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Chapter 5

COMMUNICATION FOR WORK PURPOSES

GENERAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the chapter, you should be able to:

1. Create clear and coherent communication materials.

2. Conceptualize the content and organization of the communication materials.
3. Observe proper format and mechanics in making business correspondences.
4. Adopt awareness of audience and context in communicating ideas.
5. Recall the do’s and don’ts in answering job interview questions.

TOPIC 1: PARTS AND FORMAT OF A BUSINESS LETTER

TOPIC 2: RESUME WRITING AND APPLICATION LETTER
TOPIC 3: JOB INTERVIEW

================================================================
TOPIC 1. PARTS AND FORMAT OF A BUSINESS LETTER

What was the last letter that you have received? Get a copy of this letter and try to check
the different parts and the content. In many cases, writing a message thru letters,
communication materials, and work reports are more reliable. This is why as a future
employee or a boss of your own, you need to write good and effective communication
materials such as letters, reports and presentations.
Engage
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Explore
ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER IN WORK-RELATED COMMUNICATION MATERIALS

Audience
• Is it individual or group?
• How familiar are they with the information?
• Are there cultural differences with the audience?
• How will they respond to the message?

Purpose
• What is the intent of the message?
• Is the message for information or both?
• What do you want the audience to know?
• What do you want them to feel or think?
• What do you want to gain from the communication?

Message Context
• What information must the message include?
• Are there cultural considerations?
• Are there external or internal events that impact the message?

TYPES OF AUDIENCE IN BUSINESS

AUDIENCE CORRESPONDENCE
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PURPOSE

The purpose of doing effective business correspondences is tied with effective communication.

When you want your business correspondence to fulfill its purpose, the message is very
important. Use these criteria for effective business and administrative communication.

1. Clear- The meaning that the audience gets is the meaning that the communicator intended.
2. Complete- All the audience’s questions are answered.
3. Correct- All the information in the message is accurate.
4. Saves the receiver’s time- The style, organization, and visual or aural impact of the message
help the receivers read, understand, and act on the information as quickly as possible.
5. Builds goodwill- The message presents a positive image of the communicator and his or
her organization.
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HOW TO ORGANIZE INFORMATION

Focus on the issue.
•If there are several issues, address each. Avoid jumping from one issue to another. Do not discuss
or mention anything that is not relevant to the issue.

Follow a chronological outline.

Use inductive or deductive order.

•Inductive- specific to general
•Deductive- general to specific

HOW TO MAKE DOCUMENTS VISUALLY INVITING

Use a reader-friendly layout.

•Use indentions, appropriate margins, font styles and sizes.

Keep the document free from any smudges or folds.

HOW TO REVISE DRAFTS FOR TONE

Avoid using street language/vocabulary, acronyms and jargons.

Use active rather than the passive voice.

Use clear verbs.

Avoid using archaic language.

Hackneyed expressions should also be avoided in business correspondence.

The definition of hackneyed is something cliché that has been overused or done too
much. An example of hackneyed writing is writing that is full of cliches and boring
phrases that have been used by countless other authors.

www.yourdictionary.com
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List of Hackneyed Expressions to Avoid in Business Correspondence

Many business letters contain hackneyed phrases that detract from a clear, natural style. You need
to look for them in your writing and use fresh, clear expression instead.

according to our records detailed information

attached herewith enclosed herewith

on receipt of under separate cover
after careful consideration enclosed for your information
please do not hesitate to upon receipt of
htt p://www.lupinworks.com/roche/pages/busLett er/overusedPhrases.php
any further action for your convenience
please find enclosed urgent attention
as you are aware further to
please forward we acknowledge receipt
at your earliest convenience in receipt of
trust this is satisfactory we regret to advise

Look at these examples from typical business letters and you’ll see how removing the
business clichés changes the tone of the sentence. The originals have a formal and impersonal
tone; the redrafts sound more personal and genuine.

Original:
We trust this is satisfactory, but should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to
contact us.
Redraft:
We hope you are happy with this arrangement but if you have any questions, please contact us.

Original:
Further to your recent communication. Please find enclosed the requested quotation…
Redraft:
Thank you for contacting us. I enclose the quotation you asked for…

Hackneyed business phrases ruin a clear natural style; so avoid using them and choose your own
words instead.

