Communicating More Effectively
215Exercise: Conversations
Try using some of these conversational strategies the next time you’re having a conversa -
tion. If you rarely encounter situations that allow for conversation, you may need to go 
out of your way to seek out such situations. During the practice, pay special attention to 
using the strategies for starting the conversation, improving the quality of the conversa -
tion, and ending the conversation. In the spaces below, record your experiences after 
using the relevant strategies for each phase of the conversation.
Starting the conversation: 
Improving the quality of the conversation: 
Ending the conversation: 
JOB INTERVIEWS
Most people feel somewhat nervous when being interviewed for a job. In fact, showing 
no signs of anxiety could work against you in some interview situations. Not showing 
any signs of anxiety during an interview might be interpreted by the interviewer as a sign 
that you are overconﬁdent or disinterested. But if you’re particularly anxious in social 
situations, interviews may be even more anxiety-provoking for you than they are for the 
average person. Chapter 6 reviewed strategies for changing the beliefs that contribute to 
your anxiety in situations such as interviews. Chapters 7 and 8 recommended practicing