The Employment Interview Chapter 8 The Employment Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Chapter 8 Objectives Identify the basic methods for successful job hunting Summarize suggestions for interviewees when preparing for an interview Identify the phases of a successful interview Summarize important suggestions for interviewers when conducting an interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Investigating the Employment Market Various job hunting methods show the following rates of success: Networking – 86% Cold-calling potential employers – 47% Asking relatives/friends/acquaintances or college career centers for job leads – 33% Answering newspaper ads – 5-24% Using job agencies – 5-28% Answering an ad posted on an Internet job board – 4-10% Posting a resume on the Internet – 4-67% Posting a resume on a social networking site – 3.9% Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Investigating the Employment Market Aggressive job hunters use multiple methods You will want to use networking A network is a web of contacts and relationships designed to benefit the participants by providing leads and referrals You have to work at getting people to know you You should be looking for people, not jobs Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Investigating the Employment Market Before going on any job interview, begin networking by conducting 10-40 information-seeking interviews Interview successful people One way to find contacts is through blogs For leads, ask your friends, schoolmates, etc. Serious networking reduces length of a job search Rule of Three Three informational interviews or three actual interviews, three e-mail, and three letters each workday Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Investigating the Employment Market Information-seeking interviews should provide you with the following information: Specific information about the career, job, or company Feedback on your career goals, resume, interviewing skills, appearance Names of other people you can contact for further information Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Locate Specific Jobs of Interest Large number of employers post openings on free sites, their own websites, or on employment websites Employers search for resumes and applications on employment websites Job sites can be used for more than just posting your resume or looking for job openings They are an excellent source of information Keep in mind that not all jobs are posted Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Resume: Conventional, Scannable, E-mail or Web The resume is a way of communicating with prospective employer If properly done, can give you advantage over others applying for the same position For a resume to work, it has to be really good Four basic types of resumes You will want to prepare more than one Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Conventional Paper Resume Formatted to look attractive and designed to be mailed or handed to reviewer Cannot be effectively scanned by computers or stored electronically Decide whether to use a short, one-page resume or a longer, more detailed, two-page resume Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Conventional Paper Resume Most resumes organized in one of three ways: Chronological resume Emphasizes applicant’s work experience in chronological order beginning with most recent Functional resume Emphasizes skills and accomplishments Combination/hybrid resume Includes both chronological and functional aspects Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Conventional Paper Resume Include the following information: Name, address, phone numbers Objective or position desired Education Knowledge Job experience Other information Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Conventional Paper Resume “References available upon request” often include in resume, although list is not included You should take a list of references with you to interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Conventional Paper Resume Information to avoid: Hobbies, activities, or interests that do not relate to the job Past, present, or desired salary Personal data Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Scannable Resume Conventional resume altered to be “computer friendly” Provides acceptable compromise between conventional paper resume and e-mail or American standard code for information interchange Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Scannable Resume Usually begins with keyword summary or qualifications summary Generally include four headings: Keyword summary Experience Education Professional affiliations and awards Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition E-Mail Resume Also called e-resume, plain-text resume, or an ASCII resume Bare bones resume designed to be pasted into an e-mail message Designed for ASCII and uses only keyboard characters Main headings Keyword summary Experience Education Professional affiliations/awards Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Web Resume Also called an electronic or e-portfolio Includes e-mail resume, link to conventional resume, and links to additional information showcasing your qualifications Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Web Resume Information on Web resume should include: Name, e-mail address, objectives or goal Link to your ASCII resume Link to more professionally formatted resume Design an attractive set of links Keep all information job related Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Check Resume Content for Accuracy and Honesty Exaggeration is overstating or presenting facts as more important than they are Distortion is misrepresenting or twisting facts Before you send your resume to potential employer, check for the following: Inflated education, grades, or honors Enhanced job titles Puffed-up accomplishments Altered dates of employment Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Prepare a Letter of Application or Cover Letter Purpose of letter of application is to give enough information about you and your capabilities so employer will be interested in talking with you Presents a good first impression Showcases your communication skills and writing style Should relate specifically to company and person to whom you are writing Key to writing a good letter is to place focus on needs or problems or company and what you can do for them Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Have a Positive Attitude Know that you are a person of worth and integrity with a genuine right to be considered for the job Adjusting your attitude does not mean you should try to alter your personality or style for the interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Impression management Efforts people make to improve how others see them Once initial impression of interviewee formed, interviewer tends to view remainder of interview as supporting this original view All three codes contribute to first impressions: Verbal Vocal Visual Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Successful applicants often use the following five types of comments: Describing self in positive manner Describing past events with positive personal stories Expressing opinions that agree with interviewer Claiming personal responsibility for successful past events Making statements that compliment the company or interviewer Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion These five comments can be divided into two basic impression-management styles: Controlling style Comments focused on self-promotion Submissive style Comments focused on interviewer Controlling style results