Another consideration is to make words precise and avoid redundancy to make the message of the
business correspondence clear.
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USING POSITIVE EMPHASIS IN MESSAGES

In most situations, it’s better to use positive emphasis over negative emphasis. Also, some
negatives are necessary. When you have bad news to give to the audiences, negatives build credibility.
Sometimes, negatives are needed to make people to take a problem seriously. However, even in negative
situations, try to be as positive as possible. End any business correspondence with a positive note.

1. The Heading. You can see here the return address and the date on the last line. Sometimes, the
date is seen on the right side depending on the format that will be used.

Commission on Higher Education

Cordillera Administrative Region
La Trinidad, Benguet

December 2, 2019

2. Inside Address or Recipient’s Address. This part contains the name to which the letter is
written and addressed. It could be a person, a company or an organization’s name.
DR. DANILO D. BOSE
OIC President
Benguet State University
La Trinidad, Benguet

3. Salutation. This is the greeting part that is written in a polite and courteous manner followed by
a comma (,) or a colon (:).
Mr. (Name),
Sir (Name),
Dear Sir (Name), Dear Dr. (Name):
Dear Rev. (Name):
Mrs. (Name), Miss (Name):
Sir:
Madam
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4. Body of the Letter. This part contains the main purpose of the letter, the very reason for writing.
It is important that the body of the letter be written in a straightforward, simple and coherent
manner.

The Educational Quality Initiatives & Innovations Training Center will hold its third
batch of National Capability Building on Educational Research with the theme “Basics and
Beyond: Research Approaches and Designs” on November 20-22, 2019 at Hotel Supreme,
Baguio City. The activity aims to update participants on the status of research in the country,
review the participants on the research process, explain the process of systematic review of
literature to yield gaps or areas for research, explain the different approaches and designs of
research and explain the process of action research.

May I recommend the 5 CAS faculty members to attend the abovementioned National
Capability Building?

We are looking forward for your positive response regarding this matter.

5. Complimentary closing. This is the polite yet business-like ending of the letter. This ends with
a comma.
Sincerely yours, Very sincerely,
Truly yours, Very truly yours,
Respectfully yours, Very respectfully yours,

The word very is used to show great respect to the receiver/recipient of the letter.

6. Signature block. The name of the sender is written on the first line, then his/her position on the
next line. It is expected that the sender will put his/her signature above his/her name.

SIGNATURE
SAMUEL S. POLIDEN
Dean

OPTIONAL PARTS OF A BUSINESS LETTER

➢
Reference line. It is included only for the writer’s administrative purpose of reference later on. It
is written two spaces below the writer’s identification at the left-hand margin.
➢
Attention line. This is used by writers when a letter is addressed to a company in general. This
device is used for the purpose of directing the letter to the attention of a specific person or group
within the company that can take care of handling the message.
➢
Subject line. This is a device used by the writer if he wants the reader to know in advance the
subject matter of the message. It is written two spaces below the salutation.
➢
Enclosures. This is written for verification purpose only that something is enclosed or included
with the letter.
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➢
Carbon copies. This is used by the writer when he sends duplicate copies of the letter to other
people than the addressee.

The letter below is an invitation letter. Try to label the parts of this letter.
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FORMAT OF A BUSINESS LETTER

1. Full Block. This is the format that positions all the parts of the letter to the left, single space, and
justified. Double space is used only when starting a new paragraph.

Address

Date

Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address

Sir:

When writing a letter using full block form, no lines are indented. Include your name, address, and
phone number where you can be contacted, as well as the date. You then include the name and address
of the person you are sending the letter to.
With new paragraphs, just skip a line instead of indenting.

Add your phone number where you can be contacted in the last paragraph.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Name
Your Title
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2. Modified block. This is the format wherein all the parts of the letter are tabbed on the left, single
space, and justified except the heading and the closing which are tabbed in the center.
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3. Semi-block. The paragraphs are indented instead of placing them all on the left. Heading is on
the center, and the date can be placed in the right side three spaces after the heading. The
recipient’s address is on the left, and the closing on the right.

