Professional Foundations & Communication
How long does it take for someone to make their first impression of you?
7 Seconds
When shouldn’t you submit a cover letter?
NEVER
What is the method we use for behavioural-type questions?
STAR Method
What is gross pay, and net pay?
Gross=Your earned pay before deductions
Net= What you actually take home after deductions
What is mindfulness?
Paying attention to the present moment on purpose without judgement
What are the four communication styles?
Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive & Assertive
What is the weakest action word you could have on your resume?
‘Helped’ or ‘Did’
What does STAR stand for?
Situation, Task, Action, Result
What does the 50/30/20 rule mean?
50% toward needs, 30% toward wants, 20% toward savings
Name 3 stress management strategies for the workplace
Box breathing/deep breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, positive self-talk, breaking larger tasks down into smaller steps, taking a pause
What are the four roles in meetings we discussed?
Facilitator, Time-Keeper, Note-Taker & Active Participants
When is a gap statement necessary on your resume?
When the gap in your job experience is not addressed somewhere else on the resume: ex. In the volunteer or education sections
What are 3 things you should do in preparation for an interview?
Examples: Tech check, research the company, practice, come up with questions you can ask at the end, review the job description
What are the two types of deductions?
Required & optional
What is the difference between stress and burnout?
Stress is short term & can be motivating, burnout is long term and is crippling
What is a sign of toxic workplace culture?
Gossip, bullying & burnout
What does ‘tailoring’ mean?
Adjusting your resume to match the job
What is the range (in seconds) for how long each of your interview answers should be?
30-60 seconds
What are the two types of expenses?
Fixed & Variable
What is burnout and what causes it?
Burnout= emotional, mental and physical exhaustion
Caused by: ongoing stress, overworked, lack of support, lack of boundaries
What are the 5 elements of a professional email?
Subject line, greeting, purpose statement, body & closing/signature
What is the formula for achievement statements?
Action + Task + Result
What are 3 things you should never do in an interview?
Speak negatively about yourself or others- especially past employers, be unprepared, be late, be dressed inappropriately
When does tax season in Canada start and end?
February-April 30th
What are your 3 workplace rights?
Right to know, Right to participate and Right to refuse.
Honorable mentions: right to be paid fairly, right to be respected