Communications in the hiring and interview process | Dave Jaarsma

Summary

In this episode of 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines,' host Jon Whitzman discusses the evolving importance of communication skills in the workplace with industry professionals. The focus shifts from traditional skills like typing speed and software proficiency to the ability to think critically and articulate thoughts clearly during job interviews. The conversation highlights how candidates who structure their arguments and communicate effectively are more successful. The episode underscores the need for strong communication skills in various industries, emphasizing their impact on career success. Listen in for insights on the changing landscape of workplace communications.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The podcast 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines' explores communication skills in the workplace.
• 👥 Host Jon Whitzman interviews industry professionals, faculty, and alumni to discuss their experiences with reading and writing skills.
• 📚 The podcast covers how communication learning has evolved over the years and its application across various industries.
• 📝 During interviews, clear and structured articulation is essential for candidates to make it to the next round.
• 💼 The interview process is seen as a structured argument where candidates present their qualifications effectively.
• 📈 The company mentioned has experienced rapid growth, doubling its employee count in two years.
• 🖋️ Historically, technical proficiency with tools like FrameMaker and RoboHelp was important in interviews, but that's no longer the case.
• 💻 Modern hiring focuses less on specific software knowledge and more on candidates' ability to think critically and communicate clearly.
• 🤝 For customer success manager roles, the key to success is clear articulation and building connections with the audience.
• 🎧 The podcast encourages listeners to check out more episodes on YouTube for further exploration of workplace communication topics.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines' podcast?

The podcast focuses on communication skills in the workplace, exploring how they have evolved and are applied in various industries.

Who is the host of the podcast and what is their goal?

The host is Jon Whitzman, and his goal is to speak with industry professionals, Conestoga faculty, and alumni to explore their experiences with reading and writing skills.

What does the podcast suggest about the evolution of workplace communication skills?

The podcast suggests that workplace communication skills have evolved significantly over the years, with a shift in focus from technical proficiency in tools to clarity of thought and articulation.

What is the host’s perspective on overly 'rambly' interviewees?

Jon Whitzman suggests that candidates who are too rambly in interviews are unlikely to proceed to the next round, as clarity and structured arguments are crucial.

How does the host compare past and current interview expectations?

In the past, interviews focused on technical skills like typing speed or software proficiency. Today, the focus is more on the ability to think critically and present ideas clearly.

What qualities does Jon Whitzman value most in candidates during interviews?

He values candidates who can articulate their thoughts clearly, structure arguments well, and connect ideas coherently during interviews.

Does the host believe that technical skills, such as proficiency with software tools, are still critical in interviews?

No, Jon Whitzman no longer prioritizes technical skills in interviews. He believes candidates can quickly learn tools, and he focuses more on their communication and critical thinking abilities.

What tools were once important in interviews that are no longer a primary focus?

Tools like Frame Maker, Robo Help, and typing speed were once important in interviews, but they are no longer a key focus in today’s hiring process.

What is the importance of creating a connection with the audience according to Jon Whitzman?

Creating a connection with the audience is crucial for success, especially for customer success managers (CSMs), as it reflects clear communication and an ability to engage.

Where can listeners find more episodes of the 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines' podcast?

Listeners can find more episodes on the YouTube channel 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines.'

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Introduction to Workplace Communication

Jon Whitzman introduces the podcast series *Reading and Writing Between the Lines*, focusing on communication skills in the workplace. The podcast features conversations with industry professionals, Conestoga faculty, and alumni, exploring the evolution of communication skills and their relevance across various industries.

💼 The Importance of Structured Communication in Interviews

A discussion on the importance of clear and structured communication during job interviews. Jon emphasizes that a well-prepared candidate who can articulate their qualifications concisely is more likely to succeed, as opposed to those who appear disorganized or ramble. He reflects on how communication plays a critical role in conveying one's suitability for a role.

