Applying and Interviewing for Employment Copyright 2010 Pearson

Applying and Interviewing for Employment Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 1

Employment Messages • Application letters • Job-inquiry letters • Application follow-ups Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 2

Application Letters • Accompany the résumé – What you are sending – Why you are sending it – Benefits of reading it Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 3

Tips for Application Letters • • • Be clear and specific Show you are informed Don’t volunteer salary information Keep it short Show some personality Aim for high quality Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 4

Types of Application Letters • Solicited • Unsolicited Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 5

Using the AIDA Model • • Attention Interest Desire Action Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 6

Application Follow-Ups • • Update application Show your interest Demonstrate persistence Show your commitment Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 7

Employment Interviews • Organization’s objective – Match applicants with the organization • Applicant’s objective – Match goals and abilities with the job Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 8

Sequence of Interviews • Screening stage • Selection stage • Final stage Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 9

Common Interview Types • Structured vs. unstructured • Panel and group • Behavioral and situational • Working and stress Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 10

Interview Media • • Telephone Email and IM Video technology Virtual online Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 11

What Do Employers Seek? • Organization fit – Personality – Work ethic – Attributes • Job qualifications – Education – Experience – Skills Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 12

Preemployment Testing • Integrity tests • Personality tests • Job-skills tests • Substance tests • Background checks Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 13

Interview Preparation • • • Learn about the company Think ahead about questions Build your confidence Polish your interview style Plan to look your best Be ready when you arrive Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 14

Learn About the Company • Operations • Markets • Challenges Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 15

Plan to Answer Questions • The hardest decision you ever made • Your greatest weakness • Goals over the next five years • What you didn’t like about prior jobs • Relate something about yourself Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 16

Prepare Some Questions • • • Are these my kind of people? Will I enjoy doing the work? Do I want this job? Does the job pay well? Who will supervise me? What about my future? Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 17

Build Your Confidence • Minimize weaknesses • Maximize strengths • Manage apprehension Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 18

Polish Your Interview Style • Mock interviews • Nonverbal skills • Voice training Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 19

Plan to Look Good • Business clothing • Good grooming • Appropriate behavior Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 20

Be Ready When You Arrive Planning Traveling Waiting Your Résumé The Location Review and Plan Support Papers The Route Be Professional Your Portfolio Travel Time Practice Courtesy Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 21

The Interview Process 1. Warm-up stage 2. Question-and-answers 3. Close of the interview Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 22

The Warm-Up Stage • First impressions • Body language • Social skills Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 23

Questions-and-Answers • Asking and responding • Listening to the interviewer • Handling discriminatory questions Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 24

Close of the Interview • Concluding gracefully • Discussing salary • Reviewing notes Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 25

After Interview Follow-Up • Thank-you messages • Inquiry messages Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 26

More Follow-Up Messages • Asking for more time • Accepting an offer • Declining an offer • Job resignations Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice Hall 27