MIVA STUDY PACK — Your Rights and Safety at Work (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 1: What You Are Entitled To at Work 8 minutes read Knowing your rights is not being difficult. It is what allows you to work with confidence, and it protects good employers as much as it protects you. Most workplace disputes come from things nobody wrote down. THE BASICS ALMOST EVERYWHERE - To be paid the agreed amount, on the agreed date, in full — wages are not a favour. - To know your terms: role, hours, pay, rest days, leave and probation, preferably in writing. - To reasonable rest: daily breaks, weekly rest and agreed limits on hours. - To a safe workplace, and to training and protective equipment where the work is hazardous. - To be free from harassment, violence and discrimination. - To end the employment with the agreed notice — and to receive notice yourself. The exact rules differ by country: Ghana's Labour Act, Nigeria's Labour Act and Togo's Code du travail each set their own minimum standards, and contracts may give more. What is universal is the principle: agreed terms are binding on both sides. [Written beats remembered] Ask politely for terms in writing and keep a copy or photo. If an employer refuses everything in writing, that itself is the information you needed. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the strongest protection against a pay dispute? A) Trusting a verbal promise B) Written terms stating pay, date and hours, with your copy kept C) Asking colleagues what they earn D) Working extra to prove loyalty Answer: B — Written terms turn a disagreement about memory into a matter of record — that is what makes a claim provable. 2. Is knowing your rights bad for your relationship with a good employer? A) Yes, it shows distrust B) No — clear agreed terms protect both sides equally C) Only in small businesses D) Only for senior staff Answer: B — Responsible employers welcome clarity. Ambiguity only benefits the side that intends to exploit it. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 2: Safety on the Job 9 minutes read Injuries in first jobs cluster among the youngest and newest workers — not because they are careless, but because they have not been trained and are afraid to say no. Safety knowledge is the part of this course that can save your life or your hands. BEFORE YOU START ANY TASK - Ask what can go wrong with this task, and what has gone wrong before. - Ask for the protective equipment the job requires: gloves, goggles, boots, helmet, mask, harness. It should be provided, not bought by you. - Never operate machinery, electrical systems or chemicals you have not been trained on — say 'I have not been trained on this yet, please show me.' - Know where the first aid kit, the exits and the emergency numbers are on day one. THE RIGHT TO REFUSE DANGEROUS WORK You may decline work that puts you in immediate serious danger. Say it calmly and specifically: 'This ladder is broken and I could fall. I can do this task once it is replaced.' Offer the safe alternative. Report it to a supervisor and, if it matters, write it down with the date. [If you are injured] Report it immediately, however small, and make sure it is written down. Get treatment and keep the records and receipts. Unreported injuries are the hardest to claim for later, and small untreated wounds are how people lose fingers. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. You are told to use a machine you have never been trained on. What is the correct response? A) Try it and learn as you go B) Say you have not been trained and ask to be shown before operating it C) Ask another new worker to do it D) Refuse to work at all that day Answer: B — Asking for training is both your right and the professional response. Untrained operation is how serious injuries happen. 2. Why report even a small injury at work? A) To get time off B) A written record protects you if it worsens or needs a claim later C) It is not necessary D) To blame a colleague Answer: B — Without a record at the time, later treatment or compensation becomes very difficult to obtain. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 3: Harassment, Discrimination and Safeguarding 9 minutes read This lesson covers behaviour that is never acceptable at work, no matter who does it or how senior they are. Young workers, and especially young women, face this most — and are least often told what to do about it. WHAT COUNTS - Sexual harassment: unwanted comments, touching, messages, or making work, pay or promotion depend on a relationship. This is never part of a job. - Bullying: repeated humiliation, shouting, threats, or deliberately setting someone up to fail. - Discrimination: worse treatment because of sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, pregnancy or region. - Exploitation: unpaid 'trial' months, withheld documents, forced overtime, or being required to pay to keep a job. WHAT TO DO If it is safe, say clearly that the behaviour is not welcome and must stop. Then write it down privately — date, time, what happened, who saw it. Keep messages and screenshots, stored somewhere the other person cannot reach. Tell one trusted person. Then report through the proper channel: a supervisor, HR, or the person named in the staff rules. If the person you should report to IS the problem, go above them, or to an outside body. [Nothing about this is your fault] Harassment is caused by the person doing it — not by what you wore, said, or how friendly you were. If you must leave a job to stay safe, that is a valid choice and not a failure. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. A supervisor hints that a promotion depends on a personal relationship. What is this? A) Normal workplace negotiation B) Sexual harassment, which should be documented and reported C) A compliment D) Something to accept quietly until you find another job Answer: B — Making work conditions depend on a relationship is a clear form of sexual harassment and is prohibited in every pilot country. 