Download Lesson 5: Communication and Interviewing Skills

What is Communication?
 The sharing of information between two or more
individuals or groups to reach a common
understanding. The most important part of this
definition is that the information or ideas being
conveyed must be understood.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
 Verbal Communication: Using written or spoken language
to convey a message. (Examples: face-to-face, phone,
email, texting, handwritten letters)
 Non-verbal Communication: Messages shared using facial
expressions, body language, and even style of dress.
(Dressing well on interviews conveys a message about your
intentions and professionalism.) It is important to
coordinate verbal messages with non-verbal messages. For
example, when telling your parents that you will gladly take
out the trash you roll your eyes, your verbal and non-verbal
messages are inconsistent.
How can good communication
skills help when interviewing for a
job and when you land a job?
 Your knowledge and skills can be conveyed accurately
which will help to impress an interviewer.
 Practicing beforehand and reviewing your resume
material and portfolio will allow you to speak more
fluently about your experiences and skills.
 Once you land a job, being able to communicate with
other employees effectively will allow for a more
productive and positive work environment. For
example, being able to communicate through e-mail
means knowing how to be professional and portray
your message accurately.
Interview SkillsWhat you need to know
 Before the interview, Practice! Ask family and friends to ask you
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sample questions to get practice answering and using
communication skills. This will allow you to feel prepared and
confident at the interview.
1. Bring your resume and portfolio. Be prepared to fill out an
application if needed.
2. Being early, is being on time. Being on time, is being late.
Being 10 minutes early will give you time to relax and get your
thoughts straight. This also sends a message to the employer that
you are motivated and prepared for the interview.
3. Dress appropriately for the interview.
(Ex. Suit or professional attire)
4. Be enthusiastic when you express what you like.
5. Keep your hands still.
6. Keep good eye contact with the interviewer or team of interviewers.
7. Listen carefully and attentively.
8. Know the job and the tasks that will need to be performed within the
job that you are applying.
- Research the company.
9. Answer questions carefully, specifically, honestly, short, and to the
point.
10. Address the job duties as you see them.
11. Explain your interests in the job by explaining your strengths and
skills. An easy way to uncover your skills is to list your accomplishments
and think about the skills it took to do them.
Ex. Babysitting
required you to be creative, responsible, and to be able to multi-task.
After you make your list, condense your skills into a list that you can
describe in a few minutes during the interview.
12. Explain why you especially like this job.
13. If asked, explain your future goals. (Ex. In 10 years, I would like to be
the department head.)
14. Be careful not to contradict yourself, think about your answers!
Communication skills
2. Honesty and Integrity
3. Teamwork skills
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Strong work ethic
6. Motivation/Initiative
7. Flexibility/Adaptability
8. Analytical skills
9. Computer Skills
10. Organizational Skills
1.
Interview a partner
Activity
Worth 10 points
1. Find a partner that wish to work with for this activity.
2. Interview each other and take about 10 minutes to do this
write down your partners responses.
3. Each student will then introduce their partner to the class..
Interview questions:
1. If you could be any animal, which animal would you be and
why?
2. What is something unique about yourself?
3. What is your best quality?
4. Worst quality?
5. If you could have dinner with ANYONE famous or
not famous, who would it be and why?