Assignment No.

4
Reading and Listening Skills
Careful listening is a valuable lifelong skill. It helps us learn language, integrate stories
from our past, forge human relationships, and succeed in school and the workplace. Starting from
a very early age, listening is a key skill in helping children learn to read and become better readers.
Research establishing the link between listening and reading goes back decades. Given the
strong link between listening and reading, it stands to reason that improving listening
comprehension skills leads to stronger reading skills. However, there has been a notable lack of
research in this area, in part because valid, reliable measures of listening comprehension have been
lacking.
The “simple view” (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) breaks reading into two basic components:
decoding and language comprehension. Researchers agree that most differences in students’
reading performance can be explained by variations in these two factors. Instruction in the early
grades typically emphasizes decoding, or sounding out and recognizing words to translate printed
text into oral language. But to become good readers, students also need listening comprehension
skills, or the ability to understand language and make meaning of those words and the messages
they convey.
How can listening help with reading?
As the academic emphasis moves from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” language
comprehension assumes a more prominent role. Children who have mastered decoding but lack
strong comprehension skills – known as “poor comprehenders” (Hogan, 2014) – tend to fall behind
as texts become more conceptually complex, containing more academic vocabulary and requiring
more background knowledge to understand.
Listening can support crucial skills necessary for improving reading. Dozens of studies
have documented the importance of two key areas influencing reading level: vocabulary and
background knowledge (Shanahan, 2018). Students with larger vocabularies can read and
understand more complex texts. And students with background knowledge of a subject perform
better on reading tests than those who encounter the subject for the first time, even if they are lower
level readers (Recht & Leslie, 1988). Building knowledge and vocabulary around one subject, bit
by bit, through different inputs, motivates students and equips them with the foundation they need
to continue improving their reading.
Research indicates that among many students, especially those who are not yet proficient
readers, listening to a passage often results in better comprehension than reading the same passage,
making listening an effective way to expose kids to complex concepts and new vocabulary.
Teaching with engaging, high quality audio stories, offers opportunities for students to learn
academic language and build background knowledge about a host of important topics. Struggling
readers and English learners can especially benefit from listening because it allows them to engage
with higher level content and participate more actively in discussions than they otherwise might.
Students can focus on developing comprehension strategies such as making inferences and
identifying the main idea, which apply to both listening and reading, through the engaging medium
of audio, without the cognitive load of decoding.
 Reading Tips to Improve Your Listening Skills
o Read the text as you listen to it on an audio book.
o Take advantage of audio books. Read a page and then listen to that page. Repeat once a
day.
o Read aloud to each other in small groups. Each student is responsible for explaining new
vocabulary in the paragraphs he / she reads.
o Listen to easy audio books in English on your way to and from work.

Input: Explanation of relation between listening and reading.

Outcome: Activity by students:
The batch can be divided into pairs. Each pair will be given an article (any topic) by the teacher.
Each pair would come on the stage and read aloud the article one by one. After reading by each
pair, the other students will be asked questions on the article by the readers.
 Assignment No.5
Group Discussion
What is a Group Discussion?
Group discussion is an important activity in academic, business and administrative spheres.
It is a systematic and purposeful interactive oral process. Here the exchange of ideas, thoughts and
feelings take place through oral communication. The exchange of ideas takes place in a systematic
and structured way. The participants sit facing each other almost in a semi-circle and express their
views on the given topic/issue/problem.
How does Group Discussion differ from a Debate?
Debate is competitive in nature while group discussion is a co-operative group process. In
a debate, a speaker can speak either ‘for’ the topic or ‘against’ the topic whereas in a GD, the
speaker can express both. The final decision or result in a debate depends on voting while in a GD,
the group reaches group consensus.
Why is a group discussion an important activity at college level?
As a student, it helps you to train yourself to discuss and argue about the topic given, it
helps you to express your views on serious subjects and in formal situations. It improves your
thinking, listening and speaking skills. It also promotes your confidence level.
It is an effective tool in problem solving, decision making and personality assessment. GD
skills may ensure academic success, popularity and good admission or job offer. Thus it is
important to be able to take part in a GD effectively and confidently. Participants should know
how to speak with confidence, how to exhibit leadership skills and how to make the group achieve
the goals.
The panel which normally comprises of the technical and HR (Human Resource) experts
of the company will observe and evaluate the members of the team. The rules of the GD – the time
limit, panel’s expectations etc. are explained after the initial introduction by the panel, soon after
the topic or case to be discussed is given to the group members. The panel does not interfere during
the discussion, it only observes. The panel at its discretion may provide some time to think over
the topic or may ask them to start immediately. Each candidate is supposed to express their opinion
either supporting or against the topic. The discussion carries on till the panel signals termination.
It is left to the discretion of the panel to extend or cut short the given time.
The objective of a selection in GD is mainly to check your team playing skills. You have
to understand the other persons’ point of view, while making your point and ensure that your team
as a whole reaches a solution or agreement that is both feasible and accepted by all team members.

