Transcript Chapter 16 Interviewing and Following Up

Chapter 16
Interviewing
and Following Up
Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Mary Ellen Guffey
Copyright © 2008
Interviewing and Following Up
Purposes and Types
of Interviews
Before
the Interview
During
the Interview
Interview
Questions
Closing
the Interview
After
the Interview
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 2
Purposes of Interviews
 To convince the
employer of your
potential.
 To find out more
about the job and the
company.
 To expand on the
information in your
résumé.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 3
Types of Interviews
Hiring/Placement Interviews
Goal: To learn whether a candidate is a good fit for
the organization. Conducted in person.
One-on-one Interviews
Panel Interviews
Sequential Interviews
Stress Interviews
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 4
Types of Interviews
Screening Interviews
Goal:
To weed out unqualified
candidates.
Often conducted by
telephone.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 5
Before the Interview
Preparing and Practicing
 Study the job description. How do
your skills and accomplishments fit
the position?
 Prepare success stories.
 Practice answers to typical interview
questions. Make your best responses
automatic.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 6
Before the Interview
Researching the Target Company
 Know the leaders, company products, finances,
goals, competition, accomplishments, setbacks.
 If possible, interview
employees. Consult
blogs and other Web
sources.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 7
Before the Interview
Preparing and Practicing
 Record a practice session to see how you
come across.
 Expect to explain problem areas on your
résumé.
 Decide how to dress professionally.
 Gather what you will bring with you.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 8
During the Interview
Sending Positive
Nonverbal Messages
 Control your body movements.
 Exhibit good posture.
 Make frequent eye contact but don't get
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into a staring contest.
 Smile enough to convey a positive attitude.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 9
During the Interview
Sending Positive
Nonverbal Messages
 Listen attentively.
 Turn off your cell phone. Don't chew
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gum.
 Sound enthusiastic and interested--but
sincere.
 Avoid "empty" words—um, uh, like,
basically.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 10
During the Interview
Fighting Fear
 Practice interviewing as much as you can,
particularly with real companies.
 Prepare 110 percent.
 Know how you will answer the most
frequently asked questions.
 Be ready with your success stories.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 11
During the Interview
Fighting Fear
 Take deep breaths, particularly before the
interview.
 Know that you are not alone. Everyone feels
anxiety during a job interview.
 Remember that it's a two-way street.You are
also evaluating the interviewer and his or her
organization. This should give you confidence.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 12
During the Interview
Projecting a Professional Demeanor
 Greet the interviewer and shake hands.
 Answer questions confidently.
 Refocus to clarify vague questions: "By ____,
do you mean _____?"
 Focus on your strengths; do not reveal
weaknesses.
 Use good English and enunciate clearly.
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Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 13
Kinds of Interview Questions
Questions to Get Acquainted
 Tell me about yourself.
 What are your greatest strengths?
Questions to Gauge Your Interest
 Why do you want to work for _______?
 Why are you interested in this position?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 14
Kinds of Interview Questions
Questions About Your Experience
and Accomplishments
 Why should we hire you when we have applicants
with more experience or better credentials?
 How do your qualifications
and experience prepare
you for this position?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 15
Kinds of Interview Questions
Questions About the Future
 Where do you expect to be five years from now?
 If you got this position, what would you do to fit in?
Challenging Questions
 What is your greatest
weakness?
 How would your former
supervisor describe you as
an employee?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 16
Kinds of Interview Questions
Questions About Money
 How much money are you looking for?
 How much do you think you're worth?
Situational Questions
 If you were aware that a coworker was
falsifying data, what would you do?
 If you had to handle an irate customer, what
would you do?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 17
Kinds of Interview Questions
Behavioral Questions
 Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult
problem.
 Describe a time
when you worked
successfully as
part of a team.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 18
Kinds of Interview Questions
Illegal and Inappropriate Questions
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
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

What is your marital status?
Do you have any disabilities?
Have you ever been arrested?
Where are you from?
How old are you?
Do you have children?
How much do you weigh?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 19
Using the STAR Method to Answer
Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral interview questions may begin with
“Tell me about a time when you . . . .”
To answer effectively, use the S T A R method:
S What was the Situation?
T What was the Task?
A What Action was taken?
R What was the Result?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 20
Closing the Interview
Asking Your Own Questions
 What will my duties be?
 What is it like working here, in
terms of the people, management
practices, work loads, expected
performance, and rewards?
 What training programs does
this organization offer?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 21
Closing the Interview
Asking Your Own Questions
 Who would be my immediate supervisor?
 What is the organizational
structure, and where does
this position fit in?
 What is the first problem
that needs the attention of
the person you hire?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 22
Closing the Interview
Asking Your Own Questions
 How will my job performance be
evaluated?
 What do you like best about
working for this organization?
 When will I hear from you
regarding further action on my
application?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 23
Closing the Interview
Ending Positively
 When the interviewer signals the
end of the interview, stand up
and shake hands.
 Find out what action will follow.
 Ask, "When can I expect to hear
from you?"
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 24
Closing the Interview
Ending Positively
 After his or her reply, say, "If I
don't hear from you by then, may
I call you?"
 Thank the interviewer.
 Say goodbye to the receptionist.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 25
After the Interview
 Make notes on the
interview as soon as you
leave.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
© Tom Grill / Corbis
 Alert your references that
they might be called.
Ch. 16, Slide 26
After the Interview
 Write a thank-you letter to the
interviewer. Remind the
interviewer of your visit. Show
that you really want the job and
that you are qualified for it.
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
© Tom Grill / Corbis
 If you don't hear from the
interviewer within the specified
time, call.
Ch. 16, Slide 27
Typical Applicant Evaluation Form
Applicant's Name _______________________ Position _____________
Overall Appraisal
Poor
Average
Good
1. Initial impression
1
2
3
4
2. Personal demeanor
1
2
3
4
3. Preparation for interview
1
2
3
4
4. Ability to express self
1
2
3
4
Career Qualifications
1. Academic preparation
1
2
3
4
2. Professional experience
1
2
3
4
3. Technical skills
1
2
3
4
4. Leadership ability
1
2
3
4
5
5. Career potential
1
2
3
4
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Ch. 16, Slide 28
Typical Applicant Evaluation Form
Personality Impressions
These judgments are impressions.You may expand your responses on the back.
Dominance:
Aggressive, passive
Self-regard:
Positive, negative
Self-confidence:
Strong, weak
General behavior:
Friendly, shy, hostile
Interactions:
Spontaneous, guarded
Feelings about change:
Accepts or enjoys, fearful
Overall Evaluation
Would this person be an asset to the company?
What should this applicant's hiring priority be on a 1 to 10 scale?
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 29
End
Mary Ellen Guffey, Business Communication: Process and Product, 6e
Ch. 16, Slide 30