chapter 9 employment communication
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter Index
S. No
Reference
No
Particulars
Slide
From-To
1 Learning Objectives 3
2 Topic 1 Application Letter 4-6
3 Topic 2 BIOS and Resumes 7-10
4 Topic 3 References 11-12
5 Topic 4 Group Discussion Skills 13-15
6 Topic 5 Interview 16-19
Learning Objectives
Explain the importance of a well written application letter
Describe how to write impressive bios and resumes
Explain how to write reference letters to get the desired job
Improve the group discussion skills
Explain how good interview skills can help in communicating with employers
Application Letter
A resume without an application
letter fires a shot in the dark.
Without an application letter, you
appear to be sending resumes
randomly and mechanically.
Sample
Application
Letter
The application letter you send
with your resume initiates
contact with the person
who holds the power to hire you.
Purpose of an Application Letter
The various purposes of an application letter are:
Introduces you and your credentials to the prospective employer.
Highlights reasons for your interest in the company and the position.
It is a kind of sales letter that tells why you are particularly qualified
for that specific job. Remember you are trying to market yourself.
Establishes a more personal connection with a prospective employer in
a way that the resume cannot.
Guidelines to Write an Application Letter
Follow the accepted format for writing an application letter.
Format your letter on one page, typed and single spaced.
Ensure that the application letter is grammatically correct and error-free
Address the letter to a specific person
and don‟t guess at gender.
Capture the interest of the reader by displaying your interest in the
company and the industry.
Express enthusiasm and self-confidence
Be patient, polite and persistent in your follow-up.
Emphasise what you can contribute to the organisation, not what they
can do for you.
BIOS and Resumes
A bios is a small biographical profile of an individual which includes
details that can be leveraged during networking activities.
A bios is best utilised to convey an individual‟s background in a crisp
narrative format while networking.
A Sample Bios
Contents of Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that the job applicants use in place of a resume while applying for jobs.
Characteristics of an Effective Resume/CV
It should clearly convey details
of academic and professional
experiences.
All details should be listed chronologically (most recent first).
The main elements of a CV or resume are shown below:
Personal Information
Educational Qualification
Project/Internships Undertaken
Achievements/Awards
Professional Experience
Publications, Conferences
Areas of Interest
Languages Known
Tips for Preparing an Impressive CV/ Resume
The CV structure should begin with all the „need-to-know‟ details such as name and contact information.
The personal statement should not be more than one or two short paragraphs
List the work history in reverse chronological order.
Add details such as qualifications and training of his/her career or academic background.
The resume should be one page long unless you have extensive related experience.
Leave space for the readers‟ attention by using wide margins and bullets to set off text.
Use good quality white or off-white paper for printing the resume/CV.
Use clear and dark 10 to 12-point font type.
Proofread the resume/CV several times to omit spelling errors, punctuation errors.
Some of the best practices on how to write an effective CV are as follows:
References
A reference page is a list of the
names of referees who can
verify the applicant‟s details.
A Sample
Reference
List
Things to keep in mind while creating a reference list.
Applicants should give the full contact information for each reference.
Validate and proofread the information before forwarding it.
At the top of the page, use a title like “References” or “References for XYZ
Be consistent with the formatting and information provided for each reference.
If the employer does not specify the number of references required, the job seeker should provide three to five references.
Group Discussion Skills
Communication Skills
Analysing and Interpreting
Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Persuasive Skills
Behavioural traits assessed
through a group discussion
Group discussion is a systematic exchange of
information, views and opinions of participants on
a topic or issue who share certain common
objectives.
Preparing for Group Discussion
Gu
ideli
nes
tha
t sh
ou
ld b
e t
ak
en
ca
re w
hil
e
pre
pari
ng f
or
gro
up
dis
cuss
ion
Ensure you contribute to the group
Manage your body language
Manage conflicts effectively
Manage your time
Include others
Be a team player
Some tips to perform well during a group discussion exercise:
Be a good listener. Acknowledge everyone else and what they say.
Articulate views in a way which is comprehensible to
others.
Structure your thoughts and present them logically.
Read newspapers, current affairs, essays and articles
to develop thought structuring.
Respect others for what they are.
Be open-minded and acknowledge the fact that people think differently
about issues.
Train the mind for analytical thinking.
Interview
An interview is a formal discussion between an employer and an applicant,
generally in person, for exchange of information intended to establish the
applicant‟s suitability for a position.
Benefits of
Interview
Interviews provide an
opportunity for employers
to decide how well a
candidate‟s skills align
with the organisation‟s
needs.
Interview allow applicants
to get acquainted with
prospective colleagues and
decide if the job meets
their expectations.
Types of Interviews
Structured interview
Unstructured interview
Stress interview
Behavioural interview
Problem solving or
case interview
Types of Interviews
Interview Dos and Don‟ts
Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing too fancy clothes or too casual clothes.
Be sure to reach the venue at least 10 minutes early.
Practise some expected answers to ease the anxiety.
Carry all relevant documents to refer to them if necessary.
Listen to the questions and answer after giving each question some
thought.
Maintain eye-contact.
Clear all doubts about the question before answering.
When facing a panel interview, direct the answer to the interviewer who
asks the question.
Interview Dos
Don‟t dress too casually. Don‟t make derogatory remarks about past or
present employers.
Don‟t fidget with the hands/pen/hair. Use hand gestures to support your
answers.
Don‟t interrupt the interviewer in between
his/her question.
Don‟t lie about your abilities or experience.
Don‟t worry or feel anxious in case you don‟t know the
answer to a question.
Don‟t talk about salary, holidays or bonuses unless
specifically discussed by the employer.
Don‟t answer questions with a simple “yes”/“no”. Explain
the answers thoroughly.
Interview Don‟ts