There are four major areas of evaluation in selection GDs: subject knowledge, oral
communication skills, leadership skills and team management.
Subject Knowledge:
Participants must possess a thorough understanding of the topic on which they are supposed
to speak. You must prepare yourself to talk on a wide range of subjects. Be abreast of the current
events, national and international affairs, burning social and economic topics, scientific and
environmental issues, key newspapers’ controversial topics and any experience that may be
expected of an educated
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

• Corruption is the Price we pay for Democracy

• What India needs is a Dictatorship?
• Nuclear War cannot be won and should not be fought
• Brain-Drain has to be stopped
• Should Animals be used for Testing New Drugs & Medical Procedures?
• Do NGOs in India Really Work for Others OR Work for their Own Vested Interests?
• Security Cameras & Privacy
• Advertisements Cheat People, Hence Should Be Banned
• What is the Difference between People who do Things Rightly and People who do Right Things?
• Are Peace and Non-Violence Outdated Concepts?
• Capital Punishment should be Banned or Allowed?
• Is Dependence on Computers a Good Thing?
• Every Cloud has a Silver Lining
• Nice Guys Finish Last
• Privatization of Higher Education
• How effective are Indian B-schools?
• E-Learning: A Substitute for Classroom Learning?
• Cricket as a National Obsession is a Detriment to Other Sports.

Input: Explanation about group discussion to the students.

Outcome: Group discussions could be done for groups of 5-8 students at a time. Students will
submit a report on outcome of the GD for their Team.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 6
Letter/ Application Writing
An application letter, also known as a "cover letter," is sent with your resume during the
job application process. A letter adds more personality to your application by providing more
details about your background and interest in the position, while a resume outlines your
professional skills and experience more.
An application letter is a standalone document you submit to a potential employer to
express your interest in an open position. The job application letter explains who you are as a
professional and an individual. The letter should highlight your achievements and skills, helping
to get the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter responsible for reviewing applications. When
written well, this letter explains to the reader why they should ask you in for an interview and
highlights the key qualifications that make you a fit for the role.
A job application letter can impress a potential employer and set you apart from other
applicants. In your letter, you may also want to show your familiarity with the company to which
you’re applying. You can talk about how your professional goals and aspirations align with the
company’s goals. It’s important to use your job application letter to showcase aspects of your
personality.
⮚ How to format an application letter?
When writing an application letter for a job, follow these steps to make sure you include
information about yourself and your professional experience that will appeal to a hiring manager:
● Use a professional format.
● Create the heading.
● Address the letter to the hiring manager.
1. Use a professional format
A job application letter should be more professional than a thank-you card or an email to a
coworker or friend. The alignment of the document should include single spacing, one-inch
margins and left alignment. It’s best to use a professional and traditional font, such as Times New
Roman, in a size from 10 to 12 points. Try to keep your job application letter to one page. When a
hiring manager reviews your job application letter, they will get their first impression of you as a
potential employee, so take time to format it professionally and keep it concise.
2. Create the heading
Use a formal business heading for your job application letter. The heading should include
your name and contact information, the date and the company name and address. If you send your
job application letter via email, you can eliminate your name and contact information from the
header and put it at the bottom of the email after the signature instead.
Example header:
Your name
Your city and ZIP code
Your phone number
Your email address
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

which you are applying. Making your subject line specific also helps the reader categorize the
email properly and respond accordingly. Review your subject line to make sure it is free of any
errors.
Job application letter template

