Workshop 4 Raising Self-Esteem and Understanding Job ... Raising Self Esteem...Raising Self Esteem...

Raising Self Esteem and Understanding Job-Finding Strategies

Literacy Nova Scotia 44

Workshop 4 Raising Self-Esteem and Understanding Job-Finding Strategies This workshop is based on one developed by Ben Gale, and field tested with learners in

Truro and Digby. It is an interactive session focused on developing participants’ sense of

their own strengths and achievements, and so improving their interviewing skills.

Learners will consider the concepts of self esteem and self concept and analyze

their own lives to see where positive influences on these two things come from

Learners will be invited to identify and articulate their prior learning and experience

by making an ad about themselves

Learners will explore their collective knowledge of interview skills, and compare

what they already know to advice from experts.

EEsssseennttiiaall SSkkiillllss This workshop focuses on the following essential skills:

This workshop also involves practice in reading.

Continuous learning

Working with others

Thinking

Oral communication


45 Learners: Use Tools that Work for You!

PPrreeppaarraattiioonn

DVD

The DVD for this workshop shows highlights of

the workshop as presented by Ben Gale. You may

want to watch it all before you give the

workshop. In addition you may want to share

parts of the DVD with learners; for example, you

might show clips of learners talking about the

value of the workshop in the days before you give

the workshop, as a way of encouraging

participation; alternatively, you might show those

same clips at the end of the workshop, as a way

of beginning a discussion with your participants

about what they got out of it. You could use clips

of the presenter in similar ways, or as part of the

introduction to the workshop.

PowerPoint Presentation on Self Esteem

The PowerPoint is available at http://www.ns.literacy.ca/toolsproject/Self_Esteem.pptx.

Supplies

A rubber band big enough to go around the wrist once, one for each person in the

group.

Collage materials—make sure you have pictures that represent your group, i.e., the

right mix of ages, sexes, races, abilities and relative wealth or poverty.

Flipchart paper and markers for each small group (participants working in groups of

three or four)

Each participant will need:

A name tag or tent card with their name

A note pad

A pen

A folder for handouts

Handouts

The handouts for this workshop start on page 55.

MMaakkiinngg aa SSaaffee SSppaaccee See page 1.

https://owa2000.mala.bc.ca/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ns.literacy.ca/toolsproject/Self_Esteem.pptx



IInnttrroodduuccttiioonnss If you are giving this workshop to a group of learners who already

know you, then introduce yourself in relation to this workshop:

Why did you choose this workshop for this group? How do your

own self confidence and self concept affect the way you meet a

class for the first time and “sell yourself” to them as a teacher

worth paying attention to? And/or tell a brief story about your

experience with a job interview.

If you are giving this workshop to a group of learners who do not know you, begin by

introducing yourself. In addition to who you are, where you work, etc., include a brief

story or two that shows you also have struggled in your life to become the person you are

now, and had to learn new skills in order to become more successful at presenting

yourself in a strong light.

Ask learners to introduce themselves, or choose a warm-up that will give them a chance

to get to know each other.

WWaarrmm--UUpp Choose one from the introduction, page 2.

AAccttiivviittyy 11.. SSeellff EEsstteeeemm

Facilitator Leads Discussion with PowerPoint

A short PowerPoint presentation (15 slides), led by the facilitator,

provokes participants to think about themselves and engage in

conversation within the group.

This is not the usual PowerPoint presentation where the presenter lectures

on each slide. Instead, the presenter uses each slide, which contains a

question or a piece of information, to engage with the participants and

invite them to share their experiences and thoughts. The facilitator also

shares brief stories to the point of some of the slides. The DVD shows Ben

Gale using the PowerPoint in this way.

The slides are shown below, with some suggestions for their use.



Slide One – The facilitator opens with brainstorm, and makes a list of responses on the

board or flipchart. What is self esteem? What comes to your mind when you think of self

esteem?

Definitions

Self-concept: Picture or perception of

ourselves

Self Esteem: Feelings we have about

ourselves

Self-ideal: The way we would like to be

Slide Two - The definition of self esteem.

