Applying and Interviewing Chapter 14 Applying and Interviewing For Employment

Learning Objectives After studying this chapter, you will be able to: Explain the purposes of application letters and describe how to apply the AIDA organizational approach to them List six tasks you need to complete to prepare for a successful job interview Explain how to succeed in all three stages of an interview Identify the most common employment messages that follow an interview and explain when you would use each one

Submitting Your Resume Your resume isn’t the only document! You also need to prepare: A cover letter Job inquiry letters Application forms Follow-up notes – thank you, request more time, or even a thanks, but “no thanks” letter List of references

Writing Application Letters This is just as important as your resume. Often, the reviewer will see it first (before your resume), and if it has ANY ERRORS it will likely be put in the “don’t interview pile”

Following Up After Submitting a Resume Don’t inquire before the “closing” date If the ad says “no calls,” then don’t call When you follow-up by phone or e-mail you might share one additional piece of information You can inquire about the hiring process

The Typical Sequence of Interviews (1) The Screening Stage (2) The Selection Stage (3) The Final Stage

Learning About the Organization Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall

Thinking Ahead About Questions A few of the many stock questions you will likely be asked: What is the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? What is your greatest weakness? Where do you want to be five years from now? What didn’t you like about previous jobs you’ve held? Tell me something about yourself.

Boosting Your Confidence

Common Types of Interviews Structured Open-Ended Panel Common Types of Interviews Group Behavioral Situational Working Stress

Interview Media Telephone E-mail and IM Video Online Interviews

Being Ready When You Arrive Take a portfolio with you to hold your papers – NOT a file folder Small notebook or paper and a pen Several copies of your resume and your reference list Possible samples of your work (if the position is creative) Notes about what you know about the company A list of questions – and make sure you have at least two questions to ask! Know when and where the interview will be held Be on time Turn off your cell phone Conduct yourself professionally while you are waiting If you plan to take a tablet computer (preferred over a laptop) to take notes, be sure you can open and start it quickly and that you can use it efficiently, so that you don’t waste the interviewer’s time. You may want to take a notepad as a backup.

Three Stages of the Interview The Warm-up The Question & Answer Stage The Close

What Employers Look for in an Interview Suitability Organization Fit Education Background Work Experience Attitudes Job-Related Traits Personal Style

Pre-employment Testing and Background Checks Integrity Personality Cognition Language Ability Knowledge and Skills Substance Tests Background Checks

Interview Notes

Following Up After an Interview

Follow-Up Message

Request for a Time Extension Message of Inquiry Request for a Time Extension This type of letter is part of the second assignment (Employment Package) for this class.

Letter of Acceptance

Letter Declining a Job Offer

Letter of Resignation

Learning Objectives: Check Your Progress Explain the purpose of application letters and describe how to apply the AIDA organizational approach to them. List some tasks you need to complete to prepare for a successful job interview. Explain how to succeed in all three stages of an interview. Identify the most common employment messages that follow an interview and explain when you would use each one.