Choosing to Reply via Video Conference

by | Sep 2, 2024 | essay

You have recently interviewed for a new job in California, where you’ll be residing if you get the job offer. Upon your return home from the interview, an offer is in your inbox. The salary listed is fifteen thousand dollars less than you wanted, especially considering the high cost of living in California. You want the job, but the salary could be a deal breaker. Your thoughts turn to the person you interviewed with and with whom you will be working. You liked the person immediately, as they seemed interested in the work that you do and were authentic in their description of the company and its culture. The conversation was professional, but more informal than what you are used to. You need to reply back this week. Should you email, call, or video conference?

Select how you wish to reply, explaining your reasons for the selection.
If you choose video conference, imagine the conversation and how it should play out based on the readings below and all other course materials.
If you choose email, think about everything you should include and the tone of your writing.
Can you identify the active listening that is happening behind the words of the email or the video conference? What nonverbal skills can you see at work?
Write out your email or conversation as if you are talking directly to the person. Think about the words you use and remember that you are selling yourself in this conversation, so humble and persuasive language is crucial.

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

Choosing to Reply via Video Conference

In this situation, I believe a video conference would be the most effective way to communicate my thoughts regarding the job offer. The informal nature of my previous conversation with the interviewer indicated a company culture that values personal connection and open dialogue. A video call would allow me to express my enthusiasm for the position while also addressing my concerns about the salary. This format enables real-time interaction, allowing for immediate feedback and a more dynamic conversation, which can be crucial in negotiating terms.

Imagined Conversation for Video Conference

Setting Up the Call:

Before the call, I ensure I am in a quiet space with a professional background and good lighting. I check my technology to avoid any interruptions.

Video Call Begins

Me: “Hi [Interviewer’s Name], it’s great to see you again! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. I truly appreciate the offer, and I’m excited about the opportunity to join your team.”

Interviewer: “Hi! It’s great to see you too. I’m glad we could connect again. What are your thoughts on the offer?”

Me: “I’m really thrilled about the position and the chance to contribute to [Company Name]. I loved our conversation during the interview, especially about [specific topic discussed]. It really resonated with me and reflects how well I think I would fit into the team culture.”

Interviewer: “I’m glad to hear that! The team is very collaborative.”

Me: “Absolutely! That’s something I value greatly in a workplace. I did want to discuss the salary, though. I noticed it was about $15,000 less than what I was hoping for, especially given the high cost of living in California. I understand that budgets can be tight, but I’m passionate about this role and believe my skills can significantly contribute to [specific project or goal]. Is there any room for negotiation?”

Interviewer: “I understand your concern. Let me explain a bit about our budget constraints, but I would like to find a way to make this work for both of us.”

Me: “Thank you for being open to discussing this. I appreciate your transparency. Given my experience in [specific skills or experiences that relate to the job], I feel that a higher salary could reflect not just my expertise but also the value I can bring to the team.”

Interviewer: “That makes sense. Let’s see what we can do here…”

The conversation continues with back-and-forth discussion, addressing my concerns while also hearing their perspective.

Nonverbal Skills at Play

1. Eye Contact: Maintaining good eye contact throughout the conversation creates trust and shows engagement.
2. Nodding: Nodding while listening demonstrates understanding and encourages the other person to continue speaking.
3. Smiling: A genuine smile can set a positive tone and convey enthusiasm about the opportunity.
4. Open Body Language: Keeping an open posture indicates receptiveness and helps create a comfortable atmosphere.

Active Listening

During this conversation, active listening is demonstrated through paraphrasing what the interviewer says, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback that acknowledges their points. This ensures that both parties are on the same page and fosters a collaborative spirit.

Alternative: Email Response

If I were to choose email instead of a video conference, here is how that would look:

Subject: Thank You for the Offer

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well! First, I want to express my sincere gratitude for extending the job offer for [Job Title] at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure meeting you during the interview, and our discussion about [specific topic discussed] truly resonated with me.

While I am excited about the opportunity to join such an innovative team, I wanted to discuss the salary aspect of the offer. The proposed salary is approximately $15,000 less than what I had anticipated, especially considering the high cost of living in California.

I am very passionate about contributing to [specific project or goal] at [Company Name] and believe that my experience in [specific skills] will enable me to add significant value to your team. If there’s any flexibility in the salary offer, I would be eager to explore that possibility.

Thank you once again for this opportunity. I am looking forward to your response!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your LinkedIn Profile or Website]

In this email, I’ve maintained a respectful and enthusiastic tone while clearly articulating my concerns regarding the salary. The use of positive language reinforces my interest in the position while respectfully addressing my needs.

In both formats—video call or email—active listening and effective communication skills are essential in ensuring that my message is conveyed thoughtfully and persuasively.

 

 

 

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