Writing & Speaking

for BusinessBy William H. Baker

Chapter Seven

Chapter Agenda

Application Letters

Resumes

Interviews

Follow-up Letters

Application Letter

Opening:Opening:Explain Explain purposepurpose

Middle:Middle:Explain Explain attributes attributes

Last:Last:Ask for an Ask for an interviewinterview

Application Letter

Resume

Your Resume

•Your resume is a self-promotion document. Therefore, be appropriately creative.•List education & experience in reverse-chronological order.•In employment history, highlight specific results.•Proofread carefully.•Pay careful attention to appearance.

John H. Doe740 N. 600 E. #1 Provo, UT 84606 (801) 356-3274 john.doe@myplace .com

Interviews

When you are being interviewed

Do your homework

Be prepared

Be sensitive to appearance and body language

Speak confidently, clearly, and fluently

Be honest; don’t pretend to be something you aren’t

Interviews

Use “results” statements and PAR stories

Be sensitive to appearance and body language

Sell three or four main credentials or attributes

Have two or three questions to ask the interviewer

Be prepared to answer surprise questions

Write a thank-you letter

When you are being interviewedConnect all your answers with the job requirements

Interviews

When you are the interviewerStart with a warm-up phase

Take good notes

Prepare interview questions in advance

Avoid illegal questions

Use closed and open questions effectively

Interviews

When you are the interviewer (cont’d.)Use probing questions appropriately

Use behavioral questions appropriately

Be a good listener

Have a list of appropriate questions ready

Follow-up Letters

Write within a day or two of the interview

Include sincere thanks

Include something reminiscent of the interview

Include a statement showing interest in the job

Thank-you Letters/Notes