APCT5121: Applied Communication Techniques Assessment

Acknowledgement

By submitting this assignment, you acknowledge that you have read and understood all the rules as per the terms in the registration contract, in particular the assignment and assessment rules in The IIE Assessment Strategy and Policy (IIE009), the intellectual integrity and plagiarism rules in the Intellectual Integrity and Property Rights Policy (IIE023), as well as any rules and regulations published in the student portal.

Instruction

1. All work must be adequately and correctly referenced.

2. No material may be copied from original sources, even if referenced correctly, unless it is a direct quote indicated with quotation marks.
   No more than 10% of the assignment may consist of direct quotes.

3. Your assignment must be submitted through Turnitin.

4. Save a copy of your assignment before submitting it.

5. Assignments must be typed unless otherwise specified.

6. This is an individual assignment.

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025
Page 1 of 20

Referencing Rubric

Providing evidence based on valid and referenced academic sources is a fundamental educational principle and the cornerstone of high-quality academic work. Part of achieving this quality is referencing in a way that is consistent and congruent with the requirements of the referencing style being used.

Therefore, inconsistent and/or incongruent referencing will result in a penalty of a maximum of ten percent being deducted from the overall percentage awarded to your assessment submission.

Please note that evidence of plagiarism in the form of copied or unreferenced work, absent reference lists, or exceptionally poor referencing may result in action being taken in accordance with The IIE’s Intellectual Integrity and Property Rights Policy (IIE023). Similarly, evidence of excessive AI usage may result in action being taken in accordance with The IIE’s Student Conduct, Discipline and Safety Policy (IIE015).

Required: Consistent and Congruent Referencing

Consistency:

• The correct referencing style for the discipline (Harvard / APA / Law / IEEE) has been used consistently for all in-text references and in the bibliography/reference list.

• Concepts and ideas that are quoted and/or paraphrased are referenced consistently throughout.

• In-text references are positioned consistently and appropriately.

Feedback on referencing consistency:
Minor errors 5?duction (5 or more minor errors)
Major errors 10?duction (5 or more major errors)

Examples include:

• missing page numbers in some quotes

• inconsistent reference formatting

• incomplete citations

• references only at the start/end of paragraphs

Congruency

• Each source cited in-text appears in the reference list.

• Sources are ordered correctly according to the referencing style.

• Quotes and paraphrases are integrated accurately into text.

Minor incongruences include:

• one or two missing reference list entries

• one or two ordering issues

• occasional weak source integration

Major incongruences include:

• several missing or mismatched references

• duplicated or incomplete sources

• weak or incorrect grammatical integration

Overall feedback on referencing, with suggested improvements, will be provided.

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025
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Assignment Instructions

Search online for current job vacancies in South Africa that appeal to you based on your intended career goals and area of study.

Suggested portals:

From your search, select one job advertisement on which to base your responses.

Your chosen advertisement must:

• be a legitimate full-time job aligned to your study field

• include roles, responsibilities, education, and skills requirements

You must:

• save/download and attach the advertisement at the end of your assignment

• note that failure to include it will result in a 10?duction

Referencing must be applied throughout.

Your lecturer will assess responses using the marking rubrics (Appendix A).

The lecturer will not mark beyond maximum word counts.

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025
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Question 1

Select any two skills/competencies listed in your chosen job advertisement, and for each:

• explain why the skill is important in the business context of the advertised position

• evaluate how practical knowledge of interpersonal, non-verbal, and intercultural communication in the workplace may help you develop that skill

Requirements:

• Refer to at least two credible sources

• Do NOT use AI in this question

• Word count: 350–500 words

Question 2

Write a professional email (350–500 words) applying for the position.

The email must:

• follow correct professional email structure & etiquette

• include:

  • education background

  • work history

  • relevant skills

• be tailored to the job advertisement

• include a clear action statement referring to your CV

• explain:

  • why you want the job

  • why you are the best candidate

Notes:

• You may invent reasonable details

• Write the email in MS Word

• Do NOT use AI in this question

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025
Page 4 of 20

Question 3

You have been invited to a panel interview on MS Teams.

Tasks:

1. Ask an AI tool how to prepare for virtual and in-person panel job interviews in South Africa.

2. Take screenshots of:

• your prompts

• the AI responses

Paste screenshots into Question 3.

Then write a 350–500 word reflection comparing:

• AI advice vs prescribed course material

• what AI omitted, misunderstood, or added

• what you learned about:

  • interview preparation

  • business communication

  • AI advantages, risks and challenges

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025

Question 4 

You will be interviewed by:

• HR Manager

• Department Manager

• Colleague from another department

Write an interviewscript (750–1000 words).

