B.Sc.

(Applied Accounting) General / Special

Degree
Year 1 – Semester 1 – Week 8
Course Code: BCM 10125
Course Title: Business Communication I

Unit 04 – Seeking Employment

4.1. Job Advertisements

1. Look at the following Job advertisement,

underline the key elements and find out the main
components that should be compromised in a job
advertisement.
2. Prepare a job advertisement to recruit an Accounts Intern for Capital Finance PLC
Ltd for a period of 01 year.
4.2. Preparing CV and Writing Covering Letters
There is no golden rule and not every CV has the same sections. A lot depends on your
experience, and where you’re applying to. Though, some parts do stay the same.

The Must-have Sections to Include in a CV:

1.Contact information
2.CV Summary or objective
3.Work experience/ Professional experience
4.Skills
5.Education/ Academic Qualifications
Optional Sections to Include in a CV:
1. Certifications and awards
2. Languages and Extra- Curricular
3. Personal projects
4. Volunteer Experience
5. Non- Related Referees
Here are some of the best practices when it comes to getting your CV layout right:

 Keep it one page in length - You should only go for 2 pages if you’re confident you
can’t summarize yourself in 1 page. Don’t waste your precious CV real estate on your life
story - no one’s going to read it!
 Clear and consistent section heading - Keep the colors, font size, headings consistent
so that it’s easy on the eyes. We’d recommend using a font that stands out, but not too
much. Do use: Ubuntu, Roboto, Overpass, etc. Don’t use: comic sense.
 White-space - Make sure there are enough margins and space between the text so that
the whole thing is easy on the eyes.
 Keep the details clear - pick the right font size (14-16pt for section titles, 11-12pt for
normal text).
 Finally, save your resume as PDF, as Word might change up your CV formatting.

Contact Section of Your CV Should Include:

 First name, Last name - the generally preferred format is Name, Last name.
 Phone number - make sure to include your country code if applying outside your country.
 Email address - your email should be professional, ideally along the lines of [name][last
name]@email.com
 Title - your professional title, either your desired job or the one you’re applying for word
for word.
 Location - are you located in the area? Relocating there in a month or two? Or maybe
you’re looking for a relocation sponsor?
 Aside from the basic contact information, you also might want to consider putting your social
media handles - as long as they’re relevant.
For every other social media channel, consider how they reflect your work. For example:
LinkedIn - many people ask for a LinkedIn link when applying for a job. As long as your
profile is complete and optimized (as it should), feel free to include your LinkedIn URL in
your CV.
Twitter - in very specific cases (e.g. marketing or journalism position), you could include
your Twitter profile if you’re active, have a decent amount of followers and a writing style
relevant to the position.
Quora - do you have a lot of authority on a specific topic in your field with a decent amount
of followers? This can convince the HR manager that you’re really the best expert they can
hire.
Stack Overflow / Github - only for developers, coders, and computer scientists.
Medium - only for freelance writers, bloggers, and so on.
Anything else - got a relevant personal website, blog, or a YouTube channel? Use your
discretion if it’s relevant.

Your CV objective should include:

 Jobs and years of work experience.
 Relevant achievements and responsibilities.
 What you look for, your goal.

How to Show Off Your Work Experience (And Stand Out)