TYPES OF
BUSINESS LETTERS

1. Letter of Request. This letter is written to make someone do something or consider

something. A letter requesting for an interview is an example of this. The application letter
could be the most popular example of this as the applicant is requesting a prospective
employer to consider his job application.
2. Letter of Inquiry. Letters of inquiry are among those regularly received by business firms;
hence, they are also called everyday letters. Such letters have to be answered promptly
because they could clinch a business deal or at the least build public relations for the
company. Letter of inquiry is done when something in concern of the business must be
clarified or get information about like the products or services, price list, mode of payment,
mode of delivery, etc.
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3. Letter of Order. Letter of order is done when a company formally wants to avail the service
or product of their partner company. In writing an order letter, one must remember that the
description of the merchandise needed to order is clearly stated. Its quantity, size, color, and
other special features must be well stated as well. The schedule of shipment as to when,
where and how must also be given. Finally, the ordering company must also inform the mode
of payment it will do to process the order.
4. Letter of Acknowledgement. Letter of acknowledgement is done by the company when
orders or remittances are finally received by them. When writing this kind of letter, one must
include the following: a very warm, polite, and welcoming start of the letter, the confirmation
that the company already received the remittance or payment for the transaction, the OR
(official receipt), and the assurance that the expected service will be done right away.
5. Letter of Complaint or Claim. This is the letter to make when for example the delivered
products do not match the order that was made prior to the delivery. When making this letter,
you must include some background information, but come quickly to the point, identifying
the problem. Also, politely say what you want the reader to do about the problem.
6. Letter of Adjustment. This is done when there is a request for the modification of the
product or to explain a thing about the delivered product. An adjustment letter should begin
with a positive statement, expressing sympathy and understanding. Near the start it should let
the reader know what is being done, and this news, good or bad, should be followed by an
explanation. The letter should end with another positive statement, reaffirming the
company’s good intentions and the value of its product, but never referring to the original
problem.
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Task 1: Assume that you are a human resource management officer in a company.
Write a letter of request to Benguet State University asking for permission to
conduct a job orientation to graduating students. Make sure that the letter
contains all the parts and the necessary information such as the description of
your company, purpose of the job orientation, time and date etc. Write it in full
block format with margins of 1” on all sides.

Task 2: Assume that you are the SK Chairman of your barangay. Write a letter to
Wide Horizons Mobile company requesting for sponsorship on free internet
connection in your office. This is for the students in your barangay to also utilize
for their online classes. Make sure that the letter contains all the parts and the
necessary information such as the conditions that your barangay experiences and
the benefits that the free internet connection will give. Write it in semi-block format
with margins of 1” on all sides.

Service Management Program Business Communication Teacher’s Guide

Badua, F. Module in Business Communication. A Graduate School Requirement.

Benguet State University

https://www.gallaudet.edu/tutorial-and-instructional-programs/english-center/the-process-and-type-of-
writing/letters/business-letters-
formats#:~:text=Most%20business%20letters%20must%20include,ways%20to%20format%20this%20i
nformation.

https://www.lexico.com/grammar/letter-formats-block-modified-block-and-semi-block
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Topic 2. THE COVER LETTER AND THE RESUME

In the previous chapter, you learned about the different format and
mechanics in writing a business letter. You also made your first
business correspondence in the form of a request letter.
How did you feel about it? What were you confident in writing this letter?
What were the difficulties you encountered?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

After you graduate, the first tools that you will take with you in finding a work are your
application letter or most commonly known as the cover letter and your resume.

Let us define first these business correspondences and contrast with the other correspondences
that other companies also require from job applicants. Take a look at the difference of a CV and a
resume in the following infographic.
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Your prospect employers will either require you to submit a resume or Curriculum Vitae. In
these two documents, you have to carefully jot down the information needed for you to complete.
Remember that you have to also check your resume on accuracy and mechanics.

Both of these are to be printed on a long bond paper while the application or cover letter is on a
short bond paper. Traditionally, the resume can only be printed in black ink, however, with the trend
now, resume can be printed in another color but be sure that you still keep the formality of this
document.

