MIVA STUDY PACK — What to Expect in Onboarding (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 1: The First Day and the First Week 8 minutes read Starting a new job is exciting — and nerve-wracking. Everyone watches a new person during the first week, and first impressions stick. The good news: nobody expects you to know the work yet. What they expect is punctuality, attention and a good attitude. Those three things are completely within your control. WHAT TO DO BEFORE DAY ONE - Confirm the exact location, the start time and who to ask for at the gate or reception. - Prepare your documents: ID, certificates, bank or mobile money details, tax or social security numbers if you have them. - Plan your transport with a margin — arrive 15 minutes early. If you are unavoidably delayed, call or message BEFORE you are late. - Sleep early, dress one level smarter than the everyday dress code, and carry a small notebook and pen. DURING THE FIRST WEEK Your only jobs in week one are: learn names, learn the rules, learn where things are, and show you are eager to work. Write everything down. Ask questions — asking is a sign of seriousness, not weakness. Volunteer for small tasks. And never, ever be the person found sitting on their phone while others work. [The 90-day truth] Most people who lose a first job lose it in the first 90 days — and almost never for lack of skill. They lose it for lateness, phone use, attitude or dishonesty. Master the basics in this course and you are already ahead of most new hires. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What do employers mainly expect from a new hire in week one? A) That they already know all the work B) Punctuality, attention and a good attitude C) That they bring their own customers D) That they socialize with everyone Answer: B — Skills are trained on the job. What cannot be trained quickly is showing up on time, paying attention and being willing — that is what week one is judged on. 2. You will be 20 minutes late on your second day because of a breakdown. What do you do? A) Rush and arrive without saying anything B) Call or message your supervisor BEFORE the start time, explain and give your new arrival time C) Stay home for the day D) Ask a colleague to lie for you Answer: B — Employers forgive delays they are told about in advance. They do not forgive silence — silence reads as not caring. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 2: Documents, Contracts and Pay 9 minutes read In your first days you will handle paperwork: forms, a contract or appointment letter, and payroll setup. This paperwork protects YOU. Understanding it is not optional — it is how you make sure you are paid correctly and treated fairly. READ BEFORE YOU SIGN Never sign a document you have not read. A contract should state your job title, your pay and how often it is paid, your working hours, your probation period, and how either side can end the employment. If something is unclear, ask: 'Please, can you explain this section to me?' Any honest employer will answer. Keep a copy or a clear photo of everything you sign. - Pay: the exact amount, the pay date, and the method (bank, mobile money, cash). Ask about deductions BEFORE your first payday so nothing surprises you. - Hours and breaks: start and finish times, rest days, overtime rules. - Leave: how many days of annual leave and sick leave, and how to request them. - Probation: how long it lasts and what you must demonstrate to be confirmed. [Red flags] Walk away carefully if an employer refuses to give you anything in writing, asks YOU to pay money to get the job, or wants to keep your original ID documents. Legitimate employers do none of these. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should a written contract or appointment letter include? A) Only your name and signature B) Your job title, pay, hours, probation period and how employment can end C) The manager's personal opinions D) Nothing — verbal agreements are enough Answer: B — These five items define your working relationship. If they are not written down, you cannot prove what was agreed when a disagreement comes. 2. An employer asks to keep your original national ID card 'for safekeeping.' What should you do? A) Hand it over — they are the boss B) Offer a photocopy instead; your original documents stay with you C) Pay them a deposit too D) Sign a blank form Answer: B — Employers may need a COPY for their records, but no legitimate employer keeps your original documents. Holding your ID is a control tactic used by bad employers. