Assignments for self-control

1. What forms of communication do you know? What is their role?

2. What does the “communication” presuppose?

3. Why is communication so important?

4. Do you think that “good manners are benefitable”?

5. What is business etiquette?

EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWING

So, we have defined 7 main types (kinds) of oral business communication. And we said that we had to be acquainted with the norms of business etiquette, because good manners are benefitable.

Now, imagine that you’re in search of a good, well-paid job. You look through a lot of (a great deal of) various employment advertisements.

At last, you find one of such attractive adverts. It’s yours! You think you’re in two steps from your long-awaited aim. You’re sure that you are the person they need. You send your resume and wait for an answer. But ask yourself if you are ready or not to be interviewed. You have some time to be prepared for the interview.

We are going to present you some statements concerning the interview. Are they true or false from your point of view?

1. There are 6 types of interviews.

2. Job seekers often overlook researching a job for which they are interviewed.

3. Experience unrelated to a job for which you are interviewed illustrates important skills.

4. If an interviewer asks you to describe yourself, it means you should talk about your personal life.

5. Describing hobbies is important for preparing for an interview.

6. It is important to explain a weakness during an interview.

7. It is unimportant to explain what you learn from job experiences.

8. Critiquing previous employers or coworkers makes a positive impression.

9. Many employers expect women to wear short skirts and open-toed shoes.

10. Many employers expect men to wear suits that are only grey or black.

11. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before an interview.

12. The purpose of an interview is to establish a rapport with the interviewer.

13. An interview begins the moment you arrive for the meeting.

14. An interview should have a conversational tone.

15. An interview is an opportunity to ask about salary or benefits.

16. After the interview you should write a letter of inquiry.

And now be ready to listen what interviewing is and what you should do, how to behave yourself during this very important meeting in your life.

Thus, we can define the main points how to be interviewed successfully.

Preparation:

First of all, you should be well prepared for the interview:

1. research everything about the company beginning with the history and ending its goals and the position for which you are being interviewed;

2. be able to describe your professional and personal characteristics, hobbies and interests (you should speak comfortably without any strain). Try to accentuate the positive and never criticize a previous employer or coworker;

3. dress professionally without any overindulgences (излишества).

Showtime:

1. on the day of the interview arrive 10 or 15 minutes earlier;

2. get all necessary things with you: a pen, some paper, copies of your resume, references and so on;

3. don’t be nervous!!! Relax! An interview should be conversational;

4. remember! The interview begins the moment you arrive;

5. make eye contact during the conversation;

6. don’t use slang or one word answers;

7. focus on your strength but always tell the truth;

8. avoid giving vague (смутные, неопределенные) answers;

9. recommendations of 2 or 3 people won’t be unnecessary, they will provide

favourability (придадут весомости, обеспечат лишние баллы);

10. an interview is not the time to inquire about salary or benefits. Do it after

you have been offered the job;

11. before leaving the interview, make sure you understand the next step in the

hiring process;

12. a phone interview doesn’t presuppose eye-an-eye contact but don’t think it is easier to talk the phone – you should be self-disciplined (собранный), speak clearly and listen attentively;

13. send a thank you letter

- in the 1-st paragraph you thank the interviewer for meeting and mention the date of the interview and the position for which you applied;

- in the 2-nd paragraph you briefly reiterate (повторять) your skills necessary for the job and give some important information you have forgotten to mention before;

- in the 3-d paragraph you thank again and may give your phone number.

Sample interview

• Good morning, sir.

• Good morning. Come in. Tell me, how long have you worked in your last job with Astoria?

• Six years. I am leaving only because the firm is moving to, but I think a change will do me good.

• What do you know about our company? Do you have any questions to me?

• I know that this is a very promising company, so I would like you to inform me what will be a major focus of efforts in the next few years.

• We plan to expand our activity on English-speaking countries, mainly on England, to buy equipment and technologies from them and run training programmes here. We need a team of creative persons to make our company competitive in the world market.

• What responsibilities and obligations do you suggest during the first year?

• Well, first of all to be responsible for our contacts with English partners, to buy a good equipment and generally to be skillful in negotiations. You will have to travel a lot. Besides, we are expecting a new fair in London soon and maybe you will have a chance to go there.

• Yes, I see.

• So, tell me what are your three main strong features?

• I think they are reliability, loyalty, energy.

• OK. How do you relieve everyday tensions?

• I am accustomed to work under pressure.

• Are you a leader, an entrepreneur by nature?

• Yes, I think so, because I make contacts with people very easily.

• All right. Now, I am quite prepared to offer you a job with us. You have excellent references from your previous job. What do you find a fair salary?

• Equivalent of $ 1000.

• I think we will begin you from $ 900 for experimental period and if you do well we will review it by the end of three months. Hours are from nine to five thirty, with an hour for lunch and fortnight’s holiday. Does that suit you? Any questions?

• What about travel: length, where?

• Mostly to England for no longer than a month.

• All right. I suppose supportive environment here. When do you want me to start, sir?

• In a week, if possible.

• I am afraid I can begin working only since November 5.

• No problem. We will be seeing you on the fifth then?

• Yes, certainly. Thank you very much. Goodbye.

• Goodbye.

Now, can you answer some questions? Give your opinion.

1. Do the candidate’s answers correspond to the rules of employment interviewing?

2. Is he interested in the company?

3. What does he know about this company?

4. What is he interested in from the very beginning?

5. Dos he underline, stress out the most important features of himself? Are these features important in business?

6. Is he optimistic in his attitude?

7. Is he quite polite and confident person?

Some additions to the employment interviewing

• Don’t learn your speech by heart but think over some moments;

• Switch off your mobile phone before entering the interviewing room;

• Be ready for unexpected questions, for example: ‘How can you be useful for our company?’, ‘What is your favourable difference from other applicants (candidates)?’. You should not be afraid but improvise ‘I think my knowledge in this field will be useful…’.

The heart of the interviewing rules

1. Do not be late for the interview.

2. Be neatly dressed.

3. Listen to the question asked attentively.

4. Do not be surprised by some simple questions at the beginning, for example, ‘How did you travel to the interview?’.

5. Answer the entire question to the point.

6. Don not be too laconic in your answers.

7. Do not be afraid of giving your own views and decisions.

8. Be calm and polite during the interview.