Assignment: Chapter 14 Interviewing and Following Up

Read the scenario, and answer the question. You have just completed a successful interview for a management position. You need to contact your references and inform them that they might be asked for a recommendation. What information should you give your references so that they can provide the best possible recommendation? The salary expectations and work hours A description of the position and the name of company The contact information of your prospective coworkers

A description of the position and the name of company

You can anticipate many of the questions you will be asked in an interview. Identify the type of question. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" A question to see if the interviewer's job will be threatened A question about the future A question to get acquainted

A question about the future

What should be included in a resignation letter? A discussion of the company's strengths and weaknesses An offer of assistance to prepare for your resignation A review of your strengths and qualifications

An offer of assistance to prepare for your resignation

You are researching information about a prospective employer in order to prepare for a face-to-face interview. Which source can you use when gathering your information? Annual reports Employee success stories Job boards and classified ads

Annual reports

As Grace mentioned last week we will not be meeting again until September. As Grace mentioned last week, we will not be meeting again until September.

As Grace mentioned last week, we will not be meeting again until September.

Read the scenario, and answer the question. Enrique interviewed for a copyeditor position 6 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 statements that will force the employer to contact them Include a line that demands to know when they will be contacted Avoid sounding discourteous and desperate

Avoid sounding discourteous and desperate

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 wearing a lot of jewelry Wear bright colors in the latest fashion Avoid wearing suits if the prospective employer has a casual dress code Strive for a coordinated, natural appearance Avoid loud colors

Avoid wearing a lot of jewelry Strive for a coordinated, natural appearance Avoid loud colors

6. Grammar/Mechanics Checkup 14: Total Review The following questions will test your knowledge of punctuation rules. Choose the sentence that uses correct punctuation. Data may be illustrated in many forms: tables, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, flowcharts, organizational charts, or photographs. Data may be illustrated in many forms: tables: bar charts: line charts: pie charts: flowcharts: organizational charts: or photographs.

Data may be illustrated in many forms: tables, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, flowcharts, organizational charts, or photographs.

True or False: In this country, semicolons and colons are always placed inside closing quotation marks. True False

False

Four of the five departments must revise their operational budgets. They are Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Marketing. Four of the five departments must revise their operational budgets. They are, Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Marketing. Four of the five departments must revise their operational budgets, they are, Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Marketing.

Four of the five departments must revise their operational budgets. They are Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Marketing.

2. Before the Interview If you do well in a screening interview, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview. After your interview is scheduled, it is time to prepare so that you will make a good impression. 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 If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone Invest in a good answering machine or voice mail service Apologize when you answer the phone

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 If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone Invest in a good answering machine or voice mail service

2. Before the Interview If you do well in a screening interview, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview. After your interview is scheduled, it is time to prepare so that you will make a good impression. How can you avoid appearing unprofessional when a potential employer calls to schedule an interview? Check all that apply. If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone Use your voice mail to screen calls Invest in a good answering machine or voice mail service Apologize when you answer the phone

If you have children, prevent them from answering the phone Use your voice mail to screen calls Invest in a good answering machine or voice mail service

Selena was taken off guard when her interviewer asks about the salary she was looking for. Since she had not even had an interview, she was uncertain how to answer the question. How should Selena respond when asked about her salary range at the beginning of the interview process? Ask what the salary ranges of other candidates are Indicate she does not know enough about the job yet to reasonably answer that question Ask how much they are willing to pay

Indicate she does not know enough about the job yet to reasonably answer that question

Read the résumé follow-up letter, and answer the following question. 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.

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 emphasizes the applicant's continued interest It asks the prospective employer to call and update the applicant on the position It uses memo format

It emphasizes the applicant's continued interest

Choose the best revision for the following sentences. Jeanise was just promoted; therefore, she moved her office to the fourth floor. Jeanise was just promoted, therefore she moved her office to the fourth floor. Jeanise, was just promoted, therefore, she moved her office to the fourth floor.

Jeanise was just promoted; therefore, she moved her office to the fourth floor.

