Script: Job Skills: Stay Hired!

Warm-Up: My Work Day (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: how to get a job and, even more importantly, how to keep it. We'll be focusing on job retention and social skills."

Teacher: "To start us off, I want you to think about a typical workday. Imagine you're at your dream job. What's one thing you look forward to, or perhaps one thing you might worry about when thinking about a job or work day? Don't worry, there are no right or wrong answers. Just share what comes to mind."

(Pause for student responses. Acknowledge and affirm each response.)

Teacher: "Great shares, everyone. It's good to think about these things because understanding ourselves helps us prepare better for work."

Introduction & Objectives (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 2: What We'll Learn Today)

"Today, our goal is to understand some key social skills you'll use in the workplace, learn strategies to keep a job – we call that job retention – practice how to communicate effectively, and discuss how to solve problems when they come up at work."

"These aren't just 'nice-to-have' skills; they are crucial for success and happiness in any job. Learning these will help you feel more confident and prepared for your employment journey."

Reading: Social Skills at Work (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 4: Reading: Social Skills at Work)

"Now, we're going to dive a bit deeper into what social skills look like in a work setting. I have a Reading: Social Skills at Work for you. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or if you prefer, we can read it together as a class."

(Distribute/display the reading. Allow time for students to read.)

Teacher: "Okay, now that we've read this, what were some of the key social skills mentioned? Why do you think these skills are important for keeping a job?"

(Facilitate discussion, prompting students with questions like: "Can you give an example of good communication at work?" or "How does being a team player help a company?")

Activity: Role Play Challenges (15 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 5: Activity: Role Play Challenges)

"Now it's time to put our learning into practice! We're going to do some role-playing. This is a great way to practice how to handle different situations you might face at work in a safe environment. We'll be working in pairs or small groups."

"I have some scenarios prepared in our Activity: Role Play Challenges. Each group will get a scenario, and I want you to act out how you would respond using the social skills we just discussed. Remember, this is for practice, so have fun with it!"

(Divide students into groups, assign scenarios, and circulate to offer guidance and support.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's come back together. Who would like to share how their group handled a situation? What strategies worked well? What did you learn?"

(Debrief the activity, highlighting effective communication, problem-solving, and positive social interactions.)

Discussion: Keeping Your Cool (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 6: Discussion: Keeping Your Cool)

"Work can sometimes be challenging, and things might not always go as planned. Sometimes, we might feel frustrated or upset. How do we 'keep our cool' and manage those feelings in a professional way at work?"

"Let's use the prompts from our Discussion: Keeping Your Cool to guide our conversation. For example, 'What should you do if a co-worker says something that upsets you?' or 'How can you ask for help without getting angry?'"

(Facilitate a class discussion, emphasizing appropriate ways to express feelings, seek support, and resolve conflicts peacefully.)

Worksheet: Retention Reminders (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 7: Worksheet: Retention Reminders)

"We've covered a lot of great information today. To help us remember all these important points about keeping our jobs, we're going to complete a short Worksheet: Retention Reminders."

(Distribute the worksheet. Offer individual support as needed.)

Teacher: "Let's go over the answers together. What did you write for question one?"

(Review answers as a class, using the Answer Key: Retention Reminders to guide the discussion and reinforce learning.)

Quiz: Job Readiness Check (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 8: Quiz: Job Readiness Check)

"To quickly check our understanding of today's topics, we have a short Quiz: Job Readiness Check. Please do your best and answer all the questions. This helps me see what we've learned well and what we might need to review later."

(Administer the quiz. Collect when finished. Briefly review some answers using Answer Key: Job Readiness Check if time permits, or simply collect for grading.)

Cool Down: One Step Forward (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 9: Cool Down: One Step Forward)

"As we wrap up our session today, I want each of you to think about one social skill or job retention strategy we discussed today that you will personally focus on improving this week. It could be something small, like 'I will try to make eye contact more when I speak,' or 'I will practice asking for help politely.'"

"Let's share one thing you're committing to for this week. This is our Cool Down: One Step Forward activity."

(Allow students to share. Affirm their commitments.)

Teacher: (Transition to Job Skills: Stay Hired! Slide Deck - Slide 10: You've Got This!)

"Fantastic work today, everyone! Remember, building strong job retention and social skills takes practice. Every step you take, no matter how small, helps you become a more successful employee."

"Keep practicing, keep learning, and keep growing! You've got this, and I'm here to support you every step of the way. Have a wonderful rest of your day!"

Warm Up: My Work Day

Instructions: Think about a typical workday, whether it's a job you've had, one you want, or just an imagined day. On the lines below, write down:

1. One thing you look forward to or enjoy about a workday.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. One thing you might worry about or find challenging about a workday.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Be ready to share your thoughts with the class!