How much do you believe in your self? On a piece of paper write down the percentage of how much you believe in yourself. 100%? 75%? 50%?

What are you achieving with that percentage?

What would happen if you believed in yourself 25% more?

Dreams and self belief are free. You can take all you want and walk away.



Slide Three:

How much do you believe in yourself? Ask participants to really think about how much

they believe in themselves before answering. “Are you achieving what you want? Are

you getting what you want out of life?”

How is self-concept built &

destroyed

Building

Find a good role model

Praise & compliments

Focus on the positive

Keep criticism to a minimum

Set & achieve goals

Destroyed

Comparing yourself to others

Putting yourself down

Drug abuse

?

Slide Four Building and Destroying Self Esteem

Building:

Who are your role models? Why are they your role models?

How do you feel when you are praised and complimented? How do you react to it?

Do you find it hard to be positive?

Have you ever been criticized? What does criticism do for/to you? How do you

react to criticism?

Ask for a show of hands: How many have a goal for where they want to be in five

years? (How many do not?)

Setting goals is healthy and gives you something to work towards. Hard work and

determination are key to achieving your goals.

Destroyed:

Comparing yourself to others: Steals contentment, creates feelings of inadequacy,

creates feeling of insecurity. We make assumptions about others based on outward

appearance and we usually don’t give ourselves the credit due. There always seems

to be someone that has a better job, more money, a fancier car or looks nicer than I

do. These comparisons just drag us down.

Things you could do:

Stop comparing yourself to others and start living.

Living a full and happy life is about developing our unique gifts and talents. It is about

finding our passion and developing our strengths. We should avoid the tendency to want

to become like others. We have to develop an appreciation for what we have and who we

are. This comes by taking control of our thoughts, practicing gratitude, and realizing our

self-worth.

Putting yourself down: How many people put themselves down? It’s like being in a hole



trying to climb out but there is nothing to attach to. Ties into your mental health if you are

constantly putting yourself down.

Things you could do:

Make a List! Get a piece of paper and a pen and write ten good things about yourself.

Say something other than nice.

Why Are You Doing This? Does it really make you feel better when you put yourself

down? Is it because you often do it? “Because it's true,” isn't a good answer. Think

deeper than that. It's hard to come up with a reason why. But before you do this just think

of those good things you wrote down on a piece of paper.

Pass out the rubber bands to each participant.

Try ‘The Rubber Band Flick Trick’ Find a loose rubber band and put that around your

wrist. Whenever you feel like insulting yourself give yourself a flick. It really helps to

break the habit.

Tips for building Self Esteem1. Identify with people, books, videos, television shows, etc., that build your self-

esteem

2. Build others – give sincere compliments often

3. Think positively

4. Set and achieve goals

5. Do something challenging each day

6. Look your best

7. Eat correctly

8. Do something for someone else

9. Learn a new skill

10. “Act as if” you possess traits you would like to have

11. Observe self-concept people

12. Handle things one at a time

13. Use criticism constructively

14. Ask for help – take advantage of learning opportunities

15. Improve your personal living space

16. Allow personal growth time each day

17. Post self-improvement reminders in obvious places

18. Do not say negative things about yourself

19. Reward yourself often

20. List your accomplishments each evening

21. Volunteer to share your skills with others

.

Slide 5: Tips on Building Self Esteem

Read through the tips and ask for examples of what they could do.

You may choose to watch the DVD where the group of learners discuss their examples.



How do values and morals fit into

feeling good about yourself?

Knowing yourself is a prerequisite to a

good self esteem

Discover your values – a value is

something you strongly believe in

Live by what you value – the closer your

values come to your actions the happier

you will be.

Slide 6 – What are your values and morals and how do they make you feel about

yourself?

Knowing yourself is a prerequisite to a good self esteem; know what you can do, set

the goal, and know the steps you need to achieve the goal.

Discover your values – a value is something you strongly believe in. What are some

things you value in yourself or in another person or both? Tell a little about the

value, e.g., honesty, dependability

Live by what you value – the closer your values come to your actions the happier

you will be.

You becomewhat you think

about most.

