Chapter 1: Interviewing

1. I would prepare for the interview by first requesting a job description for the
management trainee position that I was applying for and conducting research on the
company by looking at their website. I would then practice giving thoughtful
responses to possible interview questions, possibly by having a friend act as the
person conducting the interview. For the interview itself, I would make sure to dress
appropriately and professionally in order to make a good first impression. During the
interview, I would try to give positive, honest answers to all questions while showing
sincere interest in the company and the position I was interviewing for. After the
interview was over, I would immediately send a thank you note to express my
appreciation to the interviewer.
2. Skills that I have that will help me become successful include my diligent and
positive attitude, as well as my kind and respectful personality. I am very hardworking and will always go out of my way to ensure that a task has been completed
correctly and efficiently. I am also very considerate towards others; I try to always
treat others as I would like to be treated and to try to understand their perspective and
position.
3. A personal trait that I feels need improvement would definitely be my shyness. I love
people, but often struggle with social awkwardness that makes it difficult for me to
communicate effectively with them. I could probably improve this weakness by
stepping out of my comfort zone more often in order to improve my social skills.

Information I found at the following source supports my plan to prepare for the interview
by providing step-by-step information on how to act and appear professionally during an
interview.
"How to Interview Effectively." Ctdol.state.ct.us. Connecticut Department of Labor, n.d.
Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
(http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/jobsrvce/interviews-effective.htm)

Chapter 3: International Business

1. I would respond to my friends resentment of imported goods, such as cars, with the
argument that free trade is actually very beneficial for society as a whole. This is

because it allows American workers to specialize in goods and services that they
produce more efficiently than the rest of the world and then to exchange them for
goods and services that other countries produce at higher quality and lower cost
(Eiras). While American car companies can produce quality, inexpensive products,
there are certainly many foreign car manufacturers that can produce cars that are of
even higher quality while still remaining inexpensive. This provides valuable
competition that benefits the consumers who seek to purchase these products.
2. Some specific reasons as to why international trade is beneficial to society as a whole
include the fact the American companies and workers have an absolute advantage
when it comes to certain products, while other countries have absolute advantages in
other products. Free trade allows countries to trade the products they are best at
producing with other countries for the products that these countries are best at
producing. Free trade also encourages competition between countries that produce a
similar products, and this, in turn, benefits the consumers. Also, free trade encourages
peace between nations. When nations wish to trade with one another, there is an
increased social desire to be at peace with neighboring and even faraway nations
with which trade is conducted or might be conducted in the future (Eiras).
3. There would be a variety of consequences if trade among nations was banned.
Nations such as North Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and parts of the Middle East and
Africa are already largely unfree and economically restricted. As a result, these
nations suffer from poverty and political distress. Without international trade,
economic growth would be stunted because nations would not be able to sell what
they produce and are unable to acquire things they need that they are incapable of
producing themselves.

Information I found at the following source supports the argument I would present to my
friend for why international or free trade is advantageous for America and for society as a
whole. This website stated the reasons why America needs free trade and explained a
number its advantages.
Eiras, Ana I. "Why America Needs to Support Free Trade." Heritage.org. The Heritage
Foundation, 24 May 2004. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
(http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2004/05/why-america-needs-to-support-free-trade)

Chapter 4: Business Ownership

I believe that under the circumstances described here, I would prefer to start my own
business. While I do not think I would mind working for someone else, I would prefer to be my
own boss. I would enjoy the independence that comes from owning and operating my own
business; I could sell what I wanted, choose what hours I worked, and design my store however I
chose.
If I were to start my own small business, I would probably open a small bookshop. I have
always loved the idea of having a quaint bookshop/cafe on a Main Street somewhere. As far as
special skills needed to run this small business, I would need business planning and financial
skills, the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively, an understanding of computers, the
law, and accounting, and the ability to manage human resources (Ury). I would also need to gain
experience in all of these things prior to starting my business.
I could obtain these skills and experience by working for another, similar business before
starting my own. By gaining first-hand experience in a similar small business, I would know
exactly how to manage my own store and have gained the skills needed to be successful.
Regarding type of business ownership, I would choose to make my small business a sole
proprietorship. I enjoy the idea of having pride of ownership, flexibility, and no special taxes by
running this sort of business. Despite the risks) presented by this form of ownership, such as the
lack of money, lack of management skills, and unlimited liability, I would still prefer to run my
business under this form of ownership.

Information I found at the following source supports my plan to open and run my own small
business. This source lists 10 skills needed to start and successfully run a small business; I used
these skills to describe the skills and experience I would need to run my business.
Ury, Allen B. "Want to Start a Small Business? There Are 10 Skills You Need to Have."
News.everestonline.edu. Everest University, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
(http://news.everestonline.edu/post/2012/10/10-skills-you-need-to-have/#.UkdnBIZQFXk)