2. What is the most useful first practical step when harassment starts? A) Tell everyone in the office B) Write a private dated record and keep messages or screenshots safely C) Delete the messages to move on D) Confront the person publicly Answer: B — A contemporaneous record and saved evidence are what make a report credible later — deleting evidence removes your strongest support. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 4: Reporting, Getting Help and Leaving Well 8 minutes read Knowing a right means little without knowing where to take it. This lesson is about the practical route from a problem to a resolution. STEP BY STEP - Raise it internally first, in writing where possible: supervisor, then HR or the owner. Keep a copy of what you sent. - If nothing changes, escalate outside: your country's labour office or labour department, a trade union, a legal aid service, or a recognised NGO working on workers' or women's rights. - For criminal matters — violence, sexual assault, theft — the police and a trusted support organisation, not only the employer. - For unpaid wages, gather your evidence first: contract, payslips, messages, dated records of hours worked. LEAVING A JOB WELL Give the notice in your contract, in writing, and be polite even if the job was bad. Ask for any certificate of service, a reference and outstanding pay before you leave. Return equipment and hand over cleanly. West African labour markets are small and reputation travels faster than a CV. [Ask your pilot site or trainer] Your Miva pilot site, trainer or community partner can usually point you to the right local office or support service. Ask them — they know your area better than any general list. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Wages have gone unpaid for two months. What should you prepare first? A) Nothing — just complain loudly B) Your contract, payslips, messages and dated records of hours worked C) A resignation letter D) A social media post Answer: B — Any labour office, union or lawyer will ask for evidence first. Gathering it is what turns a complaint into a claim. 2. Why leave a job properly even if it treated you badly? A) It is legally required to be cheerful B) Your notice, final pay, certificate of service and reputation all depend on it C) It does not matter D) To be asked back Answer: B — A clean exit secures what you are owed and protects the reference and reputation that get you the next job. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 5: Spotting Job Scams and Understanding Your Pay 8 minutes read PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM FAKE JOB OFFERS Finding a job can be stressful, and scammers take advantage of people who are looking for work. Whether you live in Lagos, Accra, Lomé, or Toronto, job scams are everywhere. Fake employers post attractive ads online or send messages on WhatsApp promising high salaries for very little work. A legitimate employer hires you because they need your skills, and they pay you for your time. They will never ask you to pay money to get hired. Real businesses cover their own hiring expenses. [Job Scam Warning Signs] Never pay money to secure a job. If an interviewer asks for a 'registration fee', 'form fee', 'uniform fee', or cash for medical tests before giving you an offer letter, walk away. This is almost always a scam. COMMON RED FLAGS IN JOB ADVERTISEMENTS Learning to spot red flags early will save you time, transport fare, and hard-earned money. Watch out for these warning signs when looking at job postings: - The employer uses a free email address (like badu_jobs2024@gmail.com) instead of an official company website or email domain. - The salary sounds too high for the work required (for example, offering 300,000 Naira a week for 2 hours of typing). - The interviewer insists on chatting only through private WhatsApp or Telegram messages and refuses to meet in a clear office space. - You are offered the job immediately without any interview or background check. - You are asked to buy products to resell before you can start working. UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAY AND DEDUCTIONS Once you secure a real job, you need to understand how your pay is calculated. Your total earnings before any deductions are called your 'Gross Pay'. The actual money that enters your bank account or cash envelope is your 'Net Pay' (often called home-take pay). In many countries, employers must legally take out small amounts from your pay for taxes or retirement funds. For example, in Ghana, employers deduct money for SSNIT (social security). In Nigeria, deductions might go to pension funds or income tax. In North America, government taxes and social security are automatically removed. [Try This Today] Ask your employer or prospective manager for a simple written breakdown of your pay. It should show your basic salary, any allowances (like transport or lunch), and all legal deductions. UNPAID TRAINING AND TRIAL PERIODS Some businesses ask new workers to do a trial period or training week. While a short assessment of a few hours is normal, working for days or weeks without pay is unfair and often illegal. If an employer asks you to work a full week on trial, negotiate for basic transport money or daily allowance (such as 2,000 Naira, 50 Cedis, or 2,500 CFA per day). Your labour has value from the very first day you start working. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of the following is a clear sign that a job posting might be a scam? A) The company asks you to attend an interview in their main city office. B) The interviewer asks you to pay a 'processing fee' before receiving an offer letter. C) The employer asks for two professional references. D) The contract explains your basic salary and working hours. Answer: B — Legitimate employers never demand payment or fees from applicants to get a job or an interview. 