Chapter 14

An interview ________________________________________ if the organization can change the personality of the candidate to make them a better fit helps clarify if the applicant has has my recent illnesses helps the applicant find out more about the job and company

helps the applicant find out more about the job and company An interview provides the employer with a concentrated period of time in which to evaluate an applicant's potential. Applicants should use the time to expand on the information in their résumé, gather information about whether the company would be a good fit, and determine whether the job suits their career goals.

The questions that you ask the interviewer should _________________ yield valuable information about the job be filler to avoid uncomfortable silences

yield valuable information about the job Be sure to ask your own questions during the interview. The answers to these questions will provide valuable information about the job.

What information will help you fill out a job application? Check all that apply. A card with any vital statistics that are not on your résumé A list of graduation dates A document containing your research on the target company A list of beginning and ending dates of employment A selection of interview questions

A card with any vital statistics that are not on your résumé A list of graduation dates A list of beginning and ending dates of employment Put your best foot forward when filling out any job-related documents. Plan ahead, and bring Notes with any vital statistics that are not on your résumé. Make sure you have accurate graduation and employment dates with you when you fill out the application.

You have been interviewed for a position and will now contact your references. You want to ask for a recommendation letter from a manager. What information do you need to supply to your former manager so that she can write an effective recommendation? A description of the position you applied for, contact information, and a deadline Expected salary and benefits package offered by the company Description of the work facilities and work hours

A description of the position you applied for, contact information, and a deadline Ensure you receive a positive, well-informed recommendation by supplying your references with specific information about the position. If the reference is writing a letter, include the necessary contact information and a deadline.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" A question about the future A question to get acquainted A question to see if the interviewer's job will be threatened

A question about the future Employers ask questions about your future to see whether you are goal oriented and to determine whether your goals are realistic.

What should be included in a job acceptance letter? A review of your strengths and qualifications A summary of the interview A review of salary and benefits

A review of salary and benefits When all of your hard work pays off and you receive a job offer, you should compose a follow-up letter that confirms the details and formalizes your acceptance. Be sure to include a review of your salary and benefit details.

Bob has a face-to-face interview tomorrow morning. He has done his research and knows a lot about the prospective employer. He wants to dress to impress. What guidelines should he follow when deciding what to wear for his interview? Check all that apply. Avoid loud colors. Avoid wearing suits if the prospective employer has a casual dress code. Strive for a coordinated, natural appearance. Avoid wearing a lot of jewelry. Wear bright colors in the latest fashion.

Avoid loud colors Strive for a coordinated, natural appearance Avoid wearing a lot of jewelry What you wear to a job interview is important. You want to look qualified, competent, and successful. Avoid bright colors and a lot of jewelry. Instead, aim for clothes that are coordinated and natural. If your prospective employer has a casual dress code, dress on the higher end of the casual code.

Enrique interviewed for a copyeditor position six days ago. He decides to write a follow-up e-mail to ask how the decision process is going. He composes a first draft, but he knows that he will need to make some revisions. To Whom It May Concern: My interview last week was enjoyable. Thank you. I am still interested in the job. In fact, I really, really need a job in the next week. I haven't heard anything from you or the human resources representative, and I am wondering what the holdup is. I'm very eager to know your decision, so if you could hurry things up, I would greatly appreciate it. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Enrique Heller Choose one possible revision suggestion for the previous follow-up letter. Include a line that demands to know when he will be contacted. Avoid sounding discourteous and desperate. Include statements that will force the employer to contact him.

Avoid sounding discourteous and desperate. A follow-up letter inquires courteously about the status of the position but does not sound angry or desperate. Be mindful of your tone, and keep the letter's contents professional.

You are learning about a prospective employer as you prepare for a face-to-face interview. What online resource can you use when gathering information? Reference lists Blogs Job boards

Blogs Blogs are good sources of information when conducting company research. Many employees maintain formal and informal blogs that share anecdotes and information about their employers.

What can you do to ensure that your interview answers are effective? Emphasize salary or benefits. Focus your answers on the key characteristics interviewers seek. Reveal your weaknesses and your strengths.

Focus your answers on the key characteristics interviewers seek. Stay focused on your strengths. Focus your answers on your expertise, competence, motivation, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills, and enthusiasm for the job.

Select the most appropriate answer to the following question. "If you were aware that your coworker was falsifying data, what would you do?" -If I became aware that a coworker was falsifying data, I would compile evidence to support my claim and bring it to the attention of the appropriate party. Ethical conduct is key to a productive workplace. -If I became aware that a coworker was falsifying data, I would redo the data before submitting the work, and then tell them how much of my time was wasted by having to redo their work. -If I knew, I would tell her to stop. If she didn't stop, I would tell my boss and get some help. I don't really think I'd want to work for a company that employed that type of person.

If I became aware that a coworker was falsifying data, I would compile evidence to support my claim and bring it to the attention of the appropriate party. Ethical conduct is key to a productive workplace. Situational questions are designed to test your problem-solving skills. Even if the situation sounds negative, try to keep your response positive.

