Interviewing

for Employment and

Following Up

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 1

Writing Employment Messages

• Application letters
• Inquiry letters
• Application follow-ups

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 2

Tips for Application Letters

• Research the organization

• Focus on the audience
• Avoid gimmicks
• Don’t waste the reader’s time
• Use a straightforward style

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 3

Types of Application Letters

• Solicited
• Unsolicited
– Getting attention
– Building interest
– Increasing desire
– Motivating action

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 4

 Application Follow-Ups
• Exhibit interest
• Show persistence
• Update application

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 5

 Employment Interviews

• Organization’s objective
– Match applicants with the organization
• Applicant’s objective
– Match goals and abilities with the job

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 6

Typical Interview Sequence

• Screening stage
• Selection stage
• Final stage

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 7

 Types of Interviews

• Structured • Situational
• Open-ended • Behavioral
• Working
• Group
• Stress

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 8

 Interview Media

• E-mail
• Telephone
• Instant messaging
• Virtual online systems
• Videoconferencing

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 9

 What Employers Look For
• Fit with the organization
– Personality
– Background
– Style
• Qualifications for the job
– Knowledge
– Skills
– Abilities

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 10

 Preemployment Testing

• Integrity tests
• Personality tests
• Job-skills tests
• Substance tests
• Background checks

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 11

Preparing for a Job Interview

• Learn about the organization

• Think ahead about questions
• Build your confidence
• Polish your interview style
• Plan to look good
• Arrive prepared

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 12

 Learn About the Organization

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, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 13
 Planning for Questions

• Skills
• Goals
• Achievements
• Interests
• Attitudes
• Relationships
© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 14
 Prepare Some Questions
• Are these my kind of people?
• Can I do this work?
• Will I enjoy the work?
• Do I want this job?
• Does the job pay what I’m worth?
• Who will be my supervisor?
• What kind of future can I expect?
© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 15
 Bolster Your Confidence

• Manage your apprehension

• Emphasize positive traits
• Focus on your strengths

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 16

Polish Your Interview Style
• Confidence
• Poise
• Good manners
• Good judgment
– Mock interviews
– Nonverbal skills
– Voice training

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 17

 Plan to Look Good

• Conservative clothing
• Appropriate accessories
• Good grooming

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 18

Be Ready When You Arrive

• Paperwork
• Travel time
• Waiting time

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 19

 The Interview Process

• Screening interview
– Differentiate yourself
• Initial selection interview
– Cover your strong points
• Final interview
– Emphasize your personality

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 20

 Three Interview Stages

• The warm-up
• Questions-and-answers
• The close

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 21

 The Warm-Up Stage

• First impressions
• Body language

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 22

 Questions and Answers

• Asking and responding

• Listening to the interviewer
• Handling personal questions

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 23

 Close of the Interview

• Concluding gracefully
• Discussing salary
• Reviewing notes

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 24

 Following Up
After the Interview
• Thank-you messages
• Inquiry messages

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 25

 More Follow-up Messages

• Requesting a time extension

• Accepting a job offer
• Declining a job offer
• Resigning from a job

© Prentice Hall, 2008 Business Communication Today, 9e Chapter 19- 26