Communicating for Results 9e 8 Key Ideas Methods for successful job hunting Interview preparation Phases of an interview Suggestions for interviewers The

Communicating for Results

9e

8Key Ideas

•Methods for successful job hunting•Interview preparation•Phases of an interview•Suggestions for interviewers

The Employment Interview

1Copyright Cengage © 2011

Consider this . . .Consider this . . .

Interviews are one of the least Interviews are one of the least efficient forms of professional efficient forms of professional communication available . . . communication available . . . However, most professionals are However, most professionals are willing to rely on such an willing to rely on such an admittedly inefficient form of admittedly inefficient form of communication because it is communication because it is potentially one of the most potentially one of the most efficient forms available. efficient forms available.

2

Skopec, Situational Interviewing, Harper & Row, 1986, p. 5

Copyright Cengage © 2011

RadioShack’s Resume WoesRadioShack’s Resume Woes

What future policies could Radio Shack implement to ensure resume inaccuracies don’t occur in the future?What are two advantages and disadvantages of a Radio Shack company blog?Why do you think Edmondson falsified information on his resume?

Chris Gardner/Associated Press

CEO Case StudyCEO Case Study


Preparing for the job HuntPreparing for the job Hunt

Investigate the employment marketLocate specific jobs of interestPrepare a resumeCheck resume for accuracy and

honestyPrepare a letter of applicationPrepare for the interview


Investigate Employment MarketInvestigate Employment MarketJob-hunting success rates (in percentages) . . .Job-hunting success rates (in percentages) . . .

*10-20% in finance, health care, engineering, or IT


Locate specific jobs of interestLocate specific jobs of interest

NetworkingThe most successful job-hunting method

Before a job interview, conduct 10-40 information interviews

Information interviews provide: Specific information Feedback Referrals


Prepare a quality resumePrepare a quality resume

Conventional Paper resumeScannable ResumeE-mail resumeWeb Resume

7

Types of resumes include . . .Types of resumes include . . .


The conventional paper resumeThe conventional paper resume

Name, address, phone numbersObjective or position desiredEducationAreas of knowledgeJob experience

Other information if shows character & is job-related


Types of paper resumesTypes of paper resumes

Chronological Emphasizes work experience Chronological order

FunctionalEmphasizes skills rather than work

experienceDownplays dates

CombinationEmphasizes specific skillsChronological orderBrief look at education


Scannable resumeScannable resume

Traditional resume Altered to be computer-friendlyUsed for online job-sites that

electronically scan resumesDiffers from conventional resume

Must be plainer and easier to be read by OCR scanners

Add keyword summary of skills and qualifications


E-Mail resumeE-Mail resume

Also called an e-resumePlain-text bare bones Designed to be pasted into an email

messageSome companies don’t receive them

because of possibility of virusesDoes not take the place of a paper

resume


Web resumeWeb resumeAlso called a web portfolioIncludes the following:

Name, e-mail address & objective/goal

A link to your professionally formatted resume

A link to multimedia (video clip or PowerPoint)

Links to information that showcases qualifications & abilities

Only job-related informationCopyright Cengage © 2011 12

Check resume for accuracy and honestyCheck resume for accuracy and honesty

Distorting content is unethicalLying is illegalAvoid the following:

Exaggeration - overstating factsDistortion – misrepresenting facts


Prepare a letter of applicationPrepare a letter of applicationAddress to a specific person

Begin with greeting & position sought

Provide personal information and that would be of interest to the employer

End by requesting interviewGive phone number and availabilityUse correct grammar and style


Prepare for the interviewPrepare for the interview

Have a positive attitudeCreate a positive impressionEngage in Impression Management

Communicate using impression-management verbal comments

Manage verbal and nonverbal communication

Dress for the occasion

Copyright Cengage © 2011 15

Impression Management techniquesImpression Management techniques

Describe self in a positive mannerDescribe past events with positive

personal storiesExpress opinions that agree with the

interviewerClaim personal responsibility for

successful past eventsMake statements that complement

company or interviewer


Verbal communicationVerbal communication

Variety in pitch, tempo and volumePleasant-sounding voiceSpeak rapidly and confidently


Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication

Gesture and smile oftenLook directly at the interviewerNod head in a positive mannerLean forward while maintaining a

natural comfortable posture

Copyright Cengage © 2010 18

Dress for the occasionDress for the occasion

Men Women

1. Clothes that don’t fit properly or are wrinkled or dirty

1. Clothes that are ill fitting or wrinkled

2. Shirts that fit too snugly at the collar or around the waist

2. Clothing that is inappropriate especially when too short or too revealing

3. Hands, hair, or nails that are dirty

3. Too much perfume; too much or too little makeup

4. Scuffed or the wrong color shoes; white socks

4. Scuffed or inappropriate shoes

5. Cheap-looking tie or tie that is too short

5. Inappropriate or too much jewelry

19

Source: R. J. Ilkka, 1995, “Applicant Appearance and Selection Decision Making: Revitalizing Employment Interview Education,” Business Communication Quarterly, 58(3), pp. 11–18; Martin Yate, 2008, “Knock ‘em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2009,” pp. 123-136.

Table 8.1 Table 8.1 Five common mistakes men and women make in dress and appearanceFive common mistakes men and women make in dress and appearance


Types of InterviewsTypes of Interviews

The non-structured interview The structured interview The hostile or stress interview The group interview

The video or virtual interview


Planning answers to questionsPlanning answers to questions

Use technical jargon common in their field.

Use active, positive, and concrete language.

Support answers with specific examples,

Use humor when appropriateDescribe job weaknesses or physical

disabilities in a positive manner.21Copyright Cengage © 2011

Types of questions interviewers askTypes of questions interviewers ask

Standard questionsBehavioral questions


Sample Standard questionsSample Standard questions

What do you know about our company?Why do you want to leave your current

job?What salary are you expecting?Where do you want to be five years from

now?Describe yourself in three adjectives.Why should we hire you over others

applying for this position?23Copyright Cengage © 2011

Sample Behavioral questionsSample Behavioral questionsSuppose you were given a project that

required you to interact with employees at all levels of the organization. Select three levels and explain specifically how you would communicate with each level.

Tell me about a situation where you benefited from a personal mistake.

Explain how you saw a new project through to completion.

Suppose you had an important decision to make, but the information to base it on was conflicting. How would you handle the situation?


Sample Questions to ask the interviewerSample Questions to ask the interviewer

How creative am I allowed to be on this job? Would the company support me if I went back to

school? What is the typical career path of an individual

entering the organization at this level? What could I do or read while you are considering

my application that might help me on the job if I’m hired?

How will my performance be measured by you and by higher-ups?

It’s been a pleasure meeting with you. Now that we’ve talked, I really want this job. Can you tell me what the next step will be?


After the interviewAfter the interview

Be prepared to follow-upSend Thank-You Card and email


Conducting an interviewConducting an interview

Show high levels of nonverbal immediacy behaviors (discussed in Chapter 5), such as eye contact and an open body posture.

Listen to interviewee answers and limit the number of interruptions.

Ask open questions and allow sufficient time to answer them.


Conducting an interviewConducting an interview

Get to know interviewee ahead of time

Plan the environmentOrganize interview carefully

Plan each phaseAsk only lawful questionsListen carefully to the intervieweeClarify and verify verbal responses


Communicating for Results

9e

8Key Ideas

•Methods for successful job hunting•Interview preparation•Phases of an interview•Suggestions for interviewers

The Employment Interview


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Communicating for Results 9e 8 Key Ideas Methods for successful job hunting Interview preparation Phases of an interview Suggestions for interviewers The