Sample Job Interview Questions

I like this site because the author explains what each question is really asking and how to answer appropriately. I highly recommend you take a look!

http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/intervuquest.shtml

Friday, November 20 Objectives

1) Finish the "Try This!" assignment (see previous post if you were absent on Wednesday) 

        -Either submit handwritten to substitute or to me via email

2) Continue reading the chapter (see link in previous post), from pages 307-311

3) Read the page on "Organizational Patterns" to learn about the different ways that an informative speech can be organized: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/page.cfm?pageid=1071&guideid=52

4) Using the "Theory into Practice" chart on page 307, determine what type of organization you will use in your informative speech.

5) Continue researching your topic.

Wednesday, November 18 Assignment

Hi Students!

I apologize for the abrupt change in plans (I'm sure you guys were dying to do your job interviews, right?). I don't know if your substitute shared this information with y'all, but I was selected to be a juror this week in a civil case that is estimated to last 4-5 days! So, for now, we're going to move ahead to informative speaking since it's our next (and final) speaking assignment. Next week we will commence our job interviews, and I will share that schedule with y'all in a separate blog post.

Click on the link below to access a chapter I've shared with you on informative speaking. Read pages 296-306 independently and complete the Try This! assignment at the bottom of page 306. If you'd like to complete the assignment on the computer, that's fine-- just share it with me as usual. If you'd like to handwrite the assignment, that's fine too-- whether you type it or handwrite it, the Try This! assignment is due on Friday, November 20. By completing the assignment, you should have narrowed your ideas down to one final informative speech topic--- so really think about what you want to speak about when you complete this assignment.

After you complete the assignment, you may use your class time to begin researching your topic. Make sure, first of all, that there's enough information out there (from trustworthy sources) on your topic. We'll talk about sources in class, but for now you may ask Mr. Dunning, your substitute, if you have any questions.

Best,
Ms. Kleinecke

https://drive.google.com/a/sjdchs.org/file/d/0B9Y_3URSwtaAQlVoRzRSUXJrM2M/view?usp=sharing

VIDEO: How To Have A Successful Job Interview

The following video is about 12 minutes long, but it's worth the watch! She's got some great tips for interviewing and provides a list of 15 things to remember when interviewing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppHDuTJe39g

"Perfect Interview" Online

Perfect Interview™ is an innovative learning tool that you can use to enhance your job interviewing skills and develop an edge over the  competition. NOTE: You must create a user account with a valid email address to utilize the program.

http://www.perfectinterview.com/schoolcraft/

INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE

Dress to impress

When you are dressing for a job interview the image you present is really important. Your image is what makes the first impression on the interviewer - and that first impression is the one that sticks - so it's important to dress appropriately when interviewing.

When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire. If you're applying for a job in a more casual environment, like a store or restaurant, it's still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.

Be punctual

It's important to arrive a few minutes early, or on time, at the latest, for a job interview. Know where you're going, how much travel time you need, and how to get to the interview location. Check out the logistics ahead of time so you ensure that you're not late.

Giving yourself a bit of extra time will give you an opportunity to stop in the rest room and freshen up, if need be, to make sure you don't have any hair, make-up or wardrobe malfunctions.

A few extra minutes will also give you an opportunity to catch your breath and stay calm. An interview is even more stressful than normal if you're rushing to get there on time.

What to bring

It's important to come prepared to a job interview. Bring extra copies of your resume along with a list of references to offer the interviewer. Also, bring a list of questions to ask the interviewer.

If you're interviewing for a tech or web job and you want to show examples of your work, it's fine to bring your laptop or tablet to show the interviewer what you have accomplished.

What shouldn't you bring? Don't walk into a job interview with a coffee cup or bottle of soda or water or anything else to eat or drink. Don't chew gum.

Your cell phone should be turned off and out of sight. You don't want to be the applicant whose text messages or calls disrupted the interview.

Greeting the Interviewer

When you arrive at a job interview, introduce yourself to the receptionist if there is one. Let him or her know who you are and who you are scheduled to meet with.

Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and introduce yourself. Be prepared for a little small talk, but don't overdo it. Follow the interviewer's lead and let them guide the direction of the conversation.

Responding to Interview Questions

When you respond to interview questions, listen carefully to the questions, take time to phrase your responses, and ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you're not sure what they are asking.

Be brief and don't ramble when you respond. However, do be sure that your responses answer the questions, are focused, and highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job.

Keep in mind that your responses are your sales pitch.

You're selling the interviewer on yourself as the best candidate for the job, so be sure you focus on your relevancy i.e. why you are a good candidate, how you can do the job, what you can contribute, and how you will benefit the company if you're hired.

Closing the Interview

Towards the end of the interview let the hiring manager know that you think the job is an excellent fit and that you are very interested in the job.

