Kristen is a human resources management major and recently joined the local chapter of the National

Question

Human Resources Association. She wants to get involved in the group because she knows this will help
her begin to develop a professional network. She also knows this effort will get her started on the right
track of reaching her full career potential.
Kristen’s instructor gave her a contact name, Ms. Johnson, treasurer of the local human resources
association. Kristen is apprehensive about contacting Ms. Johnson because she wants to make a good
impression and knows this can be an important step for her.
Based on the skills you have learned from Chapter 1, which ones do you think Kristen can use to
help in this situation?
Specifically, how can Kristen apply the success strategies to help ease her apprehension, to help
prepare her for the initial contact with Ms. Johnson, and to increase her career network in the
NRHA?

Answer 1

Kristen can use all the mental success strategies in Chapter 1 to project a confident, competent
image when she calls Ms. Johnson. She can use positive thinking and behavior, positive
visualization, and positive self-talk. She can set goals for the phone call and for the role in the HR
association. She can practice taking a proactive approach to situations and acting assertively. She
can work at maintaining her self-esteem by creating a positive environment and taking care of her
mind, body, and spirit.

Because Kristen is apprehensive, to prepare for the initial contact with Ms. Johnson, she should
bolster her confidence and performance by incorporating positive thinking and behavior when she
thinks about and plans her initial contact with Ms. Johnson.
Kristen should also use positive visualization by envisioning a successful initial phone
conversation and subsequent meeting with Ms. Johnson.
Kristen should use positive self-talk to remind herself she is competent in communicating with
others.
Kristen can use goal setting by establishing one date to call Ms. Johnson and another date to
meet with her and by setting target dates for becoming involved in the HR association.
By taking the initiative to call and request a meeting with Ms. Johnson, Kristen will
demonstrate assertive and proactive behavior. All of her efforts toward her goal of building a
career network will increase her self-esteem.