2. What is the difference between Gross Pay and Net Pay? A) Gross pay is your cash bonus; Net pay is your transport allowance. B) Gross pay is your pay after taxes; Net pay is your pay before taxes. C) Gross pay is your total earnings before deductions; Net pay is the final amount you take home. D) Gross pay is paid weekly; Net pay is paid yearly. Answer: C — Gross pay is the total amount you earn before any tax, pension, or statutory deductions are subtracted to get your take-home Net pay. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 6: Finding Work Safely Through Local Networks 7 minutes read SEARCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES NEAR YOU Finding work often depends on who you know and where you look. In West Africa and many global communities, jobs are frequently shared through word of mouth, WhatsApp community groups, local church or mosque noticeboards, and community centers. While networking is one of the fastest ways to find job openings, you must take practical safety precautions when reaching out to new contacts and visiting unfamiliar workplaces. USING SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHATSAPP SAFELY WhatsApp job groups and Facebook community pages can be helpful, but they are also unmonitored. Anyone can join and post fake job listings. - Do not share private personal details like your bank account numbers, national identity number, or home address in public groups. - Keep your professional profile clean. Use a professional profile photo on WhatsApp or LinkedIn if you use those platforms for job hunting. - Verify job postings by calling the business directly or visiting their physical location if it is safe to do so. [Interview Location Safety] Never agree to meet a potential employer for an interview in a private home, hotel room, or isolated location. Real business interviews take place in open, public offices or standard commercial shops. Always tell a family member or friend where you are going. BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL PROFILE FOR FREE You do not need expensive websites to showcase your skills. You can create a simple digital record of your work using free tools: If you do physical work like tailoring, barbering, catering, or electrical repairs, create a separate WhatsApp Business account or a basic photo album on your phone. Take clear pictures of your finished work to show potential employers or clients. If you do office or digital work, create a free LinkedIn profile. List your education, skills, and any past volunteer work or short internships accurately. [Try This Today] Create a simple text summary on your phone that you can send to employers. Include your name, key skills, past work experience, and phone number. Keep it short, polite, and free of spelling errors. ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU ACCEPT An interview is a two-way street. While the employer is checking if you fit the role, you should also check if the environment is safe and fair. Before accepting a position, politely ask: 'What are the daily working hours?', 'Is transport support provided for late shifts?', and 'When is payday every month?' Honest employers will answer these questions clearly and directly. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do before attending an interview with a business you found online? A) Go alone without telling anyone so nobody steals your opportunity. B) Pay for the manager's lunch to show respect. C) Tell a trusted friend or family member the exact address and time of the interview. D) Send your bank account PIN to prove you are ready for salary deposit. Answer: C — Always share interview details, location, and time with someone you trust for your personal safety. 2. What is a simple, free way to show your practical skills to new employers? A) Pay an agency money to make a glossy flyer. B) Keep clear photos of your past completed work or projects on your phone. C) Promise that you can do every job in the world without practice. D) Refuse to show proof until you receive your first month salary. Answer: B — A simple photo album of your work (like neat stitching, clean salon cuts, or repaired engines) is clear, honest proof of your skills. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 7: Workplace Ethics and Professional Boundaries 8 minutes read UNDERSTANDING WORKPLACE ETHICS Workplace ethics are the rules of honesty, fairness, and responsibility on the job. Doing good work is not just about your technical skills; it is also about how trustworthy you are when working with your employer, co-workers, and customers. When you build a reputation as an honest and reliable worker, people are more likely to recommend you for better positions, give you raises, and write positive references for you. CORE EXPECTATIONS EMPLOYERS HAVE Every workplace has basic expectations that help the business run smoothly. Meeting these expectations protects your job security: - Punctuality: Arriving on time consistently. If you take a tro-tro, danfo, or bus, plan for traffic delays so you are not late. - Honesty with Cash and Stock: Handling company money, tools, and inventory with total care. Never take items home without explicit permission. - Reliability: Doing the work assigned to you to the best of your ability without needing constant supervision. - Respectful Communication: Speaking politely to customers and team members, even when resolving disagreements. [Protecting Your Personal Integrity] If an employer or manager asks you to lie, fake receipts, steal from clients, or alter official records, you have