in more job offers Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Vocal sounds candidates make during interviews help form impressions Researchers have found following: Variety in pitch and tempo and moderately loud volume add to impression of power and credibility Pleasant-sounding voice adds to image of attractiveness and likeability Speaking fairly rapidly and forcefully adds to impression of competence and authority Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Interviewers’ decisions more heavily influenced by unfavorable first impressions and behaviors than they are by favorable ones Especially true of visual impression Nonverbal behaviors also affect interviewers’ evaluations of applicants Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Successful interviewees were most likely to do the following: Speak rapidly and forcefully Gesture and smile often Look directly at interviewer Nod their head in positive manner Lean forward while maintaining natural, comfortable position Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Three things interviewers remember most after interviewee is gone: Eye contact Appearance Facial expressions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview The nonstructured interview Usually expected to take most of initiative during interview Expect to be asked open-ended questions and behavioral questions Interviewer wants detailed, fairly long responses Anticipate possible questions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview The structured interview Everything is planned in advance Follows standard interview format Asks same structured questions of all applicants Interviewer asks many direct and closed questions and wants specific, to-the-point answers Provide the most direct, forthright answers you can Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview The hostile or stress interview Interviewer either has low self-esteem and feels threatened or is well organized, experienced interviewer trying to see how interviewee handles stress Take your time lean back in your seat, and smile Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview The group interview Becoming more common Unless you know for sure that your interview will not be a group interview, be prepared just in case Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview The video or virtual interview Many companies are now screening candidates through a video or virtual interview Arrive early at the interview site Familiarize yourself with equipment and camera Will want to pay special attention to our visual image Lower camera so it is at eye level when you are sitting Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Recommended that you: Speak clearly Sit straight and make sure you are centered in picture frame Concentrate on looking up and into camera Use gestures but avoid excessive movement Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Carefully Plan Answers to Probable Questions Job applicants should do the following: Use technical jargon that is common in their field Use active, positive, and concrete language Support answers with specific examples Use humor when appropriate Describe job weaknesses or physical disabilities in positive manner Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Carefully Plan Answers to Probable Questions Many questions interviewers ask are standard questions Designed to determine basic skills and abilities Another kind of question you may be asked is the behavioral question Requires you to give examples of your skills or behaviors SAR Situation or problem/task Action Result or outcome Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared with Questions to Ask the Interviewer Most interviewers will invite you to ask questions Should be prepared to ask a few You want to get enough information to decide if you really want this job Your questions show you are interested Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Be Prepared to Follow Up the Interview Most interviews end with plan for future action Make certain you carry out whatever responsibility you have been assigned during interview If you do not hear from company within reasonable amount of time, e-mail, write, or call reconfirming your interest Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Send a Thank-You Card Always send a thank-you card after interview Could be a factor in whether you are called back for a second interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Interviewer: Planning the Interview Keep in mind interviewees prefer interviewers who do the following: Show high levels of nonverbal immediacy behaviors Listen to interviewee answers and limit number of interruptions Ask open questions and allow sufficient time to answer them Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Get to Know the Interviewee Ahead of Time Read resume and application forms carefully Look for any problem areas needing follow-up Review your structured interview format Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Communicating for Results, 10th edition Plan the Environment Privacy is essential Setting should be planned so participants feel comfortable Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Organize the Interview Carefully Plan the opening phase Establish rapport Verify basic information Motivate applicant Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Organize the Interview Carefully Plan the question-response phase Skilled interviewer decides what general areas should be covered in this phase of interview and then plans specific questions for each area Most employment interviewers organize questions into the funnel sequence Must keep accurate record of each interviewee Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Organize the Interview Carefully Plan the closing phase Will want to make sure interviewee leaves with positive feeling and accurate understanding of what will happen next Give interviewee chance to ask questions, and thank him/her for time and cooperation Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Ask Only Lawful Questions Interviewers cannot ask certain questions of applicants during preemployment interviews Laws based on belief all persons should be able to compete for jobs and advance in job market Two basic EEOC guidelines to follow: All questions must be job related Same basic questions must be asked of all applicants for the position Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Ask Only Lawful Questions As an interviewer, you must depend on court rulings It is illegal in the United States to unfairly discriminate in any aspect of employment Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Less Effective Answers to Unlawful Questions Silence “That’s illegal” “I prefer not to answer” Ignoring the legality of the question and giving a candid answer Communicating for Results, 10th edition

More Effective Answers to Unlawful Questions “I’m not clear on how that relates to my ability to handle this job” With sincerity, the applicant asks the same question of the interviewer Laughter, and then, “Is having children a requirement for this job?” Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Listen Carefully to the Interviewee Some of the more common errors: Being distracted by something in environment Listening only for factual parts of responses Becoming so overwhelmed by something the applicant says that you miss his or her following comments Getting upset when applicant uses emotional words Making snap judgments about applicant’s worth based only on one or two comments Failing to follow up on important information Communicating for Results, 10th edition