Employment Communication

Searching for a Job Position

• When searching for a job position, you

have the option to:
• Consult various established services
• Use contacts [networking]
• Use your own initiative

• Internet and social media emerged as

important domains in searching for jobs
• online job advertisements
• online job applications
• professional social networking identity
 Searching for a Job Position

Questions:

• What job do you like/are you passionate

doing? Why?
• Is the job in line with your degree and
experience? Why does this matter?
• Are you open to explore other jobs?
Why? Why not?
• Are you ready for the job?
Job Search Channels
Job Search Channels
Job Search Channels
 Résumé
• A résumé is an informative, comprehensive
document about your qualifications, experience
and achievements
• aka curriculum vitae [CV]
• Should be targeted at a job position you are
applying
• Highlight relevant attributes and skills
• Make it easy for employer to identify your
strengths
• Acts as passport to your getting an interview
• Reflects who you are
Résumé
First impressions count
• format and organize the information skillfully and
professionally

• Demonstrate personal standards of excellence and good

written communication skills
• two attributes valued by employers

• Try and keep resumes to no more than 3 pages

– Recipient will appreciate clear and concise resumes that don’t consume too
much of their time
– Don’t clutter them up with too much information
– Strike right balance in providing sufficient information
– Enhance chances of resume being read with a good cover letter
Writing the Résumé

• The common parts in a résumé are:

1. name, address, telephone number, email
2. employment objective or profile statement
3. educational qualifications
4. professional or work experience
5. achievements
6. activities and interests
7. referees

• Vary the order of the parts, to suit the criteria for a particular job, or to
highlight your strengths
Writing the Résumé

Highlight your skills, experience and strengths

• “When you have found a [job] position you want, give

yourself the best chance of gaining the attention of an
employer or recruitment agency by assessing your
qualifications, skills, interests, values and attitudes.
Then match them to the requirements of the [job]
position and write a persuasive and powerful resume
and covering letter”.
[Dwyer, 2016, p.632]
Writing the Résumé

Command Attention – Hear ye! Hear ye!

• Identify the specific benefits you could bring to the job position
• Show the extent to which you match the needs of the employer
• Choose the type of résumé that suits your qualifications and
experience
• Use a writing style that makes the information accessible and
interesting to read (power of verbs)
• Use key words that relate to the position’s requirements
• Include a covering letter that highlights the strengths you would
bring to the position.
Writing Guidelines for Résumés

• Use clear, comprehensible English

• Use keywords (verbs are power words)
• Remove unnecessary words
• Avoid clichés
• Use specific language
• Use technical terms carefully
• Use the active voice
• Choose non-discriminatory, inclusive language
Use Power Words
Résumé Writing Style

• In a résumé, write action-oriented short

statements that are direct and easy to
understand

• Avoid sprawling sentences with too many

points or ideas to grasp, or too many
qualifications to each point (be succinct)
Résumé Headings
Résumé Headings
 Résumé Layout
• Use bold CAPITALS for your name on page 1
• Put your name on top of page 2 [and 3]
• Put section headings, skills headings and important
information in bold
• Spell out numbers up to ten
• Spell out abbreviations unless they are obvious
• Employ good use of white space
• Remain consistent in terms of font style and size
Types of Résumé
Chronological résumé
• includes all the usual parts of a résumé with appropriate headings,
but is simpler and shorter than functional and targeted résumés

Functional résumé
• places emphasis on skills and experience gained through previous
employment

Targeted résumé
• emphasises skills and experiences relevant to a specific job
• focuses on skills and capabilities, rather than history
• tailored to a specific job/interest
 Effective Referees & References
• A reference highlights your skills and work experiences
• References relevant to the position support the claims in your
résumé
• References from previous employers, managers or supervisors
can give credibility to claims made in the résumé
• Reference checks are usually made by a potential employer to
establish an applicant’s stability, loyalty, capabilities,
personality and ability to take instructions and act accordingly

• Many job adverts request telephone contact details of

referees as opposed to written references

• Always advise / seek approval from telephone referees

Cover Letter

• A cover letter is a brief, specific letter of application designed to

persuade the receiver to read the accompanying résumé.