 Alright, if you’ve made it this far, now it’s time to really show off and sell yourself.
 Your work experience is where you get to brag a little, assuming it’s justified and
accurate, of course.
 This is the MAIN section of your CV and where most HR recruiters jump to when
looking at your CV.
 It’s also the deciding factor of whether you’ll get hired or not - no pressure.
 So, to perfect your work experience section, the standard format is as follows:
 Job title/position.
 Company name, location, description.
 Achievements and responsibilities.
 Date employed.
Skills Section on Your CV
 Consider your hard and soft skills.
 Hard skills are technical skills that can be measured and are directly related to your tasks.
 Soft skills, meanwhile, are learned skills such as your personal attributes (e.g. leadership,
communication, etc.).
 Usually, job qualifications already include what they’re looking for in terms of skills. For
example:
Education Section on Your CV
Another important part is the education section of your CV.
In the education section, you can include:
 Program name - e.g. BA in business administration.
 University name - e.g. NY State University.
 Year attended - e.g. 08/2008 - 06/2012
 (Optional) GPA - e.g. 3.9 GPA
 (Optional) Honors - e.g. Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude
 (Optional) Academic achievements - e.g. relevant papers you’ve written, courses you’ve
excelled in.
 (Optional) Minor - e.g. Minor in psychology
4.3. Job Covering Letters
Applying for a new job can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. However,
writing a cover letter that really “sells” the qualities you have to offer an employer is a great
confidence-builder. Many employers require cover letters as part of the job application process.
However, even when an employer does not explicitly ask for a cover letter, you should send one.
A strong cover letter can make your application stand out from the crowd.

When writing a cover letter, you should:

 introduce yourself
 mention the job (or kind of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
 show that your skills and experience match the skills and experience needed to do the job
 encourage the reader to read your resume
 finish with a call to action (for example, asking for an interview or a meeting).

Principles to Remember
Do:
Have a strong opening statement that makes clear why you want the job and why you’re right for
it
Be succinct — a hiring manager should be able to read it at a glance
Share an accomplishment that shows you can address the challenges the employer faces

Do not:
Try to be funny — too often it falls flat
Send a generic cover letter — customize each one for the specific job
Go overboard with flattery — be professional and mature
Sample Targeted Cover Letter

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last Name) :

I am interested in the (position) on (Company). My resume is enclosed for your review. Given my related
experience and excellent capabilities I would appreciate your consideration for this job opening. My skills
are an ideal match for this position.
Your Requirements:
Company Requires for the job
Previews experience of the field
How to solve those problems how to handle the problems
Improvements and jobs growth of the current company
My Qualifications:
Current reading courses and any other educational programs
Current company jobs (Hiring, training, scheduling and management of staff)
Kind of driver’s license
Extensive experience in collegiate programming and management.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
I appreciate your taking the time to review my credentials and experience. Again, thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature (for hard copy letter)
Date
Contact Name
Job Title
Company Name
Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Lastname:
I’m writing to you because I’m interested in applying for your open Software Developer position
as posted on the careers page of your website, TravelTime.com. I have a bachelor’s degree in
computer science and I have worked with OOP programming languages and PHP/MySQL for
the past three years.
I believe I will be an asset to your software development team. I enjoy a challenge and although I
can work alone, I prefer to work in a team, which is one reason why I want to apply to your
company. In addition, while I was in college, I worked for a travel agency, so I have a good
understanding of what a travel industry website site needs. Your requirements match my skills.
For example:
             • Experience in Laravel framework
             • Experienced with XML, JS, JQUERY, HTML, CSS, Linux Command Line,
Apache/Nginx
             • Experience developing REST APIs
             • Problem-solver with excellent trouble-shooting skills   
I’ve attached my resume, so you can see the projects I worked on as well as more details on my
experience in software development and a list of my certifications. Feel free to call me at 555-
555-5555 or send me an email at yourname@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
I would be thrilled to be a part of your team, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Your Signature (hard copy letter)
Typed Name
Dear Ms. Jessica Tilman,

In my five-year career as a paralegal, I have honed my legal research and writing skills, and the attorneys
I’ve worked with have complimented me on my command of case law and litigation support. Spiegel Law
Firm’s 20 years in practice proves that the firm has strong values and excellent attorneys, which is why I
want to be a part of the Spiegel Law Firm team.

I currently serve as a paralegal for Chandler LLC, where I work closely with the partners on a number of
high-priority cases. During my time here, I implemented a new calendar system that ensures timely filing
of court papers. This system has prevented missed deadlines and allowed for better organization of
internal and client meetings.

Previously, as a paralegal for the Neuerburg Law Firm, I received praise for my overall support of the
legal team and my positive attitude.

My further qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a paralegal certificate, and
training in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite.