the right to decline. Doing illegal acts for an employer can put you in legal trouble, and the employer will rarely protect you if caught. KNOWING YOUR PERSONAL BOUNDARIES Being a dedicated worker does not mean accepting unfair treatment. You have the right to set healthy professional boundaries. For example, your employer has the right to ask you to complete tasks listed in your job role. However, they do not have the right to demand that you run dangerous personal errands outside work hours without pay, tolerate verbal abuse, or work in environments without safety equipment. [Try This Today] Practice setting a polite but firm boundary. If asked to stay late without notice or extra pay, try saying: 'I want to finish this task properly. Can we schedule extra time tomorrow, or will this be logged as paid overtime?' HANDLING ERRORS AND MISTAKES HONESTLY Everyone makes mistakes at work, especially when starting a new job. If you break a tool, drop stock, or make a mistake on a customer order, report it immediately to your supervisor. Trying to hide a mistake makes things worse and breaks trust. Most reasonable employers appreciate an honest worker who admits an error and offers to help fix it. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if your supervisor orders you to write fake receipts for clients? A) Do it quickly so you get promoted. B) Refuse politely, as you are responsible for your own legal and ethical actions. C) Ask the clients to give you cash directly instead. D) Blame your co-workers for the idea. Answer: B — You should never participate in illegal or fraudulent acts like writing fake receipts. You are responsible for maintaining your own legal integrity. 2. What is the best way to handle an accidental mistake you made at work? A) Hide the broken item under a counter and hope nobody notices. B) Blame the newest worker on the team. C) Report the mistake promptly to your supervisor and ask how to help fix it. D) Leave the workplace immediately and never return. Answer: C — Admitting mistakes early builds long-term trust and allows your team to fix the problem before it grows. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 8: Your First Month: Building Habits and Keeping Records 8 minutes read NAVIGATING YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS The first month on a new job is usually a probation period. During this time, your employer is watching how well you learn, adapt, and work with others. At the same time, you are learning whether this workplace is safe, fair, and right for you. By establishing organized habits in your first month, you can protect your rights, prevent wage disputes, and build strong professional references for the future. [Probation Period Rights] A probation period gives an employer time to evaluate your performance, but it does NOT mean you lose basic rights. You are still entitled to agreed pay, safe working conditions, and protection from harassment during your trial period. KEEPING YOUR OWN WORK RECORD One of the most powerful ways to protect your rights is by keeping a personal work log. Verbal promises can be forgotten, but written records stay clear. Use a small notebook or a notes app on your phone to write down key details at the end of every working day. This takes less than two minutes. - Date and hours worked (for example: Monday, June 10, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM). - Tasks completed or major sales handled. - Any extra hours (overtime) worked that were requested by your manager. - Any safety incidents, injuries, or formal warnings given. WHY KEEPING RECORDS MATTERS If your employer fails to pay you full wages at the end of the month, your personal work log gives you clear facts to show. Instead of saying 'I worked extra days,' you can show exact dates and hours. Records also help when asking for a promotion or raise. You can clearly present the work you have completed over the past months. [Try This Today] Start a simple work notebook today. Write down the start date of your current role, your agreed work hours, your daily rate or salary, and your manager's full name and phone number. SECURING REFERENCES BEFORE YOU LEAVE Every job you hold is a stepping stone for your career. During your first month and throughout your time at work, build positive relationships with managers and senior co-workers who can serve as future job references. Always ask permission before putting someone's name and phone number down as a reference on your job applications. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is keeping a personal work log helpful for a new worker? A) It allows you to secretively record your co-workers' private conversations. B) It provides clear evidence of your hours worked and tasks completed if pay disputes happen. C) It replaces the need to sign an official work contract. D) It allows you to skip work whenever you choose. Answer: B — A personal work log records exact dates, hours, and overtime, giving you factual proof if there is ever a dispute over your salary. 2. Does an employer have the right to withhold all your pay during a probation period? A) Yes, probation workers are never paid. B) Yes, but only if you are under 25 years old. C) No, workers must be paid for their work, even during a probation period. D) No, unless you work in an office setting. Answer: C — Probation is a trial evaluation period, but you are still legally entitled to receive agreed compensation for all work performed. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 9: 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. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 10: 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. ---------------------------------------- Your Rights and Safety at Work — Lesson 11: 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