Business Communications

(13 of 13)

MARIA ASUNCION
 Cover Letter & Resume Until 11AM

Practice writing a cover letter and resume

by following the chronological style.

If you already have your own cover letter

and resume prepared, you may edit it so it follows
some of the suggestions from the textbook.

Send it to mariakasuncion@gmail.com when

completed, so I may help you proofread, edit and
evaluate the effectiveness of these vital documents.
 Test Tomorrow & Other Info

—  The test will be based on Chapters 8 to 11

—  The chapters will be studying this week: 12 and 13

will not be on the test because we will be working on
creating cover letters and resumes, and practicing
job interviews in class
—  If you would like me to look over any written practice
you’ve completed, this will be the last week that I
look over Business Communications work
 Interview & Follow-Up

—  Most people get very stressed over job interviews

—  The key to be less nervous is to be very prepared

—  Before we look into how we can prepare for

interviews, let’s take a look at the different types of

employment interviews
 Types of Interviews

—  Screening interviews

—  Hiring/placement interviews

—  One-on-one interviews

—  Panel interviews

—  Group interviews

—  Sequential interviews

—  Stress interviews

—  Online, video and virtual interviews

 Before the Interview (p. 305-310)
—  After you submit your resume, you might be called
by the recruiter to book an interview
—  So it’s important to use professional phone etiquette,
which we learned earlier
—  But to reinforce some of the things we learned,
remember:
¡  To leave concise and formal voice message
¡  To answer the call from a recruiter in a quiet location

¡  To make a good first impression

¡  To prepare by researching your desired workplace (you

can visit the website of the company, and look over their
goals, image, branding, etc.)
 Before the Interview (p. 305-310)

Here are some suggestions from the textbook, which

may combat against your nervousness:
—  Practise interviewing
—  Prepare thoroughly
—  Understand the process
—  Dress professionally
—  Breathe deeply
—  Know that you are not alone
—  Remember that in interview is a 2-way street
 During the Interview (p. 310-318)
You can send positive nonverbal messages and act
professionally; here are some tips from the book:
—  Control your body movements
—  Exhibit good posture
—  Practise appropriate eye contact
—  Use gestures effectively
—  Smile enough to convey a positive attitude
—  Listen attentively
—  Turn off your devices
—  Don’t chew gum
 During the Interview (p. 310-318)

—  You should also sound sincere, interested and

enthusiastic
—  You should answer every question confidently

—  Take a look at the sheets I’ve handed out

—  Those are a list of questions we will be taking turns
reading out loud
—  Think of how you’d answer that question; you can
write notes on your computer or on paper after we
read the questions together
 During the Interview (p. 310-318)

Make sure to be aware of illegal and inappropriate

questions that an inconsiderate interviewer may ask
1.  Are you married, divorced, separated, single, or
living common-law?
2.  Is your spouse subject to transfer in his/her job?
Tell me about your spouse’s job.
3.  What is your corrected vision?
4.  Do you have any disabilities? Do you drink or take
drugs? Have you ever had psychiatric care or been
hospitalized for emotional problems? Have you
ever received worker’s compensation?
 During the Interview (p. 310-318)

5. Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been

convicted of a crime? (Note that this is different from
an interviewer asking for your police record check.)
6. How old are you? What is your date of birth? Can I
see your birth certificate? (Note that this is different
from an interviewer asking for your ID.)
7. In what countries do you have a current address?
8. What is your maiden name?
9. What is your religion?
10. Do you have children?
 During the Interview (p. 310-318)

11. Where were you born? Were you born in Canada?

Can you provide proof of citizenship? (Note that these
are inappropriate, but it is legal for them to ask if you
can legally work in Canada.)
12. What is your first language? Where did you receive
your language training? (Note that it is okay to ask if
you can understand, read, write, and speak the
language[s] required for the job.)
13. How much do you weight? How tall are you?
14. What is your sexual orientation?
15. Are you under medical care?
 After the Interview (p. 318-320)

—  Thank your interviewer

¡  End the interview by thanking the interviewer,
reviewing your strengths for this position, and asking
what action will follow.
¡  A
follow-up thank-you message shows your good
manners and your enthusiasm for the job.
¡  Thank you for taking the time to interview me.
¡  Today’s
interview was enjoying; thank you for the
opportunity.
 After the Interview (p. 318-320)

—  Contact your references

¡  Afterwards, it’s time to tell the let your references know

¡  You might have to ask for a letter of recommendation

from your references

¡  You can also inform your references about the job

position and interview you had (face-to-face or call them)
 After the Interview (p. 318-320)

—  Request for a letter of recommendation

Dear Professor Orenstein:
Recently I interviewed for the position of administrative
assistant in the Human Resources Department of Host
International. Because you kindly agreed to help me, I’d
like to ask you to be available by phone to provide a
recommendation to Host.