It's appropriate to ask what the next step in the hiring process will be and when you might expect to hear.

Finally, thank the interviewer for the time they spent interviewing with you.

Follow up with a thank you note

Following up with a thank you note is on the list of interview etiquette best practices. Taking the time to say thank you not only shows that you appreciated the interview, it also gives you an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the job.

In addition to saying thank you, refer to anything the interviewer mentioned that enhanced your interest and summarize why you think the job is a good match and why you're a strong candidate for the job.

Job Descriptions

JOB 1: Accounting Clerk

Job Responsibilities:

Supports accounting operations by filing documents; reconciling statements; running software programs.

Accounting Clerk Job Duties:

• Maintains accounting records by making copies; filing documents.
• Reconciles bank statements by comparing statements with general ledger.
• Maintains accounting databases by entering data into the computer; processing backups.
• Verifies financial reports by running performance analysis software program.
• Determines value of depreciable assets by running depreciation software program.
• Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
• Accomplishes accounting and organization mission by completing related results as needed.

Accounting Clerk Skills and Qualifications:

Organization, Financial Software, Reporting Skills, Attention to Detail, PC Proficiency, Typing, Productivity, Dependability

JOB 2: Barista

Job Responsibilities:

Promotes coffee consumption by educating customers; selling coffee and coffee grinding and brewing equipment, accessories, and supplies; preparing and serving a variety of coffee drinks, along with pastries and cookies.

Barista Job Duties:

• Welcomes customers by determining their coffee interests and needs.
• Educates customers by presenting and explaining the coffee drink menu; answering questions.
• Sells coffees and coffee grinding and brewing equipment by explaining differences in coffee beans and coffee preparation machines; demonstrating how brewing equipment operates.
• Prepares and sells coffee drinks by following prescribed recipes and preparation techniques for coffee drinks, such as, espresso, cafe latte, and cappuccino.
• Generates revenues by attracting new customers; defining new and expanded services and products.
• Maintains inventories by replenishing coffee bean supply; stocking coffee brewing equipment; maintaining supplies, pastries, and cookies for coffee bar.
• Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Maintains safe and healthy work environment by following organization standards and sanitation regulations.
• Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes; maintaining and improving the appearance of the store and coffee bar.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading coffee, retail trade, and food service publications; maintaining personal networks.
• Enhances coffee shop reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Barista Skills and Qualifications:

Listening, Verbal Communication, Customer Focus, Customer Service, Basic Safety, People Skills, Action Oriented, Organization, Selling to Customer Needs, Attendance, Client Relationships

JOB 3: Call Center Representative

Job Responsibilities:

Serves customers by determining requirements; answering inquiries; resolving problems; fulfilling requests; maintaining database.

Call Center Representative Job Duties:

• Determines requirements by working with customers.
• Answers inquiries by clarifying desired information; researching, locating, and providing information.
• Resolves problems by clarifying issues; researching and exploring answers and alternative solutions; implementing solutions; escalating unresolved problems.
• Fulfills requests by clarifying desired information; completing transactions; forwarding requests.
• Sells additional services by recognizing opportunities to up-sell accounts; explaining new features.
• Maintains call center database by entering information.
• Keeps equipment operational by following established procedures; reporting malfunctions.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
• Enhances organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Call Center Representative Skills and Qualifications:

Customer Focus, Customer Service, Data Entry Skills, Listening, Phone Skills, Verbal Communication, Building Relationships, People Skills, Interpersonal Savvy, Problem Solving, Multi-tasking

JOB 4: Customer Service Clerk

Job Responsibilities:

Serves customers by providing information; responding to requests; resolving problems; collecting revenue.

 Customer Service Clerk Job Duties:

• Provides information to customers by verifying understanding of request; answering questions; offering assistance.
• Initiates service by recording requests; forwarding to dispatching.
• Collects revenue by receiving and recording payments.
• Resolves billing problems by identifying the problem; explaining procedures; forwarding required adjustments.
• Improves quality results by evaluating processes; recommending changes.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
• Accomplishes customer service and organization mission by completing related results as needed.

Customer Service Clerk Skills and Qualifications:

Informing Others, Verbal Communication, Resolving Conflict, Listening, Multi-tasking, Customer Service, General Math Skills, Promoting Process Improvement, Problem Solving, Thoroughness, Quality Focus

JOB 5: Dispatcher

Job Responsibilities:

Delivers items to customers by verifying orders; inventorying stock; arranging transportation.