The Bio-data

Bio means life. Bio Data is the short form for Biographical Data and is an old terminology for
Resume or C.V. In a bio data, the focus is on personal particulars like date of birth, gender, religion,
race, nationality, residence, marital status, and the like. A chronological listing of education and
experience comes after. It is not about skills or specialization.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_lK3OWfcZz0y_sCnKc3CtxQKc9iGwB6P/view
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The Resume

Resume is a French word meaning summary . A resume is ideally a summary of one's education,
skills and employment when applying for a new job, with focus on the most recent experiences. A
resume doesn’t have to be ordered chronologically, or cover your whole career. Resume needs to be
freshly tailored for each specific job depending on recruiter’s needs. The goal of a resume is to make an
individual stand out from the competition.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/difference-between-resume-cv-bio-data-onkar-singh-shekhawat

Basically, a resume should provide the recruiter a summary of your work history, credentials,
education, and skills and accomplishments. You can also customize your resume by adding optional
sections such as career objective and executive summary. These are the most commonly requested
document from job applicants.

Resumes should be as concise as possible since hirers view hundreds or even thousands of these
every day, especially during hiring season. A good resume format should be a one-pager document or
two-paged at most. To cram as much information as possible and still aesthetically pleasing, you can use
bulleted lists.

For resume formats, you can choose from chronological (used by those with extensive work
experience), functional (for job applicants with limited experience or those who just want to highlight
their skills), and a combination of both.
https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/career-resources/difference-resume-cv-online-profile#.X2LTc5MzagA

The Curriculum Vitae or CV

Curriculum Vitae is a Latin word meaning course of life. It is more detailed than a resume,
listing out every skill, all the jobs and positions held, degrees, professional affiliations the applicant has
acquired, and in chronological order. A C.V. is used to highlight the general talent of the candidate
rather than specific skills for a specific position.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/difference-between-resume-cv-bio-data-onkar-singh-shekhawat

More detailed than resumes and can go over the two-page mark, CVs are much more general
than resumes since they are not tailored for jobs or companies. The CV is generally used by top-level
managers aiming for a different salary grade, professionals when applying for international, medical,
academic, and educational research positions or when applying for international scholarships, grants,
and fellowships.

Like a resume, a CV also contains your name, contact information, work experience, education,
and skills. However, it also contains your research and teaching experience, your publications, grants,
and fellowships, professional organizations and licenses, your accomplishments and awards and other
information that is relevant to the job you’re targeting.

When writing your CV, you should use a template to structure it like resume formats to give it a
clear organization. No one wants a messy CV with confusing information. This will help the recruiter
see your qualifications and credentials quickly.

https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/career-resources/difference-resume-cv-online-profile#.X2LTc5MzagA
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WRITING YOUR RESUME

PRE-WRITING

• DO A SELF –AUDIT/ ANALYSIS

Writing a self- analysis will help you identify the job that you want and your strengths and
weaknesses. This will also help you clarify your goals (short or long-term) in your prospect
employment.
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• Identify your skills and interests.

Knowing your skills will help you identify the things you want to highlight in your resume.
These skills are contributory to the success of your prospect organization/ employment and your
personal and professional skills.

Categorize your skills into:

a. Skills with People

b. Skills with Things

c. Skills with the Information or Data

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• Identify the job that suits your qualification and personality.

Once you are done with the self- audit and identification of your skills, you can be more
confident of selecting a job. There are many sources of information of job opportunities- newspapers,
radio, social media, recruitment agencies, online job-seeking platforms (e.g. jobstreet.com) and referrals.
Once you have listed the companies that you are interested in, research about the company. This will
give you an idea on what to highlight in your resume.
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Writing Proper

Parts of the Resume

PERSONAL DATA
Name
Address ( preferably a residential address)
Email address ( formal email address)
Contact Nos. ( functional)

*** In a webinar, Jonathan Yabut, a distinguished business communication speaker, mentioned that the
address is sometimes missed because of privacy issues.

OBJECTIVE

In a more traditional type of resume, this refers to the applicant’s goal when he/she is hired. It
describes a professional contribution of the employee to the company. In modern resumes, this is
already missed out.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

This part enumerates the applicant’s degree, university or school graduated from, inclusive years
and awards (Latin Honors).