Slide 7

You become what you think about most



Change

the bad

Appreciate

life

Willing

to try

new things Believes

in

self

Is not

a threat

to others

Doesn’t submit

to

peer pressure

Accept

failure

Leader

to

others

Good

Self

Esteem

Slide 8 Advantages of Good Self Esteem

Read through the advantages together and discuss the advantages.

Who has contributed to your

self esteem?

Slide 9

Who has contributed to your self esteem?

Slides 10 – 14

Read through pausing for short discussion after each one.



No one can Make you feel inferior Without your Consent.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Accept yourself: Stop worrying about the things you can’t change. Be more accepting of others and the things they can’t change.

Try not to compare with others. It’s unfair. You may compare their strengths with your weaknesses. Judge yourself in terms of your own growth

Slide 10 Slide 11

Emphasize your strengths.

Change what can be changed. Some

things fast, others gradual, and others

never. There are things we inherit but we

can change our attitude about it. Try new

experiences.

Slide 12 Slide 13

There are two different people in the

world. One that says “I wish I had” and

the one that says “I’m glad I did”.

Remember you can have anything in this

world if you just believe in yourself.

Slide 14



“Commercial of Me”

Emphasizing the positive characteristics and capabilities of you, develop an

advertisement or commercial to

“sell oneself”. Sections may include: Your goal in life, your education and what you

want to become, your interests, your hobbies, & your community involvement.

It may be a radio or television ad, billboard, sweepstakes, etc.

Slide 15 – Leads into Activity Two

AAccttiivviittyy 22.. CCoommmmeerrcciiaall ooff MMee

Various Creative Projects

Invite participants to make an advertisement for themselves, using the

items listed on the slide.

They can collage, draw, write, make a jingle etc.

Ask for volunteers to share their commercial.

(If you have time, or wish to carry on another day, you could ask the

participants to share their commercials, and video them as they make

their presentations. When all have been videoed, the whole group looks

at the videos one by one. At the end of each video presentation, ask everyone in the group

to say ONE THING they LIKED about the presentation. (They can repeat what someone

else said.) The person who made the presentation is then allowed to say ONLY ONE

THING that they could improve on. No one else (including the facilitator) is allowed to

make suggestions for improvement. Make sure it does not turn into a criticism session—

they will learn from the positive points of other people’s presentations.)

AAccttiivviittyy 33.. TThhee DDoo’’ss aanndd DDoonn’’ttss ooff JJoobb

IInntteerrvviieewwss

Small Group Work

Present this scenario:

You work for a company that helps people find work. Your company

runs an ad in the newspaper: “We can help you prepare for a job



interview – phone 777-7777.”

Julia and/or Tony are applying for a sales job at Staples Business Depot. Both need

advice around the Do’s and Don’ts during an interview. Julia and Tony really want this

job so they call your company.

Have participants work in groups of two or three. Assign half the groups to work on the

question “What will you tell them about the DO’s of interviewing?”

The other groups will work on the question, “What will you tell them about the DON’Ts

of interviewing?”

Give each group a sheet of flip chart paper and some felt pens. Ask them to make a list of

five to ten things. They should be ready to explain the reason for each point—why you

should/shouldn’t do it at a job interview.

Groups Report Back

Have each group present their lists, each person in the group taking a turn presenting an

item. Ask the group for the reasoning behind some of their points.

Reading: What the Experts Say

Give everyone a copy of the handout, and go over it, noticing what people have already

said, and looking for anything new. The emphasis should be on the fact that together the

group knows a lot about job interviews.

If this seems like too much reading for your group, then you make a checkmark on your

copy of all the points that are made in the group presentations. When the presentations

are over, give out list to everyone, and announce that nearly every point was covered by

the groups, and you will only call their attention to the few points that were missed.

Again, the emphasis should be on the amount of knowledge about job interviews that the

group already has.

CClloossiinngg//EEvvaalluuaattiioonn Choose a closing activity from the introduction, page 5.

Note: The handouts for this workshop are on the following pages. Make one for

each participant.