Dispatcher Job Duties:

• Organizes item orders by editing for price, promotions, weight compliance.
• Arranges shipments by checking stock to determine inventory levels; anticipating delivery requirements; placing and expediting orders.
• Ships items by examining items, destination, route, rate, delivery time; ordering carriers.
• Verifies items shipped by matching bills of lading; reconciling quantities; noting discrepancies.
• Keeps customers informed by forwarding notice of item availability, shipment date and method, and current status; answering questions.
• Replaces damaged items, shortages, and misplaced shipments by determining optimal response of replacement or credit.
• Protects organization reputation by keeping pricing, promotion, purchase order, and credit-limit information confidential.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
• Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Dispatcher Skills and Qualifications:

Documentation Skills, Data Entry Skills, Telephone Skills, Informing Others, Listening, Verbal Communication, Energy Level, Multi-tasking, Dependability, Emotional Control, Reporting Skills

How to Write a Resume-- VIDEO

http://img.jobing.com/job_search_tool_kit/Foundation_module16_WritingAResume.htm

Job Interview Project, Part I: The Resume

The Resume

GRADING CRITERIA:
 Does your resume look professional?

 Is the resume free from spelling and typing errors?

 Does the resume have eye appeal and use the space in the document effectively?

 Does the resume "sell" the applicant in a positive way?

*YOUR RESUME MUST INCLUDE:

Your name and contact information (address, phone, email)
Your objective
Your education (high school only is acceptable)
Your professional work experience (include your CIP job)
Your achievements (can be outside of work--for example, Eagle Scout)
Professional references (three or more--these are not family members)
Your skills (applicable to the position)

*Include the year and city and state whenever applicable. For example, in the "Education" section of my resume, I would put, "San Juan Diego Catholic High School, 2015, Austin, TX".

4 Ways to Blend a Quote Into a Sentence

In general, avoid leaving quotes as sentences unto themselves. Even if you have provided some context for the quote, a quote standing alone can disrupt your flow.  Take a look at this example:

Hamlet denies Rosencrantz’s claim that thwarted ambition caused his depression. “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space” (Hamlet 2.2).

Standing by itself, the quote’s connection to the preceding sentence is unclear. There are several ways to incorporate a quote more smoothly:

1. Lead into the quote with a colon.

Hamlet denies Rosencrantz’s claim that thwarted ambition caused his depression: “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space” (Hamlet 2.2).

The colon announces that a quote will follow to provide evidence for the sentence’s claim.

2. Introduce or conclude the quote by attributing it to the speaker. If your attribution precedes the quote, you will need to use a comma after the verb.

Hamlet denies Rosencrantz’s claim that thwarted ambition caused his depression. He states, “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space” (Hamlet 2.2).

When faced with a twelve-foot mountain troll, Ron gathers his courage, shouting, “Wingardium Leviosa!” (Rowling, p. 176).

The Pirate King sees an element of regality in their impoverished and dishonest life. “It is, it is a glorious thing/To be a pirate king,” he declares (Pirates of Penzance, 1983).

3. Interrupt the quote with an attribution to the speaker. Again, you will need to use a comma after the verb, as well as a comma leading into the attribution. 

“There is nothing either good or bad,” Hamlet argues, “but thinking makes it so” (Hamlet 2.2).

“And death shall be no more,” Donne writes, “Death thou shalt die” (“Death, Be Not Proud,” l. 14).

Dividing the quote may highlight a particular nuance of the quote’s meaning. In the first example, the division calls attention to the two parts of Hamlet’s claim. The first phrase states that nothing is inherently good or bad; the second phrase suggests that our perspective causes things to become good or bad. In the second example, the isolation of “Death thou shalt die” at the end of the sentence draws a reader’s attention to that phrase in particular. As you decide whether or not you want to break up a quote, you should consider the shift in emphasis that the division might create.

4. Use the words of the quote grammatically within your own sentence.

When Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that he “could be bounded in a nutshell and count [him]self a king of infinite space” (Hamlet2.2), he implies that thwarted ambition did not cause his depression.

Ultimately, death holds no power over Donne since in the afterlife, “death shall be no more” (“Death, Be Not Proud,” l. 14).

Note that when you use “that” after the verb that introduces the quote, you no longer need a comma.

The Pirate King argues that “it is, it is a glorious thing/to be a pirate king” (Pirates of Penzance, 1983).

3 Different Kinds of Quotes

1. DROPPED QUOTES

      Dropped quotes are partial phrases taken from the middle of a piece of text. Dropped quotes are comprised of only a few words and give no direction as to who the speaker is or the content it’s referring to. These must always be introduced within a sentence, and cannot comprise a complete sentence on their own.

Example: As Rembrandt’s skill developed, he began painting landscapes that are “romantic and visionary” (Wallace 96).

2. FULL SENTENCE QUOTES

     As the name implies, full sentence quotes are created by quoting complete sentences that take up less than 4 lines. Although these are complete sentences, they cannot be used as stand-alone sentences in your paper. Introduce them with an additional complete sentence or a signal phrase.

