6. Conducting yourself during the interview

Treat everyone you meet with scrupulous courtesy. Greet the interviewer by name, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile. Show interest in everything the interviewer is saying. Answer each question in a positive, confident, forthright manner. Control nervousness. Some researchers say that only 10 per cent of communication is in your words; the rest is in how you look and act. Plan what to wear and consider situations that might arise so you can deal with them comfortably. Plan what you bring to the interview. Get a business card from your interviewer or host. Finally, don’t try to take charge of the interview.

To find out more about how a candidate will fit with a job, interviewers may ask

1. situational questions;

1. stress questions;

1. questions about weak points;

1. job-related questions;

1. questions that discriminate

You will be evaluated on these four criteria:

1. Education and experience.

1. Mental qualities.

1. Manner and personal traits.

1. Appearance.

7. Communicating after the interview

Immediately after the interview, conduct a self-appraisal of your performance. Try to recall each question that was asked and evaluate your response. Also reevaluate your resume. Determine too whether you can improve your application letter on the basis of your interview experience. Make a computer entry or a file card for each interview listing the interviewer’s name, address, and phone number, the date of the interview, and any follow-up activity. Send a short thank-you note immediately after the interview and reaffirm your interest in the job. Your thank-you note should be short and may be either typed or handwritten.

If you have not heard from the interviewer by the deadline date for making a decision, telephone or email him/her for a status report. Your inquiry will keep your name and your interest in the position in the interviewer’s mind. Is someone else has been selected, you can continue your job search.

Supplementary material

PREPARING THE BUSINESS PRESENTATION

PLAN.

1. The role of business presentations.

2. Planning the formal business presentation.

3. Organizing the presentation.

4. Work-team presentations.

5. Other business presentations.

1. The role of business presentations

Almost everyone in business is required to give a presentation occasionally to customers, superiors, subordinates, or colleagues. The costs of ineffective presentations are immense: sales are lost, vital information is not communicated, policies are not implemented, and profits fall.

WRITTEN VERSUS ORAL PRESENTATIONS

An oral presentation may be made either in conjunction with or in place of a written report. You’ll need to weigh a number of factors when you decide to communicate orally or in writing: the complexity of the material, the size of the audience, the costs.

Advantages of oral presentations – provide immediate feedback; allow speaker control; require less work for the audience.

Disadvantages of oral presentations – they do not provide a permanent record of the information and often are very expensive.

THE PROCESS OF MAKING A BUSINESS PRESENTATION

1. Planning – purpose, audience, timing, method of delivery;

2. Organizing – collecting and outlining the data;

3. Developing visual aids;

4. Practicing – rehearsing by simulating;

5. Delivering – dressing, eye contact, answering questions.