Chapter 12 Employment Communication There are videos embedded in the PowerPoint slides that are available on the Instructor’s Resource CD (ISBN 9781133188551).

Employment Communication Résumé Cover Letter Interview Follow-Up Etiquette

Preparing your Resume What is a Resume? A resume summarizes your history and qualifications for a job. The best resume is tailored to show how your education and work experience have prepared you for a specific job.

Purpose of Resume and Interview The purpose of a resume is to get you a job interview. Interview The purpose of an interview is to get you a job.

Formatting Your Résumé Simple fonts and design features Lots of white space Clear dates in reverse chronological order Easy-to-scan headings and bullets

Formatting Your Résumé (cont’d) Clear descriptions with action verbs 100% accurate

Other Skills and Experience Résumé Content Name, Address, Email Address, Phone Number Contact Information College Name, Major, Degree, Date of Graduation Education Companies, Job Titles, Responsibilities/Achievements, Dates of Employment Work Experience Extracurricular Activities, Language, Computer Skills, Special Skills Other Skills and Experience

Tips for Including Work Experience Prefer the chronological résumé style Provide complete information about your work history Show how your work experience qualifies you for the specific job Use concrete, achievement-oriented words to describe your experience Stress specific accomplishments directly related to the desired job Include relevant unpaid positions

Résumé Supplements Online Résumé Video Résumé What are the advantages of these supplements to the traditional résumé? Online Résumé Video Résumé

The Purpose of a Cover Letter or Email Express interest in the company and position Highlight how your background specifically matches job qualifications Reveal a bit about your personality Demonstrate your business writing skills Provide the employer with logistical information

What to Include in a Cover Letter or Email Use the standard letter format Use the direct organiza-tional plan Keep the opening short Explain your interest in the job

What to Include in a Cover Letter or Email (cont’d) Expand on relevant experience Politely ask for an interview Use a standard closing

Types of Interview Questions Standard Includes general questions Behavioral Asks specific questions about your past behavior to predict future performance Case Requires you to analyze and solve a problem Stress Simulates stressful environments

Behavioral Interview Questions Please tell me about the best working relationship you ever had. Please describe a time when you had to work with someone you didn’t like. Describe a time when it was particularly difficult for you to gain credibility with someone. What did you do? Competency = Relationship Building Describe a problem you’ve had on the job and how you went about solving it. Give me an example of an assignment you had—either in school or at work—that you found particularly challenging. How did you go about handling it? Please tell me about a difficult decision you’ve made in the last year. Competency = Problem Solving/Decision Making

“STAR” Behavioral Interview Response Situation or Task: What brief context is important for the interviewer to understand? Action: How did you handle the situation? What did you do? Result: How did the situation turn out? How can you prove that your action was appropriate in the situation?

Use concrete Achievement-oriented Words Presented Coordinated Negotiated Evaluated Developed Analyzed Implemented Established Organized Designed Accomplished Created Managed Introduced Achieved

Example of Using Achievement-oriented words Was responsible for creating, designing, and developing a new web page about sustainability efforts at Coca-Cola.

Video and Phone Interviews Eliminate noise and distractions Prepare a neat, professional-looking workspace Dress as you would for an in-person interview Practice with a friend to check lighting, sound, etc. Consider shorter responses to make it easier for the interviewer to jump in (for phone interviews)

Prepare Your Own Questions How would you describe a typical day on the job? What opportunities exist for ongoing training and development? Why did you choose to work here, and what keeps you here? What is the first problem the person you hire must attend to? What makes someone successful in this position? What are the organization’s plans for the future? What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for this division/company?

Dress for Success Choose a well-tailored, clean, conservative outfit for the interview Business Attire Business Casual Attire

Possible Communication Breakdowns Received no response after a second (or a third!) interview Received no response after a screening or first interview Received just a form letter after the initial application Has this happened to you? What can you do about it?

The Selection Process Consider calling a week or so after you send your résumé Respond to a request for an interview How would you respond?

Immediately after the Interview Request for feedback, even if you did not get the job. Send a thank you letter Critique your performance, your résumé, and your cover letter.

Practicing Business Etiquette What is Business Etiquette? Business etiquette refers to appropriate behavior in a business setting. By following good etiquette, we present a professional image and interact properly with others at work.

Tips for Including Work Experience Meeting and Greeting When you meet people for the first time, take the initiative to introduce yourself. If someone is hosting you, then he or she should make the introduction. When introducing others, the rule is to present the lower-ranking person to the higher-ranking person regardless of age or gender. Use the person’s name in the conversation to help remember it. Exchange business cards at the end o fa business encounter. Never present your card during a meal – wait until it is over.

Practicing Business Dining Etiquette After the Meal Don’t take leftovers home Offer to pay Thank the payer Tip 15-20% Send a thank-you note During the Meal Stay engaged in conversation Take small bites Use outer silverware first Keep elbows off the table Leave napkin on the chair Before the Meal Confirm dietary restrictions Make reservations Order last Go light on the liquor Wait for the host to start eating

Managing Your Online Reputation Google yourself Manage your privacy settings Avoid posting questionable content Post positive content that shows your strengths

Working in an Office Always knock on you coworker’s cubicle Never shout a comment to the next cubicle Do not leave valuables unattended Avoid talking on the phone too loudly Avoid eavesdropping on conversations