• The cover letter should contain three main parts:

1. the introduction expresses interest in the job and applies for
the position
2. the body points out specific qualities, qualifications and
experiences mentioned in your résumé and states your interest
in the organisation
3. the conclusion indicates where and how you can be reached for
an interview
Cover Letter Formula

•A – command attention
•I – spark interest
•D – invite desire
•A – call to action
Cover Letter Formula

•Depending on your job scope and

intention, what might you mention in a
cover letter that would spark interest and
desire to contact you?
• Beekeeping?
• Organic farming?
• Scuba diving for a cause?
• Reading and writing group?
• Shark and coral protection?
Corresponding
Job Advert
Cover Letter –
Example

Any feedback?
Cover Letter –
Example

Any feedback?
 Be inviting/spark interest in the beginning…
I have always been a fan of teachers since childhood, especially when my primary 6
teacher lauded me for having the ability to influence others through persuasive and
passionate speech. It happened during an oratorical competition in school, in which I
won. In my innocent mind, I was brought to the world of rhetoric, persuasive speech
and critical thinking and I realized how important these skills are in this day and age.

I believe that teaching is both persuasion and passion. With my experience and
expertise, I can contribute to the development of the Communication Department of
University X by co-creating knowledge with students through lectures, interacting with
fellow communication professionals, conducting research for knowledge building and
sharing, and learning from each other through authentic dialogues.
Job Interviews
• Some of the goals of job interviews are to:
➢gather information from interviewees to help predict their future
performance
➢determine the applicants’ ability to work with others and ‘fit’ into the
organisational culture
➢allow applicants to present themselves well
➢inform applicants about the job and the organisation
Types of Job Interviews
• Single Interview – is a job interview conducted by one
interviewer who is responsible for interviewing all
applicants and selecting the successful candidate.
• Series Interview – comprises several interviews conducted
in turn by several interviewers who collectively decide on
the successful candidate.
• Panel Interview – is an interview conducted by a group of
interviewers together who collectively decide on the
successful candidate.
• Virtual interview – is conducted at a distance via Skype or
similar video call applications, webcam or other virtual
conferencing systems.
• Stress interview – the interviewer behaves in a way
intended to place to interviewee under stress with a view
to seeing how they react under pressure.
Preparing for the interview
• PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE
• Review documentation provided
• Identify additional documentation that could be presented at interview
• Role play an interview scenario with a friend or relative

• Dress and groom appropriately for the interview

• Look as relaxed and confident as possible
• Provide positive first impression
• Strong voice
• Firm handshake
• Smile
• Confident posture
• First impression based on voice and appearance do count and are often critical
Source = Eunson, 2012 [Ch20]
Types of Questioning Techniques
❖ Open Question – a question that requires a general / open
answer with some breadth
❖ Closed Question – a question that requires a specific and short
response
❖Directive Question – a question that is targeted to specific aspects of the
candidate’s resume and experience, capabilities and skills.
❖Behavioural Question – a question designed to find out how the candidate has or
would react in a particular situation
❖Forced-choice Question – a question designed to see if the candidate gives priority
to one set of skills or values over another.
❖Creativity Question – a question designed to see if a candidate could cope with
unexpected or bizarre situations and /or concepts.
Source = Eunson, 2012 [Ch20]
 Commonly Asked Interview Questions
1. Why do you want this job?
2. Why do you want to leave your current situation?
3. Tell me about yourself . ***
4. What is your greatest weakness?
5. Give me an example where you have taken the initiative on something.
6. How would you compare your interpersonal skills to your technical skills?
7. How would you handle a situation in which …… ? [job related scenario posed]
8. Tell me about a time when you have shown leadership.
9. What do you think your referees would say about you?
10. Do you prefer to work alone or in a group?
11. Tell me about a time you failed at something.
12. How do you handle stress?
13. Tell me about a time you had a personality conflict with another person.
14. What goals do you want to achieve in the next five years?
15. What makes you better than all the other applicants we are talking to?

Source = Eunson, 2012 [Ch20 – Table 20.3]

Let’s Practise!

•Position: A marketing research analyst at

Company Y whose main products are wines.

•“So, tell me about yourself.”