The script must:

• follow the provided table template

• progress logically through interview phases

• include:

  • at least 3 open questions + your responses

  • at least 3 closed questions + your responses

  • at least 3 follow-up questions + your responses

• use details from:

  • job advertisement

  • your email from Q2

  • relevant theory

• be written in appropriate language & tone

• NOT use AI

InterviewScript Template (opening lines):

HR Manager: Welcome Mr/Ms (Surname), we are happy to meet you and to have the opportunity to speak more with you today. We were all very impressed by your CV and letter of application.

Summary of Assessment Requirements

The Applied Communication Techniques Assignment 1 (APCT5121/P/W) requires students to demonstrate practical and theoretical understanding of professional communication in the workplace, particularly in the context of job applications and interview scenarios. The assessment is divided into four key components:

1. Job Advertisement Selection

   • Identify a current, legitimate full-time job in South Africa aligned with your field of study.

   • Ensure the advertisement contains detailed information on roles, responsibilities, education, and required skills.

   • Save and attach the job advertisement to your assignment (failure results in a 10?duction).

2. Skill Analysis (Question 1, 20 marks)

   • Select two key skills/competencies from the job advertisement.

   • Explain why each skill is important for the position.

   • Evaluate how knowledge of interpersonal, non-verbal, and intercultural communication contributes to skill development.

   • Support responses with at least two credible sources.

3. Professional Email / Cover Letter (Question 2, 25 marks)

   • Draft a professional email applying for the position (350–500 words).

   • Include education, work history, and relevant skills tailored to the job advertisement.

   • Provide a clear action statement referring to the CV.

   • Justify interest in the position and explain why you are the best candidate.

4. AI Tool Reflection on Interview Preparation (Question 3, 20 marks)

   • Use an AI tool to gather advice on preparing for virtual and in-person panel interviews.

   • Take screenshots of prompts and responses.

   • Reflect in 350–500 words on:

     • Usefulness of AI advice compared to prescribed material

     • Omissions, errors, or added information by AI

     • Learning outcomes regarding interview preparation, business communication, and AI risks/benefits

5. Panel InterviewScript (Question 4, 35 marks)

   • Write a 750–1000 word scripted panel interview including:

     • 3+ open questions, 3+ closed questions, and 3+ follow-up questions

     • Responses linked to the job advertisement, email application, and relevant theory

   • Maintain professional language, tone, and logical flow

   • AI usage is prohibited

Key pointers to be covered:

• Research and selection of a job advertisement

• Analysis of critical skills/competencies

• Professional email writing

• AI-assisted preparation and critical reflection

• Panel interview scripting integrating theory and practical application

Academic Mentor Guidance and Step-by-Step Process

The Academic mentor guided the student through the assessment in a structured manner:

1. Job Advertisement Selection:

   • Mentor explained criteria for selecting a suitable job, ensuring alignment with study field.

   • Advised verifying legitimacy, detailed responsibilities, and required qualifications.

2. Skill Analysis (Q1):

   • Mentor demonstrated how to select two key skills/competencies.

   • Guided the student to link each skill to workplace relevance.

   • Explained application of interpersonal, non-verbal, and intercultural communication knowledge to enhance skill development.

3. Professional Email (Q2):

   • Mentor provided email structure guidance: professional tone, salutation, body, closing, and action statements.

   • Assisted the student in tailoring educational background, work experience, and skills to match the job advertisement.

   • Highlighted importance of emphasizing motivation and suitability for the role.

4. AI Tool Reflection (Q3):

   • Mentor instructed the student on how to query AI tools effectively.

   • Explained the need to critically compare AI responses with prescribed course material.

   • Guided reflection on practical insights gained, AI limitations, and risks in business communication.

5. Panel InterviewScript (Q4):

   • Mentor instructed on interview structure: opening, body, closing.

   • Explained the need to include open, closed, and follow-up questions.

   • Guided the student to integrate job ad details, previous email content, and theoretical concepts.

   • Emphasized professional language, tone, and logical sequencing.

Outcome of the Assessment

Final Outcome:

• Job advertisement was selected and attached as evidence.

• Two key skills were analyzed with clear explanations and supported by credible sources.

• Professional email was drafted successfully, tailored to the position and including CV reference.

• AI tool reflection completed with screenshots, critical comparison, and insights.

• Panel interviewscript created with full set of questions and responses aligned to theory and practical application.

Learning Objectives Covered:

• Ability to research and identify relevant job opportunities.

• Understanding and analysis of workplace skills and competencies.

• Application of professional writing and communication skills.

• Critical evaluation of AI tools in business communication contexts.

• Preparation and execution of professional interview strategies.

• Integration of theoretical knowledge into practical scenarios.

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