Blessings.

One of my callings at church is the ward employment specialist. I haven't done a lot with this calling, and I am not really sure what is expected of me. However, we had a meeting tonight on Interviewing Skills. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to go. I felt that I wasn't sure what I would be able to get out of the meeting. I had, had an Effective Communications class in college that spent some time on proper interviewing techniques. The closer the time came for the meeting, the more I drug my feet. It was a 40 minute drive there, and quite frankly, I didn't want to drive that far. Then I decided I would feel like I wasn't fulfilling my calling and not doing what is expected of me. So I went anyway.

It turned out to be pretty good. There were a few things I did learn. I learned the C-A-R mnemonic. When you are asked to give an example of your skills, you need to start out with the "C"onditions, then follow with the "A"ctions, and end with the "R"esults. When giving an example, make sure that you use #'s or %'s. People tend to remember it when expressed in #'s or %'s.

They had a small quiz where he gave us a list of 12 things that employers feel are important when interviewing. He wanted us to rank them in importance, and whoever could name the #1 thing would get a prize. I answered that verbalization of skills, confidence and appearance were important in interviews. I had two of the right answers and when everyone was done telling their answers, he said only one person has got this correct. It was me!! I had two of the three correct. The most important skills were verbalization of skills, enthusiasm, and confidence. So I won a book.

Just to think I wasn't going to go. I learned something, and got a new book. Yippee!