Reading: Social Skills at Work

Why Social Skills Matter for Your Job

Getting a job is a great achievement, but keeping a job often depends on more than just doing your tasks well. It also depends a lot on your social skills – how you interact with others, communicate, and behave in the workplace. Good social skills help you build positive relationships, solve problems, and contribute to a happy work environment. This makes you a valuable employee that your boss will want to keep!

Key Social Skills for Success

Here are some important social skills that will help you succeed and stay hired:

1. Clear Communication

• Listening: Pay attention when others are speaking. Don't interrupt. Show you're listening by nodding or saying "I understand."
• Speaking Clearly: Use words that others can understand. Speak at a good volume. If you don't understand something, it's okay to ask questions.
• Asking Questions: If you're unsure about a task or instruction, ask for clarification. It's better to ask than to make a mistake.
• Giving and Receiving Feedback: Be open to hearing suggestions for improvement. When you need to give feedback to someone else, do it kindly and respectfully.

2. Teamwork and Cooperation

• Working with Others: Many jobs require working in a team. Be ready to help your co-workers and accept help from them.
• Sharing Responsibilities: Do your part of the work. If you finish your tasks, offer to help others if you can.
• Being Flexible: Sometimes plans change. Be ready to adapt to new situations or tasks without getting upset.

3. Professionalism and Respect

• Respecting Differences: Everyone is unique. Treat all co-workers and customers with respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or abilities.
• Showing Courtesy: Use polite words like "please," "thank you," and "excuse me." Hold doors open, and be mindful of personal space.
• Managing Emotions: It's normal to feel angry or frustrated sometimes. However, in the workplace, it's important to control your emotions and handle disagreements calmly and privately, not in front of customers or other co-workers.

4. Problem-Solving

• Identifying Problems: Notice when something isn't working right or a task needs attention.
• Finding Solutions: Think about different ways to fix a problem. Don't be afraid to suggest ideas.
• Asking for Help (When Needed): If a problem is too big for you to solve alone, know when to ask your supervisor or a co-worker for help.

5. Positive Attitude

• Being Optimistic: Try to have a positive outlook. A good attitude can make work more enjoyable for everyone.
• Being Friendly: A smile and a friendly greeting can go a long way in making the workplace a pleasant place to be.

By focusing on these social skills, you can become an even more valuable and successful employee, increasing your chances of job retention and building a great career!

Activity: Role Play Challenges

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, read your assigned scenario. Then, act out how you would respond or handle the situation using the social skills we discussed. Think about clear communication, professionalism, and problem-solving.

Scenario 1: Unclear Instructions

Situation: Your supervisor gives you a task, but their instructions are a bit confusing. You're not sure exactly what to do, and you want to make sure you do it right.

Your Goal: Politely ask for clarification without appearing like you weren't listening.

Scenario 2: Working with a Co-worker

Situation: You are working on a team project with a co-worker. You notice they are doing something differently than how you were trained, and it might affect the quality of the work. You need to address it respectfully.

Your Goal: Communicate your concern and suggest the correct procedure in a friendly, helpful way.

Scenario 3: Dealing with a Frustrated Customer (or Client)

Situation: A customer approaches you and is upset because a product is out of stock (or a service is delayed). It's not your fault, but they are clearly frustrated.

Your Goal: Listen calmly, apologize for their inconvenience, and offer a solution or explain what you can do to help.

Scenario 4: A Small Mistake

Situation: You accidentally make a small mistake on a task. It's not a huge error, but it needs to be corrected. You're worried about telling your supervisor.

Your Goal: Take responsibility for your mistake and ask for guidance on how to fix it.

Discussion: Keeping Your Cool

Instructions: Let's discuss how to handle challenging situations at work and manage our emotions effectively. Be ready to share your thoughts and listen respectfully to your classmates.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Feeling Frustrated: What are some things at work that might make you feel frustrated or annoyed? How do you usually react when you feel this way?
   
   
   

2. Professional Responses: If a co-worker says something that upsets you, what are some polite and professional ways to respond instead of reacting angrily?
   
   
   

3. Asking for Help: When you're feeling overwhelmed or can't solve a problem on your own, what is the best way to ask your supervisor or a co-worker for help without getting upset?
   
   
   

4. Taking a Break: Have you ever felt so stressed at work that you needed a moment to yourself? What are some healthy ways to take a short break to calm down (e.g., walk away, take deep breaths)?
   