I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your legal team. Thank you in advance for
your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Chase Broadstein
chasebroadstein@emailcentral.com
(222) 222-2222
4.4. Job Interviews

1. Research the industry and company.

An interviewer may ask how you perceive his company's position in its industry, who the firm's
competitors are, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward. For this
reason, avoid trying to thoroughly research a dozen different industries. Focus your job search on
just a few industries instead.

2. Clarify your "selling points" and the reasons you want the job.
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what
makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared ("I
have good communication skills. For example, I persuaded an entire group to ..."). And be
prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job – including what interests you about it,
what rewards it offers that you find valuable, and what abilities it requires that you possess. If an
interviewer doesn't think you're really, really interested in the job, he or she won't give you an
offer – no matter how good you are!

3. Anticipate the interviewer's concerns and reservations.

There are always more candidates for positions than there are openings. So interviewers look for
ways to screen people out. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want
to hire you (“I don't have this,” “I'm not that,” etc.). Then prepare your defense: “I know you
may be thinking that I might not be the best fit for this position because [their reservation]. But
you should know that [reason the interviewer shouldn't be overly concerned]."

4. Prepare for common interview questions.

Every "how to interview" book has a list of a hundred or more "common interview questions."
(You might wonder just how long those interviews are if there are that many common
questions!) So how do you prepare? Pick any list and think about which questions you're most
likely to encounter, given your age and status (about to graduate, looking for a summer
internship). Then prepare your answers so you won't have to fumble for them during the actual
interview.

5. Line up your questions for the interviewer.

Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your
knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have
any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready. If you say, "No, not
really," he or she may conclude that you're not all that interested in the job or the company. A
good all-purpose question is, "If you could design the ideal candidate for this position from the
ground up, what would he or she be like?"

If you're having a series of interviews with the same company, you can use some of your
prepared questions with each person you meet (for example, "What do you think is the best thing
about working here?" and "What kind of person would you most like to see fill this position?")
Then, try to think of one or two others during each interview itself.

6. Practice, practice, practice.

It's one thing to come prepared with a mental answer to a question like, "Why should we hire
you?" It's another challenge entirely to say it out loud in a confident and convincing way. The
first time you try it, you'll sound garbled and confused, no matter how clear your thoughts are in
your own mind! Do it another 10 times, and you'll sound a lot smoother and more articulate.

But you shouldn't do your practicing when you're "on stage" with a recruiter; rehearse before you
go to the interview. The best way to rehearse? Get two friends and practice interviewing each
other in a "round robin": one person acts as the observer and the "interviewee" gets feedback
from both the observer and the "interviewer." Go for four or five rounds, switching roles as you
go. Another idea (but definitely second-best) is to tape record your answer and then play it back
to see where you need to improve. Whatever you do, make sure your practice consists of
speaking aloud. Rehearsing your answer in your mind won't cut it.

7. Score a success in the first five minutes.

Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five
minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm
that decision! So what can you do in those five minutes to get through the gate? Come in with
energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer's time. (Remember:
She may be seeing a lot of other candidates that day and may be tired from the flight in. So bring
in that energy!)

Also, start off with a positive comment about the company – something like, "I've really been
looking forward to this meeting [not "interview"]. I think [the company] is doing great work in [a
particular field or project], and I'm really excited by the prospect of being able to contribute."

8. Get on the same side as the interviewer.

Many interviewers view job interviews as adversarial: Candidates are going to try to pry an offer
out of the interviewer, and the interviewer's job is to hold onto it. Your job is to transform this
"tug of war" into a relationship in which you're both on the same side. You could say something
as simple as, "I'm happy to have the chance to learn more about your company and to let you
learn more about me, so we can see if this is going to be a good match or not. I always think that
the worst thing that can happen is to be hired into a job that's wrong for you – then nobody's
happy!"

9. Be assertive and take responsibility for the interview.

Perhaps out of the effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly passive
during job interviews. But politeness doesn't equal passivity. An interview is like any other
conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the
other. Don't make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you about
that Nobel Prize you won. It's your responsibility to make sure he walks away knowing your key
selling points.