The position calls for good organizational, interpersonal,

and writing skills, as well as computer experience. To
help you review my skills and training, I enclose…
 After the Interview (p. 318-320)

my resume. As you may recall, I earned an A in your

business communication class last fall; and you
commended my research report for its clarity and
organization.

You can expect to hear from James Jenkins at Host

International (jjenkins@hinternational.com) before
July 1. He said he’d call in the morning before 10AM.
I’m grateful for your support, and I promise to let you
know the results of my job search.
 After the Interview (p. 318-320)

Dear Ms. Kahn:

I enjoyed my interview with you last Thursday for the
receptionist position. You should know that I’m very
interested in this opportunity with Coastal Enterprises.
Because you mentioned that you might have an answer
this week, I’m eager to know how your decision
process is coming along. I look forward to hearing
from you.

Sincerely,
Other Employment Documents (p. 321-323)

—  Application form
¡  Some organizations will ask you to apply online
through their database via an application form
¡  The application form will ask for your information,
such as name, address, email address and phone
number
¡  It will also ask you many questions on how you handle
work situations
¡  Make sure that you answer honestly, and that you
proofread your work
¡  Most of the time, they will ask you to attach your
resume
Other Employment Documents (p. 321-323)

—  Application or resume follow-up message (p. 322)

Dear Ms. Lavecchia:
Please know I am still interested in becoming an
administrative support specialist with Quad, Inc.
Since submitting my application in May, I have
completed my degree and have been employed as a
summer replacement for office workers in several
downtown offices. This experience has honed my
communication and project management skills. It has
also introduced me to a wide range of office
procedures.
Other Employment Documents (p. 321-323)

Please keep my application in your active file and let

me know when I may put my formal training, technical
skills, and practical experience to work you for you.

Sincerely,
 Rejection Follow-up Message (p. 322)

Dear Mr. O’Neal:

Although I’m disappointed that someone else was

selected for your accounting position, I appreciate your
promptness and courtesy in notifying me.

Because I firmly believe that I have the technical and

interpersonal skills needed to work in your fast-paced
environment, I hope you will keep my resume in your
active file. My desire to become a productive member
of Deloitte staff remains strong.
 Rejection Follow-up Message (p. 322)

I enjoyed our interview, and I especially appreciate the

time you and Ms. Goldstein spent describing your
company’s present in international markets. To
enhance my qualifications, I have enrolled in a CFA
(Chartered Financial Analyst) program.

If you have an opening for which I am qualified, please

reach me at 519-555-3901. In the meantime, I will call
you in a month to discuss employment possibilities.

Sincerely,
 Job Acceptance (p. 322-323)

Dear Ms. Madhumali:

It was a pleasure talking with you earlier today. As I

mentioned, I am delighted to accept the position of
Web designer with Innovative Creations, Inc., in your
Richmond office. I look forward to becoming part of
the IC team and to start working on a variety of
exciting and innovative projects. …
 Job Acceptance (p. 322-323)

I look forward to starting my position with Innovative

Creations on September 15, 2019. Before that date I
will send the completed tax and insurance forms you
need. Thanks again for everything, Ms. Madhumali.

Sincerely,
 Rejection Message (p. 323)

Dear Mr. Opperman:

Thank you very much for offering me the position of

sales representative with Bendall Pharmaceuticals. It
was a difficult decision to make, but I have accepted a
position with another company.

I appreciate your taking the time to interview me, and

I wish Bendall much success in the future.

Sincerely,
 Prepare for a Mock Interview
Now that we’ve finished the last chapter
of Business Communications, let’s try to
practice what we’ve learned about job
interviews.

Look over the bolded questions of the Interview

Questions sheet given to you earlier. I will give you
some time to look over the questions and to think of
your answers to them.

We will be holding a mock group interview soon.

 Test Tomorrow & Other Info

—  The test will be based on Chapters 8 to 11

—  The chapters will be studying this week: 12 and 13

will not be on the test because we will be working on
creating cover letters and resumes, and practicing
job interviews in class
—  If you would like me to look over any written practice
you’ve completed, this will be the last week that I
look over Business Communications work