Consider the following template when planning your job application letter:

Joanne Tint
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: XXX XXXX XXXX

Mr Allan Moyle
Moyle Retail
Solutions
Phone: XX XXXX XXXX
Email: [email protected]

23 April 2015

RE: Application for Casual Retail Sales Assistant position

Dear Mr. Moyle,

As a highly motivated and dedicated student with strong communication and interpersonal skills, I
would like to apply for the position of Casual Retail Sales Assistant.

As a student I have been extensively involved in my school community, which has allowed me to
develop strong interpersonal skills. My involvement in various events, including drama
eisteddfods and sports carnivals, has allowed me to work closely with my peers while supporting
the school community as a whole.

These experiences have allowed me to develop strong time management and organizational skills,
which I see as being very important when seeking to work in casual employment while continuing
to study.

Personal attributes that I believe make me suitable for this position includes:
● Motivation: Volunteer participation and school results demonstrate high motivation.
● Customer Service: Assisting with the sale of products at community events has allowed
the development of customer service skills.
● Communication: Acting in drama performances and working as an MC for school
events has allowed the development of communication skills.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2021-22

My teachers and educators have commended me for my willingness to participate and my

dedication to helping out where possible. I enjoy working with others and believe that my strong
communication skills will ensure that I can meet the expectations of this role.
I am aware that you will receive a large number of applications for this job, but I would very much
appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities to you in person.
I believe that I have a lot to offer your organization. I am keen to develop my professional skills
and look forward to discussing my application with you at an interview. I have enclosed a copy of
my resume for your consideration. I can be contacted at all times on the details provided above.

Thanking you in advance for your

time, Joanne Tint

Input: Explanation about application/ cover letter writing to the students.

Outcome: Application letter could be prepared by every student. Students will submit a single
page cover letter for their job application.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 7
Report Writing

From the day you walk into college until the day you leave, there are many reports you'll
have to write. As a student, these reports might be the bane of your life - but the truth is, you'll
have to write them no matter where you go. From a simple work assessment report to the high-
flying technical write-up, reports are a common form of workplace communication.
Report writing is an essential skill for professionals; master it now and writing reports won't
have to be a pain. A report aims to inform and sometimes to persuade. They should be written as
clearly and succinctly as possible, with evidence about a topic, problem or situation.
What is a Report?
● is a presentation of facts and information, rather than a discussion of various opinions?
● is often written for a very specific audience (e.g. an organization that has commissioned a
report)
● is structured so that it may be scanned quickly by the reader
● uses numbered headings and subheadings (e.g. 2.1 Executive summary)
● uses short, concise paragraphs and dot points, where applicable
● uses graphics wherever possible (tables, graphs, illustrations)
● may need an abstract (sometimes called an executive summary)
● makes recommendations.
● does not always need references and a bibliography.
● often has appendices.

How do I consider the audience?

As you write, ask yourself:
Why have they asked for a
report? What do they need to
know?
How will they use the report?
Throughout your study and future career you will write reports for people who have little
or no background in the area of work your report covers. If this is your audience, then your report
should be easy to understand.
Define terms, offer some background knowledge and use relevant examples. For example,
an environmental impact statement for a newspaper would be written in a style that best suits the
non- technical reader.
On the other hand, if you are writing a technical report intended to be read by a team of
engineers, you can assume a level of prior knowledge and use specialized technical language.
Someone expert and knowledgeable in your own field will not necessarily look upon your work
kindly if you write your report with a layperson in mind.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

