Writing Application Letters & Other Employment Messages
- Application/Cover letter
- To let readers know what you are sending, why you are sending it & how they can benefit from reading it
- Keep your letter straightforward, fact based, short, positive, & professional
- Make sure your opening paragraph state a clear reason for writing & give the reader a reason to keep reading it
- Use the middle section to present more of your strengths
- Do not bring up salary unless the recipient has asked you to include it
- Respectfully ask for specific action in the final paragraph where the reader easy to respond
- Application follow-up
- When no response within a month, follow up with a second message so the company know you are still interested
Understanding the Interviewing Process
- Typical sequence of interviews :
- Screening stage – try to differentiate yourself with other candidates
- Selection stage – show how your skills & attributes can help the company
- Final stage
- Common types of interviews
- Structured interviews – follows a set sequence of questions, answers from candidates can be compared
- Unstructured interviews – open-ended interview, question based on candidate’s response
- Panel interview – candidate will meet several interviewers at once
- Group interview – some candidates will meet with one or more interviewers at once
- Behavioral interviews – candidates are asked to describe how they handled situations from their past
- Situational interviews – candidates are asked to explain how they would handle various hypothetical situations
- Working interviews – candidates will perform work-related task
- Stress interviews – candidates are asked questions design unsettle to see how they manage the stress
- Interview media
- In-person conversation
- Virtual meetings
- Telephone interviews
- E-mail/Instant message
- Video interview
- What employers look for in an interview
- Whether you can handle the responsibilities of the position
- Whether you will be a good fit with the organization & the target position
- Pre employment testing & background checks
- Integrity tests
- Personality tests
- Job skills tests
- Substance tests
- Background checks
Preparing for Job Interview
- Learn about the organization
- Think ahead about questions
- Common employer’s questions :
- Hardest decision ever made
- Greatest weakness
- Where you will be 5 years from now
- Dislike of previous job
- Something about yourself
- Ask yourself :
- Are these my kind of people?
- Can I do this work?
- Will I enjoy the work?
- Is the job what I want?
- Does the payment worthy?
- What kind of person would I be working for?
- What sort o future can I expect with this organization?
- Common employer’s questions :
- Bolster your confidence
- Polish your interview style (clarity & nonverbal behavior)
- Look good/well groomed
- Be ready
Interviewing for Success
- The warm-up
- Body language is very important
- Sit when you are asked to do so
- Let the interviewer start the discussion
- The question-and-answer stage
- Listen carefully before you answer
- Pay attention to verbal & nonverbal messages
- Handle the discriminatory questions well
- The close
- Conclude with courtesy & enthusiasm
- Salary negotiation
Following Up After an Interview
- Write thank-you message within 2 days of the interview
- Make an inquiry if there are no decision by the promised date or within 2 weeks
- Request for time extension if needed
- Reply the job offer by letter of acceptance within 5 days
- Decline a job offer tactfully
- For resignation, write a gracious & professional style letter