EXPERIENCE

This includes the work experiences that the applicant pursued before the application. If the
applicant has an existing job during the application, this should also be included. For new graduates, the
extra-curricular activities such as leadership and advocacy organization events can be included. If the
activity is an add-on to the resume, then this can be included.

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Technical, communication and other pertinent skills to the job are included here. The self-audit
and skills audit can be of help here.

CHARACTER REFERENCES

These are three or more persons who serve as your recommendatory people. It should include
their complete names, positions, contact details. Make sure that these references are not your relatives
but they are the ones whom you have worked professionally. These people can be your former boss,
dean, or teachers.
Others:
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CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

****** In a webinar, Jonathan Yabut, a distinguished business communication speaker, mentioned that
in more recent format of the resume, this part is already missed out
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Make the verbs in the resume “active”.

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Below are some notes from the free webinar of Jonathan Yabut, a business
communication speaker.

3 Key Purposes of your Resume:

1. To get thru an interview

Your resume will be the first tool to land you an interview. There are many applicants for a single
position, thus, your resume should showcase the highlights of your qualifications for the job.

2. For future hiring, in case a new position comes up.

3. For profile reference

Anatomy of a Resume
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TIPS:

1. Keep it short- Make your resume around 2 pages only. Recruiters/ interviewers only glance
at your resumes for seconds only especially for screening purposes. The first three inches of
the resume is the focal point.

2. Quantify your experience.

3. Add personality to your profile. Include volunteer works, advocacies and projects.

Task:

1. On a separate sheet of paper, accomplish your self- audit /analysis and skills inventory.
2. From any source of job information (web, newspaper, referral), select a job that is suited to
your specialization.

Get a copy of any newspaper and look for the Classified Ads section. From the
list of jobs offered, choose one you are interested in. Take a photo of the job
description and include this to the file you will submit.
Assume you will apply for the job indicated in the newspaper. Guided by the
previous lesson, make your own resume.
Make sure to include its all important parts. Do this in 2 -page bond paper.
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WRITING THE COVER LETTER OR APPLICATION LETTER

The letter of application, also known as a cover letter, explains to the employer why you are
qualified for the position in which you are applying and why you should be selected for an interview. A
letter of application should complement, not duplicate, your résumé. Its purpose is to interpret the
résumé and add a personal touch. The letter of application is often your earliest written contact with a
potential employer, creating a critical first impression. That first glance at your letter of application is
your one opportunity to make a good impression and make it to the next round in the search process.

✔ In order to pass that first round of screening, you must specifically address the job posting and state
why you are qualified for the position. This way, the search committee can see at a glance, why and
how you’re qualified for the job. The letter of application responds to a known job opening and
should express a high level of interest and knowledge about the position. Effective letters of
application explain the reasons for your interest in the specific job position and identify your most
relevant skills or experiences.

✔ Your letter of application should be designed specifically for each position you seek. Do not design a
form letter and send it to every potential employer. Although it can be time consuming to write a
custom letter of application for each job, it’s important to take the time and effort to show why you are
a good match. To write a custom letter of application, take the job posting and list the criteria the
employer is looking for. Then list the skills and experience you have. Either address how your skills
match the job in paragraph form or list the criteria and your qualifications.

Format:

Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman or Arial. The font size should be
between 10 and 12 points.

Format: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use
about 1" margins and align your text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most documents.

Length: A letter of application should be about one page long.

Organization:

Introductory Paragraph: Begin by stating the job for which you are applying. Briefly mention how
your skills and experience match the company and/or position; this will give the employer a preview
of the rest of your letter.

Body Paragraph(s): In a paragraph or two, explain why you are interested in the job and why you
make an excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting
and explain how you meet those qualifications. Do not simply restate your résumé, but provide
specific examples. You can either write about these specific examples in complete sentences or in a
bulleted format. It is better to use shorter paragraphs or a bulleted list of your qualifications rather
than one large block of text.
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Closing Paragraph: Conclude your letter of application by stating that you would like to interview
and/or discuss employment opportunities.