• Did I keep all authentic, important and factual data, information in numbers, statistics
ready with me?
• Did I organize the material in an order?
Writing
Now you can start drafting the report. For this you should focus on the significant features
of a report and the important parts of a report.
A good report is the one that serves the purpose effectively. For that it should have the
following qualities and characteristics.
• Reader Oriented
• Factual
• Brief
• Clear
• Complete
• Judicious
• Organized
• Simple Positive vocabulary
After you have drafted the report, do check whether:
• You did basic and extended investigation
• Gathered all necessary authentic information
• Filtered the information and took essential information
• Followed the phases properly and checked them
• Checked the matter for language errors
• Checked the matter for the important features of a report
Review and Editing
After finishing the writing of first draft, take sufficient time to go through the document.
By now you have complete clarity of the matter, so you will be able to review the document
effectively. Edit the report as many times as you can because this makes it more and more effective.

Input: Explanation about report writing to the students.

Outcome: Academic Report could be prepared by Students mentioning various events organized
by department during Semester.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 8
Resume Writing

Resume Defined
A. Purpose
• A resume is a summary of your experiences and skills relevant to the field of work you
are entering.
• It highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified
for the work you want. It is not a biography of everything you have done.
• Its purpose is to get you an interview.
• A resume can and should reflect more than just your paid work experience. Include the
details of your more important extracurricular, volunteer, and leadership experiences.
B. Tailored Resumes
• Tailor separate resumes to fit each career field in which you are job searching. You can
create slightly different resumes tailored to each job opening.

Resume Types
1. Reverse chronological resume format -
This is the most popular resume format and is ideal for people with plenty of work
experience that is relevant to the position they’re interested in.

2. Functional/skills-based resume format –

If you lack relevant work experience because you are a student/recent graduate, or you are
looking to make a career change, the skills-based format is a better choice.

3. Combination resume format –

The combination resume is a great choice for job-seekers with a very diverse skill-set. It’s
useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in 3-4 different fields, and you want to
show all that in your resume. Say, for example, you’re applying for a senior management role,
and the requirements are expertise in Management, Sales, and Software Development.

Resume Content
Step 1: Make a list of your various activities over the years
• Include paid work, volunteer positions, extracurricular activities (especially those in
which you had a leadership role) and internships.
• Can go as far back as four or five years. Graduating students will often have one or two
items from high school on their resume if those items stress an important skill.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

General Resume “Don’ts”

Include information for leaving a job
Letters of recommendation
Race, religion, age, sexual orientation
Starting date (should be included in the cover letter)
Photographs
Inflated jargon
Use “I”
Use clichéd adjectives like “dynamic” or “self-starting”; use detailed descriptions of
accomplishments to convince employer;
Just use job duties—prove what you have done
Send a resume without a cover letter
Use a resume wizard or place your resume in a table
Use elaborate fonts (Arial or Times New Roman will suffice)
Avoid unnecessary personal information such as marital status and date of birth.

General Resume Do’s

Use consistent format and alignment
Keep in plain text
Vary sentence structure to avoid bored
Keep sentences to under 25 words; average about 18 words, but change it up so the
resume is not the same line after line
Shorter sentences: start with a clause: follow with a colon, then add bullets of
information relating to the introductory clause
Add bullets to accomplishments to make them stand out
Proofread by you and other people; watch out for spelling and grammar—spell-check
does not catch everything (manger v. manager)
Use quality paper (at least 50% cotton); no scented or decorative paper
Potentially include preferences on job location and personal hobbies
Revise, revise, revise

Electronic Resume Formats

Never attach a resume or cover letter to your e-mail unless specifically requested. Some
employers automatically delete e-mails with attached resumes. Always put your cover letter
and resume as text within the body of your e-mail message.
Though the content of your resume remains the same, whether you send it by e-mail,
by fax, over the Web or by snail mail, you will need to put your resume into several
distinct formats: A fully-formatted text resume. Most people start by creating a fully-
formatted resume and then convert that resume to the other two electronic formats.
A plain-text resume, (also known as an ASCII resume) when applying for jobs by
e-mail or submitting your resume via a form on the Web.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Resume Modern Templates:

Input: Explanation about resume writing to the students.

