Business Communication basics with explanation.ppt

Business communication concepts

1. Chapter 13
Interviewing Skills

2. Interviewing is Important
- Don’t prepare
–Dress
inappropriately
–Poor communication
skills
–Too much
communication
–Talk too much
–Don’t talk enough
–Fuzzy facts
–Give the wrong
answer
–Badmouthing past
employers
–Forget to follow up
Top 10 Interviewing Blunders

3. Prepare for the
Employment Interview
Research the company
–Business magazines, annual report, company
web pages, advertisements, company facility
–Increase changes of a good first impression
–Determine if the company is a good fit for you

4. Prepare for the
Employment Interview
Update your paperwork
–Most recent employment and education
–Bring a copy to the interview
–Personalize a letter of application prior to
interview

5. Interview Questions
Anticipating questions is one of the most
important steps
Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions
–Why do you want to work for our company?
–What are your future career plans?
–Tell me something about yourself.
–Why did you choose this particular field of work?
–What is the key to success in this job?

6. Interview Questions
Behavior-based questions
–Past performance is a good indicator of
future behavior
–Applicants should:
Describe a past situation
Actions taken
Results achieved

7. Interview Questions
PAR stories
–Problem/Purpose you encountered
–Action(s) you took to overcome
problem/purpose
–Result(s) you achieved in concrete terms

8. Interview Questions
Illegal questions
–Employer’s questions must relate to the job for which
you’re applying.
–Questions about the following have the potential to be
asked in an illegal manner:
National origin, disabilities, arrest record
Marital/family status, age, rage
Religion, physical attributes, military background

9. Interview Questions
–Ways to respond to illegal questions
Answer the question
Refuse to answer the question
Consider why the employer is asking the
question; respond to your perception of
employer’s intent

10. Participate in Your Interview
Time for success
–Note time, place of interview and name of
interviewer
–Consider traveling to interview site ahead of time
–Arrive early
–Be courteous to everyone you encounter
–Be prepared to complete and application form
–Bring a portfolio with evidence of accomplishments

11. Participate in Your Interview
Dress for success
–Attire is determined for the job for which you’re applying
–Guidelines for interview dress:
Clean and well-pressed clothes
Clean-shaven or neatly trimmed hair
Conceal piercings and tattoos
Subtle fragrances only
Clean nails
Don’t smoke prior or chew gum during
Turn off your cell phone

12. Participate in Your Interview
Respond for success
–Be honest and give complete answers
–Be positive about yourself and past experiences
–Avoid one or two word responses
–Give concrete examples
–Paraphrase the question to avoid misunderstanding
–Limit responses to 30 seconds
–Emphasize what you have to offer the company

13. Participate in Your Interview
–Respond positively to questions about weaknesses
–Nonverbal communication
Sit up and lean forward
Make eye contact and smile
Avoid crossed arms and legs
Use head nods and attentive facial expressions
–Ask questions and show interest in the company
–Avoid questions about salary, vacation
–Express thanks and find out when a decision will be
made

14. Follow-up After Your Interview
Fewer than 10% of applicants send a thank you
letter
May be the most important letter you write
Provides another contact with the employer
Sets you apart from those who didn’t send one
Should take place within 24 hours after the interview

15. Follow-up After Your Interview
Follow-up letter format
–Content should:
State your appreciation
Explain what you liked about the position
Sound enthusiastic about working for the
company
–Each contact you make is an opportunity

16. Phone Interviews
80% of job interviews are won or lost in he first five
minutes of conversation
Tips for interviewing over the phone:
–Select an appropriate voice mail message
–Call back
Return the call immediately
Prompt response indicates your seriousness
about the job

17. Phone Interviews
–Choose the right environment
Quiet surrounding with no distractions
–Stay focused and listen
Use paraphrases or clarifying questions
–Practice for the interview
–Pay attention to both speech and body language
Speak slowly, clearly and distinctly
It’s okay to request a few moments to think
Don’t eat, drink, smoke, chew bun
Let your body language communicate strength and poise

18. Phone Interviews
–End of a positive note
Thank interviewer for the opportunity
Ask when you can expect to receive
notification
–Send thanks
Follow-up thank you letter just as you
would for an in-person interview