Chapter 9

Employment Communication

Chapter Index

S. No

Reference

No

Particulars

Slide

From-To

1 Learning Objectives 3

2 Topic 1 Application Letter 4-6

3 Topic 2 BIOS and Resumes 7-10

4 Topic 3 References 11-12

5 Topic 4 Group Discussion Skills 13-15

6 Topic 5 Interview 16-19

Learning Objectives

Explain the importance of a well written application letter

Describe how to write impressive bios and resumes

Explain how to write reference letters to get the desired job

Improve the group discussion skills

Explain how good interview skills can help in communicating with employers

Application Letter

A resume without an application

letter fires a shot in the dark.

Without an application letter, you

appear to be sending resumes

randomly and mechanically.

Sample

Application

Letter

The application letter you send

with your resume initiates

contact with the person

who holds the power to hire you.

Purpose of an Application Letter

The various purposes of an application letter are:

Introduces you and your credentials to the prospective employer.

Highlights reasons for your interest in the company and the position.

It is a kind of sales letter that tells why you are particularly qualified

for that specific job. Remember you are trying to market yourself.

Establishes a more personal connection with a prospective employer in

a way that the resume cannot.

Guidelines to Write an Application Letter

Follow the accepted format for writing an application letter.

Format your letter on one page, typed and single spaced.

Ensure that the application letter is grammatically correct and error-free

Address the letter to a specific person

and don‟t guess at gender.

Capture the interest of the reader by displaying your interest in the

company and the industry.

Express enthusiasm and self-confidence

Be patient, polite and persistent in your follow-up.

Emphasise what you can contribute to the organisation, not what they

can do for you.

BIOS and Resumes

A bios is a small biographical profile of an individual which includes

details that can be leveraged during networking activities.

A bios is best utilised to convey an individual‟s background in a crisp

narrative format while networking.

A Sample Bios

Contents of Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that the job applicants use in place of a resume while applying for jobs.

Characteristics of an Effective Resume/CV

It should clearly convey details

of academic and professional

experiences.

All details should be listed chronologically (most recent first).

The main elements of a CV or resume are shown below:

Personal Information

Educational Qualification

Project/Internships Undertaken

Achievements/Awards

Professional Experience

Publications, Conferences

Areas of Interest

Languages Known

Tips for Preparing an Impressive CV/ Resume

The CV structure should begin with all the „need-to-know‟ details such as name and contact information.

The personal statement should not be more than one or two short paragraphs

List the work history in reverse chronological order.

Add details such as qualifications and training of his/her career or academic background.

The resume should be one page long unless you have extensive related experience.

Leave space for the readers‟ attention by using wide margins and bullets to set off text.

Use good quality white or off-white paper for printing the resume/CV.

Use clear and dark 10 to 12-point font type.

Proofread the resume/CV several times to omit spelling errors, punctuation errors.

Some of the best practices on how to write an effective CV are as follows:

References

A reference page is a list of the

names of referees who can

verify the applicant‟s details.

A Sample

Reference

List

Things to keep in mind while creating a reference list.

Applicants should give the full contact information for each reference.

Validate and proofread the information before forwarding it.

At the top of the page, use a title like “References” or “References for XYZ

Be consistent with the formatting and information provided for each reference.

If the employer does not specify the number of references required, the job seeker should provide three to five references.

Group Discussion Skills

Communication Skills

Analysing and Interpreting

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Persuasive Skills

Behavioural traits assessed

through a group discussion

Group discussion is a systematic exchange of

information, views and opinions of participants on

a topic or issue who share certain common

objectives.

Preparing for Group Discussion

Gu

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pre

pari

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gro

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dis

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Ensure you contribute to the group

Manage your body language

Manage conflicts effectively

Manage your time

Include others

Be a team player

Some tips to perform well during a group discussion exercise:

Be a good listener. Acknowledge everyone else and what they say.

Articulate views in a way which is comprehensible to

others.

Structure your thoughts and present them logically.

Read newspapers, current affairs, essays and articles

to develop thought structuring.

Respect others for what they are.

Be open-minded and acknowledge the fact that people think differently

about issues.

Train the mind for analytical thinking.

Interview

An interview is a formal discussion between an employer and an applicant,

generally in person, for exchange of information intended to establish the

applicant‟s suitability for a position.

Benefits of

Interview

Interviews provide an

opportunity for employers

to decide how well a

candidate‟s skills align

with the organisation‟s

needs.

Interview allow applicants

to get acquainted with

prospective colleagues and

decide if the job meets

their expectations.

Types of Interviews

Structured interview

Unstructured interview

Stress interview

Behavioural interview

Problem solving or

case interview

Types of Interviews

Interview Dos and Don‟ts

Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing too fancy clothes or too casual clothes.

Be sure to reach the venue at least 10 minutes early.

Practise some expected answers to ease the anxiety.

Carry all relevant documents to refer to them if necessary.

Listen to the questions and answer after giving each question some

thought.

Maintain eye-contact.

Clear all doubts about the question before answering.

When facing a panel interview, direct the answer to the interviewer who

asks the question.

Interview Dos

Don‟t dress too casually. Don‟t make derogatory remarks about past or

present employers.

Don‟t fidget with the hands/pen/hair. Use hand gestures to support your

answers.

Don‟t interrupt the interviewer in between

his/her question.

Don‟t lie about your abilities or experience.

Don‟t worry or feel anxious in case you don‟t know the

answer to a question.

Don‟t talk about salary, holidays or bonuses unless

specifically discussed by the employer.

Don‟t answer questions with a simple “yes”/“no”. Explain

the answers thoroughly.

Interview Don‟ts