Mock Interview Script: Practice Your Introduction

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's practice a super important skill for job hunting: introducing yourselves and talking about what you can do! This is called a mock interview, and it's a safe place to practice. I'll play the role of a potential employer, and you can practice introducing yourselves.

First, I'll show you an example. Pay attention to how I introduce myself and answer a basic question."

Teacher Demonstration:

Teacher (as interviewer): "Hello, it's great to meet you. Thanks for coming in today. Please, tell me a little bit about yourself."

Teacher (as interviewee): "Hello! It's great to be here. My name is [Your Name], and I'm really interested in roles where I can use my [mention 1-2 key skills, e.g., 'organizational skills'] and my ability to [mention 1-2 key abilities, e.g., 'work with my hands']. I'm a quick learner and enjoy helping others. I've gained experience by [mention a brief relevant experience, e.g., 'volunteering at the community center for a year']. I'm excited about finding a job where I can contribute and learn new things."

Practice Activity:

Teacher: "See? It's about being clear, positive, and sharing a little bit about what makes you great. Now, who would like to volunteer to practice with me first? Remember, it's just practice, and we're here to support each other."

(Allow a student to volunteer. If no one volunteers immediately, reassure them and offer to go first again with a different example or guide them through it.)

Teacher (as interviewer to student): "Hello [Student's Name], it's a pleasure to meet you. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you are looking for in a job?"

Student:

Teacher (after student responds): "That was a great start! [Offer specific positive feedback, e.g., 'You spoke very clearly' or 'You mentioned a good skill!']. What felt good about that, and what felt a little challenging?"

Student:

Teacher: "Excellent. Let's try another one, or perhaps someone else would like to give it a go? Remember to think about your skills and what you enjoy doing, just like we talked about with our superpowers!"

(Repeat with 2-3 more volunteers as time permits. Encourage classmates to offer positive and constructive feedback politely.)

Reflection:

Teacher: "Great job everyone! What did we learn from practicing these introductions? Why is it important to be able to talk about ourselves and our skills clearly?"

Students:

Teacher: "Exactly! Practicing helps us feel more confident, and it helps potential employers understand how wonderful and capable you are! Keep practicing this, even at home with family or friends."

Job Readiness Warm Up!

Welcome! Before we dive into today's lesson, let's get our brains warmed up and think about jobs.

Instructions:

Answer the following questions to the best of your ability. There are no right or wrong answers, just your thoughts!

1. What is one job you have always been curious about or thought would be interesting?
   
   
   

2. Think about something you do really well, either at home, in school, or with friends. What is that skill?
   
   
   

3. What is one thing you hope to learn today about finding a job?
   
   
   
   
   

4. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   

What's Your Superpower Worksheet?

Everyone has unique strengths and talents, just like superheroes have superpowers! Let's discover yours.

Instructions:

Read each question and write down your honest answers. Think about what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what people often ask you for help with.

1. Things I Enjoy Doing: List 3-5 activities, hobbies, or tasks that you genuinely like to do. (e.g., helping a neighbor, playing a game, cooking, organizing things, listening to music, building models, working with animals).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Things I Am Good At: What are 3-5 things you feel confident doing? These don't have to be school subjects; they can be anything! (e.g., making people laugh, solving puzzles, being on time, remembering details, following instructions, taking care of plants).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Skills I Use at Home or in My Daily Life: Think about your routine. What skills do you use regularly? (e.g., managing my schedule, keeping my space tidy, following recipes, using a computer, communicating with family).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Skills I Have Learned: Have you learned anything new recently, in school, a club, or a volunteer activity? What skills did you develop? (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving, specific computer programs, how to use a tool).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What people compliment me on: What do friends, family, or teachers often say you're good at or thank you for? (e.g., "You're so patient!" "Thanks for your help with that!" "You always know how to make me smile.")
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

My Top 3 Superpowers for a Job:

Look back at your answers. What are the top 3 skills or qualities you think would be most useful in a job?

Smart Ways to Find a Job

Finding a job can feel like a big puzzle, but there are many different ways to put the pieces together! Knowing these methods can help you find opportunities that are a good fit for you.

1. Online Job Boards

What it is: These are websites where companies post open jobs. Think of them like big online bulletin boards!

How it works: You can search for jobs by keywords (like "customer service" or "delivery driver"), location (your city or town), or type of work. You can often upload your resume and apply directly through the website.

Examples: Indeed.com, Monster.com, LinkedIn, and even local government or disability-specific job sites.

Tip: Set up job alerts! The website can email you when new jobs that match your interests are posted.

2. Company Websites

What it is: Many businesses have a "Careers" or "Jobs" section directly on their own website.

How it works: If there's a specific company you'd really like to work for (like a favorite grocery store, a local park, or a certain manufacturer), go to their website and look for their job openings. Applying directly can sometimes show a company how interested you are in working for them.

Tip: Even if you don't see an opening right now, you might find information about their company culture or future opportunities.

3. Networking (Talking to People You Know)

What it is: This is about letting people know you are looking for a job. It means talking to family, friends, neighbors, teachers, or even people at places you volunteer or visit regularly.

How it works: When you tell people, "I'm looking for a job in [area of interest]" or "I'm hoping to find work doing [skill you have]", they might know someone who is hiring or hear about an opening before it's even advertised. They can also give you advice or introduce you to others.

Tip: Always be ready to briefly and positively share what kind of work you're looking for and one or two things you're good at.

4. Job Fairs and Community Events

What it is: These are events where many different employers gather in one place to meet potential employees.

How it works: You can go to these events, talk directly to recruiters, learn about various companies, and sometimes even have a short interview on the spot. It's a great way to make a good first impression and get information.

Tip: Bring a few copies of your resume (if you have one) and be ready to introduce yourself and briefly say what kind of work you're interested in.

5. Staffing Agencies and Employment Support Programs

What it is: These are organizations that help people find jobs.

How it works: Staffing agencies work with many different companies and can match you with jobs that fit your skills. Employment support programs, especially those for individuals with disabilities, can offer tailored assistance, including job coaching, resume help, interview practice, and connections to inclusive employers.

Tip: Research local agencies or programs in your area. They can be a fantastic resource!

Networking Discussion Guide: Connect and Grow!

Networking means talking to people you know, and people they know, about jobs and career opportunities. It's a friendly way to find out about jobs that might not even be advertised yet!

Instructions:

Work with your group to discuss the following questions. Share your ideas and listen to what others think.

1. Who is in your network right now?
   Think about people you know who might be able to help you or give you advice about jobs. (Examples: family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, school counselors, coaches, people from a community center or place of worship, doctors/therapists who might know about resources).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What would you say if you met someone new and wanted to tell them you are looking for a job?
   Imagine you are at a community event. How would you start the conversation? What is one important thing you would want them to know about you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why do you think talking to people (networking) is an important way to find a job?
   What are the benefits of talking to people instead of just looking online?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How can we practice our networking skills, even if we're not actively looking for a job right now?
   Think about simple ways to connect with people and talk about your interests or goals.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What's one question you have about networking or talking to people about jobs?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Job Hunt Cool Down: Your Next Step

Great job today everyone! Let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned and what you'll do next.

Instructions:

Complete the sentences below. This helps you remember what's important and plan your next move.

1. One new thing I learned today about finding a job is...
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. One next step I will take in my job hunt journey is...