Dear Ms. Johnson: Please know that I am still interested in becoming a content editor for Smile Publications. Since I submitted a résumé in June, I have completed my graduate degree in English and am currently an adjunct instructor at two community colleges. Preparing my lessons and lectures has given me the opportunity to hone my communication and organizational skills. Please keep my application in your active file, and let me know when I may put my classroom experience and strong educational background to work for you. Sincerely, Emily Henderson What is effective about the letter? It asks questions about the position. It closes positively and avoids accusations. It accurately lists reference contact information.

It closes positively and avoids accusations. If you submit an application and receive no response in a reasonable time, you can write a follow-up message expressing your continued interest in the position. Be sure to use a courteous, positive, and professional tone throughout the message.

Dear Ms. Gonzalez: Although I am disappointed to hear that you have selected another candidate for the marketing position, I appreciate your prompt and courteous communication. Because I believe I have the organizational and technical skills needed to work in a growing company like EdCo, I hope you will keep my résumé in your active file. My desire to work for your company remains strong. I enjoyed meeting with you, and I appreciate your thorough explanation of your company's growth and future goals. To enhance my qualifications, I have enrolled in a course on Intercultural Communication in the Workplace at ZSU. If you have an opening for a position I am qualified for, please contact me at (345) 435-3532. I will contact you in the next month to discuss employment possibilities. Sincerely, Janet Havasu What is effective about the letter? It asks specific questions about the position. It refers to specifics in the applicant's interview. It uses memo format.

It refers to specifics in the applicant's interview. If you didn't get a job that you think was a perfect match for you and your qualifications, be persistent. Consider responding to a rejection. It is acceptable to mention you are disappointed, but be sure to add your continued interest in the position. Include a reference to specific facts or topics that were discussed during your interview. This illustrates your sincere and continued interest in the position.

What can you do to effectively navigate a panel interview? Check all that apply. Maintain eye contact with the questioner as well as with others. Target all your answers toward the person on the panel who would be your supervisor. Make sure you meet with two or more interviewers on a one-on-one basis. Prepare basic biographical information about each interviewer. Talk to the human resources representative.

Maintain eye contact with the questioner as well as with others. Prepare basic biographical information about each interviewer. Panel interviews are usually conducted by people who will be your supervisors and colleagues. Everyone is seated around a table and the interviewers take turns asking questions. It is a good idea to prepare biographical information about each panel member and to maintain eye contact with the questioner.

Michael is preparing for a face-to-face interview. He decides to review some tips on sending positive nonverbal messages. What can he do to ensure that he sends positive nonverbal messages during his interview? Check all that apply. Practice appropriate eye contact. Use a lot of dramatic gestures as he answers questions. Avoid verbal pauses when answering questions. Keep his cell phone on vibrate. Turn off his cell phone.

Practice appropriate eye contact Turn off his cell phone. avoid verbal pauses when answering questions During his interview, Michael should make sure he turns off his cell phone, maintains eye contact with interviewers, and avoids verbal pauses such as um, uh, like, and basically

What guidelines should you follow when sending a thank-you letter? Check all that apply. Include questions you forgot to ask in your interview. Refer to the date of the interview. Send your letter immediately after the interview. Avoid worn-out phrases. Use a memo format.

Refer to the date of the interview. Send your letter immediately after the interview. Avoid worn-out phrases. A thank-you letter shows that you really want a job and that you are qualified for it. Send your letter immediately after the interview and refer to the interview date. Avoid worn-out phrases such as Thank you for taking the time to interview me.

How can you avoid appearing unprofessional when a potential employer calls to schedule an interview? Check all that apply. Use your voice mail to screen calls. Apologize when you answer the phone. If your cell phone number is listed on your résumé, do not answer your phone if you are in a noisy location. If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone.

Use your voice mail to screen calls. If your cell phone number is listed on your résumé, do not answer your phone if you are in a noisy location. If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone. To manage your professional image when expecting a call from a potential employer, you can do the following: answer calls on your cell phone only when you are in a good location, prevent children or roommates from answering your phone, invest in a good answering machine or voice mail service, and use your voice mail to screen calls.

If you want to ensure that you pass a screening interview, _________ be prepared to sell your qualifications use a cell phone be prepared to accept an immediate offer

be prepared to sell your qualifications After your résumé is accepted, the screening interview is the next big hurdle in landing a job. A screening interview will not result in an immediate job offer; rather, it will lead to a face-to-face interview. To increase your chances of obtaining a face-to-face interview, be prepared to sell your qualifications.

Which of the following will help you become less nervous and prepare for successful interviews? Speak slowly and loudly. Find a focal point. Breathe deeply.

breathe deeply Breathe deeply. Deep breathing allows you to concentrate and provides much-needed oxygen.

When a potential employer contacts you for an interview, be sure to ______________________ reconfirm the time and date of your interview record the call for future refrence

reconfirm the time and date of your interview Potential employers learn a good deal from their first conversation with you. Be sure to treat all conversations with potential employers as screening interviews. Job seekers who sound unprepared, flustered, or unprofessional may ruin their chances to be hired by that company. Before you end your conversation with the employer, be sure to reconfirm the date and time of your interview.