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Real-Life Communication

You're a personnel recruiter working to find an intermediate-level architect for a large architecture and interior design firm called Arabella Design.

In order to figure out what qualifications Arabella Design is looking for in the job candidate, you first interview someone from the firm.

"Communication skills are extremely important," says Carla Perry, a personnel recruiter. "You have to speak with the customers to figure out what the job is all about. You also need to have good interviewing skills to talk to potential job applicants."

This is what the representative from Arabella Design tells you she is looking for in the potential job candidate:

We would like to hire an intermediate architect, which means someone with at least five years of experience working in the field. It would be suitable if the candidate was an intern architect, working on becoming a registered professional.

The candidate should have proven job coordination skills and experience communicating with clients and consultants.

We specialize in multi-unit housing and in community buildings such as swimming pools, fire halls and libraries. It is an asset if the candidate has experience in these areas. The candidate should also have experience doing working drawings, schematic design and construction administration.

Computer-aided drafting skills are a must. Experience working in the program AutoCAD would be a definite asset.

You've searched all the appropriate venues for an architect that matches this job description. Right now, you're interviewing Colleen. These are four questions you ask her, along with her responses.

  1. How many years have you been working in the field?

    I've been out of school and working for six years. I'm still an intern architect, but have written most of my exams and expect to become a registered architect within the next year.

  2. What sort of projects have you worked on, and what were your job responsibilities?

    The last two main projects I worked on were an aquatic center and a subsidized multi-family housing unit. For the aquatic center, I was responsible for putting together the working drawings. For the multi-family housing unit, I worked with the project architect doing construction administration.

  3. What computer programs are you familiar with?

    I'm very familiar with VectorWorks and with AutoCAD.

Compare Colleen's responses with the company's requirements for a new job candidate. Then list four reasons why you think she would or would not be a good candidate for the job.