IV. Interpersonal Conununication during a Job Interview

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Source: Speech Communication Made Simple Book 2, Pearson, 2013.

A job interview is a meeting between a job applicant and a person of authority working for the company or business. The meeting occurs because the business has a job opening. People apply for the job; the company decides whom it will hire. Good interpersonal communication skills are particularly important when you are being interviewed for a job.

Interview Questions

Questions and answers between the applicant and the employer form the basis of most job interviews. Employers ask applicants a series of questions to decide who would be the best person for the job. Most job interviews will also provide an opportunity for applicants to ask the employer questions about the job or company.

~CTIVITY 1 Employer or Applicant?

1 Work in small groups. Read the following list of questions. On the line next to each one, write E if this is a question an employer might ask. Write A if it is a question an Applicant might ask.

1. Tell me about yourself. 11. What is your greatest strength?

2. Is there a chance for promotion? 12. What are your career goals?

3. Please tell me about the benefits. 13. What languages can you speak?

4. When might I expect to hear from 14. How do you feel about working you regarding the position? overtime?

5. What salary do you expect? 15. What salary do you offer?

6. What motivates you? 16. What are your weaknesses?

7. Why would you like to work 17. To whom would I report? for us?

18. How do you get along with 8. What is the sick leave policy? others?

9. How did you do in school? 19. Why should we hire you?

10. Why do you want this job? 20. Are there opportunities for overtime?

2 Formulate other questions that employers and applicants might ask. Add them to the chart.

3 Discuss your questions with the class.

ACTIVITY 2 Summarize Your Abilities, Personal Qualities, and Expectations

1 Write a few brief sentences describing your abilities, personality traits, and expectations from your ideal job. You will use this information later in developing responses to interview questions.

EXAMPLES:

a. I have good interpersonal communication skills.

b. I'm an excellent problem solver.

c. I have a strong work ethic.

d. I'm motivated by opportunities for personal growth.

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Some key words and expressions to consider include:

challenging

planning ahead

friendly coworkers

maturity

creative

Key Achievements:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Career Goals:

Personality Traits:

Abilities:

What Motivates You:

Expectations:

collaboration

organization skills

counseling people

good judgment

reliable

initiative listening:'

decision making counselirig others

writing perseverance

outgoing flexible

honest punctuality

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ACTIVITY 3 Complete the Questions

1 Work with a partner. How would you answer the following questions in a real interview? Formulate answers with your partner. Whenever possible, use your responses from Activity 2. (Suggestions for answering the questions are provided in brackets.)

a. Tell me about yourself. [Talk about a couple of your current activities.]

b. What is your greatest strength? [Talk briefly about your best skill and give an example.]

c. How did you handle a difficult situation? [Describe a difficl.J,lt situation you handled well.]

d. What would you like to improve about yourself? [Choose a weakness that many people have. Explain how you are working to improve it. ]

e. What are you looking for in a job? [Talk about one or two things; explain why they're important to you.]

f. What are your career goals? [Talk about your future career plans and how they relate to the job.]

g. What motivates you? [Mention specific skills you are motivated to use.]

h. Why do you want to work for us? [Impress the interviewer with what you know about the company. Talk about the merits of the company or business.]

i. Why should we hire you? [Sell yourself. Explain how your skills fit the needs of the company.]

j. Do you have any questions for me? [Review the questions from Activity 1, page 124.)

2 Discuss your responses in small groups.

Job-Interview Behavior

The impression you make on your interviewer will be based on more than your answers to the interview questions. A large part of making a good impression results from your interpersonal communication, appearance, and behavior. These include your clothing, posture, body language, and facial expressions. (Review pages 16-20 in Chapter 2.)

ACTIVITY 4 Categorize the "Dos" and "Don'ts"

1 Work with a partner. Read the following job interview behaviors. Then write them in the "Dos" and "Don'ts" chart on page 127.

Know the exact location of the interview. Arrive a bit early.