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 3: Workplace Rules, Safety and Conduct 8 minutes read Every workplace has written rules (policies) and unwritten rules (how things are really done). Learning both quickly is a survival skill. The written rules are usually in a handbook or posted on walls; the unwritten ones you learn by watching respected colleagues. THE RULES THAT MATTER MOST - Time: when to arrive, when breaks start and end, and what to do if you are sick (who to call, by what time). - Safety: fire exits, first-aid points, protective equipment, and the rule that you must report accidents and near-misses immediately. - Money and stock: never handle cash or goods outside the procedure, even to be helpful. Shortages are blamed on the person who skipped the process. - Phones and social media: know when personal phone use is allowed, and never post about customers, colleagues or company information. On conduct: be respectful to everyone — the cleaner and the director. Greet people. Do not join gossip. Do not romantic-flirt your way through probation. Workplaces are small worlds, and reputations form fast and last long. [Harassment is never 'part of the job'] If anyone — colleague, customer or supervisor — touches you inappropriately, demands sexual favours, or threatens you, document what happened (dates, times, witnesses) and report it to HR, a trusted senior person, or the labour authorities. This is misconduct by them, never a duty of yours. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. A senior colleague asks you to record a sale 'off the books' just this once. What do you do? A) Do it — they are senior B) Politely decline and follow the proper procedure; report it if pressured C) Do it but delete the evidence D) Ask for a share of the money Answer: B — When an off-book transaction is discovered, the person who processed it is blamed, not the person who suggested it. Procedures exist to protect you. Declining politely is self-protection, not disrespect. 2. You witness a small accident at work but nobody is hurt. What should you do? A) Nothing — nobody was hurt B) Report it; near-misses must be recorded so bigger accidents are prevented C) Post about it on social media D) Tell only your friends at lunch Answer: B — Safety systems improve through near-miss reports. Today's unreported small incident is tomorrow's serious injury. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 4: Probation, Feedback and Getting Confirmed 8 minutes read Most formal jobs begin with a probation period — commonly three to six months. Think of probation as a long interview: the employer is confirming that hiring you was a good decision. Your mission is to make that an easy 'yes'. HOW TO PASS PROBATION - Know exactly what you are being measured on. Ask your supervisor in week one: 'What does success look like after three months?' Write the answer down. - Deliver the basics flawlessly: on time every day, tasks finished, no drama. - Ask for feedback monthly, not just at the end: 'What is one thing I could do better?' Then visibly do it. - Keep a private record of what you accomplished — dates, tasks, results. You will need it at your confirmation review. RECEIVING CRITICISM WELL You will be corrected — everyone is. The professional response is: listen fully, do not argue in the moment, say 'Thank you, I understand — I will adjust,' and then actually adjust. Defensiveness is the one reaction that turns a small correction into a big problem. Supervisors promote people who are easy to coach. [If it goes wrong] If probation is not confirmed, ask for the reasons in writing, thank them, and leave professionally. Ask what to improve — that answer is free career advice for your next job, and the working world is small. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the smartest thing to ask your supervisor in week one of probation? A) 'When can I take leave?' B) 'What does success look like after three months?' C) 'Who got fired before me?' D) 'When is payday?' Answer: B — You cannot hit a target you cannot see. Getting the success criteria in words lets you focus your effort and prove yourself at the review. 2. Your supervisor criticises your work in front of colleagues. The best response is: A) Argue your case immediately so colleagues see you are right B) Cry or walk out C) Listen, thank them, adjust — and raise any disagreement privately later D) Criticise their work in return Answer: C — Public arguments about feedback never help you. Absorb it professionally, fix the issue, and discuss any real disagreement one-on-one. Coachable employees get promoted. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 5: Growing Beyond Onboarding 8 minutes read Once you are confirmed, the question changes from 'How do I survive?' to 'How do I grow?' The habits that got you through probation are the same ones that get you promoted — now applied with more ambition. THE GROWTH HABITS - Keep learning: finish this course, then stack a Miva career path on top of your job skills. Employers notice people who train themselves. - Solve problems one level up: when you see a problem, bring your supervisor a suggested solution, not just the complaint. - Build a reputation for reliability: be the person whose 'yes' means yes. That reputation is worth more than any single skill. - Find a mentor: one experienced person who advises you honestly is worth more than ten certificates. And protect your foundation: keep your documents organised, save something from every pay (even small), and keep your CV and Miva profile updated while you are employed — not only when you need a job. TURN A GOAL INTO A WEEKLY PLAN Write one clear six-month work