Dealing with “Tell me about yourself” question
• Take a risk to get personable (to show what you can
do/achieve)
• Don’t be boring (latest interest, hobby, adventure)
• Show your purpose and passion (what makes you
energetic every day – link to the job position)
• Be authentic (pictures, videos)
• Identify the need and fill that need
• Be honest and truthful
(CNBC, 2019; HBR, 2019)
 Sample Answer – from Yale University
• “I graduated last year from Yale, where I majored in Data Science and Environmental
Engineering, with a specific interest in fashion and sustainability. The field is so aligned with
everything I loved doing as a kid: Volunteering at Street Care events, joining a community
garden, thrift shopping, and making my own clothes.
• I first became interested in sustainability because I wanted to work with a company whose
mission is to promote a new textile economy — one that will protect the future of our planet.
When I learned that the fashion industry will consume a quarter of the world’s annual carbon
budget by 2050, I decided to organize a campus fundraising event to help fight textile waste.
• We raised more than $10,000 and donated an entire truck of unwanted clothing to a local
homeless shelter. It was one of my proudest accomplishments. At my last job, I helped develop
a new technology that turns cotton waste into new materials that can be used for many
industrial purposes.
• I’m very excited about this opportunity at your company because it would allow me to use my
knowledge and experience to educate people about how their actions — like their shopping
habits and what brands they support — can make a serious impact on our environment.”
Job Interviews - dealing with questions

• 17-minute video showing the

do’s and don’ts with respect
to commonly asked
interview questions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFTNOF77bMs

41
Job Interviews - dealing with questions
• Advice on answering one
of the most challenging
interview questions “Tell
me about yourself”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ezFNrWMTlc

• Short video highlighting

the “do’s and don’ts” in
answering the common
interview question “Tell
me something about
yourself”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OjDRKguXj8
42
 The post-interview stage

• A follow-up letter [email] shows

appreciation for the employer’s interest,
reiterates your interest in the position
and the organisation, and reviews or
reminds the employer about your
qualifications for the position.

• A letter of acceptance is a courteous

letter stating acceptance of an offer of
employment.
Problems in Interviews
• Problems include:
• poor planning by the interviewer or the applicant
• too much attention given to negative or irrelevant information
• lack of objectives and structure in the interview
• little knowledge by the interviewer of the job under discussion
• applicant’s lack of knowledge about the position and the company
• interviewer’s lack of knowledge about the applicant
• the influence of personal attitudes, stereotypes and bias and judging the
applicant on inappropriate criteria (merit principle)
• poor listening by the interviewer or the applicant, resulting in their
hearing only part of the answers provided or questions
Electronic résumés

• An electronic résumé is a plain-text document that can be

searched by a computer for keywords

• The keywords
– provide an employer with information
regarding a job candidate’s professional
experience, education and qualifications
Résumé for today’s technologies

• In an electronic résumé:
• content is the primary feature
• uniform presentation is essential
• keywords are essential

• Employers and recruiters increasingly rely on electronic

résumés, résumé posting boards and job banks
Keyword matches

• The database searches the application for keywords describing:

• job titles, responsibilities and descriptions
• educational requirements, including certificates,
diplomas and degrees
• professional qualifications, memberships and
accreditations
• technical and computer knowledge
• abilities and personality traits
Electronic résumés - Evidence section

• The first part of any résumé contains personal details and the
employment objective

• The second part is the evidence section

Example – matching the advert to evidence section

advert

résumé
Internet résumé posting banks
• Internet résumé posting banks provide online forms for
you to use to input your résumé into their databank

• Guiding questions:
• How is the résumé to be used?
• Is it to apply for a specific vacant position, to answer a recruiting drive or for
submission to a database in the hope of being headhunted at some later date?
• Will it go to a local, national or global database?
• Can I remove it from the database?
• How secure is the database?
• Who has access to it and how long will it be held on the database?
Résumés as an e-portfolio
• An e-portfolio is an extensive résumé that is linked to an
electronic repository that contains digital files consisting of
skills and qualification based evidence
• These files are accessed using hyperlinks and menus
• As well as the résumé, it may include references, a blog,
pictures, videos or a demo reel
• Use keywords throughout the portfolio to make it searchable
LinkedIn Profile – LinkedIn Resume

• A LinkedIn profile highlights education and past work

experience, which makes it appear similar to a résumé;
however, its focus is on networking with likeminded people.
• Appear/look professional and/or authentic