Vocabulary & Concepts
This is a quick introduction of yourself for networking or interviews.
What is an Elevator Pitch?
Why do brands use colors, slogans, or logos?
To communicate identity and create recognition; it also relates to personal branding.
Paying attention, clarifying, and responding thoughtfully in conversations.
What is Active Listening?
What is DECA?
A career and leadership organization that provides competitions, networking, and skill-building.
5 C’s of communication.
Clear, Concise, Correct, Complete, Courteous.
This refers to judging other cultures by your own culture’s standards.
What is Ethnocentrism?
What does digital professionalism look like?
Being responsible, respectful, and appropriate online; avoiding unprofessional posts that could hurt career opportunities.
When someone hears words but doesn’t fully process or respond.
What is Passive Hearing?
Name 2 skills you can use from DECA in other classes or jobs.
Public speaking, leadership, teamwork, time management, networking.
Name one trait of strong work ethic and time management.
Punctuality, reliability, prioritization, accountability, honesty, or initiative.
Industry-specific language, important to use correctly in marketing or customer service.
What is Jargon?
List 3 ways networking can help in school, internships, or future jobs.
Building relationships, finding mentors, discovering opportunities, sharing knowledge, and professional growth.
A team member misses deadlines; you want to respond professionally. Give one way.
Communicate politely, ask how you can help, set expectations, or offer solutions.
List 3 benefits of joining DECA beyond competitions.
Networking, skill development, mentorship, career exploration, leadership opportunities.
What is a first impression? Give one example of a positive first impression.
How someone perceives you initially; example: arriving on time, dressing appropriately, greeting politely.
How you appear online, including social media, LinkedIn, and email impressions.
What is Digital Presence?
Give an example of active listening solving a problem.
Listening carefully in a group project to understand a teammate’s concerns and finding a solution.
A customer is upset about a product you didn’t make. Name two ways to handle it.
Listen empathetically, provide alternatives, apologize for inconvenience, escalate if needed.
How can you pitch yourself in 30 seconds to a potential mentor, employer, or judge?
Clearly state your name, key strengths, achievements, and what you want to accomplish.
Compare active listening vs passive hearing in one sentence.
Active listening involves processing and responding; passive hearing is only hearing words without engagement.
Behaviors that show respect, responsibility, and integrity, online or in person.
What is Professionalism?
How can culture affect understanding? Give one example.
Different gestures, phrases, or humor can be misunderstood; e.g., a social media post may offend another culture if phrases aren’t translated.
Write two examples of professional vs unprofessional behavior online.
Professional: polite posts, sharing achievements; Unprofessional: rude comments, inappropriate photos.
Describe one way DECA prepares you for professional communication.
Through presentations, competitions, feedback, and practicing elevator pitches.
How would you fix a social media post misunderstood in another country?
Adjust wording, remove phrases/sayings, consider cultural references, and clarify the intent respectfully.