Example: Over the course of time Rembrandt’s work began to change and focus on different themes, but as Wallace points out: "Rembrandt’s great gift as an etcher lay in preserving a sense of spontaneity while scrupulously attending to close detail” (142).

Example: As Wallace states, “Rembrandt’s great gift as an etcher lay in preserving a sense of spontaneity while scrupulously attending to close detail” (142).

3. INDIRECT QUOTES

Indirect quotes, or paraphrasing, is when you use a sentence from a source but change the wording slightly into your own words. This is useful if you’ve too many direct quotes, or full sentence quotes, in your paper. Be careful to avoid plagiarism though by changing at least 50% of the sentence.

• Change the structure of the sentence by moving parts around. You can use a thesaurus to exchange words with synonyms.
• Paraphrasing should only be done if you are certain that you understand the content you are copying. If you are unclear as to the meaning of the quote, you won’t be able to put it adequately into your own words.
• When you write your paraphrase, don’t look at the quote. Keep the meaning in your head and create a new sentence to match.

Formatting Quotations Using MLA Format

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (fewer than four typed lines) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page citation in the text, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation. Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example:

According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree.

According to Foulkes's study, dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (184).

Is it possible that dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184)?

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text.

Jan Harold Brunvand, in an essay on urban legends, states, "some individuals [who retell urban legends] make a point of learning every rumor or tale" (78).

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipsis marks, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

In an essay on urban legends, Jan Harold Brunvand notes that "some individuals make a point of learning every recent rumor or tale . . . and in a short time a lively exchange of details occurs" (78).

INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION: Due Wednesday, April 22

I. Introduction
             A.  Attention-Getter: The attention-getter is designed to intrigue the audience members
                   and to motivate them to listen attentively for the next several minutes. There are infinite
                   possibilities for attention-getting devices. Some of the more common devices include
                   using a story, a rhetorical question, or a quotation. While any of these devices can be
                   effective, it is important for you to spend time strategizing, creating, and practicing the
                   attention-getter. Most importantly, an attention-getter should create curiosity in the minds
                   of your listeners and convince them that the speech will be interesting and useful.

             B.  Audience Adaptation: To keep audience members interested, tell them why your topic is
                   important to them. 

             C.  Thesis Statement: The thesis statement is crucial for clearly communicating your topic  

                   and purpose to the audience. Be sure to make the statement clear, concise, and easy to

                   remember. Deliver it to the audience and use verbal and nonverbal illustrations to make
                   it stand out.

              D.  Credibility Statement: The credibility statement establishes your qualifications as a

                    speaker. You should come up with reasons why you are someone to listen to on this
                    topic. Why do you have special knowledge or understanding of this topic? What can the
                    audience learn from you that they couldn't learn from someone else? Credibility
                    statements can refer to your extensive research on a topic, your life-long interest in an
                    issue, your personal experience with a thing, or your desire to better the lives of your
                    listeners by sifting through the topic and providing the crucial information.

              E.  Preview of Main Points: The preview informs the audience about the speech's main

                    points. You should preview every main body point and identify each as a separate piece
                    of the body. The purpose of this preview is to let the audience members prepare
                    themselves for the flow of the speech; therefore, you should word the preview clearly
                    and concisely.

II. Body

III. Conclusion

             A. Review of Main Points: Within the conclusion, re-state the main points of the

                  speech. Since you have used parallel wording for your main points in the introduction

                  and body, don't break that consistency in the conclusion. Frame the review so the

                  audience will be reminded of the preview and the developed discussion of each main

                  point. After the review, you may want to create a statement about why those main

                  points fulfilled the goals of the speech.

             B. Restate/Reinforce Thesis: When making the transition to the conclusion, attempt to

                  make clear distinctions (verbally and nonverbally) that you are now wrapping up the

                  information and providing final comments about the topic. Refer back to the thesis

                  from the introduction with wording that calls the original thesis into memory. Assert

                  that you have accomplished the goals of your thesis statement and create the feeling

                  that audience members who actively considered your information are now equipped

                  with an understanding of your topic. Reinforce whatever mood/tone you chose for

                  the speech and attempt to create a big picture of the speech.

            C. Closure: Finish strongly. When you close your speech, craft statements that reinforce

                 the message and leave the audience with a clear feeling about what was accomplished

                 with your speech. You might finalize the adaptation by discussing the benefits of

                 listening to the speech and explaining what you think audience members can do with

                 the information.

Warm-Up 2/10/15

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45elkij/dont-read-your-speech-3/

How to Improve Your Clarity of Speech

The following article is a quick, easy read regarding improving your speech clarity. I highly recommend doing one or more of the exercises listed before giving a speech!

http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Clarity-of-Speech