MSE 608BOL Management of Engineering

Professionals

Interviewing for Employment and

Following up

Spring 2012 - Finals

Professor: Dr. Mark Rajai

Prepared by: Rijul Dhruv

Interviewing for Employment and Following up

A Roadmap to Navigating the Confusing Maze of Job Hunting and Getting

Hired

Communication close-up at Google

Google as a leading online search engine, is helping to revolutionize advertising, publishing, geographic information systems, etc.

Google’s “recruiting culture” termed as the world’s first by John Sullivan of San Francisco State University

Recruiting staff look to hire the most innovative technical and business specialists in the world

“Googlers have been Olympic athletes and Jeopardy

champions; professional chefs and independent filmmakers”

Writing application letters and other employment messages

A resume is the centerpiece of any particular job search package

Application letters

It is a cover letter that should be accompanied along with your professional resume while applying for a job. Its main objective is to open the door of an applicant for an interview Quick tips to write effective cover letters:

† Be specific

† Never volunteer salary information unless an employer asks for it

† Keep it short – and keep email cover letters even shorter

† Show some personality

† Aim for high quality

Getting Attention:

Getting attention is like advertising your letter

Two most important tasks:

† Clearly stating the reason for writing

† Giving the recipient a reason to keep reading

Building interest and increasing desire

Middle section of the letter presents the strongest selling point

Tips include:

† Using an opening catchphrase

† Showing the strongest skills benefitting the organization

† Describing what you have to offer

Application Letters

Application Letters

In case of no response, be prepared to attach a second letter to keep your file active

Think creatively about a follow-up message

Application Follow-Ups

Motivating action

Two important functions in the final paragraph of the letter:

† To ask the reader for a specific action

† To facilitate a reply

Understanding the interviewing process

1. The Typical sequence of interviews

Understanding the differences and preparing yourself for the screening, selection and final stage

Filter out unqualified

applicants

On site interview targeting

skills and experience based

on organization’s needs

Sell you on the advantages

of joining the organization

Screening stage Selection stage Final stage

Understanding the interviewing process

2. Common types of interviews

Structured interview

† Controlled by the interviewer to gather facts

Open ended interview

† The recruiter encourages you to speak freely

Group interview

† It helps recruiters see how several candidates interact with one another

Stress interview

† It helps recruiters see how you handle yourself under pressure

Situational interview

† A scenario based circumstance and your approach to handle it

Behavioral interview

† Description of real situations in the past

Working interview

† Candidate asked to perform the actual work

† E.g. A web developer asked to write a code to build a website

Understanding the interviewing process

4. Understanding what employers look for in an interview

3. Interview media

Importance of being responsive while getting interviewed via telephone, email, IM and video conferencing

Two essential factors what employers look for beyond the resume:

† Will the candidate be a good fit with the organization?

† Can he or she handle the responsibilities of the position?

Understanding the interviewing process

5. Pre-employment testing

Integrity tests

† A test for all job candidates to save employers from ethical or legal infractions

Personality tests

† To access either general character or suitability for the demands of a specific profession

Job Skills tests

† Designed to assess the competency or specific abilities needed to perform a job

Substance tests

† Drug and alcohol testing to maintain a safer workplace

Background checks

† Helps employers to learn more about you

† Verification of credentials on your resume

Preparing for a job interview Learn about the organization

Think ahead about questions

Preparing for the Employer’s questions

† Relate your qualifications to the organization’s needs

† Be prepared to answer questions like:

What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?

What are your greatest weaknesses?

Planning questions of your own

† It helps you decide whether the work and organization are compatible with your goals and values

Since companies’ expect serious candidates, fine-tune your research and brush up on the facts collected

Preparing for a job interview

Polish your Interview Style

Staging mock interviews Effective nonverbal communication is the key to impress the interviewer The way you speak is almost as important as what you say

Reflecting high confidence sets for a better impression and removes any apprehension from its source Emphasize on positive traits such as warmth, wit, intelligence, or charm

Bolster your confidence

“Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic

expression of an unmet need.”

- Marshall Rosenberg

Preparing for a job interview

An organized folder containing all important documents along with your questionnaire and a pen Double-check the location and time of the interview to map out the route in advance The minute you arrive at the interviewing site, don’t fumble around for resume or list of questions

Be ready when you arrive

Plan to look good

Conservative dressing is the best policy Best quality businesslike clothing, preferably a dark, solid color Making a positive first impression with careful grooming and attire

Interviewing for success

The warm up

Stay on toes, greet with a smile and direct eye contact Body language is the most important part

The question and answer stage

Dealing with questions

† Emphasize on your strengths by tailoring your answers

† Not limiting yourself to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers

Listening to the interviewer

† Careful attention to watch for nonverbal signals

Fielding discriminatory questions

† Be prepared to answer a potentially unlawful question

† If encountered by a potential discriminatory question, you may ask: how is the question related to your qualifications explain that the information is personal respond to what you think is the interviewer’s real concern or answer both the question and the concern

Interviewing for success

The close

Concluding gracefully † Look for signs that the interview is about to end † Thank the interviewer with a warm smile and a

handshake Discussing salary

† Researching salary ranges in your industry is a better idea before trying to negotiate salary

† Be prepared to discuss salary if the topic is raised by the interviewer

Interview notes

An organized written record of all job interviews to compare companies and opportunities

Following up after the interview Six types of follow-up messages:

Thank you message

Request for a time extension In case of pending interviews or time to decide about an offer by expressing continued interest in the company

Letter of acceptance Replying back within 5 days after receiving the offer to accept & confirming vital details such as start date and salary

Letter declining a job offer A warm appreciative note explaining the refusal to the offer

Letter of resignation Sending this letter a.s.a.p. to your current employer stating your actual reasons for resigning

A brief thank you letter acknowledging the interviewer’s time and courtesy

Message of inquiry Direct approach to inquire by being specific in case of no reply from the interviewer by the promised date

Summary

Defining the purpose of application letters

Describing the typical sequence of job interviews

Employers lookout during interview and pre-employment testing

Listing six tasks to prepare for a successful job interview

Explaining the three important stages of a successful employment

Identifying the most common employment messages following an interview and explaining each ones use

Conclusion Knowing yourself and your skillsets are the key to understanding what you have to offer to the job that you are looking for

Being extremely detail oriented with the relevant job requirements and qualifications to shortlist your preferences

Exceptional presentable resume and application letters to impress recruiters for a job interview

Adapting strict professional approach to comply with regular follow-ups

Presentable attitude along with witty intelligence may land you with a job

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

- Milton Berle -

Thank you MSE 608BOL

California State University - Northridge

Professor:

Dr. Mark Rajai

Prepared by:

Rijul Dhruv

My personal website link:

http://www.rijuldhruv.web44.net/