Communicating for Results Seventh Edition Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 2 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview 8 Opening Quotation

Responsibilities of the Interviewee

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 4 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Investigate Employment Market Investigate Employment Market Success rate of various job-hunting methods Networking Cold-Calling Friends Relatives College Placement Job Agency Newspaper Ad Internet* 86% 47% 34% 27% 21% 10% 5%4% * 10-20% for finance, healthcare, engineering, or computer-related jobs

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 5 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Networking The most successful job-hunting method Before a job interview, conduct information interviews Information interviews provide: --Specific information --Feedback--Referrals Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 6 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare a Quality Resume Conventional (paper) resume A conventional paper resume is formatted to look attractive rather than to be scanned by computers or stored electronically. It can be organized in the functional, chronological, or combination styles.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 7 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare a Quality Resume Conventional (paper) resume Scannable (paper) resume A scannable resume is a conventional paper resume that has been altered into a “com- puter friendly” format that can be scanned into an electronic file, which then can be stored, searched, and downloaded.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 8 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare a Quality Resume Conventional (paper) resume Scannable (paper) resume (ASCII) resume An resume comes in two forms: The ASCII plain text resume is a “bare bones” resume designed to be pasted into an message. The ASCII rich text resume is the conventional or scannable resume saved in rich text format and sent as an attachment.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 9 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare a Quality Resume Conventional (paper) resume Scannable (paper) resume (ASCII) resume A Web resume or electronic portfolio includes a variety of resumes as well as links to additional information all posted to your personal Web site. Web (HTML) resume

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 10 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview The Paper Resume The following basic information is suggested... Name, address, phone numbers Objective or position desired Education Areas of knowledge Job experience Other information if shows character & is job-related Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 12 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview The Scannable Resume The following basic information is suggested... Keyword summary ExperienceEducation Awards & professional affiliations Adapted Microsoft Image Susan Feagin 1355 Edna Street Napa, CA 94558

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 14 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview The (ASCII) Resume The following suggestions are recommended... Attach ASCII rich text resume to Paste ASCII plain text resume into Headings same as the scannable resume Plain text resumes: --use only keyboard characters & avoid boldface, italics, underlines, bullets, boxes, etc. --Use hard return at end of each line in resume

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 15 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview The Web (HTML) Resume Include the following information... Name, address & objective/goal ASCII resume Link to professionally formatted paper resume Link to multimedia (video clip or PowerPoint) Links to information that showcases qualifications & abilities Keep all information job-related

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 16 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare Letter of Application Address to specific person Begin with greeting & position sought Provide personal information & capabilities without repeating resume End by requesting interview Give phone number & availability Use correct grammar Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 17 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Prepare Mentally & Physically Have positive attitude Dress for the occasion --Create a positive impression --Use impression management techniques Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 18 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Impression Management Speak rapidly and forcefully Gesture and smile often Look directly at interviewer Nod head in positive manner Lean forward, maintain comfortable postures Microsoft Image Successful interviewers were more likely to...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 19 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Be Prepared for Interview Types The nonstructured interview The structured interview The hostile or stress interview The group interview The video or virtual interview Typical interview types include... Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 20 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview When Answering Questions Use active, positive, concrete language Support answers with examples Use humor when appropriate Describe weaknesses or disabilities positively Use jargon common to field Successful job applicants...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 21 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Thoughts on Using Jargon CNN Today: Human Communication, Vol. 3

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 22 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview “Standard” Questions Anticipate, plan & practice answers to these & other questions...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 23 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Questions to Ask Interviewer Some possible questions include...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 24 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview After Interview Be prepared to follow up Send thank-you note Responsibilities of interviewee... Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 25 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Responsibilities of the Interviewer

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 26 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Know what Interviewees Prefer Show high levels of nonverbal immediacy (especially, eye contact & open posture) Ask open questions & give time for answers Listen to interviewee answers Limit interruptions Interviewees prefer interviewers who... Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 27 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Interviewer Responsibilities Contact interviewee before interview Plan the environment Organize the interview carefully (opening, question/response & closing) Ask only lawful questions> Responsibilities include... Microsoft Image (Click for more on Lawful questions)

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 28 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Lawful Questions All questions must be job-related The same basic questions must be asked of all applicants EEOC guidelines for lawful interview questions... Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 29 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Unlawful Questions Do you own, lease, or rent your home? Have you ever been arrested? Are you pregnant or planning a family? Do you have any physical handicaps? Are you married, divorced, or single? Of what clubs are you a member? Why are the following questions unlawful? (Check the back of text for answers )

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 30 Chapter 8 - The Employment Interview Interviewer Responsibilities (Con’t) Contact interviewee before interview Plan the environment Organize the interview carefully (opening, question/response & closing) Ask only lawful questions Responsibilities include... Microsoft Image Listen carefully to interviewee Clarify and verify responses

The New Face of Interviews CNN, Human Communication, Vol. I

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