Lecture Business and administrative communication: Chapter 14 - Kitty O. Locker, Donna S. Kienzler

Chapter 14 - Interviewing, writing follow-up messages, and succeeding in the job. After studying this chapter, you will know: What interview channels you may encounter, how to create a strategy for successful interviewing, what preparations to make before you start interviewing, what to do during an interview, how to answer common interview questions, how to prepare for less common interview types, what to do after an interview.

Chapter 14 Interviewing, Writing Follow-Up Messages, and Succeeding in the Job Copyright © 2015 McGraw­Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw­Hill Education Interview Channels  Campus interviews     Know protocols and expectations Provide good details and professional stories about your work Focus on 3-4 selling points Phone interviews       Narrows list of candidates Speak distinctly Treat the interview like an in-person interview Find a quiet, private location Make sure your phone works Focus on 3-4 selling points 14­2 Interview Channels, continued…  Video interviews  Preparing a video     Practice answers ahead of time Capture your best performance Be thorough Participating in videoconference    Prepare a practice video ahead of time Keep your answers under two minutes Be prepared for technology failure 14­3 Interview Strategy What about yourself you want the interviewer to know? What disadvantages or weaknesses you need to minimize? What you need to know about the job and the organization to decide on a job offer? 14­4 Preparation: Final Research  Read      Web pages Facebook/Twitter accounts Newsletters Annual reports Trade journals  Ask people you know about the organization  Find out who will interview you and research them, if possible  Determine salary ranges for job/location 14­5 Preparation: Elevator Speech Short, powerful statement of why you’re a good candidate (2 max)  Uses carefully selected details to sound convincing  Helpful in a variety of situations     Group interviews Receptions with company employees Brief, one-on-one conversations 14­6 Preparation: Travel Planning Find building and closest parking  Plan how much time you’ll need to get there  Leave time margins for unexpected events (e.g., traffic jams, broken elevators)  Plan transportation and schedule, if flying  14­7 Preparation: Attire         Meet interviewer’s dress expectations Make conservative choices; traditional dark suit is most common Research organization’s culture, if possible, and dress a step above Wear comfortable, shined shoes in good condition Style hair conservatively Wear understated jewelry and makeup Avoid perfume and cologne Present flawless personal hygiene 14­8 Preparation: Professional Materials Extra copies of your résumé  Notepad, pen, and list of questions  Copies of your work or a portfolio  Reference information  A low-cost briefcase will carry these items 14­9 Interview Practice Put on the clothes you’ll wear  Practice everything       Entering a room Shaking hands Sitting down Answering questions Answering out loud is much harder than answering in your head! Use video equipment if available 14­10 Interview Customs: Behavior       Be punctual Practice active listening Do not monopolize interviews with lengthy monologues Never say anything bad about current or former employers, including schools Be enthusiastic Be yourself—your best self 14­11 Interview Customs: Note­Taking   Record the following briefly during or right after the interview       Interviewer’s name (or names) Advice given to you What they liked about you Negative points discussed Answers to your questions When you’ll hear from them 14­12 Interview Customs: Interview  Sections  Opening (2 to minutes)  Conversation to set you at ease  Easy questions or information about company  Body (10 to 25 minutes)     Answer questions that let you show and tell your strengths Deflect questions that probe weaknesses evident on your résumé Ask questions when opportunity arises Watch the time; get in your key points  Close (2 to minutes)  Summarize your key accomplishments and strengths  Express enthusiasm for the job  Listen to find out what happens next 14­13 Common Interview Questions        Tell me about yourself Walk me through your résumé Why you want to work for us? What have you read recently? What are your greatest strengths? What is your greatest weakness? What questions you have? 14­14 Kinds of Interviews: Behavioral      Behavioral: Describe past behaviors Situational: Situation similar to the job Stress: See how you handle pressure Group: Multiple candidates at once Multiple: A series of interviews 14­15 Final Steps: Follow­Up 14­16 Final Steps: Negotiating Wait for job offer to talk about salary  Find out going rate for work  Avoid naming a specific salary  Negotiate package, not just starting salary  14­17 Final Steps: Accepting a Job Offer  Know what’s important to you; for example         Are you willing to take work home? Would you want firm deadlines or flexible schedule? What kinds of opportunities for training and advancement are you seeking? Where you want to live? Plan what to say at time of job offer Ask for 2-weeks to accept or reject offer Make acceptance contingent upon written job offer Let other interviewers know when you accept a job 14­18 Starting Your Career 14­19 ...   Know protocols and expectations Provide good details and professional stories about your work Focus on 3-4 selling points Phone interviews       Narrows list of candidates Speak distinctly... Group interviews Receptions with company employees Brief, one-on-one conversations 14? ?6 Preparation: Travel Planning Find building and closest parking  Plan how much time you’ll need to get there... have? 14? ?14 Kinds of Interviews: Behavioral      Behavioral: Describe past behaviors Situational: Situation similar to the job Stress: See how you handle pressure Group: Multiple candidates