Wear revealing clothes. Be thorough in your responses.

Smoke if you like and are invited to do so. Chew gum.

Ask when a decision about the job will be made. Accept a cup of coffee if offered.

Maintain good. eye contact. Answer questions honestly.

Be prepared for typical interview questions. Wear lots of jewelry.

Give the impression that salary is the most Treat everyone you meet with courtesy and important issue. respect.

Ignore the secretary and the receptionist. Slouch in your seat.

Act as though you are desperate for employment. Show enthusiasm.

Make negative comments about a previous job. Criticize a previous coworker.

Use informal language such as "yeah" and "heY:' Dress conservatively.

Be prepared to ask intelligent questions. Use the interviewer's first name.

Turn off your cell phone. Offer a firm handshake. 2

Complain about your previous boss. Pay attention to personal grooming.

' Due to cultural beliefs, it may not be proper for some women to shake hands with a male. In that case, greet politely and smile. If the male has already offered his hand, smile and explain that you are unable to shake hands.

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"Dos;'and "Don'ts".of Job lntervl~wing

•• Don'ts .!

2 Think of other 11Dos" and //Don'ts" of job interviewing. Add them to the appropriate column of the chart.

3 Discuss all the J/Dos" and 11Don'ts" in small groups.

V. Presentation Preview Your goal is to work with a partner and role play a four- to five-minute mock job interview. You will play the role of either the interviewer or the applicant Then you and your partner will switch roles.

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ACTIVITY 1 Listen to a Model Job Interview

® Listen to Yolanda's interview with Mrs. Manning. Pay attention to Mrs. Manning's questions and Yolanda's answers.

Model Job Interview

Mrs. Manning: Hello, I'm Mrs. Manning. Are you here for an interview?

Yolanda: Yes, Mrs. Manning. My name is Yolanda Sole. I'm here to interview for the part-time bookkeeper position you advertised in the newspaper.

Mrs. Manning: It's nice to meet you, Miss Sole. Please have a seat. Did you have any trouble finding the office<'

Yolanda: No trouble at all. I left early to beat the traffic and my car's GPS directed me perfectly!

Mrs. Manning: I'm happy to hear that. So, Miss Sole, please tell me a little about yourself.

Yolanda: Well, I'm originally from Mexico and moved here three years ago. I'm majoring in math at the University and hope to become an accountant.

Mrs. Manning: That's good. Why do you feel you are qualified for this job?

Yolanda: Well, I'm very good with numbers. I earned 1\s in algebra, calculus, and statistics. I'm very careful when I do math calculations, and I pay close attention to details. Oh, and of course I have excellent computer skills.

Mrs. Manning: What languages do you speak?

Yolanda: I speak Spanish, Portuguese, and English. My father is Mexican and my mother is Brazilian. I would be able to communicate with many of your customers who don't speak English.

Mrs. Manning: You have an interesting background. Let me ask you, Miss Sole, what do you consider to be your greatest strength?

Yolanda: I firmly believe in the saying, A stitch in time saves nine. I don't like to procrastinate. When something must be done, I do it right away. I don't wait until a little problem becomes a big one that is much harder to fix.

Mrs. Manning: Thank you. And what do you_ consider to be your weaknesses?

Yolanda: Actually, I can think of two. I'm a little shy and nervous about speaking in public. I'm currently taking a speech class to help with that. Also, I'm maybe too much of a perfectionist. I get impatient with people who make mistakes. I'm working on being more flexible and patient with others.

Mrs. Manning: That sounds like an honest answer. Tell me, why do you want to work for us?

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Yolanda: As I mentioned, I hope to become an accountant. Working as your bookkeeper would be very interesting and motivating for me. It would give me excellent experience to help me when I study accounting.

Mrs. Manning: Well, Miss Sole, I have all the information I need. Do you have any questions?

Yolanda: Yes, Mrs. Manning, I have two. The newspaper said the job was part-time in the afternoons. Is it five days a week?

Mrs. Manning: No, Miss Sole. It's three afternoons .a week from 1:00 to 5:00p.m. Is that a problem?

Yolanda: No, that's perfect. I can schedule my classes in the morning. I also wonder, when can I expect your decision about the job?

Mrs. Manning: Well, Miss Sole, you seem very mature and responsible. You won't be like some workers who wait for the cat to be away so the mice can play! I see I can trust you to work with minimal supervision. Congratulations! The job is yours. Please be here Monday

Yolanda:

at 1:00 p.m.

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Manning! It was very nice meeting you. I'll see you on Monday!

ACTIVITY 2 Model Job-Interview Discussion

Discuss these questions in small groups.

1. Which of Yolanda's responses was the most effective? Why?

2. Could Yolanda have improved any of her responses? How?

3. What questions would you have asked Mrs. Manning about the job?

4. Were you surprised that Yolanda was offered the job immediately? Why?

VIII. Presentation Project: Job-Interview Role Play

* Ignore one's duties when no one is watching

Your project is to role play a four- to five-minute job interview with a partner. You will have a chance

to play the roles of both the employer and the applicant.

STEP 1 I Decide on a Job

Work with a partner. Each of you should select a job to apply for. Choose from the list or use your own idea.

salesperson in a shoe store

waiter/waitress in a restaurant

manager of a bookstore

secretary in a law office

camp counselor

bank teller

doctor's office receptionist

airline/cruise line reservationist

ticket taker in a theatre

salesperson in an electronics store

nurse in a hospital

library assistant

assistant in a travel agency

restaurant host/hostess

supermarket cashier

teacher's assistant

tour guide

toll collector on a highway

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STEP 2 I Choose the Interviewer's Questions

A Review the questions that employers typically ask during an interview. (See Activity 3 on page 126.)

8 Select five questions to ask. Be sure that you and your partner select different questions.

STEP 3 I Plan the Applicant's Responses

A Review the suggestions for answering interview questions. (See Activity 3 on page 126.)

8 Plan how to answer your partner's five questions from Step 2.

STEP 4 I Plan the Interview

A Review the Model Job Interview on page 128.

8 Read t he following guidelines for organizing your job-interview role play.

Beginning the Interview

1. Employer and applicant greet each other. 2. Employer and applicant establish rapport with a brief

conversation.

The Interview

1. Employer asks applicant the interview questions. 2. Applicant responds to interview questions. 3. Applicant asks interviewer questions.

Ending the Interview

1. Applicant inquires when a decision will be made about the position.

2. Employer and applicant make closing conversation. 3. Employer and applicant express appreciation for the interview to

each other.

C Read the Useful Language you can use when the interviewer invites questions. Place a check mark./ nex~ to the expressions you like best.

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USEFUL LANGUAGE: RESPONDING TO AN INTERVIEWER'S INVITATION FOR QUESTIONS

Employer asks, "Do you have any questions about the job?"

Interviewee replies:

As a matter of fact, I do. Please tell me ...

Yes, I have· one. What ....

Thank you. I have a couple. My first question is ....

STEP 5 I Practice Your Job Interview Role Play

A Practice your role play with your partner at least three times. Record it and listen to it at least once.

B Complete the interview checklist. Is there anything you want to improve before you present your role play in class? (Note: The checklist is for the "applicant" only. The "interviewer" will not be evaluated.)

Speech Checklist YES NO

1. I opened the interview with a greeting. 0 0 2. I made brief conversation. 0 0 3. I prepared responses to five questions. 0 0 4. I answered questions specifically and thoroughly. 0 0 5. I asked the employer questions about the job. 0 0 6. I appeared friendly and courteous. 0 0 7. I maintained good eye contact and posture. 0 0 8. I dressed appropriately for the interview. 0 0 9. I asked when a decision would be made about the job. 0 0

10. I shook hands and thanked the employer for the interview. 0 0 11. My intonation is clear and correct. 0 0 12. The interview is between four and five minutes. 0 0

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