📝 Prepping for Interviews: Clarity and Focus

In this section, the focus is on candidates' ability to answer interview questions on the fly while organizing their thoughts clearly. Jon explains how applicants should discard irrelevant details, focus on key points, and connect them effectively to support their answers. The ability to make clear, structured points under pressure is highly valued.

📊 Evolution of Interview Skills and Requirements

Jon reflects on how job interviews have changed over the years. Early in his career, emphasis was placed on specific technical skills, like typing speed and software proficiency, which are no longer focal points. He now values candidates' critical thinking and communication abilities more than their proficiency with specific tools.

🤔 Prioritizing Thought Clarity Over Tool Proficiency

The conversation shifts towards modern-day hiring practices, where Jon shares that he no longer focuses on whether candidates know specific tools, as software can be learned quickly. Instead, the ability to think critically and present those thoughts in a clear, articulate manner is prioritized in his interviews.

📢 Conclusion: Communication as a Key to Success

Jon wraps up the episode by stressing that clear communication and the ability to connect with an audience are the key traits for success, especially in roles like Customer Success Managers (CSMs). He concludes by encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more episodes of the podcast, which explores these themes in depth.

Keywords

💡Communication skills

Communication skills refer to the ability to convey information clearly and effectively. In the video, the host and guest emphasize how essential these skills are in the workplace, particularly in interviews. Clear communication is key to presenting one's ideas and arguments convincingly, which is more important now than technical skills.

💡Workplace

The workplace refers to any setting where professional tasks are carried out. In this podcast, the discussion centers around how communication skills, especially in writing and speaking, are applied in various industries. The workplace is the environment where these communication abilities are tested and refined.

💡Interview

An interview is a formal meeting where a candidate is evaluated for a job. In the video, the guest discusses how interviews have evolved, with a stronger focus now on a candidate's ability to communicate their ideas clearly rather than proficiency in specific tools. Interview performance is linked to the ability to structure an argument effectively.

💡Argument structure

Argument structure involves organizing thoughts logically to present a clear, persuasive case. The guest emphasizes that a job interview is essentially an argument for why a candidate is suitable for a role, making the ability to structure an argument crucial. A disorganized answer, on the other hand, often leads to disqualification.

💡Rambly

The term 'rambly' refers to speaking in a disorganized or unfocused manner. The guest highlights that when candidates speak in a rambly way during interviews, it indicates a lack of preparation and weak argumentation, often resulting in their rejection from the hiring process.

💡Preparation

Preparation refers to the act of getting ready for a task, such as an interview. The guest notes that while preparation is important, the ability to articulate thoughts on the fly is more critical. Prepared candidates can structure their answers more effectively, but they still need to demonstrate clarity and purpose in their communication.

💡Virtual interviews

Virtual interviews are job interviews conducted over the internet, usually through video calls. The guest shares their experience of conducting virtual interviews and how they can still assess candidates’ preparedness and communication skills, even though these interviews lack in-person elements like taking notes.

💡Tools

In this context, tools refer to software or technical applications used in the workplace, such as Frame Maker, Robo Help, or Salesforce. The guest notes that earlier in their career, technical proficiency with specific tools was a focus in interviews. However, they now prioritize communication skills over tool knowledge, as the latter can be easily taught.

💡Customer Success Manager (CSM)

A Customer Success Manager (CSM) is a professional responsible for building strong relationships with customers to ensure their satisfaction and success with a company’s product or service. The guest mentions that the ability to communicate clearly is critical for the CSM role, as this helps establish and maintain positive customer interactions.

💡Software proficiency

Software proficiency refers to the ability to use specific software tools effectively. In the past, this was a key focus during job interviews, as mentioned by the guest. However, the guest now assumes that new generations can quickly learn software tools, making proficiency less important than communication and problem-solving skills.

Highlights

Introduction to the podcast series 'Reading and Writing Between the Lines,' focused on workplace communication skills.

The host, Jon Whitzman, discusses how communication skills have evolved over the years in various industries.

Industry professional shares insights into hiring processes, emphasizing structured argumentation during interviews.

The ability to articulate clearly and concisely is highlighted as a key factor in successful job interviews.

