
JA You’re Hired
JA You’re Hired is a Junior Achievement of Arizona program designed to promote work readiness in young people comprised of two parts: a preparatory in-class curriculum and the JA You’re Hired Challenge. Participating teachers and volunteers deliver 5-7 work readiness lessons. These lessons prepare students to participate in the JA You’re Hired Challenge. This tiered approach helps students further develop their professional and leadership skills.
Session One: Resumes – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Students learn how the skills they are currently developing in school can be used to create a professional entry level resume that emphasizes their personal experience and goals.
Students will be able to:
- Identify transferable skills and skills that are in demand in the workplace
- Evaluate their personal skills
- Analyze identified skills, characteristics and experiences
- Use identified skills on a resume
Session Two: Preparing for Interview Success
Students learn how to use research to prepare for an interview, and explore the impact of first impressions.
Students will be able to:
- Research potential employers
- Prepare for the interview by anticipating questions
- Determine appropriate dress for an interview
- Make a strong first impression at the interview
Session Three: Be an Interview Star
Students will learn how to use the STAR technique to answer questions in a behavior-based interview, to provide clear and concise responses. Students will learn how to successfully close an interview, leaving a positive impression.
Students will be able to:
- Identify common interviewing mistakes
- Use the STAR technique to respond to behavior-based questions
- Communicate their skills and strengths effectively in an interview
- Follow up in a professional manner
Session Four: 60 Seconds to Success
Students will learn how to prepare a 60 second personal Elevator Pitch that can be used in networking situations such as mixers, social events and job interviews.
Students will be able to:
- Understand the basics of creating a professional “fast pitch” or elevator pitch
- Build an effective elevator pitch
- Make a strong first impression
Session Five: Business Networking
Students will learn effective networking behaviors to connect with others, and how putting the interests of others first, they can build a strong business network quickly.
Students will be able to:
- Explain the benefits of business networking
- Identify different ways to network online and through professional groups
- Engage in business networking
Session Six: Stop! Collaborate! And Listen! (Optional)
Students will explore how communication and innovation are used by teams to solve problems in a work environment.
Students will be able to:
- Identify personal, predominant personality traits and how it effects communication
- Recognize how to communicate with different personalities
- Practice using problem solving to create solutions to existing challenges
- Practice public speaking
- Work as part of a team to resolve a challenge using individual strengths and communication skills