Interview DO’s

1. Make sure you know exactly where the interview is. Go there the day

before to see how long it takes to get there.

2. Find out what kind of interview it will be (e.g., a group interview? one

or more interviewers? tests?).

3. Prepare and practice for the interview.

4. Dress for the job.

5. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early. If you are running late, phone and

let them know.

6. Be polite to the receptionist. This is where you make your first

impression.

7. If you are given a form to fill out, do it neatly, completely, and

accurately.

8. Bring copies of your resume to the interview. If you have a job skills

portfolio, bring it, too.

9. Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name if you are

sure of the pronunciation. (If you're not sure, ask the receptionist about

the pronunciation before going into the interview.)

10. Shake hands firmly.

11. Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting down.

12. Remember body language and posture: sit up straight and look alert and

interested at all times.

13. Make good eye contact with your interviewer(s).

14. Show enthusiasm in the position and the company.

15. Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like,"

"uh” and "um").

16. Show you are confident, but don’t be too pushy.

17. Don’t talk about things that people argue about (e.g., politics, religion)

18. Show your good points by talking about what you have done, but don’t

brag.

19. Talk about what you are good at, not what you are weak in.

20. Show off the information you have about the company and industry



when you answer questions.

21. Even if you are not sure you want the job, always act as if you do.

Never close the door on an opportunity until you are sure about it.

22. Show what you can do for the company rather than what the company

can do for you.

23. Ask questions about the job, company, or industry.

24. End the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that you want the job.

Ask what the next step is. (Some experts even say you should close the

interview by asking for the job.)

25. Try and get business cards from each person you interviewed with -- or

at least the correct spelling of their first and last names. And don't make

assumptions about simple names—get the spelling.

26. Write down notes after the interview is over, so you don't forget

anything important.

27. Write thank you letters within 24 hours to each person who interviewed

you.



Interview DON’Ts

1. Don't chew gum during the interview.

2. Don't tell jokes during the interview

3. Don't think your application or resume will get you the job. You will

need to sell yourself to the interviewer.

4. Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette. And

don't smoke beforehand so you don’t smell like smoke. And do brush

your teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview.

5. Don't speak softly. A strong voice sounds confident.

6. Don't act as though you would take any job.

7. Don't say anything negative about other people you have worked for.

8. Don't ever lie.

9. Don’t be long-winded.

10. Don't just say "yes" or "no." Explain whenever possible. Show what you

know. Give examples.

11. Don't talk about personal matters or family problems.

12. Don't wait a long time, or say "Boy, that's a good question!" when you

get a question you don’t expect. Do repeat the question out loud or ask

for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think

about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay.

13. Don't answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off your

cell phone and/or pager. Don’t look at a text message.

14. Don't ask about money or other benefits until you get the job. Be ready

for a question about your how much you expect to make, but do try and

put off salary talk until you have an offer.

15. Don't memorize your answers.

16. Don't have a limp or clammy handshake!

17. Don't fidget or slouch.

18. Don’t offer any negative information about yourself.

19. Don’t ever not ask any questions—it shows you are not interested.



Tips for building Self Esteem

1. Identify with people, books, videos, television shows, etc., that build

your self-esteem.

2. Build other people up. Give sincere compliments often.

3. Think positively.

4. Set and achieve goals.

5. Do something challenging each day.

6. Look your best.

7. Eat well.

8. Do something for somebody else.

9. Learn a new skill.

10. “Act as if” you are the person you’d like to be.

11. Observe people who have a good self-concept.

12. Handle things one at a time.

13. Use criticism constructively.

14. Ask for help – take advantage of learning opportunities.

15. Improve your personal living space.

16. Allow personal growth time each day.

17. Post self-improvement reminders in obvious places.

18. Do not say negative things about yourself.

19. Reward yourself often.

20. List your accomplishments each evening.

21. Volunteer to share your skills with others.

Workshop 4 Raising Self-Esteem and Understanding Job ... Raising Self Esteem...Raising Self Esteem...

Documents

Transcript of Workshop 4 Raising Self-Esteem and Understanding Job ... Raising Self Esteem...Raising Self Esteem...