Outcome: A Single Page Resumem prepared by Students.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 9
Presentation Skills

What is a Presentation?
The formal presentation of information is divided into two broad categories: Presentation
Skills and Personal Presentation. These two aspects are interwoven and can be described as the
preparation, presentation and practice of verbal and non-verbal communication.
Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk. Some of these initial
fears can be reduced by good preparation that also lays the groundwork for making an effective
presentation.

⮚ A Presentation Is...
• A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking
situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.
• A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking
engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video
conference.
• To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the
information should be carefully considered.
• A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain
a 'persuasive' element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your
organization, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional
funding for a project.

⮚ The Key Elements of a Presentation

Consider the following key components of a presentation:
Context
Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the
presentation.
• When and where will you deliver your presentation?
• There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal
setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different
presentations, and different techniques.
• Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?
• If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early,
to familiarize yourself with the room.
• Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?
• A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various
degrees of formality within that.
• Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Method
How will the presentation be delivered?
Presentations are usually delivered direct to an audience. However, there may be occasions
where they are delivered from a distance over the Internet using video conferencing systems,
such as Skype. It is also important to remember that if your talk is recorded and posted on the
internet, then people may be able to access it for several years. This will mean that your
contemporaneous references should be kept to a minimum.
Impediments
Many factors can influence the effectiveness of how your message is communicated to the
audience. For example, background noise or other distractions, an overly warm or cool room, or
the time of day and state of audience alertness can all influence your audience’s level of
concentration.
As presenter, you have to be prepared to cope with any such problems and try to keep your
audience focused on your message.

⮚ Tips for professionalism

• Dress neatly. Pick something you feel good and comfortable in.
• Smile.
• Remember to breathe.
• Make eye contact with people in the room.
• Pay attention to your body language.
• Watch for unconscious mannerisms (e.g., fiddling with a pen or swaying).
• Take a breath or pause instead of saying filler words like ‘um’ or ‘like’.
• Pause before and after important ideas so that your audience can digest what you have said.
• Be aware of your audience and select language that they will understand.
• If something unexpected happens, go with it. Only you know how it was supposed to go.
⮚ Tips for practicing
• Everyone experiences some nervousness when presenting, but practicing gives you
confidence.
• Practice your presentation out loud a few times until you’re comfortable with the content.
• Prepare a few notes to help you stay on track, but avoid reading your notes word-for-word.
• Consider recording and watching your practice session. Note 3 strengths and focus on 1
area to improve.
• Time yourself.
• Speak clearly and loud enough to be heard in the back of the room.
• Study and critique other speakers. You will learn a lot by observing your own reaction to
their presentations.

Input: Explanation about effective presentation skills to the students.

Outcome: A 10-minute presentation on a topic of interest by Students. Students can submit the
PPT for submission.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 10
Team Games for Team Building

Every organization is made up of teams. And the success of that organization has a direct
correlation to the effectiveness of its teams.
The better the coordination among the teams, better would be the organization’s benefits.
Team building and specially planned activities not only boost morale of employees, but it can also
increase the success of your business

⮚ Why team building is Important

A close-knit team will ensure productivity and a good work environment. Here are few
reasons to start team building: motivate your team members and bring them closer together!
• Facilitates Better Communication
• Motivates Employees
• Promotes
• Develops Problem-Solving
• Breaks the barrier

Let us see 12 reasons to start team building: motivate your team members and bring them closer
together!
1. Networking, socializing, and getting to know each other better.
Socializing and making friends in the workplace is one of the best ways to increase
productivity in the virtual, hybrid, or in-person workplace. Not only does it increase morale in the
office: it will help your team adapt to a virtual work environment more efficiently, solving issues
that come up with the “new normal.” Holding a team building activity can be short and sweet, or
it can be a more complex event that everyone has more time to plan for!