10. Be ready to handle illegal and inappropriate questions.

Interview questions about your race, age, gender, religion, marital status, and sexual orientation
are inappropriate and in many areas illegal. Nevertheless, you may get one or more of them. If
you do, you have a couple of options. You can simply answer with a question ("I'm not sure how
that's relevant to my application"), or you can try to answer "the question behind the question": "I
don't know whether I'll decide to have children in the near future, but if you're wondering if I'll
be leaving my job for an extended period of time, I can say that I'm very committed to my career
and frankly can't imagine giving it up."

11. Make your selling points clear.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? More important, if
you communicate your selling points during a job interview and the interviewer doesn't get it,
did you score? On this question, the answer is clear: No! So don't bury your selling points in
long-winded stories. Instead, tell the interviewer what your selling point is first, then give the
example.

12. Think positive.

No one likes a complainer, so don't dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if
the interviewer asks you point blank, "What courses have you liked least?" or "What did you like
least about that previous job?" don't answer the question. Or more specifically, don't answer it as
it's been asked. Instead, say something like, "Well, actually I've found something about all of my
classes that I've liked. For example, although I found [class] to be very tough, I liked the fact that
[positive point about the class]" or "I liked [a previous job] quite a bit, although now I know that
I really want to [new job]."
13. Close on a positive note.
If a salesman came to you and demonstrated his product, then thanked you for your time and
walked out the door, what did he do wrong? He didn't ask you to buy it! If you get to the end of
an interview and think you'd really like that job, ask for it! Tell the interviewer that you'd really,
really like the job – that you were excited about it before the interview and are even more excited
now, and that you're convinced you'd like to work there. If there are two equally good candidates
at the end of the search – you and someone else – the interviewer will think you're more likely to
accept the offer, and thus may be more inclined to make an offer to you.

Even better, take what you've learned about yourself from your MyPath career assessment and
use it to explain why you think this is the job for you: "I've done some careful career self-
assessment, and I know that I'm most interested in [one or two of your most important career
interest themes], and – correct me if I'm wrong – it seems that this position would allow me to
express those interests. I also know that I'm most motivated by [two or three of your most
important motivators from your MyPath assessment], and I have the sense that if I do well, I
could get those rewards in this position.

Finally, I know that my strongest abilities are [two or three of your strongest abilities from your
MyPath assessment], and I see those as being the abilities you most need for this position." If
you follow this tip, you'll be (a) asking for the job, (b) explaining why you think it's a good
match, (c) displaying your thoughtfulness and maturity, and (d) further disarming the tug-of-war
dynamic that interviewers anticipate. You'll be making the strongest possible "close" – and that's
worth a lot!

14. Bring a copy of your resume to every interview.

Have a copy of your resume with you when you go to every interview. If the interviewer has
misplaced his or her copy, you'll save a lot of time (and embarrassment on the interviewer's part)
if you can just pull your extra copy out and hand it over.

15. Don't worry about sounding "canned".

Some people are concerned that if they rehearse their answers, they'll sound "canned" (or overly
polished or glib) during the interview. Don't worry. If you're well prepared, you'll sound smooth
and articulate, not canned. And if you're not so well prepared, the anxiety of the situation will
eliminate any "canned" quality.

16. Make the most of the "Tell me about yourself" question.

Many interviewers begin interviews with this question. So how should you respond? You can go
into a story about where you were born, what your parents do, how many brothers and sisters and
dogs and cats you have, and that's okay. But would you rather have the interviewer writing down
what kind of dog you have – or why the company should hire you?

Consider responding to this question with something like: "Well, obviously I could tell you about
lots of things, and if I'm missing what you want, please let me know. But the three things I think
are most important for you to know about me are [your selling points]. I can expand on those a
little if you'd like." Interviewers will always say, "Sure, go ahead." Then you say, "Well,
regarding the first point, [give your example]. And when I was working for [company], I
[example of another selling point]." Etc. This strategy enables you to focus the first 10-15
minutes of the interview on all of your key selling points. The "Tell me about yourself" question
is a golden opportunity. Don't miss it!

