Situational and Behavioral Interview Questions

Situational interview questions are in some ways similar to behavioral ones. In most cases, when someone is asked a situational interview question, he or she is presented with a sort of "what if" situation.  The potential employer is looking to see how you would handle things if put into a certain "situation" that you have not been in before. Situational questions involve more spontaneous thinking. Answers to these questions cannot be easily memorized. In many of these questions, interviewers are looking to see if you possess good analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Behavioral questions are used to see if you have the skills and are competent enough to handle the job. These types of questions are the ones that can be prepared for. Many websites offer example behavioral questions that can be tailored to fit you personally. 

Whether situational or behavioral, you should never enter an interview completely unprepared. Practice makes perfect. A good interviewee rehearses potential questions over and over. This is the only way that you can prevent becoming caught off guard with a question that you are unsure of. 

Video Resumes and Other Unconventional Strategies

Resumes are a big part of the hiring process. Resumes that are sloppy or unprofessional could be a deal breaker when it comes to getting a job. A good resume is one that stands out, is original, and makes a recruiter interested. The old phrase "better safe than sorry" is true in a lot of situations, but sometimes it actually pays to take risks when crafting a resume. One "risky" way to get noticed is by submitting a video resume. These types of resumes are sure to get a recruiter's attention. Some resumes are all about selling yourself. With a video resume, your strengths and weaknesses are easily and quickly noticed. A video resume gives a job-seeker an advantage if he or she is called in to an interview. Creating a video resume is simply practice for the real thing. Unfortunately, video resumes can often be viewed as unprofessional. These types of resumes may only be the better choice in certain situations. For more suit and tie type jobs, a traditional paper version may be more appropriate. Video resumes and the like are also sometimes quite unconventional. When an employer just wants the facts, a video resume could turn into more of a hassle than a benefit. Creative job application strategies sometimes give you an edge over the competition, but they can also turn an employer off very quickly. It is important that the situation and job you are applying for is clearly assessed before choosing an application strategy.  

Why Condemn PowerPoint?

I believe that PowerPoint can be a very powerful asset to many presentations and assignments. It often adds an extra oomph that is needed to spruce up the dullest of messages. I keeps an audience focused and attentive in even the longest of presentations. Unfortunately PowerPoint can easily become a hindrance rather than an asset if it is used improperly. I do agree with many detractors in the aspect of it being more the operators fault that the PowerPoint program itself that a presentation becomes boring.
Users should be well versed in the language of PowerPoint before attempting to use it. There are many animations and the such that can be used to really enhance a person's work. PowerPoint is often condemned permanently because of a bad experience that may have occurred some time ago. Many users make the mistake of either overusing or under-using this program. It can be used for so much more than simply posting one photo or word onto a slide and clicking next. Likewise, it should not contain so much information that viewers become overwhelmed.
PowerPoint is a great tool that can be easily used by anyone who is willing to learn how to use it. Detractors should not so quickly condemn a program that can be such an asset. If used correctly, it can be one of the most powerful tools to use when conveying a message.

Soft Skills are Useful in Landing Jobs

Soft skills are very helpful when it comes to landing jobs. Many employers may look over your educational background and credentials, but they really dive into the soft skills area. Soft skills are what makes a person stand out. In areas of high demand, it often takes more than just being qualified for a job. During my "job search" I came across many soft skills that were simply being repeated by employers. Communication, leadership, technical/computer, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills were some of the main traits that employers desire their employees to have. 

Like many other people, I do not really like to rate myself. I am usually more apt to downgrade my abilities than really show them off. As far as communication skills go, I would probably give myself an 8 on a scale of 1-10. I love to talk to people, but not in front of big crowds or very important people. To improve this skill, I would probably work on my public speaking skills. I would give myself a 9 on technical/computer skills. I am pretty at figuring things out when it comes to computers and technology. If it is something that I am unsure of, I am bound to figure it out in a short amount of time. I rate myself a 7 when it comes to problem-solving skills. I am very anti-conflict in most situations. I give myself a lower rating because I would rather stay out of the problem then try to fix it. Lastly, I rate myself a 9 on interpersonal skills. I am very good at working well with others. My anti-conflict attitude really helps this skill when it comes to working with people that may have different views than I do. 