2. Teamwork and boosting team performance.

Team building activities also work to improve workplace projects that involve teamwork
because it helps the teams understand each other better. After completing team building activities
together, employees better understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. This
understanding helps them work even better together on future progress vital to a company.
When everyone is contributing their best, it sets the tone for a positive work culture. Each
team is different and every individual has something unique to contribute. Once you can identify
and encourage everyone to reach their individual potential, your team will be able to reach its
collective potential as well.

3. Competition and bragging rights.

Competition has been shown to increase productivity. By channeling that increased
productivity into a fun, inclusive team building activity, teams can bond in a more effective way
than
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

at their calendar to see what seems like a never-ending list of tasks. Have your employees get
excited about non-work-related events during the workweek, not just on the weekend.
It is also important to recognize that these events give employees a shared goal that doesn’t
have to do with their work. This much-needed break is good for employee mental health and ties
back into the idea of creating a more positive work environment for the people who make your
company successful.

9. Show employee’s appreciation

Along the same lines, team building events let employees feel appreciated for their hard work.
Many times, great work can accidentally be swept under the rug due to a sea of other things going
on. Prioritizing these events shows employees you care about them and appreciate their efforts by
rewarding them with a fun activity the team can enjoy together.

10. Build bridges across departments

The connections between employees within one department aren’t the only ones that matter
when it comes to building a stronger team. “Team” doesn’t have to be confined to the sales team
or the marketing team. It is a unified collection of all the working teams that make up your
organization. Ask yourself – how well do you know employees in departments other than your
own? If the answer is not well or not at all, then team building will surely bring departments closer
together to encourage cross-functional collaboration that will benefit your organization as a whole.
Urge employees to familiarize themselves with people in other departments, instead of
working in a silo with members of their immediate team. You will likely find that this practice will
help everyone to feel more comfortable in the workplace and open doors to new relationships.
Bridging those divides allows for positive relationships to form, which leads to a more productive
company.

11. Unlock leadership potential

In a more relaxed and creative environment, you may find employees have hidden skills
that haven’t been discovered in the office. Leaders can arise in the simplest of activities and may
surprise you. Regularly scheduled team building events can feed employees’ confidence in the
workplace. You may discover that the quiet new employee is incredible at inspiring their peers and
with the right mentor, development opportunities, and encouragement could be your company’s
next rising leader.

12. Improved employee engagement and morale

Committing to regularly scheduled team building events can build comradery, make
employees more excited to come into work, more enthusiastic about their work, and more
comfortable approaching each other. It also may help employees to feel more encouraged to step
away from their desks and have some fun, which in turn will help them return to their work feeling
refreshed and reenergized.
Team building activities give employees something common to talk about other than work.
They can break down communication barriers and help teams work more efficiently. Most
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 11
Mock Interviews

Mock interviews are preparatory scenarios in which teachers give students the chance to
experience a job interview in a safe, constructive, and familiar space before they start their careers.
Mock interviews are cheered as being one of the most effective tactics in a career readiness
curriculum because they have such a practical impact on students’ futures.
Students who experience a mock interview can learn how to dress, speak, and answer
classic interview questions. So how are you supposed to conduct mock interviews in the first place?

Eight ways to run a successful mock interview:

1. Set a time
2. Note your first impression
3. Note what the student brings
4. Note their attire
5. Ask behavior-based questions
6. Note silence
7. Discuss pay
8. Debrief one-on-one

1. Set a Time (and Note When Students Arrive)

When teacher set up mock interviews for his students, the time is crucial to discuss. The time
is not a “ballpark” estimation of when the interview will start. It’s a hard deadline dictating that a
student needs to be in the employer’s building, ready to start.
Human resources representatives and hiring managers almost never start their interviews early,
and it’s sometimes a challenge for them to arrive to interviews on-time themselves. But the student,
as the interviewee, doesn’t have the luxury of being late. In fact, they don’t even have the luxur y
of making it “on time.”
The best time to arrive to a job interview is generally considered to be 15 minutes early.
This allows the company to note that the student has arrived for the interview, it lets the student
collect their thoughts before the interview, and it shows the employer that the student is serious
about pursuing the open position.
If a student arrives late to teacher’s mock interview, note it and reinforce why it’s so important
that they arrive to an interview early. It may not sound important — but it can make or break a
student’s chances against other qualified candidates!

