General Tips on International Business Correspondence by Viktoryia Biheza

The most important element of having successful international business relationships is to appreciate and respect the cultural diversity of another country (or even another region of the United States for that matter), and try and learn what is acceptable and unacceptable to the people of that culture.

Remember, what goes for one country may be different for another, even a neighboring country. This might sound like an overwhelming task, particularly if you have clients or dealings in many countries. Remember that learning about the customs of different countries can be fun, and your efforts will be rewarded.

Correspondence, whether by e-mail, letter, or fax, is a vital aspect of international business, in which English is generally recognized as the language of communication. Make sure that you are writing to express and make it clear. Here are some tips:

1.Simplify your language. Avoid using jargon, big or vague words.

2. Make your sentences shorter, use present tense and active voice.

3. Choose words with one of few meanings. (address an issue, provide an address, etc.)

4. Avoid phrasal verbs (verbs with 2 or 3 words in them). Open up - expand, enlarge; carry on - continue; take advantage of - exploit, etc.

5. Use the simplest verb forms and choose words that are pronounceable.

6. Avoid redundant and wordy expressions.

It is equally important to keep in mind the international meanings and cultural associations that different colors, symbols, and images carry. A writer ought to pay special attention to the different connotations visual elements may hold and use any visual information only for intended audiences. Remember, simplicity is the key here.

Thus, acknowledging diversity when communicating with international companies and business partners, organizing the information for intended audiences, and being courteous will earn respect for any company and its products and services.

References
http://www.scribd.com/doc/13162090/Elementsss-of-International-English-Style-A-Guide-2-Writing-Correspondence-Reports-Technical-Documents-Internet-Pages-For-A-Global-Audience-MJ-
http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_32215.html
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=946692

Interview Techniques

Have you ever gone to a job interview thinking that you have it all together? I mean really, how hard is it once you get your wardrobe together, your nerves under control & a killer resume right? Wrong! There is more to a job interview than you may anticipate. Whether it be an interview for a fast food restaurant or a position in corporate America, these tips are very important in landing the position that you want.

There are different types of interviews. Ah, maybe you didn’t know that. Perhaps you’ve only experienced an interview set between the employer and potential employee. There are informational, screening & selection interviews that are formatted via telephone or video, individual or group/committee.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying “Always make a good first impression” right? Well, did you know that during an interview, the first impression is made during the first four seconds? Yes, before you may have a chance to open your mouth, you’ve already made an impression. Eleven impressions are made in ten seconds. Impressions are based on personal appearance, grooming, eye contact, articulation, personality & handshake. It’s good to remember that you never have a second chance to make a first impression!

When preparing for the interview, there are a few steps below that one should follow:

Identify your strengths
Conduct research on the position and employer. (Always have background knowledge of the company you are interviewing for)
Tailor and review your resume (Be sure that all your information is up to date & correct)
Conduct a practice interview (listen to yourself, catch phrases & speech patterns)
Attend to your grooming and carefully select your wardrobe

Dress for success:
Women
Suit with knee length skirt and tailored blouse
Pantsuits are more acceptable now but save them for after you obtain the job
Keep accessories and make up simple

Men
Two-piece suit (solid colors vs. prints or patterns)
Wear polished shoes with knee length socks that avoid skin exposure
Tie pattern should be simple






Another good technique when interviewing is to know the different types of interview questions. They are below:

Open ended- “Tell me about yourself”
Hypothetical- “What would you do if”
Proven Success- GPA, leadership, initiatives taken, projects completed
Opinion- “What are your strengths?”
Behavioral- “Can you give me an example of when you successfully dealt with a difficult client?”

Now that you’ve read over these simple interview techniques, you are ready to go get the job that you’ve been waiting for!

Apologies to Mister Levine...

I just wanted to take the time to correct an error in my introduction post... Contributor's name is correctly Jason Levine, and I would hate to have people who visit this blog mistake this excellent author for anybody else. Thanks for the help, Jason!

Welcome to BusyBee Bloggers

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to BusyBee Bloggers, ENC 3250 Blog Group 2. My name is Christopher Vignieri, and I am the admin for this blog while Sheila Bolduc-Simpson is the co-admin. The contributors to this blog are Viktoryia Biheza, Scott Dillon, Justin Jelley, George Herrera, Jason Levine, David Royster, Clara Thompson and Michael McCormick. Our concentrations lie in providing the best and most up to date information toward writing effective business correspondence, from start to finish, in multiple aspects of an ever-changing business world.