part1unit1Jobinterview.docVIP

Part One Business Communication Unit 1 Job Interviews TEXT No Job Interview, No Job Offer I nterviews don’t just count1 – they count the most. Take yourself back a few weeks. Maybe you wrote a terrific resume and cover letter2, networked with the right people, got yourself invited to the interview through sheer persistence, or just had a stroke of good luck. Whatever methods you used, congratulations; you a re a “winner” at this stage of the job search. You’ve become successful at what others only dream of achieving – grabbing the interest and attention of employers who decide it’s now time to see you in person. They need to further evaluate your qualifications to determine if you will fit into their organization. But it’s now a whole new ball game. While writing resumes, following job leads3, and contacting employers are very important job search activities, the job interview is what really counts. Indeed, the job interview is the prerequisite4 to getting the job. No job interview, no job offer. No job offer, no job. You simply must perform well in the job interview if you are to land the job. The skills you used in writing, distributing, and following up5 your resumes and letters, researching companies, and networking helped get you an invitation to meet hiring officials in person. You now have a personal invitation – the door is open for you to meet those who have the power to hire. Now you must demonstrate another set of important skills once inside that door – your ability to conduct an effective interview. This means knowing how to best handle the interview situation and the interview process. It involves everything from greeting the hiring official, engaging in small talk, both answering and asking questions, and following up the interview within 48 hours. Interviewer Goals and Expectations The interviewer expects that an applicant who is invited to an interview will be at his best – both in appearance and behavior. You will have conducted basic resear