Page 77 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Advanced Communication Skills

Notes 3. Updating your resume: The accomplishments file serves as a springboard to reassessing
your resume. The file contains content for selective resume inclusion, if we assume that a
resume must be accomplishments-based rather than descriptive of one’s responsibilities,
and then the file serves to jog one’s memory about recent notable activities.
4. Re-assessing your resume: Even if you have sent your best-yet resume, review it thoroughly
and know everything that is on it. Be prepared to discuss supplementary experiences that
might be important to this employer. Focus on experiences you feel are most relevant and
match them to the employer’s needs. Practicing typical and targeted interview questions
is essential. Be able to answer the following basic questions:

(a) Why are you interested in this field?
(b) Why are you interested in this company?
(c) Why are you interested in this position?
Be prepared to discuss anything on your resume. Be prepared to answer questions/issues
you really do not want to answer. For example:
(a) your greatest weakness
(b) your lack of related experience

(c) your lack of leadership experiences
(d) your record of job-hopping.
5. Prepare questions to ask: These questions should reflect your research on the company
and position, and should never include questions whose answers are readily available in
company literature or website. Do not ask about salary or benefits.
6. Follow-up:

(a) Send a thank-you note within 24-48 hours of your interview.
(b) Send one to every person who interviewed you.
(c) E-mail is acceptable, but follow protocols for formal business correspondence, which
is always more formal than typical e-mail.
(d) Use the thank you note to reiterate your interest and to emphasize your specific
qualifications for the position.

Factors Contributing towards Successful Interview

Many factors contribute towards success in an interview. Some of these are enumerated below:

1. Dressing for the interview: Appearance is very important and good grooming is essential.
Your hair should be neat and stylish. Your nails should be well manicured and clean.
2. Establishing rapport: Since the interviewer’s job is to make sure that not only your skill,
but your personality as well is a good match; you must establish rapport with the person
interviewing you. That begins the instant you walk in to the door. Let the interviewer set
the tone. Nothing is as awkward as offering your hand and having the gesture not returned
by the other person. Therefore, you should wait for the interviewer to offer his/her hand
first, but be ready to offer your hand immediately. Some experts suggest talking at the
same rate and tone as the interviewer. For interviewer is speaking softly, so should you.

3. Body language: Body language gives more away about us than speech. Eye contact is very
important, but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is always inviting.

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