From State Champion Gage Willey
1
5
How did you prepare for the Job Interview
Contest?
I was actually very fortunate to have a lot of help
preparing for the contest from some of the teachers
at my high school. We would set up interview
times and hold mock interviews before the contests.
Also, I would print off frequently asked interview
questions and think about how to answer them to
best represent myself.
How important is your personal appearance
during an interview? Any advice?
Personal appearance to me is very important.
Things like a clean jacket, shined shoes, and a
fresh haircut all matter and make you feel more
confident. This is probably kind of weird, but I
was always afraid my breath would smell or I’d
have something in my teeth. So I would carry
a toothbrush and little tube of toothpaste in my
jacket to brush my teeth before every contest.
Keep in mind - they will judge if you
look confident, cocky, approachable,
organized, logical, humble, weak,
or whatever they are looking for,
so it matters.
2
What advice do you have for a
member competing in the Job
Interview contest for the first time?
For the first time, I would
have to say to at least do
one interview with your advisor
and/or a few teachers, because
that will help to become more
comfortable with the contest.
Plus, there is a job application
part to the contest that shouldn’t
be forgotten, because it will
NOT be a pleasant surprise!
6
What is the most
challenging part of
competing in this contest?
For me, the most challenging
part of the contest was waiting
to do the interview. It’s almost
like a sort of doctor’s office
waiting room where you can’t go
anywhere and you can’t really
talk too much. All you can do is
try to take your mind off of the
interview, which is, of course, all
it inevitably starts thinking about.
3
Did you ever get nervous
during your contest? If
so, how did you deal with the
nerves?
Of course I got nervous!
Usually I would just pace
around the holding room or
out in the hall and try not to think
of anything, because you want to be
your normal self in the room, not scared or
nervous, just you. Also, I would take homework
to do, just because I didn’t want to have to do it
later and it took my mind off of the contest.
4
What are the most important skills you have
gained from competing in this contest?
The important skills are definitely how to prepare
for an interview, such as researching the company,
how to fill out applications, and first impressions,
but also behavioral skills. The contest allows you
to show how passionate you are about the job
being applied for, and teaches you how to relate
to people in an interview setting.
10
7
What was your biggest fear
entering this contest and how
did you overcome it?
My biggest fear was messing up in the
interview somehow, either with rambling or
getting tongue-tied or not knowing how to answer
a question. And all a person needs in order to
overcome that is practice.
8
California FFANEWS • Spring 2014
What skills do you need to be successful at
the Job Interview contest?
I think there is really only one truly important skill
to succeed in this contest. And while things like
a good resume, a correct job application, and a
confident tone are all important, I believe they pale
in comparison to the ability to just be yourself, to
just be natural. One of the worst possible things
one could do is not accurately represent who they
are or how they work. •
nal Update • Regional Update • Regional Update • Regional Update • Regional U
Job Interview
Southern
Region
Stand Up, Stand Out! On October 19th,
Southern Region officers Chris Gutierrez,
Alisa Hernandez, Clarissa Samano, Gabby
Celaya, Urfia Abdul, Cayle Wasserkrug,
and Meagan Edgar hosted the 2013
Southern California Leadership Conference.
Over 325 FFA chapter leaders participated
in the many activities, providing them with
the opportunity to learn how to “Stand Up
and Stand Out” in their FFA experience.
The conference kicked off with opening
ceremonies conducted by the Southern
Region Officer team and then a mixer
to get the members more acquainted
with one another. The State Officer team
performed their theme skit revealing the
theme for 2013-2014 of “Pave the Way.”
Immediately following, the members were
split up into three groups and attended
workshops put on by the state officer team
on modeling expectations and building
relationships. After lunch, FFA members
attended workshops organized by the
region officers, focused on leadership,
personal growth, opportunities in the
FFA, chapter development, building
membership, and much more. Once the
workshops wrapped up, the FFA members
came together to watch the region theme
presentation on how to “Stand Up and
Stand Out”. All agreed the conference was
a success.
Submitted By
Meagan Edgar
Southern Region