Transcript Interviews - Bilkent University

Writing Application Letters
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What
Why
How
Specific & Short
Salary information
Show some personality
Aim for high quality
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Solicited versus Unsolicited
Solicited Application Letter: In
response to an announced job
opening
Requirements of the organization
 Unsolicited Application Letter: To
an organization that has not
announced an opening.
Needs of the employer
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Organizing Application Letters
Getting Attention: Use AIDA
(Attention-Interest-Desire-Action)
Opening paragraph:
Reason
Middle Section:
Strengths
Final Paragraph:
Specific action & Respond
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Application Follow-Ups
Within a month
=> Write to keep your file active
 Follow-up letter [3 months later]:
– You’ve continued to add to your
skills or that you’ve learned more
about the company or the
industry
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Understanding the
Interview Process
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Dual purpose:
Finding the best person
available for the job
Your main objective: Finding
the best job suitable for your
goals & capabilities
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Typical Sequence of
Interviews
I) Screening Stage
II) Selection Stage
III) Final Stage
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Common Types of Interviews
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Structured Interviews
Open-Ended Interviews
Group Interviews
Stress Interviews
Video Interviews
Situational (Behavioral) Interviews
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What employers look for in an
interview?
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Suitability for the specific job is
judged on the basis of:
– Academic preparation
– Work experience
– Job-related personality traits
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Preemployment Testing
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Integrity tests: Ethical or legal issues
Personality tests: General character for
the demands of a specific situation
Job skills tests: Assess the competency
to perform a job
Substance tests: Drug & alcohol testing
Background tests: Verifying credentials
in CV, learning if you have a criminal
history etc.
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Preparing for a job interview:
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Learn about the organization
Think ahead about questions
a) Planning for the Employer’s
Questions (Table 15-2)
b) Planning questions of your
own (Table 15-3)
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Bolster Your Confidence &
Polish Your Interview Style
Positive traits
 Weaknesses versus strengths
 Role-playing
 Eye contact, sitting, speaking, voice
 Avoid: You know, like, um etc.
(Table 15-4)
 Be ready when you arrive
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Every interview has these stages:
I)The Warm-up
II) The Question-and-Answer Stage
III) The Close
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Interview Notes
Keep a written record of your job
interviews
 Briefly summarize the interviewer’s
answers to your questions
 Evaluate your performance during
the interview
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Following up after the interview
1) Thank-you-message: Express your
thanks within 2 days
Acknowledge the interviewer’s
time and courtesy, convey your
continued interest and then ask
politely for a decision
Keep your message brief and
organize it like a routine message
Sound positive without sounding
overconfident. Figure 15-3
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2) Message of Inquiry
If not taken an answer by the
promised date or within 2 weeks
 Appropriate if received a job offer
from a second firm
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3) Request for a time extension
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Preface your request with a friendly
opening; ask for more time, stressing
your enthusiasm for the organization
Conclude by allowing for a quick
decision if your request for additional
time is denied
Ask for a prompt reply confirming the
time extension if the organization grants
it
Direct request, but be careful to show
your continued interest.
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4) Letter (e-mail) of acceptance
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When you receive a job offer that you
want to accept, reply within 5 days
Begin by accepting the position &
expressing thanks
Cover any necessary details
Conclude by saying that you look
forward to reporting for work
Be careful: Legally binding contract
Positive letter: Should convey your
enthusiasm & eagerness to cooperate
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5) Letter declining a job offer
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The model for negative messages
Open warmly, state the reasons for
refusing the offer
Decline the offer explicitly & close on
a pleasant note, expressing gratitude
By taking the time to write a sincere,
tactful letter, you leave the door open
for future contact.
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6) Letter of resignation
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Should always be written in a gracious &
professional style that avoids criticism of
your employer or your colleagues
Follow the bad news plan & make the
letter sound positive
Say stg. favorable about the
organization, people or what you’ve
learned in the job
State your intention to leave & give the
date of your last day on the job
Give at least 2 weeks notice Checklist 19