goal, then choose one action for this week and one person who will ask whether you did it. Plan for the obstacle before it arrives: 'If transport money is short, I will study at the centre and call two employers from there.' This kind of if–then plan makes action easier when life changes. You may spend two quiet minutes before sleep imagining yourself doing tomorrow's action: opening the application, making the call, arriving early or answering an interview question. Rehearse the process, not only the happy result. Visualization can prepare your attention, but it is not magic and never replaces action. YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS - Week 1: learn names, rules, safety steps and how success is measured. - Week 2: complete small tasks reliably and ask for feedback. - Week 3: solve one useful problem and record the result. - Week 4: review what you learned and agree on the next skill to improve. [Finish and prove it] Complete the quizzes to earn your free Miva certificate for this course. It shows employers you understand how workplaces work before day one — something most new hires do not. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. You notice a recurring problem in your department. What is the most career-building move? A) Complain about it to colleagues B) Ignore it — it is not your job C) Bring your supervisor the problem together with a suggested solution D) Post about it online Answer: C — Anyone can spot problems. People who bring solutions get noticed, trusted and promoted. That single habit separates leaders from complainers. 2. When should you update your CV and records of achievements? A) Only when you lose your job B) Continuously, while employed C) Never — a CV is written once D) Only when a recruiter asks Answer: B — Achievements are forgotten if not recorded. Updating while employed means you are always ready for an opportunity — inside or outside the company. 3. Which plan is most likely to help you act on a six-month goal? A) Think about success and wait B) Write one weekly action, prepare an if–then response to an obstacle, and report progress to someone C) Keep the goal secret and avoid deadlines D) Change the goal every day Answer: B — A written next action, an obstacle plan and an accountability check turn a wish into behaviour. Mental rehearsal can support the plan but cannot replace the work. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 6: Finding Work Through Local Networks and Digital Tools 7 minutes read LOOKING FOR WORK WITHOUT FALLING FOR SCAMS Finding a job in places like Accra, Lagos, or Lomé often depends on who you know and how clearly you present your skills. You do not need to pay expensive agencies or buy premium internet subscriptions to find good work opportunities. Many entry-level and skilled jobs are shared through local network groups, trusted contacts, and free online platforms. The key is to communicate professionally and stay safe from fake job postings. USING WHATSAPP AND LOCAL TRADE NETWORKS WhatsApp is one of the strongest tools for finding work in West Africa. Trade associations, school alumni groups, and community notices often post job openings daily. - Let trusted friends, former classmates, and family members know you are actively looking for work and state your specific skills clearly. - Join verified local community and professional WhatsApp groups. Avoid groups that ask for payment before joining. - Keep your WhatsApp profile photo simple and neat if you use your account to contact business owners or managers. - Write short, polite messages when reaching out to employers. Introduce yourself, state the role you are applying for, and attach your simple CV. SETTING UP A FREE LINKEDIN PROFILE LinkedIn is a free professional network used by many companies across North America and Africa. You do not need to pay for LinkedIn Premium to connect with employers. - Use a clear headshot photo with a plain background. - Write a clear headline under your name, such as 'Junior Electrician | Apprentice' or 'Customer Service Assistant'. - Fill out the experience section with honest details about past jobs, apprenticeships, or volunteer tasks. - Use the search tab to look for jobs in your city and turn on job alerts so you get notified of new listings. [Job Scam Warning] Never pay money to get a job interview, application form, or employment letter. Genuine employers will never ask you to transfer 5,000 Naira, 50 Cedis, or 3,000 CFA for 'processing fees' or 'medical checks' before hiring you. [Try This Today] Draft a 3-sentence WhatsApp message introducing your skills to three people in your professional or community network. Ask them politely to keep you in mind if they hear of open positions. