Eighth Edition
8
The Employment
Interview
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
RadioShack’s Resume Woes
Chris Gardner/Associated Press
RadioShack CEO’s Resume
Falsifying Information
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Job-hunting success rates (in percentages) . . .
*10-20% in finance, health care, engineering, or IT
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
The most successful job-hunting method
Before a job interview, conduct 10-40
information interviews
Information interviews provide:
--Specific information
--Feedback
--Referrals
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Conventional (paper) resume
--Formatted to look attractive rather than to be scanned
by computers or stored electronically.
--Organized in the functional, chronological, or
combination (hybrid) styles.
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
The following basic information is suggested . . .
Name, address, phone numbers
Objective or position desired
Education
Areas of knowledge
Job experience
Other information if shows
character & is job-related
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Conventional (paper) resume
Scannable (paper) resume
A conventional paper resume that has been altered into a
“computer friendly” format for electronic storage,
searching, and downloading.
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
The following basic information is suggested . . .
Keyword summary (also called tags)
Awards & professional affiliations
Experience
Education
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Conventional (paper) resume
Scannable (paper) resume
E-mail (ASCII) resume
Comes in two formats:
--The ASCII plain text resume is “bare bones” & designed
to be pasted into an e-mail message.
--The ASCII rich text resume is the conventional or
scannable resume saved in rich text format and sent as an
attachment.
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
The following basic information is suggested . . .
Keyword summary (also called tags)
Experience
Education
Awards & professional affiliations
For plain-text resumes:
--use only keyboard characters
--avoid boldface, italics, underlines, bullets, etc.
--use hard return at end of each line
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
When Preparing a Plain Text Resume . . .
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Conventional (paper) resume
Scannable (paper) resume
E-mail (ASCII) resume
Web (HTML) resume
An electronic portfolio that includes a variety of resumes
as well as links to additional information all posted to your
personal website.
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
The following basic information is suggested . . .
Name, e-mail address & objective/goal
A link to your ASCII resume
A link to your professionally formatted resume
A link to multimedia (video clip or PowerPoint)
Links to information that showcases
qualifications & abilities
Only job-related information
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Preparing a Web Resume
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Address to a specific person
Begin with greeting & position sought
Provide personal information & capabilities
without repeating resume
End by requesting interview
Give phone number &
availability
Use correct grammar
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Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Have positive attitude
Dress for the occasion
--Create a positive impression
--Use impression management
techniques
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Successful interviewers were more likely to . . .
Speak rapidly and forcefully
Look directly at interviewer
Nod head in positive manner
Gesture and smile often
Lean forward, maintain
comfortable postures
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Typical interview types include . . .
The non-structured interview
The structured interview
The hostile or stress interview
The group interview
The video or virtual
interview
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Successful job applicants . . .
Use active, positive, concrete language
Describe weaknesses/disabilities positively
Support answers with examples
Use humor when appropriate
Use jargon common to field
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Anticipate, plan & practice answers to these & other questions . . .
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Anticipate, plan & practice answers to these & other questions . . .
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Some possible questions include . . .
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Responsibilities of interviewee . . .
Be prepared to follow up
Send thank-you note
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Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
Interviewees prefer interviewers who . . .
Show high levels of nonverbal immediacy
(especially, eye contact & open posture)
Ask open questions & give time for answers
Listen to interviewee answers
Limit interruptions
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Responsibilities include . . .
Contact interviewee before interview
Plan the environment
Organize the interview carefully (opening,
question/response, & closing)
Ask only lawful questions>
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EEOC guidelines for lawful interview questions . . .
All questions must be job-related
The same basic questions must be asked
of all applicants
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Why are the following questions unlawful?
Do you own, lease, or rent your home?
You sound Asian--are you from Japan?
Are you pregnant or planning a family?
What religious holidays do you observe?
Are you married, divorced, or single?
Of what clubs are you a member?
(More questions follow)
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8
Lawful & Unlawful Questions
More questions on page 239; answers at back of book
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Responsibilities include . . .
Contact interviewee before interview
Plan the environment
Organize the interview carefully (opening,
question/response & closing)
Ask only lawful questions
Listen carefully to interviewee
Clarify and verify responses
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
How well does this job applicant answer his
interview questions? (text also on p. 242)
© Jason Harris
8
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8
8
Copyright © 2008 Wadsworth / Ch. 8