduate?

• Yes

• No

Degree:

References

Full Name:

Relationship:

Phone:

Full Name:

Relationship:

Phone:

Full Name:

Relationship:

Phone:

Previous Jobs

Job Title:

Starting Salary:

Ending Salary:

Responsibilities:

From:

To:

Reason for Leaving:

Company:

Phone:

Job Title:

Starting Salary:

Ending Salary:

Responsibilities:

From:

To:

Reason for Leaving:

Company:

Phone:

I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

If this application leads to employment, I understand that false or misleading information in my application or interview may result in my release.

Signature:

Date: