1 writing application letters what you’re sending,why you’re sending it and how the reader can...
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Writing Application Letters What you’re sending,why you’re sending
it and how the reader can benefit from reading your material
Be specific Never volunteer salary information
unless an employer asks for it Keep it short Show some personality Aim for high quality
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Solicited versus Unsolicited
Solicited Application Letter: In response to an announced job opening, should know requirements of the organization
Unsolicited Application Letter: To an organization that has not announced an opening. Focus on the needs of the employer, start by capturing the reader’s attention and interest
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Organizing Application Letters
Getting Attention:Use AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action) approach, focus on your audience & emphasize reader benefits => Opening paragraph:
1. Clearly state your reason for writing
2. Give a recipient a reason to keep reading
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Organizing Application Letters
Middle Section: Expand on your opening, present a more complete picture of your strengths
Final Paragraph: Respectfully ask for specific action and make it easy for the reader to respond
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Application Follow-Ups
If application letter and resume fail to bring a response within a month, write to keep your file active
If kept on file, don’t hesitate to send a follow-up letter 3 months later to show that you’re still interested showing that: You’ve continued to add to your skills or that you’ve learned more about the company or the industry
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Interviews Discussion with a purpose Include facial expressions, eye
contact, gestures & posture May cause misunderstanding &
confusion => develop strong interviewing skills
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Understanding the Interview Process
Employment Interviews have a dual purpose:
Finding the best person available for the job
Your main objective: Finding the best job suitable for your goals & capabilities
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Typical Sequence of Interviews Stages:
I) Screening Stage: Campus, invitation of the candidates for further evaluation, similar questions, standardized “evaluation” , Get-to-know-you interviews.
Follow the interviewer’s lead; keep your responses short, differentiate yourself from others, emphasize the “theme” you used in developing your CV.
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II) Selection Stage:
Will talk with several people Show interest in the job Relate your skills & experience to
the organization’s needs Listen attentively Ask insightful questions Display enthusiasm
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III) Final Stage:
May receive a job offer May be invited back for final
evaluation Underlying objective: Selling
you on the advantages of joining the organization
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Common Types of Interviews
1) Structured Interview: Screening– Asking a series of prepared
questions in order.– Answers noted– Poor measure of applicant’s
quality– But create uniformity in hiring
process
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2) Open-ended Interview
Less formal & unstructured with a relaxed format
Open-ended questions, encourages you to talk freely
Good for bringing out your personality & testing professional judgment
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3) Group Interviews
Meeting with several candidates to see how they react
Useful for judging interpersonal skills
4) Stress Interview: Help recruiters see how you handle yourself under pressure; Pause for a few seconds to collect your thoughts, then continue knowing what the interviewer is up to.
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5) Video Interview Videoconferencing systems to screen
middle-management candidates To interview new recruits at universities Speak clearly but not more slowly than
normal Look up but not down Sit straight Arrive early enough to get used to the
equipment
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6) Situational (Behavioral) Interview You’re asked to explain how you would
handle(d) a specific set of circumstances No correlation exists between how well
people answer traditional interview questions & how well they perform on the job
=> Each job requires different mix of personality traits; Interviewer’s task is to find out whether you will be effective on the job.
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What employers look for in an interview?
Suitability for the specific job is judged on the basis of:
– Academic preparation
– Work experience
– Job-related personality traits
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Preemployment Testing Integrity tests: For ethical or legal issues Personality tests: Used to assess
general character or suitability for the demands of a specific situation
Job skills tests: Assess the competency to perform a job
Substance tests: Drug & alcohol testing Background tests: Verifying credentials
in CV, learning if you have a criminal history etc.
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Preparing for a job interview:
Will help you perform better under pressure
Consider any cultural differences
Base your approach on what your audience expects
I) Learn about the organization
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II) Think ahead about questions:A) Planning for the Employer’s Questions: Your skills,
achievements, goals, attitudes toward work & school, relationships with others, hobbies & interests or; (Table 15-2)
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?What are your greatest weaknesses?What didn’t you like about previous jobs you’ve held?Where do you want to be five years from now?Tell me something about yourself
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B) Planning questions of your own:
You are responsible for deciding whether the work and the organization are compatible with your goals & values. Are these my kind of people. Examples:– Can I do this work?– Will I enjoy the work?– Is the job what I want?– Does the job pay what I’m worth?– What kind of person would I be working for?– What sort of future can I expect with this
organization?
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B) Planning questions of your own:
You don’t necessarily wait until the interviewer asks if you have any questions of your own; look for smooth ways to work prepared questions into the conversation
Impress the interviewer with your ability to organize be thorough by bringing a list of questions
Table 15-3
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Bolster Your Confidence
Make a better impression & make the whole process less stressful
Emphasize positive traits (warmth, wit, intelligence, charm)
Instead of dwelling your weaknesses focus on strengths
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Polish you Interview Style Competence & confidence are the foundation of
your interviewing style Enhance these by giving the interviewer an
impression of poise, good manners & good judgment
Role-playing, videotaping or audiotaping Nonverbal behavior; Eye contact, sit in attentive
position, use frequent hand gestures => alert, assertive, dependable, confident, responsible & energetic: U.S.
Sound of your voice; the way you speak Avoid: You know, like, um etc. Table 15-4
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Plan to Look Good Dress conservatively (dark, solid color) and
be well groomed You DON’T need to spend a fortune on new
clothes, but you do need to look clean, prepared and professional.
One of the best ways to look good is to smile at appropriate moments
Make professional appearance and habits a routine part of your day after you had the job; Meeting times, t-shirts etc. => sign of mutual respect
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Be Ready when you arrive Take a small notebook, a pen, list of the
questions you want to ask, 2 copies of CV, outline of what you have learned about the organization
May also take your transcript, list of references, portfolio containing samples of your work, performance reviews, certificates of achievement
Arrive early & relax, bring stg. business-related to read. If opportunity available, express enthusiasm for the job. Checklist
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Interviewing for success
Present a memorable “headline” at the screening stage
Cover all your strengths during selection stage; touch briefly on all your strengths, but explain 3 or 4 of your best qualifications
Emphasize your personality during a final interview
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Every interview has these stages:
I)The Warm-up: Most important, 20 sec.
Body language is important
Hand shaking
Seating
Let the interviewer start the discussion
Listening cues telling you what the interviewer is interested in knowing about you as a potential employee.
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II) The Question-and-Answer Stage
Questions & answers consume the greatest part of the interview
Dealing with questions: Let the interviewer lead the conversation, NEVER answer a question before he/she has finished asking it
Listening: Paying attention to both verbal & nonverbal messages help you
Fielding discriminatory questions: Related to your qualifications, information- personal, responding.
Table 15-5
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III) The Close:
Concluding the interview with courtesy & enthusiasm
Discussing salary: Research salary ranges in your job, industry & geographic region before
Negotiating benefits may be one way to get more value from an employment package
Checklist
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Interview Notes
Keep a written record of your job interviews
Briefly summarize the interviewer’s answers to your questions
Evaluate your performance during the interview
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Following up after the interview
1) Thank-you-message: Express your thanks within 2 days
Acknowledge the interviewer’s time and courtesy, convey your continued interest and then ask politely for a decisionKeep your message brief and organize it like a routine messageSound positive without sounding overconfident. Figure 15-3
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2) Message of Inquiry
If not taken an answer by the promised date or within 2 weeks
Appropriate if received a job offer from a second firm
Follow the model for a direct request
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3) Request for a time extension
Preface your request with a friendly opening; ask for more time, stressing your enthusiasm for the organization
Conclude by allowing for a quick decision if your request for additional time is denied
Ask for a prompt reply confirming the time extension if the organization grants it
Direct request, but be careful to show your continued interest.
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4) Letter (e-mail) of acceptance
When you receive a job offer that you want to accept, reply within 5 days
Begin by accepting the position & expressing thanks
Cover any necessary details Conclude by saying that you look forward
to reporting for work Be careful: Legally binding contract Positive letter: Should convey your
enthusiasm & eagerness to cooperate
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5) Letter declining a job offer
The model for negative messages Open warmly, state the reasons for
refusing the offer Decline the offer explicitly & close on
a pleasant note, expressing gratitude By taking the time to write a sincere,
tactful letter, you leave the door open for future contact.
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6) Letter of resignation
Should always be written in a gracious & professional style that avoids criticism of your employer or your colleagues
Follow the bad news plan & make the letter sound positive
Say stg. favorable about the organization, people or what you’ve learned in the job
State your intention to leave & give the date of your last day on the job
Give at least 2 weeks notice Checklist