2. Note Your First Impression about Student

When the students arrive to your mock interview, teacher has the challenging task of
interacting with them as if it’s the first time you’ve met.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

matching skirts and jackets, single-color dresses, and button-down blouses. Overall, business
formal is the most preferred dress for interviews because it makes such a striking and strong first
impression.
Business casual, as the name implies, reflects a more relaxed form of attire that still appears
professional. For men, this can include short-sleeve polo shirts, long-sleeve button-down shirts,
and jackets. Men can also get away with a finer pair of slacks or khakis that go with darker-colored
tops. For women, business causal includes blouses, button-down tops, pants, skirts, blazers, and
close-toed shoes.
Basically, if students don’t know what to wear for an interview, they can start by avoiding the
clothing that they wear to be with their friends or families. Jeans, sweatpants, legging, and T-shirts
are all inappropriate interview attire.

5. Ask Behavior-Based Questions

In the past, many employers asked standardized questions like “Where do you see yourself in
five years?” to gauge the quality of a job prospect. However, that’s changing in today’s technology-
fueled workforce.
Today, employers are asking questions about individuals’ behaviors, even if those job
candidates are applying for entry-level positions. Interviewers do this because they want an
understanding about how an interviewee operates under pressure or presented with different
challenges.
These questions typically don’t result in short answers — students must be prepared to tell
stories that illustrate how they overcame obstacles, solved problems, and helped others in their
own lives.
Depending on the employer, an interviewer in a face-to-face interviewer may not focus much on
the actual job in question. Instead, they may use the in-person interview as a chance to learn more
about the student’s character.
After all, they saw the job candidate’s resume and decided to bring them in for an interview.
From the perspective of the employer, the hard part is figuring out which job prospect is the best
fit for the company and the least likely to hurt the company.
As the mock interviewer, this gives you access to a laundry list of questions, like:
• Tell me about a time you ran into a challenge in life
• When was the last time you dealt with a difficult person?
• Why do you want to work with this company, specifically?

But this is just the beginning! Each of these questions opens the door to half a dozen other
questions that employers use to better understand job candidates.
After a student answers each question, an interviewer may follow up with:
• Who was involved?
• What happened?
• Where did this take place?
• When did all of this occur?
• How did you handle the situation?
• What was the outcome?
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

Assignment No. 12
Email Etiquettes
Email is a text based mail sent via the computer from one person to another. A push
technology is used in email. It waits for you. It is one-to-many and almost free.

⮚ Essential Email Etiquette Rules for Workplace

Email communication constitutes a significant portion of our professional life. While we
try to read and answer emails more efficiently, it is essential that we keep proper email etiquette
in mind. Following commonly accepted social rules while communicating through email helps you
create a positive image in the minds of employers and professional contacts.

⮚ What is email etiquette?

Email etiquette is a set of commonly accepted social rules others expect you to follow while
communicating through email. These rules or principles of social conduct vary based on the
purpose of your email and the audience you are communicating with. For example, the style of
writing an email to your friends and relatives may be different from the one you use for your
employer, which again may be different from that meant for your subordinates.

⮚ Why is email etiquette important?

It is essential to follow proper email etiquette because the way you respond through your
emails reflects upon your personality and professionalism. Here are some important reasons for
following best practices in email communication:
It increases clarity. Following email etiquette makes your communication clear and free
from errors.
It brings efficiency. Following email etiquette makes your communication precise and
focused, thus saving time for all the parties involved.
It improves your image. Following email etiquette positively impacts the way people
think of you. It conveys an image that you are professional and organized.
It protects you from legal liability. Following email etiquette minimizes the chances of
committing mistakes that may be legally binding on you.