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if an employer asks you to pay money for an interview or application fee? A) Pay the fee quickly before the slot closes. B) Refuse to pay and report or avoid the employer, as it is a common scam. C) Negotiate to pay half of the money after the interview. D) Borrow money from a friend to pay the recruiter. Answer: B — Legitimate employers will never ask job applicants to pay fees for interviews, forms, or processing. Demanding payment is a major sign of a scam. 2. What is a practical way to use WhatsApp for job searching? A) Send long casual messages to random numbers late at night. B) Post angry status updates about not having a job. C) Share short, polite messages stating your skills with trusted contacts and alumni groups. D) Pay money to join unknown private groups promising guaranteed high-paying jobs. Answer: C — Polite, concise messages detailing your actual skills sent to verified contacts and groups build a reliable network without financial risk. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 7: Understanding Your Pay, Deductions, and Spotting Job Scams 8 minutes read UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAY CHECK AND CONTRACT TERMS When you receive a job offer, understanding how your pay works protects you from disappointment and wage theft. An offer letter usually states your total pay, but the cash you take home every month might look different due to standard legal deductions. Knowing the difference between gross pay and net pay helps you budget your living costs accurately, whether you are paying rent in Accra, transport in Lagos, or feeding costs in Lomé. GROSS PAY VERSUS NET PAY Gross pay is the full amount of money your employer promises you before any tax or pension is removed. Net pay is the actual cash amount paid into your bank account or cash envelope. - Gross Salary: The total salary figure agreed upon in your work contract. - Statutory Taxes: Legal income tax deducted by the employer, such as PAYE in Nigeria or Ghana. - Social Security and Pension: Required contributions to your future retirement, such as SSNIT in Ghana or pension funds in Nigeria. - Net Salary: Your final take-home pay after all mandatory deductions. CHECKING YOUR PAYSLIP EVERY MONTH Even for small businesses or entry-level positions, you should receive a simple payslip or summary receipt every month. This document shows your basic pay, allowances (like transport or lunch allowance), and deductions. - Check that your gross salary matches what is written in your contract. - Verify that tax and pension deductions match government standards in your country. - Keep all payslips in a safe folder or phone scan. You will need them when applying for bank accounts, loans, or future jobs. [Protecting Your Income] If an employer deducts tax or pension money from your wages every month but fails to pay it into your official pension fund or tax office, this is illegal. Ask HR or your direct supervisor for official receipt statements if you notice missing pension deposits. [Try This Today] Create a simple budget notebook or digital file. Write down your expected net pay, then subtract fixed monthly expenses like rent, tro-tro/keke fare, airtime, and food to see your true daily budget. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the main difference between gross pay and net pay? A) Gross pay is your take-home cash; net pay is before tax. B) Gross pay is the total money promised before deductions; net pay is the actual take-home cash. C) Net pay includes extra tips from customers; gross pay does not. D) Gross pay is paid weekly; net pay is paid yearly. Answer: B — Gross pay represents your total agreed earnings before tax and pension deductions. Net pay is the final money placed in your hands or account. 2. Why is it important to save your monthly payslips? A) To show off your income to friends on social media. B) To prove your earnings history for bank accounts, pension tracking, and future job applications. C) Because payslips can be traded for transport tickets. D) You do not need to save payslips once the cash is spent. Answer: B — Payslips serve as official legal proof of your income, employment history, and tax/pension contributions. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 8: Daily Habits for Your First Month on the Job 7 minutes read BUILDING STRONG HABITS EARLY ON Your first month on a new job is when your employer and team members form their opinion of your reliability. Technical skills matter, but soft habits like punctuality, honesty, and clear communication set you apart faster. Developing simple daily routines helps you adjust quickly, manage workplace stress, and prevent costly mistakes during your onboarding period. MASTERING TIME AND TRANSPORT In busy cities, transport delays are common. Heavy traffic along the Ikorodu road in Lagos or rainy weather in Accra can delay your travel by hours. Plan around local travel realities. - Leave home 30 to 45 minutes earlier than necessary during your first month to understand traffic patterns. - If you rely on tro-tros, kekes, or buses, always keep extra change for transport to avoid delays at the bus stop. - If an unexpected event makes you late, contact your manager on WhatsApp or phone immediately before your shift starts. NOTE-TAKING AND COMMUNICATION During your first few weeks, you will receive a large amount of new information. Relying only on memory often leads to forgotten steps and repeated mistakes. - Carry a small pocket notebook and pen everywhere you go on the job. - Write down step-by-step instructions when a manager or co-worker explains a task. - Ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a direction. Saying 'Could you please repeat step two?' shows you care about doing the work correctly. [Workplace Safety Alert] Never operate heavy equipment, work with live high-voltage wiring, or handle dangerous workshop chemicals if you are tired or unsure of the procedure. Ask a supervisor for guidance before touching dangerous machines. [Try This Today] At the end of your workday, spend 5 minutes reviewing your pocket notebook. Write down two tasks you completed well and one thing you need to ask your supervisor about tomorrow. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if heavy traffic makes it impossible for you to arrive at work on time? A) Sneak into the office quietly hours later and say nothing. B) Turn back home and try again the next day. C) Call or message your manager immediately before your start time to explain the delay. D) Blame a co-worker for giving you the wrong directions. Answer: C — Communicating promptly before your shift starts demonstrates responsibility and respect for your team's schedule. 2. Why is keeping a small pocket notebook helpful during your first month at work? A) It makes you look busy so your boss does not assign more tasks. B) It helps you record instructions and processes so you do not repeat errors. C) You can use it to draw pictures during slow shifts. D) It is required by labor law in every country. Answer: B — Writing down key instructions helps you remember workplace processes accurately without asking managers to repeat basic steps repeatedly. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 9: Building Proof of Skill and Collecting References 8 minutes read SHOWING WHAT YOU CAN DO Telling an employer you are skilled is standard, but showing clear proof of your work makes you stand out immediately. Whether you work in trade crafts, customer service, or administrative support, building a record of your achievements is essential for career growth. Starting to collect evidence of your work from your very first month ensures you are always prepared for promotions, contract renewals, or new job applications. CREATING A SIMPLE WORK LOG A work log is a simple record of projects you completed, problems you solved, and positive outcomes you achieved at work. - Record numbers and facts, such as 'Organized store stock worth 100,000 Naira' or 'Repaired 15 air conditioning units in two weeks'. - Take photos of finished physical projects (like custom furniture, welded gates, or styled hair) only if your supervisor allows taking pictures. - Keep track of compliments or written praise sent by clients or managers via email or WhatsApp. ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS AND REFERENCES When you finish a project, complete an internship, or prepare to leave a workplace on good terms, ask your manager or senior supervisor for a recommendation letter. - Ask polite managers while your good performance is fresh in their minds, rather than waiting years after leaving. - Request permission before listing a person's phone number or email as a professional reference on your CV. - Give your references a quick heads-up on WhatsApp whenever you apply for a job so they know someone might call them. [Respecting Client Confidentiality] Never post private client details, customer phone numbers, internal company passwords, or confidential financial records in your personal work portfolio. Always obscure or leave out private information. [Try This Today] Create a digital folder on your phone titled 'Career Assets'. Save copies of your certificates, reference contacts, and photos or notes of completed projects in this folder. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the best way to record your achievements for future job searches? A) Memorize everything and write it down years later. B) Keep a regular work log with clear facts, project photos (if permitted), and client feedback. C) Take home internal secret company documents as proof. D) Exaggerate your results on social media without taking records. Answer: B — Maintaining an ongoing, honest work log with clear facts and samples provides convincing proof of your practical capabilities. 2. What should you do before adding a former manager's phone number as a reference on your CV? A) Add their number without telling them to keep it a surprise. B) Ask for their permission first and let them know when potential employers might call. C) Pay them money to promise they will speak well of you. D) Give out their personal social media passwords to recruiters. Answer: B — Always obtain permission before listing someone as a reference so they can prepare to give a thoughtful, accurate recommendation. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 10: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 11: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- What to Expect in Onboarding — Lesson 12: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app