17. Speak the right body language.

Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly,
and don't wear perfume or cologne! Sometimes interview locations are small rooms that may
lack good air circulation. You want the interviewer paying attention to your job qualifications --
not passing out because you've come in wearing Chanel No. 5 and the candidate before you was
doused with Brut, and the two have mixed to form a poisonous gas that results in you not getting
an offer!

18. Be ready for "behavior-based" interviews".

One of the most common interview styles today is to ask people to describe experiences they
have had that demonstrate behaviors that the company thinks are important for a particular
position. You might be asked to talk about a time when you made an unpopular decision,
displayed a high level of persistence, or made a decision under time pressure and with limited
information, for example.

Step 1 is to anticipate the behaviors this hiring manager is likely to be looking for. Step 2 is to
identify at least one example of when you demonstrated each behavior. Step 3 is to prepare a
story for each example. Many people recommend using SAR (Situation-Action-Result) as a
model for the story. Step 4 is to practice telling the story. Also, make sure to review your resume
before the interview with this kind of format in mind; this can help you to remember examples of
behaviors you may not have anticipated in advance.

19. Send thank-you notes.

Write a thank-you note after every interview. Type each note on paper or send them by email,
depending on the interviewers' preferences. Customize your notes by referring specifically to
what you and the interviewer discussed; for example, "I was particularly excited about [or
interested by, or glad to hear] what you said about ..." Handwritten notes might be better if you're
thanking a personal contact for helping you in your job search, or if the company you're
interviewing with is based in Europe. Whatever method you choose, notes should be sent within
48 hours of the interview.

To write a good thank-you note, you'll need to take time after each interview to jot down a few
things about what the interviewer said. Also, write down what you could have done better in the
interview, and make adjustments before you head off for your next interview.

20. Don't give up!

If you've had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you (not just
something you want badly), don't give up! Write a note, send an email, or call the interviewer to
let him or her know that you think you did a poor job of communicating why you think this job
would be a good match. Reiterate what you have to offer the company, and say that you'd like an
opportunity to contribute. Whether this strategy will get you a job offer depends on the company
and on you. But one thing's for sure: If you don't try, your chances are exactly zero. We've seen
this approach work on numerous occasions, and we encourage you to give it that last shot.

If you follow the above 20 strategies, you'll be as prepared as any candidate an interviewer has
ever seen. Check out our Open Jobs to start your new career today. Good luck!

Some Typical Questions that can be asked at an interview.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.
2. How Did You Hear About This Position?
3. Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?
4. Why Do You Want This Job?
5. Why Should We Hire You?
6. What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
7. What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?
8. What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?
9. Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You’ve Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With
It.
10. What’s a Time You Exercised Leadership?
11. What’s a Time You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?
12. Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.
13. Tell Me About a Time You Failed.
14. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?
15. Why Were You Fired?
16. Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment?
17. Can You Explain Why You Changed Career Paths?
18. What’s Your Current Salary?
19. What Do You Like Least About Your Job?
20. What Are You Looking for in a New Position?
21. What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?
22. What’s Your Management Style?
23. How Would Your Boss and Coworkers Describe You?
24. How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?
25. What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?
26. Are You Planning on Having Children?
27. How Do You Prioritize Your Work?
28. What Are You Passionate About?
29. What Motivates You?
30. What Are Your Pet Peeves?
31. How Do You Like to Be Managed?
32. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
33. What’s Your Dream Job?
34. What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?
35. What Makes You Unique?
36. What Should I Know That’s Not on Your Resume?
37. What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?
38. What Are Your Salary Requirements?
39. What Do You Think We Could Do Better or Differently?
40. When Can You Start?
41. Are You Willing to Relocate?
42. How Many Tennis Balls Can You Fit Into a Limousine?
43. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
44. Sell Me This Pen.
45. Is There Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?
46. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
47. Bonus Questions