Being qualified for a job does not always ensure that you will get it. Having good soft skills could make you stand out from the rest in the eyes of the employer. These skills may not only increase your chances of landing a job, but excelling at it. 

Plagiarism and How You Can Avoid It

Plagiarism.org defines plagiarism as "an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward." Many people do not realize the seriousness that comes with plagiarism. It is an issue that should not be taken likely. There are many people who commit this offense on a daily basis. Some of the people do this intentionally due to lack of time or because they just want to hurry and get an assignment done. Many people plagiarize unintentionally. With so many documents and copyrighted files on the Internet, it is possible that two people have the same thought processes. Plagiarism is also very easy to avoid. The easiest way to avoid plagiarism would be to always cite your sources. Whether it be a book, picture, video, or song, it is always a necessity to note where it came from and give credit where credit is due. Another (less feasible) way to avoid plagiarism is to avoid using the work of another person all together. This is easy to do when writing for fun, but many teachers require a number of sources in many assignments. Plagiarism is serious, but avoiding it is simple. Always cite your sources! 

How might technology shape business report formats and their delivery in the future?

Technology plays a big part in all aspects of the business world today. The creation of business reports has been greatly affected by the growing innovations of technology. Most employees do not enjoy writing a business report. It is a task often viewed as unpleasant for those who do not enjoy organizing and writing information. Luckily, technology has helped making this task simpler.

Letters, manuscripts, memos, and pre-printed data are becoming a thing of the past. The use of paper and pen in to format business reports is becoming more scarcely used in the workplace. Technology such as PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, and video are just a few tools that are becoming more popular when formatting a report.

Employees and employers no longer have to be tied down at a desk waiting for an email that contains the business report. Business data can now be delivered and accessed virtually anywhere from handheld devices. With new advancements such as company share-drives and iCloud tools sharing and delivering reports is hassle-free. The formatting and delivering of business reports will only become easier as technology quickly advances. 

Direct-mail Sales and E-mail Sales Messages

Sales messages can be conveyed in two different ways, direct-mail and e-mail. Many experts view direct-mail as the best way to sell anything to anyone. According to Tom Egelhoff, "If I shoot a rifle at a target I have to be precise in my aim. The target is very small. If I shoot the target with a shotgun I have a better chance of hitting the target but a lot of my shot also misses the target. So those pellets are wasted because they missed the target. The same is true in advertising." Using direct-mail is precise. When you use direct-mail you can send the message to exactly who you want to reach. Some may think that direct-mail is a thing of the past, but in reality it shows no signs of going away. People still use it today because it is foolproof and it works. Unfortunately, direct-mail tends to be more expensive for the marketer than e-mail. 

E-mail is not only a faster way to relay a message, but also a cheaper way. E-mail doesn't require the use of thousands and thousands of pieces of paper and pens. Not to mention the number of envelopes and stamps. E-mail is also a great deal faster than snail mail. As soon as the marketer presses the send button, the message is almost instantly received. E-mail mail seem perfect, but it has its downsides. Many people receive hundreds of spam e-mails a day. This can often clutter a work space and could even lead to lost mail that could be vitally important. Direct-mail can usually be quite a bit longer than e-mail as well. According to Ivan Levison, "When prospects are going through their email, they want information quickly. So long copy is out. Complex offers are out. Supporting facts and arguments are out."

Both of these mediums are used frequently every day. They both have the ability to get the job done. When you weigh the pros and cons of each, they could really tie. I think that choosing the best medium depends on the circumstances. 

Indirect Organization is Ethical

In my opinion, the indirect strategy is unethical only if the writer intends to deceive the reader. When the writer deliberately delays the main idea for reasons such as when the receiver is unable to properly receive and comprehend the message, the receiver is actually benefiting. Using the indirect method can also make the receiver feel like the writer has been tactful and that he/she cares for the receiver. Using the indirect method is often very helpful when attempting to soften the blow of a bad news message. Ethical communicators do not intend to deceive the reader. Bad news can be announced in a bad news message but should never be used to misrepresent or avoid the truth. The indirect strategy may be easily used to manipulate the reader, but as long as it is used ethically it will benefit both the writer and the reader in every situation. 

