BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Business Interview
PART VII
Dr. Mushi, E. P.
 BUSINESS INTERVIEW

What is Interview?
It is a formal meeting in which a person or
persons question, consult, or evaluate
another person or persons (Raman &
Sigh, 2006).

It is generally regarded as the kind of

meeting which occurs when someone
applies for a job or a vacant.

However, there are various forms of

interviews in business contexts.
 SELECTION OR JOB INTERVIEW

Selection interview is the one which decides whether or not

somebody will be offered a job.

In this interview, applicants are asked questions on their

background information, experience, ambitions, and general
interests and any other subjects suitable for assessing
candidates’ suitability for the post applied.

In order to be competitive enough in selection interview,

prospective applicants need to pay attention of the following;
 1.1 APPLICATION LETTER AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

An applicant should write an

articulated covering letter that
focuses on achieving the following;
• Identifies the job seeker (Who am
I?)
• States clearly the purpose
• Requests for a response
• Asks for an interview, and
• Attach an up-to-date CV or Résumé
and other supporting documents
such as certificates and testimonies.
 1.2 UNDERSTAND INTERVIEW STYLES
It is important to be aware of the nature of interview styles that
managers and CEO mostly use. There are generally two styles;
a) The traditional style: this seeks for answers to three general
questions;
1. Does the job seeker have skills and ability to perform the
job? (Competence)

2. Does the job seeker possess the enthusiasm and work

ethics that the employer expects? (Personality)

3. Will the job seeker be a team player and fit into the
organisation? (Attitude)
 1.2 UNDERSTAND INTERVIEW STYLES
Broad-based questions in traditional interview are like;
-Tell us about yourself!
-Why do you want to work for this company?
-Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses!
-What amount would you like to be paid for this job?

In this style, the success or failure is more based on the

ability of the job seeker to communicate than on the
truthfulness of his/her answers (Raman, & Singh, 2006).
 1.2 UNDERSTAND INTERVIEW STYLES

b) Behavioural Style: This style bases on the theory that past

performance is the best indicator of future behaviour (Raman,
&
Singh, 2006). Thus, it uses questions that probe specific past
behaviour.
Questions such as;
-Can you tell us about an experience when you managed to
achieve a goal?, Or
-Can you give us a specific example of a time when you managed
several projects at once?, Or
-Can you tell us about a time where you confronted an
unexpected problem?, are likely to be encountered.
 1.2 UNDERSTAND INTERVIEW STYLES
In the behavioural style of interview, success or failure depends
on whether a candidate has framed or not framed his/her
answers basing on the four-part outline suggested here below.
Step 1. -Describe a situation
Step 2. -Discuss the action taken
Step 3. -Relate the outcome, and
Step 4. -Specify what was learnt from it in connection to the
current situation.

However, in order to get best applicants the two styles may

complement each other: the reason is because managers and
CEO would
want to assess both competence and performance.
 1.3 INFORMATION ABOUT THE JOB AND ORGANISATION

It is important to have some information about the job one

applies for and about the organization.

The information that one needs to know includes but not

limited to the following;

• The nature of the job; its scope, its challenges

• The CEO of the organization
• Salary scale of the cadre one applies
• Organization culture and philosophy (Vision and Mission)
 1.4 DRESSING CODE/STYLE
A basic question one would always need to ask himself in any
interview situation is: “What dressing is appropriate?”

Think of this imaginary scenario…

Suppose you enter a mosque or a church to pray, and you find
that the Imam or the Pastor leading the prayer is in a an oversize
T-shirt with a print “GO TO HELL”, half-butts trousers,
a big wrist watch on his left arm, a pair of over-size shoes, and a
big gold chain. Would you be able to carry on with the prayer?
- Now Brainstorm about an appropriate dressing style for an
interview:
- ---
- ---
 1.5 TIME MANAGEMENT

In communication, time is regarded as a non-verbal message

that plays significant roles. It is termed as chronemics which
means the use of time as messages such as promptness or
punctuality, persistence, endurance, etc. (Raman, & Singh, 2006).

Though time is the only resource that is evenly distributed all

over the world, it is perceived and used differently across
cultures.
 THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEW
What to do as an Interviewer in a Selection Interview?

• Ask the easiest question first so as to make the applicant feels

comfortable (a warm up stage).
• Ask questions that are directly related to finding out about
the applicant’s ability to do the job, not about his/her
personal life.
• Ask questions that allow a candidate to do at least 70% of the
talking. Avoid ‘yes/no’ questions.
• Ask only one question about one subject at a time.
• Spend the entire time writing and recording the candidate’s
answers and any assumption you are making.
 THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEWS
What to do as an Interviewer in a Selection Interview?

• While you are writing nod occasionally to let the applicant

know that you are listening.
• If the applicants does not respond right away to a question,
wait; give him/her time, while you add your notes.
• After you have asked the candidate all your questions, allow
him/her to ask you any question she/he might have about
the job?
• Close the interview by asking the applicant if there is anything
she/he would like to add or change on his/her previous
statements. Thank the applicant for appearing for an
interview.
 THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEW
What to do as an Interviewee in a Selection Interview?

Preparation can make difference between getting an offer or

getting rejected.

There are specific and important strategies to enhance one’s

chances for success in an interview. See them in the next slide.
 THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEW
What to do as an Interviewee in a Selection Interview?

The following are the strategies for success in an interview:

• Perform a self-assessment on current skills, talents, abilities,

strengths, weaknesses, interests and work values.
• Updating your Résumé and re-assessing your Résumé
• Prepare questions to ask
• Dress appropriately
• Establish Rapport
• Establish acceptable body language
• Get to know the nature of work
• Get early to the interview at least 1:30 before
 Rapport building

• What is rapport building?

– should establish a friendly
relationship with the panel.

– establishing a relationship
of confidence and
understanding between the
interviewee and the
interviewer
Rapport building
Who is the job seeker between the two? What are your comments about the dressing
style of the interviewee?
Dressing style & Posture