Chapter 8 Interviewing for a Job and R

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Chapter 8Interviewing for a Job and Résumé
Writing

• You never get a second chance to make a good
  first impression. American Proverb

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Preparing for an interview

• Know yourself - Build a dossier or personal
  inventory
• Personal Work History
• Education
• Self-Assessment

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What is a dossier and what is contained in it?

• Background on your previous employment
• Where you have gone to school and what skills you
  have acquired
• Your strengths and weaknesses - and how they
  relate to the job you are seeking

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Personal work history

• Every employer
• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Dates of employment
• Each job
• Specific Duties
• Specific Skills
• Promotions, awards, or recognition you received

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Writing a Résumé

• This is a formal version of your personal
  inventory
• Contains
• Identification
• Your objective or job goal
• Education and training
• Work history
• Personal data
• Reference statement

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Identification
Job Objective
Education
Personal Data - Clubs, Activities and Honors
Work History
Training
Personal Data -Recreational
Reference Note
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Identification on Résumé

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• At top
• List name as you want to be called at work

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Objective

• Focus of Résumé
• Part time work?
• Unpaid volunteer?
• Scholarship?
• College acceptance?
• How might you write your objective?

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Education and training

• While in high school, it goes at the top
• Later on at the bottom
• Usually when you will graduate
• GPA - if for acceptance or impressive
• Training - what might relate to the job or be
  impressive
• What might you list?

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Work history

• Information on each job
• Name, location of business , and dates of
  employment
• Responsibilities on job
• If you have never had a paid position, what could
  you include?

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Personal data

• Activities
• Honors
• Outside interests
• Volunteer work

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References

• Available upon request
• Have information with you
• Names of employers
• Check with them in advance to use
• Phone numbers

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Tips

• Be positive
• Be brief
• Stick to facts
• Keep your language clear
• Keep your eye on goal

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Before Interview

• Research employer
• Practice, practice, practice

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Work on Résumé

• Create dossier
• Work with partner reviewing information
• Put in form to type
• Finish Résumé (typed)
• Write a cover letter

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Cover Letter

• Catch attention
• Provide the context
• Describe accomplishments
• Request an interview
• Use proper business letter format, punctuation,
  spelling, and make it look professional.

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Answering Interview Questions

• Anticipate questions.
• What might they ask?

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Typical Questions

• Why do you want to work for us?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What would you like to be doing in five years (or
  upon graduation?)
• What is your grade point average?
• What have been your favorite and least favorite
  courses?
• Were your extracurricular activities worth your
  time?
• Why should I hire you?
• Whats your proudest accomplishment?

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Make Positive Points

• Puff ballseasy questions that give opening to
  talk like, Tell me about yourself.
• PausesAnother chance to show initiative
• Bridgestransition from one answer to another or
  a chance to make a point
• Add sparklersillustrates your point

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Rehearse Tough Questions

• Why should I hire you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why do you wantto work here?

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Take Your Time

• Think before you answer.
• Be sure to address the issue.
• You can ask for time to think if needed.
• You can ask for clarificationparaphrase question.

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Inappropriate Questions

• Ask yourself, Does it have something to do with
  the job or position for which I am interviewing?
• Examples of inappropriate questions
• What is your political party?
• Do you go to church regularly?
• Do you drink?
• What is your sexual orientation?
• What is your IQ?
• Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
• How much do you weigh?

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How to handle inappropriate questions

• Try to tackle the real concern
• Answer briefly and move on
• How would you handle, Do you have a boyfriend or
  girlfriend?
• What other questions could be difficult for you?

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Questions to Ask the Interviewer

• Clarify responsibilities.
• Who would be my supervisor?
• How many nights would I close?
• (Dont imply that you dont want to work too
  hard.)
• How soon will you make a decision?

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Interview Check List

• Be alert, energetic, and aware of body language.
• Pay attention to names, specific information.
• Begin and end with shaking the interviewers
  hand.
• Dress appropriately.
• What do you think are common mistakes in dress?

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Interview Check List

• Get there on time!
• A day or two ahead, confirm time and check for
  how long to plan on the interview.
• Ask if you should bring anything like a
  portfolio.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• Go by yourself.
• Any waiting time you can use to check appearance
  and read company literature.

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Interview Check List

• Do I have résumé?
• Three references?
• Know how long to get there?
• Interviewers name?
• Turned off electronic devices?
• Thanked interviewer?

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Recalling the Facts

• In addition to jobs, where might you experience
  an interview?
• What is most important consideration in
  organizing your résumé?
• What is included in special skills?
• How do you determine what to wear to the
  interview?
• When should you arrive for the interview?
• What is the strongest nonverbal communication?
• What should you do before the interview?
• What are sparklers and why do you use them?
• Do you have to answer all questions?
• How important is it to speed through answers?

Look Back on Page 226
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Vocabulary

• networking
• interview
• résumé
• mock interview
• pull ball

• pause
• bridge
• sound bite
• portfolio

List on Page 205 of textbook