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

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 Chapter 8 Objectives Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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% Investigating the Employment Market Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Investigating the Employment Market Communicating for Results, 10th edition

Before going on any job interview, begin networking by conducting 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 , and three letters each workday Investigating the Employment Market Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Investigating the Employment Market Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Locate Specific Jobs of Interest Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Resume: Conventional, Scannable, or Web Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Conventional Paper Resume Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Conventional Paper Resume Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information on Web resume should include: –Name, 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 Web Resume Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Check Resume Content for Accuracy and Honesty Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Prepare a Letter of Application or Cover Letter Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Have a Positive Attitude Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Communicate and Dress for the Occasion Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared for Any Type of Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Carefully Plan Answers to Probable Questions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Carefully Plan Answers to Probable Questions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Be Prepared with Questions to Ask the Interviewer Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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, , write, or call reconfirming your interest Be Prepared to Follow Up the Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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

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 Interviewer: Planning the Interview Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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

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

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

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 Organize the Interview Carefully Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Organize the Interview Carefully Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Ask Only Lawful Questions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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

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

“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?” More Effective Answers to Unlawful Questions Communicating for Results, 10th edition

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 Listen Carefully to the Interviewee Communicating for Results, 10th edition