Candidates who are too 'rambly' in interviews are less likely to proceed to the next round.

The importance of preparation in an interview is not about knowing specific tools but about structuring responses effectively.

The speaker explains that interviews are essentially arguments where candidates must prove their suitability for the job.

The interviewer values clarity of thought and the ability to present a clear point of view.

Shift in hiring criteria from technical skills like typing speed to critical thinking and communication skills.

The current focus is on candidates’ ability to learn software quickly rather than proficiency in specific tools.

Clear articulation and ability to connect with an audience are prioritized over tool proficiency in customer success manager roles.

The speaker assumes that the current workforce can handle learning new software, so technical tools are no longer a primary concern.

Critical thinking and communication skills have become more essential in modern interviews, as opposed to tool-based questions.

The evolution of workplace communication from tool proficiency to effective articulation and thought presentation.

Conclusion of the episode, with Jon Whitzman encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more episodes on communication skills.

Transcripts

Welcome to Reading and Writing Between the Lines,

a podcast series about communication skills in the workplace.

I'm your host, Jon Whitzman.

Join me as I speak with industry professionals and Conestoga faculty

and alumni to explore their journeys with reading and writing skills.

Follow us as we talk about how communications learning has changed

over the years, how these skills are used in a wide range of industries

and the future of workplace communications.

- So when I'm interviewing and, you know, our company is really growing.

So I think I was employee

number 70, two years ago and we're at 130 now.

So kind of rapid growth. So we're doing an awful lot of hiring

when somebody is too rambly in their interview.

They're probably not going to make it to the second round.

I can tell when somebody has prepared ahead of time to structure an argument.

Which is what an interview is.

It is an argument that you are

a worthy candidate in different areas.

You can tell when somebody’s thought

processes and their way to articulate

why they are a good candidate, you know, their answers

to the questions, whether they're good or whether they're weak.

And if somebody is all over the place and can't make a point.

I'm going to discount them.

Do you ever see people come in to an interview with paper

and pen and making notes as they go?

It's all virtual.

So I haven't seen that specifically, but I can tell when they've prepped.

But it's not about preparation.

It's about how do they articulate.

Clearly and with a point.

- Yes, on the fly, taking in the question,

going through the steps of here are all the things I could talk about.

Let's get rid of those three.

I've got these three things left.

What order do I line them up and what are the things

that I can say to connect those dots?

Yeah, what's your point of view?

And now how do you support that?

It's making me wonder

what the interviews you're doing now would look like,

stacked up against the interviews that you did along the way.

Obviously, they would have been in person and not over Zoom,

but do you feel like those skills were the same skills

that were sort of being sought after or being looked for in

in those job interviews that you did along the way?

- No, I think back in the early part of my career,

there was a focus on the tools that you knew.

- Interesting.

- I remember still the number of words per minute you could type was a thing.

That's really no longer the case.

In my attack writing phase of my career,

one of the main software tools kind of in the industry was Frame Maker.

And then Robo Help was a type of software

that was used to kind of create the online version of that web works was another-

Anyways, these would be questions in the interview,

like, what is your level of proficiency with these tools?

Honestly, Jon, I don't care.

When I am interviewing a candidate now, I assume that

the generation hitting the workforce can handle software tools.

Yeah, I think that they can learn it very, very quickly.

I want to know, can they think and can they take

those thoughts and present them clearly?

- Right.

- So that tends to be much more my focus of my interview questions

not do you know Microsoft Word?

You know, and Salesforce is one of our big tools as well.

I can teach you that stuff and I'm not worried about that at all.

But can you articulate

clearly and create a connection with your audience?

Because that's the mark of success for the CSM,

the customer success managers that we're hiring.

And that marks the end of another episode of Reading and Writing Between the Lines,

a podcast hosted by me, Jon Whitzman, on behalf of the communications department

and School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Conestoga College.

You can find other episodes of this series on our YouTube channel,

Reading and Writing Between the Lines.

Stay tuned for more episodes.

Thanks for listening.