Job Interviewing    

One of the most challenging modules in my business communication course is the job search. Why? Because it seems that everyone has a strong opinion and a list of "do's and dont's" or "best and worst" for job seekers. In my class, students who would normally be text-messaging, doing homework for another class, or puzzled by the "you-perspective" become excited when we start discussing job search topics—the wrong and right style for the résumé and cover letter, appropriate interview attire, legal and illegal interview questions. By the end of the module, we have discussed so many different views and exceptions to the rules that some students roll their eyes and ask, "So, what are we supposed to do, Dr. Muir?" And then we have another round at it! For those reasons, I refused to teach any aspect of the job search for several semesters. Instead I would send students to my university's Career Services office (because they actually handle recruitment and placement and have their own set of guidelines), or I would invite guest speakers from industry to talk with students on a variety of topics relevant to the job search. (Note: It is particularly rewarding and empowering when the guest speaker agrees with you on just about everything you try to teach students.)

Muir, Clive. Business Communication Quarterly (2008). Careers>Interviewing

Writing Policies and Procedures    

Over the years, I have had several enlightening and eventful encounters as I helped to develop organization policies and procedures. Most recently, when we voted to approve the revised mission statement for our business school, faculty members cheered and uttered sighs of relief. For months, we had debated every word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph in the many drafts we created. We were often reminded that the statement should conform to the mission of the larger university and that it should be readily understood by the average reader. The most contentious issue was how we could articulate the historical legacy of the minority-serving institution yet focus on its future as a full-fledged member of a highly regarded university system. We sought the advice of the chancellor, provost, advisory board, students, community members, and business owners, among others.

Muir, Clive. Business Communication Quarterly (2008). Articles>Business Communication>Policies and Procedures

Rethinking Job References: a Networking Challenge    

Can job references play an active role in shaping your career plans? Would you consider your references as part of your personal and professional network? Although most professionals may respond with a resounding 'Yes, of course!' to these questions, I realized that many of my students were skeptical about job references. To counter this, and to help improve their chances in the job market, I designed a multistep assignment that expanded students' understanding of job references and required them to identify persons who were potential job references and members of their career network. This article provides the details for the assignment.

Muir, Clive. Business Communication Quarterly (2009). Careers>Resumes>Collaboration>Education