From the job information that you selected in the previous task (page 124), create
an application letter to go with your resume. Do it on a semi block form. Use your
OWN WORDS. For those who can, encode your letter with the following format:

1. Margin- 1 inch on all sides

2. Font type- Arial
3. Font size- 12
4. Paper Size- short bond or A4 size

Frazier, H., & Cognard-Black, J. (1999). Getting the Job: How To Write
Your Resume. A Resume Writing Workshop.

http://www.lbwcc.edu/Content/Uploads/lbwcc.edu/files/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Letter%20of%2
0Application.pdf
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Topic 3. THE JOB INTERVIEW

Have you ever applied for a job? Do you remember taking part in a job
interview? Reflect on this experience of a job interview.

Engage

The job interview is a vital component of the job application process. Documentary
requirements, which are written components of the job application, do not give a
complete picture of the job applicant. Test results are not totally reliable in
providing all the information employers need. Thus, employers arrange to interview
job applicants to determine whether or not the latter possess the qualities expected
by the company or organization (Madrunio & Martin, 2018). It is essential for applicants to prepare well
for the job interview.

1. What are your strengths?

DO: Keep it short. Choose two or three strengths that best reflect you. Support one of your strengths
with a short, yet detailed, example, such as:
I believe one of my greatest strengths is time management. For example, last semester I managed to earn
a 3.8 while working 20 hours a week, serving as president of my fraternity and also acting as a teaching
assistant for a freshman writing course.

DO NOT: Overwhelm the interviewer with too many adjectives and not enough substance. The
interviewer is looking for quality over quantity here.

2. What is your greatest weakness?

DO: Avoid clichés and broad, cop-out answers like I’m a perfectionist or I’m a workaholic. Hiring
managers want something real and specific to you. Practice your answer ahead of time and always give
an example of how you’re trying to improve upon your weakness. Here’s a good response: I believe my
greatest weakness is time management. Sometimes I get so focused or involved in a big project I forget
to do simpler tasks and let them slide. I’m working really hard to improve this, though, and am
extremely conscious of this weakness.

DO NOT: Say anything too weird, candid or personal. The hiring manager wants to get to know you as
a prospective employee. They don’t want to know that you have a fear of spiders or overindulge in ice
cream when you’re stressed.

3. Tell me about yourself.

When it comes to this just present the highlight reel.

DO: Use this question as a time to personally connect with your interviewer. Do your research ahead of
time on your interviewer. If you find out he/she went to your school, had the same major, was in your
sorority/fraternity, or shares some other connection, this is the time to make that personal connection.
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That personal connection may very well make you more memorable and desirable than other candidates.
An example would be: I grew up in a small town in upstate New York most people have never heard of,
but I know you’ll recognize it because I saw it listed as your hometown on your employee bio! It’s a
small world!

DO NOT: Just focus on work specific information. This is the time to share some personal things, like
hobbies, accomplishments, hometown, etc. In other words, this question is perfect for those with limited
or no work experience. You want to show your interviewer you’re not a one-dimensional robot, but
someone who is well-rounded and will add flavor to the team already in place.

4. Why do you want to work here?

If asked this question, consider it an invitation to share your research and knowledge about the company.
This is your opportunity to show the hiring manager you’ve done your homework and have a genuine,
sincere interest in their employer.

DO: Focus on aspects of the company values and goals that align with your own beliefs and ambitions,
such as: One of the main reasons I want to work here is that your company’s commitment to the
community really sets you apart from your competitors. I love that you all volunteer at the Special
Olympics each spring. Giving back to others is something really important to me.

DO NOT: Mention money. Even if the lucrative salary was a main motivator to apply to this company,
you never want to say that (or even joke about it). You’ll most likely come across as shallow, short-
sighted, and inappropriate.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Recruiting and training new employees is a considerable investment of time and money. The interviewer
wants to ensure you’re serious about them and in it for the long haul. They also want to know that
you’re realistic in your promotional expectations. It’s okay to have high aspirations, but saying that you
expect to be in a VP role within five years can indicate to an employer that you’ll be quickly dissatisfied
when faced with a slower rate of career advancement.