   
   

5. Learning from Mistakes: If you make a mistake at work, it's easy to get down on yourself. How can you learn from your mistakes and move forward positively, rather than letting them upset you?
   
   
   

Worksheet: Retention Reminders

Instructions: Read each question carefully and write your answers in the space provided. This will help you remember important ways to keep your job!

1. Communication: Why is it important to listen carefully to your supervisor and co-workers?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Asking Questions: When you are unsure about a task, what is the best thing to do?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Teamwork: Give one example of how you can be a good team player at work.
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Problem-Solving: If you notice a problem at work, what are the first two steps you should take?
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Attitude: How can having a positive attitude help you keep your job?
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Respect: Why is it important to treat all co-workers and customers with respect?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Answer Key: Retention Reminders

1. Communication: Why is it important to listen carefully to your supervisor and co-workers?

   • Thought Process: Good listening helps you understand instructions, avoid mistakes, and show respect. It ensures you know what needs to be done.
   • Answer: It's important to listen carefully to understand instructions, know what is expected of you, and avoid making mistakes. It also shows respect for others.

2. Asking Questions: When you are unsure about a task, what is the best thing to do?

   • Thought Process: Making a mistake is worse than asking for help. Asking shows you care about doing the job right.
   • Answer: The best thing to do is politely ask your supervisor or a co-worker for clarification. It's better to ask than to guess and make a mistake.

3. Teamwork: Give one example of how you can be a good team player at work.

   • Thought Process: Teamwork involves helping others and doing your part. Examples like offering help or completing tasks are good.
   • Answer: (Examples include) Offering to help a co-worker who is busy, completing your tasks on time so others aren't delayed, or contributing ideas in a team meeting.

4. Problem-Solving: If you notice a problem at work, what are the first two steps you should take?

   • Thought Process: First, identify the problem. Second, try to think of a solution or report it.
   • Answer: The first two steps are to identify the problem (what is wrong?) and then either try to find a solution yourself or report the problem to your supervisor.

5. Attitude: How can having a positive attitude help you keep your job?

   • Thought Process: A positive attitude makes you easier to work with, improves morale, and shows dedication.
   • Answer: A positive attitude makes you more pleasant to work with, can motivate co-workers, and shows your employer that you are a dedicated and good addition to the team. It contributes to a better work environment.

6. Respect: Why is it important to treat all co-workers and customers with respect?

   • Thought Process: Respect creates a good environment and is professional. It avoids conflict and represents the company well.
   • Answer: Treating everyone with respect creates a positive and professional work environment. It prevents conflict, helps build good relationships, and shows that you are a valuable and courteous employee.

Answer Key: Job Readiness Check

1. Which of the following is NOT an example of clear communication at work?

   • Correct Answer: Interrupting a co-worker to share your idea.
   • Explanation: Clear communication involves listening respectfully and speaking clearly. Interrupting shows a lack of respect and can disrupt the flow of conversation.

2. Why is teamwork important in most jobs? Give one reason.

   • Expected Answer: (Answers may vary, but should include similar ideas)
     • It helps tasks get done faster and more efficiently.
     • It allows people to combine different skills and ideas.
     • It creates a more positive and supportive work environment.
     • Many jobs require working together to achieve a common goal.
   • Thought Process: Teamwork is about collaboration and shared goals, leading to better outcomes and a more pleasant workplace.

3. If you make a small mistake at work, what is the best thing to do?

   • Correct Answer: Take responsibility and ask your supervisor how to fix it.
   • Explanation: It's important to be honest and proactive when you make a mistake. Hiding it can lead to bigger problems, and taking responsibility shows maturity and a willingness to learn.

4. How important is it to control your emotions (like anger or frustration) at work?

   • Correct Answer: Extremely important
   • Explanation: Maintaining professionalism and a calm demeanor helps create a positive work environment, prevents conflicts, and ensures you can think clearly to solve problems.

5. Describe one strategy you can use to 'keep your cool' if you feel stressed or upset at work.

   • Expected Answer: (Answers may vary, but should include similar ideas)
     • Taking a few deep breaths.
     • Stepping away for a short break (if possible).
     • Counting to ten before responding.
     • Talking to a trusted supervisor or mentor privately (after calming down).
     • Reminding yourself that it's just a job and you can solve the problem.
   • Thought Process: Strategies should focus on self-regulation and de-escalation of strong emotions in a professional setting.

Cool Down: One Step Forward

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson. Think about all the social skills and job retention strategies we discussed. In the space below, write down:

What is ONE social skill or job retention strategy you will focus on improving or practicing this week?

It could be something small, like listening more carefully, asking a question when you're unsure, or trying to stay calm if something goes wrong.

Be ready to share your