Writing Plan for Adjustment Messages

According to the Business Dictionary, an adjustment message is, "A written response to a claim letter sent by a customer by a business representative or manager. An adjustment letter is generally written after a client of the business makes a material claim. Basically, it is a response to a customer's claim letter. Unfortunately, claims are often letters from customers that are upset or unsatisfied. To resolve the customer's complaint, an adjustment letter can be written. Adjustment letters should be sent as soon as possible after receiving the customer's claim letter. A successful claim letter can often prevent a customer from leaving a company and establish a strengthened relationship. 

Like with any type of letter, it is important to begin with brainstorming ideas and putting together an outline. Outlines help to gather one's thoughts in a manner that will be easy to transfer into the letter format. It is important to gather relevant information about the customer's relationship with the company. 

Next, it is important that you establish what you want the reader to do. According to Englet, for an adjustment letter to be effective, it must consist of:

1. Acknowledgment of receipt of our complaining customer.
              -Use a phrase such as, "Thank you for your letter of" or just refer to information in the claim                 letter.
2. Expression of our apology
               -Clearly state what the apology is for. 
3. Explanation of the problem
               -Introduce the problem that was found, the causes, and effects.
4. Solution of the problem: It can be an action or reimbursement.  
               -Let the reader know that changes have been made to prevent re-occurrence and assure them                  it will not happen again.  

It is very important to maintain goodwill throughout the letter. Never end a letter with a negative tone. Always end with words that imply the customer will be continue doing business with the company. 

Social Bookmarking, Professional Networking, and Social Networking

Pinterest, Linked In, and Facebook are all sites that many people use daily. I am an avid user of Pinterest and Facebook, but I do not have as much use for LinkedIn. I find that each of these sits are very beneficial in many different ways.

According to Webtrends, social bookmarking is "tagging a website and saving it for later." Every time someone sees something they like on Pinterest and sends the link to someone else, he/she is participating in social bookmarking. According to Cnet.com, Pinterest now has "100 million monthly active members." Pinterest isn't the only social bookmarking site, so this means that there are at least 100 million social bookmarking users in all. Social bookmarking allows users to save and share websites. Users are also able to discover new things by browsing through items tagged by other users. Spam is con when it comes to social bookmarking. Unfortunately, people can create the same web page multiple times. This creates more views for the creator, but also more problems for the user.

According to Deitel, a professional networking site can be used to network with other professionals, find and post jobs, grow business contacts, etc. Professional networking sites are becoming more popular as time progresses. According to Statista, Linked In has at least 97 million active users. Through the little experience I have with this website, I have learned that professional networking sites are very beneficial to people who are trying to expand their connections with other business professionals. Various users have reported that sites such as Linked In can have many people who are not who they say they are. This can be risky when trying to build credibility with a company.

WhatIs.com has described a social networking site as one that is involved in "expanding the number of one's business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals." Social networking sites such as Facebook allow users to connect with people around the world simply through mutual contacts. Connecting with new people is a great way for someone to become introduced to an array of opportunities that he/she might not otherwise. Statista.com reported that Facebook has nearly 1,500 million users monthly. This number has increased drastically within the past few years and will definitely continue to do so. Unfortunately, as the level of online interaction rises, the level of face-to-face interaction falls. This could ultimately lead to a society where people do not know how to communicate effectively with one another. Social networking use among minors increases their chances of contact with predators and pedophiles. Social networking sites can be both beneficial and dangerous; they should always be used responsibly.

Each of these types of sites has the ability to broaden one's knowledge and interest of past, present, and future things and people. There is much to be gained from the use of these sites, but there is also potentially much to lose. It is imperative that adults use these sites responsibly and that parents monitor their child's use of not only these types of sites, but all sites available on the Internet today.