Communicating for Results 9e 8 Key Ideas Methods for successful job hunting Interview preparation Phases of an interview Suggestions for interviewers The Employment Interview 1 Copyright Cengage © 2011

Consider this... Interviews are one of the least efficient forms of professional communication available... However, most professionals are willing to rely on such an admittedly inefficient form of communication because it is potentially one of the most efficient forms available. Interviews are one of the least efficient forms of professional communication available... However, most professionals are willing to rely on such an admittedly inefficient form of communication because it is potentially one of the most efficient forms available. 2 Skopec, Situational Interviewing, Harper & Row, 1986, p. 5 Copyright Cengage © 2011

RadioShack’s Resume Woes RadioShack’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 Study CEO Case Study Copyright Cengage © 2011

Preparing for the job Hunt  Investigate the employment market  Locate specific jobs of interest  Prepare a resume  Check resume for accuracy and honesty  Prepare a letter of application  Prepare for the interview 4Copyright Cengage © 2011

Investigate Employment Market Investigate Employment Market Job-hunting success rates (in percentages)... *10-20% in finance, health care, engineering, or IT Copyright Cengage © 2011

Locate specific jobs of interest  Networking  The most successful job-hunting method  Before a job interview, conduct information interviews  Information interviews provide:  Specific information  Feedback  Referrals 6Copyright Cengage © 2011

Prepare a quality resume  Conventional Paper resume  Scannable Resume  resume  Web Resume 7 Types of resumes include... Copyright Cengage © 2011

The conventional paper resume  Name, address, phone numbers  Objective or position desired  Education  Areas of knowledge  Job experience  Other information if shows character & is job-related 8Copyright Cengage © 2011

Types of paper resumes  Chronological  Emphasizes work experience  Chronological order  Functional  Emphasizes skills rather than work experience  Downplays dates  Combination  Emphasizes specific skills  Chronological order  Brief look at education 9Copyright Cengage © 2011

Scannable resume  Traditional resume  Altered to be computer-friendly  Used for online job-sites that electronically scan resumes  Differs from conventional resume  Must be plainer and easier to be read by OCR scanners  Add keyword summary of skills and qualifications 10Copyright Cengage © 2011

resume  Also called an e-resume  Plain-text bare bones  Designed to be pasted into an message  Some companies don’t receive them because of possibility of viruses  Does not take the place of a paper resume 11Copyright Cengage © 2011

Web resume  Also called a web portfolio  Includes the following:  Name, 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 information Copyright Cengage ©

Check resume for accuracy and honesty  Distorting content is unethical  Lying is illegal  Avoid the following:  Exaggeration - overstating facts  Distortion – misrepresenting facts 13Copyright Cengage © 2011

Prepare a letter of application  Address to a specific person  Begin with greeting & position sought  Provide personal information and that would be of interest to the employer  End by requesting interview  Give phone number and availability  Use correct grammar and style 14Copyright Cengage © 2011

Prepare for the interview  Have a positive attitude  Create a positive impression  Engage in Impression Management  Communicate using impression-management verbal comments  Manage verbal and nonverbal communication  Dress for the occasion Copyright Cengage ©

Impression Management techniques  Describe self in a positive manner  Describe past events with positive personal stories  Express opinions that agree with the interviewer  Claim personal responsibility for successful past events  Make statements that complement company or interviewer 16Copyright Cengage © 2011

Verbal communication  Variety in pitch, tempo and volume  Pleasant-sounding voice  Speak rapidly and confidently 17Copyright Cengage © 2011

Nonverbal communication  Gesture and smile often  Look directly at the interviewer  Nod head in a positive manner  Lean forward while maintaining a natural comfortable posture Copyright Cengage ©

Dress for the occasion MenWomen 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 dirty3. 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 Table 8.1 Five common mistakes men and women make in dress and appearance Five common mistakes men and women make in dress and appearance Copyright Cengage © 2011

Types of Interviews  The non-structured interview  The structured interview  The hostile or stress interview  The group interview  The video or virtual interview 20Copyright Cengage © 2011

Planning answers to questions  Use technical jargon 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 a positive manner. 21Copyright Cengage © 2011

Types of questions interviewers ask  Standard questions  Behavioral questions 22Copyright Cengage © 2011

Sample 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 questions  Suppose 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? 24Copyright Cengage © 2011

Sample 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? 25Copyright Cengage © 2011

After the interview  Be prepared to follow-up  Send Thank-You Card and 26Copyright Cengage © 2011

Conducting 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. 27Copyright Cengage © 2011

Conducting an interview  Get to know interviewee ahead of time  Plan the environment  Organize interview carefully  Plan each phase  Ask only lawful questions  Listen carefully to the interviewee  Clarify and verify verbal responses 28Copyright Cengage © 2011

Communicating for Results 9e 8 Key Ideas Methods for successful job hunting Interview preparation Phases of an interview Suggestions for interviewers The Employment Interview 29 Copyright Cengage © 2011