Mary was planning on compiling the survey data this weekend. Mary was planning on, compiling the survey data this weekend.

Mary was planning on compiling the survey data this weekend.

Which of these will help you be less nervous during an interview? Prepare thoroughly Avoid direct eye contact Bring a friend

Prepare thoroughly

Which of these will help you become less nervous and prepare for successful interviews? Avoid direct engagement Remember that it is a two-way street Understand that if offered, you must accept the position

Remember that it is a two-way street

4. After the Interview The job search doesn't end with the interview. After your interview, be sure to follow up with the appropriate correspondence and contact your references if necessary. What does sending a thank-you letter after an interview do for you? Check all that apply. Alerts your references. Reminds the interviewer of your visit Sets you apart from other applicants Suggests good manners Ensures that you get the job.

Reminds the interviewer of your visit Sets you apart from other applicants Suggests good manners

5. Preparing Additional Employment Documents You might be required to write other employment documents and follow-up messages during the employment process. These documents reflect on your professionalism and your communication skills, so follow guidelines and instructions carefully. When filling out a job application, you should be prepared to answer questions about which of these? Check all that apply. Salary history and requirements Specific job and position titles Religious beliefs Marital status Reasons for leaving previous positions

Salary history and requirements Specific job and position titles Reasons for leaving previous positions

Read the scenario, and answer the question. As Jamar prepares for a face-to-face interview, he begins to brainstorm a list of stories he can use to highlight his skills and qualifications. What types of stories should he rehearse? Check all that apply. Stories that discuss how he handled a tough interpersonal situation Stories that discuss how he dealt with a crisis Stories that criticize his previous employers Stories that describe his religious beliefs and marital status Stories that illustrate how he went above and beyond expectations

Stories that discuss how he handled a tough interpersonal situation Stories that discuss how he dealt with a crisis Stories that illustrate how he went above and beyond expectations

Interviewers use situational and behavioral questions to determine how well a candidate might respond in a given situation. When asked a behaviorally-based question, what would an appropriate answer include? The situation, the task, actions you took, and the result of those actions An explanation of the behavior of others, and how your behavior ended up being more appropriate A response that indicates your ability to manage any task with a high level of perseverance

The situation, the task, actions you took, and the result of those actions

3. During the Interview During an interview, your answers to questions are important, but your body language and nonverbal cues are also on display. You want to project a professional demeanor at all times. Read the scenario, and answer the question. 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. Turn off his cell phone Avoid verbal pauses when answering questions Practice appropriate eye contact use a lot of dramatic gestures as he answers questions Keep his cell phone on vibrate

Turn off his cell phone Avoid verbal pauses when answering questions Practice appropriate eye contact

What can you do to ensure that your interview answers are effective? Criticize your previous job and employer Avoid clarifying vague questions Use proper language and enunciate clearly

Use proper language and enunciate clearly

Read the scenario, and answer the question. You did well on a telephone interview, and your prospective employer has scheduled a face-to-face interview for the following week. What should you do to prepare for the interview? Call the hiring manager to discuss the position Visit the company's website to learn more about the organization Select bold-colored clothes the night before

Visit the company's website to learn more about the organization

Many illegal interview questions are asked innocently by inexperienced interviewers. Which of these is an illegal question that might be asked of a job candidate? Check all that apply. Do you know how to use an Apple computer and Excel spreadsheets? You don't look old enough to be a college graduate! How old are you? Great last name; is it Spanish?

You don't look old enough to be a college graduate! How old are you? Great last name; is it Spanish?

What can you expect in a one-on-one interview? Check all that apply. You will be asked general questions if the person is from human resources. You will be asked specific questions if the person is from human resources. You will be asked specific questions that are job related if the person is the hiring manager. You will sit down with the company representative and talk about the job. You will be asked general questions if the person is the hiring manager.

You will be asked general questions if the person is from human resources. You will be asked specific questions that are job related if the person is the hiring manager. You will sit down with the company representative and talk about the job.