⮚ Essential email etiquette you should follow at workplace

Following are some of the common email etiquette you should follow at the workplace:
1. Add a clear subject line
A clear subject line tells the recipient what your email is about and increases the chances
of their opening your email. Keep your subject line simple, short and specific to the content of
your email. You may write it in phrase form like ‘Schedule of the Meeting', ‘Purchase Invoice
Attached' or ‘Performance Appraisal'. Alternatively, you may also write it as a sentence, such as
‘Please attend the seminar' or ‘Kindly send the details of your expenses'. As a general rule, you
should retain the same subject line when replying to an email.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

2. Use a professional salutation

Be sure to use a professional salutation in your work-related emails even if the recipient
happens to be your friend. You may add something like ‘Dear [name of the recipient]' or ‘Dear
Mr./Ms. [last name of the recipient].' Use the complete name of the recipient even if you use an
informal short name while communicating orally.

3. Introduce yourself
If you are writing to someone for the first time or addressing someone who may not know
you, it's a good practice to introduce yourself. However, keep the introduction brief and use a non-
promotional tone. Include your complete name, job title and company name. Consider mentioning
how you came to know about the recipients, and how your email can be helpful to them.
Example: “I am Jay Raghuvanshi from Namaste India Travels. My colleague from the
marketing department, Mr. Ved Prakash told me that you are interested in our tour planning
services.”

4. Add your signature

A signature block contains your name, designation, company name and contact details.
You may also include links to your social media profiles. You can set up your email to
automatically include your signature in all outgoing emails. Place your signature block a line or
two below the closing of your email. Format it to look similar to the rest of the content in terms of
font type, size and style.

5. Use a professional email ID

Use your official email ID if your company has given you one. If you are using your
personal email address, exercise caution in choosing it. Remember that your email address is a part
of your identity. Ensure that it is appropriate for professional use. Consider choosing an email
address that includes your name instead of something that sounds too informal like
‘[email protected]' or ‘[email protected]'.

6. Use standard formatting

Choose appropriate font, color and size so that your emails are easy to read. Arial and
Times New Roman are among the popular fonts people use in formal communication. Consider
using black as the default color. Use a soft color like yellow if you need to highlight a specific
portion of the text. If you choose to make some text bold, underlined or italic, make sure you do it
only for words and phrases instead of entire sentences.

7. Know your audience

The tone and style of your email should be suitable for the audience you are writing to. It
would be best if you were more cautious while writing to someone from a different culture, since
they may interpret words differently than what you intended. Hence, it is always better to gain
some understanding of your recipient's background and tailor your email accordingly.
 Business Communication Skills Laboratory Year 2023-24

and proofread them when you get time. Double-check the ‘to', ‘cc' and ‘bcc' fields to ensure that
you are sending your email to the correct recipients. Consider adding these fields after drafting
your email so that you do not send an incomplete email accidentally.

14. Respond to all emails in time

You should respond to all legitimate emails on time. Except in case of emergencies that
require immediate response, you may respond within a day or two depending on the urgency of
the matter. If you happen to wrongly receive an email meant for someone else, let the sender know
about it. If you have received a query and do not have an immediate answer, inform the sender that
you have received their email and are looking into it.

15. Use the ‘reply all' feature only when necessary

The ‘reply all' button lets you send an email reply to all the people added by the sender.
Use this feature only when you need to keep everyone informed. At all other times, just click on
‘reply' and add additional recipients manually. It will keep the thread clean and prevent others from
getting inundated with unnecessary emails.

16. Set out-of-office replies

If you are going to be away from work for an extended period of time, consider setting an
out- of-office reply to let the sender know of your unavailability at the moment. An out-of-office
reply should include information on when you will be back and who the sender should contact for
urgent matters.
The most effective OOO emails include the following:
• A friendly, professional greeting
• How long you’ll be away
• When a sender can expect a response
• Who to contact in the event of an emergency
• Provide instruction for tasks you commonly perform
• Why you’re away (optional)

Input: Explanation about email etiquette skills to the students.

Outcome: A Student knows how to write professional emails to the subordinates. Students can
write a sample email to Principal asking for leave during academics.