Applying and Interviewing for Employment Prentice Hall 2005

Applying and Interviewing for Employment © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 1

Employment Messages • Application letters • Job-inquiry letters • Application follow-ups © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 2

Tips for Application Letters • • • Be specific Address salary requirements Keep it short Show some personality Aim for high quality © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 3

Types of Application Letters • Solicited • Unsolicited – Getting attention – Building interest – Increasing desire – Motivating action © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 4

Cultural Considerations • The right style and approach • Proper tone and format © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 5

Other Employment Messages • Job-inquiry letters – Exhibit interest – Show initiative – Obtain application • Application follow-ups – Exhibit interests – Show persistence – Update application © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 6

Employment Interviews • Organization’s objective – Match applicants with the organization • Applicant’s objective – Match goals and abilities with the job © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 7

Typical Interview Sequence • Screening stage • Selection stage • Final stage © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 8

Types of Interviews • Structured • Open-ended • Group • Stress • Video • Situational © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 9

What Do Employers Seek? • Fit with the organization – Personality – Background – Style • Qualifications for the job – Knowledge – Skills – Abilities © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 10

Preemployment Testing • Job-skills tests • Psychological tests • Drug tests © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 11

Interview Preparation • • • Conduct preliminary research Think ahead about questions Build your confidence Polish your interview style Plan to look good Arrive prepared © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 12

Conduct Preliminary Research The Organization The Opportunity • Full name • Job title • Location • Job functions • Age • Job qualifications • Products • Career path • Industry position • Salary range • Earnings and growth • Travel • Overall structure • Relocation © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 13

Plan for Questions • Skills • Goals • Achievements • Interests • Attitudes • Relationships © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 14

Prepare Some Questions • • • Are these my kind of people? Will I enjoy the work? Do I want this job? Does the job pay well? Who will supervise me? What about my future? © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 15

Plan for the Interview • Build your confidence • Polish your interview style • Plan to look good • Arrive prepared © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 16

Build Your Confidence • Minimize weaknesses • Maximize strengths • Manage apprehension © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 17

Polish Your Style • Mock interviews • Nonverbal skills • Voice training © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 18

Plan to Look Good • Clothing • Accessories • Grooming © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 19

Arrive Prepared • Paperwork • Travel time • Waiting time © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 20

Interviewing for Success • Screening interview – Differentiate yourself • Selection interview – Cover your strong points • Final interview – Emphasize your personality © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 21

Three-Step Interview Process • Warm-up phase • Question-and-answer stage • The close © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 22

The Warm-Up Phase • First impressions • Body language © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 23

Questions and Answers • Asking and responding • Listening to the interviewer • Handling personal questions © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 24

Close of the Interview • Concluding gracefully • Discussing salary • Reviewing notes © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 25

Following Up After the Interview • Thank-you messages • Inquiry messages © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 26

More Follow-up Messages • Asking for more time • Accepting an offer • Declining an offer • Job resignations © Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8 e 27