DO: Show ambition, goals, and that you’ve put thought into your professional future (especially with
their company). Use sites like LinkedIn to find more senior people at the company with titles that you’re
interested in and how long it typically took them to get there. Here’s an example: If I were hired by
Your Company, in five years I see myself still here contributing to the team, but in the role of associate
instead of assistant. I’d love to grow with the company as I grow as a professional.

DO NOT: Ever say something like, “I see myself in your seat.” While you may think you’re being witty
or clever, you’re not. You’ll simply come across as arrogant or disrespectful.

6. Why should we hire you?

You’ll want to answer it with a two-pronged approach: First, you’ll want to highlight the strengths and
attributes or experiences that make you unique. Second, you’ll want to show how that uniqueness will
enhance the company.

DO: Highlight characteristics you have that would make you a great fit for the company culture in the
particular position you applied for. Here’s a good example:
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Your Company is so revered in the advertising world for its commitment to creativity. I am such a
creative person myself. I was in charge of event planning for my sorority and coordinated over a dozen
events last year. I’m excited to think how my creativity could enhance what’s already phenomenal here.

DO NOT: Ever respond by shooting back a question like, “Why shouldn’t you hire me?” Such a
flippant response reflects a bravado most hiring managers would not be impressed with.

7. What are you looking for in this position?

What hiring managers are seeking is that you’ve done your research on the specific job you’re
interviewing for.

DO: Tailor your answer to the job. Responding with something that follows the lines of the job
description is a good start. But, make sure to take it a step further and show how their company is the
right place for you to hold this job. For example: I’m looking for an opportunity to utilize my strong
writing and editing skills to craft key messages for your clients. I’m so passionate about the work you do
for the Specific Firm and would love to contribute my talent.

DO NOT: Appear uneducated or uninformed about the specific job you’re applying for. A failure of an
answer would be, “I don’t really know, but I’m open to whatever the position entails.”

8. Are you a team player?

Regardless of whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, it’s crucial your answer clearly shows you’re
able to work well in a group and independently (depending on the task or situation at hand).

DO: Give a positive example that illustrates exactly how you’re a team player. For example:
Yes, I am definitely a team player. When I interned with That Company there were issues with a few
fellow interns not getting along. Their tension was hindering a project we were working on. I intervened,
organized a social gathering for the group, and it really helped them put their differences aside. We
finished the summer and the project on a great note.

DON’T: Fall back on clichés. Yes, the word team is often equated to sports, but unless you’re applying
for a job in the sports industry, try to come up with a different example than saying, “I’m definitely a
team player. I played four years of club basketball in college.”

9. What type of work environment do you prefer?

Doing your research is the key to answering any question about work environment preference. No
matter what your answer is, you need to make sure it jives with the established work culture and
reputation of the company. For example, you don’t want to say you like a fast-paced work environment
if the company you’re interviewing with is known for its laidback, chill atmosphere.

DO: Share a preference you’re confident the interviewer will appreciate based on your research of the
company. Here’s one: My ideal work environment is one that really values communication and input
from its employees. I know that Your Firm has a Feedback Friday lunch with interested employees once
a month and I really love that. Communication is really important to me too.

DO NOT: Over-elaborate. This isn’t the time to get into the nitty-gritty things you’d prefer in a work
environment–like a Keurig over a traditional coffee maker in the breakroom or a standup desk over a sit-
down.
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10. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

Hiring managers love this interview question because they want to make sure: 1) You have handled
stressful situations in the past and 2) You’ll be able to handle stressful situations with their company.

The key to making a good impression with your answer to this question is honesty and a well-thought-
out example.

DO: Come to the interview prepared with a solid example of how you’ve managed pressure or stressful
situations in the past. This example can come from school, a part time job, internship or leadership role.
Here’s an example: I deal with stressful situations by using the pressure to my advantage. For example,
when I was the features editor at my college newspaper, I had writers fail to make deadline a few times.
Instead of panicking, I approached the problem calmly but urgently and wrote the article myself. Later I
sat down with the writer and we came up with a plan so that wouldn’t happen again.

DO NOT: Pretend like you’re so put-together you’ve never had a stressful situation arise in your life.
We all have. And if you pretend you haven’t, that will raise a red flag of dishonesty or denial to the
interviewer.

11. What are your hobbies?

Hiring managers don’t ask it to trip you up, but because they genuinely want to make sure you’re a good
fit for their company personality wise. Again, honesty is the best policy here. You don’t want to lie and
say something you think is impressive—like that karate is one of your hobbies—only to find out the
hiring manager is a black belt and wants to know more about your dojo.

DO: Share a few hobbies that show commitment and illustrate you have a life outside of work. For
example: One of my favorite hobbies is running. I try to run every day and run about ten 5Ks a year. I
absolutely love running to raise money for causes I’m passionate about, like the Humane Society.

DO NOT: Divulge hobbies that are illegal, shady, or could possibly be interpreted having a negative
impact to your work-life (such as gambling). Also, stay away from mentioning hobbies that are in the
political or religious realm (unless you’re applying for a very specific job where you’re certain this
information would be appreciated and appropriate).

12. Do you have prior experience?

If you’re applying for your first job after college, it’s unlikely you’ve had a job that’s identical to the
full-time one you’re interviewing for. However, you most certainly have had experiences through
school, part-time jobs, internships, and leadership roles that can be used to answer this question
smoothly and successfully.

DO: Try to quantify your experiences when possible. Hiring managers like to have concrete reasons for
hiring the people they do. Here’s an example: Yes, I do have prior experience in the research field. In
college I spent eight semesters interning in This Lab and helped write two papers that ultimately ended
up getting published.

DO NOT: Downplay the experience you may have gained through volunteer work or unpaid
internships. Just because you didn’t get paid for work you did doesn’t mean you didn’t learn from it or
gain valuable skills that you can apply to your first, big paid job.
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Similarly, do not just fall back on good grades to illustrate experience in a particular subject or area. A
hiring manager will be more impressed learning about research experience you had in biology, rather
than simply the A you got.

13. Who was the worst classmate you have ever worked with?
Use an abundance of caution if asked this interview question. Most importantly, do not give a specific
name.

DO: Answer the question, but make it clear that while you did have problems with the classmate, you
don’t hold a grudge.

DO NOT: Act as though the experience you had with this classmate was all negative. Try to find
something positive to conclude your answer with, such as, “Even though Joe Smith was extremely
challenging to work with in lab, interacting with him taught me greater patience.”

14. How would your professors/friends/co-workers describe you?

In preparation for this common interview question, consider the feedback you’ve received recently (both
positive and negative) from professors or peers or ask for fresh input. The interviewer’s main goal in
asking this question is to ensure you have a clear understanding of how you’re perceived by others and if
you understand how your actions impact them. Demonstrating strong self-awareness is crucial during a
job interview and in answering this question most particularly.

DO: Include an area for improvement in your answer. By sharing a perceived weakness you’ll come
across as real and insightful. For example: My sorority sisters might say that while I’m an extremely
effective leader as president, I sometimes take on too many tasks. I’m trying harder to delegate more.

DO NOT: Lie or exaggerate. If you say something untrue or exaggerate the truth, you’re setting
yourself up for failure.

15. Do you have any questions for me?

This question is a potential dealmaker or breaker. Do not underestimate its importance. This is your final
opportunity to really stand out to the hiring manager. While it’s good to come prepared to the interview
with some questions to ask, the hiring manager will be most impressed if the questions you ask are
culled from the interview itself.

DO: Show the hiring manager you’ve been listening and paying attention to him/her throughout the
interview by asking two or three pointed questions. An example of one would be: You mentioned there
are quite a few opportunities for ongoing professional development? I’d love to hear more about these.

DO NOT: Ever say, “No, I think I’m all set,” or “I don’t have any questions; you covered everything
really well.” If you fail to ask any questions, you may not be called back. Not asking questions reflects
disinterest, a lack of preparation and a failure to engage in the interview itself.
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For additional information about the job interview, watch Interview Tips to
Get the Job/5 Things You Need to Ace the Interview by clicking/
typing/copying this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkPRpz56aEg

Imagine that you are a fresh graduate applying for a job. During the job
interview, you are asked to tell the interviewer about yourself. Write your
sample answer for this question in 5 sentences.

https://www.careermatch.com/job-prep/interviews/common-interview-questions-
answers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkPRpz56aEg